Big anniversary coming up...where to go?

[Frwinkley]

DH and I will be celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary in October. We'd like to take a big trip (like once in a lifetime), but don't know where....because there's a lot of options.

We are in our mid 60s, very good health, active. Less interested in museums and more interested in scenery, cities, etc.

We have not been to Europe in over 30 years, so that's on our radar. But where?

Would love to see the Fjords in Norway, but not real interested in cruising. Same applies to Alaska.

Start tossing out your ideas!

 

[soccerdad72]

As far as Europe goes, Portugal has been on our bucket list. Spain too.

Our go to is Maui for celebration trips - we’ve been 5 times now.

 

[Frwinkley]

As far as Europe goes, Portugal has been on our bucket list. Spain too.

Our go to is Maui for celebration trips - we’ve been 5 times now.

I actually thought of Maui. We've been there 3 times (as well as some of the other islands). I think we'd like to try something completely new.

 

[goooof1]

South Pacific.... Tahiti, Moreau, etc...... Fiji..... ?? Australia, New Zealand....?

 

[evilmommie]

Where in Europe have you been? What about Italy? Lot’s of great tours to take or plan it out on your own and take the train around the country to your destinations.

 

[Dan Murphy]

A very early congratulations on your 40th. Well done.

Maybe a Viking river cruise in Europe?

https://www.vikingrivercruises.com/cruise-destinations/europe/index.html

I would love that, though not up to it physically I don't think. And I've never been on a 'regular' cruise, and have no interest in doing one. But the river cruises intrigue me. Scenery, cities.

 

[sam_gordon]

Europe, Hawaii, Australia are the three places DW and I would like to go. Dont have anything narrowed down more than that.

 

[Frwinkley]

A very early congratulations on your 40th. Well done.

Maybe a Viking river cruise in Europe?

https://www.vikingrivercruises.com/cruise-destinations/europe/index.html

I would love that, though not up to it physically I don't think. And I've never been on a 'regular' cruise, and have no interest in doing one. But the river cruises intrigue me. Scenery, cities.

Viking cruises have always intrigued us. I want a cruise that is about the ports and not about all the bells and whistles of the cruise ship.

 

[Frwinkley]

Where in Europe have you been? What about Italy? Lot’s of great tours to take or plan it out on your own and take the train around the country to your destinations.

We've never been to Italy. I love the idea of train travel!

 

[SueInBoston]

A Safari? I've been daydreaming about planning one ever since @soccerdad72 trip report.

My 76 year old aunt just returned from a Viking cruise in China and was very impressed.

 

[Nicnicnic.nic]

Japan!

 

[Travel60]

We have done several great trips with university alumni groups. Check with your school to see if the alumni group does trips. Even if you don't want to go with them, you can get trip ideas/itineraries.
We spent a couple of weeks in southern Africa this year - amazing but I'd recommend an organized tour to get the most out of it.
Northern Italy is lovely - stay in one city (were were in Stressa) and do day trips. Same with Tuscany.
New Zealand and Australia are wonderful - need at least 2 weeks to scratch the surface.
Danube River Cruise from Budapest is also nice. I saw Viking mentioned, we did Tauck and it was superb.

 

[robinb]

DH and I will be celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary in October. We'd like to take a big trip (like once in a lifetime), but don't know where....because there's a lot of options.

We are in our mid 60s, very good health, active. Less interested in museums and more interested in scenery, cities, etc.

We have not been to Europe in over 30 years, so that's on our radar. But where?

Would love to see the Fjords in Norway, but not real interested in cruising. Same applies to Alaska.

Start tossing out your ideas!

We are about your same age. Our bucket list includes:

Egypt (via a cruise)
Galapagos
Oktoberfest
Ireland
African safari
Australia

 

[Planogirl]

I've always dreamed of going to Tuscany. I would also visit Rome briefly and Pompeii.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

Where in Europe have you been?

What mode of transport interests you?

• Escorted tours
• Hire a car
• Public transport, local trains, bus etc
• River cruise

What kind of travel interests you?

