We cannot afford to not go to Cuba
The trio that was entertaining us at “La Ferminia” restaurant got emotional when a member of our tour stood up, walked to where they were and handed over a bag containing guitar strings. “This, said the lead singer, is more important than the tip we could get from this whole month”…
From your Trip Leader/Yoga Teacher, Kat Sorensen
AmaTierra is one of the first yoga and wellness centers in Costa Rica. Owners Bob and Jill Ruttenberg told CCJ that one of the reasons they chose Costa Rica as the site for their center was “because of its friendly and helpful people…
The Pearl of the Southeast - Santiago de Cuba
Santiago de Cuba, located along Cuba’s Southeastern coast, is a vibrant port city rich in Afro-Caribbean culture and revolutionary history. Known as the birthplace of the Cuban Revolution, Santiago offers a unique blend of traditions and influences, with a scenic backdrop of the Sierra Maestra mountains and the Caribbean Sea. This city, home to over half a million people, is a must-visit for travelers looking to explore Cuba’s past, present, and diverse cultural heritage. Next year, Cross Cultural Journeys will offer trips to Santiago, including visits to historic sites like the Moncada Barracks and immersive experiences with the local community.
Italian Wine and Food......and lots of tourists!
Summer travel is in FULL swing! Our recent journey to Italy with Eleven Winery took us from Milan in the North, through Piedmont and Genova to Emilia Romagna, and ended in Siena and Florence in Tuscany. Italy in the summertime, post-pandemic, post-flooding, and during an excessive heat wave (we just made it out before it got really hot), is not for the faint of heart! As with every tour, we learned a lot and will make a few adjustments to the planning of tours of this kind…
CCJ in Support of the Cuban People
Since 1998, Cross Cultural Journeys has offered in depth cultural experiences in Cuba. During this time we have built meaningful relationships with local organizations, NGOs (non-governmental organizations) artists, musicians, entrepreneurs, doctors, architects and everyday citizens. This is what makes our journeys there so special.The arrests picked up both sides, and some even non-violent protesters will face as much as one year in prison…
Bali Reflections ...then and now.
CCJ and CCJF has at its core to always support the local communities we visit. Angermeir tells us about one of the first projects we sponsored: "For many years CCJF supported the women weavers of Omunity, a project started by Putu, a Balinese woman living in Sudaji, a Balinese village at the base of Mt. Agung. Her husband, ZanZan is the former manager of the Arma Resort in Ubud, where we worked with him on the Quest For Global Healing conferences…
Remembering friend and CCJ journey 'co-pilot' Robert Bush
Our Cuba travel group on the dock in Cienfuegos Bay, November, 2022.I am deeply sad to learn about CCJ Journey Leader and "co-pilot" Robert Bush's passing. My heart goes out to his family and everybody who loved him in is local community in Charlotte, NC. Robert was a special human being who had chosen Cross Cultural Journeys as his international travel companion for the past decade…
Havana Jazz Festival Report, by CCJ traveler Larry Lofgren
Over three years ago, my son was performing in an all-nation orchestra in Orlando, Florida, over Thanksgiving break. I had been to Cuba in 2011 with the Washington State Bar Association and thought, as long as I was going to Orlando, I might as well investigate how easy it would be to take my son to Cuba for a short trip. I contacted Cross Cultural Journeys, a Bainbridge Island tour company specializing in trips to Cuba. That conversation led to plans to take the high school jazz band to Cuba in April 2020, with fundraisers and lots of planning. Unfortunately, Covid canceled our trip.
8 Tips to Make your Holiday Travels Easier!
As you plan for your travels over the holidays, or your mid-winter sunny getaway, here are a few tips to keep in mind, weather you travel plans take you domestically or internationally:
Interview with Jazz Master Roger Glenn
Jazz master Roger Glenn shares his deep connection to Cuba, its music, and its people ahead of an intimate journey to the Havana Jazz Festival. In this conversation, Glenn reflects on his past trips, the rich history of Afro-Cuban jazz, and what travelers can expect from this immersive experience. From legendary music venues to cultural insights, Glenn offers a glimpse into the rhythms and stories that make Cuba a jazz lover’s dream.