Salsa Splash Cuba - This holiday is no longer available -

• Return flights from London with Virgin Atlantic
• A thorough and entertaining syllabus in Cuban salsa and related dances (At least 15hours)
• The delightful company, every night, of a team of professional Cuban dancers
• Exclusive programme of salsa nights out in Havana
• Expert hosting by Robert and Jean White of Mambo City
• Meet & Greet upon arrival, airport and hotel transfers
• Three nights B&B at the 4* Hotel Comodoro and four nights B&B in the 5* Hotel Nacional in Havana
• Private transfers to and from Havana's salsa clubs for the first three nights
• Welcome party and orientation pack

Havana, is the first grand city built by Europeans in the New World and retains the grandeur and charm of a history that spans nearly 500 years.

For a city that is forever adapting, it still houses many popular and historic buildings such as the famous Cathedral in Old Havana built in 1748, and the Palacio de los Capitaines Generales, the residence of the Spanish Captain General who ruled Cuba from 1791-1898. You can also visit the Castillo Real de la Fuerza, built between 1558-77, one of the oldest surviving colonial fortresses in the Americas and home to Giralda, the symbol of Cuba, also seen on the label of Havana Club rum.

Be sure to check out the Capitolio Nacional, a huge marble building modelled on the Capitol building in Washington and visit the Museo de la Revolucion, formerly the presidential palace. Wander along El Malecon, the famous waterfront of Havana. Pay a literary pilgrimage to the Hotel Ambos Mundos where Ernest Hemingway wrote the novel "For Whom the Bell Tolls".

When you're cultured out stroll along the Malecon and sample an ice cream from the famous Coppelia ice cream parlour, watch the strutting peacocks in the Hotel Nacional's garden, drink a mojito in La bodeguita and a daiquiri in La Floridita and take a cab ride in a 1950s Cadillac.

And, of course, dance salsa. Visit Havana's nightclubs to learn to dance like a Cuban, with uninhibited passion.

As Graham Greene said of Havana "Anything is possible".

Hotel Comodoro**** (Bed & Breakfast) (Included) 

Comodoro Bungalows are located in the Comodoro Hotel and Bungalow Complex, in the heart of Havana’s Miramar district. Just twenty minutes by car from Old Havana, the Comodoro Bungalows are an ideal base for discovering the wonders of Havana and the surrounding area.

There are two freeform pools and a choice of resturants including the Comodoro Restaurant - A la carte restaurant located on the ground floor serving international cuisine, La Cascada, and International buffet restaurant, La Fonnaza Di Roma, a cafe restaurant serving Italian cuisine and the Comodoro Bar, a grill bar.

All rooms have air-conditioning, satellite TV, telephone, safe, hairdryer and mini-fridge.
 

Nacional de Cuba***** (Bed & Breakfast) (Included) 

Mambo City: Salsa Splash goes global! Salsa Splash Cuba is hosted by Robert and Jean White of Mambo City who bring their team of expert dancers and unique brand of fun to ensure an unforgettable break in the capital of salsa.   

More classes: A jam-packed holiday with our most comprehensive Salsa syllabus yet, including extra classes and workshops as well as informal evening entertainment.     

A team of professional Cuban dancers all supplied by us:  What makes our Cuban Salsa trips different to the rest of our Salsa programme is our team of Cuban dancers who we supply to come out with you at night to the dance venues in Havana.   This means that there are more dance partners to go round and enables you to dance with not just Cubans but Cuban trained dancers!

"I would like to say that the holiday was absolutely smashing. The hotel was wonderful, the dance troupe absolutely super (gold stars all around) and our guide exceeded all expectations being informative, friendly and looking out for us at busy social functions"

'We are not normally given to writing thank you letters, or using superlatives, but we have just returned from your salsa dancing holiday in Cuba, and feel compelled to write and say that this was just an amazing experience, and one of the very best holidays ever!'.

'We were able to see so many different aspects of Cuba that as a sole tourist we would never have seen! Fantastic'.

'It was a brilliant experience, especially since we had the chance to go out with Cubans'

'Brilliant. Partied for the entire time.'

'Classes were excellent with professional dancers who were fun and friendly'

'I cannot think of a better introduction to local culture, music and dance!'

