Your first holiday as a couple can be a big relationship milestone. After spending evenings and lazy weekends together, packing your suitcase is the next step to discovering how you work as a couple when you’re together 24/7.
So how do you know if you’re ready to jet off together? We asked the experts for their recommended timelines, as well as tips on how not to turn your minibreak into a break up.
1. Don’t Rush Into Things
It’s important not to rush in to a holiday, no matter how excited you get in that first flush of romance. As dating coach James Preece explains, 'it's a sign that you are both taking things seriously, but you might find it difficult to adjust to not having your own space. The slightest thing could end up annoying you, but that's just because you just don't know each other that well.'
'The timing of your first couples holiday very much depends on how much you’ve seen of each other in the first three months,' says communication coach Jenny Holden. 'If it’s been pretty consistent (say 2-3 times a week) and you’ve spent a significant amount of time together, the three month mark is a good time to go on a short break to take your relationship to the next phase.'
2. Start Small
If three months is the benchmark for your first couple’s holiday, two to three days is the best starting point for your break.
James always recommends starting your travels with a weekend away before even considering anything longer. 'That way you'll have a practice run and will be sure you are ready to commit to more. It's a good test to see how compatible you really are.' For anything longer, wait until you’ve been together for at least six months.
Anna Williamson, TV presenter and mind coach, also advises on playing safe with your destination. 'Don’t go somewhere too ‘out there’. Challenging yourself to a long haul safari with someone you are still getting to know might not be the best idea. A weekend city break will give you interesting things to do and will take the full focus off being together 24/7.
3. Communicate Clearly
So now that you’ve broached the subject of time and location, it’s time to start planning. It is absolutely essential to communicate, advises Happiness coach Jo Hanby, suggesting setting realistic and honest expectations of what you both want from the break, whether you’d like a few hours of alone time and how much you can afford to spend.
Anna echoes, 'splitting the bill is a good way to keep things even and fair until you’re sure your relationship is going in the direction you both want.'
4. Set Yourself A Deadline
Perfecting your planning is key. Lucy Clifton, Flight Centre’s Head of Operations, suggests setting yourself a hard deadline for booking your first couples holiday.
'Your holiday may seem a million miles away, but leaving the planning until the last minute will end in panic. Give yourself a firm deadline for when you want your first holiday as a couple to be booked, then enjoy a relaxing build up to your trip.'
5. Just Do It
As much as you can plan your perfect trip based on how long you've been together and how compatible you think you'll be, love isn't a science. If you really feel like booking your first couple's holiday after a week of knowing each other, trust your gut.
As relationship expert Sarah Louise Ryan explains, 'in today's dating world, we can get stuck in the fear of failure. Going on a trip with your S.O. sooner rather than later will show you their good, bad and ugly habits when it comes to living and sharing space habits. Get excited because it IS exciting - this person could be your perfect person and only time and taking a break together will tell.'
After all, if it feels like it's alright, it might just be alright!
*Research by OnePoll for Flight Centre
Isabella is a freelance journalist who has written on young women's issues, entertainment, TV and film, South Asian representation, mental health, dating and so much more. She has bylines in ELLE, Cosmopolitan, Good Housekeeping, Prima, Digital Spy, Women's Health, and Harper's Bazaar, and was named 30 Under 30 by MediaWeek, PPA and We Are The City. She was also shortlisted for Workplace Hero at the Investing In Ethnicity Awards and Hero of the Year at the European Diversity Awards. Follow Isabella on Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
