Salsa Holidays Cuba - Why Key2Cuba
Your holiday Includes
- 10 Nights in the heart of Old Havana in Hemmingway's classic hotel.
- 4 Nights at an all inclusive paradise beach location, 20 minutes from the Havana night life
- Direct flights with Virgin Atlantic. ATOL Licence 6996, plus airport meet and greet/transfers
- 21 hours of dance tuition at 4 levels - Beginners to professional level welcome!
- World class Cuban teachers from the Raices Profundas company to spoil you in class and on the dance floor
- Salsa , Son, Rumba, Body movement, Rueda, Partner work, Afro Cuban Orishas and Reggaeton
- Totally off the tourist track itinerary, which ensures a unique entry to the heart of the Cuban Salsa scene
- Led by Kerry Ribchester winner of the top British Salsa Teacher award and her team of Bi-lingual tour hosts, celebrity Cuban teachers, and the most celebrated dance legend in Cuba, Juan de Dios
A taster of what to expect
From beach parties, to live bands, clubs swimming with dolphins and meeting the Cuban Gods read more about some of the activities you can expect to do on a Key2Cuba Salsa holiday.
A piece of mind
- Non-stop flights with Virgin airlines
- Kerry Ribchester has led more than 40 trips to Cuba in the last 10 years
- Key2Cuba have a 16 strong Cuban team of teachers, assistants and production managers
- The Key2Cuba programme takes the hard work out of traveling independently (We know what's hot and what's not!) so every minute is special. We release your detailed itinerary just before departure - thus ensuring we visit the best bands/clubs/restaurants in town
Who comes on the holiday?
Most people come on their own, some come with a friend and usually on each trip, there are also a few couples. From complete beginners to experienced dancers from ages 21-70.
Thinking of going independently?
Most tourists who visit Cuba have a great time. However, it is also true that without prior experience of Cuba, you may be following out of date guide books (Cuba changes daily) and it is easy to waste time and energy searching for restaurants, venues and clubs that don’t live up to expectations. It is easy in Cuba to go to a Salsa club that on a particular night is playing Pop, Rap and Reggaeton music, or has an hour long comedy cabaret. You may be missing out on the best band in town if you don’t know who is playing and where. If you don’t speak Spanish, it may be hard to find out where the place to go is, and if you are a single woman, or guy, you may find the attention you receive in the street or clubs quite challenging.
The Key2Cuba programme takes the hard work out of travelling, leaving you free to enjoy every single minute to the full with a great bunch of like minded travelers and a genuine dance team of specialists. We also take care that you are not paying tourist inflated prices for meals and club entrances.
Being Part of the Clan
Being with a party of like-minded travelers with interesting backgrounds from all over the world can be a lot of fun. This, coupled with the Cuban clan encouraging you on the dance floor to show off your latest moves, is a very warm and exciting way to experience Cuba
How your trip breaks down
(this information is for reference only, the exact itinerary of your trip will vary according to the time of year and is confirmed to you as part of your holiday departure pack)
PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES IN CUBA, ITINERARIES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
Havana (usually 10 nights)
Havana is without doubt, the salsa capital of the world and where all the action is. It is a magical, dynamic city, steeped in history and bustling with life and vitality. The architecture is beautiful and the salsa clubs house the world's number 1 salsa bands. We offer a longer stay in Havana as this is where most of the action is. It gives you the opportunity of getting to know the locals and the Havana salsa scene.
- Hotel Havana Libre is ideally situated next to many salsa clubs.
- 5 star hotel
- Swimming pool
- Salsa parties around the pool
- Balconies with panoramic view a overlooking Havana
- TV, telephone, air conditioning, high ceilings
Cienfuegos: "The Jewel of Cuba" (usually 4 nights)
- Local transport, still horse and cart
- Club entrances to see top bands from Havana such as Los Van Van and Pupy and an entry charge of just $3.00. Most of the clubs are surrounded by the sea and the atmosphere is electric
- Each room in the hotel has a balcony, panoramic sea view and the hotel has a huge pool with a dance area actually on the sea. It also has a classy Salsa club where we take lessons and party to the early hours
- The hotel is within walking distance of four major Salsa clubs. No need for taxis home!
- Cienfuegos was built by the French so it has stunning architecture. The sea front "EL MALECON" is long and framed by a line of palm trees. At night everyone gathers here to chat, dance, sing, drink rum and party. This town is really steeped in tradition and the atmosphere is 1000% CUBAN
- Day trips: We take a coach two hours up into the mountains and take a 1 hour gentle horse ride. We pass either on foot, or on horseback through acres of un spoilt countryside, past a few lakes, down to a secluded spot on the beach. We then have lunch on the beach, relax, sunbathe, swim in the transparent water Salsa, and ride back as the sun is setting. The smells of the herbs and flowers is amazing!
THE KEY2CUBA PROGRAMME EXTRAS
As well as 21 hours of salsa lessons and hours on the dance floor perfecting your moves, our unique Key2Cuba programme will bring you closer to the heart of the Cuban culture and people.
1. Best Clubs, Best Bands, hit the Jackpot!
The salsa matinees are not to be missed. Our Programme Manager finds out who is playing where, reserves the best table in the club and the Cuban dancers come with us in the afternoon to shake our booties to the best live band in town. No queuing outside! We ensure a smooth entrance.
The matinees are packed full of Cubans and few tourists. The buzz when Bamboleo play at a matinee is breathtaking. We have often had clients on stage with the band. We make sure you see the top bands that are in town at the time such as Los Van Van, Pupy, Michel Maza, Charanga Habanera, Haila, Azucar Negra, and Bueno Vista Social Club. Key2Cuba clients often get to meet the artists in person, go back stage or hang out in the VIP area. Check out this photo taken by Kerry on stage at New Year with Los Van Van on the Malecón. 20,000 Cuban in attendance and our clients are safely enjoying dancing in the VIP area with our dancers.
2. Private Rumba Party
Cuba’s most respected, celebrated and internationally famous Rumba band play for us and perform all the different types of Rumba and Cuban dance at an amazing colonial house in Old Havana. Practice your latest rumba moves to the thrilling drums and dance with their principle dancers. It is a rum fuelled baptism of the rumba. Make sure you are not "vacuna'd"!
3. Beach Party
At a beautiful location down the coast from Havana, we salsa the afternoon away in the sand, sun and sea to a lively live nine piece salsa band. Accompanied by Cuban dancers who know how to party, we eat fresh fish, admire the white sand, palm trees and turquoise sea and throw the wildest party on the beach.
4. Tour of Havana
See Havana from a completely new perspective. Visit El Morro or El Cristo and salsa the afternoon away in a restaurant with a panoramic view of the city and port. Meet the artist, Salvador Gonzalez, see his private collection of paintings in his home, visit the studio and dance rumba in the street at the famous Calle Jon de Hammel.
5. Meet the Cuban Gods
Visit the Museum of the Orishas (Cuban Gods). Discover more about the African heritage and the meaning of dances. Who is Changó? What are the qualities of the Goddess of the sea Yemanja and the goddess of love, Oshun. Understand more about the Santeria religion as you experience first hand a ceremony and Bembe! Visit an authentic temple, dance to a live percussion band and join in with the dancers as they lose themselves in the dances of the Orishas. This full on Cuban experience will bring you closer to the origins and heart of the Salsa rhythms.
