Salsa in Milan - 2 nights Enjoy Salsa classes and Salsa-ing at Milan's hot Salsa clubs. Delight in the many stylish Italian boutiques or while your time people-watching at the fashionable terrace bars. Dates and Prices
7 October to 9 October - £349.00
Unique Features
Milan is one of the top Italian Salsa meccas. In addition to the popularity of LA Salsa movement, you will also find a big Cuban Salsa community.
Your Holiday
Your weekend in Milan will give you a window into this exciting, stylish city. You will enjoy 4 hours Salsa tuition, dance Salsa at Milan's hottest Salsa clubs and have time for your own sightseeing at the many Art Galleries and Churches. Or while your time drinking coffe at terrace bars or just go shopping mad in the many stylish Italian shops!
What's Included
What previous Customers Have Said about this Holiday
Return flights from a London based airport (Other flight options available) Meet & Greet upon arrival at the airport Return airport transfer for all arrivals and departures coinciding with the standard Dance Holidays flight 2 nights bed & breakfast accommodation in a three star hotel 4 hours dance tuition Club Dance Holidays Host Welcome Drink and Orientation Pack on arrival
'Great! Well organized.' (Marina Ciferni, May 05 Milan Salsa weekend) 'A real insight into Salsa. Superb instructor - very competent and lovely personality.' (Linda Bargate, May 05 Milan Salsa weekend) 'Fabulously enjoyable.' (Nicolene Zaayman, May 05 Milan Salsa weekend) 'Inspiring! Hotel excellent.' (Helen Tavroges-Hunter, May 05 Milan Salsa weekend) 'Brilliant' (Steve Richards, May 05 Milan Salsa weekend)
Is this holiday for me? Your Destination, includes sightseeing The Italian city of Milan is an exciting city with lots to do and see by both day and night. The Milanese like to play, which they do by flexing their credit cards in the city’s fab shops, sipping aperitivi and indulging in a buzzing cultural scene. Sightseeing in Milan is relatively simple due to the fact that many of the attractions are within easy reach of each other. This makes it possible to find your way around on foot and the city centre has some attractive pedestrianised areas to enjoy. There are many great restaurants to eat at, cool cafes to sit at and buzzing bars to hang out at. Iglesia Santa Maria delle Grazie - here you can find Leonardo da Vinci's famous fresco of the Last Supper. Recently restored in 1995, it is now resplendent. Milan's Duomo (Cathedral) is a wonderful piece of architecture that is well worth a visit. It was first built in 1386 and has been added to since then on numerous occasions. The façade was only completed at the beginning of the 19th century by order of Napoleon. It is the world's largest Gothic cathedral. The Museum of Historic Art in Sforza Castle (Museo d'Arte Antica del Castello Sforzesco) is one of the many places in Milan that can be visited for free and contains numerous sculpture galleries and a large collection of paintings. These include works by Mantegna, Antonello da Messina and Leonardo da Vinci. One of the star attractions is the unfinished Pietà Rondanini, which is Michelangelo's last work and depicts the Virgin cradling the body of Christ. Climate and weather
Weather: Spring and Autumn at the ideal times to travel to Milan. Average temperatures in Milan are as follows: January
4 degrees celsius
February
5 degrees celsius
March
8 degrees celsius
April
14 degrees celsius
May
18 degrees celsius
June
22 degrees celsius
July
24 degrees celsius
August
22 degrees celsius
Sept
15 degrees celsius
October
14 degrees celsius
Nov
9 degrees celsius
December
5 degree celsius
Your Accommodation
Rubens Antares - Hotel**** (Bed & Breakfast) (Included) The four star Hotel Rubens Antares in Milan is a very comfortable hotel with good facilities. It is located a few steps from the charming shops in the Corso Vercelli, from the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie (where the Last Supper fresco by Leonardo da Vinci is) and is close to good restaurants. The Duomo (Milan’s cathedral) and historical centre is only 7 stops away on the metro. The dance studios that we use are literally a minute's walk away from the hotel making it very convenient to get between your classes and the hotel. All rooms come with en-suite facilities, direct telephone line, mini bar, satellite tv, pay tv, air conditioning, broadband wireless internet connection, safety deposit box and interactive hotel information system. The hotel also offers parking, transfer service, car rental, limo service, laundry, baby sitting, tickets Reservation for Museum and football stadium, wwitch for PCs, teletext, broadband Internet Connection Wi-Fi. Breakfast is taken on the top floor of the Hotel with great views over Milan.
