A growing trend sees single Britons venturing abroad for their first dates, turning potential romantic encounters into international escapades. These jet-setting daters, ranging in age from their 20s to 60s, are foregoing traditional local meetings for spontaneous trips, with experiences yielding both lasting love and cautionary tales.
Poppy James, 24, met Jordi Moresi, 23, in a London bar. Just four weeks later, for what she describes as their first official date, she flew to Zurich, Switzerland, where he lived. "Straight away, I knew he wasn't a threat," James told the Daily Mail. "We were both quite open about how crazy it was." Her parents, who met on holiday in Hong Kong, inspired her decision. The couple dated for a year, traveling monthly to meet each other. While the long-distance romance eventually ended, James found the experience exciting and without regret, though she noted that it could be difficult to truly get to know someone and that distance could be a barrier.
Mixed Experiences Abroad
Not all holiday first dates have resulted in lasting connections. Zack Balzan, 22, from Paris, met a man on Tinder and decided to travel with him to Milan for a five-day trip in June 2025. Balzan had hoped for an original love story, but the experience proved to be "filled with drama." He described his date as socially awkward and immature, noting that his companion was constantly swiping on Tinder during their trip and became upset when he felt left out. Balzan vowed, "Never again. I would never do it again," attributing the trend to platforms like TikTok and the difficulty of meeting people in the current generation.
In contrast, Lisa Shepherd, 25, from Edinburgh, had a fairytale experience. After matching with an American on Tinder, they spent New Year's Eve together and, by the next day, decided to book a spontaneous trip. Using ChatGPT to suggest locations and rolling dice to decide, they landed on Sicily, Italy. The four-night stay was described as magical, with the couple slow-dancing on the street and reading love letters to each other. Although the romance faded after their return home due to the distance, Shepherd has no regrets and would consider a similar holiday date with the right person.
Mel Hudson, 61, met her now-partner Carl Turpin, in his 70s, online. After just two dates, she flew to Antigua, where he owned a home, for a six-week stay. "I'm at a stage in my life where I say yes to things, and if you get offered the opportunity to travel, you shouldn't turn it down," Hudson said. Despite initial adjustments, including sharing the space with Turpin's friends, their relationship progressed, and they have been together ever since. Hudson advises future daters to "keep a credit card on you, make sure you've got access to it, and some means of escape if you need it."
Charlotte Wilson, 24, met musician Ciaran at the Edinburgh Fringe. After months of talking, she visited him in Scotland for their second date, staying in Glasgow and a cottage in Kenmore. "Weirdly, I didn't feel nervous about it at all," Wilson stated. "I think we clicked so perfectly that there just didn't seem – and we were both quite staggered by the fact that there was no awkwardness. It was completely easy." The couple has been together for over a year, and Wilson has since moved to live with Ciaran.
These accounts highlight the varied outcomes of taking a romantic leap across borders for early-stage dating. While some find connection and lasting love, others encounter awkwardness and disappointment, underscoring the unpredictable nature of both romance and international travel.