Salsa course:
09:30 pick up at the hotel in Havana Vieja by the Cuban dance teacher and transfer to the dance floor at the first day
10:00 2 lesson dance course with a Cuban dance partner
12:00 transfer to the old town of Havana and free time
12:30 - 13:30 lunchtime
From 13:30 until 16:00 or 17:00 according to the afternoon program
In the afternoon we offer you a daily changing interesting excursion program which will give you the possibility to learn something about Cuba, the country, the people and the culture.
The afternoon programme you will perform together with a special trained guide.
Below we show you the whole programme for a 2 weeks dance course.
If you book less teaching days for example 4 days, you will take part in the afternoon excursions according to items 1 to 4.
- Today you will explore the fascinating old town of Havana. You will walk along the most important places and streets (e.g. former Arms Place, Cathedral Place, Franciscan Place and Old Place). Your guide will explain you the historical background, show you the many highlights, offer you interesting information about the revitalisation process of the old town of Havana which belongs to the UNESCO world heritage. You have the opportunity to visit, amongst others, some art galleries.
- Get to know something about the social system of Cuba. We want to give you insights which only few tourists will have. In the old town we present you the maintenance and social project of the City Historian’s Office. This is a perhaps worldwide unique model for the restoration of the historical old town in connection with an improvement of the living situation of the population. We introduce you to this sustainable project and some of its institutions: e.g. the motherhouse “Leonor Perez”, the vocational school “Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos” or the geriatric clinic “Ramón y Cajal”.
- During today’s excursion you get to know the surroundings of the old town: the historical main station (Cuba was the sixth country of the world which had built a railway) and the agricultural market in the Egido street. Further to the impressing Gran Teatro and the famous Prado promenade.
- Today we will give you the opportunity to know an authentic (non-touristic) part of Havana: Across the street we go to the market “Cuatro Caminos”, the largest and most interesting market of the capital. A good chance to get an insight into the everyday life of the Cubans and their customs and traditions.
- You associate also “rum” and “tobacco” with Cuba? Right you are. Cuba is world famous for the quality of these products and both products contribute essentially to the export turnover of the Caribbean country. We invite you to test a cigar in the hostel “Conde de Villanueva” and offer you a look “behind the scene” of the rum production during a visit to the Rum Museum.
- Today we want to have, together with you, a look at Havana from the other side. We cross the bay of Havana and visit the Fortress of “El Morro”. From there you may enjoy a fantastic view over large parts of the city and get moved back to colonial times. This fortress is marvellously maintained and shows authentically the military architecture of colonial times. Further we go to the viewpoint “El Cristo de La Habana”.
- The Cuban revolution of 1959 is today still present everywhere and characterizes the everyday life. The Revolution Museum gives you an insight into the recent Cuban history. Next we go to the CDR Museum (Committee for the Defence of the Revolution). Get to know the social and economic system of Cuba.
- Today we drive by car along the world famous waterfront promenade “Malecón” until the Hotel Nacional de Cuba and to the Diplomat’s quarter of Miramar. We visit the Cuban fashion house “La Maison” as an example for a residence of the Cuban upper class before the revolution.
- One of the most widespread religions in Cuba is the “Santería” which was brought to the island by the former slaves and is practiced until today. We visit the sanctuary of the Virgin of Regla (black mother of God) and also the community of the same name. We go there and back by ferry (fee is about 3.00 CUC). You get an introduction into this unique religion connecting African elements of faith with Christian elements in an interesting way. Afterwards we visit the largest handicraft market of Havana. Here you may buy some personal souvenirs.
- We are going on the trail of Ernest Hemingway (Nobel Prize Winner of literature) to Cojimar, a former fishers’ village, which is nowadays still connected to the name of the famous American writer. We will stop at the restaurant “La Terraza” and of course at the monument of Hemingway. On the way there and back we will show you the Cuban revolutionary architecture, for instance the satellite cities like Camilo Cienfuegos and Villa Panamericana.
- Afterwards we go the “Chinese quarter“ in Havana, el“barrio chino”. In this district you can have a contrast programme: Asiatic flair, different architectural styles and Catholic churches like Virgen de la Caridad or Sagrado Corazon de Jesus. Let us discover together this exotic mix around the street Reina.
- We visit today a hairdresser – but of course not any – but “ArteCorte”. This is a worldwide unique project which is more or less supported by the inhabitants of the district of “Santo Angel”. This hairdresser’s shop is, of course, a hairdresser’s shop, however, integrated is a hairdresser’s school, it serves as a museum, meeting point of artists and art gallery. Moreover it is involved in social-cultural projects of the district.
- Today we make a tour “Art and Colour” and visit some art and picture galleries in the pedestrian zone by the name of Obispo street and further we visit the Museum of Fine Arts (Building for Cuban Art).
- Let us explore modern Havana today. We drive through the new districts and stop at the Revolution Place, the University of Havana and the cemetery “Christopher Columbus”. This cemetery disposes of one of the largest collections of open air funeral art.
According to the number of days booked by you, the courses will take place daily from 9:30 to 12:00 with lunchtime afterwards (lunch will be on your own initiative and cost) and excursions until 16:00 or 17:00 (according to the afternoon programme).
