The average Brit believes couples should be dating for at least seven months before considering a holiday abroad together – and a fifth have broken up immediately following a disastrous trip, according to new research.

The study, by Exclusiveprivatevillas.com, found that a third of Brits had been on a disastrous holiday with a partner. Eight per cent said they broke up while still on the trip, and five per cent even admitted to breaking up on the way to their destination.

Twelve per cent of Brits admit they have had more than one truly disastrous holiday with a loved one.

Almost half of Brits (46 per cent) believe going on holiday too soon with a new love means you risk not knowing each other well enough to cope with spending so much time together.

The top risks of holidaying with a new partner, according to the British public, are:

• Revealing bad habits too early in the relationship – 38 per cent.
• The stress of travelling when you don’t know each other well – 30 per cent.
• Discovering you don’t fancy your new partner – 29 per cent.
• Revealing they are intolerant of other cultures – 28 per cent.
• If your new partner has children, being under too much pressure to get along when holidaying as a family – 15 per cent.
• Finding out that you don’t enjoy the same food – 14 per cent.
• Becoming aware of your new partner’s ‘smells’ – 14 per cent.

• Being disappointed at the sight of them in swimwear – 9 per cent.

Keith Potts, Chairman of Exclusiveprivatevillas.com which commissioned the research, said: “Living out of a suitcase in a cramped hotel room and sharing new experiences can test the best of relationships. Smells, habits and attitudes are all laid bare!

“We’ve seen a steep rise in enquiries from people looking for the luxury, privacy and space of private villas instead. Couples travelling with friends and extended families, in particular, are increasingly looking for a home-from-home and want to avoid the intensity that can so often comes with a holiday. After all, who wants to go away as a couple and come back single?”

It wasn’t all bad news for couples heading off on holiday together, however.

The research also found a holiday can ignite rather than extinguish love, as almost half (47 percent) of Brits claim to have fallen for someone while away.

More than a third (36 percent) have even revisited their first holiday destination as a couple in a bid to reignite the passion of their relationship.