Our Team
Alexis and Batia have been working together for ten years and are fast friends as well as colleagues. They are the leaders of a team of other guides and lecturers, all fluent in English, experts in their field and passionate about their work. They are all lifelong learners who are excited to answer your questions, hear your opinions and share in your experience. They all have extensive experience with American tourists and will go out of their way to explain any issues that arise. They will quote newspaper articles, recommend interesting books on the subject and present their understanding of our common history. They are very inclusive, warm and loving.
Batia Plotch
Batia is a community organizer with an MSW and a commitment to people to people exchanges as the authentic way to experience a culture and a country. Born in Tunisia and living in Israel for 17 years before coming to the United States, Batia is a true world traveler. Fluent in French, Hebrew and English, her many, many trips to Cuba have added Spanish to her repertoire. As the head of the travel program at Manhattan’s 92nd Street Y for 23 years, Batia led trips to virtually everywhere in the world and in 1999 when the Cuban government opened the country to tourism following the fall of the Soviet Union and the loss of foreign aid, Batia jumped at the opportunity to take groups to Cuba. Her immense enthusiasm for travel is matched by her mastery of all the details that contribute to the success of any travel program - knowing the best and most interesting sights, hotels, restaurants, artists, experts and finding the absolute best guides!
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Alexis Hernandez
Alexis was born in Havana and raised in Pinar del Rio, a province west of Havana known for its tobacco and coffee plantations. He completed his academic studies in languages at Havana University in 1991 followed by national service in the Isle of Youth teaching English and Spanish. Subsequently he completed a Hospitality course and is a member of the first generation of Cuban guides who were prepared for Western tourism after the collapse of the Soviet Union. A 14 year veteran of Hospitality Services, Alexis first worked at the front desk in hotels, dealing with demanding tourists. Now, as a guide, he can share his love of his country with visitors. He has a broad command of Cuban history and culture and a deep understanding of this enigmatic nation. He speaks English like a native is an art collector, birder and avid reader, and the devoted father of three. His ability to convey his knowledge and connect to people is without parallel and you are likely to declare him the best guide you have ever met!
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