Yes! Robert and Jean White of Mambo City bring their renowned Salsa Splash brand to the heart of Salsa, Cuba. Experience the first class teaching and workshops, parties, fun and social events of Salsa Splash in the legendary city of Havana.

What's more, you can spread the cost of this holiday by paying in installments. Contact us for more details.

Classes and Teachers: Over the course of your holiday you will recieve at least 15 hours of salsa tuition from our team of professional dancers in Cuba. Remember the criteria by which we select our teachers extends way beyond mere technical ability or even teaching ability. We look for teachers who are charismatic and entertaining and who will teach you to dance with flair. And as they are much more than just teachers, because they will be accompanying you at night, we also select them for their personality and, quite frankly, physical attractiveness. 

Dance Levels: There will be at least two levels of Salsa tuition so that the classes will cater for all abilities, from beginner through to advanced. The dance teachers will be able to advise you on the first day of classes and suggest the level that is most appropriate to your ability and experience.

Syllabus: We have recently completely refreshed the salsa syllabus we teach in order to make it  more comprehensive. If this is your second trip to Cuba we are confident that you will find alot of new material in this syllabus. If it´s your first time you will find this course entirely comprehensive. You will cover:-

Robert and Jean White's team of Cuban dance teachers guarantee a first class dance experience in Havana, with at least 15 hours of classes as well as evening entertainment.

Please remember that Cuba is a poor country. Sometimes the food is plain and simple, and there is a limited selection of dishes by European standards. This is just one of the unavoidable aspects of being in Cuba. Although Cuban food can sometimes be uninspiring we think that you will usually be pleasantly surprised at the quality of the food you get. We shall naturally do our best to ensure that the restaurants we take you to serve food of an acceptable quality. The quality of the food may vary but the food is generally cheap and wholesome, with lots of rice and beans, fried fish and plantains. A typical Cuban menu might include Frijoles (a kind of stew with beans and ham), rice and black beans (moros y cristianos), cucumbers and tomatoes, cassava or malanga (local root vegetables), roast pork, fried chicken, plantains, corn fritters, bread, fried fish, pizza, followed by coconut pudding or ice cream.

Vegetarians: Vegetarianism is not understood in Cuba, where meat is a rare treat. So please be patient with locals who do not understand your needs. Please be aware that vegetarian choices can sometimes be very limited. On the other hand the staple diet of Cubans includes a lot of beans, rice and plantains, all suitable for vegetarians.

What are optional extras?  In addition to your holiday we also offer you a variety of optional extras to make your holiday even richer and add some local colour.  You can buy your optional extras at the welcome meeting at the beginning of your holiday.  We will ask you to pay in cash and fill out a form.  These are the optional extras that we anticipate running – actual details and prices will be confirmed on arrival. Some may require minimum numbers. 
 
* Lunch in an Art Deco restaurant in Havana with live music and peacocks (approx 12GBP).
* Lunch on the last day at one of Cuba's top restaurants in sought after Residential area of Miramar in Havana(15GBP)
* Dinner at elegant restaurant in Havana with option to have lobster (approx 15GBP).
* Visit to the Rum museum and Tobacco Factory with guided tours around both (approx 16GBP includig trasnfers) in Havana.
* Tembleke Class with your Salsa Teachers. Learn how to move as the Cubans do! (aprox. 8GBP)

On Arrival: You will receive a detailed itinerary and any other important information, including an overview of the local sights, recommended restaurants and other helpful tips.

Club Dance Holidays Host:  Your hosts on this holiday are Robert and Jean from Mambo City. Robert and Jean are there to make your holiday as enjoyable as possible and are a cut above your typical Holiday Rep with a lightness of touch that enables you to get the best out of your holiday without being in the least bit interfering. We make sure you get the best out of the destination even though you are there for a relatively short time and we do this through our local knowledge and our knowledge of dance. Club Dance Holidays Tour Hosts normally offer much more of themselves than you would expect including making sure your nights are sociable and fun often well into the small hours if that is your whim. During the daytime the level of participation and presence of Club Dance Holidays tour hosts varies according to the nature of each holiday and its destination.

Overview of the Week and Welcome Drink: At the beginning of your holiday there is an Overview of the Week where your tour host will tell you about all details of your holiday and answer any questions you might have. At the Overview of the Week you can buy your optional extras and we will invite you for a welcome drink.

