The leading provider of legal people-to-people travel to Cuba rolls out seven trips over New Year's in Cuba

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., Oct. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- While many Americans are still making their holiday travel plans, few have ever considered Cuba. After 50 years of U.S. travel restrictions to this cultural mecca, such thoughts were not possible…until now. With the reintroduction of legal people-to-people travel, Insight Cuba, the leading provider of legal people-to-people travel to Cuba for Americans is offering six Signature tours during New Year's in Cuba.

"Visiting Cuba during the holiday season is a very special experience for Americans and our tours over New Year's and Christmas sell out quickly. But this year we've rolled out seven new departures over New Year's, and 13 other departures throughout Christmas and December," says Insight Cuba's President, Tom Popper. Tours which celebrate New Year's in Havana include Classic Cuba, 8 days, Dec 30-Jan 6; Scenic Cuba, 8 days, Dec 28-Jan 4; Vintage Cuba, 6 days, Dec 27-Jan 1; Jazz in Havana, 5 days, Dec 28-Jan 1; and Weekend in Havana, 4 days, Dec 29-Jan 1. For travelers that prefer something off-the-beaten-path, celebrate New Year's in Baracoa, on Insight Cuba's Undiscovered Cuba tour, 12 days, Dec 23-Jan 2; or in Trinidad on Classic Cuba Dec 27^th departure, 8 days.

"I've celebrated the holidays in many countries over the years, but nothing lives up to the feeling of singing Auld Lang Syne with Cubans in Cuba," continues Popper. Tours over New Year's Eve feature a Cuban style celebration in Old Havana's Cathedral Square. This includes a five course dinner, performances, and so much more leading up to the New Year's countdown. "Ringing in the New Year in Cathedral Square was overwhelming in so many ways. Cubans and Americans were united in celebration, and we joined in the Cuban tradition of pouring water out of their windows to wash away the old year and usher in the new," says Alexandra Marcus, manager at Insight Cuba.

Other highlights as part of the daily itineraries included in the tours involve meeting with inspiring university students for candid discussions about what it's like to be a young adult in contemporary Cuba; taking a vintage train ride between Remedios and Caibarien; meeting with tobacco farmers to learn about the world's most famous crop; sitting in on a ballet rehearsal; meeting with an artist in his private studio; and so much more.

Insight Cuba handpicks exclusive experiences and keeps its groups to a maximum of 24 people. Rates for tours during December departures start at $2,195 per person double occupancy and $2,495 per person single occupancy for our 4-day Weekend in Havana tour (more over New Year's) and include: first-class accommodations at the Melia Cohiba in Havana, all meals, Cuban guide, Insight Cuba tour leader, U.S. Department of the Treasury license and Insight Cuba letter of authorization, New Year's or Christmas dinner for applicable programs, all entrance fees to scheduled activities and events, all in-country ground transportation and transfers, travel health insurance, emergency medical evacuation, trip cancellation insurance (up to $1,000; additional coverage for a fee), an Insight Cuba guidebook, and a 24-hour emergency service hotline. 

Insight Cuba received its sixth people-to-people license in July 2013, authorizing legal travel to Cuba for Americans through 2015.

For fully detailed itineraries in December and other Insight Cuba tours, visit www.insightcuba.com or call 1-800-450-CUBA. To stay connected with Insight Cuba, follow @insightcuba or 'like' the Insight Cuba Facebook Page.

About Insight CubaInsight Cuba is the leading provider and pioneer in legal people-to-people travel for Americans to Cuba. Since its inception in 2000, the organization has sent more than 6,000 participants on hundreds of tours and crafted over 100 custom group programs. When travel to Cuba was reauthorized for all Americans in 2011, this not-for-profit company (a division of Cross-Cultural Solutions) was the first to bring American travelers back to Cuba. Six programs with 100 departures are scheduled through June 2014 featuring original experiences that put American visitors in direct touch with Cuban people and culture.

SOURCE Insight Cuba