Bored with your usual sand, sea and sun holidays ?  Salsa classes together with cultural aspects and additional optional learning opportunities (Spanish language, percussion workshops or trekking in Pico Turquino National Park) are sure to make this a holiday to remember.  Many of our participants are regulars, who have been on a similar holiday once or more.

To dance Salsa well you need to allow the music to move you, not you moving to the music and where better than in Cuba where the local people have become world famous for their rhythm. If you are quite new to Salsa or are an experienced intermediate these dance holidays are for you. The personal tutor and the whole experience will lift your dance to a new level. New York style Salsa or Mambo may be your usual style, but as most moves in the UK are a mixture of New York and Cuban, this experience will help you tremendously. Survival Spanish language workshops are standard and you can opt for part of your stay be used for an intense period of language study or a percussion workshop to replace part of the Salsa tuition. Additional private Salsa classes can be arranged, on request.

Most of the time in the first week is spent in Santiago de Cuba, the centre of Cuban dance culture.  You have a Salsa tutor and also a dance partner for all your sessions and these experienced dancers are all members of the Ballet Folklorico Cutumba. This professional troupe of dancers have travelled the globe demonstrating their skills and they are supported by our British group leader.  Santiago de Cuba has many excellent live music clubs and dance venues, with somewhere different to go to each night.  We spend a very small part of the time in Havana (but not on all of our trips), as it is a "must", but most people agree that the best dance places are away from the touristy areas, with Santiago de Cuba being the authentic dance experience.

In the afternoons when you are not studying, we will visit such places as El Morro castle and El Cobre basilica (the prime pilgrimage site in Cuba), the nearby Sierra Maestra (a mountain range that overlooks Santiago de Cuba) and the local beaches.

Over the festive period we ensure you get to know the Cuban style Christmas with a beach party and on the New Year we celebrate with a live band at an outdoor dance event.

We have strong links with the Cuban people and cultural experiences are a big part of this experience, with a number of special visits of a cultural nature.  Most nights we stay with local people in their homes, our accommodation being in single or double rooms with air conditioning.  The family provides your breakfast and evening meal. Alternatively you can stay in local hotels, which are mostly 3 ***, with a possible price adjustment.

We have options with more time in Havana too.

Itinerary

Cuba Dance Holiday - Christmas/ New Year - 23 December 2009 – 6 January 2010 Christmas and New Year in Cuba – a dream come true!

Join us in Santiago de Cuba, the undisputed home of traditional Cuban music, for a heady cocktail of Cuban dance classes and party nights out to the best live bands in Santiago. These dance holidays are well established in Santiago de Cuba. All dance tuition is provided successful by dancers from the Ballet Folklorico Cutumba, one of Cuba’s most famous national dance and music companies. Uniquely, each participant has their own professional Cuban dance partner for each class.

Afternoons Survival Spanish lessons or dance styling classes are also included and cultural visits and homestay accommodation will provide you with a real insight into Cuban life. All in all, this will be a holiday of a lifetime!  Dance lessons can be converted to morning Spanish lessons with Survival Salsa on 3 afternoons instead of Spanish or styling.

Wed 23 December TRAVEL TO HOLGUIN/SANTIAGO DE CUBA 12:40 Check in for Cubana flight at London Gatwick airport, South terminal 15:40 Departure for Holguin on direct flight (approx. 9 hours). 20:40 Arrive at Holguin and transfer to Santiago de Cuba by coach (approx. 2 hours). Transfer to homestay accommodation and light supper.

Thursday 24 SANTIAGO DE CUBA **CHRISTMAS EVE**
Morning Dance classes 09:30-12:30 Afternoon Early afternoon briefing meeting and short orientation walk around the historic centre. Evening Meet after dinner for welcome cocktail and night out for dance/music.

Friday 25 **CHRISTMAS DAY**
All day Full day beach trip with lunch, drinks and transport included.

Saturday 26 SANTIAGO DE CUBA
Morning Dance classes 09:30-12:30 Afternoon City tour and visit to El Morro castle at the mouth of Santiago Bay Evening Night out for dance/music.

Sunday 27 SANTIAGO DE CUBA
Full day excursion outside the city to local mountains/fresh water swimming pool. Transport and entries included (but not lunch and drinks) Evening Free night.

Monday 28 SANTIAGO DE CUBA
Morning Dance classes 09:30-12:30 Afternoon Survival Spanish or Dance Styling x 2 hours (1st of 2 afternoon sessions) Evening Free evening.

Tuesday 29 SANTIAGO DE CUBA
Morning Dance classes 09:30-12:30 Afternoon Half day visit to place of local interest in/near Santiago Evening Night out for dance/music.

Wednesday 30 SANTIAGO DE CUBA
Morning Dance classes 09:30-12:30 Afternoon Survival Spanish or Dance Styling x 2 hours (2nd of 2 afternoon sessions) Evening Free evening.

Thursday 31 NEW YEARS EVE
Morning Dance classes 09:30-12:30 Afternoon Free Evening New Year’s celebrations (concert in Parque Cespedes / Caledonia party).

Friday 01 Jan NEW YEARS DAY
Free day to relax.

Saturday 02 SANTIAGO DE CUBA
Morning Dance classes 09:30-12:30 Afternoon Survival Spanish or Dance Styling x 2 hours (3nd of 2 afternoon sessions) Evening Night out for dance/music.

Sunday 03 SANTIAGO DE CUBA
Free day to explore Santiago and relax or go to local swimming pool/ beach Evening Final night out in Santiago for dance/music.

Monday 04 SANTIAGO DE CUBA
Morning Dance classes 09:30-12:30 2000 Transfer to Santiago airport and check in for 2230 flight to Havana 0005 Arrive Havana, transfer to city centre and check in to 3* hotel, shared room, B&B. Optional group night out in Havana.

Tuesday 05 HAVANA
Free day to explore Old Havana/ visit craft and art market or optional walking tour with local bilingual guide (10CUC$ per person) 19:45 Group transfer to Havana airport for check in at 20:30. Depart 23:30 for London Gatwick.

Wednesday 06 END OF TRIP
Arrive London Gatwick approx. 13:30

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE PROGRAMME MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE SO PLEASE CHECK ALL TIMINGS WITH YOUR TOUR LEADER WHEN IN CUBA!


Price Per Person: £2,125 for the full package.


What Is Included
Return international flights on Cubana Airlines (Gatwick to Holguin/ Havana to Gatwick) 12 nights Santiago de Cuba homestay, single room, half board 1 night 3* hotel in Havana on last night of the trip, twin room, B&B 24 Cuban dance lessons with your own professional Cuban dance partner 3 afternoons of survival Spanish or 3 x 1 hour dance styling classes 1 full day trip + 2 half day trips Christmas Day on the beach, with lunch and drinks included New Years Eve celebrations Accompanied nights out to local live music venues Domestic flight from Santiago to Havana Group airport transfers Cuban tourist card Caledonia tour leader and local guide(s).

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Insurance / Airport transfers if not flying on group flights / Entries and drinks for nights out/ Tips.

Visas (Tourist Card)
A Tourist Card is needed as an alternative to a visa.  This is currently available to most Europeans. North American passport-holders are not allowed in to Cuba.

Travel Insurance (UK Residents only)
Comprehensive personal insurance, including search and rescue is required on this trip. We only recommend the policies issued by the British Mountaineering Council  www.thebmc.co.uk   We are unable to advise residents of other countries about insurance as insurances are always peculiar to each country. You must buy your insurance from a company based in your country of residence.