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Seaside resort or grandma’s old cottage, a river cruise or a countryside campsite: no matter where you end up this summer, you might just meet him — the passionate, dazzling holiday romance. What will it be like, and what will it bring you?
Seaside romance Who and where. A sun-kissed local who looks like a demigod and knows all the landmarks better than any tour guide.
Up close. He’ll gather mussels for you on the shore, tell you a beautiful legend about the cliff from which lovers jumped into the sea in ancient times, and give you a delicate seashell on a braided cord as a keepsake. And his kisses will leave your lips tingling pleasantly with the salt of sun and sea. The story will be beautiful and exotic — as if Hollywood screenwriters had crafted it.
How to behave. The roles in this script are already written. Don’t make grand plans together — just smile, eat mussels, and enjoy the compliments: this local Casanova knows how to flirt like no one else! He’ll also show you his city inside out, through the eyes of a local. That’s a big win — you’ll see.
Chances of continuation. Most likely, the end of your holiday romance will coincide with the date of your return ticket. Although, to be fair, he genuinely falls in love about twenty times each season — with every fair-skinned tourist.
Camp romance Who and where. A fellow traveler, just like you. Staying in a similar cottage, eating in the same dining hall, hanging around the same “evening bonfires,” and desperately wanting to meet someone.
Up close. The joy of shared discoveries — escaping the cheerful shouts of the camp entertainer, you’ll find a tiny lake and feed the ducks together, hand in hand.
Everything will seem incredibly vivid and new: this lake, these ducks, and your feelings. And when you return here years later, familiar places will remind you not only of school holidays but also of that “guy from Norilsk.”
How to behave. Maybe he already has a girlfriend back in Norilsk. And maybe he thinks you have a boyfriend at home. Whether that’s true or not, it’s better to clarify. If he talks not only about your plans for today but also asks, for example, where you plan to enroll after school — gently ask how he feels about a “post-holiday” romance.
Chances of continuation. If you truly fall in love — anything is possible. You can visit each other during holidays or even enroll in the same university. Cities are closer than they seem. The key is to figure out: are you together because “summer magic” carried you away, or because of genuine feelings? After all, you can fall in love with a place, with the atmosphere of endless summer celebration, and automatically transfer those feelings onto a person.
Who and where. He came to visit his grandma at a cottage next to yours, and then it turned out — he lives in the neighboring yard. In short, a local. And your grandmas exchange knowing glances over the currant bushes.
Up close. It’s just ordinary flirting with a guy, only in unfamiliar surroundings. Where both of you transform! But don’t invent a “role” for yourself if you don’t want to be exposed later: even in the biggest city, you probably have plenty of mutual acquaintances. Just be yourself and act as naturally as possible. What’s wrong with that?
How to behave. The “stranger rule” (met, chatted, parted ways) doesn’t apply here. Try not to lose your head or do anything crazy — you’ll still have to live nearby afterward. And preferably in peace.
Chances of continuation. All signs point to survival. In unusual circumstances, people open up more: before, you might not have noticed in your unremarkable neighbor the conqueror of weeds and swimmer of lakes, but here hidden talents will surface with full force. Although back home, among friends, classes, and the football field, you’ll need to keep seeing the hero in him.
Princess of your hometown Who and where. Here, the heroine is you. If you’re craving adventure but travel isn’t an option, you can play tourist in your own hometown and, under this exotic disguise, meet new guys.
Up close. Camera in hand — and off to explore your city’s historic center (if there’s no historic center, an ordinary one will do). Smile, take photos, and ask cute guys for directions to the waterfront, museum, or square.
How to behave. Don’t forget to prepare your “backstory”: why you’re not staying at a hotel, why you have a local accent, and why so many people keep greeting you.
Chances of continuation. Almost 100%. The image of a “foreigner” will affect both the guys, giving you a mysterious charm, and you yourself: it will help you open up and reduce nervousness. It’s a kind of auxiliary tool. Later, you’ll have to confess everything, but such a sweet lie is unlikely to anger him much. You both bonded over a confidence-boosting exercise.
And remember, whether in summer or winter, on a sunny beach or among strawberry rows, you might meet the one person with whom all advice and classifications become irrelevant… Don’t miss him.
Beach love: four “whys?” 1. To boost self-esteem. If at school you’ve long suffered unrequited love, and classmates tease you, you might not believe anyone could fall for you. Here, they’ll prove it to you firsthand.
2. To overcome shyness. The quiet girl with strict dad-imposed “home by nine o’clock” rules can try being bolder here. You’ll also find out whether you truly need all those loud discos.
3. To live a different life. You might become a fatally attractive beauty to someone, even if at home you’re known as a shot-put champion. Though, to be fair, wearing someone else’s mask can get uncomfortable if worn too long.
4. To collect an “emotional herbarium.” Any experiences in an unfamiliar city feel more intense. And in winter, you’ll remember not only kilograms of cherries and hot beach sand, but also the tender, loving gaze of that boy.
Still not a reason Three “no’s” to a holiday romance:
- your boyfriend recently dumped you, and you want to conquer every man around purely out of spite;
- you want to make your lover jealous by comparing, later boasting photos with the “local hunk”;
- you’ve never had a boyfriend and decided to quickly “learn everything.” Don’t set up a “summer internship” — accelerated courses in love won’t work.
