Why “Vanishing” Cuba?

Our Vanishing Cuba Photo Tour is one of PWA’s best-selling and most unique offerings. It was curated and is led by Michael Chinnici, who has made over 34 trips to Cuba. His deep love for Cuba and its people also inspired him to channel years of knowledge and passion into the photo storytelling book, “Vanishing Cuba”.

With extensive travel experience in this beautiful and unique country, Michael chose the word “Vanishing” to highlight how times have changed. The book, in particular, captures the profound transformations Cuba is undergoing as it emerges from more than 60 years of isolation and decay.

As modernization creeps in, many traditional aspects of Cuban life are disappearing, from classic cars to timeworn architecture. Cuba was shaped by decades of limited interaction with the outside world, which is slowly fading as the country becomes more accessible to tourists. The term “Vanishing” underscores the urgency to capture and preserve the essence of Cuba before these changes fully take hold.

“Vanishing Cuba” is about preserving the past, present, and future of the country, but even more so, it’s about capturing the “Soul of Cuba.” This compelling and beautifully produced book shows Michael’s love affair with Cuba and its people.

When it comes to our PWA tour, we transport you back in time to experience the true essence of Cuba, enriched by a deep understanding of its history. Michael will guide you through Cuba’s fading grandeur—capturing ballerinas in crumbling mansions, athletes in gritty boxing gyms, and the vibrant life of Old Havana’s plazas and boulevards. You’ll spend an evening at a cutting-edge cultural center in a former factory and enjoy a day dedicated to Cuba’s classic cars, including a visit to a restoration garage with over 20 pristine “Clasicos.” As we explore Trinidad’s cobblestone streets and pastel homes, we focus on capturing what’s vanishing.

When you join a Vanishing Cuba Photo Tour with Michael, you’ll see these breathtaking images in person. He integrates his Cuban friends and families into this photographic journey, inviting you into their homes and businesses to uncover a world beyond the typical tourist experience.

As Edith Wharton once said, “One of the great things about travel is that you find out how many good, kind people are there.”

Cuba comes alive through its people and their resilient spirit, finding joy and meaning in every circumstance. Some stories will provoke deep reflection, while others will warm your heart. It’s a country like no other, where the people, their rich history, and their vibrant lifestyle create something truly extraordinary.

Michael hosts three small-group Vanishing Cuba trips annually, ensuring each experience is intimate and personal.

You can find more information about the tours here:
https://photoworkshopadventures.com/north-america/cuba/vanishing-cuba

The “Vanishing Cuba” book and tour strive to capture and share the disappearing aspects of Cuba that Michael fell in love with. Through his lens, both in the book and on the tour, Michael presents the fading charm, the authentic spirit, and the rich cultural heritage of a country in transition. By documenting these vanishing moments, he offers a glimpse into the Cuba that once was, preserving it for others to experience and appreciate before it’s gone.

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