Vanishing Cuba is a special 9-Day Photo Tour and Cultural Adventure led by Michael Chinnici, author of Vanishing Cuba, a photo storytelling book showcasing an outstanding collection of images from his more than 30 trips to this island nation. Michael will take you off the tourist grid as you explore Havana, Trinidad, Vinales, Cienfuegos, Regla, Puerta de Golpe, Soroa, and more. Michael integrates Cuban friends and families into his adventures, visiting their homes and businesses so you can experience and photograph the real Cuba. Outside of Havana, you will be treated to a rural lifestyle that has gone unchanged for more than 60 years. Michael will host only three Vanishing Cuba small-group trips annually, making them intimate and highly personal.

 

In addition to Cuba, Michael also leads photo adventures in Europe, Africa, India, Asia, the United States, and Central America. But his photographic love affair with Cuba is some of his most interesting. These trips have yielded an impressive collection of images known as Vanishing Cuba™, which can be seen on his Instagram. Cuba is a tropical paradise with a storied past, offering us a unique view of a world few have been able to see. Photographing Cuba offers us the rare opportunity to capture its warm people, natural beauty, and stunning architecture. Laidback Caribbean Island culture mixed with the big-city life of Havana, where vintage American cars from the ’40s and ’50s roll past you on Havana’s Malecon.

 

 

Like all of our adventures, we take you behind the scenes of Cuba’s tourist veil and expose you to the inner city culture that is the real Cuba. By working with locals, we are able to achieve this on an unprecedented level. Besides photography, we’ll speak with Cubans about daily life on the island, learn about the country’s unique political and economic system, and work side-by-side with Cuban photographers. Old Havana, Trinidad, and Viñales Valley are UNESCO World Heritage sites.

OUR RECIPE FOR SUCCESS:  It’s been said that we really know how to do Cuba right. We stay in the finest and most authentic Casa Particulars (privately owned Cuban hotels and bed & breakfasts). We travel by air-conditioned vehicles and beautifully restored vintage American automobiles. We dine in world-renowned Cuban restaurants and authentic hidden gem paladars. And lastly, we expose you to a truly amazing and authentic Cuba and the most photogenic Cuba. We always travel to Cuba under the General License 31 CFR § 515.574 – Support for the Cuban People.

 

This adventure is designed to guide you to the most photogenic locations carefully planned for the best light and aid you in mentally visualizing a scene before capturing the decisive moment. Our aim is to raise your awareness and spark your creativity so that you not only go home with images to be proud of but use your newfound skills to improve and expand your photographic technique in general. You will learn how to turn an ordinary image into an extraordinary image by using your own creativity.

 

In addition, you will become knowledgeable about how to survey the landscape, utilize and approach your environment, photograph people indigenous to the region, and the cultural considerations and challenges of photographing in a foreign country. Our time together will include individual and group discussions, inspiring ideas, and great fun. Vanishing Cuba offers more photographic opportunities than any other adventure we offer. Cuba is not to be missed!