Where to go for a 50th anniversary?
Mar 17th, 2016, 04:20 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Where to go for a 50th anniversary?
Where in the world would you pick for a 50th anniversary? I love to hear about your favorite places. Here are a few things important to me:
Weather: Our anniversary is in November so that eliminates lots of places unless we opt for a different month to celebrate
History: Love places that have lots of interesting architects, ruins, historical things to see
Scenery: A beautiful place is a must
Good Food & Wine: Love to eat local fare, everything from Food trucks to nice restaurants
Mode of transportation: Is it easy to drive, or take bus, train, boat or ease of getting around
Activities: We are fairly fit 60's. Enjoy snorkeling or diving, biking, hiking, boating, ziplines, etc
Places we've traveled: Tahiti, Fiji, Peru, Costa Rica, England, Ireland, Scotland, Austria, Germany, tip of Italy,Honduras, Mexico, Gibralter, Spain, Canada & lots of the US.
PS I have previously posted under Idahospud but couldn't get into my account so switched it. I've been with Fodor's since 2003 & have posted lots of my trips.
Cant wait to get your feedback.
Weather: Our anniversary is in November so that eliminates lots of places unless we opt for a different month to celebrate
History: Love places that have lots of interesting architects, ruins, historical things to see
Scenery: A beautiful place is a must
Good Food & Wine: Love to eat local fare, everything from Food trucks to nice restaurants
Mode of transportation: Is it easy to drive, or take bus, train, boat or ease of getting around
Activities: We are fairly fit 60's. Enjoy snorkeling or diving, biking, hiking, boating, ziplines, etc
Places we've traveled: Tahiti, Fiji, Peru, Costa Rica, England, Ireland, Scotland, Austria, Germany, tip of Italy,Honduras, Mexico, Gibralter, Spain, Canada & lots of the US.
PS I have previously posted under Idahospud but couldn't get into my account so switched it. I've been with Fodor's since 2003 & have posted lots of my trips.
Cant wait to get your feedback.
Mar 17th, 2016, 06:20 PM
#2
Sicily. Maybe Australia (check weather records for different regions). New Zealand. Patagonia. If late November, maybe the Caribbean.
My attitude towards weather is go where you want to go, but be prepared. That being said, I wouldn't pick a primarily summer resort or other place that would be largely deserted in November. What week, by the way?
It also depends on how much time you have. Super-long flights wouldn't make much sense in a short-ish trip.
My attitude towards weather is go where you want to go, but be prepared. That being said, I wouldn't pick a primarily summer resort or other place that would be largely deserted in November. What week, by the way?
It also depends on how much time you have. Super-long flights wouldn't make much sense in a short-ish trip.
Mar 18th, 2016, 04:34 AM
#5
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,360
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have two suggestions:
1. St. Augustine, Florida. (history, scenery, good food & wine, easy to get around in the historic district, plus mild weather in November)
2. A Caribbean cruise
_____________________________________________
Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie
1. St. Augustine, Florida. (history, scenery, good food & wine, easy to get around in the historic district, plus mild weather in November)
2. A Caribbean cruise
_____________________________________________
Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie
Mar 18th, 2016, 05:13 AM
#6
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,966
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
New Zealand - November is late Spring (think May/June in US) so weather should be good. Some of the most magnificent scenery in the world (especially on the South Island. Easy to navigate by car - we are older than you and did a 6 week driving tour that was one of the best trips we've ever taken. Plenty of adventure related activities - hiking, kayaking, boating, nature walks, jet boats, fishing, even sky diving and hang gliding if that interests you. Quaint towns and villages to explore, waterfalls, fjords, glaciers, beaches, whale watching, museums, historical sites galore - you name it New Zealand has it. Plus, you find some of the friendliest people on earth.
Mar 18th, 2016, 07:26 AM
#7
Random ideas -
South America cruise - BsAs to Valparaiso or v.v. Spend a few days in Buenos Aires before or after the cruise.
