THE COLOURS OF CUBA
A Journey Off The Beaten Path
November 14-21, 2025
Join us for a unique, seven nights/ eight days, all inclusive journey through Cuba – a land of vibrant colours, music, and life. Immerse yourself in the spirit of this extraordinary island, where lush valleys, turquoise waters, and sunlit streets invite curiosity, joy, and wonder.
I was born and raised in communist Romania. Often, our people turned to creativity, humour, and the preservation of tradition as quiet acts of rebellion against a highly oppressive system. Because of this, I carry deep reverence for cultures that keep their spirit and essence alive despite adversity.
Cuba is one of those places. Its people, rich in resilience and humour, are now embracing agro-tourism, farm-to-table living, and cultural renewal. By traveling here, we nourish our own souls while supporting a nation’s revival, celebrating a culture that is re-emerging as the pearl it has always been.
THE EXPERIENCE
This is an intimate adventure, limited to five guests, ensuring personalized attention, meaningful connections, and a fully immersive journey.
Our time together has been carefully crafted with local experts passionate about small-scale tourism. We’ll savour farm-fresh meals, explore the highlights of Havana, and immerse ourselves in Cuba’s breathtaking natural beauty, from rolling valleys to clear blue waters.
Beyond travel, this retreat also opens space for inner discovery. Guided reflections and time with horses will help you reconnect with your body, your creativity, and your sense of belonging in the world. You will return not only with lasting memories and photographs, but with a deeper sense of grounding, clarity, and expansion.
Our adventure begins with a two-night stay in Havana, where we will walk the sunlit streets of the historic city, take in its extraordinary architecture, and feel the pulse of its ever-vital neighborhoods. From there, we will move to the lush valleys of Cuba’s countryside, spending four nights surrounded by rolling greenery, traditional farms, and the quiet beauty of nature. Here, we’ll savour farm-fresh meals, witness innovative agricultural practices, and enjoy moments of serene connection with the land and its people.
Along the way, there will be opportunities to ride through countryside paths, swim in pristine waters, and take in landscapes of towering limestone formations, vibrant flora, and wide, open skies. Each day is designed to balance adventure, relaxation, and cultural immersion, providing a true sense of the island’s soul without revealing every step ahead of time. Each day has been thoughtfully curated to balance adventure, relaxation, and cultural immersion, providing a true sense of the island’s soul (while preserving the exclusivity and intimacy of this small-group experience).
MEET YOUR HOSTESS
I am Manuela Stefan, a Canadian-Romanian travel, lifestyle, and equine photographer based in Toronto, with a rich 20-year creative career, and a deep passion for adventure and storytelling.
My work with horses has revealed the magical ways in which subtle energy, connection, and trust can transform lives. While traveling the world to uncover stories about unique equine cultures, I have experienced firsthand the transformative, healing power of being with herds.
Over the past decade, I have been inspired to bring groups of women along on my adventures, beginning with retreats in Mexico, followed by St. Lucia, Colombia, and Canada.
I love to create safe spaces where my guests can relax and unwind naturally, while connecting to their most authentic ways of expressing themselves.
On this journey through Cuba, I will invite you to explore not only the landscapes, flavors, and rhythms of the island, but also the quiet, reflective spaces where curiosity, creativity, and connection meet. Together, we will celebrate the aliveness of Cuba and the inner richness each of us carries.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
ACCOMMODATION
Enjoy private, single accommodations throughout your stay, including three nights in Havana (two at the beginning and one at the end) in a boutique hotel, and four nights in a unique countryside retreat. Each place was selected for comfort and unique charm.
MEALS
Delight in all meals included, from breakfast to dinner, with an emphasis on authentic farm-to-table experiences that reflect Cuba’s vibrant flavours and culinary traditions.
TRANSPORTATION
All transfers involved with the week-long experience, including from and to the Jose Marti International Airport (HAV).
HORSE INTERACTIONS
You will have the opportunity to meet and spend time with gracious Cuban horses while in the countryside. We will enjoy time on the ground with the herd, and go through guided practices with yours truly (for optional horseback riding, pls see below).
CURATED KEEPSAKE
A beautiful, signature coffee table book crafted from professional images taken during the journey, to best reflect a sense of place and wonderful details. Promised to bring back memories with every shuffling through!
NOT INCLUDED
– Cuban Visa – approx $30 USD (application details available)
– Travel Insurance (highly recommended)
A-LA-CARTE OFFERINGS
Enhance your retreat with optional offerings designed to deepen your journey and create lasting memories.
1) Private Half-Hour Photo Session – $250 USD
Capture your unique moments during the retreat at a carefully selected location.
Includes:
– A 30-minute personalized session with guidance from Manuela, as your private professional photographer
– Approximately 15–20 carefully edited digital images delivered to you
– The option of two personalized double-page spreads (four pages total) in your retreat photobook, featuring your favorite images
– A keepsake that preserves your experience, creativity, and connection to the retreat in a meaningful, artistic way
2) Horseback Riding in the Countryside – $120 USD
Enjoy approximately 3 hours of horseback riding through Cuba’s breathtaking countryside.
Includes:
– Guided riding through scenic valleys, hills, and local trails
– Interaction with the horses and learning basic riding techniques suitable for all levels
– An opportunity to immerse yourself in the landscape and feel the rhythm of rural Cuba
3) Pre-Retreat Mini Astrology Consultation with Manuela – $100 USD (Exclusive Pre-Retreat Offer)
Gain deeper insight into your personal life journey before the retreat begins.
This session is specially available for retreat participants to enrich your experience.
Includes:
– A focused, 30-minute consultation via video call
– Exploration of your personal patterns, strengths, and potential growth areas through your North Node, South Node, and key astrological highlights
– Practical guidance on how to approach the retreat in alignment with your energy and intentions
YOUR OWN COFFEE TABLE BOOK
As your personal guide, horse whisperer and facilitator, I will also capture beautiful images along the way, which I will compile in an elegant coffee table book, depicting the charm of the surroundings, with their colourful accents and textures.
My past retreat attendants have shared how very touching it was for them to receive their books, and how much joy they have been bringing to their hearts, even long after their experiences ended.
I can’t wait to create yours, and I promise it will be a conversation piece!
LODGING
Your accommodations have been carefully selected for comfort, charm, and privacy, offering a true sense of place. You will enjoy three nights in Havana, in a boutique hotel that balances classic Cuban character with modern conveniences, and four nights in the lush countryside, where peaceful surroundings allow you to relax, recharge, and connect with the energy of the island. Each room is private, single accommodation to ensure your comfort and personal space.
YOUR CUBAN MEALS
Savour all meals included, from breakfast through dinner, with a focus on authentic Cuban flavors and farm-to-table freshness. From vibrant local markets to rustic countryside dinners, each meal is designed to be delicious, nourishing, and reflective of Cuba’s culinary culture, offering a true taste of the island.
INVESTMENT
Early bird: $2,950 USD
(until August 30, 2025)
Standard rate: $3,350 USD
(after August 30, 2025)
Payment options:
– 50% deposit
– balance due no later than October 10
Contact Manuela:
[email protected]
+1.416.624.9459 (Whatsapp)
