David Hart Spring 2018 Menswear

David Hart took you to Cuba for Spring 2018 Menswear. Or, his idealized and romanticized interpretation of what the Havana traveler would wear. [Reality check] no one would wear this in the spring because it's too hot and too humid - all day and night. Late Fall through winter is better and you would really only wear this collection in Old Havana, el Vedado and perhaps Veradero (says this Cuban.) Don't get me wrong, I am a David Hart fan and would love many of these looks, especially the tuxes! I just wouldn't wear them to Cuba.

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Top 10 Adventure Travel Trends for 2016

Top 2016 Adventure Travel Trends & Tips From Exodus Travels

Forecasts peg the jungles of India, Cecil the lion’s legacy, advice for workaholics & more... Exodus Travels is poised to lead the way into a new era of travel that is quickly becoming defined by an adventurous spirit, a search for locals-only experiences and a willingness to brave the unexplored. With 42 years of experience and tours in over 100 destinations around the globe, Exodus’ globetrotting experts always have their fingers on the pulse of what’s next.

From country comebacks to blockbuster jet-setting, here are Exodus’ top 10 adventure travel trends & tips for 2016:

1. The Cecil Effect - African Conservation Safaris

Last year’s global outcry over the killing of Cecil the lion has put the fate of wildlife tourism under the microscope. Exodus anticipates Botswana will see a rise in bookings, with safari-seekers choosing to spend their tourism dollars in this southern African country, which has made a serious commitment to wildlife and environmental preservation. If a chance to spot the Big 5 wasn’t reason enough to go, Botswana celebrates 50 years of Independence in 2016.

2. Jet-Setting – The Jungle Book

From Indiana Jones to the Hobbit, the biggest Hollywood hits always motivate travelers to jet-set to exotic new locales. India’s jungles and animals will steal the show in 2016 with the release of a new adaption of Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book. With a star-studded cast of Bill Murray, Idris Elba, Scarlett Johansson, Christopher Walken and Lupita Nyong’o, India’s tiger and safari parks are destined to be one of the year’s travel blockbusters.

3. Unveiling The Treasures Of Iran

With Mahmoud Ahmadinejad out of the political picture and travel sanctions lifted in 2015, Iran has recaptured the attention of globetrotters who’ve been waiting to tick it off their bucket list. The world’s finest Persian architecture and historic sites, bustling bazaars, artistic masterpieces, mind-blowing cuisine and hospitality steeped in ancient traditions promise an extraordinary adventure.

4. Extreme Wellness Holidays – Not For Wimps

Forget about yoga, spa and wellness retreats, 2016’s travellers are asking for rigorous, physically demanding and mentally challenging adventures that focus on extreme biking and trekking. Exodus has seen a huge spike in bookings that take the ‘wellness concept’ to a whole new level with full force adrenaline expeditions, such as biking in remote Madagascar and the Alpine Cols of the Tour de France or climbing volcanoes’ in Indonesia and the Three Peaks of Ladakh.

5. Time Off For Travel = ROI

Workaholics, listen up. Studies show that employees who regularly take overseas vacations are more energized, creative and ultimately more productive in the workplace. Some companies, like LinkedIn, are even offering unlimited vacation policies as a way of encouraging its passport-ready staff to seek new challenges, find inspiration and reduce burnout.

6. Cuba Calling

In 1961, the U.S. severed its relationship with Cuba and pursued a covert operation to overthrow the Castro regime. Fast forward 54 years later and the two nations have agreed to normalize ties. Remember there’s more to this Caribbean archipelago than palm fringed beaches, colonial architecture, classic cars, and mojitos. In 2016, Exodus draws the curtain back with new experiences like staying with local families, Hemingway haunts, the limestone karsts of Vinales Valley and caves linked to the 1962 Missile Crisis.

7. Eastern Europe’s Road Less Traveled

Europe buffs are moving further east to uncover a welcome refuge from the well-trodden paths of Italy, France, Croatia and Switzerland and to immerse themselves in a collision of ‘east meets west’ cultures. Cycle through Romania’s rolling hills, gaze wide-eyed at Bosnian architecture or test the waters in Slovenia with a week of whitewater rafting, canyoning and mountain biking on the banks of the Soca River.

8. Rise of the FST (Female Solo Traveler)

Women travelers have tipped the tourism scales in the last couple years and Exodus saw a huge 40% increase in their number of female solo travelers in 2015, a trend that is gaining momentum in 2016 because of social media and the added safety provided by experiential group travel. P.S. Exodus’ solo tours do not have a single supplement and upgrades to private rooms are available for as little as $20 a night.

