BOOKINGS FOR 24th September - 9th October NOW BEING TAKEN

(First 30 people booking get a free sea view upgrade at The Hotel Blau)

WHAT TO EXPECT

You do not need to have any dance experience to join this holiday as beginners lessons are available throughout. You will be entitled to two hours of tuition for every full day that we are in Cuba. We have teachers specifically chosen who have the necessary skills to get you dancing the basic steps and learning short turn patterns right from day one. Yes, by the end of the first day's lessons you will be able to go to the dance floor that night and strut your stuff, albeit in a limited manner. By the end of the second week we would expect you to have the confidence to attend any improver's class upon your return to your homeland: something that takes many months under normal instruction. There will also be the chance to join other lessons such as Reggaeton, Bachata and Rumba.

If you are already an experienced dancer then we can guarantee to take you to the next level as we have some of the very best teachers in the world travelling with us. Each full day that we are in Cuba you can expect 'at least' two hours of tuition in various styles of Latin/Afro Caribbean dance. You can improve your skills and repertoire in a style that you are accustomed to or you might like to try something new. The genres that will be on offer include: Cuban Salsa, Cross Body and Cross Body Conversion, Son, Rumba, Reggaeton, Cha Cha Cha, and Bachata. You might want to try one or two workshops on Dips & Tricks or attend a Musicality Class to understand how the various instruments come together to make all your favourite tunes, there will be a Turns & Spins workshop and another on Lead & Following techniques. As the teachers are on holiday with you, they are there all the time so if you have something that just isn't 'getting through' or a particular question that you want to ask, what better place than on the beach on the beautiful Caribbean island of Cuba!

You can book in couples or as an individual (last year's biggest booking group). If you would like a room to yourself for the two weeks there is a surcharge of £300pp. However, if you do not mind sharing we will do our very best to find you a suitable roommate.

Our head resident teacher again this year is none other than the world infamous, Mr Moe Flex! For those of you who do not know Moe, he has worked with the likes of; Madonna, Roudeep, Tim Westwood, 50 Cent, Craig David and Blu Cantrell. He not only teaches but also performs, DJs, directs, choreographs and compares. Moe teaches four regular nights a week in the UK but most weekends he boards a plane having being booked to teach somewhere / anywhere in the world.

Another of your other resident teachers is Nigel May aka 'The Party Animal'. Nigel was also part of the TakeMeToCuba teaching team last year and if nothing else we had to have him back for his love of fun and entertaining the students with his antics. Nigel teaches many different genres of dance having took his first teaching exam over 20 years ago. 'Novice or pro I've done it all and loved every minute of it'. Nigel is another International artist known as much for his performing, DJ'ing and choreography as he is his teaching. Whilst we challenge you to 'OUT PARTY' Nigel, don't be misled, he is a very competent and capable teacher.

New to the team and making up the last of the International teachers is Femi Otukoya. Femi is extremely charismatic and always has a smile on his face wherever he goes. He is well known for his R&B style of Salsa dancing, his fun warm-ups and the fun animation he brings to every party. Like Moe and Nigel, he performs, DJs and choreographs shows. We could choose from literally hundreds of teachers to complete our teaching line up but we have chosen Femi and when you meet him, attend his classes and party with him you will know why!

We are also lucky enough to have several National teachers who have booked their holiday with us and are happy to share their skills with travelling students. More on this closer to departure date. So there you have it, whether you are a beginner, improver, intermediate or advanced dancer we have the teachers to suit you on this holiday of a lifetime.

Fancy a Rough Itinerary of Your Holiday?

We start by meeting in Gatwick airport on Monday 24th September for check-in. Following this we will have our 'meet and greet' safety speech and answer any questions you may have. Following our 9.5 hour flight with Virgin Airways we will land in José Martí International Airport in Havana. We will have private transfer to the Hotel Plaza in Havana aboard a modern and comfortable coach (with air conditioning) which will take about 30 minutes.

