In 2013,
Kelly Tolliday
journeyed to Ireland alongside a buddy
for a wedding
—and discovered love herself. The travel advisor and host of the “Transform with Travel” podcast joined a pub crawl and encountered an adorable Aussie named Sam.
“There was a moment when everything aligned between us, something we both still struggle to describe or understand even now,” she explained.
Following their journey, the pair exchanged numerous Facebook messages, had many Skype conversations, and continued traveling. Since then, they have remained inseparable.
Lanie van der Horst
A blogger who focuses on family travels also discovered romance during her adventures overseas. She encountered her future husband on a three-week journey.
“Halfway through the tour, he asked me to continue to travel with him after the tour ended,” she recalled. “I added two weeks to my planned holiday.”
Later, they communicated online and reunited the next summer in Asia. They kept journeying together for several years prior to choosing to tie the knot.
Last but not least,
Isheeta Borkar,
The co-founder and co-writer behind Travelicious Couple, who discovered romance during her journeys. She connected with someone via Tinder when she was exploring Seattle. “Right from our initial chat, it seemed distinct,” she mentioned.
They journeyed to meet each other at their respective homes — he went to Seattle, and she headed to Vancouver — prior to tying the knot and embarking on travels as a couple.
“She mentioned, ‘We incorporated ferries, buses, and lengthy waits at immigration into our daily routine,’ adding, ‘It wasn’t easy, yet it was worthwhile.’”
This occurrence is genuine for numerous individuals, not only these three couples.
several
TikTok
creators
.
Travel professionals have observed this as well. “I have personally seen how travel has the ability to profoundly open people’s hearts,” they stated.
Sheree Holt
, a travel advisor and the founder of Why Not Roam, a specialized travel agency focusing on high-end group trips for middle-aged adventurers. “Falling in love during travels isn’t merely a trope from romantic comedies (or possible ‘
90-Day Fiancé”
storyline).”
In front, these people along with various specialists elucidate the psychology and provide insights.
key destinations
for
finding love
.
Why Falling In Love Is Simpler When Travelling
You feel less stressed and more receptive to new chances.
Travel
is all about breaking free from everyday life and venturing out, setting the stage perfectly for a romantic adventure.
“When venturing overseas, we quickly become more at ease, feeling less tense and preoccupied with the usual stresses of daily life,” stated
Daniel Clarke
a travel specialist and the head of Parklink, a platform featuring vacation properties in the United Kingdom.
The segment about stress is backed by scientific evidence. As noted by science writer Florence Williams, after just three days in a natural environment,
Your biological indicators of stress reduce.
Tolliday mentioned blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate.
When we worry less, Clarke explained, we lower our guard, becoming more receptive to novel experiences and ready for adventures.
“It’s essentially the reason we all journey,” he mentioned.
Sunil Gupta
The co-founder and travel consultant at Luxury India Tours LLP, a company providing custom luxury travel experiences throughout the region, shares insights: “During our trips, whether aware of it or not, we prepare to encounter elements distinct from what we have at home. … This allows us to embrace living differently compared to our usual routine.”
Escaping and journeying provides us with a feeling of novelty as well. As Holt further explained, this ‘clean slate’ impact may enhance our emotional openness and spark curiosity towards others nearby.
You get additional time to share with those individuals, a point highlighted by van der Horst.
You feel more like your true self.
Borkar felt more centered and truer to herself whenever she ventured away from her house.
“When traveling, you tend to be more focused on the moment and less bound by expectations,” she stated.
This enabled her to discover a deeper bond free from the distractions and anxieties of her usual routine.
Tolliday has observed the same phenomenon. “When the everyday responsibilities of domestic life aren’t weighing you down, you might feel truer to yourself and more liberated,” she explained. “This stronger sense of identity can make it simpler for others to be drawn to you.”
You’re in an expansion phase.
Regardless of how often you’ve ventured into uncharted territories, these experiences place you in a growth phase. This aligns with Carol Dweck’s concept of “growth mindset,” which suggests that abilities and talents can be cultivated instead of being fixed traits we either possess or lack entirely.
