Come with us on our musical immersion tours to Carnaval in Rio and one of Europe’s biggest Samba festivals in Portugal!
Join Samba New York! Directors Philip and Valérie Galinsky for a unique Samba immersion experience in Portugal, designed for Samba percussionists, dancers and anyone who loves the rhythms and energy of Samba. Explore the beauty, culture and cuisine of Lisbon, rehearse and parade with a local Samba School, and be a part of MegaSamba—one of Europe’s largest Samba festivals—in the picturesque coastal village of Sesimbra.
Personal accompaniment by Philip and/or Valérie for rehearsals, the parade and optional activities (with translations into English as needed)
Philip and Valérie Galinsky bring over 20 years of experience leading cultural immersion trips for enthusiasts of Brazilian music and dance in Rio and Portugal. On a Samba New York! journey, you’ll gain exclusive access to their network of Samba master percussionists, local experts and cultural insiders, giving you an authentic, in-depth experience of the people, places and culture that make Samba unique.
Airfare, passport/visa fees, airport transfers, round trip travel from Lisbon to Sesimbra, and all other transportation, not included.
Food & Drink
Meals and all other food and drink, not included.
Join Samba New York! Directors Philip and Valérie Galinsky for a unique Samba immersion experience in Portugal, designed for Samba percussionists, dancers and anyone who loves the rhythm and energy of Samba. Explore the beauty, culture and cuisine of Lisbon, rehearse and parade with the Saltaricos do Castelo Samba School, and be a part of MegaSamba — one of Europe’s largest Samba festivals — in the picturesque coastal village of Sesimbra.
Philip and Valérie Galinsky bring over 20 years of experience leading cultural immersion trips for enthusiasts of Brazilian music and dance in Rio and Portugal. On a Samba New York! journey, you’ll gain exclusive access to their network of Samba master percussionists, local experts and cultural insiders, giving you an authentic, in-depth experience of the people, places and culture that make Samba unique.
While we do some sightseeing and non-musical activities, these trips are primarily focused on Samba. The Rio trip is geared toward Samba percussionists, although non-drummers who love the music are welcome to participate as well. The Portugal trip is geared toward Samba percussionists or dancers.
The Rio trip takes place during Carnaval. The main activities include learning from local Samba percussion masters, witnessing the spectacular parades of some of Rio’s most famous Samba Schools, parading in a dance wing (“ala”) of a big Samba School in the Sambadrome, and having a chance to parade in the drum section of a smaller Samba School. In Portugal, we join up with a local Samba School, first rehearsing with them in Lisbon and then in the seaside village of Sesimbra, where we parade with them during the MegaSamba festival, which brings together Samba lovers from all over Europe and the world. Participants on our tour will have a pass to MegaSamba, which offers numerous shows, workshops with master Samba drum and dance teachers, and a rehearsal and performance as a drummer or dancer with the MegaBateria.
While we do some sightseeing and non-musical activities, these trips are primarily focused on Samba. The Rio trip is geared toward Samba percussionists, although non-drummers who love the music are welcome to participate as well. The Portugal trip is geared toward Samba percussionists or dancers.
Rio is a stunning destination, though the idea of traveling there alone can be daunting, especially if you don’t know the City and don’t speak the language. With our over 30 years of experience in Rio, fluent Brazilian Portuguese and vast network of friends and connections, your experience there will be much safer than if you were to visit on your own without a guide. We will be your personal guides throughout the tour, can translate for you, and will recommend precautions to keep your trip as safe as possible.
Because exchange rates vary and because everyone has different spending habits, we can’t give a blanket number. However, before each trip we can provide updated details on the cost of living in the destination and help you figure out what to budget.
The opportunity to parade in a Bateria in Rio for Carnaval is only offered to caixa or repinique players who qualify. Participants on the Portugal trip can play whichever instrument they wish for the Samba School parade provided they have sufficient proficiency on that instrument and their choice is approved by the School. You may play any Bateria instrument you wish in the MegaBateria in Portugal.
No. This opportunity is an add-on to the trip. If you wish to be considered, you must audition by taking two preparatory workshops—one online and one in-person. Taking the two prep workshops does not guarantee you a spot. At the end of the workshops, or shortly thereafter, Samba New York! will let you know if you qualify and what the additional cost will be to parade in a Samba School Bateria.
Costumes for Bateria members in Rio’s Samba Schools are donated to the players free of charge in exchange for their participation, so of course there is no cost to you for the costume. However, since Samba New York! will be coordinating with local organizers to facilitate the parade experience for you, those local organizers need to be paid for their work. 100% of the fee that you pay for the parade experience (amount is TBD) will go to those local organizers, and nothing goes to Samba New York!, which is already being compensated for organizing the trip and serving as your guides in Rio.
The local Samba School in Portugal will require a minimum of proficiency, but even if you’re more of a beginner and you commit to preparing ahead of time, you will be welcome. The level of the MegaBateria at MegaSamba is advanced, but there is no audition to participate. If you have any concerns about your ability to join either activity, we can help prepare you.
No. The opportunity to parade in a Bateria is only being offered to participants on our Rio trip who qualify.
No. Each trip is offered as a package, and we are not able to prorate fees.
Unfortunately, we are not able to offer any refunds or credits for any of our trips for any reason. The only exception is if we need to cancel a trip, in which case you will be reimbursed in full for whatever amount you have already paid toward the trip.
Samba New York! is a world-renowned Samba company dedicated to educating, entertaining and uplifting people of all backgrounds with the exhilarating music and dance of Brazil.
Photo/Video Credits: Heliel Di Cavalcanti, David Careta, Julio Coral, Farley Campoverde and PASIC 2023.
© 2025 Samba New York!
All rights reserved. Made in NYC, inspired by the world.
Terms & Conditions
