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A full salsa syllabus with specialist workshops (fifteen hours - see Classes and Workshops)
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A programme of nights out with our team of Cuban dancers including all transports , as well as club entries for dancers and their drinks.
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Unique itinerary elements including a Cuban house party, watching famous bands rehearse, Afro Cuban dance performances and more
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Full hosting by Rowena and our team on the ground who are experts in salsa and in Cuba
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Return direct flights with Virgin Atlantic Gatwick / Havana
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Meet and Greet upon arrival and return hotel transfers
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10 nights' accommodation and breakfast in the iconic 5* Hotel National - the best in Havana
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Casa stay options
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4 nights chill out time in Vinales, Trinidad or Varadero (£80 supplement for Trinidad and £100 supplement for Varadero)
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All land transfers
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A pick and choose itinerary including parties, soirees, restaurants, nights out dancing and sight seeing suggestions
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A pre-departure pack containing information on where to eat, where to party, tourist spots and attractions for independent sight-seeing
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Welcome party and drink
Brisas Trinidad del Mar**** (All Inclusive) (Upgrade)
The Brisas Trinidad del Mar Hotel is located on a beautiful white sand beach just eight kilometres from the city centre and is the perfect spot for a relaxing few days by the Caribbean sea.
All-inclusive meals can be taken at buffet and a la carte restaurants and there are unlimited drinks all day. All rooms are air-conditioned and have satellite TV, telephone, radio and safety deposit box. Within the hotel complex you can enjoy the swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna, masseurs, gym and tennis courts. There are also shops, a chemist and travel agency which can organise car, moped and bicycle hire.
The hotel offers day and night-time entertainment as well as watersports - windsurfing, pedalos, kayaks, snorkeling and scuba diving courses for beginners.
Memories Varadero 2**** (All Inclusive) (Upgrade)
This deluxe Varadero hotel is located on one of Varadero's best beaches.
With an attractive fusion of colonial architecture and Caribbean flair, Memories is surrounded by lush gardens containing a large freeform swimming pool.
The spacious guestrooms are furnished to a high standard with wood furnishings and warm, tropical colours. All rooms have bathroom with bathtub & shower, balcony or terrace, air conditioning, satellite TV, mini-bar (stocked daily), hairdryer and safe.
Choose from an extensive collection of global cuisines at the 8 à la carte restaurants, including Italian, Japanese, and Mexican, or savour a selection of your favourite comfort foods at the international buffet or 2 snack bars.
With a wide array of exciting activities and entertainment, Memories Varadero ensures fun for all ages. Participate in daily organizsd activities, experience a variety of land and water sports, lounge by one of the dazzling pools, or bask under a golden sun on the pristine white sand beach. Whether you want to fill your days with non-stop fun and excitement, experience the vibrant Varadero nightlife, or simply idle your days away while relaxing on the beach or by the pool, Memories Varadero lets you do it all!
Nacional de Cuba***** (Bed & Breakfast) (Included)
You will be staying at the five star Hotel Nacional de Cuba, renowned for its refined elegance and classic splendour, as Havana's best hotel. Since 1930 it has attracted a large number of personalities from the arts, sciences and politics including Winston Churchill, Frank Sinatra, Ava Gardner, Naomi Campbell, Errol Flynn, and Alexander Fleming. Built in the 1930s and combining Art Deco features with modernist influences, the Nacional's image still appears on much of Cuba's tourist promotion literature and evokes the glamour of a bygone era. A full refurbishment in 1992 remained sympathetic to the original architecture, preserving the hotel's 1930s splendour.
With its privileged location in Vedado, the centre of Havana, the Nacional stands on a promontory just a few metres from the sea and offers fabulous views of Havana Bay, the Malecón promenade and the city. There are two swimming pools, a choice of restaurants and beautiful gardens complete with strutting peacocks.
Twin, single and triple rooms are available and Executive Suites are on request.
