A new travel experience is flipping the traditional dating model on its head by inviting online couples (who actually have never met face-to-face) to take their first steps together as a pair on the streets of Spain.
Launched by international matchmaking company Heart Rocket, the five-day program, dubbed Heartbeat Tours, is part of the company’s growing efforts to bridge the gap between digital romance and real-world relationships. The destination? The culturally rich and sun-soaked city of Valencia on Spain’s southeastern coast.
Love at First Message?
With online relationships now a normal part of modern dating, more couples are forming deep emotional bonds through their phones before ever meeting in person. Heart Rocket’s new getaway is designed to support that next step — meeting in the real world — by offering a structured, low-pressure environment where chemistry can evolve naturally.
“This isn’t just a vacation,” said company founder Geneva Rose in a press release. “It’s a relationship accelerator grounded in shared experiences, not awkward first-date dinners or speed dating setups.”
Participants are vetted through Heart Rocket’s existing matchmaking platform and invited to join the five-day trip with their matched partner. The itinerary includes taking a paella cooking class, venturing out on walking tours through Valencia’s historic neighborhoods, discovering local art and cultural experiences, and hanging out on group outings as well as one-on-one activities for each couple
Guides are around to help ease any initial jitters and facilitate light interaction, but there’s no coaching, therapy, or matchmaking on the ground. According to Heart Rocket, the goal is to create an environment that feels fun, safe, and spontaneous, while still being gently curated so everyone enjoys their trip.
Why Valencia?
The city of Valencia was chosen for its approachable, down-to-earth charm and mix of old and new. Visitors will experience everything from Roman ruins and Moorish architecture to futuristic landmarks like the City of Arts and Sciences.
“There’s a natural rhythm here that’s perfect for slowing down and getting to know someone,” Rose said. “It’s romantic, but not overwhelming.”
Valencia also offers relatively mild weather year-round and a culinary reputation rooted in community dining, making it a great destination for first-time romantic meetups over food and wine.
Not Your Typical Singles Retreat
Unlike traditional dating retreats or singles cruises, Heartbeat Tours isn’t about mingling with strangers or forced group activities. Couples are already paired before departure, and the trip is focused on deepening that existing virtual connection, but this time in real life.
The travel package, which includes accommodations, guided excursions, and select meals, is currently available to a limited number of Heart Rocket members. Future editions may open to the public, depending on demand.
As video calls and long-distance messaging become standard ways to build intimacy, more people are open to relationships that begin online but crave ways to transition into real-life romance, ideally without the pressure of awkward solo travel or high-stakes first dates.
For many, this kind of structured, shared experience offers the right balance of guidance and freedom.
“It’s about giving people a soft landing into something real,” said Rose. “Sometimes, all it takes is a little sunshine, a new city, and the right person walking beside you.”