Two Cultures, One Suitcase: Where Do Cross-Cultural Couples Go?
For cross-cultural couples, planning a holiday often means balancing traditions, family expectations, and personal goals. Our recent survey of 155 couples sheds light on how these dynamics play out and how they compare to global research. When asked how they celebrate vacations considering both cultural backgrounds, one third of our survey couples said their holidays often include visits to family members, with 56 (36%) respondents prioritizing family ties above all else.
Close behind, 44 (28%) of couples expressed a preference for exploring new places outside both cultures, suggesting that vacations can serve as a neutral space—a “third culture”—where couples bond without the weight of cultural expectations.
About 14% of couples in our survey use vacations to reconnect with the partner’s culture they are not currently living in, reinforcing heritage and identity continuity (Denis, 2022). Meanwhile, about 21% of couples reported that vacations are not part of their family culture ir don’t have finances for vacations, a finding consistent with research on socioeconomic and cultural variations in leisure norms, where some traditions prioritise work or extended family obligations over leisure travel (Hall & Holdsworth, 2016). Of these couples some mentioned that any time ‘off’ includes short local breaks or mission-related travel, reflecting adaptive strategies when resources or cultural expectations limit conventional vacations.
These patterns align with global studies showing that family-centered travel is universal but varies in intensity, especially in collectivist cultures where filial duty shapes holiday choices (Sezer et al., 2016). Research also highlights that intercultural couples often create hybrid rituals or choose neutral destinations to craft a shared cultural space (Dashnaw, 2024), and that shared leisure activities like travel enhance marital satisfaction by fostering communication and reducing stress from cultural differences (Sharaievska et al., 2013). Economic and cultural constraints remain significant, explaining why some couples do not prioritize vacations at all.
Ultimately, vacations in cross-cultural marriages are not just about relaxation—they are opportunities for cultural negotiation and identity building, whether through family visits, exploring new places, or reconnecting with heritage. If you want to hone your own your cultural inteligence skills, why not try out one of our courses – check them out here. Or if you are in a cross-cultural relationship, join our mailing list for updates of our cross-cultural marriage course!
Written by Ben Gilbert, Head of Training, FieldPartner International (English)