Vinales Casa Stay* (Bed & Breakfast) (Included)
Due to the popularity of Vinales as a destination for a few days' relaxation, the area has recently seen a number of high quality new Casa Particulares opening. We believe a "Casa" stay is the best way to experience this region, especially as the facilities and quality are of a good standard (often better than the hotels in the region).
A "Casa" is the private home of a Cuban, similar to a guesthouse or B&B. A government approved initiative allows this private enterprise and to stay in one is a great way to get to know Cubans and the local area. All of the Casas have well-furnished rooms with air-conditioning, private bathrooms and home-cooked food. Breakfast is included. The owners are always a wealth of information about the local area and can help you to book guides and excursions including visits to the beach, caves, mountains or hiking, biking, horseback riding and climbing.
Your actual Casa will be confirmed closer to the date of travel or on arrival but we guarantee that the Casas we use are some of the best in the region.
The ultimate salsa holiday, a fortnight of Cuban music and culture in the company of our expert local dance team.
We have recently re-vamped our Cuba programme to include some really unique elements exclusive to Club Dance Holidays. Rowena, our new tour manager, has spent a great deal of time in Cuba and, as a dancer herself, has a great network of friends and colleagues enabling us to give you a real "insider's" tour of Havana and beyond. The holiday is suitable for dancers of all abilities and ages - from complete beginners to advanced - and the company of our charismatic team of local dancers makes the holiday extra special. Not only do they dance with you in all the classes (a full fifteen hours), they accompany the group to Havana's salsa clubs, ensuring some unforgettable nights out.
What's more, we include all of the nights out. We pre-pay your club entry and that of the dancers and even pay for the dancers' drinks so all you have to worry about is your personal Cuba Libre fund!
We stay in the inconic 5* Hotel Nacional in Havana and our dance classes are held in a private room there which is a real treat - dancing salsa in Havana's landmark historic hotel really cements the Cuban Salsa experience. During this two week trip we include 4 nights' relaxation time. The standard holiday price includes 4 nights in a carefully selected Casa Particular in the stunning Vinales Valley or for a small upgrade you can travel to Trindad de Cuba or Varadero.
There are lots of Cuba salsa trips on the market but don't forget that with us you're in safe hands - we're fully ATOL bonded and our staff has a combined travel industry experience of over 50 years.
"I feel a warning should be given to those looking at the holiday stating they will be very depressed by the end. I had such a good time a week later and I am still not over the fact I have had to return to cold England and work! Desperately want to return".
"Our Salsa in Havana holiday was the best we have had in a very long time! I never expected it to be as wonderful as it was. Rowena was amazing - lively, friendly, fun, knowledgeable of the local customs, and full of interesting plans and smart suggestions. I told her I am going to call this trip "Rowena takes her friends to Havana" because that is what it felt like."
"The dance teachers were great. Talented, professional, friendly, and endlessly patient with beginners like my husband and I. We had a blast in the clubs with them--the head teacher Alexis made sure we had fun memories that will last a long time."
"Our fellow tour-goers were fantastic--a fun, congenial and caring bunch. We enjoyed each other's company even outside the organised classes and clubbing, and now we are keeping in touch on Facebook."
"I had such a good time a week later and I am still not over the fact I have had to return to cold England and work! Desperately want to return".
"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".
"Real eye-opening experience on Cuban society and culture."
"I cannot think of a better introduction to Cuban culture, music and dance!"
If you love to have a good time and enjoy meeting new people in the setting of a fascinating, friendly country with year-round sunshine then yes!
Everyone should visit Cuba at least once and you haven't danced salsa until you've danced salsa in Havana. Our team of Cuban dancers animate your entire trip and we guarantee that once you visit Cuba with us you'll be hooked. Our salsa in Cuba holidays are about so much more than just dance classes; along with our team we make sure you experience the REAL Cuba and immerse yourself in Havana's rhythm.
