10th Wedding Anniversary Trip

[WholeLottaNothin]

My DH and I are celebrating our 10th Anniversary this year, and I am trying to figure out a trip we could take together. Probably be about a weeklong trip or so. Any suggestions? I was looking at the US Virgin Islands but am open to other ideas. I have never been there so I know nothing about it other than it seems awfully nice considering it is 7 degrees here today. Our anniversary is in the summer but the trip could happen whenever. We didn't get much of a honeymoon when we were married, we were too poor at the time, which is why I would like to do something nice now.

[giramomma]

I don't have anything to add about where to go..but congrats on 10 years.

[Regis]

St. Thomas is very nice.  I'd highly recommend it.  Some very good snorkeling there.  Also, take the time to ride a boat over to St. John.  Completely different but also very nice for a day trip.

[simser]

Do you have a budget? A desire- culture, sitting on a beach, a trip you've always wanted to take, etc? Limitations on flying?

I go on trips all around the world and the most meaningful are the ones I've always wanted to do.

I will say that I get bored on one island quickly and so I usually go on a cruise to the Caribbean. They're really easy (in contrast I went by myself to Africa this year, that was a difficult trip). Although if you have frequent flyer miles, you could get a bigger trip (say the Galapagos) for just 2-3k more, so it's really up to your desires and budget.

[tskeeter]

I'd bet that for about the same cost, or even less, you could visit one of the great cities of Europe.  London, Paris, Madrid, Rome, Budapest, Vienna ...  The restaurants, the museums, the castles and palaces, the cathedrals, the architecture and stained glass, or, of course, the shopping.

Sit in the sun, or explore the art and history of many of our ancestors.  You get to choose.

[Cookies Galore]

Aruba!

We went there for our honeymoon and are planning on going back next year for our fifth anniversary/hubs' 40th birthday/he wants to do another half iron distance triathlon. Can't wait to return!

[milee]

Jan 9, 2017 13:34:05 GMT -5 tskeeter said:

I'd bet that for about the same cost, or even less, you could visit one of the great cities of Europe.  London, Paris, Madrid, Rome, Budapest, Vienna ...  The restaurants, the museums, the castles and palaces, the cathedrals, the architecture and stained glass, or, of course, the shopping.

Sit in the sun, or explore the art and history of many of our ancestors.  You get to choose.

That sounds a little judgy.  People who like taking vacations in the sun could easily tee this whole thing up the other way...

Sure, you could go to one of the overhyped, done-to-death cities in Europe and spend your free time in dreary, musty places standing in line with thousands of ill-mannered tourists passively absorbing sights like cattle.  Or, you could explore a warm climate with adventures you can't do at home.  Get a great workout while you see sights only hinted at in an aquarium, swim with the sea life, snorkel on the reef, dive the wrecks and finish at sunset to have a fresh meal in the open air cooked on the beach by local people using ingredients you helped to catch.  You get to choose.

People want different things out of vacations.  You apparently enjoy historic sights.  That means seeing historic sights is a great vacation for you.  That doesn't mean it's interesting, fun or a vacation for everybody.  

[WholeLottaNothin]

I wasn't looking to start an argument, just looking for suggestions. I know this group is far more travelled than I am, so would have great suggestions. I had thought about Wales, as my husband has wanted to go for a long time as his grandfather came from there, but I would want to make that a longer trip and see more places if we were going to do any of Europe.

A friend suggested St. Thomas as he had been there years ago. Having never been there I am a little nervous about picking a place to stay or finding things to do. The friend's girlfriend at the time had a timeshare so that is where he stayed, so no help there.

A co-worker suggested Cape Cod as I have never been there either, and she said it isn't too buggy. Bugs just love me for some reason. Whenever we would go camping in the Adirondacks I come back looking horribly diseased.

[janee]

St. Thomas is great, as is the idea for a cruise (research the ship to make sure it fits with your personality).

