I’m a huge fan of Dancing with the Stars and often fantasize about being on the show and winning first place. Dance was my first love, and at one time I thought I’d be a Broadway dancer like Liza Minnelli or Debbie Allen. Though journalism eventually stole my heart, I still love to dance.
In fact, many of my travels have included dance lessons: I learned to tango in Buenos Aires, meringue in the Dominican Republic, Raggae in Jamaica, and belly dance right here in Atlanta. If you love dance as much as I do, you may want to try out a “dance vacation.” (Photo: Betty & David, Salsa Retreat)
Dance vacations are becoming popular all over the world through special tours, resorts, and cruises. Here are a select few to check out:
- You can literally dance with the stars on the new Cruising With The Stars, a dance-focused fan cruise that launches in June from Los Angeles, for a 7-day excursion to the Mexican Riviera on Carnival Cruise Lines.
- Dance Fun Cruises has salsa cruises headed for the Mediterranean and Mexican Riviera in October.
- Becka Tango Tours offers customized tours with daily tango lessons at your hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Salsa Retreat offers salsa vacations and workshops in Oaxaca, Mexico.
- Move to the rhythms of the drum at One World Dance & Drum’s African Dance and Drum Retreat near Seattle in May. Or visit the African Drum and Dance Festival in San Francisco in November.
- And finally, bring your sexy back at X Burlesque University, where burlesque choreography is taught by the women featured in “X” Burlesque at the Flamingo Las Vegas.
So gather your girlfriends – or your sweetheart – and dance your cares away on a dance vacation. It’s great for your mind, body and spirit. I’m adding Cruising With the Stars and X Burlesque University to my Bucket List! And remember: “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness.” – Mark Twain.
Kalin Thomas is Women at Forty’s Travel & Leisure Editor. She is also Senior Writer/Photographer for SoulOfAmerica. Before starting her own multimedia company, Kalin spent 17 years at CNN where she won several awards for her work as producer/correspondent for CNN’s weekly travel program, CNN TravelNow. She is currently writing a book about her travels. For more information on Kalin, visit www.seetheworldproductions.com.