SE Asia cruise - same idea, start/end in Singapore and all your foodie dreams will be fulfilled.
Easter Island and Chile.
South Africa - if it was me I'd go earlier (September is ideal) for safari, touring Cape Town and the winelands, Garden Route, spring wildflowers in Namaqualand, etc. It's a long way but you'll come back addicts.
South America cruise - BsAs to Valparaiso or v.v. Spend a few days in Buenos Aires before or after the cruise.
SE Asia cruise - same idea, start/end in Singapore and all your foodie dreams will be fulfilled.
Easter Island and Chile.
South Africa - if it was me I'd go earlier (September is ideal) for safari, touring Cape Town and the winelands, Garden Route, spring wildflowers in Namaqualand, etc. It's a long way but you'll come back addicts.
Mar 18th, 2016, 12:57 PM
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Some really good suggestions. Our anniversary is the 24th of November but we are flexible with going in October if needed. I would love to do Australia/New Zealand but think we will only do that if we can spend 4-6 wks. Right now I have a 95 year old mom that is very healthy & lives alone near us so don't think I will do that until later. But we are good with 3 wks.
We've done Hawaii & Mexico numerous times & always love it there but looking for something new & more exotic. The Mediterranean/Sicilily/ Adriatic Sea area has my attention. Even looked into a Windstar cruise. Not necessarily a cruise kind of person since I like to explore land & don't like 3500 of my "friends" going along so that's why Windstar seemed possible with extra time on land. South Africa intrigues me as well so will do some research there. I normally spend months planning our trips & thinking of doing something where I don't have to do all the work.
Appreciate your ideas so keep them coming. I'm thinking this trip will be around $10000 so want it super special. Lots of time to plan & dream!
We've done Hawaii & Mexico numerous times & always love it there but looking for something new & more exotic. The Mediterranean/Sicilily/ Adriatic Sea area has my attention. Even looked into a Windstar cruise. Not necessarily a cruise kind of person since I like to explore land & don't like 3500 of my "friends" going along so that's why Windstar seemed possible with extra time on land. South Africa intrigues me as well so will do some research there. I normally spend months planning our trips & thinking of doing something where I don't have to do all the work.
Appreciate your ideas so keep them coming. I'm thinking this trip will be around $10000 so want it super special. Lots of time to plan & dream!
Mar 18th, 2016, 01:32 PM
#13
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 413
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Years ago friends celebrated their 40th with a sailing trip through Greek islands and along the Turkish coastline on a boat similar to what you see here: http://www.salamandervoyages.com/?gc...WLEaArCg8P8HAQ. They celebrated their 50th last year with a cruise up the Danube, and have taken a number of other memorable trips over the years - Machu Picchu and the Galapagos, for example - but would still cite that sailing trip as their most memorable vacation ever.
We'll be celebrating our 50th within 10 years, and we're thinking about a Windstar Cruise in the Mediterranean, or a return trip to Bora Bora.
We'll be celebrating our 50th within 10 years, and we're thinking about a Windstar Cruise in the Mediterranean, or a return trip to Bora Bora.
Mar 18th, 2016, 01:41 PM
#14
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,966
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you are worried about cruising with "3,500 friends" check out some of the cruise lines with smaller ships (100 to 750 passengers) like Seaborne, Silver Seas, Regent Seven Seas, Sea Dream Yacht Club, Linblad, Tauck, etc. Hint go to cruisecritic.com for lots of good info and thousands of reviews.
Consider doing a cruise to the Galapagos - biggest ship has only 96 passengers and you can find boats with 8, 16 & 32 passengers.
Also look at an Amazon River Cruise on Aqua Expiditions. Small river boat with a max of 32 passengers. Upscale service, great food & service and some of the best naturalists/guides we have ever had in 35+ years of travel. FYI - if you want something more exotic they also do River cruises in Vietnam.
Consider doing a cruise to the Galapagos - biggest ship has only 96 passengers and you can find boats with 8, 16 & 32 passengers.