I would suggest Bermuda too. It's a beautiful island, only 26 miles long and looks like a private English estate.  It's one of my favorite places.  There is very little poverty, litter, etc. Great beaches and historical sights to see.  You can't rent a car there, but the bus system is easy, taxis are plentiful, and you can rent scooters.

Cape Cod is great!  You can easily take a day trip on the ferry to Martha's vineyard and Nantucket.  You can fly into Boston and the Cape is only a two hour drive so you could see they city and beach it.

[sesfw]

explore the art and history of many of our ancestors.

Museums bore me to tears.  When DH and I travel he can go to ONE art museum and I'll go with him.  If he wants to go to more, he goes either alone or with others.  I refuse to spend my time going from museum to museum

Have you thought of Ireland?  Beautiful

[swamp]

Jan 9, 2017 13:58:16 GMT -5 milee said:

Jan 9, 2017 13:34:05 GMT -5 tskeeter said:

I'd bet that for about the same cost, or even less, you could visit one of the great cities of Europe.  London, Paris, Madrid, Rome, Budapest, Vienna ...  The restaurants, the museums, the castles and palaces, the cathedrals, the architecture and stained glass, or, of course, the shopping.

Sit in the sun, or explore the art and history of many of our ancestors.  You get to choose.

That sounds a little judgy.  People who like taking vacations in the sun could easily tee this whole thing up the other way...

Sure, you could go to one of the overhyped, done-to-death cities in Europe and spend your free time in dreary, musty places standing in line with thousands of ill-mannered tourists passively absorbing sights like cattle.  Or, you could explore a warm climate with adventures you can't do at home.  Get a great workout while you see sights only hinted at in an aquarium, swim with the sea life, snorkel on the reef, dive the wrecks and finish at sunset to have a fresh meal in the open air cooked on the beach by local people using ingredients you helped to catch.  You get to choose.

People want different things out of vacations.  You apparently enjoy historic sights.  That means seeing historic sights is a great vacation for you.  That doesn't mean it's interesting, fun or a vacation for everybody.  

I just returned from the musty city tour. I enjoyed it but it wasn't exactly relaxing.

And it was cold.

[WholeLottaNothin]

Jan 9, 2017 14:28:44 GMT -5 sesfw said:

explore the art and history of many of our ancestors.

Museums bore me to tears.  When DH and I travel he can go to ONE art museum and I'll go with him.  If he wants to go to more, he goes either alone or with others.  I refuse to spend my time going from museum to museum

Have you thought of Ireland?  Beautiful

I would LOVE to go to Ireland, but I would like to do that as a longer trip sometime. See Wales, Scotland, Ireland. That is my dream trip.

[WholeLottaNothin]

Jan 9, 2017 14:25:06 GMT -5 janee said:

St. Thomas is great, as is the idea for a cruise (research the ship to make sure it fits with your personality).

I would suggest Bermuda too. It's a beautiful island, only 26 miles long and looks like a private English estate.  It's one of my favorite places.  There is very little poverty, litter, etc. Great beaches and historical sights to see.  You can't rent a car there, but the bus system is easy, taxis are plentiful, and you can rent scooters.

Cape Cod is great!  You can easily take a day trip on the ferry to Martha's vineyard and Nantucket.  You can fly into Boston and the Cape is only a two hour drive so you could see they city and beach it.

Boston is only a 6 hour drive (or so) from home, so Cape Cod (etc.) that would be totally doable. I'll have to ponder that one some too.

I want to have it just be the two of us, and I have family I think would help, but it that doesn't pan out this might be our go to plan. I've been considering Maine too.

There is so much I'd like to see. I've seen so little so far in my life, it's pretty sad. And my DH has never even been on a plane. So I at least have him beat!

[WholeLottaNothin]

Ours is in July --- Congrats on the 10 years!

[giramomma]

Jan 9, 2017 15:02:25 GMT -5 WholeLottaNothin said:

Jan 9, 2017 14:25:06 GMT -5 janee said:

St. Thomas is great, as is the idea for a cruise (research the ship to make sure it fits with your personality).

