If you’re an ardent follower of the hit Netflix Show “Love is Blind,” you know that part of the experiment includes traveling to a tropical island. Here, the couples explore each other’s interests which makes or breaks their connection. But why would the show producers insist on this pre-honeymoon before thrusting the couples into the real world?

The premise is simple – traveling with your partner allows you to spend one-on-one time with them. It isolates you from your work pressures, your family hiccups, your issues with your friends; anything that’s keeping you from connecting with your partner fully. And each of these special shared tiny moments builds up into an experience of a lifetime which solidifies your relationship.

But to get the most out of your getaway, you must be prepared. First, you must have a valid passport with enough blank pages and adequate validity for your destination country. Secondly, you must process a visa (if necessary) before arriving at the airport. If you don’t have a valid passport or visa, you can always get one in just a few days by relying on a trusted Travel Visa Pro agency. Now that you have your documents in check, let’s discover the tips that can help you come out of your vacation stronger:

 

The Must-Haves for Every Traveling Couple

Traveling with your partner comes with many perks. Not only do you learn how to work together as a team, but you also build trust, intimacy, and better communication skills. Moreover, you learn how to compromise with each other and respect each other’s individuality. 

Not every traveling couple is lucky enough to get in on all these positive effects. Some leave the trip frustrated, adversely affecting an otherwise smooth-sailing relationship. How can you avoid being at loggerheads with your partner when undertaking a trip?

 

• Find a Destination You Both Like

Suppose you’ve always dreamt about heading to Cancun in Mexico. You would likely want your partner to share this dream or support it. But what happens if they have a different place in mind? Sometimes, one partner will try to get their way to the detriment of the other partner. And while you may succeed in getting them on your side, their attitude towards the destination might be indifferent. Unfortunately, they will likely seem bored or even frustrated if they are not as invested as you are in the trip. And that would sour the entire experience for you.

How can you avoid this?

• Have an open conversation about your favorite destinations, 

• Come up with a list of places you like,

1. If you share some places in common, settle on one of them. If you don’t have anything in common, consider exploring options outside of your list. And if one of you is willing to compromise, you can choose an option only on one list.
2. Figure out if the destination you want has activities for both of you. While one of you might enjoy swimming in the ocean and basking on the shore, the other might prefer hiking. Does the destination offer both of you something to do? If it does not, it’s best to go back to the drawing board and find a better choice.

Whatever you choose, ensure everyone is on board. It is better to start a trip on the same page than to try and change your partner’s mindset when you are miles away from home. 

 

We would all like to think that couple vacations are about lengthy and hearty conversations, steamy intimate sessions, long showers, and hour-long cuddles in bed. And yes, they can be this fantastic! But what are the chances that every day will be like this? 

Humans are subject to emotional and physical changes owing to internal and external factors. You may be having a great day only to see or hear something that immediately ruins your mood. And while your partner may want you to smile for a picture or join them for a swimming session, your heart may not be in it. The vice versa also holds, as your partner is vulnerable to the same issues.

Unfortunately, a change in the vibe between you can have the other person overthinking their position in the relationship. An easy way to avoid falling into a state where you think you are being rejected is to:

1. Start by being realistic about what might happen on the trip. Understand that some things are out of your control. Also, don’t take arguments to heart too much as these will not stop because you are countries away from home. Instead, find a way to remain calm when you are feeling isolated.
2. Communicate how you feel when you think you are not putting your best foot forward. Be honest with your partner whether you are having a migraine, a hangover, a horrible flashback, etc. That allows them to understand why your mood or energy levels have shifted.
3. Be empathetic towards your partner when they express why they cannot keep up with the trip’s pace. Rather than admonish them for not being team players, allow them to have time to themself.

Being on a trip together will not do away with the need for space. If you or your partner often need to recharge after a long day, give each other the grace to do this without judgment.

 

There are different kinds of people. The person wants to know what they are doing each day on the trip. They have checked the reviews of the places they will visit, figured out how much it will cost, and arranged a wardrobe for each day. Then there is the laidback traveler who takes each day as it comes. They barely know where they will spend the next day and are completely okay with it. And, of course, there is the person who lies somewhat in the middle.

Planning your trip before leaving the country is essential regardless of where you fall. While it may seem like it might ruin the spontaneity of the trip, it allows you to:

1. Carry enough snacks and water when you will spend a significant chunk of time away from hotels and restaurants. Hunger and thirst are a recipe for bad moods, which can escalate into fights. And it’s hard to decipher between negative emotions and true feelings when one is hungry or thirsty.
2. Decide which places you will visit beforehand. Regardless of how long you will stay in the country, you will likely need to leave out some spots. So, you will need to compromise on where to go to avoid running the risk of frustrating one person.
3. Figure out who’s in charge of what: Leaving one person to plan and execute the trip can result in frustration. Instead, share the duties based on each other’s strong points, and the teamwork can start early.
4. Be open to suggestions. While searching for dolphins may not be your idea of a fun time, considering it can do wonders for your partner. Chances are that they also agree to things they do not enjoy just to put a smile on your face. Who knows? You may realize you have more in common than you think!
5. Understand if the financial dent is okay for both of you. It’s best to be on the same page regarding finances. You should agree to a trip where you feel comfortable about the financial hit. Otherwise, you may be concerned about money for the entire trip, undermining your chance to explore all the sights. Be honest with your partner about any financial reservations before finalizing any plan.
6. Avoid bad surprises. Without a precise itinerary, it’s easy to visit a spot only to find that it has been shut down, costs more than you think, etc. And in such moments, the blame game can start with one or both of you pointing the finger at the other person.

The goal of planning the trip is to ensure you are on the same page throughout the trip. And that all starts with clear communication from the beginning.

 

Picture it. You have the right destination, braced yourself for emotionally charged moments, and know where you will be every minute of the trip. But after touching down and getting to the resort, your partner falls ill. And they spend the rest of the night and part of the morning throwing up and lying on the bathroom floor. So, it becomes evident that your Day 2 itinerary will have to wait. What then?

Now is the time to adjust to the conditions. Your partner needs you, and as much as you cannot hang out in the jacuzzi, caring for them is also an excellent way to bond. You can make lemonade out of these lemons, and your attitude is the one thing that will see you through such challenging times.

So, as much as you may have it all figured out, keep in mind that not every bit of the trip will go as planned.

 

While sticking to the plan is essential in meeting both your needs, do not shy off from throwing some surprises in there! Not everything has to be by the book. As you’re having dinner, have a musician serenade your partner. Line the hallway to the bedroom with roses. Wake your partner up to breakfast in bed with their favorite foods. You get the gist.

Thinking out of the box could be the icing on what is already set to be a good trip. Most importantly, have fun!