Some once-in-a-lifetime experiences

We hope you packed a camera because you'll sure be using it. Expect plenty of photo ops, unusual dishes, and the giddy thrill of spending so much time with your partner.

Most of all? Expect the unexpected. Whether you end up missing the rickshaw or accidentally stumbling into a secret speakeasy, holidays rarely go exactly to plan.

We'd recommend going with the flow best you can.

... and a crash-course in good communication

Out of all the relationship milestones out there, going on holidays together is a big one. Sure, we hear you say, I love my partner and I'll never fight with them. Counter-argument: when was the last time you spent two whole weeks with someone else without getting snippy?

In between planning, budgeting, and a lack of time to zone out, it's easy to lose your temper over the small things. Being able to explain what you need and why – even when you're very jet-lagged – will be important.

Talk it through

Before you get caught up in the rush of itinerary-prepping, talk to each other about what you want in a break. Is your partner a bigger fan of museums or beaches, and does that influence where they want to travel? When are they free to go? This info should guide your plans.

If it happens that your availability or budgets don't line up right now, you could always scale your plans down to a weekend away. That way you'll still get the pleasure of one another's company, away from the grind – and as an added bonus, the chance to save up.

Be smart about it

Between flights, food, insurance and entertainment, you’ll probably end up spending a month or two’s salary on your holiday. You'll want to keep costs low where you can.

Once you’ve got a destination in mind, it's worth researching how you can make your holiday budget work harder. This might mean anything from researching when it's cheaper to travel to your dream destination to chatting to your travel agent for bundle deals on insurance.

And of course, don't forget to check up on the basics, like where's affordable to eat and stay.

Come up with some rules

Before you go, you'll need to discuss how you're managing your holiday finances. This means establishing how the two of you will be splitting costs, and importantly, deciding what you'll do in an emergency.

While big unexpected expenses like needing to pay for hire car damage or replacing stolen electronics are rare, they can cast a real damper on your holiday. It's good to have a plan for these incidents, like setting aside some emergency cash or taking out some travel insurance.

Set—and stick to—a budget

We’d recommend basing your budget around the income of the lower-earner in the relationship. While this might sound a little superior, it’s worth remembering that they're more likely to be affected by higher expenses.

If you're a little nervous about how you'll go with sticking to your budget, you could consider keeping track of your expenses in a budget app. That way you’ll know when you’re starting to get close to your limit – and know to slow down.