Cuba Dance Carnival Holiday
15-29 July 2009
Witness Cuba's biggest Carnival Parade and dance with professional performers!
The main festival of the year in Cuba is without doubt the annual Carnival in Santiago de Cuba. A week of intense colour, activity, dancing in the streets, live music and fabulous costumes brings the city alive every July and the evening parade each night along Garzon Avenue is a must-see.
In 2007, for the first time, we had the opportunity to perform a fully choreographed routine in the Carnival parade with professional artistes from Ballet Folklorico Cutumba, one of Cuba's top dance and music companies. In 2008, Santiago Carnival celebrated its 50th anniversary making it a very special year for our dance trip participants. In 2009 we will be celebrating 10 years of running our Cuban dance holidays in Santiago de Cuba and our partner dance company, Ballet Folklorico Cutumba is celebrating its 50th anniversary, so this year is going to be even more special. A packed itinerary during the hottest carnival in the Caribbean with some special 10 year anniversary surprises along the way!
We will have 8 days of lessons with tutors from the Ballet Folklorico Cutumba, one of the top dance/music companies in Cuba, and will be out at nights to live street concerts and events taking place in the carnival areas. We will also arrange some special afternoon visits and workshops to see one of the most famous local Conga groups preparing for carnival, as well as a visit to a costumes workshop.
All levels are welcome from beginners to advanced for dance classes. If you prefer to take more Spanish or percussion instead of dance please let us know.
Please note international flights are not included in the cost of this trip but we are ATOL agents and can add flights to your package. If you are travelling from the UK contact us for a quote for Virgin flights from London Gatwick to Havana. If London Gatwick is not a convenient departure point for you or you are travelling from outside of the UK, contact us to discuss for travel advice and to discuss any necessary amendments to the itinerary for your arrival and departure in Cuba.
Proposed itinerary
Wed 15 July
Arrival at Havana airport on Virgin flight from London Gatwick*. Check into hotel, twin room with breakfast. Welcome evening with cocktail and free evening.
Thurs 16 July
Briefing meeting fter breakfast and optional orientation walk of Old Havana. Rest of day free to explore Havana. Internal flight to Santiago de Cuba early evening and transfer to homestay accommodation. Single room, half board x 12 nights. Light dinner in homestay and rest of evening free.
Friday 17 July
Morning dance classes x 3 hours (son and salsa). Short orientation walk of central Santiago and afternoon city tour by coach. Visit to El Morro castle at the mouth of Santiago Bay/Cayo Granma. Night out to live music venue/club.
Sat 18 July
Morning dance classes x 3 hours (son and salsa). Afternoon free. Night out to live music venues/clubs.
Sun 19 July
Full day trip outside of Santiago including transport.
Mon 20 - Fri 24 July
Morning dance classes x 3 hours (son and salsa); 2 afternoons of survival Spanish (2 hour lessons) or dance styling (1 hour lessons); 2 afternoon visits to a carnival workshop/conga rehearsal or other places of local interest. Nights out to live music venues/clubs.
Sat 25 July
Free day for carnival events and activities. Night out to Carnival street procession.
Sun 26 July
National Cuba Day. Free day to relax and explore Santiago.
Mon 27
Morning classes x 3 hours (son and salsa) with survival Spanish (2 hours) or dance styling (1 hour). Last night out with group to live music venue/club.
Tues 28
Morning flight to Havana, check into hotel, twin room with breakfast. Rest of day free. Optional last night out with group, dinner and dancing.
Wed 29
Optional guided walking tour of Old Havana (+10$CUC) and visit to craft markets. Early afternoon transfer to airport for overnight Virgin flight back to London Gatwick*.
* International flights are not included in the cost of this trip but we are ATOL agents and can add flights to your package. If you are travelling from the UK contact us for a quote for Virgin flights from London Gatwick to Havana. If London Gatwick is not a convenient departure point for you or you are travelling from outside of the UK, contact us to discuss for travel advice and to discuss any necessary amendments to the itinerary for your arrival and departure in Cuba.
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