Some Recommendations and Testimonials

"I had a very fine time in Havana. Our instructor at the University was superb as were, I believe, most of the teachers. The Hotel Nacional worked out very well & ended up being a meeting place for many of us students - we all used its facilities including the wonderful patio bar and swimming pool. Its proximity to the Malecon (road by the Sea) was an added bonus for me as I jogged along it most days. However, the hotel & services are probably much, much more expensive than most students would want to pay. I was treating this as a vacation & I've been working for some time."
R. S., Canada

"The course was marvellous - truly wonderful and the professors exceptionally well-trained to deal with those of us with very little Spanish. I loved the course and the teachers. Truly a wonderful experience.
The hotel was great.
As for Havana, it was truly wonderful, I loved Cuba and Havana and hope to return next year about the same time. It was very hot of course, but since I do not teach during the summer session - this is the time I can go.
I wanted to thank you for all your assistance. It was greatly appreciated. Cuba is magnificent."
D. J., Canada

"I had an INCREDIBLE time at the university!!! My professor was Maria Borges and she was AMAZING! She taught me so much about the language and the Cuban culture. The program was definitely the most enriching experience I have ever had in my life. I am thoroughly impressed with the University and all of the faculty. The hotel Colina was a wonderful place to stay! The staff was very accommodating and friendly. I was very pleased with the location of the hotel as it is directly across the street from the university and just a short walk to La Rampa and the Malecon. I am astounded at how much Spanish I learned! I would like very much to return for another course! Thank you so much for all of your hard work in organizing the program for me. I cannot thank you enough for offering me the opportunity to indulge in such a rich culture and learn a beautiful language. This has truly been the experience of a lifetime!"
J. B., USA

I would first of all like to say thank you for a very well organized and planned trip to Havana. Everything went off as planned; from the arrival at Havana airport, to my departure. The hotel Vedado itself was an excellent value and the room was clean and well maintained. The staff was courteous and most helpful. The location of the hotel was very convenient; it was just a ten-minute walk to the university, and a five-minute walk to the centre of Havana. The food at the hotel did not have a great variety to the menu, but it was good, and it was plentiful. The classes at the University were well organized, and the Professor, in my opinion, could not have been better. She was very helpful, and at no time ever put anyone in a position of embarrassment; which was a plus. I benefited greatly from the two weeks spent at the University. My Spanish has improved considerably, and I am looking forward to returning in the near future. I would certainly recommend this course to anyone who is interested in learning Spanish.
Havana itself is a very interesting and picturesque city with an abundance of historical buildings and sites such as the Museum of the Revolution, the Capital, and not to be missed is Old Havana and Melacon.
In summary, the overall experience was one to be remembered.

V. S., Ontario, Canada

"Thanks so much for everything regarding the Spanish immersion trip to Havana. VCC made it incredibly easy by booking everything together for me. The paladar that you recommended was great, Eloise is as sweet as sugar and the food is amazing. The classes were good, well structured and an additional way to learn about Cuban history and culture. It is also a great way to meet other travelers. Really, my trip was completely flawless, much thanks to you and VCC. I met other VCC travelers and we all agreed, often, about how great it was to work with you. There is so much to say about Havana and so much to learn. The culture is incredibly vibrant- music, the arts and history, and the people are extremely strong with hearts the size of the country itself. It was an enlightening and unforgettable experience. I will email you photos when I get them back from development. Again, many thanks."

H.M. R.
New York, USA

"The Spanish immersion trip at the University of Havana was the most wonderful month that I have ever had. The Hotel Nacional gave me a premium room (I had 332, which is directly above and the same floor plan as the Johnny Weismueller [the first Tarzan] room which is 232 - the one he always stayed in when he came to the Nacional in the 40's and 50's) and which overlooks the smaller pool with the Malecon and the sea beyond. My room looked directly over at and had the same basic view as the Presidential Suite also on the second floor. On my next stay I am going to request the Ava Gardner room, also on the second floor not far from the Johnny Weismueller room. The staff of the hotel could not have been nicer. As for the school, I had a wonderful instructor - Professora Dioclis Hernandez - and my Spanish understanding and ability to speak have drastically improved. Also, Hola Sun is to be commended. The reception at the airport and the transfer both over and back from the hotel were exactly on time, in comfortable buses, and went off without a hitch. Also, Senora Eloisa's paladar became a second home for me and many others of the University students. She, and whoever else does the cooking, are superb chefs, and she and her staff are most gracious. I can't thank you enough for the recommendation. I took well over half my meals there."
D.H. California, USA

"The course at La Universidad de la Habana was fantastic! Since we arrived a day late, things were at first a bit awkward and not so organized upon our arrival at the University. However, it was quickly sorted out and the class (12 people) was good, while the Teacher was excellent. Highly recommended! The Hotel Vedado was centrally located and a good value for the money. Thank you for all your assistance with our trip."
Sincerely
L.H. & D.L., Washington DC, USA

