If you’ve never been traveling as a couple, you’re in for a massive surprise when you finally do. No, we don’t mean a trip from LA to Vegas. What we mean is an extended holiday where you find yourselves in a country neither of you have ever been to, hearing a language you don’t understand, and engaging in activities you’ve never even fathomed.
We’ve had many experiences that really show the reality of traveling as a couple.
Kiersten will attest to this wholeheartedly… travel is not all glamour. While we travel a bit differently (as most of our travel is together), the fact remains that the reality is not always what you see on the blog, Instagram, Facebook, or other social media outlet.
Relationships in and of themselves are hard work, so one must expect traveling as a couple to be extremely hard work.
Finding oneself in a challenging situation often changes temperaments and can lead to misunderstandings. Different agendas often lead to calendar conflicts and the inability to visit every site you hoped to see.
We’ve had times where one of us wants to explore an art museum while the other is only interested in finding the best gelato and exploring the city by foot. Be sure to remain flexible and open to each other’s suggestions. It will make for a smoother trip filled with unexpected surprises.
Let’s face it, in life there is good and bad. Without the bad, we don’t know what the good truly is. Without sadness we have no idea what true happiness is. Without stress and challenge we have no appreciation for calm and ease.
So embrace the times you miss that train or get caught walking 2 miles back to your villa in the pouring rain! You may stumble upon the most breathtaking beach you’ve ever seen or discover your new favorite cafe!
The reality of traveling as a couple is the reality of a relationship.
Challenges inevitably arise, and ultimately some couples choose to end their relationships while others like us stand the test us time and emerge stronger, deeper in love, and even better of a team.
There’s no doubt that you will see your partners true colors while on the road and ultimately discover if you are a true match or not.
However, on that same note, the reality of traveling as a couple is the reality of a relationship – and it’s absolutely one of the most rewarding and memorable things you’ll ever do.
Our travels have challenged us, taught us a multitude, and brought us closer in every facet of our relationship (physically, from sharing twin beds, to being emotionally connected on a deeper level).
The bottom line is this: traveling as a couple is imperative to the success, strength, and happiness of any relationship. 90% of our travels have been filled with absolute joy, love, adventure, and are literally the best memories of our lives.
The truth is, looking back on all of those challenging moments, we wouldn’t want it any other way. Those are the moments that add to your story as a couple. Those are the moments that you’ll look back on as the best of your life.
So book a trip with your boyfriend, girlfriend, fiancé, husband, wife, or whatever you call your significant other and go have the time of your life! Face the challenges and grow from the experience.
We have been together for 3 years and we can confidently claim that our travels are our fondest memories. We have done some incredible things together these past few years, but a strong majority of our conversations are about our travel experiences. Life is all about memories and experiences!
So go! Just go!
I so agree! I love traveling with my husband, and I’m so glad we travel in such similar ways. Traveling brings us closer together and leaves us with some amazing memories. But just like we can occasionally drive each other crazy at home, we sometimes grate on each other’s nerves while traveling. Luckily we can quickly laugh it off and get back to enjoying our trip. I count myself lucky to be married to someone who loves travel as much as — if not more than — me.
So great for you that you have a good partner who loves travel as well. It would be hard to be such a nomad and have a partner who preferred to stay in one place.
I completely agree! The first time my fiance and I traveled internationally together was a big surprise. The first day we got into a tiff outside of a train station in Milan when we got lost! Then we got into our groove and by the end of the 10 day trip we realized how each other traveled and more importantly how we traveled together. I think having that experience together made us stronger!
Milano CLE is a pretty big station, so no surprise you got lost your first time there. Did you feel a bit like you were on the Amazing Race when you ended up in a tiff over something like being lost haha? Definitely makes you stronger having those experiences though.