So where would you go, and what would you do?

[Caradana]

I'm starting to think about my 30th birthday, next April. I've talked it over with J (my super-sweet husband), and rather than a party, I want the two of us to go away. Somewhere a little crazy, I'm thinking ... somewhere exotic. I can get about 11 days off anytime between April 23 and May 5, 2010. We'll be in Disney this October for our annual getaway with friends, so my Disney itch will be scratched so this will definitely be someplace abroad.

So if it were you ... where would you go, and what would you do? The experience is more of a driver for us than the cost. No kids, so no worries about much on the home front.

And if you could help: I'd like it to coencide with a major event in the city where we go, but I have no idea how to start on research like that.

Some of the initial spots I've been thinking about ... rural Germany, maybe Russia, maybe UAE, maybe NZ ... we'll make a decision by December.
This planning is taking the edge off turning 30 (though honestly I am rather psyched to be 30 ... I think my 30s may turn out to be the best years of my life)

p.s. I joined the DIS at 18! I will have been on this board for more than a third of my life, ha!

 

[FireDancer]

I went to Italy for two weeks with one of my friends last year as a 30th birthday gift to myself. We spent a week cycling Tuscany and then the other week exploring Rome, Florence, and Venice. We were there the end of May and the weather was great. You might want to check out the travel channel's site or National Geographic Traveler for some info on events. Putting the dates into a search string might give you some ideas.

If you are into active vacations cycling Tuscany or Provance is amazing. Most itinereries are not all that advanced so it isn't like you have to be in Lance Armstrong shape to do them. Some tourers cater to the fitness part of the trip while others keep the fitness part down and concentrate on the site seeing.

You mentioned NZ, the South Island is something like 80% protected land so there is a lot to do if you enjoy nature. My next trip to Europe will be to bike and kayak the fjords in Norway. I wouldn't do that in April or May though, probably later in the summer.

I'm sure there will be other suggestions. Good luck.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

My vote for myself and my kids for that matter would Japan, Hong Kong, etc. my dd made a couple of friends from Singapore working over the summer.
Her roommate this yr. is from Korea, although she is an American.

I want to see technology glory and eat food. Not to mention the culture. We are very interested in Asian culture, architecture, landscaping.

My dh would say Australia. We have a mutual childhood friend there and I know that it would top of his list.

 

[librarygal]

Northern Europe is too cold that time of year. If you have not been I would suggest Italy. The weather should be great and the countryside will be lush from the winter rains. Asia is interesting but the trip is exhausting and in some places the lack of English can be frustrating. I am going to China, Japan, and Korea next May and I do not expect it to be a relaxing trip. We have been to Turkey and thought it was interesting.

 

[minniecarousel]

Good thing you ruled out WDW! Our older DS turns 30 in Dec and we're going there with him and his wife for a week.

And yes, I remember when you were in college!

I know you'll pick out the perfect locale. Have fun researching.

 

[AndreaDM]

I'm having the same issue, except I'm turning 40 in October! We were going to go to Vegas, but went earlier this year, and just want to do something different. Then, it was going to be a big bash, but some of our best friends are going to be out of town that weekend and it kinda bummed me out. I don't really want to have a big party if they can't be there, and I'm the kind who likes to celebrate ON the actual date, not the next weekend, etc. My birthday is on a Friday this year so that works out great. Sooooo, we are back to square one, lol, with not a lot of time to plan!

Sorry, guess I'm not much help to you! We just got back from a family vacation in Puerto Rico and it was wonderful in case you're considering an Island vacation. Both my husband and I have travelled all over Europe and loved it all...his favorite by far is Scotland.

Good luck and 30 is just the beginning!

 

[Caradana]

These suggestions are terrific! Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[AshleyW]

I vote for Germany! When I went there for school, I got there at the end of March and it was so beautiful. It was starting to be spring, so everything was green, but if you went into the mountains it was still snowy - but not crazy cold. It's such an amazing place to visit - so beautiful and so much history, and the people are generally incredibly nice.

 

[mtemm]

costa rica!

I've been reading a lot about it and am very intrigued. so much to see and do.

I think it is great that you are up for anything, and its a great time to go for it. happy almost birthday...enjoy!!!!!

 

[Deb in IA]

Hi Dana, and congrats on turning 30! Wow, I remember when you were just a "kid"!!

I would vote for Hawaii. It is definitely exotic, and yet still a part of the USA, so no worries about passports and visas, and foreign languages and currency. There is so much to do and see there, or if you want, you can just sit at the beach all day.

Another place that I've been and would to go back to is China. Now, you will need the passports and visas there, but to climb the Great Wall, to walk through the Forbidden City, to see the Ming Tombs and the Summer Palace is just unforgetable.

We also spent a week in Paris, a long time ago. Very romantic, cosmopolitan, sophisticated, and the food was amazing!

Places or things I have NOT yet done, but would love to do someday include visiting Australia and going to Africa on a safari.

Anyway, have fun planning, Dana, and let us know what you decide!!

 

[Aristocath]

How about Greece? My dream vacation right now is Australia.

 

[sbell111]

Hoboken is nice.

 

[Laura]

I agree with Deb--go to Hawai'i (went there on my honeymoon, dying to go back). If that's not exotic enough, there are lots of countries in South America that I would love to visit, Peru being the major one.

 

[dakcp2001]

I second Costa Rica! It is beautiful! You can go ziplining in the rainforest, you can spend soem quality time at the most beautiful beaches, and you can see an Arenal Volcano, which is active, it is stunning! You would have to travel from the beach to the volcano, but it is worth it!

There are monkeys!!!!

 

[Buckalew11]

I'd go to Bora Bora. I'd contact Tink33 on here and get her to help me plan it.

Otherwise, I'd go to Africa or Israel. DH would love to go to France.
Also, that #2 post above makes me think that'd be a really fun trip for him too.

 

[bubie2.5]

I thought of Barcelona when you mentioned april 23th. It's Sant Jordi's Day there, my favorite holiday.

 

[Hillbeans]

If you're looking for something exotic i'd go for Machu Pichu and maybe the Galapagos Islands. I also 2nd a pp's suggestion for Costa Rica - I have friends who visited there and said it was a fantastic trip.

Hawaii would of course be lovely but it sounds like you're looking for a once-in-a-lifetime sort of trip, so do something that you would never consider doing with children in tow because once they come along it gets a lot harder to plan something like this.

 

[SharpMomOfTwo]

I'm turining 30 next August, and we have decided to go away too - VEGAS BABY!!!! I'm really excited - already picked out where we want to stay, but I'm still working on what to do/see. I understand you want something a little more than that...... DH and I went to London several years back (before kids) and it was just amazing. We booked though ABC tours and it was the best 17 day trip EVER! We saw so much, and did so much. My only regret was not going over to Paris on that train because who knows if we will ever get back over there again.
Whatever you pick, have fun!!!

 

[Serena]

My ex-sil learned how to scuba dive and have done all over the world having tons of fun. Now, she does not have children and can go galavanting around the world.
The pics are amazing.