How to Keep the Romance Alive While Traveling as a Couple Posted on March 5, 2017September 1, 2024 Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... Tips for Traveling Together Traveling together is one of the best ways to bond with your partner, but it can also be a bit stressful. Whether you’ve been married for decades or just started dating, ensuring a little travel romance can help keep the spark alive without getting burned out. Table of Contents How to Keep the Romance Alive While Traveling as a Couple Tips for Traveling Together You Can Have It All—Separately Budgets and Splurges Don’t Go for Broke Don’t Push Each Other—Work with Each Other’s Strengths Pace Yourselves Un-couple When Necessary Try Something New Together Special Occasions Make Time for Travel Romance Some of My Favorite Couples-Oriented Hotels Tips for Traveling Together My husband is my favorite travel buddy (sorry, Mom!). But, let’s be honest, we don’t always see eye to eye—literally, since I’m only 5’2’’. We often picture our trips differently. However, by taking a few things into consideration, you can turn any trip with your partner into a romantic getaway. You’ll come home with wonderful memories and an even stronger relationship. You Can Have It All—Separately Since moving to South Korea, he’s been obsessed with electronics and sampling local brews, while I’m drawn to ancient temples and capturing the local vibe through my camera lens. We’ve learned that a little solo time during our trips makes both of us happier. I explore the old streets, while he hunts down the latest gadgets. When we meet up for dinner, we have plenty of new experiences to share with each other. Budgets and Splurges Money can be a touchy subject, especially on vacation. Whether you’re splitting everything 50/50 or one of you is picking up the tab, it’s important to agree on a budget before you go. If money is no object, go all out! But if you’re like most of us, decide what’s a necessity and what’s a splurge. Maybe a spa day is non-negotiable for you, so balance it out with a picnic lunch or a long walk on the beach to save some cash. Don’t Go for Broke Finding deals can save you from post-trip financial stress. Look for hotels offering perks like free meals or discounts on local attractions. Standing on a balcony overlooking the Grand Canal might seem like the ultimate romantic moment, but that view could break the bank, even in the off-season. Instead, consider staying in nearby Treviso. A 20-minute bus ride away, it offers luxury without the hefty price tag, letting you enjoy Venice with a little extra cash in your pocket. Money issues can spoil a trip faster than bad weather. And unlike a rainy day, financial stress doesn’t disappear when the vacation ends. So, plan for a few souvenirs or a bit of shopping. Know before you go! Don’t Push Each Other—Work with Each Other’s Strengths Every couple has their quirks. Maybe she’s not herself without her morning coffee, or he needs to sleep in to function. Instead of pushing, work with each other’s rhythms. If you’re the planner, take charge of the itinerary but leave room for input. If your partner loves diving into reviews or virtual tours, let them handle the research. Travel can feel like the Amazing Race, but playing to each other’s strengths will help you find balance and harmony. Pace Yourselves Rome wasn’t built in a day, and you won’t see it all in one either. It’s exciting to be on vacation with just the two of you, but don’t forget to slow down and enjoy the moment. Factor in some downtime—sleep in, read a book on the balcony, or simply walk hand-in-hand through the neighborhood. End your day with a coffee at a cozy café, gazing into each other’s eyes. Remember, it’s about enjoying the journey together, not just the destination. Un-couple When Necessary Just because you’re traveling together doesn’t mean you need to be joined at the hip. In fact, some of the best trips we’ve had have included a little time apart to pursue our own interests. I remember one trip where my husband was eager to spend the day on a beautiful golf course he had been dreaming about. Golf is his passion, but I can’t say the same for myself. Rather than tagging along and getting bored, I decided to take the opportunity to explore the local shops and markets nearby. While he was out on the green, perfecting his swing and soaking in the tranquility of the course, I wandered through charming boutiques and found unique souvenirs that we could both enjoy. It was refreshing to have some “me time” to browse at my own pace, chat with locals, and even discover a cozy cafe where I could relax with a book. When we met up later that day, we were both excited to share our experiences. He told me all about his best shots and the beauty of the course, while I showed off my new finds and shared stories from the locals I had met. It was like we each had our own mini-adventure, and coming back together afterward made the day feel even more special. This balance of time together and time apart allowed us to enjoy the trip in our own ways, without feeling like we had to compromise on what we loved. So, when planning your next trip, don’t be afraid to schedule a little solo time. It’s a great way to ensure that both of you get the most out of the experience, and it makes those moments when you reunite even sweeter. Just plan ahead to avoid any surprises—no one wants