[Cajun_X5]

Starting early to plan a nice 10 year anniversary trip for summer '23. Eyeing somewhere in Caribbean but nothing is off the table. We always thought Bora Bora would be the spot for our 10 year but burning so much time flying to/from isn't appealing and idea of being on a beach in Caribbean with a drink within a few hours is nice. We did Sugar Beach in St. Lucia for our honeymoon and that was excellent. Would go again but want to change it up.

Our considerations: Prefer All Inclusive but want it to be luxurious. Non-AI is fine too. Large, amazing pool is desired. Big enough resort with multiple restaurants so we aren't eating at same place every day. Adult only is preferred but not required. Spend no more than maybe $1,500/night.

Italy such as Amalfi coast is on list of possibilities as my wife loves Italy. But again, the travel factor - though it can be done.

Love to hear any suggestions as I imagine many folks on here have done some great vacations.

[wtwo3]

We'll be celebrating our 10 year anniversary next year as well. We've booked a trip to Punta Cana in the Dominican for about a week at an all-inclusive resort called "Finest Punta Cana".

We really wanted to do Maldives but figured we should wait till the kids are a little older (4yr old and a 3 month old) before we decide to either take them with or leave them home.

[Cajun_X5]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

We'll be celebrating our 10 year anniversary next year as well. We've booked a trip to Punta Cana in the Dominican for about a week at an all-inclusive resort called "Finest Punta Cana".

We really wanted to do Maldives but figured we should wait till the kids are a little older (4yr old and a 3 month old) before we decide to either take them with or leave them home.

Great suggestions - just checked out their website - Gorgeous resort and just the kind of place we are looking for. Looks like a newer resort also which is very nice.

Funny, we tossed out idea of Maldives too but travel was just insanely long to get there.

[Alfisti]

$1500 a night? Jesus H man. FWIW I'd look at Aruba or Bahamas.

[floridaorange]

Punta Cana

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

$1500 a night? Jesus H man. FWIW I'd look at Aruba or Bahamas.

I was wondering when you'd comment on that

[Cajun_X5]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

$1500 a night? Jesus H man. FWIW I'd look at Aruba or Bahamas.

Ha! I don't necessarily want to spend that but for the right place, maybe, plus if its all inclusive then its an easier pill to swallow. Haven't been on a couples trip since having kids so budget is higher since we haven't really done a big trip in many years.

Aruba is on my short list.. will check out places there. I love Bahamas but we've been there a few times so leaning toward new (to us) places. Thanks for the input.

[Blue87]

We had a great time at Couples Negril in Jamaica. It was all inclusive: we ate, drank and swam all day long. Since we'd been there previously, we were eyeing Aruba this time around. So many places to go, so little time

[Tommy-G]

I can expand on this tomorrow but check out:
Secrets the Vine-Cancun (do not be thrown by the Cancun thing, we were amazed)
Also loved Sandals Montego Bay and Royal Bahamian
Did a great resort in Dominican Republic but they change names every few years so no clue what it is now.

All my life I wanted to do Bora Bora for my Honeymoon and my wife talked me into Paris, Monaco, Florence and Rome. I would do Monaco and Florence again but Rome and Paris you could keep IMO. Amalfi would be my next stop.

How long do you want to go away for?

[Cajun_X5]

Originally Posted by Blue87

We had a great time at Couples Negril in Jamaica. It was all inclusive: we ate, drank and swam all day long. Since we'd been there previously, we were eyeing Aruba this time around. So many places to go, so little time

I will check this out.. thank you for the idea. That's our plan.. eat, drink and swim all day. Agree.. so so many places.

Originally Posted by Tommy-G

I can expand on this tomorrow but check out:
Secrets the Vine-Cancun (do not be thrown by the Cancun thing, we were amazed)
Also loved Sandals Montego Bay and Royal Bahamian
Did a great resort in Dominican Republic but they change names every few years so no clue what it is now.

All my life I wanted to do Bora Bora for my Honeymoon and my wife talked me into Paris, Monaco, Florence and Rome. I would do Monaco and Florence again but Rome and Paris you could keep IMO. Amalfi would be my next stop.

How long do you want to go away for?

