EXCURSIONES EN TIERRA

Wonder at sensational vistas of the world’s largest erosion crater, explore a majestic national park and visit one of the island’s oldest, most stunning churches. Drive inland to La Cumbrecita, an elevated viewing area in the southeastern side of the Caldera de Taburiente, a massive depression rimmed by soaring rock walls. Gaze at lofty wooded gorges and rocky cliffs while you embark on a short hike around the caldera. You’ll learn about the area’s amazing natural wonders, and you may even spot exotic fauna such as Gallot’s lizards, Barbary sheep and the red-billed chough, a member of the crow family. Relax over Canarian appetizers at a local restaurant and continue to La Concepción, a lookout that offers a remarkable view of Santa Cruz de La Palma. Enjoy a sojourn to Our Lady of the Snows church in Las Nieves, one of the island’s oldest sanctuaries, where you’ll see a beautiful altarpiece made of Mexican silver, several 16th-century Flemish sculptures and the namesake terracotta statue of the Virgin Mary. Treasure the lingering magnificence of your day’s invaluable experiences. Along the tour, stop a local artisanal cigar manufacture, heritage of La Palma emigrants to Cuba.

OVERVIEW

Learn the basics of salsa dancing from a master known as a salsero and retrace the history of this seductive dance on an enlightening walk through the cobblestone streets of Old San Juan. Salsa originated in Cuba in the early 20th century and became wildly popular in Puerto Rico about 50 years later. You will see places where the city’s legendary salseros performed, lived and taught dancing, including public plazas and landmarks such as the Cuartel de Ballajá, a former military barracks that now holds a dance studio. This renowned salsa route will also take you to cemeteries where some of the most revered salsa performers are buried. For the ultimate immersion into the genre, a master salsero will teach you how to dance the salsa. Besides learning the basic rhythm, steps and moves – which are surprisingly easy to pick up – you see how the dance allows for creative improvisation.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Learn to dance the salsa from a master instructor known as a salsero.
• Surprise yourself by how easy it is to pick up the basic steps.
• Discover how salsa evolved in Old San Juan beginning in the 1960s.
• Visit landmarks that reflect the history of salsa and its legendary dancers.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Discover Lithuania's natural beauty, and the former nuclear threat imposed by its Soviet neighbors, during this visit to the Plokstine Forest and Soviet Nuclear Weapons Site.

A stark reminder of the Cold War, the Soviet Nuclear Weapons Site was constructed in Zemaitija National Park under great secrecy in 1960, and became operational in 1963. Soldiers working around-the-clock excavated the silos by hand. Four silos housed the R 12 surface-to-surface missiles. The nuclear missiles were targeted towards the biggest European cities, including Berlin, London, Madrid and Paris. From this very same site in 1962 similar missiles were deployed to Cuba, in what became known as the Cuban missile crisis. The Nuclear Weapons Site was closed in 1979, but four silos and the central control complex remain.

In sharp contrast to this apocalyptic site, the Plokstine Forest is filled with an abundance of scenic vistas, and you will stop to view the most beautiful sites of the national park, including the crystal-clear waters of Plateliai Lake, and three spectacular islands.

During your visit to the nuclear weapons site, you will follow your guide through the 88.5-foot-deep corridors, mineshaft and underground tunnels of this old Soviet launch site. Along the way, you will see some of the symbols of the Soviet Army, and have an opportunity to climb through the narrow hatch and view one of the silos.

On your way back to Klaipeda you will stop for a light lunch of traditional national dishes and a local beer, in authentic Lithuanian restaurant.

Watch an entertaining folkloric performance of music and dance that reflects the very best of Puerto Rico and other Latin American countries.

After departing from the pier, you will soon arrive at a popular venue for a folkloric performance that will highlight the traditional songs and dances of Puerto Rico. You can expect it to be an immensely entertaining, high-energy show.

After settling into your seat, the spectacle will begin with gusto. You will instantly recognize rhythms from other parts of the world that have influenced Puerto Rican music and dance. Many of the steps and sounds originated in Cuba, Brazil, the Dominican Republic and other Latin American countries.

You may notice African beats and a passion typically associated with Spain’s flamenco. The dancers will perform the mambo, which was invented in Havana in the 1930s, and the samba, a dance style from West Africa.

You will also enjoy parts of the show dedicated to La Plena, a genre of music and dance indigenous to Puerto Rico. Tambourines are the principal instruments in La Plena, although other instruments such as congas, trombones and guitars are often played.

In this folkloric show, the featured guitarist will be Juan Carlos, an entertainer that has traveled the world playing flamenco and singing in his distinct baritone voice.