Salsa Boot Camp in Barcelona - This holiday is no longer available -

• A full salsa syllabus for intermediate and advanced dancers (total six hours - see classes and workshops)
• Three nights bed and breakfast accommodation in a comfortable and well located 3 star HCC Lugano Hotel 
• Nights out with Shelley and Gil at some of Barcelona's hottest salsa clubs
• Optional group meals and sight-seeing
• A full Orientation Pack containing information on where to eat, where to party, tourist spots, things to do etc so you can do your own thing
• A choice of optional extras

NB: Price is based on a twin or double room. Single supplement is £99. Alternatively we can arrange a room share partner for you.
 

Intensive salsa technique master classes for intermediate and advanced dancers with Gil and Shelley of Pexava. Flirt with the Latin spirit in the effervescent, cosmopolitan city of Barcelona.

We have been running salsa breaks in Barcelona since Club Dance Holidays began and this weekend offers a unique take on our traditional weekends, with high quality, intensive workshops from world-renowned UK based professional instructors Gil Prado and Shelley Cook of Pexava Dance Company. Gil and Shelley offer an exclusive six hour salsa programme for intermediate dancers upwards, featuring content unique to this weekend.

Along with Gil and Shelley, our local tour host in Barcelona will really help you to get under the skin of the city and in addition to some wild salsa nights out she will arrange memorable group meals, activities and give you advice on everything from wonderful shoe shops to the best times to visit the museums and art galleries.

Please note that this holiday is open to leader plus follower bookings only. This is purely for your benefit, to guarantee balanced numbers in the master classes. You will be rotating with all workshop attendees in the training sessions. If you do not already have a colleague or friend with whom to book, please do give us a call and we will add you to a waiting list which will clear once another single dancer books.

 Call Club Dance Holidays to book on 0207 099 4816.
 

'Brilliant way to experience Barcelona, meet like-minded people and Salsa the night away!'.

'V.relaxing and organized events v. enjoyable.  Liked having choice to be independent as and when you please.'

'Its an absolute joy for me to write a letter of appreciation to you and your whole team for the totally fantastic holiday that I have just had dancing Salsa in Barcelona.  It has become one of our all-time top three holidays to date.  Our group comprised English, Chinese, Danish, Dutch, French-Moroccan, Indian and Irish with ages ranging from about 25 to 59; it was an excellent advertisement for the United Nations and anti-ageism.'

'Salsa tuition - professional, sensitive, empowering.'

'Great fun made special by terrific host'.

This Salsa Boot Camp weekend is a great opportunity for intermediate and advanced dancers to learn from one Europe’s top salsa teaching teams. The intensive salsa course (six hours) is suitable for intermediate and advanced dancers and in addition to the classes you will have the opportunity meet like-minded people, experience the vibrant city of Barcelona, make friends and sample some of the city's vibrant culture and wild nightlife.

Please note that this holiday is open to leader plus follower bookings only. This is purely for your benefit, to guarantee balanced numbers in the master classes. You will be rotating with all workshop attendees in the training sessions. If you do not already have a colleague or friend with whom to book, please do give us a call and we will add you to a waiting list we will add you to a waiting list which will clear once another single dancer books.
 

This is a provisional itinerary, aiming to give you an idea of what the weekend might look like.  Some details may change.

(OP) indicates an optional extra for which a charge will be made in advance.

Day 1
Late morning - Check in to your hotel from 12/1pm.
1.30pm – Welcome drink and lunch at a popular local tapas bar (OP)
6pm - Welcome meeting at the hotel reception
1030pm – Tapas and drinks at stylish restaurant located near the salsa club (OP)
From 12pm – Salsa night out

Day 2
Morning – Salsa classes (2 hours): Partner work with Spinning Technique for Leaders and Followers
Afternoon suggestion – stroll around the gothic quarter and enter a medieval world. Watch the locals dancing ‘La Sardana’, a local folk dance- outside the Cathedral.
Lunch at atmospheric local Barcelona restaurant (OP)
Early Evening - Salsa Matinee by the beach area with Cuban band playing live (subject to availability)! Free time for dinner
From 11.30pm – Salsa-ing at another of Barcelona ’s principal salsa nightclubs

Day 3
Morning - Salsa classes (2 hours) Musical Interpretation with Body Movement
1pm Suggestion – Take lunch at fantastic seafood restaurant near the modern marina Port Vell and watch the comings and goings along Barcelona’s beautiful and famous promenade.
Afternoon - Salsa classes (2 hours) Mens' and Ladies' Styling and Footwork
Evening - Farewell tapas dinner (OP)
From 11.30pm – Salsa-ing at another of Barcelona ’s principal salsa nightclubs.

