Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Márquez Open Up About Future Overseas Adventures
Strictly Come Dancing celebrities Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Márquez have candidly shared their aspirations for future overseas travel, following recent discussions about their wedding plans. The couple, currently residing in Manchester, England, where Gemma hails from, with Gorka frequently visiting his native Spain, expressed a desire to explore distant destinations once their family circumstances allow.
Family Dynamics and Future Freedom
During an episode of their Lost In Translation podcast, the pair delved into their thoughts on their children, Mia, aged six, and Thiago, aged two, growing up and eventually moving on with their lives. Gemma admitted to dreading this prospect, quoting a well-known saying: "A daughter is a daughter all your life, but a son is a son until he finds his wife."
She elaborated on this sentiment, noting, "It’s true, because they [the son] bugger off." Gemma further expressed anxiety about the idea of another person entering Thiago's life, stating, "Imagine when there's another woman in his life other than me or it could be another man, we never know. Whoever it is, a man or woman, I don’t want you to have him."
Gorka's Enthusiasm for Travel
In contrast, Gorka, aged 35, humorously remarked that he "couldn’t wait" for their children to become independent, as it would grant him and Gemma more freedom. He teased, "Hurry up, Thiago," and even joked, "Even if it’s a dog, just go." Gemma responded firmly, "No, nobody’s going to be good enough for Thiago."
Gorka then outlined his specific travel plan, saying, "I can't wait for them to be over 18, so you and I can go to Australia for three weeks." Later in the podcast, the couple also revealed that visiting New Zealand is on their "bucket list." Gemma explained, "We have a friend who’s from New Zealand, and the pictures she posts, the scenery, I’d love to do the whale watching."
Balancing Travel with Family Life
Gorka suggested making a pact to travel to these destinations once their children are adults, though Gemma pointed out that New Zealand could also be an enjoyable trip with the kids. She added, "I’ve done Australia, I loved it, but I haven’t done New Zealand." This discussion highlights their ongoing consideration of how to integrate travel into their family life.
Previous Overseas Considerations
This is not the first instance where the couple have spoken about overseas plans. In 2024, they revealed they were contemplating purchasing a property in Spain to serve as a "home away from home." Gemma told The Mirror, "It would be nice to have somewhere that I can just take them with my family. It would help with my Spanish and theirs, and Gorka’s parents could drive down. It’s something we’re hoping to do by the end of this year. We love Spain."
Wedding Plans and Future Outlook
The couple, who got engaged in 2021, are also debating whether to marry in England or in Gorka's native Spain. Gemma indicated that they do not plan a large wedding, stating in response to a fan query on Instagram last year, "Possibly next year, we’ve been back and forth about registry offices or going to Spain. None of us want a big fuss or lots of guests, so we may just go and do it with just family and come back and have a huge party!"
Overall, Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Márquez's reflections on future travel underscore their blend of family commitment and personal aspirations, as they navigate life in the public eye while planning for adventures ahead.