Your holiday is on a bed and breakfast basis in Havana and after breakfast we will have our daily lessons on the roof terrace. There will then be a rest period of about an hour before we head off for the day to one of the many things we want to show you. This may include: A trip across the river to the magnificent statue of Jesus overlooking the city, a guided tour in horse and cart with an English speaking guide (maybe stopping off at the old rum museum and local artist market on the way), you may wish to visit the Tobacco Factory or the countryside, experience the hustle and bustle of the Farmers Market, go shopping, laze in one of the many lunch time bars with live bands sipping Cuba Libres or Mojitos, visit the Zoo, ride in a Coco Taxi, travel in a 1950's American car, watch a Rumba show, view/buy Local Art or any one of a hundred different things that we can make possible for you. Did I mention lessons in local dance schools with local instructors, (their English isn't always the best but it is a most enjoyable and rewarding experience)?

We know that what we offer every day won't necessarily be everybody's cup of tea and you might want to go off and do your own thing and that is fine. In fact tell us what you want to do or where you want to go and we will do our best to help.

OK, the day time is over and we head back to our hotel. You will have several hours to have a nap and/or get ready for your evening's entertainment. We will take you out to one of the many restaurants for real Cuban food. The prices in the restaurants are most favourable compared to England and you will be able to wine and dine until your heart's content all a very reasonable price. For example, a typical meal could include lobster with salad and a local drink for the equivalent of around £12 - £15 or you might want to make your own arrangements - pizzas can be purchased for as little as £2. Now it's off with Moe and/or Nigel and Femi to one of the chosen clubs, it could be the world famous Casa De La Musica or another. We will choose when we get there as we will go where the hottest bands are playing or the clubs that suit us best! One night we will visit 'Castillo Del Morro' to watch the night ceremony of the firing of the canons and the ceremonious display by the authentically dressed soldiers, we might even dine in the castle itself. Another night we will offer you the chance to go and see the world famous 'Tropicana Show'. If you want to see some classic Cuban cabaret then this is one for your diary. The Tropicana first opened in 1939 and it has been packing in crowds ever since. Step into the gardens, take a seat at one of the tables and get ready for a feast of feather-head-dressed señoritas all swirling and shimmying to the live playing band and singers. Snake-hipped men will be shaking and stepping to the beats of Rumba and Conga. Check out the photos and/or promotional video for scenes of what to expect. 

So there you have an idea of what a day in Havana might be like with us and after 7 days/nights of this full on visiting, dancing, sightseeing, shopping, eating, exploring, lesson taking madness we will head off to the beautiful beach resort of Varadero for a much needed rest!

The coach journey is about 1.5 hours which includes a short stop for the toilets and a drink (private coach and air conditioned).

We arrive at the beautiful Hotel Blau (and when we say beautiful we mean beautiful) where everything other than some of the water sports is included. You can even try a free sub-aqua dive. You will check in and be taken to your room to unpack and unwind. From here on in everything is pretty much informal. We will still offer two hours of lessons a day and this might be inside, on the beach, by the pool or even in the pool. Yes that's right, in the pool! Get ready for the most fun you can have with your swimming costume on as Moe takes you for a lesson in Aqua Rueda! Don't worry all you less experienced dancers - we have the same for you but with even more fun!

Nigel will again be organising you into teams for his version of 'Beach Olympics'. Last year's event was so much fun with all the various games Nigel has picked up over his many years of travel- except some people got far too competitive (and sulky), didn't they Lucy! :o)

The day is yours, eat, drink, sunbathe, swim, visit the dolphin park, sleep, dance and be merry. We will again organise excursions for those that want it and we recommend the All Day Catamaran trip, Jeep Safari and the Jet-skiing/Boat adventure experience. There is also Horse Riding available just outside many of the hotels but make sure you check your insurance to ensure you are covered for this activity. There are plenty of other excursions available and these can be booked in the hotel either via us or direct.

Every evening the Hotel Blau has cabaret entertainment from Dancing Shows to Synchronised Swimming Shows to a Massive Beach Party! Again this might not suit everyone but never fear the peninsular of Varadero isn't that big and the local bars are just a short taxi ride away. That's if you want to leave; Moe, Nigel and Femi as they make our own parties in one of the designated all night hotel bars! With a group our size the hotel lets us do pretty much what we want, play what music we want and play any games we want - there were many 6am to bed people!

So there you have it in rough - 14 glorious days on the Caribbean island of Cuba; 7 nights of fun filled days and hard partying nights followed by 7 luxurious nights led on one the most beautiful beaches in the world or by the edge of a magnificent pool (hard partying still available for those that want it!).

Last year this holiday was over subscribed, we wouldn't be surprised if the same happened again this year so book now and we will give you the holiday of a lifetime!