I would suggest Bermuda too. It's a beautiful island, only 26 miles long and looks like a private English estate.  It's one of my favorite places.  There is very little poverty, litter, etc. Great beaches and historical sights to see.  You can't rent a car there, but the bus system is easy, taxis are plentiful, and you can rent scooters.

Cape Cod is great!  You can easily take a day trip on the ferry to Martha's vineyard and Nantucket.  You can fly into Boston and the Cape is only a two hour drive so you could see they city and beach it.

Boston is only a 6 hour drive (or so) from home, so Cape Cod (etc.) that would be totally doable. I'll have to ponder that one some too.

I want to have it just be the two of us, and I have family I think would help, but it that doesn't pan out this might be our go to plan. I've been considering Maine too.

There is so much I'd like to see. I've seen so little so far in my life, it's pretty sad. And my DH has never even been on a plane. So I at least have him beat!

We drove to Maine a few summers ago.  We didn't have time to stop in Boston, as we were already gone 2.5 weeks, and just couldn't swing 3 weeks. We only spent on Day in Acadia. Wish we could have done more. 

Would you consider Canada? We fell in love with Old Quebec City. Unfortunately, I think it's the closest thing we'll get to the European experience...We were in Quebec for 2.5 days...and saw nothing of the new city (except for a mall...DS outgrew his shorts and forgot to tell us prior to the trip.) Also, what about Montreal?

What about Niagra Falls?

DH and I aren't flying people. One of the first trips I'd like to take when I retire is to take a month or so and drive the Blue Ridge Mountains. I was shocked at how beautiful they were.

What about puttering around Atlanta for a week? That's a place we spent a few days in, and I want to go back to...Atlanta is really becoming quite a "hot spot."

ETA: We stopped in Cooperstown on our drive to Maine. I wished we could have spent more time in the city. Totally cute. What about the finger lakes in NY State?

What about going to DC for a week? There were some nice places available on VBRO?

(Clearly, we are not sitting on a beach vacation people. But that's OK if you are.)

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

How much $$ do you want to spend?  Do you have passports?  Where would you fly out of?  Do you want a beach?  Are you foodies?  Does an all inclusive appeal to you?

[NastyWoman]

We were trekking (with two small kids) accross Java and spend our anniversary in Jogjakarta. This was 12/20 we ended the trip by celebrating Xmas and NY on Bali. I may be divorced now but I have very fond memories of that trip

[steph08]

Jan 9, 2017 13:58:16 GMT -5 milee said:

Jan 9, 2017 13:34:05 GMT -5 tskeeter said:

I'd bet that for about the same cost, or even less, you could visit one of the great cities of Europe.  London, Paris, Madrid, Rome, Budapest, Vienna ...  The restaurants, the museums, the castles and palaces, the cathedrals, the architecture and stained glass, or, of course, the shopping.

Sit in the sun, or explore the art and history of many of our ancestors.  You get to choose.

That sounds a little judgy.  People who like taking vacations in the sun could easily tee this whole thing up the other way...

Sure, you could go to one of the overhyped, done-to-death cities in Europe and spend your free time in dreary, musty places standing in line with thousands of ill-mannered tourists passively absorbing sights like cattle.  Or, you could explore a warm climate with adventures you can't do at home.  Get a great workout while you see sights only hinted at in an aquarium, swim with the sea life, snorkel on the reef, dive the wrecks and finish at sunset to have a fresh meal in the open air cooked on the beach by local people using ingredients you helped to catch.  You get to choose.

People want different things out of vacations.  You apparently enjoy historic sights.  That means seeing historic sights is a great vacation for you.  That doesn't mean it's interesting, fun or a vacation for everybody.  

It's always the same thing when someone dares to mention Disney - oh, I'm so much more cultured that I tour art museums and war memorials in Europe instead of that overpriced, mouse-run monstrosity. 

Guess what? I've done both and I enjoy both. Different strokes for different folks.

