12/03/2013 00:00
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NEWSDESK

PALMA

COUPLES that play together really are more likely to stay together reveals a new study by easyJet.
In the wake of the recent run of celebrity marriage break-ups, the low-fares airline has conducted a UK-wide survey to discover the true secret of staying together.   The results indicated that marital bliss is much more likely if couples indulge in at least one holiday together a year.
81 per cent of people surveyed said that they felt their most recent holiday had brought them closer to their partner and strengthened their relationship.  In addition, the majority of people who had been on holiday with their partner within the last six months rated their current happiness as a couple as nine out of 10 - this dropped to an average of seven out of 10 for couples who hadn't been away together for more than 12 months.  The findings are echoed by the recent spate of high profile marriage breakdowns.
Cheryl and Ashley Cole's most recent holiday together before their split was the ill-fated group holiday to the South of France in June 2009 with the Terrys, Wayne Bridge and Vanessa Perroncel. Prior to this, they hadn't been away alone together for more than a year - with Cheryl choosing to holiday with the girls in Thailand after Ashley's indiscretions first came to light in 2008.

Similarly, Katie Price and Peter Andre split up in May 2009 after returning from a trip to Los Angeles where, rather than relaxing together, their time was spent apart as Peter recorded his new album.    In contrast, it seems that celebrity partnerships that have gone the distance place a lot of importance on regular holidays together.
Jamie and Jools Oliver, who have been married for over nine years and have three children together, ensure they have a family holiday every year.  Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas, who married in 2000, spend part of every summer with their kids at their holiday home in Majorca and Elton John and David Furnish, who have been together since 1993, can regularly be found holidaying together in Saint Tropez.  Paul Simmons, easyJet's UK general manager, comments: “Holidays can often strengthen relationships as they allow couples to spend quality time together away from other distractions such as work and family.  “Whether it's a weekend city break or a fortnight in the sun, a holiday provides couples with the opportunity to relax and appreciate each other in a new setting allowing them to reignite the spark!”