40th Anniversary
 

My wife and I need a relaxing, affordable 40th Anniversary trip. Our budget is tight but we want something memorable, beach-side (or water side) and fun for our age (60ish). We live in Wisconsin and the trip could be state-side or ?? For our 30th we went to Jamaica and we've never done anything like that before or since.

The cruise industry is giving HUGE discounts this year if you can get to NYC or Florida... Upper Michigan has some great old fashioned resorts... Cape Cod and Boston... Finger Lakes of NY and Cooperstown Hall of Fame... Jersey Shore... Take your pick....

What month will this be? Makes a big difference if you're talking beaches.

What does tight budget mean to you?
How much time for this trip?
Garyt22 may have it just right. A cruise can be wonderful and even cheap if you do an inside cabin - a great bargain and there are many different types of ships and itineraries to choose from. Consider Celebrity or Princess in the Caribbean, departing from Miami, Ft Lauderdale, NO or Houston.

2 weeks in August and the budget might be as low as $2000 but could be twice that if an investment or 2 works out.

How about a trip around Lake Superior? Affordable, lots of beaches, the Canadian experience, many points of interest, wildlife and the north shore of MN is packed with activities.

August is not a low-budget time of year to travel. If you wait until after labor day you can have weather that is just as nice, and get a lot more for your money in many places. As well as lower airfares probably.

In August we are starting in Stillwater,MN. and driving north to Duluth and along the North Shore of Lake Superior and spending a few days around Grand Marais. There are some easy hiking trails leading to waterfalls as well as chair/beach time overlooking Superior and watching the sun set with a drink in my hand. With a budget of $2,000 you will be able to have exactly what you want and money left over for pie at Betty's Pies.

For cruises, join the vacationstogo website to get ideas of what is available. The 90 day sticker lists what the company thinks is the best current bargains. To get more options, you have to go to the block for looking at specific date, ships, itineraries. Prices can be quite fluid, and there are great options in every price range.

I am right now trying to choose between three or four, but as an example: Holland, Nieuw Amsterdam (a five star ship), departing Ft Lauderdale on March 22, inside cabin is $399. Add taxes, tips, etc. another $150-200, plus airfare, $200, one night hotel with dinner, $100.00, and you are at about $900.00pp. For 7 day cruise. Two travel days and one in the hotel pre-cruise - 10 days.

There are several good cruise web sites, but you can also join cruise critic for reviews of ships and itineraries. If you think this might interest you, go to the cruise forum here on Fodors. There are a dozen or more very experienced cruisers who can advise you on just about everything connected with cruising.

Also, look at the cheapcaribbean web site and travelzoo for the latest bargains on airfare and vacations everywhere. I don't necessarily book with them, but they are great for information and ideas.

Oops, should have said, Holland America, not just Holland

Um, you may want to re-tag this with your preferred destination because it doesn't seem like you want to go to Illinois/Minnesota/Wisco.