Day 4
Morning - Breakfast and check out
Suggestion: Visit la Sagrada Familia before returning to the airport for your flight home
 

Your Salsa course will be six hours long. The timetable is expected to be Saturday 11am - 1pm, Sunday 11am - 1pm and Sunday 4pm - 6pm. Your sessions will be provided as Technique Master Classes, in which you will learn all the secrets that cannot be delivered in weekly lessons. Gil and Shelley are widely acknowledged as amongst the foremost teachers of technique in the UK and their tricks and tips will transform your understanding and enjoyment of salsa dancing.

Master Class Technique Topics:
1. Partner work with Spinning Technique for Leaders and Followers
2. Musical Interpretation with Body Movement
3. Mens and Ladies Styling and Footwork

Dance Studios
We use centrally located Dance Studios just off Las Ramblas which afford mirrors and a good music system. The studios are approximately a 7 minute walk from the hotel.

 

“The UK’s Best Salsa Performers”
Salsa Consultants, “Matilda” The Musical
Three Gold Stars Sky One’s “Got To Dance”
“The Home of World Championship Salsa in London”

Together as Pexava Dance Company, which means “Lightning Fast” in Mayan from Gil’s native Mexico, husband and wife Gil and Shelley are an explosive combination on stage and inspire students of every level in their lessons.

Gil is well-known internationally for his creative and unique turn patterns and shines which he teaches with an absolute emphasis on technique and a sense of humour. Shelley is an infectiously enthusiastic dancer who is widely acknowledged as one of the UK’s most popular teachers and performers. Together Gil and Shelley, “The UK’s Best Salsa Performers”, have performed and taught at international professional level in over 20 countries and are currently the UK’s most in-demand professionals at European congress level. They have made numerous appearances on national TV including BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, are salsa consultants for the West End’s “Matilda” the Musical, and recently made it through to the Judges’ Shortlist on Sky One’s "Got To Dance", winning 3 gold stars and having the honour of a home visit from Judge Kimberly Wyatt, plus they featured on the catwalk at Britain and Ireland’s Next Top Model. Gil and Shelley have both trained extensively in New York, Italy, and Puerto Rico and they bring you authentic technique, plus many years of experience from the studios and social dance floors across the globe. They have both placed at salsa competitions truly recognised at World Championship level against competitors from all over the globe, including the likes of Adrian and Anita, Fernando Sosa (Tropical Gem), Junior and Emily and Oliver Pineda. Between them, titles include: twice UK Professional Champion, twice European Bronze and Silver medallists, World Semi-Finalist, World Bronze medallist and World fifth place (World Latin Dance Cup and World Salsa Open respectively).

Gil and Shelley have earned a reputation at world class level as social, competition and performance dancers and are without doubt amongst Europe’s best teachers, so come and learn their secrets!
 

International cuisine: Barcelona offers a wide choice of restaurants offering many different types of cuisine from all over the world - modern Catalan, traditional Spanish, Italian, Chinese, Lebanese, Moroccan, Argentinian, Colombian and much more.

Tapas and raciones:  Its worth remembering that Barcelona is a cosmopolitan city, and prices here are higher than in other parts of Spain. A good way of keeping your costs down it to eat 'tapas' by way of a meal. Tapas bars are an intrinsic part of Spanish culture.  ‘Tapa’ translates as ‘lid’.  The idea is that you keep you hunger in check by ordering small plates of food.  In most tapas bars you don’t sit down.  Rather, you stand or sit on stools at the bar.  In tapas bars and in many restaurants you can also order ‘raciones’.  A ración is a plate of one type of dish (either meat or fish or salad etcetera).  The idea is for a group of people to order a ‘ración’ each and for the group to then share the dishes between themselves. It’s a great way to be able to try different dishes! If you would prefer to eat a sit down three course meal, we suggest that you eat at a restaurant with a set menu. 

What are optional extras?  In addition to your holiday we offer you a variety of optional extras to enrich your experience and  add some local colour.  You can buy optional extras at the welcome meeting at the beginning of your holiday.  These are the optional extras that we anticipate running – actual details and prices will be confirmed on arrival. Some may require minimum numbers.

Social Dinner: Dinner (catalan cuisine) at elegant, atmospheric restaurant with turn of the century modernist decor, situated at the heart of the Gothic Quarter. (£25)

On Arrival: You will receive a detailed itinerary,annotated map and details of any optional extras. We also include information on the local sights, recommended restaurants and other helpful tips. Independence: We believe our guests do not like to be over-organised. So we give you details of organised social and dancing activities. You can then decide if and when you want to turn up. You are fully independent on these holidays.     

Club Dance Holidays Host:  We pride ourselves on a lightness of touch which allows you to be independent within the social and cultural activities we organise. Club Dance Holidays Tour Hosts are personable and efficient and have an intimate knowledge of the destination and local language. They are on hand at all times from the 'Meet and Greet' all the way through the parties and nights out. 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.

Getting around: You are responsible for making your own way to the dance classes and meeting points on the itinerary. On arrival you will be provided  with the addresses of all the venues. Taxis are cheap and plentiful and allow you to visit the best of the city with the minimum of fuss. The metro is also easy to use.

