Amor del Corazón en La Habana
“Love from the Heart in Havana”
Yoga and Culture
Havana, Cuba
February 13-19, 2025
With Johnna
This week we will find ourselves staying in a beautiful, renovated Mansion in Vedado that has become a Bed & Breakfast for the owners. We will have the opportunity to walk the neighborhood and see what has become of this once thriving community and on the road to becoming that again. Our focus this week is on health and wellness with me, Johnna Smith, widely respected and followed for her Yoga expertise! From the Courtyard of our B&B to a private beach, she will engage us in opening our senses to our surroundings and working with Elsa Perez who is a leading Yogi Master in Cuba for the International Yoga Federation. Come along…this will be a trip of a lifetime, and you’ll leave with Cuba in your Heart!!
Our days will consist of ease and exploration. We will explore workshops and yoga styles like hatha yoga, pranayama, meditations along with ashtanga and vinyasa flow practices! And you will have the experience of a lifetime! The excitement of Havana, the food, the live music, the art. An endless celebration for your senses!
Meet your Yoga Host
Hi Friend!
I hope you’re sitting down because I have a hot proposition for you! 🌞 How about we escape to Cuba for a fabulous yoga and cultural adventure? Yes, you heard that right—yoga and culture, with a side of mojitos and salsa dancing! Picture this: we kick off our mornings with some rejuvenating yoga sessions, stretching our way to enlightenment while soaking up those gorgeous Cuban vibes. And then? We dive headfirst into the culinary wonderland that is Cuban food! Think fresh, flavorful dishes that will make your taste buds dance. Seriously, the food is so good, you might want to marry it. But wait, there’s more! After we’ve thoroughly enjoyed, we’ll hit the streets to soak in the live music that spills out from every corner. I mean, who doesn’t want to embibe the rhythm of Cuba? Let’s be real—if we don’t see the art and enjoy rooftop espressos, did we even go to Cuba? And because we’re all about those cultural experiences, we’ll also tour some tobacco and cigar-making spots. I can already hear you saying, “I’m just here for the cigars!” Well, you’ll get the full scoop on how they’re made, and who knows? Maybe we’ll even roll our own (cigars, that is!). So, what do you say? Ready to trade your daily grind for some yoga, food, and a whole lot of fun in Cuba? Let me know if you’re in—I can’t imagine doing this without you!
Loving You,
Johnna
p.s. I’m sure you already know, I cannot wait to try the cuban coffee!!!
p.s.s. I’m partnering with Trish Ellington with Centerline Adventures - my cultural attaché :) She’s taken many groups and will introduce us to her friends the whole time.
“We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.” – Anonymous
WHAT’S INCLUDED
February 13-19, 2025
All Inclusive – bring your friends!
*pay deposit now $500pp. Payment plans available with final payment due 30 days prior to travel.
ALL PASSPORTS MUST HAVE AT LEAST 6 MONTHS OF TRAVEL AVAILABLE.
PLEASE CHECK YOURS AND ACT ACCORDINGLY.
VISAS ARE INCLUDED IN YOUR PACKAGE.
This is an all inclusive excursion from Charlotte, NC
Have Reward Miles? Email us for info on trip discount when using those!
Our Journey in Havana includes:
Round trip airfare from Charlotte to Havana
Private transportation on arrival and all week
6 night’s accommodation
Daily yoga classes, including Sunrise meditation
Three local amazing meals per day
All entries to events
Visa, Cuban license, medical insurance in Cuba
Personal Guide
Trip Host
Welcome Gifts
Translator
Some tips, MIA taxes, Cuban taxes
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
Alcoholic drinks not on program
Personal Expenses
Services not mentioned
Travel Insurance (highly recommended)
The Itinerary
Day 1
Thursday, February 13
Day 2
Friday, February 14
Day 3
Saturday, February 15
Day 4
Sunday, February 16
Day 5
Monday, February 17
Day 6
Tuesday, February 18
Day 7
Wednesday, February 19
Our flight to Havana starts in Charlotte with a direct flight (change plans in MIA) to Jose Marti International Airport! After checking into our beautiful mansion, Villa Vedado, we will have time to get acquainted with the area before heading out to the exciting restaurant, Al Carbon, where International travelers love to come for the excitement of Havana! The Food, the music, the eclectic decor will begin our journey into the culture of Cuba!
Our first full day in Havana will begin with an early Yoga session with Johnna preparing us for fun experiences! Old Havana has the charm of this country that dates back to Christopher Columbus when he landed here in 1492! We will see some beautiful architecture and visit the areas where art galleries and souvenir shops thrive among the international visitors to this island nation. Chacon 162 will be our spot for lunch where our friend, Jose Hector, has his Chef's prepare a Cuban Sandwich made by Cubans in Cuba!!
We will visit our friend, Milton Bernal, at his gallery where his very unique painting techniques is admired around the world....he uses tobacco leaves to create extraordinary paintings! He will entertain us with espresso and cigars while sharing his creations! Tonight we will enjoy dinner at Fangio's Restaurante, named for an Argentinian race car driver, that won the 1957 Cuba Grand Prix! Interesting story of why he didn't race in 1958 will be shared tonight! Live music on the rooftop will be our reward for our long day!
One of our favorite places to visit is the Habana Compas Dance owned and directed by Eduardo Cordova. Centerline Adventures is working to create a program with Eduardo in Cuba for US kids who are autistic. He has worked with local kids for years with great success using percussion as a way of communication and we will be sharing that info in the US in 2025. Today we will enjoy watching and participating with his dance troupe to the music of the heart!