I've been to Costa Rica, which I recommend, if you want both beach and fun. I did it as a high school senior trip, but we did the beach, but we also did ziplining through the rain forest, horseback riding, kayaking around Arenal Volcano, etc. 

I'd love to do a trip to Punta Cana or somewhere similar to our 10 year anniversary, which will be the same year as DH's 40th birthday (in 2.5 years, yikes!). 

[WholeLottaNothin]

Jan 9, 2017 15:14:25 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

How much $$ do you want to spend?  Do you have passports?  Where would you fly out of?  Do you want a beach?  Are you foodies?  Does an all inclusive appeal to you?

I was thinking about $3000-4000; no we don't- but we could get them - I was thinking maybe later this year or early next for the trip; Fly out of upstate ny; Beach is not necessary but preferred; I am more of a foodie than he is; All inclusive is appealing but again not necessary.

[WholeLottaNothin]

I'd like to do Disney someday too, but when the boys are older. The little one is only 2 so it doesn't seem worth it right now.

I've never even been to Florida. My dad's parents lived 15 minutes away from Disney for the first 14 years of my life, and my grandmother was so nasty to my mother that we never went and visited. She would make backhanded comments to my sister and me even, and we were just kids. She has mellowed a lot in her old age.

[Bonny]

I agree with others that we need more information. When do you want to go, what do you like to do and what is your budget?

I went to the Caribbean (St. Croix) for the first time about two years ago in November for DH's birthday. sarcasticgirl was a real help.

I doubt I would go in the summer.

 If given a preference I always travel the shoulder season (typically March, April, May or Sept, Oct, Nov) as it is both cheaper and there are fewer crowds.

FWIW I think for our 10th we went to the Big Island and Kuaui but we live on the West Coast and that makes more sense for us.

[billisonboard]

One thought that came to mind as I was reading the options:
Which choices will clothe you in the way that will increase or decrease the likelihood there be an 11th?

[WholeLottaNothin]

I'd like to go in the fall. November would work well for me work-wise, and would give DH time to get a chunk of time off.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

I've been to an AI resort in Mexico a couple times, in Playa del Carmen.  You fly into Cancun and it is about a 45 min shuttle ride.  Resort runs about $1500 pp, including air.  There is a nice beach, you are close enough to Playa to go into town, or can take a ferry to Cozumel for the day.

The resort we stayed at in the Maldives would fall under your criteria.  I think our 8 days ran about $4000, but you still have airfare.

If you really want to go off the beaten track, I'll suggest Cape Town, South Africa.  You'll pay more for airfare, but everything is so inexpensive that hotel, car rental and food for 2 would be well under $1000 for a week.

[Bonny]

Jan 9, 2017 15:29:41 GMT -5 WholeLottaNothin said:

I'd like to go in the fall. November would work well for me work-wise, and would give DH time to get a chunk of time off.

You could do a couple of the U.S. Virgin Islands such as St. Thomas and St. Croix. In theory you don't need a passport but I would get one anyway. I thought it was odd that we had to go through Customs and Immigration in St. Thomas from St. Croix given that we never left the U.S. or its territories. But whatever, there's a lot of international traffic.

One bonus with St. Croix (not sure if this is true with St. Thomas); airlines have to ship your rum home to the US for free!

[alabamagal]

You can google and find out the least expensive places to visit in the Caribbean.  They all have plenty of nice resorts and have great sights on land and in the sea.  Some quick suggestions

Cancun/Playa del Carmen
Dominican Republic
Puerto Rico - no passport needed

Puerto Rico is probably easiest to get to travel wise.

[alabamagal]

DH and I will be celebrating 30 years in July!  There is no way we will be going on an anniversary trip this year as we have to attend a college graduation and 2 weddings (1 event per kid, all require travel) plus our normal week extended family vacation.

Already thinking about our 31 year anniversary trip though.

[zibazinski]

I'm not a fan of St Thomas but St John and St Croix, oh yeah!! ST was touristy, dirty, crime ridden and the beaches weren't that great.