Getting Around: You are responsible for making your own way to the dance classes and meeting points on the itinerary. We give you a detailed, annotated map and itinerary which make this easy. Nearly all of the activities we plan are within walking distance of the hotel. On one or two occasions it may be wise to get a taxi, and we will let you know when and how.

The Cuba Factor: Be aware that Cuba is a place where things do not always go according to plan. Sometimes the most carefully constructed plans just don’t happen. At other times new and exciting opportunities arise to, for instance, see a famous Cuban band playing live, or to experience some exciting aspect of life in Cuba that no one could have possibly predicted. Turn every problem into an opportunity and you will experience the best of Cuba.

Making friends with the locals and people not on the holiday: Cuba is a great place to make friends with the locals, and should you do so and would like them to come along to the activities organised by us, then just ask your Tour Host and except for the dance classes and provided you pay their way there should not be a problem. However, we discourage Non-Cubans who have not paid for the holiday from coming out with us more than once or from joining in activities arranged specially for the group. We would be grateful for your assistance and cooperation is this respect.

Buying drinks and meals for Cubans: Often Cubans will ask you to buy them a drink or food. They are often unable to afford to buy their own. At your own discretion you may wish to occasionally buy drinks and or a meal for the Cuban friends that you make. This is usually only a matter of a few dollars and is another feature of the peculiar circumstances that prevail in Cuba.

Attention in public places: Visitors from the West should be aware that they are likely to get a much higher level of physical attention in Cuba than they are used to back home. This applies to men as well as women! In nightclubs, Cubans dance close and often in a very sensual way. Sometimes they may try to push their luck. This is always done with a smile, is usually just playful and can be great fun. You should exercise common sense and, if you find that you are feeling hassled you should be firm and disengage from your partner with a polite and friendly smile. One of the team will normally be on hand to provide moral support, or escape, should you need it!

Keeping your valuables safe: Although crime rates in Cuba are very low, it is a poor country and you represent to them a rich foreign tourist whose pockets are stuffed with unimaginable wealth. So please be careful. Our advice is to leave expensive jewellery and unnecessary valuables at home. It is best not to put temptation in peoples’ way.  Do not leave your luggage unattended at any time and ensure that there is some way of locking or padlocking your suitcase or travel bag on the occasions where the luggage needs to be left in the bus or in the reception of the hotel. It is not unheard of for unlocked bags to be tampered with. When travelling we suggest that you keep your passport, travellers cheques, dollars and other important valuables about your person, in secure money belts or pockets. Although your possessions should be reasonably safe in your hotel rooms please ensure that your traveller’s cheques, dollars and other important valuables are always locked in your suitcase or in your safe when you go out.

The Cuban dance scene:  Dance and music penetrates much of Cuba life. Cubans are surrounded in their daily life by an eclectic mix music of Son, Rumba, Afrocuban, Danzon, Cha Cha Cha, Dancehall, Rap and Hip Hop. The dance scene is fantastic fun, playful and provocative. Partners dance close and the style is creative and fun.  The latest dance craze is 'Tembleke' which is a rapid, sassy body movement involving the shoulders, chest, torso and hips danced solo at your partner.
 
Clubs and venues in Havana: On the inside information of our Cuban teaching team, we will take you to the most happening venues. These may include concerts of world famous Salsa bands (such as Los Van Van), Salsa-ing by the sea just across from the Malecon, a Salsa Matinee (hot Cuban salsa and lots of Rueda between 4.30pm and 10pm! - the cubans come here after work), traditional 'Casa de la Trovas' where you can dance on the balcony, smart clubs with drink-as-much-as-you-like bars, hot late night venues (from 2.30am onwards) where you will find the djs mixing Salsa with Hip Hop and rap. Most clubs cost between $6-20. You are expected to pay your own way into the nightclubs and the transport there and back unless it is included as part of an excursion. We may walk, take taxis or organise private coach transport (about $1) to the best clubs.

 Club Entry

Casa de la Musica 10 to 20 CUCs

Hotel Florida 5 CUCs (includes 2 cocktails)

Club 1820 3 CUCs

La Gruta 5 CUCs

Drinks

Drinks at Clubs vary in price depending on which club you go to and the time of day you attend. At Casa De La Musica for example, bar prices are cheaper at Matinee shows and more expensive in the evening.

