Five women spill the tea on their wildest vacation flings

You are lounging on a beach, warm breeze tousling your hair, when you lock eyes with someone. There’s something deliciously irresistible about this setting—a world away from responsibilities and routines, where sun-kissed skin, carefree energy, and sunsets that blur into starlit nights set the scene for what could be the perfect fling. A vacation fling feels like a bottled fantasy—an experience we embrace while knowing that it may be fleeting. But that is precisely its allure: It is as ephemeral as it is thrilling, promising us an escape, a new chapter, and perhaps even a piece of ourselves we hadn’t yet discovered. On vacations, people are generally more likely to let go of their inhibitions and be more spontaneous—the sheer thrill of anonymity, the mystery of not knowing what happens next, and the excitement of being in a new city make for the perfect ingredients when it comes to cooking up a summer fling. From Sandy and Danny in Grease (1978) to Baby and Johnny in Dirty Dancing (1987), and even Celine and Jesse in the ‘Before’ trilogy (1995, 2004, 2013)—travel flings have been a thing even in cinema. It is an integral part of the ‘You-Only-Live-Once’ philosophy, allowing travellers to break away from the monotony of everyday life and indulge in new experiences. I am guilty of using my dating apps while on vacation too.

Five women recount details of their vacation flings with me.

Osheen* (27) 

 

“I went on a Euro trip with a guy friend during Christmas and New Year’s. Over time, our relationship blossomed into love. In the 10 days that we were together, we explored Strasbourg, Lille, and Bruges—the decorations across the city streets made it feel like we’re in a fairy tale. Every night, we chose to return early to the hotel just to watch movies and talk—and that’s how our love story began. He was chivalrous—and helped me lug my heavy backpack during long walks without cribbing. On our last night in Europe, we decided to cook dinner together. While I made pasta, he set the table for a romantic candlelight dinner. That’s when I realised this was more than just a trip—it was like a perfect fairy tale unfolding, as if straight out of an Emily Henry novel. And who would have guessed that a vacation fling would turn into a three-year-long relationship that’s still going steady?”

Riley* (25) 

 

“I was recently on a girl’s trip to Dubai, and on our first night—we hit the club. I’m not usually the type to even speak to a stranger or approach a guy. However, liquid courage and the fact that I was in foreign land was the perfect recipe for all things crazy! A few drinks in, I walked up to the guy my friends and I had been eyeing for a while. His cute accent was a dead giveaway—the man was from Italy, but he had a girlfriend. Shortly after, his Spanish friend arrived, and the chemistry between us was undeniable even though he didn’t speak a word of English! Everything was spontaneous and unexpected—I loved every moment of it. We didn’t let the language barrier stop us because we didn’t do much talking. I don’t know what got into me—I don’t even remember his name—but it was a different kind of rush! The craziest part is that my friends blacked out that night, and to date don’t believe that this happened.”

Tia* (23) 

 

“The thrill of meeting someone who has absolutely no idea who you are or what your background is, is unmatched. I’ve been on quite a few Tinder and Hinge dates abroad. A wave of confidence instils in me the second my passport gets a new stamp. The last time I was in New York City, I went on a date with the sweetest guy—he was the perfect mix of smart and charming. In true NYC fashion, we went for coffee and bagels. He taught me how to hail a ride when the traffic is crazy and how to board the subway—essentially becoming my tour guide for the day. We walked around Manhattan, even went up to the top of the Empire State Building and shared a kiss while taking in the view. The only ick? By the end of the day, I found out that he had a fetishised view of Indian women. Safe to say, there was no second date—but it was fun while it lasted.”

Darshita* (28) 

 

“During a recent vacation to visit my college best friend in Rome, I found myself spending a fair bit of time with his family, including his irresistibly charming younger brother. After a night of food and games, we all settled in to watch a horror movie. Everyone else drifted off to bed, leaving just the two of us. He was handsome, sweet, and effortlessly sexy. Noticing I looked a bit uncomfortable in my party clothes, he offered me one of his shirts. It was a simple gesture, but it felt so intimate. Throughout the movie, our eyes kept meeting, and the tension between us was undeniable. He came closer, his hand resting lightly on my thigh. At one point, he gently tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, his touch sending a shiver down my spine. We held hands under the dim light, feeling the heat, yet too hesitant to act on it. The chemistry was electric, but I couldn’t give in—he was my best friend’s brother, and the situation felt risky. When it was time to say goodbye a couple of days later, he pulled me into a lingering hug, his arms holding me a little tighter than necessary. Just before I left, he kissed me softly on the cheek, leaving my heart racing and my mind spinning. Six months later, he unexpectedly sent me a DM on Instagram. Our chats quickly turned into flirting, then sexting, the connection growing hotter with every conversation. It’s been nearly a year, and we both know that the next time we meet we won’t be able to hold back.”

Nikita* (31) 

 

“I think a vacation fling is more about the place than the guy. A great destination can make a 2/10 look like an 8/10—since we tend to romanticise the otherwise average experience of meeting someone. This happened to me in London. London has its own charm, its own chaos, and it’s the perfect place for a meet-cute. I met a guy in a pub, and we got to know each other over cute dates in the park and long strolls by the Thames. He helped me explore London, making sure all my time wasn’t just spent at tourist spots. We knew it wouldn’t go any further, but knowing that there was no future added to the fun. Can’t say I wasn’t bummed by the reality check once I returned home—but the environment, weather, and our spontaneous sensibilities just made it so much more romantic, much better than your average rom-com.”

*Names have been changed to maintain anonymity.

All images: Adobestockphotos.com

This piece originally appeared in the November- December print edition of Cosmopolitan India.

Also read: The power of silent communication during sex

Also read: How to master the helicopter sex position