Traveling is a great way of discovering new cultures and making romantic connections. Nearly 40% of respondents in a 2025 survey think falling in love is easier while traveling. Reasons include openness to new experiences, the relaxed holiday atmosphere, and encounters with like-minded individuals. 26.2% of respondents shared they had already fallen in love while on vacation and it was the love of a lifetime for 25%. Over 16% reported that the romance transformed into a long-term relationship, while 45% categorized it as a shorter fling.
Vacation encounters are romanticized because you’re enjoying yourself, not working, in an exotic destination, etc. You could be attributing the “romantic spark” to the excitement of the place, and when you’re in a more mundane setting with the new person in your life, you might feel you don’t have much in common. The romance fades as the boredom of daily life sets in. There is difficulty maintaining the thrill of shared adventure back home, which isn’t to say vacation romances never work long-term.
A long-distance relationship might not be for you
You hit it off and your personalities are compatible, but you met when you were vacationing in a distant country, and now you’re faced with making a long-distance relationship work. Successful long-distance relationships aren’t out of the question: as of 2024, 28 million US adults are in a long-distance relationship. 58% of Americans have been in one at some point, and three-quarters of engaged couples have been in one before getting married. On average, a long-distance relationship lasts around four months, after which couples either move to be closer or decide to separate. 60% of LDRs are successful in the long run.
Virtual communication has unique challenges – talking too much, not talking often enough, miscommunicating, etc. LDRs come with too much waiting and planning, financial and visa problems, time zone issues, and other problems.
Mistaking an undesirable personality trait for a desirable one
Someone who seems fun and laid-back could be indecisive. At first, meeting a laid-back travel companion seems like a good thing. You have all the benefits of solo travel – being able to do exactly what you want when you want – but you’re not alone. However, complacency is not always what you want in a travel partner and definitely not in a life partner. You might grow fearful of making them do things they don’t enjoy. You start second-guessing each other. Romantically inclined vacation-goers can also mistake arrogance for confidence and manipulativeness for charm.
Some problems become apparent right from the start. No one is immune to committing cultural faux pas. PDAs are taboo in some countries, or even outright banned. For example, they’re regarded as socially unacceptable in India if they disturb others.
Why it’s easier to fall in love on vacation than back home
Before you leave for a trip, you permit yourself to experience new and sometimes risky pleasures, of which romance can be the biggest. You prime yourself emotionally by letting your guard down to experience something out of the ordinary. Once you land in your destination, love just seems to find you. You don’t care what the person thinks of you because you might never see them again, and for many, that freedom takes precedence over any potential issues.
FAQ
What do I do if I can’t get over my vacation romance?
Vacation romances can trigger emotional issues due to feeling rejected or abandoned when you get back home. You might start stalking the person on social media or vice versa. A vacation romance shouldn’t leave you unhappy and unstable for more than several months.
Can a vacation end a relationship?
A vacation can mark the beginning of a new relationship or the end of an old one. A survey by YouGov showed that couples can break up over the stress of planning a vacation. One in eight women reported being involved in a trip-related argument, while one in 12 couples fought over ineffective travel planning.
What holiday causes the most breakups?
Couples are most likely to break up around Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and anniversaries because they amplify preexisting cracks.
Lexy Summer is a talented writer with a deep passion for the art of language and storytelling. With a background in editing and content creation, Lexy has honed her skills in crafting clear, engaging, and grammatically flawless writing.
