H & I just came back from a 16 day trip out of country. We both got sick and have taken some time to recover. H is therefore a bit lukewarm about planning what we should do for our 30th anniversary in May 2016.
I suggested Europe (where we went once about 20 years ago). He was unenthused. I suggested Alaska and he said, OK, we could do that. He admitted he’s not wildly excited about travel at the moment because it took me 2 weeks and him 3 weeks to recover from our last illnesses from our recent trip.
Any suggestions about other great ways of celebrating a 30th anniversary? Big parties are really not our thing so much, as we have to put considerable effort into planning them for my folks every 5 years for the past few decades–about 200 plus guests each party. I want it to be something fun that we both enjoy. Would love suggestions of any special celebrations you had with your partner for a special event, like a 30th or some other important date. Thanks!
We go to Hawaii and get our at our favorite place with our favorite kids this year for our big anniversary. Husband is also not into remote location like Bora Bora. But since you are in Hawaii, I’m not sure where to suggest because you are already at our favorite location. How about California?
We get to CA about every year–sometimes multiple times every year–SF, LA, San Diego. We also go to DC & see our son (plus work), and Chicago for work and sightseeing. We have been to Niagara Falls, Yellowstone, many of the SW national parks, Vancouver and Eastern Canada. We’ve also traveled from NY, Maine, Boston, and Williamsburg, plus Gettysburg and Philadelphia. We would likely have to go in May or June. August is too busy for my work.
Could you provide some more parameters? Since you mentioned Alaska, I assume you are looking for places in nature or with natural beauty, as opposed to cities? Are you seeking active or relaxing? What do you and your husband like to do? Do you want to stay in US, or are you open to places throughout the world? Any limitations on travel time?
We’re at Frankfurt Airport now w a checked bag full of wine, having just finished a trip to the Mosel Valley in Germany. Our second trip here. Last time we came was during harvest season-- even more gorgeous in Fall colors.
The Mosel Valley is one of the most visually stunning landscapes in the world. A steep sided meandering river, lined for hundreds of kilometers between Trier & Koblenz w grapevines, swans, medieval villages, castles and wine, wine, wine (much more interesting than Napa. Some of the Mosel vineyards are perched on slopes w a 65 degree grade!) It’s easy to envisage the tale of Cinderella in this setting. Trier has a fabulous museum of ancient Roman artifacts, as it was the oldest city in Germany dating back to the rule of the emperor Augustus: the provincial capitol Augusta Treverorum.
It’s white asparagus season now-- yum! Next time we come, we will rent bikes.
Ireland in May is wonderful. Relaxing, beautiful, you can stay in great places relatively reasonably, and there is awesome food if you go to the right places - local lamb, salmon, some great young chefs.
Scandinavia and Morocco are at the top of my bucket list currently.
Mosel Valley sounds lovely to me. We have enjoyed Carmel and Big Sur but haven’t stayed at Carmel in a very long time. We do like big cities some, as well as national parks. We probably would prefer a more relaxing visit as opposed to one packed with activity. We both don’t drink much wine, but did enjoy Trios Winery and Restaurant at Niagara on the Lake, Ontario.
We have only been to Europe once 20+ years ago. We both enjoyed it. I also would like to go to Australia/NZ. We are concerned about air quality, as we both have respiratory issues and asthma. Budget would probably be low 5 figures for everything–air, lodging and food. We are probably thinking up to a few weeks.
One thing I was wondering about – do the little towns have a vibrant life or are they more like preserved tourist relics?
I spent a week in Alsace and although it was beautiful and the wine was incredible, overall it was kind of disappointing because the little towns along the wine route felt more like Disneyland than real, vibrant towns where people lived and thrived. Hard to explain exactly what I mean.
I haven’t had that feeling in other places with a high quaint quotient but I was kind of wondering how the Mosel Valley fared on that scale.
The towns are alive w winery industry work, cafes, shops, restaurants. Last visit we stayed at a winery and watched them make wine. This visit we stayed in the historic zentrum in different villages and people-watched. It’s an IDEAL place to cycle. Bike path on both banks of the river road.
We’ve done the Rhine River, too. Nowhere near as interesting.
If it matters, the Mosel is a Rick Steves favorite.
I’m not much of a white drinker, myself, but I never tire of seeing that dramatic landscape.
Several of my relatives just returned from trips to Japan. I just returned from S. Korea. It was fascinating but too hectic of a pace for us with a different hotel most nights and long days on the bus, as well as quite a bit of walking.
We just returned from a Seattle trip. We are planning to go back this summer to rent a house on Bainbridge Island for a week. It is a 45 minute ferry ride from Seattle so if island life gets too slow you could always go into the city. There is biking, hiking, great shopping and restaurants, boating… Since you just did international travel with benefits (getting sick) something like this might be a nice relaxing change. Of course the weather is not for everyone, but we just had beautiful 75’ weather with only 1/2 day of drizzle.
If u want to see Japan at a slower pace, consider riding the new Hokuriku shinkansen line (bullet train) to Kanazawa. Service from Nagano ('98 Winter Olympics) to Kanazawa (land of the samurai) just started on 15-March and goes thru the Japanese Alps-- my usual stomping ground for the 3 S’s: skiing, sake, and soaking in the onsens (hot springs). I love it in the mountains there. It’s very pretty in the spring, summer & autumn, too. And onsen soaking is year round.
The new shinkansen line likely will spur foreign tourism to the region.