Classes and Workshops
Your Salsa course will be four hours long: Two hours a day over two days. Dance Studios: The dance classes take place in some wonderful dance studios built in the 1960s steeped in history. These studios are just a two minute walk from the hotel. Dance Levels: There is a level decider on the first day which ensures that you are in the level which is most appropriate to your ability and experience.
Daily Itinerary
Sample Itinerary This is a provisional itinerary aiming to give you an idea of what your holiday will look like. There will be some elements which will change: DAY 1 Arrival and transfer to hotel Afternoon - Overview of the weekend and Welcome Drink with your Tour host and light lunch in a typical Italian bar. Opportunity to buy optional extras. Salsa Lessons with your local teacher Evening - Dinner and drinks and Salsa-ing all night! DAY 2 Morning – Sightseeing or shopping. Afternoon - Lunch at any of the nice restaurants of Milan city centre. Salsa Lessons with your local teacher Evening – Delicious Italian cuisine dinner (optional extra) at elegant restaurant situated in Old Town. Afterwards, Salsa-ing all night! DAY 3 Morning – Sightseeing or shopping. Afternoon - Lunch and free time in Milan! Evening - Transfer to Airport
Nightlife
The Salsa scene in Milan boasts an exciting range of clubs, Salsa companies (including the now world famous Tropical Gem) and dance schools. There is something for everyone. Italian Salsa dancers seem to have the knack of being able to combine real latin 'sabor' (spice) with the technique of US Salsa. Not to be missed! There are lots of Salsa dancers in Milan and thus many potential dance partners for you! Entrance to the Salsa clubs can cost between 5 and 10 euros.
Your Teachers
Anja Rother has been enveloped in the world of dance from a young age. Before discovering her true love of Latin dance and Salsa, her dance training was in ballet. Since her introduction to Salsa in 1996 she has travelled all over the world taking classes with the best Salsa teachers of all different styles, from Cuban to LA, from 'Salsa on two' to 'show style'. Anja herself has taught Salsa since 1999. Her speciality is Ladies Styling and Footwork. She has performed in several dance troupes (including with Manuel Mascarell) and Salsa congresses (including the LA Salsa Congress). We are sure you will enjoy her varied repertoire, delightful style and excellent teaching method.
Food and Meals
Milan is a city where you can enjoy traditional trattorias, inns and restaurants in addition to Indian, Chinese, African, Middle Eastern and Japanese restaurants. Apertifs: An aperitif is a ritual to an evening in Milan. One of the many aperitifs that you can try out during happy hour is the classical Negroni, especially loved by the Milanese, made with Bitter Campari, Gin, red Martini and ice, that must be tried with a few snacks. Antipasti, first course and second course: After your aperitif you can choose one of the several restaurants in Milan that specializes in traditional cooking. We advise you to start with a traditional antipasto, made of nervetti (boiled calf’s shank and knee cartilage cut into strips) and mixed with thinly sliced onions. As a first course you cannot miss out on the classical Risotto alla Milanese, made with a full-bodied beef broth (the original recipe includes bone marrow) and flavored with saffron. As a second course we suggest a classic Milanese dish: "cassouela", an extremely filling dish made with various poor parts of pork meat (tail, ribs, rind, feet and ears) cooked with green cabbage and other vegetables. If you are not feeling so courageous, go for a more traditional dish, a tasty Milanese cutlet that is probably nothing like you've ever tasted in other places: Milan restaurants actually serve a very tasty, crunchy cutlet, made with a veal chop, including the bone. Another alternative is veal tonné, that is a light, tasty veal slice covered in tuna, mayonnaise, anchovy and caper sauce. We recommend an excellent Barbera from the Oltrepò Pavese as your wine. Traditional Milanes food products: There are typical products from the province of Milan, including Salame di Milano, made from finely minced pork and beef meat, and many types of cheese too. Mascarpone is a typical Milanese cheese, that is an essential ingredient for desserts and creams, often mixed with other cheeses, salami or fish. However, the most famous Milanese cheese is without a doubt Gorgonzola, that rich, strongly flavored cheese that reigns supreme at the Milan dinner table. There is also Crescenza or “Stracchino”, the soft, creamy fresh milk cheese with a slightly sweet taste, that is excellent when spread on a slice of bread or eaten with raw vegetables.