From here we will visit the studio of Elsa Perez, who has been a Member of Honor and Senior Yoga Teacher of the International Yoga Federation since 2004. Here we will enjoy a meditation session provided by Elsa accompanied by Johnna Smith. We will enjoy a lunch, some rum and Prosecco and maybe experience Elsa’s beautiful talents on her Grand Piano in the studio! Tonight we will have a Pizza Party at Espacios where we will be entertained by our favorite group, Big Bros, who play all of our favorite American Classic Rock songs from Led Zeppelin to Journey and all points in between! There's something very intriquing about listening to American music from a great Cuban band!
This morning, we will head out early to catch the sunrise on the rooftop of the historic Hotel Nacional! This hotel was the place to be before 1960 and still has it's beauty to share. Enjoy mimosas as we say good morning to the day! If you wonder where the locals get their produce and other food products, today we will visit Finca Vista Hermosa where they grow produce, raise livestock and make their own cheeses! We will enjoy a lunch made with all the products from their farm! Horseback riding is available for those who want to venture into the fields!
Back at the Villa, take this time to walk around the neighborhood or walk the Malecon close to the Villa. The Malecon stretches 5 miles so it’s a great place to run or walk or just sit on the seawall and listen to the crashing of the waves! Since rooftops are the best for viewing the city, dinner will be 8 floors above Old Havana overlooking the Malecon in one direction and the Capitol Building in the other in a place called Bestview…because it is! We will enjoy a wonderful meal prepared by the chefs of PlanH and learn how to Salsa under the stars!
Tobacco has always been the most popular and sought-after product in Cuba. Today we will visit Hirochi Robaina, owner of the family-owned tobacco farm who will showcase their product and explain the process of building a super quality cigar. After a yoga session led by Johnna in the tobacco fields, we will enjoy an authentic Cuban lunch with Hirochi and drink rum and smoke cigars with him around his table where his “grandfather’ sits all day!
After resting at Villa Vedado upon our return, we will enjoy dinner at La Guarida in Central Havana. The food here is superb and the environment is very exciting with a great bar just up the stairs from the terrace where we will dine. After dinner we will venture over to the very popular Art Factory. La Fábrica de Arte Cubano is an art gallery and club in Havana, Cuba. The Fábrica's gallery and stage were established inside of a former cooking oil factory and has since gained notoriety as one of Havana's premier nightclubs and art galas.
BEACH DAY! We will hang out in a privately owned home in a gated community called Tarara. With full access to the house and the beach, we will enjoy lunch prepared by the staff of the house. A private bar is set up for your enjoyment, and the blue waters of the Atlantic are ours for the day! Beach yoga will be enjoyed on the sands of Tarara! Cuba is known for its beautiful beaches, and these are the most extraordinary!
Once back at our Villa, you are free to explore the area, rest, or meditate over the feelings and thoughts of your adventure so far! The only wine bar in town is called Plan H and is owned by a woman named Ada; and also owns the Bestview, where we ate earlier this week! She has done a great job bringing something new and different to Havana. On returning to the Villa, we will stop at the H Bar and listen to some locals play great tunes! This is a local bar, so the vibe will be electric!
Our last stop will be to visit our BFF, Vivian Melendez, who is highly regarded around the world for her knowledge of cigars. She will show us how to choose, cut, light, and smoke a cigar while paired with Cuban coffee or rum. She also has beautiful items you may want to take back to the US for friends and family! She has a great logo that you will appreciate once you see her!! While there we will play a vigorous game of Dominos with Vivian who has yet to be beaten! Live music will entertain us and send us on our way to the States!
As we say adios to Havana and Bienvenidos to Miami, we greatly appreciate you joining us on our adventure to one of our favorite places - Cuba! We hope you’ll feel “Havana in My Heart” for years to come!
Cost Per Person: $4150 dbl occupancy
Singles: add $750
Reserve your spot today with a deposit of $500pp.
Payment plans are available, with final payment due 30 days before travel.
ALL PASSPORTS MUST HAVE AT LEAST 6 MONTHS OF TRAVEL AVAILABLE.
PLEASE CHECK YOURS AND ACT ACCORDINGLY.
VISAS ARE INCLUDED IN YOUR PACKAGE.
This is an all-inclusive excursion from Charlotte, NC
Have Reward Miles? Email us for info on discount info when using reward miles!
You can click the link below to find out more information.
Additionally, you can call Trish at 305-401-8184 or email: trish@centerlineadventures.com
Testamonials
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For years I’ve seen photos of Bali and read various stories of people going there to awaken or strengthen their spirituality. A trip to Bali was always tickling at the back of my consciousness, but I never thought seriously about going myself. SOOOO, when Johnna organized a special yoga retreat there, I seized the opportunity!! My experience there far surpassed anything I imagined in terms of the beauty of the country, the kindness of its people, and a culture so very different from other countries I have visited. I continue to enjoy the trip, even though I’m home, through all of the memories that we made there together.
Cindy M.
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"Trish Ellington and Centerline Adventures have been known to me for over 15 years. I am the CEO of a 32-year old, award-winning expeditionary tour company of Florida and the Caribbean. We are Florida's largest corporate tour company (Dragonfly Expeditions). It is from this position that I can attest that Trish and Centerline Adventures offer world-class travel at a professional level which I would trust for my clients and myself. I recently travelled to Cuba with Centerline Adventures and was amazed by the variety and the logistical executions of this trip. It is fair to say, that I will be travelling and collaborating with Trish Ellington for the rest of my life." -
Charles J Kropke
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"I cannot say enough about my recent trip to Cuba with Centerline Adventures. After experiencing a difficult couple of years, this trip was so impactful for my healing journey. Trish curated an experience that provided me the opportunity to be immersed in the culture and beauty of this incredible country. The joy and freedom I experienced fed my heart and soul. The memories will nourish me as I move forward intentionally in my new life. Thank you, Trish xx" -
Andrea D.
