Repeating Boring Summer Holidays? Try These 9 Strategies for Couples

Are you repeating boring summer holidays with your long-term partner? Find out how you can break free from the routine.

For many couples in long-term relationships, summer getaways can feel dull, predictable or even stressful. They were once exciting of course, filled with passion, adventure and spontaneity. But over time, they’ve become kind of an obligation.

I started to feel discouraged when I had to decide or plan summer holidays with my first husband. There was an expectation gap and interest gap between us. We even ended up blaming each other for the holidays not being enjoyable.

Do you relate? If so, it’s time to shake things up. This post explores why summer holidays don’t make you feel inspired any more. You’ll learn strategies to bring back a deep connection between you and your partner.

This post is all about why you are repeating boring summer holidays every year, and how you can change that.

Why Do We Repeat Boring Summer Holidays?

First, let’s look at the reasons why summer getaways become dull and often stressful. Whenever there’s a problem, we must first identify the cause.

Shift Your Mindset

Remember, changes take energy. So, it may feel tiring to address the issue and try to make a change. But, It’s always worth making a change to get something better for yourself!

If you and your partner want to bring back excitement and meaning to your summer holidays, shift your mindset towards it. Instead of seeing your holiday as just a time away from your everyday life, treat it as a chance to reset your connection as a couple.

Communicate Your Needs

Communicate! This is SO important. We must talk to our partners about what we want from this vacation. And, we must, must listen to their needs, too. What does each of you want? Relaxation? Adventure? Chance to have deep conversations? Talk about it.

How to Break Free from a Boring Summer Holiday

It’s possible to break free from boring summer holidays. Here are the 9 strategies with examples to inspire you & your partner. First 5 strategies are for couples who have their summer holidays already planned. The next 4 strategies are for couples who are currently planning their future holidays.

Try something that feels easy for you. If it doesn’t work, don’t take it too seriously and try another one. Enjoy!

The Last Minute Tips

Maybe you are leaving for your summer holiday next week or the week after? Try some of these quick fixes to avoid a boring summer vacation!

1. Adjust Your Expectations

Let go of the idea that everything must go perfectly and focus on enjoying the present moment.

✔ Example 1: Worrying about seeing every landmark? Call your trip a success, when you visit just one place and truly enjoy it.
✔ Example 2: If you’re staying with family and anticipate stress, know that it’s perfectly okay for you to take short breaks alone or as a couple.
✔ Example 3: Weather can ruin your plans. Instead of complaining, accept the spontaneity, and be open minded. Maybe go for a long meal together, or try local indoor attractions which weren’t included in your plan.

2. One New Experience

Adding a fresh experience can instantly shake up your trip.

✔ Example 1: Do you always spend your beach vacations just lounging? This time, try something different. How about something like a sunset sailing trip or paddle boarding?
✔ Example 2: Is your destination a city that you are familiar with? Why don’t you take a local food tour, instead of eating at the same restaurants all the time.
✔ Example 3: If your partner likes surprises, go ahead and surprise them with an unplanned date night! Dress up, pick a new spot, and make it special.

3. ‘Boredom Reset’ Rule

Think about these tricks when you catch yourselves stuck in routine.

✔ Example 1: If you find yourselves scrolling on your phones, agree to put them away for an hour. Make time for connecting with each other. Use this list of 75 conversation starters for mature couples.
✔ Example 2: Your itinerary feels too predictable? Flip a coin to choose between two unplanned activities.
✔ Example 3: When you get fed up with spending time at touristy spots, talk to local people nicely. They might be happy to share a local hidden gem with you.

4. Say Nothing

Sometimes, deep connection comes from simply being together, and say nothing. You may feel uncomfortable being silent at first. But, it’s a beautiful thing when you become comfortable spending time with someone without words.

✔ Example 1: Wake up early and watch the sunrise in silence with coffee in hand.
✔ Example 2: Take a slow walk in nature, holding hands but not talking—just enjoying each other’s presence.
✔ Example 3: Lie next to each other by the pool or on the beach. Listen to the sound of water or music without speaking.

5. Playfulness

If you’ve been a serious person like me, try these. Laughter and lightheartedness make any trip or any relationship more fun.

