In a 2025 survey of over 2,000 Americans by Talker Research, 82% of respondents said a romantic getaway can “reignite the spark,” and 60% claim they feel even more in love with their partner after coming home from a trip together.
Roughly one-third admit that a vacation makes them appreciate their partners more and reminds them of why they fell in love in the first place, and 21% feel “significantly” more attracted to their partners after the trip is over.
In other words, traveling with your partner isn’t just fun — it can also have an invaluable positive impact on your bond.
RELATED: Romantic Getaway Mistakes to Avoid
But before you start booking flights and hotels, here’s what you need to know about planning one of these romantic getaways.
The Importance of Romantic Getaways
“A romantic getaway isn’t just a vacation — it’s a reset,” says Christina Gales, founder of the agency Christina Gales Travel. “I plan a lot of romantic getaways for couples, and I also prioritize them in my own marriage — so I’ve seen, firsthand and professionally, how a dedicated trip together can change the tone of a relationship.”
The reality is, a lot of couples start to feel like roommates after a while — with most conversations revolving around who’s handling housework, school drop-offs, and grocery pickups.
Even strong relationships can slip into autopilot, explains Gales, and traveling together allows you to break that pattern.
“You start to remember that this person is more than just the guy or girl who forgot to take out the trash,” adds Kayla Crane, a licensed marriage and family therapist in private practice.
Christian Bumpous, a licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed professional counselor, and the founder of Therapie, says a lack of quality time is one of the biggest issues for most couples. And that’s exactly what a romantic getaway offers.
“Between work, kids, chores, friends, hobbies, and everything else, the relationship usually ends up at the bottom of the list,” he explains. “Not intentionally… it just happens. And over time, that creates emotional distance, even in strong partnerships.
A romantic getaway hits the ‘reset’ button. It gives you uninterrupted space to slow down, and remember the parts of the relationship that get buried under day-to-day life.”
William Schroeder, a licensed professional counselor and co-owner of Just Mind Counseling, also notes that romantic getaways can:
Enable you to make meaningful shared memoriesReduce stress and encourage relaxationIncrease feelings of positivityBuild emotional intimacy
Plus, let’s not forget about the transformative powers of a new context to ignite some steamy sex. Vacation sex is hot because when traveling, people’s day-to-day obligations and stresses fall away, and reconnecting sexually often has a way of helping a couple feel closer emotionally.
What Makes a Trip Romantic?
Not every trip you take with your partner can be considered a romantic getaway. So, what sets these vacations apart?
“Intention,” says Sheree Holt, founder of the boutique travel company Why Not Roam. “It’s as much about how you show up for each other as it is about where you go.”
According to Bumpous and Schroeder, what makes a getaway romantic is the conscious choice to:
Move at a slower paceAvoid answering work emails and messages (and even ditch the phone entirely) as much as possible Share fun new experiences that are mutually fulfilling, rather than checking off sightseeing boxesChoosing activities that foster a feeling of closeness
“The main difference between a normal trip and a romantic one is how you structure your time,” adds Gales. “A regular trip is often about constant activity. A romantic getaway will have long dinners, late mornings, and real conversations you’re not rushing through.”
According to Gales, the biggest misconception is that romance requires extravagance — when in reality, the change of scenery and change of pace alone can be what makes it romantic.
Casey Keller, travel blogger and founder of Wandering Everywhere, advises making reservations at restaurants that provide a more intimate experience (think smaller spaces with fewer tables, candlelit ambiance).
Another easy way to ensure your getaway is romantic? Leave a block of unstructured time each day for lingering at the beach at sunset, having spontaneous morning sex in the room, or exploring the town hand in hand.
“I also think that incorporating small romantic touches can go a long way,” says Keller.
For example, she suggests buying your partner a small gift to unwrap upon arriving that they can wear or use while you’re away — or arranging for a bottle of champagne to await you in the hotel room after an outing.
RELATED: The Most Romantic Hotels for an Unforgettable Couples Getaway
“I also encourage couples to consider more boutique hotel stays — they tend to be a bit quieter, and bring a unique vibe that you may not find at a big chain hotel,” explains Gales.
When Should You Go on Romantic Getaways?
There’s no hard-and-fast rule for how frequently you should take a romantic getaway. After all, this will likely depend on your budget, your schedule, and your obligations at home.
Still, experts agree that planning at least one a year can be massively beneficial to your relationship, even if it’s only for a weekend, or a staycation in your home state.
It’s also worth noting that there are times when a romantic getaway may be especially important for a relationship. According to Keller, Gales, Bumpous and Schroeder, those include:
After a super busy and stressful stretch, when you need to recalibrateDuring or after big life transitions, like a move, new job, or first childAfter a big conflict (once you’ve already repaired) so you can rebuild intimacy and trustWhen celebrating big milestones, like anniversaries, pregnancies, or exciting professional winsIn long-term relationships that feels stagnant or lacking in passion
“A misconception is that a romantic trip always needs to be around a special occasion,” Gales tells AskMen. “It can happen any time of the year.”
RELATED: Proven Ways to Improve Your Relationship
“The main criteria is: do you feel like life has gotten in the way of your relationship? If yes, then it’s time for a couples getaway,” she says. “Travel helps couples step outside the routine long enough to remember: we chose each other for a reason.”
Dos & Don’ts for Your Romantic Getaways
Remember: Thoughtful planning is key for reaping the full relationship-improving benefits of a romantic getaway. So, make sure to keep these expert-approved do’s and don’ts in mind:
Do:
Share the burden of planningBuild in plenty of downtimeDiscuss your intentions, expectations, and goals for the tripFactor in your partner’s love languagePlan at least one activity you wouldn’t normally do at home — whether a private dinner on the beach or a morning couple’s massageSet boundaries for your phonesConsider planning one surprise for your partnerHave a plan for conflict
Don’t:
OverscheduleNeglect to consider your partner’s preferences and interests when choosing activities and itinerariesOverspend to the point of stressBook accommodations or choose destinations that don’t match your vibe just because you heard they’re romanticAssume romance will “just happen” without intention
You Might Also Dig:
How to Travel With a PartnerHow to Be RomanticSmall Romantic Gestures That Make a Big Impact