to end the day with sand in their shorts or missed opportunities! Try Something New Together Whether you’re heading to the beach or exploring Paris, switch things up by trying something new on each trip. The Colosseum will still be there next time, so skip the tour if it doesn’t excite you. Instead, rent an ATV, take a wine tasting class, or do nothing at all. One of the best parts of traveling together is discovering new experiences that become shared memories. I remember a trip to Tuscany where we decided to forgo the usual tourist spots and signed up for a truffle-hunting excursion instead. Neither of us had any idea what to expect, but that was part of the fun. We spent the day wandering through the woods with a local guide and his trusty dog, learning the art of truffle hunting. It was muddy, messy, and completely different from anything we’d ever done before. By the end of the day, we were laughing at our failed attempts to spot the elusive truffles, but we did manage to find a few! That evening, we enjoyed a delicious meal featuring our hard-earned truffles, and the whole experience turned into one of our favorite travel stories. If you usually stick to the familiar comfort of chain hotels, consider mixing things up with a stay at a boutique hotel or a spa retreat. On another trip, we traded our typical hotel room for a cozy cabin in the mountains, complete with a private hot tub and stunning views. It was a refreshing change of pace and gave us the chance to reconnect in a peaceful, secluded setting. And let’s be honest—there’s one more important rule to follow: avoid destinations tied to past relationships. We learned that lesson the hard way when we accidentally booked a trip to a place my husband had visited with an ex. Let’s just say, no one needs that kind of drama. It’s always better to create new memories together in fresh, exciting locations where you can truly focus on each other. Special Occasions Make your trip even more special by letting the hotel staff know if you’re celebrating something. For our anniversary, I mentioned it in the special requests section while booking. Upon arrival, we were greeted with a warm smile, and when we opened the door to our room, we were delighted to find a beautifully arranged welcome basket waiting for us. It was filled with fresh fruit, decadent chocolate, and a bottle of sparkling water—perfect for toasting our special occasion. This thoughtful gesture from the hotel not only made us feel valued but also set a romantic tone for the rest of our stay. Little touches like these can turn an ordinary trip into an unforgettable experience, so don’t hesitate to share your celebrations when making your reservation. Make Time for Travel Romance You don’t have to go far to enjoy a romantic getaway. I’ve learned that sometimes the most memorable experiences while traveling together don’t involve a plane ticket or a passport. One weekend, my husband and I decided to escape the daily grind without the hassle of long travel. We booked a charming little inn just an hour away from home. It wasn’t anything extravagant, but that was the beauty of it. No kids, no dishes piling up in the sink, and no dog begging for attention—just the two of us, traveling together in a cozy room where someone else took care of the details. As soon as we checked in, we felt the tension melt away. We spent the afternoon wandering through a nearby town, discovering quaint cafes, and sharing quiet moments over cups of coffee. That evening, we enjoyed a leisurely dinner, laughing and reminiscing like we did in the early days of our relationship. The next morning, waking up in crisp, freshly made sheets that I didn’t have to touch was a simple luxury that felt like pure bliss. It reminded me that sometimes, all you really need to reconnect while traveling together is a change of scenery, no matter how close to home it might be. The simplicity of having someone else make the bed, both literally and figuratively, allowed us to focus on each other, making it one of the most rejuvenating weekends we’ve ever had. Some of My Favorite Couples-Oriented Hotels Amadé Hotel Schaffenrath, Alpenstraße 117, Salzburg-Süd, 5020 Salzburg Located in a peaceful, green part of Salzburg, this hotel is a short walk from Hellbrunn Palace. It offers free Wi-Fi, an underground parking garage, and a spa area with a sauna, steam bath, and more—all at no extra charge. The on-site restaurant serves a tasty mix of Mediterranean and Austrian dishes, giving you a real flavor of the region. Old Town is just a short bus ride away, so it’s easy to explore the historic streets after your meal. One of the best parts of our trip was attending a private Beethoven concert in a beautiful old mansion. The intimate setting, with its grand chandeliers and elegant decor, made the music come alive in a way that felt truly magical. It was as if we had stepped back in time, experiencing the music as it was originally intended, surrounded by the elegance of a bygone era. KosAktis Hotel, Vasileos Georgiou 7, 85300 Kos, Greece With amazing views and a spot right on the water, KosAktis is an art hotel that really stands out. You can wake up and see the turquoise Aegean Sea and the Turkish coastline right from your bed. Every morning, we looked forward to their breakfast buffet—it’s one of the best I’ve ever had, with fresh pastries, local cheeses, and a variety of