Sambas, Sequins and Short Breaks
Salsa your way to a dancing holiday with my guide to the best ballroom themed trips
My name is Deborah and I am a Strictly addict.
There. I’ve said it. From September until Christmas you’ll find me glued to my TV on a Saturday night as Strictly Come Dancing hits our screens once again. Some people keep track of the seasons by the darker nights, leaves falling from the trees and feeling the autumn chill in the air. Not me. I know what time of year it is when Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman become my Saturday night companions as they introduce a new batch of celebrities and their professional partners as they take to the floor in the battle for the much-coveted glitter ball trophy. Yes, folks, the new series of Strictly kicks off this month and thousands of armchair judges will be scoring our couples and voting for their favourites to make it to the next round.
I have come to love ballroom dancing even though I have never done a waltz or a quickstep in my life. I may have tangoed with the idea but I’ve never been brave enough to actually step out onto the dancefloor and I suspect there will be lots of you out there in the same position. Well, if this is the year you finally dust off the dancing shoes and embrace the sequins, there’s a new way of getting in on the act AND take a well-deserved holiday at the same time. Win win. Did you know that you can go on actual ballroom dancing breaks?
This week, I’ve looked at some FAB-U-LOUS dance holidays available and boy, are you in for a treat.
Check out these specialist tour operators that combine holidays and short breaks with a bit of tango and foxtrot. Time to get your sparkle on and burn the floor…
Donaheys 2020 Dancing with the Stars Weekends
Fancy spending a weekend with some of your Strictly favourites? Well, your wish is my command. Coming up next spring there are some cracking events where you can do just that. Donahey’s have teamed up with popular professionals such as Karen Hauer, Aljaz Skorjanec, Janette Manrara, Anton du Beke, Erin Boag, Giovanni Pernice, Neil Jones, Luba Mushtuk and Katya Jones to offer exciting dance breaks in Berkshire, Wales and Staffordshire.
OMG…where do I sign up?
For more information or to book go to www.donaheys.co.uk
P&O Strictly Come Dancing Themed Cruises
Enjoy all the magic of Strictly at sea! On these glitzy cruises, you can get up close and personal with the dancers and experience one to one lessons or you can simply admire the dazzling displays. This is a must for serious Strictly fans who want to combine their ballroom passion with life on the ocean wave. The 2020 cruises are available to book here
It Takes Two to Tango…
If Tango is your passion and you want to go a bit further afield, you could be jetting off to Argentina – home of the sultry and mesmerising Argentine Tango where you can master this beautiful dance at a school or tango themed hotel in Buenos Aires. How exciting is that? Latin Routes offer private and group lessons on their trips so it won’t matter if you have a partner in tow or travelling solo. Once you’ve done the hard bit of learning the fancy footwork, they can also arrange for you to see a professional Argentine Tango Show. I can’t think of a better way to round off an evening in this city.
Check out their ‘Strictly Tango’ holidays to Buenos Aires which include flights, accommodation, breakfast and tango sessions.
Holiday and Dance UK
Now, from Buenos Aires to Bournemouth, you can still experience the joy of the Argentine Tango and many more dreamy dances a little closer to home. Holiday and Dance have a brilliant choice of UK dance breaks that cater for every level – whether you’re tipped to become the next Anton du Beke or Erin Boag or if you’re an absolute beginner, there’s a dance holiday to suit everyone. Two left feet? Sssshhhhh. No such thing. You could be taking your first steps onto that dancefloor with a ‘Learn to Dance’ package so there’s no excuses for not giving it a go if your heart is set on it but think you can’t dance. Choose from some lovely spots around the UK where you can enjoy the location as well as brushing up on your dancing skills.
Take a look at the full programme on www.holidayanddance.co.uk
Dancebreaks.com
This company are specialists in ballroom, latin and sequence dance holidays who have teamed up with professional instructors to offer dance tuition breaks in Somerset, Paignton, Bournemouth and with a small selection of overseas options in Cyprus and Spain if you want to add a little sunshine into the mix.
They also have the opportunity to give that dance fan in your life a real treat. You can buy Dancebreaks Holiday Experience vouchers. Wow! How much would I love to find that in my stocking this Christmas!
Dance For Fun – Dance Holidays in the UK
As well as providing dance lessons in the Manchester area, Alan & Ginny Newman also arrange dance holidays. With Dance for Fun, you can enjoy a nice break away in specially chosen hotels around the country with optional dance tuition in Samba, Argentine Tango, Foxtrot, Quickstep and more. Call for more info or to book on 07860 561983.
There you have it; some brilliant ideas to satisfy your love of dancing and get you away from it all for a few days. I definitely want to try some of these but am I brave enough to hit the dancefloor on my own? Anton, Giovanni, Aljaz, Gorka…if you’re reading this and want the challenge of guiding me gracefully round the ballroom, I’m a very willing pupil.
For the rest of you? Keeeeep dancing!
I love travel. I’ve been fascinated by other countries and cultures since my first foreign trip in 1985 and I’ve had serious wanderlust ever since.I also love to write about where I’ve been and tripsology lets me indulge that passion. I’m thrilled to be a regular contributor and editor. When I’m not writing I also run my own PR and publicity company.