I’m a dancer for The Met in NYC – group travel gave me a whole new source of inspiration

The idea of doing something new, like group travel, feels a bit like stepping on stage in a production for the first time. You hope it goes well. And in the case of Flash Pack’s trip to the Dominican Republic, it couldn’t have gone better.

As a dancer at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, I love to travel and experience new cultures. I find it resets my perspective and influences me enormously as an artist, by giving me a whole new world of inspiration to draw from. Travel also reconnects me to a rhythm that feels natural, which is essential to my wellbeing. 

I’ve done quite a bit of solo travel, but last year I stumbled across Flash Pack. I’ve never tried group travel before and I liked the idea of companionship being built into the overall experience. I was also drawn to its take on extracurricular exploration and getting to know a country beyond just sitting in a hotel. That was really compelling to me, because I love discovering new languages, textures and ways of moving through the world.

Travel influences me enormously as an artist. It resets my perspective

The timing worked, too. Typically, I do a very heavy performance schedule over Christmas and New Year’s. Every year, I’m in The Magic Flute at the Met, so while everyone else is on vacation during the holidays, that’s my busy season. As soon as that’s over, I’m always looking at how I can escape in January. It’s more than a physical reset: I’m searching for something that allows me to relax my body, take a step back and experience something new in a calm environment. 

I’ve been with the Metropolitan Opera for 13 seasons. Many of the operas repeat because they’re classics, but the way they’re presented might change; for example, with a different set or director. Some operas come with a soloist role, such as this spring’s Turandot, where I played the part of a temptress, complete with a lovely leopard cape. A lot of my dancing also involves group ensemble work. Either way, rehearsals can be extensive and lengthy.

In addition to being a professional dancer, I teach the next generation of artists via weekly classes at The Joffrey Ballet and the 92nd Street Y. And I also co-founded and run a passion project called Art Bath NYC. This community enterprise began during Covid, and we like to describe it as “a festival in one night”. In one evening, you might see opera, ballet, beatboxing, breakdancing and visual artists. We gently guide the audience through different rooms, and in each one, they see a different performance lasting around 20 minutes. In between, we have a DJ and cocktails.

As a performer, I’m always looking to discover new cultures

Art Bath is a chance to build community while sampling different art forms guests might not otherwise experience. My team and I love throwing unexpected disciplines together to explore what happens, and every show sells out. It’s been nominated as one of the top things to do in New York City. 

All of this is to say, I have a lot of balls in the air at once. And finding balance is a really important part of my success. This might look like seeing beauty in ordinary things or surrounding myself with good people. And it’s also about travel. When I plan a trip abroad, I’m looking to see how other people live – to fire up my imagination with new colors, sounds and tastes, and to be inspired as a performer.

Right from the outset, the Dominican Republic was such a calm but energizing place to be. The contrast with Manhattan couldn’t have been more striking. When I left, New York was in the grips of a snowstorm. Meanwhile, I was heading for Flash Pack’s Caribbean base: a small boutique hotel in an area called Samaná that felt very connected to nature and the ocean. Everything there was elevated and chic, with a beautiful pool and hammocks dotted about the place. There was even daily early morning yoga for those who wanted it. It was exactly what I needed.

The Dominican Republic was such a calm and energizing place to be

Our guide, Gypsy, was phenomenal. You could tell how much she loved her country: she was determined to go beyond the highlights reel and show us the authentic parts that she personally connected with. For example, she got us to try a local drink called Mamajuana, a rich spiced liqueur that’s made from an infusion of herbs, roots and tree bark.

She also taught us the phrase “Qué lo qué?” (“What’s up?”), which is a very Dominican expression. And she was always stopping for roadside snacks of local cheese or fried meatballs; the kind of food you just wouldn’t be aware of unless you were local.

Our guide Gypsy was the one who told us, “You’ve got to go to this outdoor concert. It happens every Sunday night behind the old monastery.” A group of us went, and it turned out to be this wonderful outdoor event with a band playing, a BBQ going and people of all ages dancing. 

It was so special to get an authentic view into the local community

We grabbed a few beers, sat on plastic chairs and watched everyone enjoying themselves. Of course, being a dancer, I was the first to jump up and join in. Dance is such a natural part of life in the Dominican Republic: there’s no shyness, and everyone moves in a wonderful way. It was very respectful, too: everyone danced with everyone, and simply enjoyed being together under the stars. It felt like I’d tapped into a truly authentic snapshot of the local community. It was a special moment for me: a real highlight.

Meeting other solo travelers on the trip was just as inspiring as the destination itself. The people in our group came from all over the world: Brazil, New Zealand, Australia, England and different parts of America. That was new for me because I’m usually surrounded by New Yorkers; artists and creatives. 

Everyone on the trip worked in very different fields, and that was fascinating. One woman operated heavy machinery for a living. I thought, “how cool is that?” It’s not someone I would typically meet in my everyday life. People were intrigued by my career, too. There was one moment during a local dance class when the instructor dipped me dramatically and my hair went flying. Everyone suddenly realised, “Oh yes, you really are a dancer!”

I loved meeting other solo travelers from around the world

I also welcomed the flexible setup: you could have dinner with everyone, or step away when you wanted to. There was no pressure to do every activity together. Equally, there were some people who wanted to go out and party at night, while others preferred early morning yoga. So you could find your place and rhythm within the group.

It was really lovely to have a built-in group of new friends, too. Everybody was curious, respectful and interested. By the end of the trip, we genuinely cared about each other; we wanted to know where life would take everyone next. We had a beautiful farewell dinner but it didn’t really feel like goodbye. It was more a case of, “See you again.”

Many of us from the trip are still in touch on WhatsApp now. We share inside jokes and photos from our time together and talk about where to go next. Speaking of which, I’ve already booked my next Flash Pack adventure, to Lisbon, for summer ‘26. This time, I’ll be introducing my best friend to the experience, too.

My first experience of group travel couldn’t have gone better

As a performer and creator, I’m forever driven by a sense of discovery. Every time I step on stage, I’m moving into the unknown, and hoping to learn something new. So, it’s perhaps no surprise that I love traveling so much – it involves exactly the same process.

With trips like this one to the Dominican Republic, I get to fuel my curiosity and feed my soul. And I can do so surrounded by people who are open-minded, creative and passionate. As adventures go, it doesn’t get much better. I’m so happy I found Flash Pack.

Liz Yilmaz is a dancer for the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. She also works as a dance teacher and is co-founder of immersive performance salon and community exchange, Art Bath NYC. She traveled with Flash Pack to the Dominican Republic.

Main image and Art Bath image: Juan Patino, byline image: Meghan Manning