World Dance

Paros - Paradise

Bethan & Stefan invite you for a week of world dances & culture, by a picturesque Greek island beach with a crystal sea.

Recommendations

Annette Booker (UK) "Sheer joy! It’s also been a spiritual experience, enabling me to think deeply and reassess aspects of my life"

Brigitta and Paul (Switzerland) "Valued the diversity of the programme. We were both truly carried away by the variety of dances and wonderful music."

Eve Corrin (UK Circle dance teacher) "I love the traditional gleaming white and deep blue Cycladic simplicity of the hotel; a haven. Enjoyed the group forays into Greek resorts and villages for sightseeing, dancing by moonlight in the bougainvillea filled hotel courtyard. Stefan jamming with the Greek dancers, and the verve and style of their dancing."

Muriel Brock – Surrey, U.K "I loved the islanders who are touchingly open–hearted, the reflections of sun on water – intense blue of the sea and the sky, the vibrant magenta and purple bougainvillea against whitewashed walls, the moment when the spirit of the dance takes over and I no longer worry about my feet ! "

See photos of 2011 at http://tinyurl.com/35vmvjb and

http://tinyurl.com/2dfvdgc

Last year’s details (below) will give you some idea, but the prices will soon be updated for 2011.

Week 1: Sat 22nd May - Sat 29th May 2010 (half-term)

Whitsun is a perfect time of the year to see wildflowers, blues, mauves and yellows, on Paros, the “white island”. There are few tourists before mid-June and you can find deserted sandy beaches.

Week 2 : Thurs 3rd - Thurs 10th June 2010

This is a wonderful week for basking, and for swimming in the crystal clear sea. The heat of the sun is balanced by a coastal breeze so the temperature is perfect. Both weeks include performance and dance tuition from charismatic young Parian dancers.

Travel:

Either fly to Athens + ferry ( approx 3 - 4 hours ) or short local flight from Athens Or fly to Santorini + ferry ( approx 2 -3 hours )

GROUP SIZE IS LIMITED, SO PROMPT BOOKING IS RECOMMENDED

Course fee (includes group car hire) = £291
Non-dancing partners and friends are welcome too, at a £70 discount.

Accommodation + meals:

These are at a special economy rate for our group, to be paid directly to Philoxenia hotel: Euros or Visa
Single = €340 / Standard Double or Twin = €253 per person / Superior Double = €305 per person
A deposit of £100 secures your place ( cheque payable "S and B Freedman")

Book or enquire to:

Kathryn Penny
18 Westfield Rd, West Green, Crawley, W. Sussex, RH11 7BT
01293 525649

E-mail: kathrynp@blueyonder.co.uk

Perfect setting by private sandy beach with calm, clear waters (extensive shallows, free from stones) over which you see the shores of Naxos.

Accommodation in attractive modern single / twin rooms with full en-suite facilities, good wardrobe space, fridge, phone, and (most) offering veranda and view of the sea.

Meals made in-house: choose from traditional Greek (and international) cuisine or vegetarian menu.

Paros, in the Cycladic islands between Greece and Turkey, is the island of light: white, dazzling light which stamps on the mind of the visitor the impression of this brushstoke of nature. Everywhere the white houses with turquoise doors and white churches with blue domes reflect the brilliant light and the deep blue of the seas. The traditional Greek spirit is strongly present.

In ancient times Paros was the spiritual and artistic focus for the region. The ancient local dance, Ballos, is light and graceful with many variations. Still danced today, it reflects the exhuberance and finesse of the Parian people. Paros is beautiful with many sandy beaches, bays and harbours.

The three main towns are full of atmosphere by day and magic at night. Paros has several very ancient sites and many monasteries and churches including the famous " Church of 100 Doors".

Strolling or driving between the villages and towns you see mountains, dry stone walls, goats and cows, grazing, story-book windmills and from every road, stunning views of the sea and the shoreline. By night the skies reveal a tapestry of bright stars. There are excellent walks along the coast and inland where, in May, vibrantly coloured wildflowers carpet the countryside.

Within easy reach by ferry are many islands, such as Santorini – a dramatic island of sheer cliffs and volcanic features, historic Naxos, and Antiparos (only 10 mins by ferry) with its castle and famous stalactite cave steeped in mythology.

Copyright Stefan Freedman © 2010

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