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20th Anniversary Trip - Suggestions Needed

20th Anniversary Trip - Suggestions Needed

Old Oct 27th, 2015, 04:55 AM
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20th Anniversary Trip - Suggestions Needed

DH and I are planning to go to Europe for one week for our 20th anniversary next year. It will be just our 2nd time away from the kids (first time was this past year for a weekend), so we are hoping to do something truly special. We have a few ideas, but nothing feels quite right. Our budget is flexible, but somewhere in the $10-15k range.

Europe we have already seen:
Switzerland - our favorite part of Europe
Italy - Loved the Lake District, Rome/Florence/Venice/Capri, etc, have not seen Cinque Tierre or Amalfi Coast
Germany - loved Southern Germany/Alps
England - London etc, Cotswolds (loved it)
Spain - Madrid (ok), Seville (loved it)
France - Paris (Our least enjoyable trip by far for a number of reasons, which has generally turned me off on the idea of the rest of France)

DH wants to go to Barcelona or Greece, but for some reason I am not interested in either. I have always wanted to see Scotland and the British Lake District, but that doesn't seem "special" enough for him. We have been talking about Budapest/Prague and potentially a river cruise, but he worries that it will be geared towards an older/slower crowd (we are in our late 30s/early 40s).

We want:
Somewhere romantic where we can spend time together and "get lost" in each other again after all these years
Something beautiful to see (nature or historic), preferably something uniquely European.
Great food, but we aren't drinkers so we are not interested in a wine tour.

We are not interested in a nightlife/party scene. We also don't need to go to the beach as we can do that at home with the kids.

Sorry for the long-winded post, but any perspective or suggestions you might have would be much appreciated.
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Old Oct 27th, 2015, 04:56 AM
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I forgot to add that we intend to go in late May/early June.
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Old Oct 27th, 2015, 05:15 AM
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You tag suggest Hungary and Italy to me.

Italy, the number of options is enormous, i might suggest something like a cycling holiday in the Po valley with backup, loads of companies do stuff and nothing gets you to focus on each other than slowing down and getting back to your bodies, with just a hint of history all around you. This link shows you the sort of thing you can do but for first timers I might go with a group/support. There are lots of bike routes laid out and most of the roads in the area are dead quiet plus you could visit Padua/Bologna/Venice/Verona all very historic.

http://www.mybikeguide.co.uk/Verona_Guide.php

Budapest is a bit different, the number 2 capital of the Austro-Hungarian empire, the local culture is very into spas, get out and visit as many as you like. Loads of history and only a bit held back by a language that is ... tough, luckily many of the young speak English.
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Old Oct 27th, 2015, 05:17 AM
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older slower crowd, oh yes, on my one and only we lost a person a day, taken off by ambulance.
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Old Oct 27th, 2015, 05:56 AM
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This might entice you to the food scene in Barcelona, "I'll have what Phil's having" episode on Barcelona.
http://video.pbs.org/video/2365584115/
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Old Oct 27th, 2015, 05:57 AM
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How terrible would it be to have yourself spoiled in a hilltown in Tuscany or Umbria with a rental car to have some relaxed excursions with the expectation of a good dinner when in the late afternoon you return to your temporary home?
Not too small places like Orvieto or Spoleto offer wonderful opportunities. And you budget is not such that you have to improvise in some B&B.
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