Vacation Ideas for Two Empty-Nesters

[Antonia]

DH and I have only been on one vacation for a whole week (actually 9 days) in the last 21 years by ourselves. Now DS is married (just happened March 31) and we did have a trip to WDW planned in December, but it now may be a problem with their vacation time.
I am not used to being so free! We are new at this empty nest thing.
DH and I don't really want to go to WDW without them. We would rather wait and go when they can go - maybe next year. And maybe not December - I think I want guaranteed WARM!!!!
What other vacations would be fun for us? We're 44 & 45 and probably need a couples vacation. We do have a Harley and have a trip planned for the end of April together. We live in South Carolina, but I think we might be up for flying.

 

[golfgal]

Boy, you could go anywhere. Some of my favorites have been to Banff in Alberta, Canada. It is simply beautiful there. Either stay at or visit the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, unbelievable. My other favorite is San Diego. Something about the air there is just refreshing. We stayed at the Del Coronado there and again, if you don't stay there, it is a must place to visit.

We also enjoyed our trip to Phoenix. We did a lot of sight seeing, including a trip up to the Grand Canyon. Another fab hotel the JW Marriott Desert Ridge.

What about Europe? Flights to Europe, especially from the east coast are pretty inexpensive.

 

[wld]

First off, we too believed it could not be as fun at disney without DDs. Then when they were in college we took our first trip without them. Normally we go in December but we went in June for our anniversary. Wow it was hot and rainy..we love early December. But anyway, we missed our dds once in a while but in the main we had a wonderful time being so free. Not that they are demanding but 2 people are alot easier to please than 4. We really had a great time and have been back a few more times without them and we have had a wonderful time each time. It's amazing and wonderful to discover your couplehood again without worrying for a while about being parents. So freeing......and I never even realized how much we had kind of put on hold...we so enjoyed our girls but.....it was like being teenagers again but with more money.
Anyway in the last few years (we are also in our 40's) we have taken a cruise to Alaska, A week long camping tour in October to the U.P. (including visits to the girls both at U.P. colleges), traveled by train to Canada, and spent time on Mackinac Island for our anniversary. We will be leaving in a couple of weeks for Guatemala on a HELPS mission (I'm a nurse) It will be a week of surgery and then a couple of days of play. And we are looking at a trip to Hawaii and a cruise to northern Europe....More car/camping trips....and more disney trips.......don't have a motorcycle but that sounds fun.
Enjoy this new phase of your life....we are!!!

 

[Tiggerlover91]

Hi fellow Carolinian! I was born and raised in Columbia South Carolina. Moved away when I was 21. Married my DH and off he took me to Anchorage Alaska!!

So anyway, depending on where you are in South Carolina you are a short trip away from one of my favorite places to visit! STONE MOUNTAIN

There are so many "adult" things to do at Stone Mountain Park and so many not so adult things to do. I like the not so adult things myself! I'm not really sure what you and DH like to do, so it this isn't your thing, my apologies. It's just my suggestion. I do hope you find some wonderful places to visit and keep us posted!

Blessings,

Denise

 

[Beth76]

You might enjoy an Alaska Cruise. The season runs May-Sept though. Not sure if you're looking for something in December or not.

 

[Antonia]

Still deciding what we'll do. We still have our WDW reservation. We could downsize to a 1BR villa and still do DVC. DH and I haven't been to WDW together since 2003 and then it was only for 2 short days.

We also have never cruised. And we are not stuck in the December time frame.

We also thought of keeping the 2BR WDW villa and inviting another couple to along. DH and a golfing buddy would be in heaven and I and golfing buddy's wife could shop, etc.

We've got to really think this through. I don't want to cancel WDW yet, because we have a DVC villa reserved and I really want to stay in it.

 

[luvindisneyworld]

Definetly go to Disney.Since it is in December.It is the most Beautiful time of the year there.OMG,We loved it,we have actually decided that December is the time we will go every year.
I vote to go and ask the other couple to go.Let the guys go golfing a day or 2 and you 2 go have massages. .

You will really not be Disappointed by going in December.I wore shorts during the day and capris at night.