Tolliday mentioned that according to Carol Dweck’s growth mindset theory, being in a learning and adaptable state makes us more prone to forming significant connections.
To put it briefly, a fresh environment can lead to new connections.
The shared experiences connect you in a special manner.
It’s worth noting that some of your initial dating experiences took place at the St. Lucia beach or nearby.
Eiffel Tower
, for example.
“Some spots naturally ooze romance,” Tolliday remarked.
Clarke concurred that enjoyable and aesthetically pleasing experiences can unite individuals who might typically not engage with each other, leading to more profound recollections.
And once more, that’s not merely an idea, but a verified fact based on research.
Research indicates that engaging in novel or thrilling activities triggers the release of dopamine, often associated with pleasure and attraction,” Holt explained. “Sharing significant experiences, such as zip-lining through a tropical jungle or losing yourself in a charming Italian town, fosters connections and deepens emotional closeness.
One of those studies highlighted by Tolliday was published in the
Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin
.
“This research shows that when your emotions are heightened, your likelihood of feeling attracted to others around you increases,” she said. “The rush you feel while surfing for the first time in Costa Rica might actually make your new surf buddies feel more attractive to you.”
You’re not as concerned about negative outcomes.
Van der Horst discovered that her worries about potential issues in the new environment were fewer.
“There’s a part of you that doubts whether it feels real, thinks it won’t endure, and believes there will be no repercussions once the holiday concludes,” she mentioned.
Gupta discovered that sharing personal information with unfamiliar people was simpler since these individuals had no ties to his daily routine. “In my experience, this sort of openness usually forms the basis for a genuine emotional bond,” he explained.
Which Travel Experiences and Destinations Are Ideal for Those Seeking Romance?
If you’re looking to understand what others have experienced, Van Der Horst recommended visiting a location that intrigues you and enables interaction with like-minded individuals.
Borkar suggested experiential travel destinations along with places that possess social amenities and align with your beliefs.
Choosing an organized tour is also a wise decision. “Since they’ve signed up for the same tour, it indicates that you likely share similar interests and might appreciate the same kind of holiday,” Clarke explained.
However, what about particular travel destinations that experts consider promising?
Referring to values and interests, Gupta provided an illustration. “Should you have a penchant for art and culture, destinations such as Florence, Kyoto, or Buenos Aires could provide deeper connections,” he noted.
Holt — having visited more than 30 countries — elaborates further.
-
Barcelona, Spain
Mild temperatures, bustling night scenes, and a highly sociable atmosphere in a consistently appealing Mediterranean backdrop facilitate natural interactions with others.
-
New Orleans
Music, cuisine, and enchantment. Oh, and let me emphasize the cuisine again! The city’s vibrant (and nearly mystical) ambiance is tailor-made for moments of connection.
-
Lisbon, Portugal
“Breathtaking vistas, friendly residents, and numerous group-oriented experiences such as culinary courses and vineyard samplings that encourage bonding.”
-
Jamaica
The atmosphere permeates throughout the entire island, accompanied by picturesque romantic views and numerous all-inclusive resorts where you can encounter fellow travelers eager to socialize.
Tolliday provided additional instances like using the Great Barrier Reef for scuba diving lessons, choosing Thailand for English instruction roles, opting for Costa Rica to witness sea turtles hatching, and selecting the Inca Trail in Peru for an organized trekking expedition.
“Going to places where you can connect with new individuals who share your interests will be essential,” she mentioned.
That’s precisely the point: Prioritize your enthusiasm initially. Concentrate on staying true to who you are and relishing the journey—rather than solely seeking out a possible mate—and affection might find its way to you.
It’s about allowing yourself the freedom to completely embrace who you are, free from the expectations set by people back home, and letting this authenticity radiate in your exchanges with newcomers,” Tolliday stated. “The fewer preconceptions you carry, the more likely you’ll discover just how profoundly your heart can open up.