fruits. The staff were friendly and always ready to give us tips on what to do around town. Being so close to the main attractions made it easy to get out and explore. One evening, we took a short walk to a nearby beach, where we found a quiet spot to watch the sunset. The sound of the waves and the colors in the sky made it a simple but unforgettable experience. Park Hotel Bolognese, Villa Pace Via Terraglio 175, 31022 Preganziol, Treviso Set in a beautiful 19th-century palace, Villa Pace offers amenities like a sauna, Jacuzzi, outdoor pool, and free Wi-Fi. It’s a 30-minute bus ride to Venice, and a classic double room is just €160 for a 2-night stay. The nearby shopping and pizzerias add to the charm, something neither one of wanted to eat. One evening, after a day of exploring Venice, we asked our taxi driver for a local dinner spot. He recommended Don Fernando’s, a cozy, hidden gem in Treviso. The moment we walked in, we were greeted by Don Fernando himself—a larger-than-life character straight out of an old Italian movie. When our seafood platter arrived, we were surprised to see a whole octopus, still warm from the grill, staring back at us. Steven, always up for a challenge, said he’d take a bite for each bite I took. We turned it into a fun game, but despite our best efforts, neither of us could finish it. We left with full stomachs and a story we’ll laugh about for years. Sometimes, the best parts of traveling together aren’t the famous landmarks or the picture-perfect views; they’re the unexpected moments that catch you by surprise and leave you with stories you’ll be telling for years to come. This was one of those moments for us, all thanks to a recommendation from a friendly taxi driver and the unforgettable Don Fernando. The Betsy Hotel, 1440 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139 This stunning art deco hotel on Ocean Drive offers direct beach access, a secluded courtyard pool, and a rooftop bar with ocean views. The beautifully decorated rooms and white marble bathrooms add to the luxury. It’s located on the quieter end of the strip but close to everything you want or need. Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe! Share this:FacebookXLinkedInTwitterPinterestThreadsEmailPrintLike this:Like Loading... 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Great article! As a full-time traveling RV family we definitely have learned how to get along and understand eachother more we are together most of the time ??? Reply
You definitely nailed it. It’s really nice to be able to travel with your spouse and really enjoy each other’s company. I’m sure a lot of couples will find this post helpful. Reply
These are great tips for traveling! I love going on trips with my fiancé and we plan everything from how often we will be able to go out or if we will buy food at a grocery and save money that way. Communication is key for sure! Reply
I too agree with the blog completely, if you want to earn trust of your partner, then it is quite necessary to go on a trip together, my husband is really fond of traveling and we like to travel together before we have a kid and I really want to go to Paris as it is quite romantic place. Kim – http://www.condorny.com Reply
My husband and i love traveling together even now with our son. We always manage to get into some disagreement. When I travel to a new place I want to see as much as humanly possible. Where as my husband rather just relax in the hotel and see maybe one or two things. So that definitely causes coflict. Reply
Thats us most of the time too. That’s why we’ve decided to do some things things together and one or two things on our own. It’s makes for a more harmonious marriage and trip. Reply
I love traveling with my husband because we enjoy the same things and he’s always there to calm me down when something goes wrong during the trip. It’s always nice to be with him and explore new places. Reply
This is great. Honestly, if I could figure out how to relieve some of the stress of it all, I’d love to travel more. I am so nervous the entire time about the house and what I may need that I didn’t bring. It ruins the fun of the trip for me. I will have to try to relax and plan more the next trip I take. Thank you for the post. *Hugs* Reply
Honestly don’t worry about it. If you forget something you can most likely do without it or buy it when you get o where you’re going. Get out there and travel. Hugs to you!! Reply
Great tips! I feel like these apply regardless if it’s a trip to another town or another country. Communication is so important and as you stated, knowing who pays for what/ where/who/how, etc. help to remove the stress so all parties can enjoy their time together! Reply
This is such a great post with so many great tips! I love traveling with my husband! xo jen effortlesseverydaystyle.com Reply
These are all lovely tips. It is all about compromise. I want to watch movies but my boyfriend wants to do a lot of outdoor activities. We have agreed to do both. = ) Reply
I loved reading this post because I can definitely relate to this at the moment. I just got married in December and we plan on doing our honeymoon trip in July for 3 weeks (explore Europe). Your ideas are so great and I’m definitely going to come back and read this again closer to my trip. Thanks 🙂 Reply
