From discovering who your partner really is to reconnecting after years together, here's why traveling as a couple is about so much more than taking a vacation.

Life gets busy. Between work, errands, family responsibilities, raising children (or taking care of your very needy pets), it's easy for couples to get caught up in the routine.

You love each other, you enjoy each other's company, but when was the last time you spent several uninterrupted days together without worrying about laundry, deadlines, or what you're making for dinner?

That's one of the reasons I believe couples should make traveling together a priority whenever possible.

And as it turns out, there's actually science behind why shared adventures can help strengthen relationships.

Traveling early in a relationship: getting to know each other

When my husband Jon and I started dating nearly 12 years ago, one of our first trips together was a Valentine's Day weekend in San Francisco.

There's something exciting about traveling with someone you're dating. You're discovering a new place together, but you're also learning about each other.

Are they adventurous? Do they enjoy trying unfamiliar foods? How do they handle unexpected changes? Can they laugh when things go wrong? And, perhaps most importantly, can you spend several days together without driving each other completely insane?

In 2017, I took Jon to Guatemala, where I'm originally from. We visited Antigua, Lake Atitlan, and the towns where I spent part of my childhood, Asuncion Mita and Chiquimula.

Jon didn't speak much Spanish, and everything was new to him. But what impressed me most was his openness, patience, curiosity, and willingness to experience a different culture without judgment or complaints. He was comfortable being uncomfortable and didn't depend on me to navigate every little situation.

I remember thinking, If this is what life is going to be like with him, I think we can figure just about anything out together.

And that was a pretty wonderful realization.

A few favorite memories from Guatemala

Jon absolutely fell in love with Lake Atitlan, and I can't blame him. We stayed at La Casa del Mundo, a beautiful hotel tucked into the cliffs overlooking the lake. If you ever get the chance to watch the sunset there in January, please do. It's one of those views everyone should experience at least once.

The hotel also hosted candlelit communal dinners, where we met travelers from around the world. I still keep in touch with a lovely older couple from Montana who were volunteering their legal services to Maya communities.

We hiked San Pedro Volcano and spent time exploring Antigua. We also discovered Caoba Farms, a farm-to-table restaurant that became one of our favorite places to eat whenever we returned. Years later, we'd host our wedding welcome party there!

Funny how those little discoveries find their way back into your life.

The science behind traveling together

So, why are shared adventures good for relationships?

Psychologists have studied something called self-expansion theory, which suggests that people grow through new experiences and that couples can experience that growth together.

In a 2000 study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, psychologist Arthur Aron and his colleagues found that couples who participated in novel, exciting activities experienced greater immediate improvements in perceived relationship quality than those doing more ordinary activities.

A more recent 2024 study published in Annals of Tourism Research Empirical Insights looked specifically at couples' vacations and found that shared, novel experiences were associated with greater romantic passion, physical intimacy, and relationship satisfaction.

Of course, this doesn't mean booking a flight will magically fix a struggling relationship. The vacation research identifies associations, not guaranteed cause and effect.

But it does suggest something meaningful:

It's not simply about going somewhere together. It's about experiencing something new together.

Whether that's hiking a volcano, learning to cook a local dish, exploring a new city, or simply stepping outside your usual routine, shared experiences can help couples continue discovering each other.

And you don't need an expensive vacation to make that happen.

When life gets busy, travel becomes a chance to reconnect

As our relationship progressed, traveling took on a different purpose. We still loved discovering new places, but we also wanted a break from work and everyday responsibilities.

Beach vacations became some of our favorites. We traveled to the Dominican Republic, Tulum, and Holbox Island in Mexico. We also returned to Guatemala in February 2020, just before the pandemic, to explore the ancient Maya ruins of Tikal and hike Pacaya Volcano.

In 2021, we spent seven days driving along Iceland's southern coast, staying in four different hotels, hiking to spectacular waterfalls, and visiting the Blue Lagoon. The following year, we visited London and Holbox. We've also taken road trips through the American Southwest, which eventually helped lead us from Chicago to our new home in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Each trip offered something different: adventure, relaxation, discovery, or simply uninterrupted time together.

For couples balancing demanding careers, raising children, or juggling a million responsibilities, getting away can provide an opportunity to reconnect.

And if a couples-only vacation isn't possible, even a family trip with some intentional time together can make a difference.

Not every vacation needs to involve constant activities, either.

Resting together is an experience, too.

Sleeping in, enjoying a leisurely meal, or spending an afternoon doing absolutely nothing can be exactly what you need.

Personally, I don't believe in packing every day with activities. Jon and I prefer to take our time, discover restaurants, explore neighborhoods, and leave room for unexpected experiences.

After all, what's the point of taking a vacation if you come home needing another vacation?

Our Italian honeymoon: why it's okay to splurge a little

For our official honeymoon and first wedding anniversary, we traveled to Italy, and I wanted this trip to feel extra special.

We started with three days in Rome, staying at Villa Agrippina, a Gran Melia Hotel, visiting the Colosseum, Castel Sant'Angelo, and the city's beautiful piazzas.

Then we flew to Sicily, hired a private driver to Milazzo, and took a ferry to the island of Vulcano, where we spent five wonderful nights at Therasia Resort Sea & Spa.

We booked a romantic package that included a spa experience and dinner. We also took a boat excursion around the Aeolian Islands, rented e-bikes to explore Vulcano's volcanic landscape, and spent plenty of time being wonderfully lazy together.

And the food! We dined at both of the resort's Michelin-starred restaurants. I Tenerumi, an entirely plant-based fine-dining restaurant, served what was possibly the best meal I've ever had in my life.

