Where to Travel This Summer, Based on the Length of Your Relationship

With great relationships come great responsibility.

Like sharing your blanket, putting the toilet seat down and, occasionally, finding a travel destination the two of you can agree on.

“The word vacation comes from the origin ‘to vacate,’” says Martin Cohen, a relationship expert and coach. “Disconnecting from your everyday is a fun, bonding and inspiring experience.”

Easy enough in theory. In practice, though, can be a bit of a headache. Trips are expensive, and one or both parties will be bearing the brunt of that expense. So when you’re deciding where to go, it’s important that you both feel like it’s money well spent, and neither of you is making a huge compromise to appease the other.

Consider this tiered approach when deciding where to go.

Dating Less Than a Year: Somewhere Close
You’re in the honeymoon phase. Everything is new and exciting. Dating is intense; your first getaway is a great opportunity to really get to know each other. Stick to a long weekend in a destination that’s not too far away, and make sure you have outing planned so you don’t sit around arguing about what the hell to do all day. Less than three hours of travel time is ideal: should anything disastrous occur, it’s possible and convenient to get the hell out of there.

Dating 1-5 years: Think a Beach. For a Week.
Things have probably settled into a routine by now … probably a routine involving lots of work and nights spent in. You want to disconnect from that entirely. Beaches, tropical drinks and a relaxed island lifestyle make the Caribbean a safe bet. Aruba and the Bahamas are easily accessible from most major cities and have minimal travel time. Both destinations also have U.S. customs at their airports.

Dating 5 or more years: Go Wild
You’re completely comfortable with each other. Now, tackle that bucket list. Adventure travel, where you two can bond under extreme circumstances, is a good way to bring you closer together. Zipline, go to surfing school or explore volcanoes in Central America. For a chiller vibe, go all-out with an overwater bungalow in the Maldives or Bali.