The Exhale: Cuba Edition

April 5-12, 2025

Santa Fe, Havana

Viñales, Pinar Del Río

Old Havana

You’ve been dreaming of this. A place where you can set it all down. The chance to immerse fully in the richness of Cuban culture and rediscover the best parts of yourself. This is what you’ve been waiting for. The adventure of a lifetime with a community of women who get it. Inhale. Exhale.

The Exhale: Cuba Edition

One trip. Two worlds.

  • Viñales

    Welcome to Viñales, Cuba—nestled between rolling green hills and tranquil tobacco fields, where each sunrise invites a new beginning and every moment encourages deep self-reflection. Imagine waking up to the smell of fresh coffee and the sounds of the Valley as you nurture your spirit and reconnect with the best parts of yourself. Here, amid the gentle rhythms of nature and the warmth of local culture, you'll find space to rediscover who you are when you have enough room to breathe. Inhale. Exhale.

  • Havana

    Step into the vibrant cityscape of Havana, where history and passion intertwine to create a truly enchanting experience. You’ll be surrounded by colorful colonial architecture and the rhythmic pulse of Cuban music. You’ll find yourself immersed in a city brimming with creativity and charm. The lively streets and open-hearted locals will inspire you as you savor the rich tapestry of Havana’s dynamic energy. The spirit of Havana calls you to embrace the joy of living fully.

Itinerary

  • You land at José Martí airport in Havana, where a driver will take you to our stunning seaside home in Santa Fe. Have a drink, relax by the pool, enjoy the sounds of the sea as we await everyone's arrival and begin The Exhale.

    Once everyone arrives, we gather for a welcome dinner to officially kick off the best week of your life. Have a good sleep tonight, we head to Viñales in the morning!

    Meals included: Dinner

  • Wake up to the gentle sounds of the sea and indulge in a breakfast made with care by our hosts. Hot coffee, fresh eggs and fruit, and an opportunity to soak in the slow pace of life here. After breakfast, we travel 2.5 hours to Viñales where we truly begin to reset.

    Upon arrival at our farm stay Finca Villaverde in Viñales you can have a drink, enjoy the patio, take a nap in a hammock, read a book, go for a walk...it's the start of undoing the busy and easing into the slow life.

    We come together for our first Exhale Workshop; a sacred space we will return to daily to explore what we need, what gets in the way, and how we can bridge the gap. Tonight we savor a homemade dinner with local ingredients on the patio. Heaven.

    Meals included: Breakfast + Dinner

  • You're up before dawn, but for good reason. We meet our guide and trek (in the dark, through the woods) to the top of a nearby mogote to watch the sun rise over the valley in a wash of color. Once the valley is filled with light, you see how coffee, sugar cane, honey and tobacco is cultivated in Viñales.

    We return to Finca Villaverde for brunch and our next Exhale Workshop. This afternoon, local guides are available to explore the Santo Tomás Caves or the Canopy Tour, or you can choose the luxury of doing nothing at all. What do you need? How will you honor what you need?

    The evening is yours to enjoy in Viñales. Check out local restaurants, enjoy some live music, have fun! We're happy to recommend our favorite spots.

    Meals included: Brunch

  • You've had a few days to adjust to the restful pace of Viñales and today is your chance to put that into practice. Breakfast at Finca Villaverde is followed by our daily Exhale Workshop.

    Next, it's time to explore the valley by horseback. We spend 4 hours on the trails, with a stop for drinks along the way. Soak up the peace and quiet as you connect with the rhythm of life in the Valley.

    Back at Finca Villaverde, find a hammock for a nap, read a book, go for a wander. Your nervous system is being rewired to relax.

    Our final dinner in Viñales will be a joy. El Cuajaní is a true farm-to-table restaurant owned by Berta and José. The menu changes each day based on the harvest in their garden, and there's a good chance Berta will sit down and join us for a drink!

    Meals included: Breakfast + Dinner

  • Wake up for a strong coffee and join today's Exhale Workshop. After our final breakfast in Viñales, we will reconnect with our driver and make the journey back to Havana.

    You'll get your first taste of Old Havana as we approach our home for the rest of the week, Elvira Mi Amor. From the moment you walk in the door, you're transported. Settle in to the luxury of the space, enjoy the tranquility of your private room, and when you're ready, head to the rooftop terrace for a mojito and the stunning view.

    Meet our local guide for a walking tour of Old Havana and learn about the complicated, intriguing history of this city. Choose to have dinner together as you get your bearings in this vibrant, complex city, or find a spot on your own. After dinner, you can wander through Old Havana for drinks and music. Have fun!

    Meals included: Breakfast

  • You awake refreshed after a great sleep and head to the terrace for coffee and breakfast prepared by the amazing staff of Elvira Mi Amor. We gather for our daily Exhale Workshop and then head out for a tour of Havana in those iconic classic cars.

    Cruising down the Malecón, you'll begin to understand the magic of Havana. A stop at Fusterlandia, a colorful artist's neighborhood covered in tiny mosaic tiles will delight you as you wander though an enchanting home-turned-museum that must be seen to be believed.

    You're free to have a wander around Old Havana and enjoy lunch on your own. Lean into a restful afternoon at Elvira Mi Amor, because tonight we head to the world-renowned Fábrica de Arte Cubano (FAC) for dinner and dancing!

    Meals Included: Breakfast + Dinner

  • Breakfast on the terrace, followed by our daily Exhale Workshop. Now that you know your way around Havana, embrace your inner sense of adventure. The day is yours to explore on your own.