After Vulcano, we returned to Rome for two more nights, staying at Palazzo Ripetta -- an amazing property that was the perfect way to end the trip before flying back to the U.S.

One thing I've learned from this trip and some of our vacations to places like Holbox is that sometimes spending a little more on a couples' vacation is worth every penny.

A comfortable hotel room, an excellent bed (because let's face it, some hotel beds leave a lot to be desired), wonderful food, thoughtful service, or a memorable experience can make a big difference.

It's not about spending money just for the sake of luxury. It's about comfort, convenience, and enjoying your time together.

Of course, not every vacation needs to be extravagant. Some of our favorite memories come from hiking, road trips, simple accommodations, and experiences that cost very little.

This year, we stayed closer to home and celebrated our anniversary in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

The trick is knowing when to splurge, when to save, and what matters most to you as a couple.

Planning a couples' vacation without overplanning

Here's something I've learned after planning about 95% of our vacations: having a good itinerary doesn't mean scheduling every minute of your day.

Jon is more of a go-with-the-flow traveler, and while I enjoy researching hotels, restaurants, and activities, I also love leaving room for spontaneous discoveries.

I don't need to know what we're doing at exactly 2:47 p.m. on a Tuesday.

Maybe we'll discover a great restaurant, spend an extra hour exploring a neighborhood, or skip an activity because we're enjoying ourselves too much doing something else.

For busy couples, however, planning a vacation can sometimes feel like another task on an already endless to-do list.

That's where having a travel advisor can make a difference.

Let Curious Paths Travel handle the details

At Curious Paths Travel, my goal isn't to hand you a cookie-cutter itinerary so packed with activities that you barely have time to enjoy your vacation.

I want to create a trip that reflects who you are as a couple, whether you're celebrating a honeymoon, an anniversary, a milestone, or simply need a break from everyday life.

I can help with accommodations, transportation, activities, restaurant reservations, unique experiences, and travel insurance options, while leaving plenty of breathing room for spontaneous adventures.

Where should you go next? Romantic escapes and family-friendly getaways

Whether you're dreaming of a luxurious romantic escape or a budget-friendly beach vacation, here are a few places worth considering.

Ready to splurge?

• Sugar Beach, St. Lucia -- Luxury surrounded by the breathtaking Pitons.
• Hermitage Bay, Antigua -- An intimate Caribbean hideaway with beautiful beaches and private pool villas.
• Eden Rock, St. Barths -- French Caribbean glamour, exceptional dining, and gorgeous accommodations.
• Nômade Temple Tulum & Nômade Temple Holbox, Mexico -- Beautiful bohemian boutique hotels offering barefoot, rustic luxury with a focus on nature, wellness, and relaxation.
• Mukul Resort, Nicaragua -- An upscale beachfront retreat with private villas and a peaceful, romantic atmosphere.
• Morgan's Rock, Nicaragua -- A secluded nature retreat surrounded by tropical forest and wildlife, perfect for couples who prefer a quieter, more adventurous escape.
• Venice Simplon-Orient-Express -- A romantic train journey from Paris to Verona. Old-world luxury at its finest!

Something more budget-friendly, or traveling with the kids?

• Mexico: Finest Playa Mujeres and Mia Reef Isla Mujeres for family-friendly all-inclusive stays.
• Dominican Republic: Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana for an upscale family vacation, complete with a water park and kids' club.
• Panama: Dreams Playa Bonita or Hotel Riu Playa Blanca for all-inclusive beach getaways.
• Nicaragua: Barcelo Montelimar for a value-friendly beachfront all-inclusive, or Rancho Santana for an active, villa-style vacation with surfing, horseback riding, and beautiful beaches.
• Guatemala's Pacific coast: For couples, El Paredon offers stylish boutique stays like Swell Surf & Lifestyle Hotel, Zoah Surf Boutique Hotel, and the adults-only Wander Boutique Hotel. Families might prefer Hidden Wave or Shanti Surf Camp in El Paredon, or head to Monterrico for resorts like Oceana Resort & Conventions, Hotel Pazifico, and Dos Mundos Beach Resort, where pools and family amenities are a big draw.

Guatemala's Pacific coast is known for its beautiful black volcanic sand, but also its powerful waves and currents. For families with young children, I'd prioritize accommodations with good pools rather than relying on ocean swimming.

Prefer a cruise? I can help you find the right ocean, luxury, or river cruise, too!

Whether you're splurging on a once-in-a-lifetime experience or working within a budget, I'll help you find the right accommodations and experiences without sacrificing what matters most to you.

Keep discovering the world -- and each other

Looking back on nearly 12 years of traveling with Jon, I realize how much our trips have reflected the different stages of our relationship.

In the beginning, we were discovering each other. Later, we were discovering the world together, finding ways to escape our routines, and making time for the things we enjoyed.

And now, as a married couple, traveling continues to give us opportunities to experience new things, revisit favorite places, and sometimes just be wonderfully lazy together.

We've hiked volcanoes, explored unfamiliar cities, watched unforgettable sunsets, met wonderful people, eaten incredible meals, and spent entire afternoons doing very little.

And I wouldn't trade those experiences for anything.

Whether you've been together for six months or thirty years, there's always something new to discover about the person beside you.

So take the trip. Make the memories. Keep dating each other, even after the wedding.

And if you need a little help making that happen, I'd love to help.

-- Wendy
Curious Paths Travel -- Thoughtfully planned journeys, with room for curiosity.