Find out more about this exciting new Spanish & Salsa Holiday in Barcelona here...only £269 for one week starting May 21st or September 3rd 2006.

If you have any questions at all please contact Laura on groups@cactuslanguage or phone 0845 130 4775.

Alternatively you can send in your booking online by using the Booking Form to the right of this page...and receive a £10 discount off your holiday!

What's Included

Airport transfer Barcelona Airport/Hotel (if your flight arrives on Sunday before 13:00)
20 lessons of Spanish (55 minutes per lesson)
10 hours of salsa tuition
Bilingual tour host
Welcome evening
Orientation pack

Your Holiday

Where better to experience the thrill of learning a language and the infectious beat of salsa than in the pulsating city of Barcelona? Swinging your hips and putting together a few phrases to impress the locals are what this holiday's all about! You'll take language classes in the morning and salsa classes in the afternoon, followed by nights out in hot salsa night spots, delicious meals in carefully selected restaurants and great social evenings lasting well into the early hours...and, if you still have any energy left, there's the whole of this extraordinary city to explore, with its funky architecture, innovative art and eclectic people. And, just to be sure you don't miss anything, our local knowledge will ensure that we are always able to tell you what's happening and when.

Your Destination

Barcelona will go down in history as an essential all-time experience. Different people will be seduced by different things, so take your pick…will it be the almost arrogant individuality of a city with its own language and history, the effortless juxtaposition of Gothic and Renaissance, Byzantine and Romanesque, the dangerously inviting boutiques, or quite simply that old Spanish knack of bringing out lazy, sangria-filled lunches under a hot Mediterranean sun? Quintessentially Spanish yet unique in so many ways, make of Barcelona what you will. But whatever your vice, don't fight it - because you can be sure nobody else is…

Out & About

It would be impossible to list all of Barcelona's attractions, but let's start with Spain's most famous street, La Rambla, a hive of activity as people go about their daily life and artists sing, mime and act under their various guises. It may be the most visited church in all of Spain, and not quite finished at that, but La Sagrada Familia is also a must, if only to admire its awesome pinnacles and appreciate the work of Gaudí who, along with fellow modernistas, left many extravagant creations scattered across the city - and we're talking art as well as architecture. But no one comes away from Barcelona without a taste of its nightlife, whether it's a plaza café in the Barri Gòtic, an elegant cava bar in L'Eixample, or a trendy tapas bar in Gràcia. Just don't forget that things start late and end late in the city that never sleeps.

The Beach

In contrast to the busy city life, some of you may wish to relax on one of Barcelona’s sandy beaches. The busy beach chiringuitos (cafés/restaurants) are popular with both locals and tourists and open from May to October. The beach is a 25 minute walk from Plaza Catalunya. For those travelling with us between May and October, the water should be warm enough for a dip!

Weather

Barcelona is located on the Mediterranean coast and so the climate should be mild and sunny from May through to September.

Accommodation

	Hotel Bonanova *** Accommodation is not included, but we recommend the Hotel Bonanova which is located in the business and shopping area on Avenida Diagonal. It is close to the University, the new Congress Hall and the Football Stadium. The city centre is easily accessible by bus and underground.
	Facilities Air-con Heating Safe Mini-bar Ensuite bathroom

Please contact the hotel directly on the following number to make a reservation:- +34 932040900.

Please contact us for a full list of other recommended hotels and guest houses.

Language Classes

Your Spanish course consists of 20 classes per week (4 hours each morning, Monday to Friday). Students study in small groups of max 8 students. The minimum age is 16 yrs. There is a 30 minute break between classes when you can have a coffee, chat with your classmates, use the Internet in the computer room or simply sit in the sun in the garden.

The School

The school has been teaching languages since 1985. Its success is based on students learning in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere which encourages communication in Spanish from day one. The teaching methods used in the classroom are communicative and practical, enabling students to learn to use their Spanish in everyday situations.

One of the highlights of the school is the place where it is situated, one of the most beautiful and attractive districts in the city. If you take a walk in the area around the school you will notice that most people are local, not tourists, and so unlike the centre of Barcelona you really can experience the city's way of life and practice your Spanish.

All the classes have air conditioning and are equipped with the latest teaching aids such as video, DVD and overhead projector. There is also a computer room, with free high-speed internet access for students, and self-access study programmes. A book and video library is available.

School Location:

school is situated a 15 minute metro ride from the city centre, near the university and the beautiful residential area of Pedralbes. It is next to the Avenida Diagonal and is in one of the most important business and commercial areas of the city. Most headquarters of the largest multinational companies of the city can be found in this area. Because of the importance of the area, public transport is excellent .

Salsa Classes

The dance school is located within this complex: it is on the ground floor and looks out onto a garden. Your Salsa course will consist of 2 hours of lessons per day over 5 days, Monday to Friday. Classes will run from 15.00-17:00.

