Where would you go for a 10 year anniversary trip? We are open to anywhere and anything but only have 7 days so do not want to spend a long time traveling (no NZ for instance). Hoping for suggestions outside of NA please. We like both relaxing beach vacays and adventurous explorations (a bit of both would be nice). Thanks everyone!

We loved Bocas del Toro in Panama for a mix of both adventure and beach.

A Carribean Cruise

Terry I wouldn’t be cruising right now.

Oahu. Mix turtle bay with Waikiki. Best of every world

British Virgin Islands. Not Tortola - Virgin Gorda with daytrips to Anegada and Jost Van Dyke.

Costa Rica gives you both!

Agreed. Short travel from Vancouver and we did 10 days for our 25th anniversary and loved every minute.

wanting to leave north america but not fly too much is a tough mix! Central america and hawaii is part of North America.
within those perameters, Peru and Machu Pichu come to mind. Minimal jet lag, i think decently direct flights, and would be an epic anniversary, plus outside Lima are lots of nice beaches. If you go much further south you'll have a much longer flight, eating up your 7-8 days.
within North America, Cuba comes to mind - not a resort but Havana. You can airbnb or Casa your way around Havana, Trinidad de Cuba, perhaps end at a beach? Or Jamaica has direct flights and if you airbnb or leave your resort there are jungles, beach bars, snorkeling, etc etc. Another option is Costa Rica, super accessable to self-guide and explore.

Kate actually North America ends at Mexico. I definitely agree with Cuba but she says the beaches are what they like so Veradero wouldn't be a bad choice. Maybe a couple days in Havana for sure.

Hi
Gary, we don't just like beach vacay, we love everything! Open to something European (that's quaint and not too touristy).

gary ... North America ends at the Panama, then it becomes South America
Central America is a ‘regional part of North America

Porto in Portugal

Maui.

We were just there last Oct.
Loved it!

Dominican Majestic Mirage or Majestic Elegance amazing!

Huatulco. Direct flights from Vancouver so perfect for one week. Best place I've been to in Mexico, 80% of foreign tourists are Canadian.

Alan yes - direct flight. sunwing leaves and returnson tuesdays at a reasonable time. We are here now. So many restaurants to chose from and snorkelling at different beaches every day.

Haida Gwaii

Ecuador or Colombia!

Hotel los Cactus in Veradero has the best beach in the world, super friendly, all inclusive, no kids, direct flight with sunwing takes 5+ hours. We have been 11 times and not because we don't go anywhere else.
Wherever you go, enjoy your anniversary.

Thank you!!

Bocas Del Toro, Panama.
I recommend Oasis Bluff Beach - Wendy and Simon are amazing hosts.
We stayed at Bluff Beach Retreat but dined at Oasis but we will stay at Oasis next trip.
Such a wonderful get away.
So far out of all the sun destinations we have travelled to this by far won my heart.
Quiet postcard picture beaches that are jaw dropping...starfish beach, the blue lagoon, bluff beach. The town is amazing with good food. Boat tours to remote beaches. Snorkelling. Dolphin Bay. Sloth Island. Red Frog Beach. Sea Turtle Nests. Jungle Highway Hike.
It is out of the hurricane belt.
Some days we were the only 4 people on our beach.
We flew aero-Mexico which was great. Vancouver > Mexico City > Panama City.
Spent two nights in old Panama at Casco Viejo and did a private day tour with Jose from Bocas Frog Tours. He also provided our transportation to and from the airport. Then flew Panama City to Bocas.

https://www.facebook.com/Oasisonbluff/

Thank you, great suggestion!

The best place I know to go to feel "out of North America" but still within a comfortable time-zone and flight-time is Quebec. Montreal and Quebec City. Gorgeous, historic, romantic. Fly into Montreal and out of Quebec City. Train (just 2.5 hours) to QC from Montreal. 5 days Montreal, 2 Quebec City. IMO a perfect Anniversary trip. We're actually doing that, not for our anniversary though, in a couple of months. We're continuing on the train, overnight sleeper, from QC to Halifax though. 10 days in all for us, I know they'll be good ones!

I totally agree but we've both been. Want to explore outside of USA and Canada (and Mexico, we go every year with the kids).

