Your first trip as a couple should be full of shared experiences and romantic moments. But it’s also typically filled with stress, excitement, and nervous energy, especially with all the COVID travel restrictions.
Experiencing new things together—places, food, art, culture, architecture, music—all of these things cause your brain to release all the happy hormones.
We all envision a romantic holiday with majestic sunrises and moonlit love-making, but when our expectations are too high, it leads to certain disappointment. Everyone has heard horror stories of the couple who fought their way across Europe or broke up on practically every island in the Caribbean.
So, how do you keep your dream vaca from becoming a nightmare?
It’s Okay to be Different
Discuss what you both want to get out of your first trip as a couple. Do you want to rest and recharge or book a bunch of excursions? Maybe you’re dying to try bungee jumping but your partner has a fear of heights.
It’s okay to schedule separate activities and then come back together. You don’t have to share all the same likes and interests just because you’re in a relationship.
You’re a couple, not clones. Compromise where you can, and set aside alone time where you can’t.
- Planner or Wanderer
- Sleep Late or See the Sights
- Couples Massage or Mountain Climbing
- City or Country
- Museums or Amusement Parks
How will you communicate with each other when you want different things? If you work out these challenges before packing your bags, your first trip as a couple will go much smoother.
Your First Trip as a Couple is a Learning Experience
Whether it’s a staycation, or complete getaway, you can learn a lot about your partner and how you work as a team during your first trip as a couple.
When researching and preparing for this blog I read an article that said traveling together gives you a glimpse into what it would be like to live with the other person. This can be true to an extent, but I caution you to use this as your main frame of reference.
Personally, I’m a neat freak, except when I’m on vacation. I’m practically a different person. It’s not uncommon for people to modify their behavior when they’re outside of their daily routine. This is when people try new things, eat bizarre foods, and drink a little too much. And some of us just so happen to have suitcases that explode throughout the room. Sue me.
This is a great time to see how your partner deals with feeling anxious or out of control.
- How do they deal when things don’t go according to plan?
- What happens when you miss a flight or the airline loses your luggage?
- How do they treat locals, airline personnel, hotel staff, etc.?
- Do they get hangry and jet-lagged?
- What about language barriers?
- Are they unmoving and or flexible and patient?
You can also learn things like what their routine looks like; are they a morning or night person? How long do they take to get ready? Do you agree on the temperature in the room? Sure it sounds stupid, but ask any couple who has been married for decades and they’ll tell you the small things add up!