Easter 2019
What are you doing for Easter 2019?
18 - 28 April 2019​
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3 nights All Inclusive Beachside location
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8 nights Bed & Breakfast in Havana (or arrange your own accommodation)
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15 hours dance classes with world class Cuban teachers from the Raices Profundas company
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Dance programme classes in Salsa, Casino, Afro-Cuban, Orishas, Rumba, Son, Cha Cha Cha, Mambo, Rueda and Reggaeton
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Free welcome party with the Cuban dancers on the first night
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Exclusive access to bands, backstage access where possible, latest updates on all the best bands, clubs and options
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Over 40 hours of accompanied dancing with 5 professional dancers every night with the option of 5 additional animation dancers and teachers for every club
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Optional extra programme of unique events including a Bembe, private Rumba party and beach parties with live bands
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1-2-1 coaching for beginners
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Live percussion for Afro Cuban classes and warm ups along with Master classes with Ildolidia Ramos and Cuba's most famous Rumbero, Vladimir
Start your holiday at our stunning all inclusive resort for 3 nights where we begin our classes. Chill out at the beach and travel into Havana every night to Salsa and party with our professional Cuban dancers.
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We then move on to Old Havana where you have two options to choose from:
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OPTION A: Stay at Al Capone's favourite hotel in the heart of Old Havana, the majestic Hotel Sevilla
OPTION B: Arrange your own accommodation in a recommended Casa Particular or choose your own
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Whatever Cuban dance style you would like to specialise in, be it Salsa, Orishas, Rumba, Son, Casino, Rueda, male/female stying or whatever your level, be it beginner or professional, our dancers and programme planning ensure that all your dance dreams will be fulfilled. You will be moved!
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Day 1
On arrival at Havana airport, enjoy a warm welcome by Kerry and the Key2Cuba team with an ice cool Cuba Libre. Check into a stunning all-inclusive beach resort just 20 minutes outside of Havana - all food, drinks and most water sports included. Take a dip in the turquoise blue sea and chill out.
After dinner, those who feel energised will go dancing in Havana. You will be accompanied by the Key2Cuba team of dancers and will have the chance to dance away the jet lag. Alternatively, if you prefer, you may choose to chill out and take it easy on the first night and have a cocktail on your balcony or the bar and be rested for the next day. All depends on flight arrival and what works best for you. Our holiday is packed full of exciting events and there is no pressure - you can dip in and out of the programme as you like.
Day 2
Free morning to relax, sunbathe, swim in the pool or the sea, take a massage on the each or a private Spanish lesson, enjoy all the free water sports or sip free mojitos with the clan.
Lunch: We meet at the beach barbecue restaurant overlooking the sea. Enjoy fresh grilled fish, chicken or pork.
Afternoon: Orientation meeting followed by 2 hour Salsa Class in the air conditioned dance studio in the hotel, plus an introduction to Cuban stle and technique with Kerry and the top Cuban dance teachers.
After dinner, free cocktails in the bar followed by a night of Salsa dancing with all the dancers in Havana at the new Rueda club in central Havana which will be packed full of great Cuban dancers and our team to ensure a night of world class dancing.
Day 3
Free morning to relax.
2.00pm: Salsa class (2 hours). Introduction to Cuban style with Kerry and our Masterclass Teachers.
7.30pm: Meet for dinner. A table will be reserved for Key2Cuba clients.
10pm: Coach to Havana to visit the world's number one Salsa club. Enjoy a VIP entrance with the top table reserved for our group and daners.
3am: Return to the beach hotel for free drinks in the bar and for those that have the energy, late night partying till the sun comes up.
Day 4
Free day to relax or chill out with the dancers on the beach and around the pool for informal dancing. You could also enjoy a day trip to Vinales or to Varadero to see the dolphins.
Afternoon: Take an early dinner.
Evening: Take an early dinner before our coach takes us dancing in Havana at the beautiful 1830 club by the sea! Dance with all our dancers and the locals as the sun sets over the sea and the blub is lit with fairy lights. Everyone who can dance in Havana is here. After the salsa club, there is an option for a late night live jazz session at an intimate club with live artists.
Day 5
After breakfast, say goodbye to the beach and at 12pm check out to check in to Havana. Take an early morning swim and enjoy the turquoise blue sea before go into Havana for the partying and Salsaring!
Afternoon: Check into Havana hotel and enjoy your welcome cocktail in the bar before heading off for an informal late lunch/early dinner.
Evening:
Coach to Havana to visit the world's number one Salsa club. Enjoy a VIP entrance with the top table reserved for our group and daners.
Day 6
11am: Salsa Class (3 hours) with Kerry and the Cuban dancers. An introduction to all the dances that create Cuban Salsa - Afro-Cuban dance, Rumba, Son and Salsa. Special introduction for beginners and those unfamiliar with Cuban Salsa. Situated in the hart of Old Havana and next door to all the restaurants, live music bars, museums and Granma (Castro's famous boat), this is really the best location in Havana.
7.30pm: Dinner at the fabulous Cuban Paladore for delicious Cuban home cooking with stunning views over El Prado.
10.30pm: Key2Cuba dance team join us for dancing at one of Cuba's best live music clubs. Enjoy a aVIP entrance and the top table is reserved.
Day 7
11am: Salsa Class (3 hours) with Kerry and the Cuban dancers. First hour will be spent going over technique and a special themed warm up. Second hour covers partner work; third hour will be Rueda. Warm down to finish.
