Hannah and Alex travelled together for six months

TRAVELLING can do wonders for your wellbeing, but what about for your love life? Almost a quarter of Britons are “seriously considering” leaving the country to avoid the economic slowdown, according to a survey carried out by HiFX, the currency specialist.

We spoke to three couples to find out the pitfalls of escaping the rat race together.

THE NEW LOVES

Alex Hornby, a lettings agent, and Hannah Birrell, an accounts executive, both 26, live in Bethnal Green. They met in Bolivia. “We got chatting, got it on, and ended up travelling together for six months,” says Alex.

Biggest pressure

HANNAH: Living in each other’s pockets 24/7.

ALEX: When we took a six-day jungle trip in Bolivia we were living under plastic sheeting, just us and a guide who didn’t speak English. We stank, and we argued about nothing because it was so intense. Pretty difficult when you don’t actually know each other that well. Although we did by the end of the week.

Top tips

HANNAH: If you’re having problems with your other half, say something, or it’ll escalate. Neither me nor Alex are ever too shy to speak out.

ALEX: Learn to share a single bed. Be inventive in finding your own privacy. Dorm showers are not the cleanest of places. If you’re in remote locations, make the most of the lack of electricity by enjoying public places in the dark. We had lots of fun on semi-deserted beaches.

Back in the UK

ALEX: There have been no major changes since we moved in together. We do have a double bed now though – a definite bonus.

THE OLD FLAMES

Harrow-based public affairs executive Lisa Lipshaw and trainee chartered surveyor Jez Auerbach, both 24, turned a friendship into a relationship in South America.

Biggest pressure

JEZ: We were both with other friends, so integrating everyone was a challenge.

LISA: I left the girls in Rio and headed to a beach town up the coast for a romantic weekend. But it felt very strange to leave my best friends for the first time in a year – quite scary.

Top tips

LISA: We learnt that the best couple is one that can travel with others. Part of the experience is meeting and spending time with lots of people.

JEZ: Give each other space, and enough freedom to do things the other may not be up for.

Back in the UK

LISA: I think it’s got better! Part of the great thing about relationships is building a routine, and you can’t do that while travelling.

THE LONG-TERM COUPLE

Accountant Robert Freedman and accounts assistant Louise Yershon, 26, from Loughton, had been together for five-and-a-half years when they left the UK to travel to Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the US.

Biggest pressure

ROB: Couples can suffer a lack of privacy, being forced to stay in multi-bed dorms.

Top tips

LOUISE: We argued about ¬directions. Get good maps and learn how to read them.

Back in the UK

Robert and Louise have since become engaged.