Do you want to experience the warmth of Cuba, the Caribbean easy life, salsa and rum, and a society full of contradictions? Come with me and my colleague Tod O’Driscoll on a photo tour to Cuba April 16-23, 2012. We will spend eight days discovering the beautiful people and culture on this very special Caribbean island as seen through the lives and stories of the residents in various place. We will spend time in the bustling capital, Havana – or Habana as it is in Spanish – and in the colonial towns of Cienfuegos and Trinida.
I have been travelling to Cuba pretty much every year since 1991, and I can testify that it’s an amazing place not the least for photographers or anyone interested in photography at any level. I simple love the country and its people. It’s a country full of colours, passion, contradictions, charm and problems – to be a little bit fair.
The travel is provided by Insight Cuba, a specialized travel agent with Cuba as a destination. I want to point out that this is not a traditional photo workshop, but we will meet with Cubans, take photos and discuss pictures in the evenings. The special thing about Insight Cuba is that it has a so-called People-to-People license from the U.S. Treasury Dept. which means that their tours are legal for U.S. Citizens to join. So this is a special opportunity for U.S. Americans to visit Cuba, but of course the tour is open for anyone who would like to go.
For more info:
http://phototourscuba.com/
http://www.insightcuba.com/
In Flow with Otto 
Hi,
Wow fun times ahead, you must know some of the locals in Cuba by now, it is always nice to catch up with people we have met o/seas.
I’m afraid I will have to be content with looking at your photos on your blog. I haven’t heard a lot about Cuba, I don’t personally know anyone that has been there, so I will be looking forward not only for the photos, but maybe a few story’s as well. 🙂
I wish! 🙂 I went to Cuba once and absolutely loved it. I must go back again and will check out this tour for interest. You never know!
I am ready to go!
Look forward to see you then! 🙂
I look forward to seeing your photos from your trip. Fantastic!
Wow, what an opportunity…..
My writing teacher is there now with a group of students studying Cuban culture. Maybe someday I’ll be able to join the ranks of those finding inspiration there.
I’m a bit jealous, but in a good way. I’ve never been to Cuba, even though it’s one of our neighboring islands. It’s true, now American citizens can enter, but I think they still need a cultural visa. I hope I can get one soon and get to visit someday, since I believe Jet Blue has big plans of having a direct flight from San Juan to Havana. 🙂
Enjoy your trip and take tons of photos!
You are right about the visa, but InsightCuba does provide the necessary visas.
This is a wonderful opportunity and I will take a look at the details and let you know… I missed a chance to go on an educational group tour some years back and I’d love to visit before the landscape changes… Thanks for the invitation! 🙂
I will be so eager to see your photos. I have several Cuban-born friends and they have so liberally shared their culture and fondness for what they recall from their young childhood. I can imagine this would be an exciting trip. How nice that you are sharing the opportunity! Debra
I loved Cuba when I was there in 2006. I agree, Otto, it’s full of angles, light, colour, characters, and old, old, old. Havana is magic. I admit my heart goes out to the people who work so hard!
Enjoy the trip. I may be in Northern Italy at that time with hopefully spring weather! To be determined.
Northern Italy is a lovely place to be in spring time!
wow
have fun!!
I think that Cuba is exotic and marvelous country. We Japanese seldom travel Cuba but I would like to know the country much more.
Interesting to hear that Americans can actually travel to Cuba. It’s been a “no-go” travel destination for so long that I hadn’t noticed that anything had changed. Wish I could go but will await photos instead…
Dream on Helen…..Dream on… I will await the photographs with interest 😉
I know so many people from there. I love to hear them sing “Cuando salí de Cuba, dejé mi vida, dejé mi amor.” They sing it with such love. I look forward to seeing what they left behind.
Oh, I so look forward to those photos.
Looking forward to your fabulous photos, as usual!
This sounds like such a wonderful opportunity, it is a place I would love to go to.
I will do the best to bring back photos from the trip to at least give an idea how it was! I know that Cuba is a place many are drawn to, but not always easy to get to for legal, time or money reasons.
A place full of dreams.
Wow, what a wonderful opportunity! I, too, will look forward to viewing your incredible photos!
WOW! That sounds like a great opportunity for those who can go, Otto. I’ll look forward to hearing all about it later. I love that even Americans can go (though I’m an American living in the Netherlands right now…a bit too far away!).
I wish too, dear Otto. I think photographers like to visit there… I would like to see your photographs too… This should be amazing travel. Thank you, with my love, nia
Enjoy your trip and come back with lots of photographs!
wonderful trip a head! Enjoy your trip. Waiting to see what is Cuba all about through your blog. 🙂
Cuba is a photographers dream. Not that I have ever been there but all the books, articles and photos that I have seen and read have made me want to visit with my camera. Maybe in the near future.
I wish I can just leave everything behind and go for a once in a lifetime adventure. I’m always fascinated by the beauty of the country and it’s people. The art, the landscapes, the rich culture, the sizzling music. Setting aside politics, it could have been an eden for most of us. Can’t wait to to see your photos and the thrilling narrations that goes with with. Be safe and best wishes!
Man, that sounds like so much fun and a life/learning experience to boot. Wish I could go!
Great share! I can’t wait for your work to hit the blog!
All the best on you trip. Take a camera with. 😉
Sounds like a great trip, and I wish I could go. Maybe someday…
Interesting! Those poor Cubans… only another revolution will free them from the “revolution” they suffer under now.
Oh, lucky you Otto! Wow, every year to Cuba, how awesome it that? I just made Cuban Pork from a recipe from a blogger friend. It was yum! Their music is great too, oh, and their coffee–to die for! Can you tell I love what Cuba offers? 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Sounds like an amazing trip and I hope I get back there one day with my camera as it’s a wonderfully rich and vibrant place for a photographer. I posted a few pics on my own blog some weeks ago. Enjoy your trip.
Oh I wish I could go. One day soon I hope…
Wonderful Photo’s I wish that I where more comfortable taking photos of people I seem to feel most comfortable taking photos of wild life or landscapes. Maybe over time my interest will change and what I photograph with change. Travel is a great thing so much to see so much to do.
Wow, well her you have a fellow Cuban photographer!! How I wish to go their, but I don;t think I can. I was born their and left at age 1 to Venezuela. Gave up all my rights to Cuba for Venezuela. I see the photography and I go CRAZY! Not to mention that nostalgia to someday see were I was born! Thank you for this post… Laz