A holiday romance can sweep you off your feet and also leave you feeling deserted and heartbroken. Follow these tips to ensure your summer fling goes with a swing

You're more likely to have a romance on holiday than at home. It's a fact. You feel physically relaxed and emotionally renewed, you're away from your daily routine and the stresses and strains of home and work - basically, you're ready to fall in love. And why not?

But is a holiday romance a good idea or serious mistake? Susan Quilliam looks at the positives and negatives of holiday love affairs, and offers solutions to all possible problems.

1. The ups and downs of holiday flings
A holiday fling can make you feel like a queen and boost your confidence sky-high. However, on the down side, if he's keener than you, you could be left feeling under pressure, pestered and even stalked.

The solution:

If you know that you're only up for a fling, make your intentions clear from the start to any potential beau. Your honesty may mean your never clinching the romance, but you'll avoid any over-involvement.

If you want to call things off during the holiday, do it. Be assertive and tell him you don't want to see him again - and stick to it. If he pressures you, confront him in front of your friends or other holidaymakers. If necessary, tell your holiday rep, as they'll be able to offer more formal support.

You've had a brilliant time, but you know you don't want to see him after the holiday. Be tactful and firm. Build his confidence by telling him what a fabulous time you've had, but be clear that the romance stops at the end of the holiday. Once home, if he's persistent, don't answer his emails or letters.

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The highs and lows of holiday romance