Haven't been yet, but looking into Cook Islands , you can fly thru LAX so not too bad. Have fun whatever you decide!

Theresa good choice. We loved cook islands

Baja Mexico is about a 4.5 hr flight (direct to Cabo on some days with West Jet.). It has lots of options for touring and enjoying sun and sand. You can find great rates on all-inclusives if you can handle the all-inclusive life style.
If you think you might want to try it, dm me and I’ll give you more details. We go every year for 4-6 weeks so have a little “insider information”.
In any case, have fun researching, the adventure begins now!

Where in North America are you? Never mind, I looked on your FB page. Funny thing is I was going to suggest Vancouver Island even though it’s in NA. I was thinking you might be in the USA and to get a good bang for your buck, head to Canada! Lol on that note, Puerto Vallarta is cheap, warm, friendly with lots to see and do. And it’s only a 5.5hr flight.

Todo Santos Cabo

Direct to Iceland through iceland air. They have packages as well.

What time of year? If it’s summer both PEI & the west side of Vancouver Island have stunning beaches & lots of outdoor hikes/ adventures. Still NA but close, less busy & Canadian dollars! Explore Canada!

Cheryl Blacklock Tofino, our happy place.

I love tofino

Cheryl Blacklock Oct unfortunately!

Another plug for Belize. It’s not super beachy, but the snorkeling and diving are incredible, and the adventure possibilities inland with caving, ruin exploring, etc are endless.

Agree with BZE. Actually, Hopkins is beachy. Great place for a 10th for a week. https://www.hamanasi.com/

I second Maui, a magical place with wonderful beaches and lots of places to explore.

Guanacaste Province in Costa Rica. Beautiful beaches and sunshine, lots of things to explore.

Kerry agreed. Here’s a great place to stay in Protero
http://casamelray.com

Loreto mexico

Bori bori

Isla Mujeres Mexico. Direct flight to Cancun then a short ferry ride. Stay at a place on North Beach (we like Privileges Aluxes). It is amazing!!

Costa Rica is always my suggestion! It's so beautiful!

Cuba, Havana and Varadero combo.

Cay Caulker Belize

What about Spain? We’re thinking of going there next year for our 10th!

It really depends. Are you drinkers? or smokers? Are you active people that want to see cool stuff and get involved in heritage and learning? Or just sit on a beach and relax and not worry and have an all inclusive? This is a very open ended question

Natasha, we are all of the above!

Mel, I know right???

San Ignacio Resort Hotel in Belize! Esp if you love exotic birds!

Depends on what you like to do. If you like beaches, hiking etc. Colombia is absolutely amazing to visit and extremely diverse. Beaches as great and overall it is incredibly inexpensive. Out of the 20 or so countries I have visited, it is number 1 to me. It is kinda like a cheaper, nicer (and safer feeling) Mexico.

Andy I need to jump in and disagree here. What beaches are you referring to? ? Colombia is not easy to get to from Vancouver and the nicest swimming beaches - Providencia, Playa Guachalita, Bahía Solano etc are even harder to get to. México has nicer beaches and is much closer, as is Hawaii.

keep in mind that the OP did say outside of NA too, which eliminates Mexico anyways.

with much respect, flying to Bogota from YVR involves 2 x 5 hour flights and then you need to get another domestic flight, all with multiple hour waits in between, although it is possible to bypass Bogota and go direct to Cartagena which would be the destination to choose if one wanted to access the area you are suggesting. And I agree with you, this area is a definite possibility for the OP especially if they want a bit of culture- Cartagena being one of only two of the most well preserved colonial cities in South America, however just to be clear the beaches around Cartagena itself are not great. One does need to get out to the islands. Certainly doable.

Yes, agreed on the beaches around Cartagena (aren't the best, but they are on par with the ones around Puerto Vallarta for example). Plus, amazing beaches are always only 30-60 min away by water taxi. For me personally, I found Santa Marta (and area) to have much better beaches and hikes. Parque Tayrona is somewhere one could spend a week exploring, and water taxis from Taganga are cheap and convenient to get you to the park beaches.
I just spent a 6 weeks in Colombia traveling around by motorcycle. It cost me less than $3000 for the entire time (not inc. flight) so it is also very inexpensive. Of 20 or so countries visited, so far it is my favourite.

