DH and I are trying to pick a place for our 5 year anniversary at the end of the month. He had originally tried to plan a trip to the Greek Isles (Mykonos and Santorini), or to Paris (where I've never been), but nixed it because airfare to Europe the last week of June starts at $1500 each for awful flights and gets into about $2200-2500 each range (he's been looking for 6 months hoping they'd drop b/c they were crazy even then, but they didn't and now we're stuck). Hotels are just as bad. We like 4.5 to 5 star hotels, in general. We pretty much don't stay at anything else anymore. From the looks of it, we can barely get a 3 star with decent reviews for under $400 US that week in either place. (I'm willing to pay in the $400-550 range for 4.5-5 star, but not 3 star). On the other hand, we haven't traveled much to Europe (one trip to England/Scotland, and one trip to Rome/Florence), and were thinking that getting in a romantic jaunt there before we start trying to have children makes sense. The other place we're considering is St. John and St. Thomas. A few nights at the Ritz in St. Thomas (which we've already booked just in case) and a few at the Westin in St. John. I'm worried that the Westin sounds so kid friendly, and am afraid that we'll be disappointed that one of our last trips we could take sans kids will be one that we could easily have taken with kids, esp. if there are going to be kids everywhere. It does sound romantic/restful otherwise, though, and I'd be less likely to be stressed about $ the whole time. So, do we suck it up and pay to go someplace in Europe, or just kick back and go to the Carribean? Thanks for your thoughts...

My guess is that the majority here will vote Europe.

I know, and I posted a similar post on the Carribean board, but I'm trying to weigh people's answers in my decision... I mean, am I ridiculous to think this might be a last ditch chance at a romantic European vacation, so I shouldn't stress about it and go sometime when it's not so astronomical, or is it true that these aren't places I want to visit for the first time with kids, and I should go now, damned the cost?

Well, for one thing, 5-star hotels don't even exist in France, so not sure what you're looking at in terms of hotels in Paris. And when I stay at 3-star hotels in Paris, I'm used to paying around $200 a night or even under. So maybe you could expound upon what your research on Paris hotels has unearthed that has convinced you you can't make this work.

I think it really depends what you're looking for in a vacation. A chance to just relax & do nothing - pick the carribean. A chance to see more of the world & some amazing sites - pick Europe. Both can be romantic.

Maybe keep researching Europe & see if you can find some deals. Try flying into another city & then connecting to Greece or Paris.

From your post, it sounds like you'd rather go to Europe if you can find a way. Keep trying! While the carribean is beautiful, it probably will be full of kids this time of year.

That is my two cents. Hope it is helpful!