SMALL GROUP TOURS WITH AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCES
intimate – engaging – transformational
Our Classic Cuba Tour
Ride in Classic Cars – Experience Local Culture – Eat Amazing Cuisine – Listen to Live Cuban Music – Smoke the Best Cigars
“We discovered Daryl’s ‘The Unconventional Travelers’ Classic Cuba tour by fortuitous conversation and were intrigued by his offer to customize the itinerary and make our visit something unique. From greeting us at the airport in a classic 1954 Ford, to a day long trip to the majestic limestone mogotes in the Vinales Valley and historic orchid gardens, to a walking tour of the historic squares and buildings in old Havana, we were constantly struck with his love for the Cuban people and his knowledge of the island. He handled all the arrangements – a lovely small hotel, meals at restaurants, drivers, translators – and knew all of the special places that visitors want to see, including in our case, Finca Vigia, the hilltop house of Ernest Hemingway. We look forward to a return trip!”
Ed and Vicki, November 2023
Immersive experiences that inspire, awaken and transform
All the inclusives for a worry free week!
December 2024 issue of Street Photography magazine article – Read More…
We are always happy to customize trips
for friends and family members based on your specific interests – discount available for private groups!
“My recent trip to Havana, Cuba was a wonderful experience. Both Old Havana and the surrounding countryside were great places to visit. At the end of my stay I really felt I knew the city of Havana. My hotel was right in the heart of Old Havana. Hotel and staff were excellent and the food in the hotel and in the surrounding neighborhood restaurants were fantastic. It was a lot of fun being driven around during my stay in 1950’s classic cars. I really had a wonderful experience traveling a week with Daryl Hawk!”
Alfred, February 2024
THE UNCONVENTIONAL TRAVELERS is a personalized tour company that focuses on inspiring travelers to see Cuba in a new way by experiencing their culture and lifestyle firsthand. We believe that some of the best adventures occur when you are far away from familiar things. After eight years of traveling to Cuba, renowned photographer and world traveler, Daryl Hawk, has chosen all of his favorite places in the greater Havana area and the agricultural area of Vinales for an unforgettable five day immersive experience. If you are interested in improving your photography skills, Daryl will be with you every step of the way, with tips on lighting, composition, and the art of engaging people who love to be photographed. Smart phones are encouraged. Daryl will be taking photographs of the participants throughout the trip and everyone will recieve these pictures shortly after they get home.
“Our 5 day time in Cuba with Daryl Hawk was eye opening, charming and well organized. We covered Havana extensively and visited Vinales – stopping at points of interest, including an orchid garden and a cigar making farm. The trip east to Hemingway’s home was fascinating. Accommodation in Havana was first rate and personal. The Cuban people welcomed us warmly. There was music everywhere. We recommend the trip highly!”
Pan & Lowri, February 2024
We specialize in small sized tours that will lead you on a magical
journey to excite and transform you.
These stimulating trips inspire and connect travelers with some of Cuba’s most beautiful places. Our groups absorb the authentic culture of Cuba, immersing the traveler in the local landscapes. From its vibrant cities to its breathtaking countryside, Cuba invites you to slow down, connect and experience life through the eyes of its people. Its magic lies in its people – their warmth, resilience and passion for life. This is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the rhythm, soul and beauty of this incredible island.
Our Humanitarian Assistance changes peoples lives.
The warm and wonderful Cuban people are in great need of certain basic items like aspirin, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, bandaids, vitamins, coloring books & crayons, etc. We encourage our clients to bring some of these items with them to distribute.
NEW: Cuba Music Tour
Join us on our Cuba tours and immerse yourself in Cuba’s authentic music performances and cultural delights. Our tours offer a unique opportunity to connect with the Cuban people and their rich musical heritage. Whether you’re a musician or simply someone who loves music, our tours have something for everyone.
We provide a life-changing experience that includes Cuban dancing, top-rated restaurants, Cuban farming, mindfulness, art, education, museums, architecture, shopping, and meaningful interactions with the Cuban people. Our tours are carefully planned to take you on a journey through the history of Cuban music, where you’ll meet some of the best musicians around Cuba.
Each night, you’ll visit a different music club, theater, or event, where you can listen to different music styles, such as Son, Rumba, Latin Jazz, Boleros, Afro Beats, and maybe even some Cuban Reggaeton. We offer tours with different themes and durations designed to accommodate your interests and travel time.
NEW: Cuba Photography Tour
This trip is authorized by the US Government under the category of Support for the Cuban People.
Our Cuba Photo Tours emphasis (indeed all of our tours) is on small, group tours – usually 10 participants or less. And, wherever we travel, we focus on the best available – with local flavor of course – accommodations. Our tours are conducted with the flexibility to “stop along the road,” either for a special photo or simply to enjoy a view or activity. We also like to build in diverse cultural experiences, achieved by working closely with local guides – guides we know and trust. At The Unconventional Travelers, we seek to strike a great balance in our tours, so you get the most out of the trip from a photography standpoint, and simply as a great tour – all led by a passionate teacher of the art of photography!
Join Daryl Hawk on this memorable photo tour to the most photogenic destinations in Cuba. He has traveled to Cuba since 2016, leading photo groups there since 2020, and has established long-time relationships with many people there. We’ll get to see many of the finest iconic sights that Cuba has to offer, but we will dig much deeper into the lives of the amazing Cuban people. We will interact with Cubans from all walks of life while taking advantage of the best light, and with a flexibility that allows us to make the most of opportunities as they arise.
We will start in Havana, with its world-class street shooting and so much more. We will organize photo shoots, such as the most important boxing gym in Cuba, Afro-Cubano dancers, and ballet dancers from the Cuban National Ballet posing in an old mansion. Everywhere we go we will meet and photograph the friendly people of Havana.
Next, we will explore the tobacco-growing region of Vinales – with its stunning limestone cliffs, or Mogotes. Vinales would be an important photo destination just for the scenery alone, but it is the traditional farmers that make it so great. We are friends with many of the farmers in the area, and they will invite us into their homes, affording photo opportunities that the typical group will never have.
Finally, we will journey to the colonial city of Trinidad. Many consider this Unesco World Heritage site the most beautiful city in Cuba. With the backdrop of the perfectly preserved colonial buildings, we’ll photograph cowboys riding horses and pulling horse-carts through the cobblestone streets, along with the classic American cars. We’ll meet a local photographer there and visit a cowboy ranch outside of town, where we’ll be served an authentic country-style lunch. Trinidad also hosts a thriving local live music scene, and we will have the opportunity to photograph local musicians there.
Register for more information, contact us here.
