The Best Type of Travel for Each Love Language
Whether you’re planning a romantic Valentine’s getaway or treating yourself to a solo trip for some self-care, your love language can help you plan the perfect trip
When it comes to travel, it’s not just about where you go, it’s also about connecting with who you’re travelling with – and thinking about love languages when planning a trip can be the ultimate way to show affection. According to Google trend data, searches for “love language + travel” have risen by 122% in the last month, as many search for romantic getaway inspiration for Valentine’s Day. Here, travel expert Justin Chapman at Go2Africa reveals the best type of travel for each love language – whether you’re planning an unforgettable trip with the one you love, or treating yourself to a solo trip for some self-care and self-connection – and even gives some tips on how to get through your first trip as a new couple.
Words of Affirmation
If your or your partner’s love language is words of affirmation, the best type of trip involves romantic, cultural cities, or serene retreats where you can spend your time having meaningful conversations in beautiful surroundings. Somewhere like Kyoto, Japan, which is known for it’s quiet and peaceful atmosphere, or the famously romantic Paris, which is filled with history (and is even one of the most popular spots for proposals, according to TikTok) are ideal destinations.
Enhance the trip for this love language by taking the time to write words of affirmation and gratitude for each other – and yourself! – before you travel, that you can share while in a beautiful location like walking along the river at sunset or in an intimate restaurant where you can set the mood for deep conversations.
Quality Time
Serene, secluded spots where you can immerse yourselves in nature and spend uninterrupted time together are best for those whose love language is quality time. Disconnect from technology and plan activities like sightseeing, hiking, or even just lounging on a secluded beach, where you can focus on spending time together and enjoying each other’s company.
A private, luxury safari in a remote location, such as Botswana’s Okavango Delta, is the perfect way to spend quality time together while surrounded by the beauty of nature, where you enjoy peaceful, stunning landscapes and intimate settings where you can deeply connect. Choose destinations and activities where you can be fully present without everyday distractions; quiet moments and shared activities can help you form a stronger bond.
Acts of Service
Taking care of all the planning and logistics for the trip is the best way to show your love if your partner’s love language is acts of service – from arranging all of the transport and accomodation, to planning surprises you know they’ll enjoy, whether that’s a candlelit dinner on the beach in Bali or a luxury spa day closer to home.
If you’re planning a solo trip, try somewhere like an all-inclusive resort where you can relax and let someone else take care of everything. Practice self-care activities like meditation and mindfulness to serve your own wellbeing, nourish your mind, body, and soul, to feel rejuvenated and cared for.
Receiving Gifts
For those with the love language of receiving gifts, travel is all about surprises and tangible reminders that you are loved. Booking a surprise holiday might not be for everyone, so instead, consider destinations that offer plenty of opportunities to find meaningful gifts and momentos that can serve as a reminder of your trip, that you can surprise each other with when you get home – from artist-filled markets in Florence, to bustling souks in Marrakech.
For yourself, plan a trip where you can treat yourself to gifts along the way – whether that’s indulgent luxuries like private dining and designer shopping, or something simpler like lunch in a local café you’ve had your eye on, or a fridge magnet to remember the holiday.
Physical Touch
If you’re planning a trip for the love language of physical touch, intimacy is key – from romantic strolls and intimate dinners on the Santorini, to salsa dancing together in Columbia. Think about planning adventurous activities that require closeness and team work, where touch is encouraged in playful ways, like rock climbing, kayaking, or couples’ yoga.
For solo travellers, consider trips that let you pamper yourself and embrace your body, from spa reports and massages to geothermal springs in Iceland.
How to get through your first trip as a new couple:
Your first holiday as a couple is an exciting milestone, and if you don’t live together, this might be your first experience of spending an extended period of time with them – but it can bring up some issues. Travelling can sometimes strain even the longest relationships, from almost missing your flight because one of you took too long to leave the house, to unexpected bad weather putting a dampener on your beach day plans, so here are some tips on how to make sure you have more holidays on the horizon!
- Discuss expectations and learn to compromise. Talk about what you want out of the trip and what kind of vibe they have on holiday. If you’re a ‘lounging by the pool followed by late night drinks’ person, it can be tricky to plan a holiday with an ‘up early to explore the city and sightsee all day’ person. Ask plenty of questions to make sure you’re on the same page, and you can book something that you’ll both be happy with to avoid disappointment when you arrive.
- Be open about money. Discuss a budget that you’re both comfortable with, not just for the flights and accommodation but also for activities, sightseeing, and meals out. It can be difficult if you earn very different salaries, especially in a new relationship where you may not have discussed finances before, and can lead to one of you putting too much on a credit card to try and keep up. It’s important to be vocal about exactly what you can and can’t afford to avoid feelings of resentment.
- Start small. If you’ve never spent more than a couple of days together in one go, it might be best to start with a weekend staycation, rather than a two week trip to the other side of the world. A shorter break minimises the pressure a little, rather than diving straight into a long holiday, and is less of a commitment if problems do arise.
- Be flexible. The preferences you discussed beforehand might change when you arrive, and being open minded and to new activities and plans can reduce the stress and frustration of feeling stuck with an itinerary that isn’t working for either of you.
- Don’t forget to schedule me-time. Scheduling in some alone time for each of you to do what you want means you get to indulge in your individual preferences, give each other some personal space, and prevent arguments stemming from feeling like you’ve missed out on things you want to do in order to accommodate them.