Holiday Romances

Holidays are a time when your libido is up and your defences are down and even if you're happy to be single at home, a little romance when you're away from the stresses and strains of everyday life can often be very welcome. According to a recent poll, one in five of us has had a holiday romance at some point in our past. Nearly half of those who enjoyed such a romance say that it continued after the holiday was over; even when the other person was a holidaymaker from a different country or someone from the resort area.

The problem often starts after you've packed your suitcase and returned home to everyday life. Of course, if you're fortunate and you've met someone who lives nearby, then you can pretty much take up where you left off and develop the relationship from there. The difficulties start when you've fallen for a fellow tourist who lives impossibly far away from your home or a local from your holiday destination.

Although it is possible to continue the relationship on your return home (you can read more about this in Long Distance Relationships), the sad fact is that few holiday romances develop into anything more lasting. Even if you genuinely intend to keep in touch and see each other again, it takes a special kind of resolve to maintain any kind of meaningful relationship once you are back home.

So whilst holiday romances can be exciting, intense and fun, it's usually best to look at them primarily as flings. Try not to let the combination of the beautiful scenery, the warm, relaxing sun and the cheap drinks seduce you into believing that there's more to it than two people enjoying each other's company and having fun. Try to keep it real and see it for what it is and don't expect them to call, write or text after you leave. However if they do contact you, look at it as a pleasant surprise before deciding whether or not to pursue it. Have fun by all means, but make sure that you keep your expectations realistic.