Cocktails 3-4 CUCs
Soft drinks and beer 1-3 CUCs
Bottle of rum 12 - 20 CUCs

Dining
Budget restaurant 8 to 12 CUC
Up market 12 to 20 CUC
 

Flights: Our Cuba holidays include return flights from London. If you are travelling from outside the UK we can offer you a holiday price without a flight included. We can also book regional add-ons to meet our London departure. Please give us a call with your requirements.

Transfers: We offer airport transfers at our chosen arrival  airport. In addition, if you are on a different flight which coincides with our arrival times at our chosen airport, we can also offer you a place on the transfer. Our client care team can advise you on selected flights for your chosen holiday. Sometimes you may have to wait a short while at the airport to connect with our transfer. If you are not coming from our selected UK airports or are flying to a different arrival airport, we can happily arrange a transfer for you at an extra cost - please ask us for details. You may wish to make your own way to your hotel. To do this we will give you easy to follow instructions.

Making your own way there: In Havana he distance between the José Martí International Airport and the city of La Habana (Havana) is approximately 20 km (12 miles). There are no public buses that pass by the airport en route to La Habana, so you must either take a personal taxi or tourist bus. The taxi charges approximately $30-40 dollars, and the tourist bus charges approximately $10-15 dollars. Journey time: about 30 minutes.

Books on Cuba: Of the books we have read about Cuba or set in Cuba these are the ones we would recommend: "Enduring Cuba" by Zoe Bran - An honest and inquisitive look into Cuban life. “Land of Miracles” by Stephen Smith – An excellent recent travel book written about Cuba, witty clever and informative. Strongly recommended. “Waking up in Cuba” by Steven Foehr – An honest, entertaining account of what you can expect to find in Cuba. Especially informative about the music and cultural history. “Cuba” - The Lonely Planet Guide by David Stanley - One of the most detailed guide books on Cuba.

Cuba’s Economy: Cuba’s economy has been distorted by the American blockade and by the withdrawal of subsidies by the former Soviet Union. There are two economies running side by side in Cuba. One is in Cuban pesos and is for Cubans. The other is in CUC, Convertible Cuban Pesos and is for tourists. The dual economy is to cater for the difference between the average Cuban wage and the wage that a visiting tourist will earn back home. It’s worth bearing in mind that the average monthly wage of a Cuban is $12 - $15. In a nightclub a tourist might be asked to pay between $5 - $20. A Cuban will pay 30 pesos which is about 600 times less. The concept of a dual economy may seem strange to you but to Cubans it is as natural as your economy is to you. You can no longer use US Dollars or any other foreign currency in Cuba, and if you bring American dollars a tax of 10% will be applied to you at the exchange of them for Cuban Convertible Pesos (this tax will not be applied to other currencies). So our strong recommendation is to bring cash Euros, UK Pounds or Canadian Dollars and change them on arrival in Cuba to the CUC. Additionally you will be able to exchange back the remaining CUC at the end of your travel. The CUC has an exchange rate equivalent to the American dollar and for this reason its sign is a ‘$’. Whilst bringing your money in cash may seem a bit alarming, it is from our personal experience, the most practical way of buying. Cheques, credit cards that are related to US banks and American Express travellers cheques are not accepted. There a very few (if any) cashpoints. You can take cash out by showing your credit card and passport at a till within a bank but you will probably have to queue for a long time.

Tipping: Tourism is the most important industry in Cuba and those who are able to work with tourists, even as room cleaners or barmen, earn more money than doctors and other professionals. Tips therefore often constitute the main source of income for many of the Cubans who you will meet. We feel our tour hosts work hard to give you an exceptional holiday and sometimes you may find that they add some special touches which are beyond the call of duty. If you agree with us, you might wish to show your appreciation by way of a tip. You can do this by putting money in an envelope on your own or by getting together with other guests. All tipping is evidently entirely at your discretion. In Jamaica, tipping culture is also commonplace and widely appreciated as here too it supplements often low incomes.

Budgeting for your holiday: Here are some guidelines on prices, to help you do your own calculations. Please refer to the optional extra section of the fact sheet for the prices of the optional extras.

Club Entry

Casa de la Musica 10 to 20 CUCs

Hotel Florida 5 CUCs (includes 2 cocktails)

Club 1820 3 CUCs

La Gruta 5 CUCs

Drinks

Drinks at Clubs vary in price depending on which club you go to and the time of day you attend. At Casa De La Musica for example, bar prices are cheaper at Matinee shows and more expensive in the evening.

