All the Feels: Traveler Love Stories

We followed five different travel love stories from ten of our awesome travelers who experienced relationship milestones on EF Ultimate Break trips. Like travel, love knows no bounds, and it’s freaking awesome. Read on to hear how travel impacted the lives of these adventurous duos.

True love x Trevi

Aaron & Olivia

They say that all roads lead to Rome—but in Aaron and Olivia’s case, they also led to an epic proposal.

When we found out that Aaron was going to pop the question to Olivia on an EF Ultimate Break trip, we OBVIOUSLY had to be there to document it irl. As they wound their way through Rome with their group and took in all the sights, Olivia had no idea what Aaron had planned for their visit to the famous Trevi Fountain. After tossing their coins over their shoulders into the water, Aaron got down on one knee and—surprise!—Olivia said yes, of course. One gorgeous ring and a bottle of bubbly later, these two were officially betrothed. Now THAT’s amore.

From jet skis to “marry me” — his and hers edition

Jacklin & Deonte

Her story

Deonte and I met on a group travel trip to Greece with EF Ultimate Break! We both went on the trip without knowing anyone. It was an 11-day trip to Greece starting in Athens and then island hopping to Santorini, Mykonos, and Paros. We introduced ourselves on the first night at the welcome cocktail hour and we were inseparable from then on! We explored ancient Athens, enjoyed a sunset cruise and postcard views of Santorini, spent majority of our time in Paros on a boat or in the clear water, and partied at beach bars, rode jet skis, and enjoyed late night walks on the beach in Mykonos. We had the best time getting to know each other and enjoying beautiful Greece! We had just met but it felt like we had known each other forever! We were sitting at the local bar by our hotel in Mykonos talking with the bartender when she asked how long we had been a together, we couldn’t help but laugh as we explained to her we met a week ago and she couldn’t believe it. The chemistry was there from day one. I mean, we were experiencing a beautiful country all while falling in love with each other—what a romantic fairytale!

Leaving Greece was like a scene from a movie. We were at his gate because his flight left before mine. When they started to board his flight we shared the longest hug. Even with the hustle and bustle of an airport and a boarding flight, the world stood still. We kissed and then we parted ways. I remember walking to my gate thinking, “Did that really just happen?!” We lived in different states eight hours apart but that did not matter. We started FaceTiming and texting all the time. We did long distance for nine months, seeing each other every few weeks. On a whim, I took a leap of faith and moved to Baltimore! Then we bought a house and now we are getting married! I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with my soulmate!

His story

From landing in Athens together and having drinks on the rooftop at the bar, I can speak for both of us when we asked ourselves, “Am I experiencing Greece right now?” An experience we could never forget. The moment I ate the chili pepper from a drink, thinking I could fathom the heat, I knew I was a goner but Jacklin was right there to save me with some milk from behind the bar. Sounds stupid, but your boy did not know what she was doing with some chilled milk. But before that situation, it did not take long for us to click. We could talk about anything. If you were just meeting us you would’ve thought we were dating for days, months, years. We talked on the rooftop, we laid out on the cabana while I pretended to read, and we danced the night away and enjoyed our time together in a beautiful country. When the nights were ending, we would have deep conversations on the beach, toes in the sand, and stayed up until four-in-the-morning. I did not want to leave. Nothing else mattered besides her. She was the one.

Before we left the last hotel, I gave her a gift, a necklace to remember me by. I told her, “I will see you soon.” At the airport, we were together the entire time. As soon as it was time for us to split and go our separate ways, we hugged and shared a kiss until she had to go on her flight. As I was walking away, I turned around. As she was walking away, she looked right back at me. I wanted to relive those moments in Greece with her. But to me, it was until next time. So, as we both land in our hometowns, we would text, Snapchat, Facetime, anything that we could think of to stay in contact with each other. We made it work. Then, my soon-to-be-wife jumped for us and moved to Baltimore with me. I have never felt so blessed, thankful, or loved to have met someone so special and remarkable. This kind soul and beautiful person is the best thing that has ever happened to me!

The world’s most epic first date

David & Caroline

28 girls all fighting over 1 guy. No, this isn’t an episode of The Bachelor, but the start of David and Caroline’s love story. As two strangers on an EF Ultimate Break trip, they met during their group’s first breakfast in Greece. Even with 27 other girls on the trip, when Caroline walked into the room, David only had eyes for her. David and Caroline spent the next 35 days together, traveling through Italy, France, Germany, and Spain on the longest and most adventurous first date anyone’s had in the history of dating. In just over a month, they experienced more together than most couples do in a year.

After arriving back in the U.S., they kept their European romance going—even though they lived in different states—until Caroline transferred to New York City to be with David a couple years later. David and Caroline got married in June 2018 (with their Tour Director, Tyson, and a few of their fellow EF travelers in attendance).

Put a ring on it in Paris

Ashley & Sheryl

Ahh, Paris. Full of cheese, snails, and a really famous tower. It’s also the poster child for all things love and romance, so it’s no surprise two of our travelers were feelin’ the love in this magical city. This is Sheryl and Ashley’s story.

It all started when Ashley surprised her longtime partner Sheryl with a trip to Amsterdam, Paris and London. As much as the duo enjoyed wandering the canals of Amsterdam and sightseeing in London, Paris was by far the highlight of their trip (and the start of their next big adventure).

After just a few days, Sheryl knew Paris was the place she wanted to propose to her best friend. “After ordering champagne for everyone at dinner and requesting the French musician to perform one of our favorite love songs, I stood up in front of all our new friends and proposed to Ashley. And she said YES!”

The pair continued on to London with their group, where Ashley decided Sheryl also deserved a special proposal. She spent their final day in London running around in the rain, searching for the perfect ring, which she gave to Sheryl at their farewell dinner. Spoiler: she said yes, too!

“Traveling has been a very big part of our relationship," says Sheryl. "We always hear or read in articles that couples should explore different places together, and that’s true. Ashley and I got engaged while traveling to begin with. And every time we travel, I get to know her more and more.”

From welcome drinks to wedding reception

Nick & Jenny

You never know what’ll happen on night one of your tour. For some of us, welcome mixers mean delicious apps and scoping out which of our fellow travelers we can trust with our Acropolis photo op. For others, they mean finding the person you’re going to spend your life with. Both important.

Nick, who was traveling with his sister, met solo traveler Jenny in Athens at the welcome drink on the first night of their Ultimate Europe tour back in 2010.

“We had a blast on the trip and remained close friends after, before ultimately deciding to date,” says Jenny. “We have since gone on many more adventures together, and recently got married. Thanks for the introduction to my future husband!"