Love and travel has always gone hand in hand. Pico Lyer once said, ‘Travel is like love, mostly because it’s a heightened state of awareness, in which we are mindful, receptive, undimmed by familiarity and ready to be transformed.’ We tend to agree, which is why we are always the first to recommend that couples, newlyweds and even long-married twosomes throw caution to the wind and enjoy an adventure together.
Here are a few reasons we believe you should seriously consider hitting the road with your honey:
You’ll make shiny new memories
There are few things quite as romantic as sharing a brand new experience with your SO. Sure, having a coffee at the new hotspot in your home town is all good and well, but how about walking hand-in-hand on a secluded beach at dawn, running for trains in a foreign city, standing in awe of the Arc de Triomphe, the Acropolis, Sagrada Familia or Stonehenge? That’s what those magical ‘do you remember when’ memories are made of!
You’ll ‘meet’ your partner in new social settings
When you venture out of your comfort zone, you are bound to meet all sorts of fascinating people. Seeing your partner engage in and navigate these brand-new social settings will give you fresh insight into aspects of their personality you may never have encountered before.
Travel opens communication channels
When you step outside your day-to-day routine, you’ll notice that the communication channels between you and your partner are thrown wide open. There is something about being on the road and sharing in an adventure that binds two people together in a way nothing else can.
‘In life, it’s not where you go, it’s who you travel with.’ Charles Schulz
You’ll get to see the world through your partner’s eyes
Every person has a unique point of view, but you’ll never fully appreciate the otherness of your partner until you see them lose their marbles at the sight of Michelangelo’s David, get misty-eyed when you visit Sphinx or jump into the Trevi fountains with a gelato in hand. Being in the presence of your partner’s unbridled joy of discovery is something money can’t buy.
You’ll find YOUR spots
Every couple has a few tangible locations that play a vital role in their ‘story of us’ – that singular narrative that is woven throughout the course of a relationship. Travel is a surefire way to find a few interesting ones. It might not be the Eiffel Tower or the snow-capped Alps – who knows, it could be a simple bench in a park in Belgrade or a shady spot beside a walking trail in the Cinque Terre. In the end, each passing mile brings you closer together.
Top tips for travelling couples:
Travelling with your partner is a life-changing experience, but it also has the potential to cause a spot of friction if you don’t plan it properly. Here are a few guidelines to enjoy a happy, friction-free couple’s getaway:
- Be ready to compromise
No couple will ever share exactly the same interests. Be prepared to visit attractions and take part in activities that aren’t really your cup of tea, but that your partner adores. Worst comes to worst, you’ll get to see the person you love in their element, and that alone is a treat in itself. Who knows, you might also discover a brand new interest along the way.
2. Take a little me-time now & then
If you’re travelling in a group, it’s wise to plan a few sojourns sans the entourage. Break away from the pack and enjoy an outing all on your own. Similarly, just because you’re on a couple’s holiday, it doesn’t mean you have to be attached at the hip the entire time. Don’t be shy to take a little breather and explore on your own. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, after all.
3. Know your budget before you go
You know what spoils a nice trip? Fighting about money. Work out your shared budget in detail before you hit the road, so both of you are aware of what you can spend on lunch, souvenirs, etc.
4. Don’t get hangry!
It may seem obvious, but make sure to hydrate properly and keep your blood sugar stable while you’re travelling. When you’re in the midst of an adventure, it’s easy to forget the everyday things like feeding yourself, which can lead to all sorts of unnecessary crankiness and stupid fights.
Need even more couple’s travel inspiration? Go enjoy a generous helping of retrospective FOMO courtesy of these three Instagram accounts to inspire your next foray into the great unknown. Here’s to ambling down the road less travelled with one of your favourite humans. Bon voyage lovebirds!