September 2, 2026, 8:28 am | Read time: 3 minutes
For those who love to travel, there’s often no need for extra reasons. But in a relationship–especially one that has become a bit stagnant over time–travel can work wonders. A couples therapist explained this to TRAVELBOOK. However, a vacation home on the Baltic Sea won’t suffice. Read on to find out how travel can revitalize your sex life.
Perhaps you’ve experienced an “airport crush,” where you suddenly fall for a stranger at the airport. This is fueled by a mix of excitement, nervousness, the allure of the unknown, and a shared destination. In this state, people become more emotionally receptive, as couples therapist Susanne Brümmerhoff explained to TRAVELBOOK. According to the expert, similar elements can also benefit long-term couples.
Travel is good for your sex life–if you keep the following in mind
Speaking of airports, couples could also head to familiar and cherished destinations–like the beautiful Balearic island of Mallorca, where they might vacation every year at the same finca or beloved hotel. Sounds nice and familiar? That’s exactly the problem!
“It’s about keeping a relationship alive by doing different things,” the expert elaborates. Couples should occasionally introduce a bit of excitement. This doesn’t necessarily mean camping in the wilderness, but it certainly can!
The most important thing is the new experience during the shared activity. Take, for example, a trip to a country you haven’t visited before. Foreign languages, smells, and sights stimulate the senses–feelings of routine and monotony don’t arise. The unfamiliar environment can create excitement and tingling, which can quickly translate into sexual desire.
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Things are stagnant in bed? Plan an adventure!
Ms. Brümmerhoff often recommends her patients try something new when their sexuality is stagnant. And this doesn’t just mean activities in the bedroom. “It’s about exposing yourself to a little excitement. For example, taking a sailing course or riding a roller coaster. Anything that’s a bit unusual and involves overcoming something together can bring you closer,” the therapist explains.
Situations perceived as exciting or even dangerous can boost the release of adrenaline and dopamine. This is where the principle of “affect transfer,” demonstrated by American psychologists Aron and Dutton in the 1970s, comes into play: Intense feelings that arise in an exciting or nerve-wracking situation can be associated with the person you’re experiencing them with. Couples can take advantage of this. “For instance, if you’re happy because you’ve just completed a wild kayaking tour, you don’t just associate that happiness with the tour but also with the person who was there,” explains couples therapist Brümmerhoff.
If you don’t like it wild, that’s no problem
Not everyone is a born adventurer. If neither roller coasters nor long-distance travel nor the other suggestions appeal to you, it doesn’t mean your stagnant sex life has to remain that way.
According to Susanne Brümmerhoff, it would be a good idea to simply set off without a fixed accommodation plan. For instance, take a road trip–even if it’s just through Germany. The small element of uncertainty, combined with the question “Where will we sleep tonight?” can provide an adrenaline rush. And once you’ve found something together, there’s a sense of accomplishment. The resulting happiness can positively impact the relationship and benefit intimacy.