Optional Extras Single Room Supplements, Upgrades and Budget Options
Option 1 - Included Rubens Antares - Hotel**** Bed & Breakfast - (08/10/2005 to 10/10/2005 - 2 nights) Single Room (1 Person)
22.00 GBP
Twin Room (1 Person)
Included
Twin Room (Based on 2 sharing)
Included
Extra Nights
Flights and Transfers
Single Room (Based on 1 sharing)
50 GBP per night
Twin Room (Based on 1 sharing)
0 GBP per night
Twin Room (Based on 2 sharing)
74 GBP per night
Flights: Published prices are based on flights from UK airports and there is usually a choice. Our customer care team are happy to price you a flight from any airport and you can also buy the holidays without a flight and make your own way there. If you live outside of the UK you can travel directly to the resort. There could be substantial "Early Bird" prices available so please see our special offers page on our website or ring us to find out what these are.
Transfers: We are normally able to meet you at the airport and take you by private transfer at no additional charge to your hotel. Sometimes you may have to wait a short while at the airport to connect with this transfer. Occasionally depending on your arrival time there may not be a group transfer available and we may ask you to make your own way to the hotel by taxi or public transport. In these circumstances we would give you easy to follow instructions. Making you own way to the hotel for ground only package
Making Your Own Way to your hotel: For those whose flights don't coincide with our Airport coach transfer at Milan Bergamo Airport, we recommend the following modes of transport: From Milan Malpensa Airport by Bus Express: Malpensa Bus Express 5.50 euros one way to Milan Central Bus Station. First bus 6.35am, last bus 11.35pm. Every 30 minutes. Journey time – 1 hour. Then take a taxi from Milan Central Bus Station to your hotel (about 10 euros). From Milan Malpensa Airport by taxi: 75 euros. Journey time - about 1 hour. From Milan Linate Airport by bus: Public service bus 4 euros one way to Milan Central Bus Station. First bus 6.05am, last bus 11.45pm. Every 30 minutes. Then take a taxi from Milan Central Bus Station to your hotel (about 10 euros). From Milan Linate Airport by taxi: 50 euros. Journey time - about 30 minutes. From Milan Bergamo Airport by bus: Public bus service 6 euros one way to Milan Lambrate Bus Station. First bus 7.45am, last bus 11.50pm. 18 buses a day. Then take a taxi from Milan Central Bus Station to your hotel (about 10 euros). From Milan Bergamo/Orio al Serio Airport by taxi: 80 euros. Journey time - about 1 hour. From Milan Bergamo/Orio al Serio Airport by bus: Public bus service every half an hour direct to Milan Central Station. The price is 6,70 € (one way ticket) and the trip is about 50 min.
What to Expect in terms of Organisation
On Arrival: You will receive a detailed itinerary and information on the local sights and recommended restaurants and other helpful tips. Independence during your holiday and free time: You are fully independent on this holiday. Although your holiday is carefully organized and coordinated, we believe our guests do not like to be over-organised. So we give you quality information with all the addresses of where there are dance classes and other activities. You can decide for yourself if and when you want to turn up. We encourage you to explore Milan during your stay. This can be done when you please around the dance classes and evening meeting points. Club Dance Holidays Host: Your holiday tour host is there to make your holiday as enjoyable as possible. Club Dance Holidays Tour Hosts are a cut above your typical Holiday Rep with a lightness of touch that enables you to get the best out of your holiday without being in the least bit interfering. We make sure you get the best out of the destination even though you are there for a relatively short time and we do this through our local knowledge and our knowledge of dance. Club Dance Holidays Tour Hosts normally offer much more of themselves than you would expect including making sure your nights are sociable and fun often well into the small hours if that is your whim. During the daytime the level of participation and presence of Club Dance Holidays tour hosts varies according to the nature of each holiday and its destination. Welcome Drink: At the start of the week, Dance Holidays will invite you to a drink.
