caniac

My wife and I will be celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary in September. I am looking for a romantic/exciting/unique destination for a 4 day weekend either the weekend of Sep 10th or September 17th (after Labor Day). For previous anniversaries we went to Charleston, Barbados, and Nantucket. We want something different this year. We would like to avoid the Carribean. Do you have any suggestions?

RandyK

What about a tour of wine country? I think your timing might be a few weeks early for harvest time, but Sonoma is a beautiful part of the world (I like it better than Napa)and you could also do a day in SF too.

Sunnyboy

You don't say where you are from or how much time you want to allow for actual travel so here are some wide ranging places that I've had very enjoyable long weekends at that time of year:

Montreal
Boston
New York City
The Hamptons (Long Island)
Senibel or Captiva
Hilton Head Island
New Orleans
A Bed & Breakfast in New England (it's a little early for fall foliage but the further north you go the more you'll see).
Santa Fe
San Francisco
San Antonio
Yellowstone National Park
Yosemite
Washington, D.C.

makai1

Hi caniac,

I highly recommend the Carmel - Big Sur area... here's the link for our trip report from our 20th anniversary that we spend here. It was very romantic, exciting and a trip we'll never forget.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...1&tid=34452270

Whatever you do, happy planning and many congrats!!

shaz60

We went to New Orleans for our 25th and absolutely loved it. Romantic, unique, and just a little edgy.

caniac

Thanks for the suggestions! I'll look into some of these places and try to narrow the list to 2-3 destinations and post back here!

Dreamer2

I'm with Shaz! We spent our 20th anniversary (September) in NOLA, and had a great time. Stayed at the Windsor Court, and would do so again. The trip was definitely romantic/exciting/unique.

My other suggestion would be Venice. But that's probably a bit much for 4 days!

Sonoma is certainly romantic and beautiful, and very relaxing. But not the same kind of celebratory, exciting kind of thing.

beechbum

just got back from Oregon. Celebrated our anniversary. It was so romantic. From the City life in Portland to the waterfalls in the Columbia Gorge to the Oregon Coast. Great wine, beer and coffee. You should read some of the postings for Oregon. Lots of good information there.

kp7_slu

I would recommend Costa Rica. The flight is only a few hours, and it is beautiful. We stayed at the Marriott Resort, which I would highly recommend. The hotel was gorgeous, the service was amazing, and there were a variety of tours from the hotel that would give you some excitement in your trip. September will be the "green" season there, which means it rains more, but it is also more lush. There are plenty of things to do even if it rains for a few hours.

maggers

Have you thought about The Greenbrier? My husband and I honeymooned there and return every year for our anniversary. It is beautiful, the accommodations are great, there are countless things to do or it's a great place to do nothing. The food is delicious and the service is impeccable. You will truly feel you have been someplace special!

DonnieD

Personally, I think that the best anniversary destination is to revisit the location of your honeymoon. This is your best opportunity to experience the changes that have taken place over the last 20 years.

Experience how you have changed as well as how the world has changed. For me, a trip to the past always sparks memories and feelings of youth.

kimamom

We've celebrated many anniversaries in the Carmel, CA area. It's beautiful there. We like the Highland's Inn for true pampering.

This past anniversary, we loved our visit to Santa Barbara. Palm trees, dolphins and gorgeous scenery. For our 25th anniversary in a couple of years, Maui is looking like a nice destination for that celebration. ***kim***

Sarah

where are you caniac? 20th is special? I would leave the country.Tack on one more day and you have a quicky trip to Paris. Could be a very nice surpise.

Stateside? San Francisco could be romantic if you do some research, get reservations at chez Panise. Don't get more wrong its no Charleston. ....totally kidding.

I did San Francsico on a long weekend from New York last year, had a great time. I have also done 4 day weekends to London, and when I really needed to one year Honolulu. Ok the last was not really an endorsement I just had to be there that year, missing it too much.

travelinandgolfin

New Zealand, especially if enjoy golf and outdoor activities.

Dreamer2

For a four day trip from the US?

koi

Cape Cod is wonderful.......also, Vermont, Maine or New Hampshire. My other suggestion is New York city.......food and shows are fabulous!

LDLee

Happy upcoming anniversary. My wife and I went to Las Vegas to renew our vows before Elvis. Not really romantic or different, but fun.

Knowing you live in North Carolina, my answer depends on how long you want to be in a plane. If you are willing to fly for over 8 hours to your destination then drive another three or four, either the wine country or Big Sur would be excellent places for a long weekend. Very relaxing atmosphere and wonderful food. My wife and I prefer Cambria, because it is a little more secluded than Carmel. Others will tell you there is not much to do there except tour the Hearst Castle and walk the beach.

On the east coast, I suggest either Quebec City or a bed and breakfast in Vermont or New Hampshire to view the fall leaves. Maybe a tour through Amish Country.

Here's a goofy idea. Try a popular destination for honeymoons, like Niagara Falls or Disneyland.

Sarah

Quebec city that is another good one

tcreath

If you have the money, my vote would be somewhere in Europe. We went to Rome in December for 4 nights and had a fantastic time. I also second the Paris idea or perhaps Venice.

caniac

Wow! Thanks for all the info. I really like the following suggestions:

1) Wine Country (Sonoma)
2) One of the other CA coastal cities
3) Greenbrier
4) Northeast: (Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire)

Some of the suggestions are awesome, but I can't convince my wife to leave for more than 4 nights since we have a 5th grader that will have to stay with family members..........Imagine how hard this will be 5 years from now when our 5th grader will be a 10th grader. It will be all over school: "Man and his wife leaving for a 1 week anniversary trip. Party at caniac's house this weekend!"