Survey: Brits ditch traditional dates for alternative 'extreme day trip' jet-set romance

Forget cosy candlelit dinners and quiet drinks at the local – nearly half of Brits now say they'd be up for hopping on a plane for a date. That’s right – extreme day trips abroad are the latest love trend sweeping the nation.

According to new research by experts at MoneySuperMarket, 43% of Brits would consider jetting off on an adventurous 24-hour trip, with many doing it in the name of romance.

With bargain tickets, no hotel costs, and luggage left at home, couples are squeezing whirlwind getaways into a single day – and loving every minute of it. Google searches for this day-tripping craze have rocketed by 10,000 since January.

Add to that the 15,000 global searches for dating abroad, and it’s clear: British dating is going international.

Over a third (34%) of those polled said the idea of flying or taking a train for a date gets their pulse racing. One in five (20%) even suggest a different country for every date. And for some, romance just isn’t as exciting at home – one in six (16%) say the most thrilling dating experiences happen outside the UK.

So where are Brits heading for love? France takes top spot (26%) for date destinations abroad, followed by sunny Spain (17%) and postcard-perfect Greece (15%).

But it’s not all about the destination – it’s also about what you do when you get there. One in five (20%) prefer activity-based dates, and a third (34%) say it’s the best way to get to know someone.

The data reveals exactly what turns modern daters on: almost a quarter (23%) ranked spontaneity as their most desired trait in a partner – tied with being adventurous (23%).

Alicia Hempsted, expert at MoneySuperMarket, said:

“We’ve seen a 25% increase in enquiries about single trip travel insurance in the first quarter of this year, compared to the same time last year. And, with our research revealing that a third of Brits are craving excitement in their love lives, more and more of us are travelling abroad with our loved one.

“It’s clear that love is going the distance."

So if you’re bored of the same old dating scene, it might be time to grab your passport and pack for passion.