Have you and your partner been daydreaming about a much-needed vacation? If so, you’re not alone. Nearly 70 percent of American adults are planning to travel recreationally this year according to AdColony, a mobile marketing company. But while you certainly could use some time away—a survey by the American Psychological Association found that 66 percent of us are currently feeling overwhelmed—you may still be hesitant to book that trip. 

Here’s a reason to go for it: travelling together as a couple can actually improve your romantic relationship. 

Between family, career, and financial stresses, many of us have a lot on our minds these days before you even factor in the turmoil of living through a global pandemic. The resulting anxiety and tension can have a detrimental effect on our relationships and even our long-term health. Leisure travel offers an escape from these day-to-day stressors and gives us an opportunity to spend quality time with our partner, have adventures together, strengthen bonds, and renew that romantic spark. 

If you want to reinvigorate your partnership and enjoy more romance, even science agrees that travel can be a catalyst. The following are just a few examples of the research. 

Relationships Are Impacted Positively

In a study commissioned by the U.S. Travel Association, a national organization representing the travel industry, 79 percent of survey respondents who travelled together as a couple believed it had a positive impact on their relationship.

The ways in which these impacts manifested were myriad. For 94 percent, travelling together made them feel closer to one another. For 72 percent, it inspired romance. And 77 percent of the respondents who traveled together as a couple said they have a good sex life. 

Both romance and intimacy figured prominently in reasons for couples to travel together. Among married couples, the top four were: 

• Relaxing and taking a break from the day-to-day (87 percent)
• Talking and reconnecting (72 percent)
• Being romantic (64 percent)
• Being intimate (58 percent)

More Opportunities for Intimacy

Several studies have found that couples on vacation together have sex more frequently. In one such investigation commissioned by Expedia, one of the world’s largest travel sites, more than 50 percent of the survey respondents said that they are more likely to be intimate with their significant other while on vacation than they are at home. 

(The Expedia study also ranked the world’s “sexiest” destinations, so you may want to consider Paris, Rome, Rio de Janeiro, Florence, or Miami when planning your next getaway.)

Another study commissioned by Sunshine.co.uk, an independent online UK travel agent, found that 51 percent of traveling couples have more sex in a one-week holiday abroad than they do in eight weeks at home. In fact, the majority reported being physically intimate with their partner 10 times in one week away versus eight times in two-months when not on vacation. 

This outcome is natural, says Tara Merkle, Director of Marketing at #LubeLife, a personal lubricant company with over 100,000 reviews on Amazon. “The sense of adventure and interest in trying new things should always be part of a couple’s sex life,” Merkle continues. “When couples are traveling and doing things outside their normal routine, they are often less stressed and more relaxed. It’s a great opportunity to really explore intimacy and try new things they may not have had a chance to try before given their busy daily lives.” 

Physical intimacy plays an important role in romantic relationships. Research published in 2020 included sexual satisfaction among the top five variables that most influence overall relationship satisfaction. The other four were perceived partner commitment, perceived partner satisfaction, appreciation, and conflict.