Equally interesting: More than half of respondents (55 percent) said they would be “very or somewhat likely” to propose to a significant other while on vacation.
GfK asked 1,027 Americans a range of romance-related questions, including which cities offer the most attractive dating populations, which destinations are most romantic, how often they have begun or ended love affairs while traveling and much more.
Sarah Gavin, Expedia’s Head of Communications, said travel and romance are tightly intertwined. “Travel can also be a good barometer of a couple’s compatibility,” she said. “It’s well known by now that ‘experiences’ make people happier than ‘things,’ so this Valentine’s Day, rather than making a reservation at a restaurant nearby, consider a reservation on the other side of the world. You won’t regret it.”
J’Adore Paris
Not surprisingly, Paris, France, ranked highest among respondents for the most romantic city to visit with a significant other. When asked to select the most romantic cities from a list of global destinations, Paris was the runaway winner, chosen by 69% of Americans. The top ten most romantic cities, according to Americans, are:
| 1. | Paris | 69% |
| 2. | Rome | 56% |
| 3. | Florence | 43% |
| 4. | New York | 26% |
| 5. | Barcelona | 24% |
| 6. | Rio de Janeiro | 23% |
| 7. | San Francisco | 21% |
| 8. | Cancun | 20% |
| 9. | London | 20% |
| 10. | Vienna | 18% |
A similar mix of cities are considered to be “sexy,” with Paris (61%) and Rome (49%) topping the list.
The ten sexiest cities are:
| 1. | Paris | 61% |
| 2. | Rome | 49% |
| 3. | Rio de Janeiro | 37% |
| 4. | Florence | 35% |
| 5. | Miami | 34% |
| 6. | Las Vegas | 32% |
| 7. | Cancun | 30% |
| 8. | New York | 28% |
| 9. | Barcelona | 27% |
| 10. | Los Angeles | 21% |
Getting frisky on holiday
Americans say that travel provides a romantic spark, with just over fifty percent saying they are “more likely” to be intimate with their significant other while on vacation than they are at home. While the hotel room is the most popular venue for such behavior, cited by 72% of Americans, they also demonstrate free spiritedness. While traveling, 45% have been intimate in the shower, 25% on a beach, 23% in a hot tub, 17% in an outdoor tent, 16% in a pool and 10% on a balcony. Four percent claim to have been intimate in a rental car.
Expedia Heat Index results reveal that just over fifteen percent of Americans have “hooked up” with someone they met on vacation. Five percent have elected to extend a vacation because of a romance begun while traveling, and 23% say they would consider extending that relationship once the vacation concludes. Thirty-two percent said they would not, while 42% hedged, saying it depended “how far away” the other person lived. Four percent of Americans have ended a relationship with their partner while traveling with them, and another 4% say they have considered doing so.
When asked how soon in a relationship they consider it appropriate to take an overnight trip together, thirty percent said within 1-3 months. 10% would take an overnight trip with a new partner within the first month, and 4% have taken such a trip as their very first date. 25% of Americans would wait to 4-8 months and 15% would wait more than a full year.
