5 Reasons to Travel with your Significant Other

So you’ve found the love of your life and you’re hoping to keep the flame going. Or maybe you met some guy off of Tinder a couple of months ago and you’re going on your eighth date and wondering if you’re ready to make things official. The solution is simple: travel – locally, domestically, or abroad. Just take the leap into couples travel!

I am a huge advocate of traveling with your significant other, even if you are just in the early stages of your relationship and getting out of town for a day. I think that Sean and I are incredible lucky that we’ve been able to travel together so much and it has definitely helped build our relationship to be as strong as it is. Plus, what couple wouldn’t want a collection of selfies in front of incredibly important structures?

Not convinced yet? Here are five (real) reasons why I encourage you to give couples travel a try:

It gives you time to spend with only each other

Sean and I spend a lot of time with each other. I mean, we live together in a one bedroom London-sized flat…it’s hard to avoid each other! But in that everyday environment, we spend a lot of time focused on work, on our phones, or just generally lazy and distracted by whatever show we are currently binge watching. When we travel, though, all we really have to do when spending time together is enjoy it – no distractions whatsoever. There are no friends to entertain, no work phone calls to make, and no long to do lists of groceries, tasks, etc. This allows us to focus on each other and the adventure we are on.

You get to see a whole new side of them

Whether it’s the nerdy side that likes reading every single thing in a museum or the sporty side that takes interest in a local street sport or the foodie side who wants to eat eight meals a day just to try everything, traveling allows you to see your significant other outside of their comfort zone. You get to know each other better, learn more things about each other, and generally just grow closer when you are both in a new and unfamiliar environment. I remember that on our first trip together (to Munich) I was so shocked because Sean (who is relatively quiet and speaks no German) was giving the language a try whenever we needed to order something. I, on the other hand, was helplessly pointing to the menu and smiling.

My tendency to end up in sticky situations has also revealed the problem-solver side of Sean who, from my blistering sunburn in Switzerland to my “too short” skirt incident trying to get into the Duomo in Milan, has handled absolutely everything like a champ. In turn, this obviously means that traveling has revealed my problem CAUSING side to him so kudos to him for sticking around!

Guaranteed memories to associate with your relationship

It could be getting lost, a phenomenal sunset you witnessed together, or even an incredibly awkward food poisoning situation – traveling guarantees some sort of memory. When you are with your significant other, you can link that memory to your relationship. Most of them will be positive, but even the few negative ones will lead to laughter when you’re looking back. The memories (and the souvenirs) are then something you have to associate with each other and maybe seeing that picture with that amazing castle in the background as you’re flipping through your phone will lead to forgiveness after a petty argument! And if it doesn’t work out? Be happy for the travel adventures you had and the memories you made!

You find new shared interests

From Italian food to castles to a specific type of wine, traveling puts you in a situation where you can easily uncover new shared interests, or even perhaps develop a mutual interest by popping into a random museum to escape the rain and walking out three hours later both thinking “Wow, I actually do like modern art!” [edit: I found out that I remember this incorrectly and Sean does not in fact like modern art – oh well, the example still applies!].

It’s romantic!

One on one time with each other in a foreign (usually very historic, very beautiful) place. Gorgeous views. A new type of food, some local wine, magnificent desserts. Art, history, culture. Experiencing all of that with someone you love (even “like” if you’re not there yet) is probably one of the most romantic things you can do. Oh, and there’s sometimes fairytale castles or horseback riding on the beach, too!

It’s great to travel independently, or with a good group of friends, but I personally find that travelling with Sean opens me up to feelings, opportunities, and experiences I’m not sure I would experience otherwise. Every relationship will get to the point where they’re ready to travel together at different stages – however, if you’re contemplating it, I say go for it! I’ve never looked back.

x Kelly

Note: This post is adapted from an article originally posted by Kelly on The Kelly Hogan Kronicle.

Who is your favorite person to travel with?

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