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.

Typical Itinerary

Day 1 Santiago de Cuba
We arrive on our scheduled flight from London to Holguin airport a 2 hour drive from Santiago de Cuba. Transfer to our homestay accommodation in Santiago. D.

Days 2-12 Santiago de Cuba
We have 12 nights with our host family. 24 group classes of Cuban dance (Son and Salsa) with a professional Cuban dancer as your partner throughout.  2 hours of survival Spanish language lessons on 3 afternoons or 1 hour of 1:1 dance classes on 3 afternoons.  2 afternoon visits and 1 full day excursion with all entry fees and all transport that is necessary for these trips is provided.  There are plenty of opportunities for walking around Santiago.

On certain dates we have optional activities for part of the second week - trekking in Pico Turquino National Park.  Please ask if you want details of this hike.

Day 13 Santiago de Cuba - Havana
We return to Havana on a scheduled flight. A night in Havana is normally provided, either at the start or finish of your Cuban Salsa holiday, however it is dependent upon suitable hotel accommodation being available.  On some occasions we will have all 14 nights in Santiago de Cuba and you will know about this prior to making a booking. All transport in Havana is provided to suit our programme.

Day 14 Arrive London
We arrive back in London.

Dates:  21st Oct - 04th Nov 2006, 13th - 27th Dec 2006, 27th Dec 2006 - 10th Jan 2007, 10th - 24th Mar 2007 (Trova Festival), 14th - 28th July 2007 (annual carnival), 04th - 18th Aug 2007, 20th - 03rd Nov 2007, 15th - 28th Dec 2007, 29th Dec 2007 - 13th Jan 2008.
 

Price Indication per person: 

GBP1550 March - October 2007 including all 4 flights (there may be limited availability on flights so do not delay your booking).

GBP1795 December 2007 to February 2008 including all 4 flights (there is always limited availability on flights during the period mid December to mid January).

Please book as early as you can as the limiting factor is the lack of seats on flights.     

                                                        Email for current price and availability

What is included
Our group leader who is bilingual and a dancer. Scheduled international flights (London / Cuba / London) and an internal flight (Santiago / Havana). 24 group dance sessions with a group leader and Cuban partner for each participant. 6 hours of Spanish Language lessons / or additional dance classes in place of the language course. 2 afternoon visits to regional attractions in the south of the island and one full day excursion. Half board accommodation in a single room or shared double.  12 nights in a homestay in Santiago de Cuba and one night in a 3 star hotel in Havana (advance notice will be given where it has not been possible to arrange suitable flights to Havana, in which case we stay all 13 nights in a homestay in Santiago). Tourist Card.

What is not included
The price allows for joining in a London airport and includes everything stated, except; accommodation in Britain before and after the time in Cuba, personal travel insurance, visa fees (if needed), vaccination costs, personal clothing and equipment, all items of a personal nature and all drinks, not served as a standard part of a meal. Tips and gratuities.

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.