✔ Example 1: Play fun games such as making up stories of people you see, or asking each other funny “Would You Rather?” questions.
✔ Example 2: Take goofy vacation photos. Not just funny faces, but capturing dance moves and outtakes is also fun.
✔ Example 3: If you’re at a beach or pool, challenge each other to a playful race, a sandcastle contest, or a spontaneous dance-off!

Go ahead and try these ideas. Even if your holiday is already booked, you can still make powerful changes.

Tips for Planning Your Next Summer Holidays

This section is for you if you’re in the process of planning your next summer holidays.

Start planning your next holiday slightly differently. This way, you can avoid falling into the same patterns year after year–boring summer holidays. 

You deserve better holidays that feel exciting every year. So, be curious and try these tips!

1. Travel Styles

What is the type of vacation you always go for? Why don’t you switch to a different one and keep things fresh?

✔ Example 1: If you always stay in luxury hotels, try renting a camper van and go on a road trip. Pro-tip: If you’ve never done it before, start with just a small portion of your holidays to see if you like it or not.
✔ Example 2: How do you travel? Instead of flying to a destination, take a scenic train journey. The trip itself will become an unforgettable experience. “Enjoy the journey!”
✔ Example 3: It’s nice to travel for relaxation, of course. But, maybe you can dedicate one summer to an active holiday. Hiking, cycling, or even a yoga retreat!

2. Planning Together

Some couples are happy to have one person organising their summer holidays all the time. If that works for them, that’s perfectly fine. However, if one person has always been in charge, and it’s now starting to feel like a chore, it’s time for a change. Make planning a joint effort.

✔ Example 1: Create a “travel wish list” together. Each partner adds three dream destinations or activities, then pick one for the next trip.
✔ Example 2: Divide responsibilities. You book accommodations. Your partner books activities and restaurants. Or, vice versa.
✔ Example 3: Have surprise activities for each other. During the trip, take turns choosing surprise activities. Both partners should contribute to the adventure.

3. Surprise Activities

When we add unexpected moments, it creates lasting memories. A way to avoid a boring summer vacation! So, what are the examples of surprise activities?

✔ Example 1: Plan a mystery day. One partner surprises the other with an experience they’ve never done before.
✔ Example 2: Forget itinerary. Dedicate one afternoon to spontaneously exploring without a plan. Walking, trying random cafes, or letting locals recommend hidden gems.
✔ Example 3: Surprise date night. One partner surprises the other with a surprise date night, such as; “Re-Creating Our First Date”, “Dining in a Scenic Restaurant”, “Sunset Picnic at a Scenic Spot with My Partner’s Favourite Snacks, Wine, and a Playlist of Songs That Bring Back the Memories!”

4. Bucket List

In my other post, I talk about a bucket list for couples. How to create it and why it can transform your life and relationship. If you haven’t read it, make sure to check it out! For this post, I will give you examples of a couple’s travel bucket list. It’s time for you & your partner to share each other’s long-term vision!

✔ Example 1: Write a list of 10 places you both want to visit. Don’t be too ambitious because you want to commit to crossing off one every summer. Allow room for adjustments, too.
✔ Example 2: When you create a travel bucket list, set themes for each year. They can be; “One Cultural Experience,” “One Nature Retreat,” or “One Food Adventure.”
✔ Example 3: Make a “Summer Firsts” list. Each year, challenge yourselves to try at least one completely new activity or experience.

Not sure how to make your bucket list–journal, scrapbook or digital? 👇🏼This article will help you.

Wrap-up

Today, we identified the reasons why we get stuck in a pattern of boring summer holidays. We learned the importance of changing how we view our holidays, and how crucial it is to communicate our needs to each other.

For a couple in a long-term relationship, summer holidays should be more than just a break from everyday life. It should be a time to reconnect, recharge and create lasting memories. 

In this post, I introduced strategies and examples for transforming boring summer holidays into meaningful experiences. They were divided into two sections;

The Last Minute Tips -if you are going for your summer holidays shortly
1. Adjust Your Expectations
2. One New Experience
3. ‘Boredom Reset’ Rule
4. Say Nothing
5. Playfulness

Tips for Planning Your Next Summer Holidays -if you are in the process of planning your future holidays
1. Travel Styles
2. Planning Together
3. Surprise Activities
4. Bucket List

So, next summer holidays, don’t just go through the motions. Make a small change that can turn it into something special. Be intentional, stay open to new experiences, and most importantly—make great memories together.

This post was all about why you are repeating boring summer holidays every year, and how you can change it.