Derek Hough, famed for his talent on Dancing with the Stars, is well known for the tremendous energy and passion he brings to his craft. However, Hough isn’t just spirited about dance, he carries this fervor into his travels too. It’s no surprise that his excursions are replete with interesting stories and endless wanderlust, making him and his wife, Hayley Ebert, the ideal adventurer couple.
One of Hough’s recent escapades was to the magical landscapes of Iceland in August. He and Ebert don’t flinch from an adventure. In fact, they thrive on it. Their Icelandic getaway was far from the expected tours. Delighted by nature walks and outdoor challenges, they explored ice caves, hiked glaciers, and admired waterfalls. To add to the thrill, they went puffin watching and even dove into a volcano!
This adventurous couple clearly prefers exploration over relaxation, having never been fans of basking on a beach when they could be out making the most of the natural splendor around them. Their excitement for discovery extends to every corner of their holidays, including gastronomy.
Adventurous with his food choices, Hough is eager to explore different cuisines, particularly if it involves spicy flavors. Honest about his love for spicy delicacies, Hough has also revealed a travel essential he always takes along: Pepcid Max Icy Cool Mint. It comes in handy for managing any heartburn resulting from the exciting gastronomical adventures he undertakes.
One of the other noteworthy facets of Hough’s memorable journey to Iceland with Ebert was an alliance with Pepcid. Hough combines it with his flights to offset heartburn caused by the high altitude and airplane food. Even on the sets of Dancing with the Stars, Hough finds this remedy useful and often shares it with Bruno Tonioli, his co-judge during breaks.
As an unyielding nomad, Hough has traveled to numerous beautiful destinations worldwide. Travel trivia with Hough divulged his preference for window seats – for the views, one might imagine. He also has a fondness for warm nuts as his go-to plane snack. Hough mentioned one of the countries where he found brilliant dancers to be Jamaica. There, he learnt and participated in Dancehall street performances, making it one of his enriching travel experiences.
Alluding to a more personal side of his travels, Hough revealed the Bahamas as his favorite trip with his sister Julianne. They swam with wild dolphins in the company of friends, making it an incredibly special experience.
Shifting his role on Dancing with the Stars from a competitor to a judge, Hough has found himself in a gratifying space where he can share his expertise and experience with contestants while also finding time for other passion projects. One of those includes his imminent 40-city holiday dance tour, Dance for the Holidays, commencing on November 1.
Staying true to his spirited soul, Hough is pumped about the rigorous schedule as he is set to execute his dance performances whilst flying to and fro from Los Angeles for DWTS filming. His wife Ebert will be joining him on the holiday tour, offering them more time together, exploring city decorations, and relishing their shared love for travel.
Adding another feather to his cap, Hough is working on his first holiday-themed dance tour. He promises a fresh perspective on classic songs, even hinting at a Latin energized version of “Winter Wonderland.”
As a fitting tribute to dance legends, Hough, known for his innovative yet reverential dance sequences, plans to have a Gene Kelly moment in his show which he coyly describes as a tip of the hat to the icon. Hough’s excitement about the tour is boosted by Hayley Ebert’s participation as a co-star, adding to the thrill of the season.
Ebert, who successfully overcame health challenges in the previous year, is all set for their next trip. Hough’s amazement and admiration for his wife’s enduring adventurous spirit are evident when he speaks about their plans involving swimming with humpback whales, journeying to Thailand and Vietnam and even joining Orcas for a swim. Although Hough seems a bit anxious, Ebert’s undeterred spirit for exploration tends to win over. With this level of thrill in their travel plans, their adventures are only set to get more extraordinary.