 

[tw1nsmom]

Just a few ideas:
WDW - DH and I went on our honeymoon there. I love going with my little ones, but I'm looking forward to going as a couple again someday.

New York City - So much to see and do.

San Francisco - I just spent a weekend there as a first time visitor. A truly beautiful city!

The Grand Canyon.

Any of the east coast beach areas.

London, or really any European city.

Really, the choices are only limited by your interests, vacation time, and money.

 

[DVC Sadie]

Still deciding what we'll do. We still have our WDW reservation. We could downsize to a 1BR villa and still do DVC. DH and I haven't been to WDW together since 2003 and then it was only for 2 short days.

We also have never cruised. And we are not stuck in the December time frame.

We also thought of keeping the 2BR WDW villa and inviting another couple to along. DH and a golfing buddy would be in heaven and I and golfing buddy's wife could shop, etc.

We've got to really think this through. I don't want to cancel WDW yet, because we have a DVC villa reserved and I really want to stay in it.

Antonia, My dh and I are also empty nesters and although I love going to Disney my dh will only indulge me by an annual trip only. Last year we went to Hawaii for two weeks and he had a great time. I am also looking for other places to vacation. If you find a great place please post.

 

[hydster]

Dh and I went alone *not empty nesters but left the kids home* to Riviera Maya in Mexico near Cancun/Cozumel. We stayed at an adults only all inclusive and had the best time EVER on vacation! The place was gorgeous and a 5 star hotel to boot. You could choose from 1 of 5 restaurants to eat at and you didn't need reservations. We went for our Anniversary and we booked a romantic beachside dinner. Afterwards our floor concierge *and every floor has one* had arranged for votive candles to be on our floor lit with rose petals scattered in between, a bottle of chilled champage, swans made out of towels, a heart made out of towels on the bed near the swans filled with more red rose petals and they had drawn a hot jacuzzi tub bath filled with bubbles and roses.For no extra charge to us. It was amazing! It also included top shelf premium liquor and all of your meals. The place was amazing and we cannot wait to go back in January of 2007!!! You can see it here

http://www.secretsresorts.com/capri/

We loved that it was adults only so you didn't have to listen to kids cry through dinner like some cruises and with a cruise it says it's all included but it's really not! Usually you have to buy all of your alcohol if you drink and the soda is really expensive unless you buy a drink card *if this has changed in 2 years I apologize* but this hotel was amazing and sitting on the beach listening to the ocean under a palapa or lying in the beachside hammocks..totally relaxing! Add in the benefit of not getting sea sick and

Let me know if you want more info.
Heidi

 

[foolishmortal]

Atlantis Resort in the Bahama's

I also like the adult's only cruise suggestion as well.

 

[Simba's Mom]

DH and I have only been on one vacation for a whole week (actually 9 days) in the last 21 years by ourselves. Now DS is married (just happened March 31) and we did have a trip to WDW planned in December, but it now may be a problem with their vacation time.
I am not used to being so free! We are new at this empty nest thing.
DH and I don't really want to go to WDW without them. We would rather wait and go when they can go - maybe next year. And maybe not December - I think I want guaranteed WARM!!!!
What other vacations would be fun for us? We're 44 & 45 and probably need a couples vacation. We do have a Harley and have a trip planned for the end of April together. We live in South Carolina, but I think we might be up for flying.

Our DS got married the same date as yours! Just the two of us go to WDW and we love it. We also enjoy going to HHI together, but that may be too close for you. In June we're going to northern Utah (Cache-Wasatch Mtn area) to do some sightseeing. For us, it's our time to relax and enjoy each other, after many, many years of running in different directions.

 

[Antonia]

DH and I have decided that we will take a week to go to WDW since we have rented points for a DVC villa. I have come to grips that we will be going just the two of us and now I am really excited about it. We may go in September instead of December and stay 7 nights instead of 5.

In June I hope we go on a camping trip and possibly DS and new DIL can join us for a couple of nights.

But for now I'll see how much fun the two of us can have at WDW!!! It will definitely be a new experience!