But much as first vacations can amazing, they can also be make or break. Suddenly all of those cute little quirks your partner has can become astronomically irritating when you live with them 24/7. So – before you embark on your first couples vacation – here are some tips to help you not only survive, but thrive, along the way.

Where you go on your first couples vacation is way more important than you think. It will determine not only what kind of trip you’ll have, but also how out of your comfort zone you’ll be. Both of which can have a big impact on your experience.

If you’re the intrepid traveller types – and as a DBMH reader, we’re sure you are – just be wary that travelling off the beaten road requires you to really be a team. If you’re not quite ‘there’ yet as a couple, then perhaps pick a destination that’s a little safer and smoother. 

If, on the other hand, you want to really test the metal of this relationship, then throw yourselves in at the deep end by going on a crazy adventure together. It will push you out of your comfort zone and force you to really get to know one another, quickly. 

To put it plainly, planning ahead could be the difference between a great or a grim vacation. 

To make your experience as smooth sailing as possible, take some time to research your trip before you go. Have a rough idea of places you want to go, things you want to see and how you want to get around. This will save so many headaches and potential arguments on the trip. 

Make the planning experience inclusive. Ask one another, “what are the 3 main things you want to get out of this trip?”, and then work around that. If the lists are polar opposites, then better to know before you leave so that you can find a nice middle ground. 

Be open minded and open hearted, and you’ll be surprised at how close this planning process can bring you. 

Eesh. Money. It’s never an easy subject, and definitely not when you’re about to go on your first vacation. 

Rule number one: just be clear and honest about your financial expectations (and limitations) for the trip. If one of you expects 5* luxury, and the other wants to slum it, you’re soon going to have a problem. 

We’ve always found that being open and honest about money usually resolves any potentially awkward situations. 

In the beginning of a relationship, a short trip can be a good idea. 

After all, prior to now you’ve probably only experienced short but intense periods of time together. A 2 week stint 1-on-1 can soon feel a bit much, especially when you’re living out of a suitcase and sharing a bathroom…

Make this first vacation about intimate togetherness – whatever that means for you. And choose a length of time that keeps you in that space of couple’s bliss rather than relationship overload. 

We hate to be crude, but in the early stages of a relationship, don’t let ‘vacation belly’ ruin your trip. 

That roadside chicken kebab might look delicious, but perhaps opt for food that is a little – shall we say… safer. At least for this first trip. How many times has a gorgeous first vacation been killed by a bout of stomach troubles? Too many, let us tell you. 

Oh, and another thing, pack some antidiarrheals and rehydration sachets, just in case. Nothing kills romance more than having to ask your partner to awing by a drug store cause you’re stuck on the

Ok, so we gave you lots of advice already so this might be a contradiction. But…

…above all, don’t forget to enjoy every moment of this trip. 

Forget what other couples did or didn’t do, just do you. You’re about to go on this vacation because you’re with someone you can’t wait to spend some uninterrupted adventure time with. That’s what really matters. 

Things will go wrong. Your plans will get derailed. And it will probably be nothing like you imagined. But hopefully, if you’re with the right person it will be so much more. 

Embrace the experience, go with the flow, and be yourself. You’ll come back from the trip closer than ever before, and ready to plan your next adventure together soon!