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5 Year Anniversary Trip
The H and I have been tossing the idea around of going on a trip for our 5 year anniversary in January. Problem is: we've got no idea where to go.
As much as I'd love to go to Ireland or Italy, that's probably not going to happen. Neither of us have ever been to Vegas, so that's crossed my mind (of course, I know nothing about Vegas). Other than that, I don't really have any ideas of where to go/what to do. We can't afford to spend a fortune, but the idea of staying local does nothing for me. So, I'm estimating our budget to be $1,500, give or take (is that a lot? not enough?).
I think I'm having a hard time figuring something out because every time the two of us go somewhere together, we eventually get bored. We tend to have a lot more fun with others. And, I'd rather not take others, for once.
Any ideas/suggestions? TIA!
Re: 5 Year Anniversary Trip
Is that $1,500 including airfare?
A few friends of mine just got back from Napa... I've been dying to go there for quite some time... You could do wine country (Sonoma is a a little less pricey.) Or Carmel, CA. I've always heard if you can't afford to go to Europe, go to Montreal or Quebec City- it's the next best thing. Or you could try Tybee Island in Georgia... although I don't know what the weather would be like in January for any of these locations.
I say yes, but given tickets aren't cheap, if we were to fly we'd have to up our budget. I've got a lot of family that works for AA, so we could fly stand-by for cheap (but, sometimes it's just as cheap and WAY easier to just buy a ticket).
Hmmm...I'd actually consider a stay-cation. I know I'm a food weirdo, but I'd LOVE to take that $1500 and act like a tourist in my own town---eat at the best restaurants, book a couples' spa day, and maybe take a day trip or two.
Or, to travel, I'd probably base the location on the price of the flights. Southwest has some really cheap flights out of OKC, for example. Or, one of those Living Social or Groupon travel deals might be a fun adventure.
As an FYI - airfare costs are at their highest. Even with the discounts hotels are offering right now, traveling is outrageous.
With that being said - I am with 5thofJuly - have a staycation.
We did this for a getaway a few years ago and it was great. Our cabin was fully loaded, so we weren't "roughing it", and we just hiked, sat out by the fire, ate at a little catfish place, and explored.
With that budget, I would go somewhere you can drive, so airfare doesn't eat up all your fun money. Stay in a fun hotel and spend your money on food and entertainment.
Or, I agree with pp that Southwest can have some cheap flights out of OKC. Maybe start researching locations that you could fly to on the cheap?
I agree about SW - they seem to have decent prices if you catch their sales. H and I have been considering getting one of those LivingSocial or Groupon deals, too, but with the price of flying being so ridiculous, we've been holding off.
I agree about the staycation [or going somewhere within driving distance]. We did one of those last weekend when my dad was home - we've gone to Florida the past two years but didn't have the time this year to go. So, we went to Dallas, stayed in this nice hotel in Allen and spent the weekend shopping, eating and checking out festivals. We had a blast.
Some ideas:
Driving (and by driving, I mean 12 hours or less from OKC. I know you're not in OKC, but it wouldn't be too much of a difference!):
Colorado, San Antonio, New Orleans, Chicago--keep in mind that CO and Chicago will be COLD in January!
Flying, but inexpensive: Vegas (just be sure to watch your budget when you get there--things can be pricey out there if you're not careful), All-Inclusive in Mexico (i.e. Cancun). Maybe try the Excellence Resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic too. It might be a little over your budget, but I've heard it's fairly inexpensive, but very nice.
Check out all-inclusives on sites such as Travelocity, Orbitz, Expedia, etc. You can find some pretty decent deals on there if you look.
One other idea: Have you considered a cruise? You can drive down to Galveston and do a 4 or 5-night cruise. Again, just watch your budget on the cruise--alcohol is a b!tch.
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I would go somewhere within driving distance...
Branson, MO
Red River / Taos / Angel Fire, NM
Dallas, TX
Once you hold the hand of love, it's all surmountable
$1,500 is a rather small budget with airfare included (and, as you said, even with an AA discount, it can be a pain). Also, I'm not sure how many days you're planning but the fact that there are virtually no direct flights out of Tulsa can really eat up your time.