So cool. It is a beautiful country with beautiful people. What area are you in?

Andy Zona Cafetera- Filandia. I've done quite a few car road trips here but a moto is definitely the way to go!

Beautiful area you are in. Will be back again in November to do the bike thing again. Probably spend a few extra days in the coffee area this time camping in a finca.

New Orleans

Costa Rica! Beautiful beaches, friendly people, and so much to see and do if you want
very different vibe from Caribbean coast to pacific coast depending on what you are looking for

Belize. Adventure n ocean.
Hit San Ignacio for ATM caves, cay caulker for a couple days snorkeling , then a night at the Belize zoo! So fun. Direct flights from Toronto.

Go to Atlantis I’m the Bahamas!!

South of France

Aruba......a tropical Amsterdam...clean, safe, not beat up by hurricanes. Soooooo beautiful and fun

Mexico

Spain! Costa Del Sol! Stay in Malaga area. Day trip. One week is fast tho. If you really wanna see alot do a Western Med cruise. You sleep while you move from country to country. We LOVED it. Have done 2. One with kids. One without.

Pam spain is so fun

Belize

Costa Rica, Belize or mexico

Belize!!!

Hawaii— there’s 6 hour direct flights and it really has it all imo. If not a bit cliche but it’s my go to for a quick flight.

I’m currently at the Hotel Xcaret in the Mayan riviera and all I can say is WOW!!! If the Xcaret group of parks appeal to you at all ( Xel-Ha, Xcaret, Xplor, Xavage,Xenses) then this hotel is a great value! The resort is GORGEOUS and you’re able to lose yourself just here not to mention the included value of the parks. We are definitely already thinking about a return trip
.

Croatian coast. You’ll great food, nice people, fantastic wine, amazing olive oil, and beautiful places to swim in the clearest water. The sun is lovely.

a little far for 1 week getaway to relax but yes love Croatia

Iceland is a direct flight and there is so much to see.

Costa Rica 100%

Caribbean cruise

Japan. Easy direct flight and lots to do

Lisa oh yes! Highly recommend too. Restaurants were epic! Such an adventure. Shinjuku - look up Anthony Bourdain’s episode of Parts Unknown on Japan. Its what made us decide to go.

Maui or New Orleans both are around 6 hour flight

Mexico City

Costa rica

To bad you did not say October originally. Do you have a budget?
All inclusive vacation packages are the way to go price wise and non stop flights.
Oaxaca Mexico for day of the dead and Huatulco but no non stop flights in October.

Kauai. The garden island. Incredibly romantic. Take a catamaran up the Napali coast.

I would recommend Iberostar Playa Mita north of the Puerto Vallarta airport and right by where they filmed Bachelor in Paradise.
Day of the dead celebrations in Sayulita close by.
All Canadian charters go to Iberostar Playa Mita so lots of choice for times and dates.
Great 4 star plus resort.
Employees will put up a free umbrella anywhere you want along the waters edge and serve you your drink.
Swim up bar, Disco, live music around the pool and bar and live entertainment in an actual indoor auditorium with state of the art lighting and sound.
Beer fridge, 24 hour room service, resort wide Wi Fi. Great 24 hour Starbucks type coffee shop will make you any special coffee you want with wraps and desserts.
Sports bar. One of the nicest ocean front bars and lounge areas you will see to view the sunsets
Beach bar and food on the beach and 2 areas around the pool.
Plus another buffet restaurant beside the pool for lunch. 8 bars. Even a cigar bar.
Different themed restaurants like Teppenyaki grill.
Different themed nights like Mexican night with Mariachi bands, Mexican dancers band lots of tequila tasting and games.
I have searched all over Mexico, central america and the Caribbean and I have not found a place with so many outdoor activities close by and without the crowds.
Iberostar is the only resort in the Puerto Vallarta area with an actual diving center right on site.
Free lessons in the pool.
Diving, snorkeling and trips to the Marietas Islands leave right at the resort.
Greg Norman golf course surrounds the resort. Iberostar will shuttle you right to the club house or bus stop
6 small towns and Mexican villages to explore. Discover a new toes in the sand beach bar.
Surfing, stand up paddle boarding, kite surfing, fishing, boating, sailing, boogie boarding, street biking, mountain biking hiking, yoga, catamaran cruises, panga boats, booze cruise etc all a few minutes away.
ATVs, RZRs, the largest zip line area by far in all of Puerto Vallarta and horseback riding at an actual working ranch (trick horses equestrian and polo lessons, full gallop on a secluded beach) all only 8 minutes away from the Iberostar lobby.
Have your relaxing 8:00 am breakfast then easily picked up at 8:50 am for your 8 minute ride.
You will be back before noon having drinks being served to you in the pool.
We easily combine 2 tours in one day.
And all without the crowds. In October you will most likely be by yourself. We have averaged less than 8 people on the tours.
Resort shuttles to Bucerias Sayulita and Puerto Vallarta. You would love the surfer bohemian vibe of Sayulita. They call Bucerias BC-riaus. I've even seen a vendor with a whole stack of Canadian Tire money.
One of the nicest restaurants called Litibu Grill is just a beach walk away. Check out the trip advisor reviews on Litibu Grill for your anniversary dinner.
Here is the beach looking towards Iberostar. Look at all the people.