Dance Levels

Salsa, translated literally means "sauce". Hot, spicy, and full of exotic Latin flavor, the dance Salsa is true to its name. People from around the world flock to nightclubs to take part in the music, the movement, and the experience which is Salsa.

Two levels of salsa will be available: beginners/elementary and intermediate/advanced. Your level will be assessed on the first day, to ensure that you are placed in the class most appropriate to your ability and experience.

Your Teachers

All language school teachers are university qualified and fully trained in teaching Spanish to foreigners. Highly qualified teaching professionals have designed the courses and the school is accredited to many prestigious language organisations.

For dance we will be working with a variety of local professional teachers.

Food & Meals

A buffet breakfast is offered at the hotel. Typically, Spanish locals eat a continental breakfast of coffee and croissants etc.

Lunch: It is the custom in Spain for lunch to be the main meal, taken at 2 or 3 pm. We often arrange to meet informally so that whilst the meal is not paid for in advance, you have the opportunity to eat together.

Tapas/dinner in the evening: Tapas is the typical form of eating in the evening and is a must whilst in Spain! We will be arranging a typical Spanish evening which will either include tapas or dinner in an authentic Spanish restaurant.

In the majority of tapas bars you don't sit down. Instead, you stand at the bar and order according to your appetite and budget. The pace of life is slower and more relaxed here, so the idea is to just take your time and enjoy the real Spain. As an alternative we may go for a traditional sit-down dinner, which will be offered as an optional extra.

Vegetarianism is not a very established concept in Spain. However, contrary to popular belief, there are some real treats for vegetarians - Mediterranean vegetables, tortilla, and bread and olive oil of excellent quality. If you are vegetarian we will give you some more tips on arrival.

The food and water is just as well regulated in Spain as in Britain and the chances of falling sick because of what you eat are equally unlikely in both countries. However some people are upset by the change in diet. This can be minimised by ordering carefully.

Optional Extras

You will have the opportunity to buy optional extras at the Welcome Meeting (you will need to bring euros with you to this meeting). Only then can we confirm the running of these extras as minimum numbers may be required. Please see below the optional extras that we anticipate running - actual details and prices will be confirmed on arrival.

• Flamenco show on Monday evening, including dinner
• Friday night Catalan-style dinner at an elegant, atmospheric restaurant with turn of the century modernist décor, situated in the heart of the Gothic Quarter
• Three nights in specially chosen Salsa clubs: Mojito Club, Sala Bikini and Agua de Luna
• Day trip to Cadaqués on the Costa Brava and a visit to Salvador Dalí's house.

Flights & Transfers

If your flight arrives before 13:00 on Sunday afternoon at Barcelona airport, your host will welcome you at the airport and ensure you are taken to the hotel. And upon departure please ensure you are booked on a flight which departs after 14.00 so you can take advantage of the return transfer. If you fly before 14.00 you will have to make your own way back to the airport.

Flight Routes to Barcelona:
EasyJet fly direct to Barcelona from Bristol, Liverpool, London Gatwick, Luton, Newcastle & Stansted.
British Airways fly direct from Birmingham & London Gatwick.

Making Your Own Way to Barcelona from Barcelona Airport: For those whose flights don't coincide with our airport coach transfer, you can easily reach any of the hotels by taking a taxi from the airport for about 20-25€.

Making Your Own Way to Barcelona from Girona Airport: If you are flying into Girona (Barcelona GRO) you will need to make your own way to the hotel. You can do so easily by taking the Ryanair coach into central Barcelona and then a taxi to your hotel. Please bear in mind that Girona airport is around 1.5 hours away from Barcelona, but there are buses which run there directly from the airport.

Organisation

A welcome meeting will take place at 8.00pm in the bar of the Hotel Bonanova. You will receive a detailed itinerary of the week's activities, an annotated map with relevant addresses, details of any optional extras and any extra classes we are running. We will also include information on the local sights, recommended restaurants and other helpful tips.

Tour Host

Over the week you will have a tour host who will be available to help with any questions that you may have. They are present from the pick-up at the airport until you go home, and also actively participate in the social events. Whilst it should be noted that tour hosts cannot be present at every moment (as they must sometimes prepare other activities for your holiday), their role is to facilitate as much as possible to ensure that you have an unforgettable holiday. They usually go to bed around 1am but feel free to stay out and enjoy the rest of the night!

Getting Around

You are responsible for making your own way to the language classes (except on the first day, when your tour host will accompany you), dance classes and meeting points on the itinerary. Upon arrival at the welcome meeting we give you the addresses of all the venues you will be going to, which you can give to any taxi driver to get to the meeting points. Alternatively you can take the metro which is cheapest method of getting around and reaches most places that you are likely to visit.

Health & 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 enjoy the dance classes to the full.

Clothes

What to wear for 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. Please feel free to bring lightweight trainers to dance in. 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. Some of the Barcelona clubs are quite smart and do not allow shorts or trainers.

For further info or to book, please contact Laura on groups@cactuslanguage or Tel: 0845 130 4775

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