Our Cuban salsa holidays are suitable for ALL levels, from complete beginners to advanced dancers. Our expert teachers will ensure you get the most out of your classes and tailor their teaching to you.
We include genuine off-the-beaten track experiences and take you to exclusive band rehearsals, dance performances and even to the home of our Cuban friends for a salsa party. ALL of the nights out are included in your holiday price so the only thing you have to worry about is your personal Cuba Libre fund!
Cuba is an adventure and with us you're in safe hands; unlike many salsa holiday operators we're fully ATOL bonded with over 50 years' combined travel industry experience amongst our team, almost all of whom have visited Cuba multiple times.
Give us a call if you have any questions on salsa in Cuba - we'll be happy to talk about our favourite subject.
Sample Itinerary
This is a provisional itinerary aiming to give you an idea of what your holiday will look like. There will be some elements which will change: (OP) indicates an optional extra for which a charge will be made in advance.
DAY 1
Arrival and transfer to the Hotel Nacional for a 7-night stay
Evening - Welcome meeting with Rowena, including a Cuba Libre, before a group dinner (payable locally) and the option to hit the clubs, jet lag permitting!
DAY 2
Morning - Overview of the week and salsa classes in the Hotel Nacional (3 hours)
Afternoon - Walking tour of Old Havana including a cold chocolate drink at the Museo de Chocolate
Evening - Night out with our team of Cuban dancers
DAY 3
Morning - Salsa lessons in the Hotel Nacional (3 hours)
Afternoon - Visit the Museo de Ron (rum) followed by an afternoon spent browsing at Old Havana's new covered market with its huge art collection and gift stalls
Evening - (OP) Dinner and cabaret at the Parisienne in the Hotel Nacional followed by dancing at one of Old Havana's salsa OR jazz clubs
DAY 4
Morning - Salsa lessons in the Hotel Nacional (2 hours) followed by a Rumba class with Toto of the famous Cuban group Clave y Guaganco (1 hour)
Afternoon - Unique group excursion to watch Toto and his group rehearsing (subject to schedule) OR take in a ballet performance at Havana's Teatro Nacional (subject to schedule. Approx 25 CUC)
Evening - Night out to watch Toto perform with Clave y Gaganco (subject to schedule)
DAY 5
Morning - Salsa lessons in the Hotel Nacional including a son workshop (3 hours)
Afternoon - Visit the Egrem Studios in Old Havana to watch a son band perform (subject to schedule)
Evening - Cuban house party with food and drink flowing - dance the night away in the home of our Cuban friends
DAY 6
Morning - Salsa lessons in the Hotel Nacional (3 hours)
Afternoon - Trip to watch one of Cuba's dance companies rehearse OR take in a matinee performance at Palenque restaurant (OP)
Evening - Dinner at La Roca restaurant (OP)
DAY 7
Morning - Salsa lessons in the Hotel Nacional (3 hours)
Afternoon - Visit La Associacion Yoruba in Havana Vieja to watch Afro Cuban dance performances
Evening - (OP) Dinner at a Paladar (privately owned small restaurant) followed by a salsa party with the Club Dance Holidays crew
DAY 8
Depart for your 4-night chill out time in either Vinales, Trinidad or Varadero.
DAYS 9 - 11
See the sights, chill by the pool or on the beach or explore the countryside on your tailored chill-out break
DAY 12
Morning - Return to Havana
Afternoon - Salsa dancing at Havana's matinee salsa club, for the dance die-hards
Evening - Reunite with our team of Cuban teachers for a salsa night out
DAY 13
Chill out and sleep off your hangover around the pool enjoying the salsa music and sun OR take a boat trip on the River Almendares
Evening - Farewell salsa night out at one of Havana's best clubs
DAY 14
Farewell lunch at one of Old Havana's favourite restaurants (OP)
Late afternoon - Transfer to Havana airport for the return flight to the UK
DAY 15
Arrive in the UK