Alright, so it’s not quite keys to his place or a diamond, but your first trip
away together is a big deal. Your holidate can be make-or-break.
Last summer, Christine Bleakley and Frank Lampard chose their first holidate
to go public with their romance. After eight months of
are-they-aren’t-they?, the twosome headed off to Sardinia. That one was a
definite make – 12 months later they got engaged in Los Angeles! Queen of
fast love, Katie Price, went to Argentina with Leandro Penna just weeks
after they met. Probs break. Yep, so plenty of pressure then.
“Going on dates and weekends with someone is very different from going on a
holiday with them,” says psychotherapist Jacqueline Palmer, who runs
intimacy workshops. “You need to be able to have quiet time, be confident
with your body and have enough in common to survive a week in only each
other’s company.”
Those seven days in Sicily seeming a whole lot scarier? Don’t panic! Take our
quiz to see if you’re fixed for a foreign frolic or if you need to rethink
your beach buddy.
Part 1
Relationship rundown
For every Yes, award yourself the points in the brackets. If you answer No,
score yourself 0.
Our blazing rows wind up with us laughing at each other.
YES (3) NO
When I was ill, the boy (after a bit of encouragement) trekked out to pick up
cough drops and Lucozade.
YES (2) NO
He’s neat, as in, folds-his-underpants neat. I leave him to it – I’m more of a
free sprit when it comes to tidiness.
YES (1) NO
We love watching box sets on the sofa, or going for Sunday cycle rides. Yeah,
yeah, we know we’re 65 already.
YES (2) NO
We always end up in the chippy on the way home, ordering a his ’n’ hers
burger.
YES (1) NO
If we’re out with mates and one of us chats to other people, the other dances.
YES (2) NO
I don’t feel compelled to talk all the time when we hang out.
YES (3) NO
He’s seen me hungover first thing, sans make-up, and didn’t run away.
YES (1) NO
I know all about his irrational fear of jam.
YES (3) NO
When we go to a museum, he ends up in the gift shop while I take in all the
culture.
YES (1) NO
Part 2
Your far-away fairy tale
Each of you should star up to eight phrases that best describe your dream
break. Score one point for every phrase you both pick.
Fine dining
Luxury
Dancing till dawn
Walking. A lot
Early mornings
Adventure
Home comforts
Cocktails
Splashing the cash
Casinos
Street food
Roughing it
Budget
Relaxation
Home comforts
Culture shock
Backpacking
Road trip
Beach
Package hotel
Guided tours
Poolside lounging
Total:
-
Top holidate tip BE YOURSELF. Pretending will only lead to intimacy
issues. Don’t be afraid to disagree, you can’t match up on everything
and saying no to bungee jumping is OK.
Part 3
Partners in paradise?
Pick the couple you imagine you and your man would be most like.
COUPLE A While you splash about and play in the sea, he reads his book.
While he orders the most exotic thing on the menu, you stick with chicken,
chips and ketchup. You’re in me-time heaven.
COUPLE B You two might not say much, but you’re happy rubbing in each
other’s suncream, strolling along the beach holding hands first thing in the
morning and going to bed after a nice dinner, before the hotel’s cabaret
kicks off.
COUPLE C Whether you’re hiking up a mountain or drinking beer in some
run-down bar, you two are up for any experiences you can get your hands on.
COUPLE D You’re performing gymnastics trying to cover up in a sarong,
while he nearly breaks his neck by struggling to change into his trunks
under a towel. You’re lucky to ever catch a glimpse of naked flesh with the
lights on.
COUPLE E People hear you before they see you. You end up collapsing
with laughter at your totally rubbish attempts to play volleyball, or
execute a Tom-Daley-like dive off the high board. Chatting to everyone,
you’ll have the waiter bringing you free drinks by the end of the night.
COUPLE F People can hear you two. Bickering. Whether it’s about the
temperature of the pool, the air-con or where’s best to buy bottled water.
Any making up is swiftly followed by yet another misunderstanding. And
repeat.
If you picked:
A/D/F, deduct three points
B/C/E, score three points
-
Top holidate tip Don’t set your getaway hopes too high. We can all
fall victim to lobster-style sunburn and an, ahem, bad tummy.
Tot up your scores
Less than 6 points: Costa Del Disaster
You two should have a few more get-to-know-each-other dates before even
thinking about a holiday.
Dream destination: A girlie getaway in Majorca. Without him.
6-12 points: Wet Weekend
You could go away, but there are likely to be a few awkward moments due to
your early-days status.
Dream destination: One night at the Alton Towers Hotel – the roller
coasters will keep you busy.
13-19 points: Blossoming Break
You’re comfortable enough to survive hunt-the-lost-passport, but perhaps a
weekend in Europe is enough for now.
Dream destination: Rome. Not too far, loads of cultural stuff to do and
endless slices of pizza to eat.
20-26 points: Adventure For Two
You’re all set for a fun-packed holiday taking on both of your different
interests. Enjoy.
Dream destination: Turkey – you can mix up beach time with scuba-diving
and mountain biking.
27-30 points: Head-Over-Heels Hol
You’ll be that couple everyone wants to be. Holding hands, sunset kisses and
having a top time.
Dream destination: Santorini, a très romantic Greek island with the
best views to watch the sun go down.
PHOTOGRAPHY: XPOSURE, GETTY IMAGES, REX FEATURES
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