It’s officially that time of year again. Warm mittens, soft and snowy nights, twinkling lights wrapped around every home, and maybe, a new face to come across?
For decades, holiday romances have been sought after. From films like The Holiday to The Notebook, there seems to be an appeal to falling in love amidst a setting that differs from one’s ordinary day-to-day routine. Whether it be amongst the rolling green hills of the European countryside or during the visit to a quaint, Christmas-obsessed town, there seems to be a certain charm to falling in love during the holidays that audiences can’t seem to get enough of.
Even I have experienced a personal experience with this desire, spending many hours watching films dedicated to a love story that takes place amongst the sun-covered and bright greenery of a villa in the countryside.
I always thought it so romantic to watch two strangers, who only have a limited amount of time together, spend days in longing and hesitation before deciding to throw caution to the wind and make the most of the time they share. There was always something so butterflies-inducing to watch the characters in question explore a new and beautiful location together. The novelty of it all, the way such a story was a refreshing break of routine, appeals to me endlessly.
The rise of holiday romances on social media
I know that my adoration for this kind of romance is not isolated. On Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, I have seen endless accounts posting edits of films, such as Before Sunrise and its sequel, Before Sunset. Both films depict the blossoming and subsequent romance between Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julie Delpy) when one or both of them visit a European country.
In both films, the two of them only have a single day to spend together before they must depart, and in those hours, they decide to explore their surroundings and engage in soul-bearing and vulnerable conversations. They visit and engage with places such as cafes, cemeteries, ferry and train rides, parks, and historical streets.
In addition to The Before Trilogy, there has been a general influx of popularity with older films centred on holiday romances, fuelled through edits and text posts, which has caused an evident influence on the film taste of people on social media.
On Letterboxd, an app dedicated to films, there are currently pages of results for keywords like “summer romance” and “holiday romance,” with most of the results being lists and compilations of films falling under those categories.
The films in these lists range from the 1940s, with titles such as It’s a Wonderful Life, to ones released in the early 2000s, like Under the Tuscan Sun. It seems that the popularization of these films has had personal impacts, with posts about them filled with comments from people longing to live in specific historical periods and experience such fleeting romances.
In addition to the popularity of older films, there are also newer releases centred on summer vacations with lush scenery like Call Me By Your Name and wintery Christmas-themed towns such as Christmas Inheritance and The Princess Switch.
This rise of this subgenre also seems to impact people’s desire to share such an experience. An example of this is a YouTube playlist with a title describing the setting of Call Me By Your Name. Moreover, the comment section is filled with listeners yearning for summer romances, and the pinned comment is a longer, more descriptive, fictional tale of such a story.
However, it’s important to note that Call Me By Your Name is not a depiction of a healthy romance and portrays a story predatory in nature. However, many people have still developed a desire for a love story amidst a similar atmosphere and location to the film.
But what makes media centred on these stories so appealing? And in addition to the rise of this form of media, why are holiday romances so desirable?
Why holiday romances are so desirable
There are several reasons why a love story in this context is something people want. For one, there are often distinct expectations for commitment.
An article by The Conversation focuses on considerations to take before entering a summer fling. Raquel Peel writes how in the summer, due to the temporary nature of a vacation, there is inherently less commitment in dating and therefore, less chance of pain. However, the article reminds readers that this is also a reason to discuss boundaries and expectations to ensure that no one ends up hurt.
Another reason is the novelty of both the situation and the relationship itself. Peel describes how these relationships exist beyond the parameters of everyday, mundane cycles people are accustomed to, and this can also induce a heightened sense of impulsiveness.
Dr. Caroline West, Bumble’s expert on relationships and sex, linked the excitement of a holiday romance to the “temporary escapism” it entails. In other words, holiday romances allow us to break free of the routines and tasks established during work and school days, as well as within our own home cities.
It allows us to experience new scenery and adventure, as well as a chance to abandon many of the limitations and expectations of day-to-day life, which offers the chance of a romance that can feel more exhilarating and detached from the ordinary associated with where we came from. The romance during a vacation gets to be infused in the rush of a holiday, as well as be a new way of experiencing sex or love that is separated from the usual procedure back home.
I personally feel that another reason why such stories are highly romanticized and sought after is due to the aesthetics itself. I think that the aesthetic value of experiencing romance within a foreign city and amongst places like ruins, historical landmarks, and somewhere that seems distant from one’s “regular life” adds a dream-like value to the love story in and of itself.
I think that the setting of a holiday adds an idealized and romantic element to a love story, making it seem all the more wonderful and positive. I often feel that many of the holiday romances are celebrated and well-liked, not for the characters falling for each other, but rather for the situation in which they are falling for each other. Somewhere beautiful, with the rush of being in a situation separate from their mundane lives.
While this kind of romance can potentially lead to heartbreak or a long-distance relationship, it’s also beautiful for all of its fleetingness. After all, as Peel says, this romance and the time constraint of it allow for a quicker timeline of developing intimacy and closeness.
As Julie Delpy, the main actress of The Before Trilogy, conveys through her personal experience, such a “dreamy encounter” doesn’t occur in every lifetime. So, I think that if it does, it’s always worth considering if one wants to take the leap and experience romance amongst other celebrations and new life experiences.