I've been researching a trip for H and I to take and those reasons are really making it difficult.
New Orleans was the first place that came to mind for me. If you drive, I'm sure there will be all kinds of neat places to stop along the way. I've never been, but I really want to go.
I am with GF on this one - a really good vacation would be a cruise. We did a RC cruise out of Galveston this past January - we went to Honduras, Belize, and Cozumel - it was seven nights - for an inside room it was $500 per person, I think. All food is included, but alcohol is not - they tack on 18% to all alcohol purchases. The only other tipping we had to do at the end of the trip and I believe we tipped around $250 (suggested tipping was only $175, I think). We did a few excursions - for what we got, I didn't think the excursions were that pricey. We had so much fun, the food was fantastic, and I am pretty sure, total, we spent around $1,500. We did have to drive to Galveston, though, which really wasn't that bad of a drive but you could find cheap SW flights.
If I were given a $1,500 budget and could spare seven nights away from home, I would cruise out of Galveston.
Check out www.vacationstogo.com for good cruising prices.
The only other thing - when we went on our cruise there was freak weather - the weather was AWFUL - AWFUL - but we still had a really, really great time.
Thanks for all the suggestions!
I would love to do another cruise - we went on one for our honeymoon (Cozumel & Progresso). I enjoyed it, a lot. H did, too... but he was so boring! It irritated me that he spent most of our cruising time in the room watching movies. I like to go and do... so I went and did a lot by myself on the boat. Which, was fine with me. A cruise is my frontrunner, I think, but I'm not sure I'll be able to convince H to go without at least one other couple joining us. Which really wouldn't be that bad - in fact, it'd probably be a lot of fun. ((ostatekris... want to go? lol)) I just don't care to go back to Progresso, so we'd have to find a longer cruise or another port because I think the typical 5 day cruises out of Galveston are to Cozumel and Progresso.
A stay-cation wouldn't be too bad... if it weren't January! We have talked about going and spending a few days at Table Rock or Tenkiller or where-ever, but we'd want to do it when it wasn't the middle of winter.
I'm still debating on Vegas. Maybe once I find out more about it, I'll have more of an idea.
And, I've suddenly got the urge to drive to Nashville. I think hanging out in the little downtown bars/venues would be neat. I've always wanted to go to the Bluebird Cafe (I think that's what it's called).
Again, thanks for all the suggestions!
Yes, we'd be interested in taking a couples' trip. I think it would be a lot of fun! H and I have actually been discussing taking a trip to Nashville as well. We need to talk about it.
I lived in Nashville my sophomore year of college... I VOTE GO TO NASHVEGAS.
There is a ton of stuff to see and do; brunch at the Pancake Pantry, concerts at Exit/In, visiting the Parthenon... You could even stay at the Gaylord Opryland (although it's not super close to downtown.) And of course, a visit to the Bluebird Cafe... Perhaps your DH could propose to you again using a ring from a vending machine. 
{Please tell me you know the movie reference... lol} Too bad you aren't going in November for the Beer, Bourbon, and BBQ festival... I got myself into some trouble at that one... haha.
Are you still planning on going to Vegas for your anniversary? If you are, Southwest flies there and they have a promotion going on where you can get 2 free plane tickets when you signup for their credit card. The card has a $99 annual fee, but it's not too bad when you're getting 2 tickets. Here is the link if you want to check it out.
What is with all the spam on the Nest suddenly? Reported.
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Yep.
What IS all the spam lately - so annoying!
But Miss Spam is right - if you sign up for a card you can get two plane tickets. SW is very easy to work with when booking the tickets - I have yet to experience a blackout date. Our anniversary trip requires us to fly to LA prior to our international flight - we are using our free SW flights to do so.
If you signed up for the card and got the free tickets, you could easily do Vegas for $1,500. We generally charge EVERYTHING on our SW card now and have earned quite a few more free tickets which is awesome considering airline prices right now.