These are really great tips for anyone traveling with someone else to keep in mind. I love to travel with my husband and for the most part, we are usually on the same wavelength. However, it is always good to plan things like budgets and itineraries beforehand. Reply
You have to know you’re partner. I get very little kickback if I present a trip to him that includes a budget because he is the saver and I am the spender. Reply
I want to travel with my husband more. We are just waiting for my son to finish high school because he is so expensive with his sports. I really like the tree house spot. Reply
Great tips! I love to travel with my hubs and he usually pay for all the expenses. Hope to be travelling more when I get better. Reply
You must not have have been on a girlfriend trip. The long weekend I spent with three girlfriends in Budapest, Vienna an Bratislava may be the best trip I’ve ever taken. No husbands, no kids– it was a blast we still talk about 5 years later. Reply
these are such a great tips… i love to travel alot and good company matters a lott ,that is why i travel with my husband 🙂 Reply
I live alone but I always take the grand kids when I travel. It really is best to know about money matters before we go anywhere. Reply
You have really great points. Especially about trying something new for both parties and planning! A little planning can go a long way! Reply
I always travel with my family and relatives. I am always the anxious one who wants to stick to plan and itinerary. But after reading your post, I know there are points i need to change because some of my companions will not enjoy the trip if I’m always like that. Reply
We travelled together for almost a year 🙂 Was an amazing experience! And it helped that we are super similar to each other 🙂 Reply
Good company is most important! I can’t think of a better travelling partner than my husband! Not as romantic, but we’ll be taking the kids on a long trip in the caravan soon, counting down the months!! 😀 Reply
Thank you for your post. I’m glad that I’ve found my travel partner (my Dada) and we always have an amazing time together. Money is not an issue, and saves me a lot of time thinking coz he always surprise me where should we go. I like his kind of adventures! Reply
My hubby and I haven’t dome much traveling yet. We are working on a debt pay off plan right now that is about a 5 year plan to be debt free, including the mortgage and my student loans. Once that happens, traveling is game on!! Reply
These are really great tips for sure. They are all so vital to good trips. For us, pacing is the most important. Reply
Traveling with someone special is the best! I have traveled some with my husband and we have greatly enjoyed it! Reply
Traveling is stressful, regardless if you’re solo or if you have a partner. It’s really important that you work together especially with the planning and the budget. Reply
Traveling with someone else can be extremely stressful, but is so important to do! | diaryofasouthernmillennial.com Reply
My husband and I had a destination wedding and we did a month and a half of traveling America together. Most before the wedding and some after. We did really well together until the last day. Had a massive fight. Didn’t talk to each other much all day. But in the end I apologised because I was anxious about flying home so was a bit snappy. We got over it. I had quite a few drinks waiting for the flight so was nice and happy by the time the flight was ready. 🙂 Reply
The last day, that really sucks. Trust me we’ve been there. We had a meltdown on a city street in Thailand once where I ended up blubbering to the point my face swelled up. We ended up making up, but it took all day– a wasted day in paradise, that I wish I could have back. Reply
Taking time for romance if very important. I love to travel with my boyfriend but I think sometimes I get caught up in the jam packed itineraries that we forget to take some down time for ourselves! Great tips! Reply
I completely understand, but you gotta take a few things off the itinerary so you have more time for each other. Or else you could have gone with just about anyone, the romance is the special part of traveling together, right? Reply
These are great trips for traveling as a couple. There are not a lot of things that I miss from being married, but most of all I miss being able to go on trips where you get to get away from the world and focus on each other for a little bit, without all of the distractions. Thank you for all of the great ideas as well as good ideas for places to stay. Reply
Hi David. Thanks a lot. I couldn’t agree with you more. Thanks for your supportive comments. It’s nice to read them. Reply
Going travelling with your partner must be so much fun but I think that working with each others strengths and compromising will make for blessed travel x Good shout . Reply
I really enjoyed reading this post! You shared some great times that I could use in my own relationship when we travel together. Reply
You sure give us clever and useful tips! Sure travelling with our sweet half can be difficult,because it’s normal to have different needs,but is so beautiful to understand them and help each other to have a wonderful and happy vacation! Reply
These are great tips! I feel like when the hubby and I travel together we don’t make enough time for romance. I can see why it would be important! Reply
It’s very important to focus on each other. It sometimes gets overlooked because of all the things you can see and do when you travel. Reply