Before Your Go
Books on Italy: It may be worth your while reading up on your destination before you go. 'The Dark Heart of Italy: Travels Through Time and Space' by Tobias Jones. An incisive and intelligent look at Berlusconi's Italy. 'An Italian Education' by Tim Parks. How does an Italian become Italian? Or an Englishman English, for that matter? Are foreigners born, or made? This piece of travel writing focuses on the author's own experiences in a village in Verona province. 'The Italian Food Guide: The Ultimate Guide to the Regional Foods of Italy' and 'Italy - The Heritage Guide' both from Touring Club Italiano. Budgeting for your holiday: Here are some guidelines on prices, to help you do your own calculations. Please refer to the optional extra section of the fact sheet for the prices of the optional extras. Three course meal including drinks in the centre of town: 25-30 euros Taxi ride across town: 10 euros Rum and coke in a nightclub: 8 euros Beer in a bar/cafe: 3 euros Coffee in a bar/cafe: 2 euros Entrance to a monument or museum: 5 euros. Health and Fitness: There are no particular health requirements for a dance holiday. However you should be able to dance for at least two hours a day in order to be able to enjoy the dance classes. Insurance, Visa and Passport Requirements: Refer to the information supplement for full details. In brief, Insurance is a condition of booking. Visas may be required for non EU citizens. British nationals need a full passport to travel to Italy. Travel Documents: You receive these when you have paid for your holiday in full and we have received your airline tickets. In some cases the airlines do not release the tickets until five days before the departure date. We also confirm the address and phone number of the hotel and the emergency contact numbers.
Essential equipment and clothing to bring
What to wear for Salsa dancing: We recommend that you bring shoes with a leather sole for the dance classes and the evenings. Your shoes should be comfortable and supportive. Wear lightweight cotton socks to avoid sweaty and blistered feet! It is probable that you may get through quite a few clothes in the classes and dancing at night (you
can get quite hot!) so bring a variety of outfits. Wear comfortable loose clothing for the classes. The Milan Salsa clubs are quite informal - it is common for both men and women to wear jeans. Most of the clubs do not allow shorts or trainers. Useful Things to Bring: Camera Shoes suitable for spending a long time walking around the streets Warm jacket for the evenings This fact sheet and Joining Instructions Passport, money, plane ticket. At Your Destination Banks and Money: The easiest way to buy obtain euros is by using a credit card at one of the numerous cash points. You can buy small amounts, as often as you like, at any time, without queuing. You will need to know your P.I.N. Bank opening hours are normally 9.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. Banks will change cash, travellers cheques and will sell you currency on your credit card providing the lines are open. You will always need to show your passport at a bank. Tipping is not generally common in Italy as in Britain. There is no need to tip taxis but it is usual to leave a 5 - 10% tip at a restaurant if you are particularly pleased with your dinner/lunch. We feel our tour hosts work hard to give you an exceptional holiday and sometimes you may find that they add some special touches which are beyond the call of duty. If you agree with us, you might wish to show your appreciation by way of a tip. You can do this by putting money in an envelope on your own or by getting together with other guests. This evidently is entirely at your discretion. Making friends with the locals and people not on the holiday: If you make friends with a local and would like them to come along to the activities organised by us, then just ask your Tour Host and except for the dance classes and provided they pay their way there should not be a problem. We are here after all to interact with the locals. Generally, however, we discourage people who are not on the holiday from coming out with us or joining the activities and we ask for your discretion is this respect.
