Life gets busy — fast. Between work, raising kids, outside commitments, and a packed calendar, it’s easy to look across the dinner table and realize you feel more like teammates than lovers.
If you’ve found yourselves feeling more disconnected than connected lately, here’s some good news:
Taking a vacation together — even a simple one — can be one of the best ways to rekindle intimacy in your marriage. ❤️
We’ve experienced this first-hand in our 26+ years of marriage, and the research fully supports it. In fact, couples who intentionally take time away together report lasting improvements in intimacy, communication, and relationship satisfaction.
Why Vacationing Together Rekindles Intimacy
When we recorded our A Purpose Driven Marriage podcast episode on this topic, we both shared stories of how some of our best marriage breakthroughs — and biggest laughs — happened on trips together.
And it’s not just anecdotal. Research backs this up:
✅ The U.S. Travel Association found that 80% of couples who vacation together report an increase in romantic intimacy.
✅ A 2024 longitudinal study (Kim et al.) revealed that couples who travel together experience lasting improvements in relationship satisfaction, intimacy, and communication.
✅ Leisure studies show that vacations promote open conversations, teamwork, and playful interactions — all crucial for a vibrant marriage.
When you take a trip together — even a weekend away — you break out of your usual routines, away from stress and distractions. It creates space for laughter, meaningful conversation, physical closeness, and the kind of quality time that builds intimacy.
It Doesn’t Have to Be Lavish
You don’t need a tropical island or a five-star resort to reap the benefits. In fact, some of our favorite trips have been simple staycations or local adventures.
For us, vacationing together is part of our quarterly rhythm. At least once every three months, we carve out intentional time away — just the two of us. Sometimes it’s:
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One night in a local hotel (play tourist in your own city!)
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A weekend in a cabin in the woods
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A simple camping trip
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A bigger trip when the opportunity arises
The key? Uninterrupted time together with no kids, no work, and no distractions.
One of the things we tell couples all the time: It’s not about where you go — it’s about what you do with your time together.
The Power of Shared Adventures
Want to make your time away even more impactful? Create an adventure together.
Research shows that shared new experiences help reignite passion and connection in marriage.
In our podcast, Duane shared how one of his dream adventures — swimming with dolphins — became an unforgettable bonding experience for us. I (Nadine) shared the story of overcoming my fear of heights on a nighttime suspension bridge walk in Vancouver. Facing that fear with Duane by my side brought us even closer.
Trying something new together builds trust, creates lasting memories, and deepens emotional connection. It doesn’t have to be extreme — it could be as simple as trying a new restaurant, exploring a new trail, or taking a cooking class together.
What If There’s Tension Going Into the Trip?
Sometimes couples hesitate to plan a trip together because they’re already carrying tension or unresolved conflict.
Don’t let that stop you — use it as motivation.
We encourage couples to address issues early in the trip — even during the drive or flight. Sweep it under the rug, and you’ll trip over it the entire time. Deal with it with empathy, compassion, and seeking to understand, and you’ll set the tone for a meaningful time away.
Remember: the whole purpose of the trip is to reconnect, not to run from life’s problems. Face them together and use the trip as a reset point for your relationship.
The Lasting Effects of Regular Couples Vacations
One of the things we love most about our quarterly getaways is that the benefits overlap.
After a trip, we find ourselves communicating better, laughing more easily, feeling closer both emotionally and physically. And when we make this a regular rhythm, those effects carry us through life’s inevitable busy seasons.
One vacation can fuel your marriage for weeks or even months afterward.
Regular trips create a pattern of connection that strengthens your marriage long-term.
Ready to Rekindle Your Intimacy?
If you’ve been thinking about planning a trip with your spouse, this is your permission slip:
Do it.
You’re not running away from life — you’re running toward each other.
Start small if needed:
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One night at a hotel
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A weekend staycation
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A simple road trip
Make it a priority. Your marriage is worth investing in.
If you’d like more ideas and inspiration, be sure to listen to our full podcast episode:
👉 Feeling Distant? How a Vacation Together Can Rekindle Intimacy in Your Marriage → [LINK]
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