Forget cosy dinner dates, the secret to love over 50 is a little more farflung.
New research has revealed that the key to later life romance is a shared desire to travel, with 68% of singles over 50 saying travel compatibility is a firm non-negotiable when dating.
A staggering 81% seek out a partner who shares their wanderlust, with as many as one in 10 (9%) saying they wouldn’t consider matching with someone who doesn’t actively mention ‘travel’ in their dating bio.
The survey from Ourtime, the dating app for the over 50s, also found that one in five would cancel a date after discovering incompatible travel styles and 16% would even break up with someone over clashing travel preferences.
Kate Taylor, dating and relationships expert from Ourtime, said: ““Travel is a fun, revealing shortcut to emotional connection. Our travel tastes reveal what we value, how spontaneous we are, and even how generous or adaptable we can be. For midlife daters, a mutual love of travel isn’t just about having a holiday – it’s a sign that someone shares our sense of adventure, outlook on life, and desire to keep making memories.
So strong are the over 50s travel desires that 24% even prioritise having the same interests in where to go above physical appearance.
With shows like Race Across the World popularising the idea of taking bucket list trips with a partner, the research found that travel firmly leads the list of interests for midlife singles (33%), ahead of sport or even music.
Kate adds: “Our relationship priorities change throughout our life. For singles over 50, aligned lifestyles feel far more important than surface-level chemistry. We’re not looking for short-term passion, but long-haul compatibility.”
Daters who are open about their willingness to adventure could find themselves quickly whisked away, as 29% would happily head off on holiday with someone they’ve only been dating for four weeks, and the same percentage would even book a trip with a new flame they’ve only spoken to online if the spark was strong enough.
Many would even ditch their kids to let love take flight, as more (28%) prefer to holiday with a romantic partner than they do with their own children (22%).
It’s easy to see why those entering their golden years jet off across the globe, with reduced childcare commitments (40%), additional disposable income (37%) and retirement (27%) making it easier to drop everything and leave with a new flame.
Kate shares her tips to ensure sparks fly when you set off on an adventure. She advises taking a short trip at first to get to know each other, keeping expectations low, and avoiding screen time in favour of shared activities.
Her final tip might be a little counterintuitive though for mid-lifers once again caught in the first flush of love – don’t share a room.
“Having separate spaces (ideally, next to each other) can be even more romantic,” she recommends. “It keeps some mystery, creates your own “retreat”, and can always be shared if the mood takes you.”
The survey also shared the top 10 romantic holidays for midlife singles, listed below:
1. City Breaks – vibrant city escapes filled with food, culture and history (25%)
2. Sun-Soaked Serenity – slow, beach-based escapes for pure relaxation (18%)
3. Ocean Escapes – cruising the seas, experiencing different new destinations, charming ports
and panoramic views (13%)
4. Scenic Strolling – walking holidays along coastlines, through countryside, or on heritage trails (9%)
5. Bucket-List Breaks – once-in-a-lifetime adventures to dream destinations (7%)
6. UK Hideaways – romantic, budget-friendly staycations enjoying all that the UK has to offer (5%)
7. Adventure Trips – exciting, adrenaline-filled trips from trekking to skiing (5%)
8. Winter Sun Wanderlust – swapping grey skies for tropical warmth in colder months (4%)
9. Everyday Excursions – low-cost, high-reward day trips close to home (3%)
10. Vineyard Ventures – wine-region escapes blending tastings, local culture, and countryside charm (3%)