Why Travel is the Ultimate Love Language: My Journey of Shared Experiences

Do you find yourself regularly recounting that one magical holiday experience with your partner, even though it was years ago? Or have you ever felt that the best moments in your relationship happened while exploring a new destination? And are you always sending TikTok videos of new activities to your partner too?

Well, I’m guilty of them all. 

I always thought it was because of the undying love I have for travel (and seeking out all the alpacas in the world). Not until I found out that there was a deeper connection behind it all.

A new love language is on the block, and it's all about Shared Experiences – the uncharted territory beyond Quality Time. 

In just two words, it explains why people love to travel and explore new things with their loved ones. After all, traveling is not just about visiting new places or ticking off famous landmarks from our bucket list. 

It's about going out of our comfort zone and creating memories we can look back on and cherish for years to come.

Even after 4 years, I’m still reliving the memories of taking the Shinhotaka Ropeway up the wintery Japanese Alps in Takayama. It was our first time experiencing proper snow together, and even though we were freezing, we spent time exploring the trails and making snow angels on fresh blankets of powder snow. An absolute memory to last a lifetime!

Travel is more than spending quality time together. Being in a new environment 24/7 creates an opportunity for intimacy, and at times, brings out the worst in us. But hopefully, by the end of the trip, we will have shared many memorable moments that will last long after the trip is over.

This is also why even after I had kids, the love for travel never faded. Some friends would often ask, “Why are you bringing your kids along? They won’t remember it.” That may be true, but the memories are more for my wife and I. But once in a while, my kids can surprise me too.

When we visited Perth two years ago, we met with a storm that knocked out the power in the farm stay that we were at. We had to stay the night without any electricity and had to rely on candles and battery-powered lamps. The kids, amazingly, remember vividly it as the day they got away without having to bathe.

Another precious memory unlocked. 

On the flip side, one might argue that solo travelling is the way to go if you truly want to explore a destination without distraction. While I do not disagree, here's the kicker – when I ventured solo, the zest was missing. 

Riding one of the world’s tallest roller coasters - Fujiyama at Fuji-Q Highland - was no longer just about the ride; it was about missing that shared screams of fear excitement. Sharing a moment, a sight, or a laugh, magnifies the joy manifolds. It's like watching your favorite movie with your best friend; suddenly, the laughs are louder, and the tears more poignant.

So, to all the travel enthusiasts out there, remember this: You're not crazy for wanting to drag your partner or friends across continents. You're just speaking a love language that resonates with the soul of every true traveller.

Shared experiences are the new romantic sonnets; they're the stories that will warm you decades later. So make those plans, book those tickets, and rediscover the joy of travel together!

I'm not alone when it comes to loving travel and wanting to share experiences with our family and friends. Hear from some of our fellow Klookers on what drives them to explore the world!

"Traveling has always been how my husband and I grow closer as we share unique moments, whether big or small. It helps us forge a deeper understanding of each other and build a reservoir of shared memories. It’s humbling for us to continuously discover and challenge our own beliefs as we get exposed to new cultures. We make sure we do this at least once every year no matter how busy we get." - Evelyn Phoa

"Travelling with friends is more than ticking off landmarks, it's about having shared stories to reminisce about in years to come. A few of us visited Seoul for the first time last November. Even the memory of going to N Seoul Tower when it was below freezing outside warms my heart when I'm typing this out. When you can share your journey with friends and loved ones, travel tribulations suddenly transform into sit-com quality, laugh-out-loud moments that you’ll cherish forever." - Emily Rabone

"Our usual Christmas scene at home is pretty predictable – food, board games, and the same old dad jokes. So in 2019, I decided to flip the script and whisk my family off on a dive trip. I'd gotten my diving license earlier in the year and had fallen in love with the ocean, and wanted my family to experience it for themselves.

We ended up in the Philippines to get my family PADI certified. Everyone was all pumped up and ready to go, but once we got into the water, things got a bit tricky from my brother struggling with the equipment, my dad having a moment of panic in the water, and my aunt totally not interested in studying for the mandatory exam (I don’t blame her)

But despite the bumps, we had a blast. We bonded over something totally new, swapping stories about our underwater escapades - and that was priceless. And yes, the dad jokes still managed to sneak in up till today – for better or worse!" - Rhea Mann

Love travel and you think you know your travel buddy well enough? Put it to the test in our 'Who is more likely to...' Travel Edition Quiz on our TikTok now!

In 2024, Klook found that millennial and Gen Z travellers in Asia Pacific are declaring shared experiences through travel as their new love language, with 9 in 10 travellers intending to pursue travel with their loved ones. To them, travel is more than a holiday; it is the ultimate canvas for building connections and creating shared memories that solidify bonds. 

Want to know what else we discovered about travelling in 2024?