According to a recent poll, one in five of us (20%) has had a holiday romance at some point in the past. Almost half of those who enjoyed such a romance say that it continued after the holiday was over; even those who had a fling with someone from the local area or with a holidaymaker from a different country. 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.
The problem often starts when you've packed your bags and returned home to everyday life. Of course, if you're lucky and you've met someone who lives close to you, then you can pretty much take up where you left off and develop the relationship from there. The difficulties arise when you've fallen for a local from your holiday destination or a fellow tourist who lives impossibly far away from your home.
Although it is possible to continue the relationship on your return home (read on to find out more information and tips on Long Distance Relationships), the sad fact is that the majority of holiday romances rarely turn into anything more lasting. Even if you genuinely intend to keep in touch and see each other again, it takes a special kind of determination to maintain any kind of meaningful relationship once you are back home.
So whilst holiday romances can be intense, exciting and fun, it's often best to view them primarily as flings. Try not to let the combination of the warm, relaxing sun, the beautiful scenery and the cheap drinks seduce you into believing that there's more to it than two people enjoying being with each other 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, treat it as a pleasant surprise and you can decide whether to gently pursue it. Have fun by all means, but keep your expectations realistic.