    Wander through the artisan market, take a salsa lesson, book a rooftop massage or private yoga session at Elvira Mi Amor, have a walk down the Paseo del Prado. Soak up some history and culture at one of the countless museums. Immerse yourself in the rhythms of Havana. A trip to the beach can be arranged for those who feel the pull of the sea.

    If you need help planning your day, we're here for you! We will make every effort to give you a day to remember.

    We'll have a group dinner on the rooftop tonight to complete an extraordinary week in Cuba. Head to bed early, or venture out for a final night on the town!

    Meals Included: Breakfast + Dinner

  • It's time to integrate everything we've learned about ourselves, take a deep breath, and exhale. We'll have our last breakfast on the terrace, our final Exhale workshop, pack our bags and say goodbye to the fantastic staff at Elvira Mi Amor.

    Airport transfer to José Martí airport, and we head home!

    Meals Included: Breakfast

Cuba can be unpredictable. Our itinerary is subject to change based on circumstances that may arise. Flexibility is essential on an adventure like this!

Check our our Frequently Asked Questions for more details on what to expect.

This itinerary meets all criteria for travel under the general license “Support for the Cuban People” and is in compliance with US laws.

Meet Amy

Amy Johnston is a mom, a 40-something, a social worker, and a survivor of burnout. She lives in Chicago with her husband and their two kids. She believes that travel can cure almost anything.

Over the past 20 years she has traveled extensively, but the trips she’s taken with the women in her life have been by far the most nourishing and the most transformative. Parenting, caregiving, building a career and sustaining a marriage is gorgeous, messy, sometimes exhausting work. Amy has found travel with brilliant, funny, wholehearted women to be the secret to resetting and reclaiming herself.

Amy is delighted to share her love of (organized) adventure with women who are ready to step out of the “busy” and allow space for connection, gratitude and joy. Let’s go.

Where You'll Stay

  • Finca Villaverde

    Finca Villaverde is an eco-farm stay in the stunning valley of Viñales. Enjoy complete tranquility as you disconnect, immerse and replenish.

  • Elvira Mi Amor

    A jewel in the heart of Old Havana, Elvira Mi Amor is a lovingly restored 1920's mansion that highlights the splendor of that era. You'll never want to leave.

Your Stay at Finca Villaverde

  • All accommodation at Finca Villaverde is shared. Cabins have two twin beds on the ground floor and one queen bed in the loft. Cabins have a private bathroom with two sinks, a toilet and a shower.

  • Cabins will be shared by 3-4 women* (queen bed can be shared by two friends traveling together, or a solo traveler).

  • Breakfast will be made from scratch with local ingredients each morning by our hosts. We will enjoy one group dinner on the patio. Beverages and bottled water are available upon request.

  • The grounds are yours to roam, including the patios, hammocks, chair swings and farm land. Two resident pups will be happy to keep you company as you melt into the pace of life in Viñales.

  • Finca Villaverde is a rural oasis, a short drive or a healthy walk or bike ride from the village of Viñales. It is a place where you lose track of time and connect with your own rhythms.

*Private rooms are available at a neighboring farm just beside Finca Villaverde for a small supplement, first come first served.

Your Stay at Elvira Mi Amor

  • Guests can choose between a standard room with a queen bed or a suite with a king bed at Elvira Mi Amor. Friends traveling together can choose to share a suite (this means sharing a bed).

  • All rooms are stunning spaces, with curated local artwork, fully appointed private bathrooms and loads of natural light. Some rooms have balconies, while others open onto the terrace or the courtyard.

  • Each morning we will enjoy a tropical brunch, made from scratch with fresh local ingredients. We will enjoy one group dinner on the terrace.

  • Guests have access to two sitting rooms and three rooftop terraces, with a private bar staffed at all times for beverages and filtered water.

  • Free wi-fi for guests is available (this may be spotty at times).

  • Elvira Mi Amor is situated in the heart of Old Havana with a simple façade that blends into it’s surroundings. When you step inside, you’re transported to opulent 1920’s Havana. The house is just a few minutes walk from the most popular sites in the city.

Traveler Reviews

  • "Cuba was amazing. Exceeded all expectations, the people, the food, the atmosphere. Trip of a life time!"

    -On Cuba

  • "10/10 Would Recommend!!!"

    -On traveling with Amy

  • "Did I feel safe? 100%. I had massive anxiety about going to Cuba, but the Cuban people are so helpful and kind. We were a group of women and I never once felt worried or uneasy."

    -On safety in Cuba

  • "The views!! it was so peacful and calming, the rooms we're spacious and serene."

    -On Finca Villaverde

  • "The decor, the hosts, the staff, it was outstanding. We each had our uniquely designed room and the overall aesthetic of the house was like walking into a designer mansion. The staff went above and beyond, we we're never in need of anything."

    -On Elvira Mi Amor

  • "Cuba is absolutely stunning. The architecture, the places we stayed in, we couldn't have asked for better people, better views, better amenities!"

    -On Cuba

  • "Very well organized. As always, Amy researches everything and never disappoints. Accommodations were gorgeous and fantastic."

    -On Amy's planning skills

  • "I love traveling with Amy. Everything is easy and taken care of and I just show up."

    -On traveling with Amy

  • "Such a beautiful building with the most picture perfect rooms. Couldn’t have stayed in a better place anywhere. The rooftop area alone was worth it. And the food was delicious."

    -On Elvira Mi Amor

What’s Cuba like? Have a look…

You’re ready. Let’s Go.