8 Stories Of Vacation Sex Gone Horribly Wrong

There’s something about travel that makes sex better. There’s a sense of adventure, inhibitions are lowered, anonymity is heightened. You’re in a far away place meeting new and interesting people, and what better way to get to know someone than by having sex with them, amirite? Yet, more often than not, the idea of travel sex is hotter than the reality of it.

But a few easy measures can make a big difference, says Holly Richmond, a somatic psychologist and certified sex therapist.

If you’re thinking about hooking up with someone you just met, check out their social profiles before going somewhere alone.

“Do this openly by saying something like, ‘Hey, I want to check out your Facebook page or Twitter feed to see if we are into the same things,’” Richmond says. “If you’re up front about it, he or she won’t think you’re spying on them. If there are posts that are alarming to you in any way, obviously do not go anywhere private.”

Secondly, don’t be afraid to ask your new partner about the last time they were tested for STDs, and what relationships they have had since then, she says. People have a hard time covering up the truth when put unexpectedly on the spot. Follow your gut if you feel like they are not being honest with you. And this probably goes without saying, but you should always use a condom—regardless of your new partner’s reported STD status.

So, with that in mind, here are some tales of travel sex that went horribly, horribly awry.