Afternoon: Matinee with Alexander Abreu and Havana d'Primera
7.30pm: Dinner at one of Cuba's most famous restaurants where the food arrives quickly and you can eat as mush as you like - chicken, beans, rice, plantain, salad and French fries with coconut ice cream.
10.30pm: Free late evening to wander around Old Havana and hear the live music pouring out the bars, or catch up on some sleep.
Day 8
11am: Salsa Class (3 hours) with Vladimir, Cuba's most famous Rumbero, Odelkis on the drums and Kerry and all the Cuban dance teachers.
First hour will cover technique and a special themed warm up. Second hour will cover partnerwork with the final hour consisting of Rueda. Warm down to finish.
Informal luch in the pool restaurant at the elegant five star hotel next door. Table reserved for Key2Cuba clients.
7.30pm Leave to go to a concert with one of Cuba's most celebrated bands, Maykel Blanco, in a beautiful open air venue with a lively and friendly Cuban crowd. Alternatively, we will go wherever the top band are playing that evening.
Day 9
11am: Salsa Class (3 hours). Special class in Male and Female styling with men and women taught separately in a one to one detailed coaching.
Free afternoon - get a massage, have a swim, go shopping or just chill out.
9pm: We go for dinner at the local Italian restaurant opposite our Salsa club.
11pm: Key2Cuba dance team join us for dancing at the best live music club of the night. Enjoy a VIP entrance and the top table reserved at Casa de la Musica. No waiting in line, we walk straight in. We will be accompanied by the professional dancers so you can put into practice all the new moves and techniques you have been learning in class.
Day 10
The last salsa class followed by a short ceremony after class to say "Thank You" to the teachers and to take photos.
Free afternoon to go shopping, get a massage, visit the rum museum, chill out or simply wander the atmospheric streets of Old Havana.
Early evening: Meet for a special private party (Bembe) at one of the dancer's house. Enjoy the warm hospitality of tasty home cooking and world class performances of the Ceremonial Orishas. Kerry introduces and explains each section so that you can understand the characters, the qualities and ceremony. This extraordinary and powerful experience ends with a wild Salsa party and is joined by locals and professional dancers alike. This is again a Key2Cuba experience that will bring you closer to understanding the dance cluture in Cuba and how the relationship between the African religion and dances are connected. Everyone brings rum, coke and water to share and we have our own informal mini bar, our own Cuban chef, live musicians, singers and dancers. The energy is breath-taking!
Day 11
Morning: Last breakfast together.
Check out of hotel and have one final wander around Old Havana before boarding the coach to the airport and returning on the overnight flight back to London.
In the airport, after going through immigration, we meet informally for a last Cuba Libre together and to go over the locations we visited and the live bands we watched.
Back in London, we have a last coffee and say our goodbyes
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Special note:
Please note that flights are not included on this holiday.
Hotel prices have risen substantially over the past year therefore we are delighted to be able to offer you two options.
Standard Package A
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3 nights All Inclusive at beachside location | 8 nights Bed & Breakfast at Hotel Sevilla
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Airport transfers (if flight booked), hotel transfers
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Dance programme with 15 hours of tuition at 5 levels with equal male/female partnering
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Dance animation
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Tour Guide
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Access to Optional Extra excursions
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Free Welcome Party
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Free tour of Havana
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1-2-1 dance coaching with Kerry Ribchester
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Dancers and master teachers from leading dance company, Raices Profundas
Standard Package B
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4 nights All Inclusive at beachside location | Arrange your own accommodation in Havana
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All else as above
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Costs
Hotels
Luxury Hotel in Old Havana - The Sevilla
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All of our summer holidays are now based at the stunning colonial 4* Hotel Sevilla in the heart of Old Havana. Steeped in history with its Moorish architecture, white marbled entrance, elegant courtyard with fountain, a huge outdoor swimming pool, rooftop restaurant with panormaic views of the city and port, you will feel like you are walking back into a 1940 movie. No need for taxis here as you can walk to two of Cuba's most famous Salsa clubs plus hundreds of bars, restaurants and museums on your doorstep.
All rooms have air-conditioning, ensuite bathroom, tv, daily maid service, room service, 24 hour bar and cafe services, internet facilities, money changing services at the front desk and live music daily.
As you follow in the footsteps of Al Capone, you will soon realise there is no other hotel in the world with quite the same Cuban charm and elegance as the Hotel Sevilla.
Breakfast included.
Paradise Beach Location - Santa Maria, Havana
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The beauty of spending the first three days at the magnificent Santa Maria beach means that every night we still have access to the world's leading Salsa orchestras in Havana accompanied by our Key2Cuba dance team. Unwind on the white sandy beach, swim in the turquoise sea, enjoy the free water sports, treat yourself to a masage and get to know your fellow travllers from all over the word as you sip fresh coconut juice and dine with the group in the stunning fresh fish restaurant overlooking the sea. Late afternoon, we have a short dance class with the Cuban masters, then in the evenings, we head to Havana. August is the ideal time of year for the beach as you can swim until the sun sets in heavenly tranquil waters.
All food, soft and alcoholic drinks and water sports included.
Travel Details
If flying with the group, flights are with Virgin Atlantic, travelling from London Gatwick North Terminal
* next day arrival