Acts of Service: How the 5 Love Languages Can Decide How (And Where) You Travel
It’s estimated that there are up to 7,000 different languages in the world, but get ready to add 5 more: the 5 love languages. If you’re not aware of what your love language is – or what the love languages are – then you’re about to find out.
The 5 love languages are great for helping you figure out how you give or receive love and affection in relationships, but can also be used to guide you in other parts of your life. We’ve used them to help you decide how to get the most out of your travels, and even work out which destination will suit you best.
What are the 5 love languages?
The 5 love languages were coined by Baptist pastor and marriage counsellor Dr. Gary Chapman in his 1992 book, The Five Love Languages. Chapman’s role as a pastor led him to take on marriage counselling, and as he observed different couples over the years the idea of the 5 love language types was born. The categorization aimed to teach couples about how to understand and navigate the different ways of giving and receiving love.
The 5 love languages are: words of affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service, and physical touch. These languages relate to not only how you prefer to give love, but also receive it – and they’re not always the same.
Since the release of Chapman’s book, love languages have been applied beyond just romantic relationships. The theory can be applied to friends, family, the workplace, and even help guide you on how you travel best (which is what we’ve done below).
What is my love language?
If you don’t already know, you can find out your love language through this quiz. Read on to discover each love language explained below.
Words of affirmation
People with words of affirmation as a love language value verbal affection, prioritizing frequent communication (whether it’s digital or in-person), as well as compliments and encouraging words.
Quality time
Actively making time to spend with their loved ones is how people who value quality time show their love. This is quality time rather than just watching a TV show together – it’s meaningful activities and conversation where both people are fully present.
Acts of service
If acts of service is your love language, you feel valued when your partner does anything, big or small, to make your life easier – whether that’s making dinner before you get home, picking something up so you don’t have to, or giving you a lift back from the station.
Gifts
Gifting is the least popular of the 5 love languages, but is often misunderstood. It’s not about materialism or money, but about valuing visual symbols of love, which could be grabbing your partner a cookie when they didn’t ask, hand-making a card, or flowers. It’s about the thought behind the gift rather than the value of the it.
Physical touch
Physical signs of affection are valued by this love language, from holding hands when you’re out and about to having a cuddle on the sofa at home, and little physical reminders throughout the day – like a kiss as you pass in the hallway – that you value your partner.
How Insight Vacations speaks your love language
After studying the different love language types, and discovered that a Premium Tour with Insight Vacations fulfils each one in a different way!
Looking for acts of service? We take care of booking everything for you, from 4- and 5-star hotels to top-rated restaurants, all the logistics and everything in between.
You won’t be short of quality time, as each tour allows you to get away from the ordinary and spend each moment to its fullest – whether you want some me-time or you’re looking to make special memories with your travel partner.
You might think we wouldn’t have physical touch covered, but we allow you to get up close and personal with your destination, from making contact with ancient ancestors through touching sites like Machu Picchu to holding a glass of Scotch whisky in the distillery where it was made.
You’ll get plenty of words of affirmation from our Travel Directors, and the opportunity to ask as many questions as you want to our Local Experts. As for gifts, not only will you have the chance to bring home all sorts of souvenirs but also a suitcase full of memories to share with your travel partner.
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Finding a trip for your love language
Whatever your love language, we have a tour for that – and even better, each one is in our Big Tour Sale.
Country Roads of France – Words of affirmation
Where better to give (or receive) words of affirmation than in the very home of the language of love? Practice your French as you take your own ‘Tour de France’ across 16 incredible days, where you’ll sip homegrown wine, explore Medieval castles, and stroll through the City of Lights.
Glorious Switzerland – Quality time
Take all the quality time you need as you take the Glacier Express, affectionately known as the slowest train in the world. The world-famous Swiss train will take you through the heart of the Swiss Alps, and you’ll want to use every minute drinking up the views of mountains, waterfalls and viaducts through its panoramic windows.
Northern Spain – Gifts
You’ll want to bring an extra suitcase to bring home all the goodies that San Sebastian has to offer, from boutique clothing to gourmet produce. On your San Sebastian City Tour led by your Local Expert you’ll stroll through the city’s Old Quarter, home to world-famous fashion and also smaller independent clothes shops. Don’t miss a visit to the iconic San Martín, a traditional market built in 1884 where you’ll want to treat yourself (or someone else) to local delicacies from cured meats to local wine.
Northern Capitals – Acts of service
Let the professionals make you dinner as you visit Cofoco on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, a sustainable, forward-thinking restaurant in Copenhagen that’s leading the way in minimizing food waste. Cofoco (short for Copenhagen Food Collective) prioritizes using fresh Danish produce, but the flavors are inspired by French and Southern European cuisine.
Focus on Ireland – Physical touch
Get up close and personal with Irish history when you visit the 15th century Blarney Castle to kiss the famous Blarney Stone (also known as the Stone of Eloquence). Legend has it that those who kiss the stone are bestowed the ‘gift of the gab’, or the power to persuade, flatter and coax (perfect if your partner’s love language is words of affirmation!). Reaching the stone is no easy feat – you must climb the castle’s spiral stone staircase to the top before laying on your back, leaning out of the edge of the castle, tilting your head back and kissing the stone.
Now that you’ve discovered the 5 love languages, where will yours take you in 2025? Find out more in our Big Tour Sale.
About Jess Williamson
Jess is an experienced writer and editor, with 6 years' experience working within the whisky industry. Her work has taken her to Scotland and beyond, while her personal travel highlights include backpacking around Vietnam with her sister, trips to California, Madrid, and the Greek islands.
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