1. A whirl wind overview of multiple places, overnight in a different place each night and see as much over a 10 day trip
2. Slow travel, base in one place and explore that location in depth and do short day trips to other places

What kind of thing do you want to do?

• Chill out beach / resort type holiday like in Caribbean / Bahamas but in Europe
• Live like a local, do none touristy things
• Historical sites, museums
• Off the beaten track, hidden gems that tourists miss
• The high profile stereotypical Instagram tourist things

What kind of places do you want to stay at?

• International American chain hotels
• European chain hotels
• Independent local hotels
• AirBnB traditional apartment
• AirBnB unique location, building
• Guesthouse / traditional Bed and Breakfast
• Canal boat / riverboat

How comfortable are you in an country where English is not the first language?

How comfortable are you in a country which has a very different culture and societal norms than America?

How comfortable are you in a country which has very different food than in America?

 

[unrequited23]

DH's coworker flew to Alaska and rented an RV. The family spent two weeks driving around site-seeing. Some areas were so desolate that they just pulled off the side of the road to grill for their lunch. They had a great time, but DH and I agreed their trip was too rustic for our tastes.

 

[dvcgirl67]

I'll echo the safari recommendation. I know @soccerdad72 posted about his.... Botswana and then maybe Victoria Falls? We did South Africa....Cape Town and then Kruger....staying at two lodges. If you want to spoil yourself a bit, they have some fantastic lodges there. We absolutely loved the entire trip, but are hooked on safaris for sure. Our travel dance card is full for 2025, but we wanted to get another African adventure on the schedule so we just booked a sixteen day trip for the summer of 2026....Kenya for 9 nights on safari in three locations and then 5 nights in Uganda for Gorilla and Chimpanzee trekking.

Everyone's idea of a "big trip", or "epic" trip are different. We've been to Europe lots and so those trips are super fun, but less of a "wow" factor I guess, at least for us at this point. But it may feel differently to you since you haven't been in 30 years. And it's been eight years since we've been to Europe.....we've been spending time in Mexico, Costa Rica, Hawaii, Puerto Rico....and then South Africa. But I do know if you do plan to go in high season, a lot of "bucket list" destinations in Europe are very crowded.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

We've been to Europe lots and so those trips are super fun, but less of a "wow" factor I guess, at least for us at this point.

When I see Americans talking about "Europe" I always wonder , as to me theres so much to see and do.
Have you just "done" the main tourist Instagram places, on a whirl wind round trip in peak tourist season? What countries in Europe have you been to? What kind of activates have you done?

Im always amazed at Americans who do places like Rome, Venice, Athens, Paris, and think they have "done" Europe. Ive been to 11 of the 29 Schengan Countries as well as Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Ive also travelled extensively in my home country Ireland.

1. Austria
2. Finland
3. France
4. Germany
5. Italy
6. Netherlands
7. Norway
8. Portugal
9. Romania[a]
10. Spain
11. Switzerland[c]

 

[disneydreamer1980]

One of my favorite places in Europe is the Alpine region (northern Italy, Switzerland, parts of Austria and France) it’s absolutely beautiful, like being in a fairy tale. The one place in the world I’ve never been but want to go to is Africa, for a safari. That would be fun too. The South Pacific is beautiful too, se loved Tahiti. Australia was beautiful too but remember the seasons are the opposite of ours, we went in July and it was the middle of their winter. There are so many beautiful places in this world, I hope you’re happy with whatever you pick and congrats on 40 years!!

 

[TiggerTrigger]

Would you be interested in more of a "land cruise?" You definitely get a lot more scenery than being on a ship. We took one in Europe nearly 25 years ago. It was one of those big extra comfy luxury buses where you got to really see everything between points A and B as well as the city/town/village destinations. My parents have really gotten into this both in the US and Europe. Of course, they opted for the cruise angle when they went to Norway. We butt heads on Alaska. All of their Alaska trips have been cruises, but my dream Alaska trip is strictly land and would hinge on me getting a lottery spot at Brooks Lodge for Katmai NP. I planned on a car vs. an RV for Alaska since I have a lot of driving in mind and have found that a car makes you more agile/nimble with these kinds of wilderness trips.