Holiday romance
Meaning
A romantic relationship that develops quickly and intensely during a vacation, often with the understanding that it will end when the holiday is over.
Origin
The concept of a romantic interlude during a period of leisure is as old as leisure itself, but the specific phrase "holiday romance" truly took hold with the rise of mass tourism in the 20th century. As people began escaping their daily routines to destinations far from home, the liberating atmosphere of travel, coupled with a temporary freedom from social constraints, created fertile ground for fleeting, intense connections. Post-World War II economic booms and the advent of affordable air travel made these encounters more common, cementing the "holiday romance" as a distinct, often bittersweet, experience in the public consciousness—a brief, idyllic bubble of passion destined to pop upon returning to reality.
Examples
- She knew their holiday romance wouldn't last once they both returned to their busy lives in different countries.
- Many people hope for a fun holiday romance when they travel to exciting new destinations.