[Deleted]

Jan 9, 2017 15:09:33 GMT -5 alwaysbeoptimizing said:

dont' want to thread hijack but our 10 year is in August, would love ideas (starting from Seattle).


If we do a short trip, we could leave the kids behind (they'll be 5)

Have you been to Victoria, BC?  Nice ferry ride from Seattle, a pretty, walkable city.

To the OP- I get what others are saying and it's not necessarily an argument- just the point that one person's dream vacation is another's Vacation from Hell.  Someday I'm going to get back to India, which I've visited on business and loved.  I've known coworkers who never want to go back.

I HIGHLY recommend TripAdvisor for hotels.  Read the detailed reviews from people who have posted a lot of reviews, not just the vague ones ("the food was FABULOUS!") which might be friends of the owner.  I've used them a lot, especially for non-chain places, and they've never steered me wrong.  I have over 200 reviews on there myself (under this name), including restaurant reviews and attractions (the "things to do" category).

If you're a foodie you might want to avoid all-inclusives.  Foodies tend to like to explore places off the beaten path, brand-new places, etc.  If you envision that, I'd choose a resort that's not isolated- otherwise you're stuck renting a car or getting taxis, which can sometimes be very expensive (I found that at a Wyndham in Puerto Rico when all I wanted to do was go to church).  And, if it's all-inclusive, you'll be in restaurants paying for meals you already paid for at the resort.

With just one week, I'd rule out Europe even though I love Europe.  Just about the time you were really over the jet lag it would be time to go home!  Iceland is a 5-hour flight from Boston (also 5 hours ahead of Eastern time) but you'd want to go in the summer.  DH and I loved it but we are/were history, geology and language geeks.  Not a place to hang out on a beach, but I swam every day in an Olympic-sized indoor thermally-heated pool.

You might want to get some guidebooks out of the library; I always use those as starting points for making a decision.

 

[Pants]

Jan 9, 2017 15:22:25 GMT -5 WholeLottaNothin said:

Jan 9, 2017 15:14:25 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

How much $$ do you want to spend?  Do you have passports?  Where would you fly out of?  Do you want a beach?  Are you foodies?  Does an all inclusive appeal to you?

I was thinking about $3000-4000; no we don't- but we could get them - I was thinking maybe later this year or early next for the trip; Fly out of upstate ny; Beach is not necessary but preferred; I am more of a foodie than he is; All inclusive is appealing but again not necessary.

Ok, so. You guys haven't traveled much. 

So think about it - how adventurous do you want this trip to be? Do you want to do something totally crazy (because you haven't traveled much and who knows when you'll get to do it again)? Or do you want to start slow and see how you like different things (before you dip your toe in further or because it will make the trip easier or whatever other reason you might have)? 

I feel like the answer to that question should determine the rest of your trip. You can essentially look at any number of decisions along that continuum. 

Destination:
Craziest - Non-English-speaking foreign country of your choice, 3rd world, etc.
Middle - English-speaking country
Safest - Cape Cod 

Travel type: 
Craziest - Multiple types of transportation/multiple steps
Middle - Plane
Safest - Car

Accomodation type: 
Craziest - hostel/backpacking
Middle - Air bnb/vrbo (renting a house or apartment in your destination) 
Safest - all-inclusive resort

Travel Duration:
Craziest - 24+ hrs
Middle - 12 hrs
Safest - 4 hrs

Etc. There's activities you want to do, jet lag, food, communication, general safety - all of these exist on a spectrum from easy to crazy. Travel duration will most likely be a limiting factor - few people want to travel 24 hrs to get somewhere only to spend 5 days and travel 24 hrs back. 

So, some ideas along these lines for a 1 week trip: 
Crazy crazy: Antarctica, SE Asia, China, India
Crazy: Australia/New Zealand, South Africa, Kenya, Middle East 
Middle: European Union/Great Britain, Caribbean in general
Safe: U.S. Virgin Islands, Hawaii
Safe safe: Cape Cod, Maine, NYC, Boston, Providence RI, etc. 

Good luck!