DAY 2 – Havana

• Visit Old Havana and learn about Havana’s world-renowned UNESCO heritage designated architecture on an expertly guided walking tour (2 hrs)

There is no better introduction to Havana than a walk through Old Havana. On this walk you will explore Old Havana’s five major plazas and see the interiors of cathedrals and other important buildings. UNESCO designated Old Havana as a world heritage site in 1982. Although today Havana is a sprawling metropolis of more than two million people, the old center retains an interesting mix of Baroque and neoclassical monuments, beautiful balconies and courtyards.

• Lunch at El del Frente paladar (a staff and client favorite – try the daiquiris!)
• Visit the National Lyrical Theater, one of the oldest buildings in Havana, for a private recital

On this exclusive visit, Pacheco will introduce you to his father, Maestro Pacheco, and have you sit in on one of his classes. Maestro Pacheco was the director of the Cuban National Opera for six years. He is also the only Cuban opera singer to graduate from the prestigious Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow. You will enjoy a 30 minute concert by his top students singing classic Cuban works as well as Cuban opera

• Experience a private concert with Vocal Leo choir, directed by Corina Campos, one of the most important choir directors in Havana—and Pacheco’s beloved mom.
• Nighttime concert with Pacheco’s favorite Salsa Orchestra (TBA)

DAY 3 – Havana

• Visit famed Abdala Studio, where many famous Cuban records were recorded, and enjoy a private concert
• Visit two prestigious music conservatories where Pacheco studied, Caturla and ISA (Instituto Superior de Arte) and enjoy a brief concert by students.

The sprawling campus of the Instituto Superior de Arte was originally a golf course frequented by Havana’s elite. In the 1970s, the Cuban government built an arts institution here, with vaulted brick and terra cotta structures. Today it is the most prestigious college in Havana for music, painting, and ceramics.

• Lunch at Casa Mia paladar
• Enjoy an afternoon of live music performance with Pacheco’s hand-picked Cuban All Stars
• Visit Fabrica de Arte Cubano , The hottest club in Cuba and one of Pacheco’s favorite places to perform and go see the hottest new talent perform

Havana’s hottest spot for nightlife, this converted warehouse features a four story art gallery/film space with multiple stages for live music and outdoor/indoor bars.

DAY 4 – Havana

• Visit the historic neighborhood of Guanabacoa and visit another musical school where Pacheco studied
• Lunch at Café Ajiaco paladar and enjoy a cigar and rum pairing
• Enjoy a live Afro-Cuban rumba percussion performance and meet Ruy Lopez Nussa, an important female figure in Cuban percussion

DAY 5 – Havana

• Head to Matanzas (1 hour 45 min) a small but historically important city
• Lunch at Bistro Kuba paladar
• Enjoy an exclusive concert by the Failde Orchestra in the historic Sauto Theater

Considered one of Cuba’s most important orchestras, the Failde has dedicated itself to rescuing the danzón genre. The danzón was first popularized in the 1800s, and today is still the official music and dance of Cuba. In this special presentation the director of the orchestra will explain how the danzón was originally danced, and a pair of dancers will demonstrate. Though their specialty is the danzón, the orchestra performs a variety of other genres as well; through this unique musical performance you will experience a master class of the history of Cuban popular music.

• Return to Havana