Also look at an Amazon River Cruise on Aqua Expiditions. Small river boat with a max of 32 passengers. Upscale service, great food & service and some of the best naturalists/guides we have ever had in 35+ years of travel. FYI - if you want something more exotic they also do River cruises in Vietnam.
Mar 18th, 2016, 02:15 PM
#15
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We are nearly identical to you in ages, interests, fitness, and abilities.
See my trip report from 3 weeks in Sicily last fall. You could also combine this with a week in a flat in Venice (another of my favorites).
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-is-doable.cfm
Go to France in early October and spend a week in the Loire Valley (biking possibilities) and a week in a flat in Paris.
Cambodia (Angkor temples) and Laos offer a lot of what you want. We've just returned, and our recommendation is that if you have any interest at all in visiting the Angkor temples, do it while you are still young enough and fit enough. You'd just hire a driver rather than doing it yourself.
Nepal--Oct. is the biggest month for tourism, and Nov. would be great. I don't think I'd classify the food as fabulous though.
See my trip report from 3 weeks in Sicily last fall. You could also combine this with a week in a flat in Venice (another of my favorites).
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-is-doable.cfm
Go to France in early October and spend a week in the Loire Valley (biking possibilities) and a week in a flat in Paris.
Cambodia (Angkor temples) and Laos offer a lot of what you want. We've just returned, and our recommendation is that if you have any interest at all in visiting the Angkor temples, do it while you are still young enough and fit enough. You'd just hire a driver rather than doing it yourself.
Nepal--Oct. is the biggest month for tourism, and Nov. would be great. I don't think I'd classify the food as fabulous though.
Mar 18th, 2016, 02:20 PM
#16
History, scenery, diving... Israel. Good weather, dive in the Red Sea (Eilat) with a side trip to Petra, visit Jerusalem, hang out in Tel Aviv, go up to the Galilee, gorgeous in autumn, vineyards... Maybe stop somewhere in Europe on the way or on the way back?
Mar 21st, 2016, 12:57 PM
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You have given me lots to think about. Julie you sound like our kind of traveler so researching your recommendations. Gar would love to go to Petra ,etc but wonder how safe it is right now. I'm not a worrier per se but really don't want to plan a trip & have country unrest. Really want to go to Greece but very aware they are struggling with finances as well as immigrant overflow. Sicily is on my list & must say the river cruises have caught my attention. I'm usually the driver on our trips but would love not having to figure out how to get around for a change.
Keep pointing me in the right direction. I'm hoping to get my list down to my top 3 choices.
Thanks to all!
Keep pointing me in the right direction. I'm hoping to get my list down to my top 3 choices.
Thanks to all!
Mar 21st, 2016, 02:03 PM
#18
Gar would love to go to Petra ,etc but wonder how safe it is right now. I'm not a worrier per se but really don't want to plan a trip & have country unrest.
Sad to say, probably safer than Paris or Istanbul or any number of other places. Israel/Jordan is quite peaceful, and as long as you stay out of the West Bank, you're unlikely to sense even a little risk. Believe me, if any security issues come up, the Israelis take care of visitors as job one.
Sad to say, probably safer than Paris or Istanbul or any number of other places. Israel/Jordan is quite peaceful, and as long as you stay out of the West Bank, you're unlikely to sense even a little risk. Believe me, if any security issues come up, the Israelis take care of visitors as job one.
Mar 21st, 2016, 04:39 PM
#19
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,930
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We were told the same thing as Gardyloo said. We went to Israel with a side trip to Petra with a group from my church. Our pastor (also on the trip) said the guides stay in radio contact with the Army, and if they say don't go somewhere on a particular day, they don't go.
Mar 22nd, 2016, 02:12 AM
#20
My only rec: you need to forget about doing it "on the date" since you've already said weather might be a limiting factor. I would go somewhere you've always wanted to go, or actually go somewhere you've been before that you loved, just go when the weather is good.
And finally: go to New Zealand and you might even do it in November lucky you!
And finally: go to New Zealand and you might even do it in November lucky you!
