Dream Vacation
 

Hello,
So, how do you decide where to go?
Do you plan as if it will be a 'once-in-a-lifetime dream vacation'?
What if it may be the last vacation for quite some time?
A relaxing vacation (cruise) or more of a sight-seeing trip?
We have a mental list of the places we'd like to go and finances usually whittle the list down but, sometimes we're still stuck. How do you get unstuck?
We've been on two Caribbean cruises, a transatlantic and also trips to Rome and Barcelona.
Now, we're trying to get started on a 30th anniversary trip for next year and no one place 'trips our trigger'!
Suggestions.
Thanks!

Congratulations!

Our 30th anniversary trip began like yours. Then I said what about a safari/ And that is what we did. the company we chose asked our budget and came up with a plan. We dropped Zanzibar from the plan since we are not beach people, and we had the dream holiday. It was a few months after our anniversary but that didn't make it any less special.

35 years next year. Already thinking about it, maybe another Africa trip or maybe to Suriname for something a bit different, but no definite plans yet.

I never plan my vacations as "once in a lifetime" vacations because I think that puts too much pressure on me to come up with the "ultimate" or "perfect" vacation destination. We've been fortunate enough to have visited some amazing places, and I have quite a long list of places that I would love to visit someday. Several factors come into play when deciding where to go for us: budget (usually airfare, as we don't have the endless supply of FF miles that some fodorites seem to have), weather and how much time we have. I read trip reports and scour through travel guides before finally coming to a decision.

Perhaps if you tell us what kinds of things you are interested in we can start throwing out some suggestions.

Congrats!
Tracy

I can only tell you how my husband and I decide on a trip.

Like tcreath, I never think of them as once in a lifetime. Way too much pressure.
We start with what we love, so it begins with art and architecture. Our current trip started because I was reading about Rene Magritte. We are built from there to include the "sights" that most people see while we're in Belgium and surrounding areas.
Both of us enjoy museums and we also enjoy nature so we mix it up.
What do you love? Clothes, food, cars, art? ARe you museum people or do you just want to eat at the best restaurants or go for a long hike?

Thanks for your thoughtful replies...you gave me what I was seeking...just personal replies on how you decide.
We are mostly art, architecture and museum people.
We've narrowed down our list to Barcelona (even though we've been there there's still so much to see), London because we've never been (British and London Natural History Museum intrigue us), Amsterdam (still have to do some research) or a Caribbean cruise (just to totally relax).
Thanks again!

It was a pleasure. Hope you have a great trip.

If you need any info on Amsterdam give me a shout and i'll try and help. Can't help with hotels, as I never stay there - I live too close for that!

Whatever you decide upon I am sure you will have a wonderful time.

You've received great advice here. I'll add another idea--food for thought. Since you like art and architecture, as I do, I'll first suggest a river cruise in Europe. Christmas Markets on the Rhine is fabulous (and not too cold), and one on the Danube would be nice too but for only a week (starts in Amsterdam where you'd tour the canal and pass by Ann Frank's house). Grand Circle Travel has good prices with airfare included at this time, but hurry. If you want to wait til 2010, you might do Egypt and the Nile--a fabulous bargain. You'd be treated like royalty on a bit larger ship (holds a little over 100), the Anuket. You'd have 4 nights in a Marriott hotel, formerly Napolean's Empress Eugenie's palace when the Suez Canal opened. You'll find out about the first architect and see more culture than you imagined possible in 12 days. It's not dangerous!! The Nile is placid and the Egyptologists are intelligent and very polite. Think about these two. Happy Anniversary!

For a 30th wedding anniversary you should consider Paris. It will have all the things you like: art, museum and architecture and to top it up - romance.

From Paris, London can be a day trip by the eurostar.

Depends. I have different kinds of trips. Going to Europe is usually about visiting a couple cities, seeing some sights, visiting a friend. Yearly vacations I usually go to a warm & sunny beach in the winter-time (Mexico or Hawaii). I never plan a "trip of a lifetime" and assume I will have many more trips to come in the future. No cruises, no tours, no itineraries... for me.

If nothing is inspiring you (personally I can't imagine) buy a few travel magazines or check out some guidebooks from the library and just browse the articles, information and photos for ideas.

oops, sorry I see your post above you already decided perhaps... Barcelona, London, Amsterdam or a Caribbean cruise.

London & Amsterdam together would make a great trip. You can certainly relax in Europe if you plan it that way. No need to confine yourself to a cruiseship for that.

Another option you might consider is a Mediterranean cruise out of either Barcelona or London. Fly in a few days before embarkation to see particular museums, then let the ship take you to Nice/Monaco, Rome, Naples, Valetta, etc.

Just remember- this is supposed to be fun, so don't stress yourself out before you go. (Besides, isn't driving travelers crazy the airlines' job?)

One of our most romantic moments (in public) when traveling was stargazing while sailing through the Gates of Gibralter.
I agree, don't get stressed over the planning. Let the dream come alive!