Thinking 5 nights total. Have small kids so we don't want to leave them behind for too long with the grandparents! Will check those resorts out.. Some of our best trips have been to Cancun. It gets a bad "spring breaker" rap but the college kids don't go to the really nice resorts. Plus its so easy to get to from most of US.

Been seeing some really good things about Sandals too so i'll check those out. Thanks for the ideas.

[2000cs]

You can do a multi-city tour to Glasgow, London, Paris, Versailles, Baghdad, Athens. All in Kentucky, by bus. Sets a low bar for future anniversary trip expectations, should there be any future anniversaries.

Since you’re wanting beach/resort/island, I really don’t have anything to offer.

For our tenth next month we rented a place in the Smokies (eastern TN). Very low key and zero travel risk. Europe and other destinations will wait until next year.

[e90335e36m3]

Originally Posted by 2000cs

You can do a multi-city tour to Glasgow, London, Paris, Versailles, Baghdad, Athens. All in Kentucky, by bus. Sets a low bar for future anniversary trip expectations, should there be any future anniversaries.

Since you're wanting beach/resort/island, I really don't have anything to offer.

For our tenth next month we rented a place in the Smokies (eastern TN). Very low key and zero travel risk. Europe and other destinations will wait until next year.

Does the place in the Smokies let you light an outdoor fire and/or have an outdoor hot tub? I've been looking for a nice place to go but all the cabins are kind of old. Any suggestions?

[dogbone]

Just celebrated our 25th. Went to Greece. Had not been there before. Really enjoyed it. Visited the islands of Crete, Santorini and Naxos. There are 200 inhabited islands and each has its own character.

-everyone speaks English.
-good value if you’re looking for it. Food is consistently good in most places and most stuff is reasonable cost. But there’s luxury too. In Santorini, we stayed at a luxury place. Cost in the upper end range of what you said you’re willing to spend.
-felt safe everywhere.
-doesn’t rain in the summer.

Crete has the 3rd longest gorge in the world. Start at 4000 ft. Walk 12.5 miles. End at a beach. Crazy.

Santorini is just incredibly beautiful. Such dramatic views. And interesting 4000 year old archaeology.

Naxos is mellow and is the windsurfing island.

Anyway, I would happily go back.

[2000cs]

Originally Posted by e90335e36m3

Does the place in the Smokies let you light an outdoor fire and/or have an outdoor hot tub? I've been looking for a nice place to go but all the cabins are kind of old. Any suggestions?

Several do. VRBO.

[CarsAndGuitars]

Kauai https://www.hotels.com/go/usa/us-fam...-wonders-kauai

[aktif8]

A few weeks back, we did a virgin voyages cruise (Miami to the Dominican and Bahamas.) splashed out for a suite and it was roughly 1500 a night. Absolutely fantastic trip, and I whole heartedly recommend it. Would be a perfect anniversary trip. We loved it so much we put a deposit down on the next one on the spot (thinking we'll do it in europe.)

[Tommy-G]

Cajun_X5 def would not go to Europe under 9 days. You will totally long for more time there if you go for 5 bc you’re going to lose 2 days no matter what plus jet lag.

If you have more interest in Cancun I have photo albums somewhere online I can share. You are 100% about the spring breaker comment as that was my opinion until we got there. Great resort, next to Hard Rock and not far from downtown. Highly recommend but keep in mind that was 2013 we went

[Kool Kat]

We're Sandals all the way! Doing our 6th one in October to Greneda. What you're describing seems to fit a nice butler level, swim up room, etc. Check their website. Got some new locations opening.

[BMW F22]

$1,500 a night is high! Lol
I guess if it’s a big anniversary then perhaps it’s worth it. I do splurge on certain things but $1,500 x 2 is what most my vacations cost (or even less). To each his own though.

[Tyga11]

We went to St. Croix last year. Stayed at a nice hotel in Fredericksted (west side of Island) We payed $350 a night for a nice one bedroom suite in a boutique hotel with a full kitchen. Right on the beach.

Hotel had full capacity but felt empty. You could lay on the private beach and see maybe 7-8 people at most during the day.

Would highly recommend. Only downside is the food sucked but honestly I'm not a huge foodie so we didn't care.