"My Spanish immersion course for two weeks in Havana, April 2002, was most interesting. The flight with Cubana was great and my two-week stay at Hotel Vedado was very comfortable. The Hotel is only about a 10- minute walk from the University. The Spanish course at University of Havana was well presented. Our teacher, Martha, was well qualified. It was worthwhile to meet the Cubans, they are a great people. There is a lot to see in Havana, especially in Old Havana - it is a photographer's dream come-true. I plan to return, probably to Cienfuegos, next year for another two week Spanish immersion course. I want to thank VCC, and especially Veronique for a well-prepared cultural experience."
R. L.
N.B., Canada

"Regresé de mi viaje el sábado pasado y todo fue muy agradable sin problema. La Habana es una ciudad muy interesante con muchas actividades para hacer. Los Habaneros son simpáticos y curiosos de conocer y hablar con la gente que viene del exterior del país. Además es una buena manera de practicar el idioma cuando hablamos con los cubanos en la calle. La Universidad de La Habana es un lugar muy rico en arquitectura y las clases eran de una cualidad muy alta. Aprendí mucho sobre la gramática española con mi profesora Sylvia Fernández. El hotel Vedado es muy agradable con un servicio efectivo a los clientes. Hay muchos nuevos paladares alrededor del barrio. Era fácil de buscar un restaurante cerca del hotel o de tomar un Coco-Taxi para ir a La Habana vieja ( 4,00$). La piscina del hotel esta muy pequeña y ocupada pero fui a la piscina del hotel Nacional muchas veces para relajar y estudiar en su jardín maravilloso. Debemos tomar algo para beber. El hotel Nacional está cerca del hotel Vedado a 5 minutos caminando. Creo que voy a regresar en un futuro próximo. Era un viaje muy agradable para conocer la cultura cubana, el idioma y para visitar una ciudad maravillosa.
Muchas gracias"
R. M., Québec, Canada

"To study Spanish in Havana is something I had dreamt of doing for many years. As a U.S. citizen the folks at VCC made it all totally effortless. Air travel, visas, airport pick-ups, hotel accommodations, tuition, even restaurant recommendations ( paladares): you name it, VCC took care of it. The teachers were all life long professionals, making the best of what is still a very difficult time."
~ M. B., U.S.A.

"100% to you agency, to Havana, to the University of Havana and to Hotel Vedado. For us to be students in Havana - in fact in all of Cuba - is to be received as a world citizen and not just a tourist. We are treated in a dignified way, and not viewed in an opportunistic manner. We sense that the hospitality is real and sincere, and that the Cuban people’s generosity can find no match anywhere in the world. As far as the course itself, it was made to measure for the different levels. The city of Havana allowed us to immerse ourselves in its rich history, its lively culture and a reality free of American multi-nationals and big capital. VCC offers us a visit to the real Cuba, while taking advantage of accommodations as good as to be found in any North American city. "
~ J. B., Canada

“If I could describe my trip to Cuba in one single word, here it is: MAGNIFICENT! However, even this would not be complete without saying: ENRICHING, RELAXING, GRATIFYING…. It was my most marvellous trip! The first two weeks were incredible, because we had fours hours and a half of classes in the morning and three hours of salsa dance lessons in the afternoon. I just loved the University. I met many people of all nationalities, from Australians, to Germans, Lebanese and English, not to mention Americans and Canadians. Just incredible, all these great people together in order to learn the same language.”
~ A. B., Canada

“I really liked my experience in Cuba and consider that I improved my Spanish a great deal. My course lasted one month, during which time I had no problem at all understanding the Cubans, even though it is true I already had a good base for learning. The courses were good and so was the University itself. I would also like to thank Veronique of VCC, because she was always there to answer my questions before my departure. A big “thank you”!”
~ M. C., Canada

“I was in Havana staying at the Hotel Vedado during the first two months of July, 2001. NUMBER ONE from the beginning right to the end. The flight with Cubana de Aviacion was on time, both its departure and return. Both airport transfers were also rapid and on time, offering a courteous service. The registration at the hotel was rapid and went as planned. Hotel Vedado is very well situated from which it is easy walking distance to the courses at the University. The Hotel is also well located for visits to Old Havana, Centre Havana, Miramar and the beaches at Playas del Este. The hotel room was cleaned every day. The breakfast is not fancy, but the products are all fresh and well-presented. The Lobby Bar is very pleasant and offers good entertainment in the evening….We even used the paladar family restaurant list which VCC provided. The prize goes to LAS PALMAS, very pleasant, the cuisine is delicious. This restaurant offered us a discount as VCC travelers. My best meals!

Havana is interesting to visit, and its history sparks curiosity. It was not my first visit to Havana, and surely not my last. I had a great Spanish learning trip. Thanks to VCC for its organisation and I hope to repeat my experience with VCC once again.”
~ L. R., Canada

"I had a wonderful time recently on my two-week Spanish immersion course via VCC. I stayed at the Hotel St. John's. It was a good hotel. The staff was courteous and the coffee and breakfast were good. The University of Havana is a fantastic place and the professors were not only highly competent, but also extremely helpful and friendly. I plan to return at some time in the future and stay longer."
~ J. G., Canada