My DH & I are turning the BIG 3-0 next year! DH's birthday is May 31 and mine is October 4. We love traveling so we want to be on a trip for each of our bdays. DH chose Kauai and I would love to go to Italy. We knew going into choosing that both trips are big ones and will take a lot of money. Now looking into the price breakdown of both trips we see it may too difficult to have the money for two such big trips.

Here is the background and dilemma that I would like Fodorites advice/suggestions:
We went to Kauai in May 2007 and ABSOLUTELY LOVE the island. Next May will mark 4 YEARS since we have been to Kauai.
Our only trip, so far, to Europe was Paris in October 2008 so going to Italy next October will mark 3 YEARS since we have been to Europe.
We need to choose 1 BIG TRIP and for the other birthday a smaller trip but we don't know which one to give up. DH says to give up Kauai because we have never been to Italy but it is so hard to give up on Kauai. I think since we have been is what makes it harder to give up. For anyone that LOVES Kauai, what are you thinking we should do? Anyone that has been to Italy, what are you thinking we should do?

If we do not go to Kauai, DH & I have not thought of any alternatives for his bday. Any suggestions? We love Hawaii so another beach destination or we also love National Parks. We have been to Rocky Mtn NP, Olympic NP and Mt Rainier NP.
By not going to Kauai means we will plan for Italy so the trip would include: Cinque Terre, Florence & Tuscan hilltowns.
If we choose to go to Kauai and NOT Italy and alternative I am thinking is: start in Albuquerque for the International Hot Air Balloon Festival, maybe stop at Mesa Verde National Park then onto Utah for Arches and Zion NP.

*Disclaimer: Sometimes when I post I get replies saying to do what I want and not let others persuade me. Well, ultimately I will choose which trips to take or not to take. I just love to read other opinions, suggestions or votes from other people to give a different perspective or outside objection. Thanks in advance!

Rather than try to pick between the two locations, I suggestion to focus more on the type of trip you want, what you want to get out of it. Is it rest & relaxation? Or the stimulation of traveling around cities of Europe.

When I go to Hawaii I kick back and relax, it's a very low-key relaxing experience. When I am in Europe it's more a go-go-go city touring, train taking kind of trip. Fun but not particularly relaxing.

I'm not big on the US SW so that plan wouldn't even make my own personal short list. I'd just do one BIG trip this year, and the other BIG trip next year.

There is some affordable lodging in Hawaii. Yes the cost of a vehicle and living adds up, but cooking in nice condo for about $1000 with cleaning costs is downright possible.

I love Kauai! I dearly hope to return one day. We spent a memorable birthday there for my husband. It was gorgeous, relaxing, romantic, and wonderful.

I have been to Italy three times. Yet THAT is where I would go back for a big birthday celebration if I had the choice -- and the trip you have described is great.

It's good that it's your husband, who chose Kauai, who is now the one suggesting your forego Kauai for Italy. You don't even have to feel guilty!

Go to Italy and you'll have somewhere new you and your husband can share incredible memories about in the future.

Have a great trip.

I vote for Italy, too. Hawaii seems easier to me for trips in the future.

What area do you live in, and what would be a new experience for you? From your post, you seem to like the National Parks. Have you been to Yosemite or the Grand Canyon? Are you interested in seeing any cities? Quebec is lovely, as are Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island in Canada. Charleston, SC, is gorgeous, and you can get in some beach time nearby.

Italy!

I love Hawaii, but I also love the National parks. Since you have gone to Kauai once why not go to Yellowstone. It's an amazing place, a great lodge and incredible wildlife. I also love Yosemite and in May, the waterfall are in full bloom.

Italy! You have been to Kauai. You will love the beauty and culture of Italy. (and food)

Suze orman would tell you to save your money for retirement...

You mention Cinque Terre, Florence & Tuscan hilltowns for visiting Italy but these are the second or even third tier places to visit in Italy. You must include Rome, Milan and Venice on your first trip. Possibly also look at visiting Naples and the Amalfi Coast as well.
Ultimately, travelling to Italy will be more expensive as you will need to visit three or more places and this will add to the cost and the stress. I suspect you will end up in Kauai as this will be cheaper and easier. I think you should go away for both of your birthday's even if one of the trips is a long weekend (maybe a city break) as it is a unfair on the person who won't be away for their birthday if you love travelling.

"...but these are the second or even third tier places to visit in Italy"

Different people have different preferences.

My "first tier" places are the Cinque Terre and Tuscan hilltowns with a stop in Florence.

I'm not sure if you have (or are planning on having) kids. But if you are/do, then I think I'd choose the more active location, like Italy for this trip. Live it up, eat late dinners, drink too much wine, sleep in, etc. Once you have kids, it's much easier to choose a place like Hawaii or other more beach location because they are so perfect with kids. Just a suggestion.

starrs I know you like to be argumentative but my point was you can't really go to Italy and not see the main cities. After all ancient Rome is where modern civilsation began and Venice is truly unique. The poster made no reference to the main sites which I was trying to compare versus Kauai, which they had already been too.

"starrs I know you like to be argumentative but my point was you can't really go to Italy and not see the main cities."

Wow, MissMandy.
I don't know anything about you, but I suppose "my point" is that for some of us those areas ARE the places we want to see.

"you can't really go to Italy and not see the main cities"
Sure you can. A lot of people do. All the time.

As I said earlier, "Different people have different preferences."

I tend to dismiss any and all advice when a person tells me I have chosen wrong, and MUST do what they think. To call their choices second and third tier is downright insulting and belittling and simply wrong.