5 Anniversary Trip Ideas

This year, instead of fretting over the perfect trinket to get your sweetheart for your anniversary, why not plan a vacation for the two of you instead?

Getting away with the person you love is an excellent way to re-energize your relationship, bond over a shared experience, and celebrate just how long you’ve been together on this crazy ride called life. No matter how many years you’ve been a pair, an anniversary getaway is the ideal excuse to go see that place you’ve been dreaming of.

So, where should you go? Here are a few anniversary trip ideas that may spur you into booking now, and even a few ideas on how you can pay for this much-needed lover’s trip.

Booking a Trip Down Memory Lane: Returning to the Place you Met

If you’re hoping to rekindle a bit of magic in your relationship, why not take it back to where it all began? Book a long weekend in the place where you first laid eyes on one another—be it your hometown, your favorite bar, or some faraway place that’s special to just the two of you.

There’s a chance you may be booking a trip back to your college town for this trip. According to The Knot’s 2017 Jewelry & Engagement Study, 15% of married couples met in college . So, booking a stay back in your old college stomping grounds might be a good way to revive the spark.

If you went to college in a big city, there will probably be a myriad of choices for places to stay and sights to see. If you spent those years in a smaller town, though, you might consider taking a tour of the campus to see how it’s changed since you were there.

Reigniting a Bit of Passion: Returning to Your Honeymoon Destination

Another good place to consider heading for your anniversary is where you celebrated your honeymoon. After all, there’s nothing quite like the love you have for one another in the days after you say “I do.” And, according to a 2018 survey of nearly 150 travel agents , that likely means booking tickets back to the Caribbean.

According to the survey, the top destinations for honeymoons are St. Lucia, Jamaica, Bora Bora, Riviera Maya, Italy, and Hawaii—though none of these places should really be a surprise as they all come with stunning beaches, gorgeous landscapes, and enough romance to last a lifetime. Who knows, the surroundings might be so romantic you may decide to get married there all over again.

Milestone Anniversary: Heading to a Place Based on Your Anniversary Year

Yes, every anniversary is special, but some just feel more important than others. If this is your fifth, 10th, 20th, or 50th anniversary, you may want to consider taking a trip based on the milestone gift.

For example, the traditional gift for a five-year anniversary is wood. But, instead of handing over a chopping block, why not go somewhere wood-inspired? For a domestic trip, look no further than one of our nation’s national parks.

From coast to coast—and places in between—there are forested recreation areas, often with luxurious lodging options. If you yearn for international trip, jetting off to New Zealand where you can both experience the Redwoods Whakarewarewa Forest might just be the trip of a lifetime. Of course, the easiest anniversary to pull off a trip like this may be your 20th, as the traditional gift for that year is China.

Dream Destination: Australia

If money and time were no object people would jet off to Australia, according to a 2019 survey by home rental service VRBO . The survey, which polled 1,067 adult American travelers, found “The Land Down Under” was the most coveted destination. However, due to its distance and its expense, many people forgo living out their Aussie dreams.

But this is your anniversary trip we’re talking about, so if there’s any reason to go, this is it. If you decide to book a romantic anniversary trip for two, the Australian Tourism Board has several recommendations, whether you like it hot or want to cuddle with your special someone in the cold.

Saving Your Anniversary Pennies: The Great Outdoors Doesn’t Have To Mean Roughing It

Sometimes it’s not possible to go all-out for an anniversary trip, and that’s totally OK as it’s all about the love you share anyway. But, anniversary trips on a budget don’t have to be boring. All you need to do is get a little inventive with your travels. Rather than flying to another country, create a romantic road trip and camping excursion.

A night under the stars with Mother Nature can be far more romantic than any fancy dinner anyway. If you want to up the ante on a trip like this you could try booking a glamping experience at one of your favorite locations. Companies like Glamping Hub list dozens of places where you can book a luxury tent, cabin, or even a tree house, at national parks around the country.

Paying for the Anniversary Vacation you Really Desire

We get it, vacations can be expensive. But, there are ways to work a little time away into your day-to-day finances.

If you’ve got a bit of time to save, adding “anniversary trip” as a line item to your monthly budget may help you meet your goals, squirreling away a little bit of cash each month into a separate travel fund until you’ve saved enough for your dream trip.

But, if time is of the essence, that’s okay too. To finance the anniversary vacation of your dreams, looking into a personal loan with SoFi may help you get to your destination sooner.

With a personal loan, you could take out exactly how much you need to pay for your vacation up front, then pay it off in fixed installments over time. That way, you can focus on relaxing, rekindling the romance, and seeing new sights together rather than focusing on your finances. Just make sure to take all that love home with you too.

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