Banks and Money: The easiest way to buy obtain euros is by using a credit card at one of the numerous cash points. You can buy small amounts, as often as you like, at any time, without queuing. You will need to know your P.I.N. Cash points are very easy to use. Bank opening hours are normally 9.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. Banks will change cash, travellers cheques and will sell you currency on your credit card providing the lines are open. You will always need to show your passport at a bank.

Tipping is generally less common in Spain than back home. There is no need to tip taxis but it is usual to leave a 5 - 10% tip at a restaurant if you are particularly pleased with your dinner/lunch.

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. This evidently is entirely at your discretion.

The Salsa scene in Barcelona offers something for everyone: Cuban Salsa, LA Salsa, Cuban Wheel, live music, dance displays and a Salsa community from all over the world! The Salsa scene in Barcelona is increasingly active and happening with many clubs and bars. We will visit different Salsa venues to ensure you enjoy a wide variety of the Salsa ‘ambiente’.  There are a lot of Salsa dancers in Barcelona and thus many potential dance partners for you! Admission into the Salsa clubs accompanied by Club Dance Holidays is free, however if you opt to go alone there may be a fee.  

Your Salsa course will be six hours long: Two hours a day over two days. The timetable is expected to be Saturday 11am - 1pm, Sunday 11am - 1pm and Sunday 4pm - 6pm.

Airport Hotel, Lounge & Parking: We can arrange a hotel for you the night before your flight this will include parking, arrange access to the airport lounge or just arrange your airport parking for you. Please contact us for a quote:  theteam@clubdanceholidays.com

Flights : This holiday is quoted flight exclusive. This allows you to fly from the airport of your choice, at a time that suits you. This holiday is based on minimum numbers so please do not book your flight until we confirm your holiday to you.

We can book your flights for you, there will be an admin charge of £20 on top of the flight price.

NB Please make sure we have confirmed your holiday before you book your flight.

Transfers :  Please make your own way to your chosen hotel, please see various transport options below.

Car Hire: We could arrange your car hire for you from Barcelona Airport.  Prices start from £54 for the duration of the Dance Holiday.

Making Your Own Way to Your Hotel in Barcelona:

1) Taxi: A taxi costs about 25 euros from the airport to your hotel.

2) Train: Signposted from the arrivals lounge and runs every 30 minutes to Sants and connects to the metro system. The cost is about 4 euros.

3) Bus: Signposted from the arrivals lounge and leaves every 10 or 15 minutes, dropping you off at Plaza Catalonia. The cost is about 4 euros. From here you can walk, join the metro, or get a taxi to your hotel.

Books on Barcelona and Spain: It may be worth your while reading up on your destination before you go.
‘Time Out Guide to Barcelona’ – the best local guide.
‘See Barcelona’ is an excellent glossy booklet sometimes available free in the reception of many hotels.
Penelope Casas writes beautifully on Spain, The Blue Guide’ or “The Foods and wines of Spain”. Ian Gibson’s ‘The Fire in the Blood’ is one of the most fascinating insights into Spanish Culture.
 
Budgeting for your holiday: Its worth remembering that Barcelona is a cosmopolitan city, and prices here are higher than in other parts of Spain. If you wish to keep you costs down, we suggest eating 'tapas' by way of an evening meal.   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.
Three course meal including drinks in the centre of town:  25-30 euros
An evening of tapas and drinks: 15 euros
Taxi ride across town:  5 euros
Rum and coke in a nightclub: 6 euros
Beer in a bar/cafe:  3 euros
Coffee in a bar/cafe: 1.50 euros
Entrance to a monument or museum: 5 euros.
 
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.

Insurance, Visa and Passport Requirements: In brief, Insurance is a condition of booking. You must check with your local embassy regarding Visa and passport requirements. British nationals need a full passport to travel to Spain.

Travel Documents: You receive these 10 days prior to daparture. We also confirm the address and phone number of the hotel and the emergency contact numbers.

Weather:
Barcelona is located on the Mediterranean coast and so the climate is always mild and nearly always sunny. It can be possible to bathe in the sea as early as February although you might have to be fairly enthusiastic. The beach chiringuitos (cafes/restaurants) are open from around May to October.
 

Average temperatures:

What to wear for Salsa dancing:  We recommend that you bring shoes with a leather sole for the dance classes and the evenings. Your shoes should be comfortable and supportive. Wear lightweight cotton socks to avoid sweaty and blistered feet!  Wear comfortable loose clothing for the classes.  The Barcelona Salsa clubs are quite informal - it is common for both men and women to wear jeans.  Most of them do not allow shorts or trainers.

Useful Things to Bring
Camera
Shoes suitable for spending a long time walking around the streets
Summer clothing for day and light jacket for evenings if travelling between May and October.
Warm jacket for day and evenings if travelling between November and April.
Swimming costume, suntan lotion and beach gear if travelling between May and October.