Romantic 20th anniversary trip
 

Mrs. Roalcl and I will be celebrating 20 years of wedded bliss this September 7th. We're looking for three nights away from Chicago. Suggestions on a location would be appreciated. Thanks.

Hi Roalcl,

My DH & I went to Carmel, CA for our 20th anniversary and enjoyed the area immensely! It was the perfect romantic getaway. BTW, we live in Antioch, IL. ;)

Here's my trip report if you're interested...
http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...p;tid=34452270

Just had to post a response because we share the same anniversary, though I've got a few years on you. Congratulations on 20! Too bad you don't have more time; I've found a couple places on the planet to be romantic and quite nice that time of year.

Hello Roalcl, early congratulations!

What type of area were you thinking of and what sort of activities do you like?

Carmel is beautiful!

Lake Tahoe is very lovely too in September. You would no doubt want to fly into Reno and rent a car to drive to Tahoe.

NYC could be a fun and exciting trip.

Some people really love LasVegas.

San Diego is a very nice relaxing place.

Portland, OR is usually loved by everyone who visits there and weather should be very good.

Vancouver, BC, Canada is another beautiful city.

I have not been but will be visiting for the first time next week. Charleston, SC. It sounds like a wonderful historical city.

I love the gulf coast of Florida such as LongBoatKey or Naples.

SantaFe, NM is enjoyed by everyone that I have ever talked to.

Just a few thoughts. Not really sure what type of trip you were thinking of so just threw a few places out to see what you thought.

Thanks for the input to date. I left the initial message vague to get some wide ranging feedback. We'll be traveling as a family to San Francisco in August and hope to visit Carmel then, makai1. Beachbum, my folks share 9/7 as an anniversary too. LoveItaly, we were thinking NYC, Charleston, Santa Fe - thought about New Orleans and the south but it might be a bit warm and I believe hurricane season starts up around that time of year. Any big city recommendations or Canadian hot spots?

Santa Fe is where we're headed this year, Roalcl, but not until a little later in September. Join us! There's a wine and chili fiesta the weekend of the 25th - 27th.

Big city recommendations? Hard to beat Paris, even if you had only three nights there.

Paris would be wonderful if you had more time. But in my opinion, too far, too much travel time involved for a 3 day romantic adventure!

We have been to San Diego (just north in LaJolla) and stayed at Sea Lodge, right on the beach for our anniversary one year and it was great!

We have also went to Carmel, and stayed at the Seven Gables, a bed and breakfast, right on the penisula. Carmel is probably more romantic and quaint than San Diego was. We stayed in a room with stained glass windows, and we opened them at night to listen to the surf. That was one of our most memorable trips. Very romantic! Good luck on deciding. But if you only have 3 days, don't waste it on traveling!

Hello Roalcl, not living in Chicago I don't know the flight schedule from Chicago to Vancouver BC but it is a beautiful city and yet would be quite different in a way from Chicago.

NYC is always enjoyed by people that like big cities, fabulous restaurants, the theater etc.

As I mentioned I have not been to Charleston SC before but I will be there next week. As a point of interest I was talking to a neighbor today who got really excited about the fact I was going to Charleston. She said she and her husband had been there several times and loved it so much. I will know more after I have been there but it certainly sounds beautiful and yet relaxing.

I am correct, am I not, that you are talking about three night whereever you to decide to go. So day one would be flying to your destination and arriving at your hotel and enjoying the rest of the day there. Staying there night one. Day two and night two would be completely enjoying whereever you are. The same with day three and night three. And then day four you would be flying home. Do I understand this correctly?

Vancouver Island and the Wickinninish Inn would be delightful!

LoveItaly, are you going to be in Charleston this weekend?

If you are, heads up that it the Cooper River Bridge Run that finishes in downtown Charleston. There are 30,000 runners so plan on crowds, crowds and more crowds.

If you are a runner and you'll be in town, you need to run this race! It is a 10K and registration is $25. It is a perfect way to see the city and the last year the race will be run on the old bridge.

www.bridgerun.com

My husband took me to the Biltmore Estate in Asheville NC for my birthday last year. It was ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL. The Biltmore INN on the property is a stunning place that overlooks the vineyards of the estate with the mountains in the background. This would be the perfect place for you to celebrate 3 nights in the fall. The foliage in that area is gorgeous and the INN is simply romantic. The property also has various restaurants, a winery and the Biltmore Mansion to tour. You will LOVE IT!!

LoveItaly, you are correct on the travel dates. Our top choices for destinations are NYC, Boston, Montreal, Charleston and Santa Fe. Quite diverse I realize but we're not sure yet it we want big city excitement or a quieter environment.

Santa Fe would be lovely in September.

Lee Ann

Hello again Roalcl, just saw your last post.

I think personally I would narrow it down to NYC, Montreal and Charleston.

It is fun and also confusing to have so many choices.

Let us know what your final decision is. And for sure you have time to decide.

For a romantic and relaxing anniversary trip, I'd choose Santa Fe.

Congrats on 20 years!

I might take Charleston out of the equation for Sept as that is often prime hurricane time and the weather can still be quite humid/hot. How about the mountains of NC instead. We've spent some romantic evenings in Blowing Rock and Highlands. Both will be cooler than Charleston that time of year and the scenery is beautiful.

Thanks all for the great information and suggestions thus far. A question that comes to mind is Santa Fe versus Taos. Any suggestions here?

Taos is about two hours north of Santa Fe; it would be worth a day trip, but I think there's more to do in Santa Fe.

Lee Ann