I love that you guys are learning and traveling together. This is so sweet. There some many fun things to do and see and growth that happens traveling. The tree house picture is so cool. Reply
After 21+ years we are still learning about one another because we are still growing. That’s the great thing about marriage. Just when you think you know it all, you realize you don’t. Reply
I agree that you don’t have to spend every single moment together while away or there will be less to talk about. She’s a planner down to the tiniest detail where I like to plan but expect plans to not always go as we wanted them to go so I’m okay with spontaneous decisions. Something more fun always comes up and I don’t want to miss out because we planned on going to the market at that time. At least we always agree on the destination. Reply
Thats how we are too. I like to make lists of things to do instead of an itinerary that has to be followed. I like to change up if I hear about something interesting or stay longer if I’m having a good time. Since moving to Asia, there was only one country he wanted to go to, and that was Japan. Otherwise, I picked all the destinations. Reply
I ADORE traveling with my husband. Honestly, if anyone DOESNT like traveling with your SO… Then uh, I would question their relationship in general, lol! Reply
Have you ever traveled with girlfriends? Those are great times too, girlfriend trips add a whole other dimension to travel. Reply
Your ideas and suggestions are great! You definitely want to enjoy the trip AND enjoy getting back home together! Thanks for the hotel suggestions too. That’s something I wouldn’t just know! Reply
I have stayed at a few wonderful hotels over the years and some not so good, but I’d stay at any of the ones I’ve included today and twice on Sunday. Reply
This is all so helpful. Honestly, my husband and I don’t always travel well together. He tends to get snappy if he’s feeling tired or if there’s too many people around him and then it puts me in a mood. Reply
This article is great. I love to travel with my loved one. We do have some moments where we fight and we will be ok after a good night sleep. The last years trip, we went camping, so not having too much space in the tent is usually the reason for our fights. But I would not change it for anything in the world. I think it’s really important to travel. And I love that feeling, that we are right where we are supposed to be no matter how far away you are from your city. One piece of advice, it’s a bit hard to read the article because of the header, where your title and menu is. Maybe you could make it a bit smaller. Reply
I am not a camper, that’s for sure. Unless we are talking glamping, I may be able to do that. Our stresses usually occur when we encounter the usual hiccups of travel. I am a go with the flow person and he isn’t. Which is weird because in any other situation he handles stress way better than I do. Reply
That’s true, we don’t always have stress on every trip, but most of them, there is always a minute or two, lol. Reply
Some really good tips for travelling together. They say travelling with your spouse will either make or break the relationship. We find that travelling makes our relationship stronger. We both have our roles when it comes to planning, paying, budgeting and travel. We work really great together. Reply
I agree completely. Moving and traveling are two different things and we have done both, with the former being even more stressful than the latter just having the stress come from different sources. Traveling together the stress is between the two of us, moving it comes from outside of the relationship, but in the end, we tend to work together. Reply
I love this list – one day I hope to have an opportunity to do some serious traveling, and while I would love to do some of it alone just to experience that level of freedom in travel (to literally just do whatever without being afraid that someone else will be missing out on something they wanted to see, etc.), I would also love to do some of it with … someone. I love the way you put certain emphasis on it being okay to go your own separate ways for a while, especially so that you have something to share when you come back together. Reply
Thank you Brandi. I have found that being negative helps no one and the responses/interactions I am looking for come from a positive place and not one of negativity. I am hopeful that you will find a good travel companion some time in the near future. Reply
Me too!! It’ll be so fun to have someone to dream up travel plans with – and then of course, to implement them! Reply
This is a great post! Finding the right travel partner is kind of hard, but so very important! Then, when you throw kids in the mix… I am looking forward to checking out those hotels you mentioned! Reply
You are telling the truth. I have had some good luck with my travel partners other than mom and Steven, I’ve traveled with girlfriends and had fabulous times. Reply
Awesome points were made here. I travel full time with my husband in a 70 square foot Peterbilt. It is important to know how to divvy finances, know when to make time away so you both get what you want out of a trip, and when to make “together” time. Reply
That sounds very interesting, I’d be interested in checking that out. Do you blog about it Sarah? Reply