Upcoming travel programs
August 29, 2024 § 1 Comment
Cuba Writers Program (with Alden Jones): March 7 – 15, 2025
Join me and my old friend Alden Jones, distinguished fellow novelist and creative writing professor, for the 5th edition of the Cuba Writers Program: a fun, informal, dynamic, off-the-beaten track nine-day literary adventure in Havana and on the island’s southern coast.
Alden and I have been traveling to Cuba together and separately since the early 2000s; we’ve developed a formidable network of very special in-country contacts and if you’ve been thinking about a trip I can tell you without caveats that this is simply the best way to do it—especially if you’re a writer, though the program is also open to aspiring writers, significant others, friends, and family members. Generative writing workshops combined with amazing encounters and interactions with real Cubans make this an unparalleled and unforgettable opportunity to experience the unique richness and joy of Cuba. More info and an application form here.
Friends trip to Spain: Madrid and points north, April 23 – May 2, 2025
Join a small group of fellow travelers for a ten-day insider’s journey to a country I’ve known and loved since I first lived in Madrid as an undergraduate Spanish major. Later I spent a year directing college semester abroad programs in Spain and have returned countless times since, both on my own and as a guide and featured expert for National Geographic.
This informal, creative, light-hearted educational small-group trip will get you off the tourist circuit and out into the hidden corners of Madrid and points north. Our focus will be art, architecture, history, wine, cuisine (in particular the quintessentially Spanish art of tapas or pintxos), and generally taking the time to enjoy Spanish life! The itinerary has not yet been formalized but is likely to include Madrid, León, Bilbao, and the Basque Country. Throughout the trip we’ll have the chance to interact with carefully selected local guides and experts, and I’ll be hosting several cocktail hours with a special illustrated lecture series on Iberian history, the artist Francisco de Goya, and Ernest Hemingway’s long love affair with Spain. If this trip is of interest to you, send me a message and I’ll put you on the list of potential traveling friends.
Custom small-group trips to Cuba
As many of you know, the island of Cuba—its art, landscape, music, history, and especially its people—has been an enduring fascination for me since 1999. I try to visit at least once a year, and as a result of the knowledge and the contacts I’ve developed over the years I’ve been able to help quite a few friends and their families put together some amazing trips.
“I find that words are insufficient in conveying the depth of my gratitude for our extraordinary adventure in Cuba. Your deep relationships with Cubans allowed us to glimpse a Cuba hidden to most tourists.”
With the help of my excellent, highly experienced Havana ground crew I can set up spectacular, informal, very affordable, and legally compliant custom trips for small groups of family and friends (preferably a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 12). To explore your own custom small-group travel program send me a note and we can set up a no-obligation informational call. Note that it’s good to have at least a 2-3 months advance notice to plan these trips.
And in the slightly longer term . . .
June ‘25: Book launch & tour! Bookmark the “Upcoming” page on my website or follow me on Instagram, Facebook, or Threads, for updates on readings, signings, and a limited national speaking tour.
Fall 2025 . . . Peru! I’m so excited about doing an adventurous off-the-beaten track expedition to Peru with my good friend and former college classmate, the talented Emmy-nominated documentary filmmaker Amy Bucher. If you’re up for an adventure, and are interested in archaeology and ancient cultures, this is going to be an amazing trip! There will be more about it in a future newsletter, but meanwhile if you want to put your name on an early interest list, send me a message here.
Spain and Portugal with National Geographic
September 15, 2013 Comments Off on Spain and Portugal with National Geographic
Very much looking forward to heading back to the Iberian Peninsula! This time it’s in my continuing capacity as a featured expert for National Geographic Expeditions: On September 30 I’ll be flying to Lisbon for a journey through Portugal and Andalucía, finishing up in Madrid on October 11. I’ll be giving talks on history, art, Goya, and Hemingway, and generally trying to be as helpful as I can both with trip logistics and in terms of helping travelers make personal connections with the fabulous life and culture of one of my favorite parts of the world. Coincidentally, I’ve just posted a craft analysis on For Whom the Bell Tolls, which may be of interest if you’re a writer or a close reader of Hemingway’s fiction.
Back in the U.S. on October 12.
Cuba, Cuba, Spain and Ireland
April 4, 2013 § 1 Comment
Very excited for several upcoming trips! First up is another National Geographic program to Cuba, April 18 – 24, in which I’ll be introducing a group of mostly first-time visitors to one of my favorite places on the planet and giving lectures on Cuban colonial history, 20th century Cuban history, and Hemingway’s years in Cuba.
Next up, from May 12 – 24, I’ll be returning to the Pearl of the Antilles with a small group of honors students from Keene State College. I’ve been co-teaching a class there with political scientist Prof Chuck Weed on the history of US – Cuba relations this semester, and it will be great fun to show everyone around and let them experience for themselves the vibrant and enigmatic realities of contemporary Cuba. And we’re planning some great hiking and snorkeling!
From June 2 – 10, sponsored by the Brattleboro Museum and Art Center, the talented contemporary artist Eric Aho and I will be accompanying a small group of travelers to Madrid, Úbeda, Córdoba, Granada, and points between for a fascinating art-based journey in Spain. We’ll be learning a lot about the Spanish context, taking in some of the world’s greatest art from a creator’s perspective, and everyone will have the opportunity to produce some of their own art as well. Very excited to get back to Spain after a long absence! There’s still some (limited) space on this trip, so you if have these dates free and want to explore Spain in a fun and absolutely unique way, drop me a line.
From June 29 – July 12, I’ll be working with three other writers and a group of 24-30 young writers (14-18 yrs old) in Dublin, Ireland. Couldn’t be more thrilled by the prospect of another field-based writing workshop – it’s been awhile. There’s still room on this program too, so if you happen to fall into the above age range, follow the instructions on the link to apply. Don’t wait, because this one is filling up fast.
If you’re interested in Cuba and looking for a fun, informal (i.e., non-touristy), and relatively affordable way to get there, check out this fascinating art-based people-to-people program I’ll be leading in early November 2013.
Tim Weed 