The Angsana resort in Cayo Santa Maria Cuba . Thru sunwing . Amazing intimate resort with romantic rooms

Besides the different themed restaurants at Iberostar Playa Mita, like French, Japanese, Brazilian, Mexican there is also the buffet.
Here is some of the buffet food.
Crab legs, lobster, salmon, sushi, clams, shrimp, muscles, spicy grilled tuna, squid etc.

Here is some of the resort entertainment. Right beside the theatre is the disco and live music in another bar is just above.
All padded chairs and tables. All made to order drink service. Remember everything all included.
Sorry, we're having trouble playing this video.
Learn more

Kamsack Saskatchewan

Different live music nights.
Phantom of the Ophera, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Country, Pop, Jazz, Boogie.
Don't worry there is a rock night with AC/DC,. Rolling Stones, Kiss etc.
Sorry, we're having trouble playing this video.
Learn more

***

I just came back from the RIU Palace in Cabo and it was amazing. The food and service is incredible and it is absolutely beautiful! Highly recommend!

Kristi Schentag
Rius are low end. Rius motto is quantity over quality. Way too many rooms.
There 24 hour sports bar options are left over sandwiches weiners and a micro wave.
Temperatures this week in Cabo were from 14- 22 C
Main entertainment is someone lip syncing to Micheal Jackson music.
Cabo is the most expensive place in all of Mexico. Food, drinks golf you name it.
Full of time shares.
To me Cabo is southern California not Mexico. Nowhere to go without renting a car and drinking poo.
Cabo has the worst beaches and coldest ocean in all of Mexico. You will die even walking most beaches in Cabo.
Here is your swimmable beach at Riu Cabohttps://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pBnj7Tv6Ot0
Drunk man and water Man up man drunk in Los ... - YouTube
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pBnj7Tv6Ot0
Drunk man and water Man up man drunk in Los ... - YouTube

$15 Canadian for Tequila drinks at Cabo Wabo.
Name all the outdoor activities within 8 minutes of Riu like I listed above? ( Ex zip lining, surfing, RZRs, stand up paddle boarding etc.

*

Istanbul!

We went to Paris for our 10*th anniversary (*one year late due to young kiddos, so it was our 11th) for six days. It was our first kid-free trip after having our second kid, so we wanted to go to a place where we could eat at extremely non-kid-friendly Michelin star restaurants, shop at stores filled with expensive and/or breakable things, and sleep in. LOL. It was heaven!!

*

*

Iceland

Paris!!!

Belize! Relax on Caye Caulker or Placencia, then head inland to San Ignacio for some unforgettable adventures like exploring the famous ATM cave, river tubing through caves, exploring ruins, rafting down the Mopan River......so much fun!

Huatulco Mexico so nice

Nicaragua. San Juan Del sur for beautiful surf beaches and cheap ($1) beers. Or Granada for colonial city and beautiful architecture. 3 hours from Houston. 1/4 the price of Costa Rica

Belize -CayeCaulker