Cocktails 3-4 CUCs
Soft drinks and beer 1-3 CUCs
Bottle of rum 12 - 20 CUCs

Dining
Budget restaurant 8 to 12 CUC
Up market 12 to 20 CUC

 

Passports: These must be valid for at least six months beyond the length of stay. Please check your passport now.

Tourist Visa Card: You require a Tourist Visa Card to enter Cuba. We as a tour operator can issue Tourist Visa Cards to our clients who come from Britain, Australia, Canada, USA, other EU countries and Japan. (If you live in another part of the world, please arrange your own visa to enter Cuba). Cuban Tourist Visa Cards are valid for one single trip of up to 30 days, although the stay can be extended in Cuba. The card must be bought in the country where the trip has been arranged (through us!). All passengers must hold tickets and other documentation required for their onward or return journey unless holding special annotation issued by a Cuban Consulate. You will be sent your Cuban Tourist Visa Card with your tickets a few days before you go. You will need to keep your Tourist Visa Card safe as you will need it to get in to Cuba and to get back out of the country. So look after it carefully during your trip.

Health and Fitness: There are no particular health requirements for a dance holiday. However you should be able to dance for at least two hours a day in order to be able to enjoy the dance classes. Please inform us if you have any medical conditions that we need to be aware of.

Luggage Labels and Lost Luggage: We strongly recommend that you secure your luggage before flying by all means possible – tape and locks. You should attach large and clear labels to your luggage with your name, flight number and destination. Do not put travellers cheques, jewellery or money in your suitcase. In the unlikely event that your luggage is lost during the journey you need to independently take the matter up directly with the airline at the relevant airport.

Vaccinations: We are informed by the respective Embassies that no special vaccinations are required for travel to Cuba. However, the following vaccinations are recommended by NHS Direct: tetanus, typhoid, hepatitis A, polio, diphtheria, BCG and hepatitis B. Please consult your own GP in respect of which vaccinations you should have.

Insurance: This is a condition of booking please refer to the information supplement for details.

Travel Documents: You receive these (which include a detailed Information Pack, your flight tickets and your Cuban Tourist Visa Card) when you have paid for your holiday in full and as soon as we have received your airline tickets. In some cases the airlines do not release the tickets until five days before the departure date. We also confirm the address and phone number of the hotel and the emergency contact numbers.

Weather: The Cuban climate is mild subtropical with plenty of sunshine, warm temperatures and refreshing sea breezes. No wonder Columbus thought he had discovered the earthly paradise! 

Don't forget that humidity in Cuba is relatively high.

Average Temperatures Havana:        

Jan         16/25

Feb        16/26

March   17/27

April      19/29

May       21/30

June       22/31

July        22/31

Aug       22/31

Sept       22/30    

Oct        17/27

Nov       17/27

Dec        17/27

Useful Things to Bring: It's worth remembering that due to the US embargo you will not find as much availability in the shops (especially chemists and clothes shops) so its a good idea to come well prepared:

Shoes suitable for walking around the streets
Broad brimmed sun hat/sunglasses
High factor sun cream
Insect repellent/anti-mosquito spray
Antiseptic cream in case of bites
Elastoplasts for sore feet
Aspirin/Nurofen for hangovers!
Immodium for stomach upsets
Shampoo, soap, toothpaste and other toiletries (hard to obtain and expensive in Cuba)
Condoms (local condoms are of low quality)
Travel washing powder (although the hotel may provide a laundry service)
Paper tissues/toilet paper
Swimming costume essential/beach towel
Money belt
Money, plane ticket, full valid passport, visa
This fact sheet

What to wear for dancing: It is probable that you may get through quite a few clothes in the classes and dancing at night (you can get quite hot!) so bring a variety of outfits. In the clubs, the local dress code is quite casual and 'streety' as opposed to elegant and smart. Cuban women tend to wear jeans/tight trousers or mini skirts with sassy little tops whilst men tend to wear trousers with tshirts. Trainers are allowed at most venues. Shorts are not permitted. A useful tip for women is in that some salsa clubs you have to leave your handbag in the cloakroom. Therefore its a good idea to bring a wrist/ankle purse or a purse that clips on to your trousers/skirt.