9. Self-Guided + Stress-Free

With so much to absorb whilst seeing the world, it’s sometimes best to take it all at your own stride. Independent travelers can now have it all: the seamlessness of an organized tour combined with the privacy, freedom and flexibility of a self-guided trip. Set your own agenda while someone else worries about the bag transfers, where to sleep and the always important 24/7 support. Exodus has seen a spike in bookings that combine the carefree ease of guided group travel with the independence of going it alone.

10. Winter Travel

As mercury levels drop and the snow starts falling, travelers are opting out of fly and flop beach vacations and, instead, taking advantage of the smaller crowds, cheaper rates and unique thrill-seeking activities, like snowshoeing, northern lights, ski touring and dogsledding, that the winter season offers.

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Stunning, Never-before-seen Aerials of Cuba

The aerial imagery captured by DIY drones flying over Cuba's cities and countryside is absolutely breathtaking! CNN journalist Patrick Oppmann, who lives in Havana, Cuba (and has the best Instagram feed btw - @cubareporter) broadcast this report today and I just had to share it. It's a great story highlighting Cuban ingenuity but it's the visuals that will captivate you. I've lost count on how many times I've viewed it already. Thanks Patrick!!!

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CUBA 2015 PHOTOS

Apartment building in Havana.

Sunset view from the roof top of the Parque Central Hotel in Old Havana.

View of el Malecon from the Fortaleza de la Cabana.

Rooftop of Hotel Plaza.

Hotel Plaza in Old Havana.

Central Havana.

Cigars & Rum from this store in the neighborhood called Cerros.

9AM. Walking down el Paseo del Prado.

Beach day. Varadero.

View from my father's backyard.

Street performers in Old Havana.

El Rincon de San Lazaro church located in El Rincon, Cuba.

Bike in la playa de Guanabo.

My father walking down the street in his neighborhood of Santiago de Las Vegas.

Rooftop of the Inglaterra Hotel in Old Havana.

Narrow pathway to my aunt's art deco apartment in Vedado.

Classic cars taxis line up ready for tourists. For $30 you'll get an hour long tour through Havana.

The grand lobby of the Hotel Plaza. Unfortunately, their rooms are far less than grand.

The Capital. Just last year (2014) cars were parked alongside the center street.

The Barcadi Building in Havana.

From ruin and decay comes beauty and strength. Cuba is a wonderful and magical place. Its people are resourceful and with the promise of negotiations with the US and the potential lifting of the embargo, I found new hope in the eyes of its residents.

I spent a couple of days in La Habana, but this time I also ventured out into the towns and neighborhoods outside of the city. (Click on each photo for a brief description.)

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Classic Cars & Photos of My Trip to Cuba

el morro havana cuba

havana cuba

havana cuba

havana cuba

el parque central havana cuba

la iglesia de los pacionistas, la vibora

old havana cuba

vincent martinez havana cuba

havana cuba

havana cuba

havana cuba capital

el malecon

varadero cuba

havana cuba

el hotel nacional cuba

I was a little boy when I left Cuba to come to the USA. Even at the young age of five, I already new that my family and I would never return. (So I thought.) Like so many Cubans, I grew up with that mindset. After months of planning,  permission from OFAC in D.C. and a temporary Cuban visa, I traveled back to Cuba after more than four decades last April. My mission: to reunite with my 80 year old father who I hadn't seen since 1970. The outcome: a beautiful, life-changing experience. With the proposed changes to US / Cuba Policy this means that I will continue to enjoy visiting with dad. For me and for many many others, this change is the beginning of hopes, dreams and familial unification. Something that my generation and that of my parents' have longed for... for over 50 years.

In October, I premiered the film I made with Gil Guillama called Finding Dad: Mira... tu Papa. This is a documentary about my first trip back to Cuba and the reunion with my father. Dad is 81 now and every time we speak on the phone he asks when am I going to come see him again. Now I can say, "soon, very soon!"

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Finding Dad Movie Poster

Finding Dad

I can't believe we are just two days away from the premiere of

Finding Dad: "Mira... tu Papa." Georgia Latino Film Festival organizers tell me that tickets are nearly sold out, which makes us all very happy! So hurry and grab yours today!! AND see you Friday at the Georgia Pacific Center Auditorium, 6:30PM.

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First Look! Finding Dad Movie Cuba

E Vincent Martinez Gil Guillama

What a morning! This is the first look of my documentary Finding Dad: "Mira ... tu Papa" at the Georgia Pacific Auditorium. Gil Guillama and I just stood there, a little emotional and ecstatic at the same time to see our film screened in a large format. We are more excited than ever for the premiere at the Georgia Latino Film Festival on October 17th. Please share this moment with us and attend. For festival info & tickets click HERE.

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