[Cajun_X5]

Originally Posted by dogbone

Just celebrated our 25th. Went to Greece. Had not been there before. Really enjoyed it. Visited the islands of Crete, Santorini and Naxos. There are 200 inhabited islands and each has its own character.

-everyone speaks English.
-good value if you’re looking for it. Food is consistently good in most places and most stuff is reasonable cost. But there’s luxury too. In Santorini, we stayed at a luxury place. Cost in the upper end range of what you said you’re willing to spend.
-felt safe everywhere.
-doesn’t rain in the summer.

Crete has the 3rd longest gorge in the world. Start at 4000 ft. Walk 12.5 miles. End at a beach. Crazy.

Santorini is just incredibly beautiful. Such dramatic views. And interesting 4000 year old archaeology.

Naxos is mellow and is the windsurfing island.

Anyway, I would happily go back.

Crazy - I know the gorge hike you speak of - Samaria Gorge - as my now wife and I did that hike back in 2010. Agree on all aspects about Greece. Crete was amazing.. day boat trip to Balos Lagoon (worth a google image search) was a highlight for us - and the gorge hike. Santorini was (is) amazing, we stayed in Oia. Its a country where you could visit every year and still see new islands every time. We will go back one day. And when we went the exchange rate stunk so now is a great time to visit. Just had a Mythos the other day and it took us back.

[Cajun_X5]

Originally Posted by 2000cs

For our tenth next month we rented a place in the Smokies (eastern TN). Very low key and zero travel risk. Europe and other destinations will wait until next year.

Heading to smokies tomorrow actually. In laws have a cabin in mountains near Waynesville. Cannot wait to get into some cool air.

Originally Posted by aktif8

A few weeks back, we did a virgin voyages cruise (Miami to the Dominican and Bahamas.) splashed out for a suite and it was roughly 1500 a night. Absolutely fantastic trip, and I whole heartedly recommend it. Would be a perfect anniversary trip. We loved it so much we put a deposit down on the next one on the spot (thinking we'll do it in europe.)

Only done two cruises but loved them. I proposed that idea to wife and she was meh about it. But I am certain that virgin cruise would be incredible. I may check back with her about this option.. thanks for the idea.

Originally Posted by Tommy-G

Cajun_X5 def would not go to Europe under 9 days. You will totally long for more time there if you go for 5 bc you’re going to lose 2 days no matter what plus jet lag.

If you have more interest in Cancun I have photo albums somewhere online I can share. You are 100% about the spring breaker comment as that was my opinion until we got there. Great resort, next to Hard Rock and not far from downtown. Highly recommend but keep in mind that was 2013 we went

Completely agree on needing more time for a euro trip.. I hadn't;lt thought that through but, yes, 9 days is pretty much min for a trip like that. But man I just want to take advantage of that strong dollar right now!

We have been to Live Aqua in Cancun maybe 2012?. Was a fantastic vacation. When I mentioned Cancun to wife, I can tell she is thinking something more "exotic". But trust me, we loved our trips there.

Originally Posted by Kool Kat

We're Sandals all the way! Doing our 6th one in October to Greneda. What you're describing seems to fit a nice butler level, swim up room, etc. Check their website. Got some new locations opening.

Doing more research on the Sandals resorts.. these are on the short list

Originally Posted by BMW F22

$1,500 a night is high! Lol
I guess if it’s a big anniversary then perhaps it’s worth it. I do splurge on certain things but $1,500 x 2 is what most my vacations cost (or even less). To each his own though.

We always set our sights on the 10 year anniversary trip as going big. We travelled extensively pre-kids and haven't done a big trip since kids. So this is our first chance to make up for lost time by doing a nice, luxury trip.

Originally Posted by Tyga11

We went to St. Croix last year. Stayed at a nice hotel in Fredericksted (west side of Island) We payed $350 a night for a nice one bedroom suite in a boutique hotel with a full kitchen. Right on the beach.

Hotel had full capacity but felt empty. You could lay on the private beach and see maybe 7-8 people at most during the day.

Would highly recommend. Only downside is the food sucked but honestly I'm not a huge foodie so we didn't care.

Just checked delta flights to St Croix and unfortunately they are once a week on Saturday from ATL. So we may not do there as we are likely doing a little less than 7 days. But the island looks incredible.