How to Plan Meaningful Travel for Your Upcoming Anniversary
How do you plan an anniversary trip that actually feels meaningful? In this episode, I’m sharing how my husband and I are celebrating 30 years of marriage through intentional travel. We’ll walk through simple questions to help you choose the right destination, tips for planning without overbooking, and ideas for creating traditions and special moments that deepen connection. Whether you’re celebrating an anniversary or planning a couples getaway, this episode will help you design a trip you’ll never forget.
Before booking anything, take time to dream and talk it through with your partner. These questions will help get the inspiration flowing:
1. What does a “meaningful” anniversary trip mean to you?
Start by identifying what matters most to both of you. Is it deep relaxation and quality time? New and exciting experiences? Visiting somewhere neither of you has been before?
A meaningful trip doesn’t have to be big or expensive. Focus on what you want to get out of the experience. What kind of return on investment (ROI) are you hoping for from this vacation?
2. What emotions do you want to feel?
Think in terms of feelings and vibes. Do you want the trip to feel romantic, playful, restful, inspiring, or nostalgic?
Write down a few emotion words together, then connect them to destination ideas.
Want to feel wonder? Maybe chase the Northern Lights.
Craving connection? An unplugged wellness retreat could be perfect.
Feeling nostalgic? Consider revisiting your honeymoon destination or where you got engaged.
There are endless possibilities once you start with how you want to feel.
3. What are your shared interests?
Figure out things that you are both passionate or excited about! These could include food, art, nature, or adventures.
From here, plan a trip around one (or a few) of these shared interests. For example, if you both love food, you could go to a destination with a great food tour, special restaurant, or cooking class!
I recommend using ChatGPT to help you brainstorm these ideas! Tell it your interests and ask it to help you find destinations that fit your guidelines.
Next I’m going to cover a few suggestions in regards to actually planning your trip.
1. Only plan one special experience per day
Don’t overbook yourself! Give yourself time to sleep in, relax together, and explore. This trip is all about reconnection, so don’t over do it!
This also leaves room for spontaneity! Odds are you’ll find things to do that you weren’t expecting.
2. “Upgrade” one or two aspects of your trip to make it feel more special
You don’t need to plan a crazy, over-the-top, expensive anniversary getaway. I love the idea of choosing a couple of things to splurge on, while keeping the rest of the trip a little less expensive.
For example, maybe you book a private boat tour to take you island hopping for a day. Or choose one night of your trip to go to a Michelin Star restaurant.
3. Choose something to be your “ritual” for your anniversary
I love having a special tradition to repeat every year on our anniversary. It makes the day feel even more special and exciting.
For years Ward and I would go to the same photobooth and take a strip of pictures, then get lunch and shop for our kids’ stocking stuffers. Unfortunately the shop with the photobooth shut down, but we did it for so many years and I loved it so much!
Other ideas include buying a piece of artwork for your home each year, exchanging handwritten letters, or having a "surprise day” where one person plans it for the other person every other year.
You can start these any time!!! Don’t worry about how long you’ve been together!
4. Plan a relationship-enhancing activity
One idea is to hire a tour guide to take you around for the day. You could tie in elements of your love story into the day (for example if you’re re-visiting your honeymoon destination).
Another thing I like to do is to hire a photographer. I’ve done this with just Ward and I as well as our family. We love having professional photos taken in new places! It’s such a fun way to capture a special moment.
If you still aren’t sure where to go on your anniversary trip, I’ve compiled a list of 11 destinations that I think are amazing getaway options!
1. Bora Bora - Stay in a hut over the ocean, snorkel, swim, and relax.
2. Paris - My favorite city ever! You can’t go wrong with anything here. Maybe add some time in the French countryside.
3. Santorini (or another Greek island) - Amazing restaurants, outside activities, and beaches.
4. Maldives - Great place for relaxing and beach time. I’ve even heard they have “underwater spas”.
5. Sedona, Arizona - Amazing hiking and outdoors activities with top notch spas and restaurants.
6. Vancouver or Whistler, Canada - Cozy up in a cabin and enjoy some fresh air! Lots of great places to explore outside and enjoy time in the city.
7. Banff, Canada - Really great option if you love hiking and mountain scenery.
8. Tuscany, Italy - Slow down and visit the countryside of Italy! Enjoy farm-to-table dinners and dreamy bed and breakfasts.
9. Japan - Explore amazing gardens, delicious food, and sight seeing.
10. African safari (add on Cape Town if you can) - This is one of my favorite trips I’ve ever done. I can’t believe how much I loved it! This is an amazing trip if you love to be outside and learn about animals. I definitely recommend the luxury safari lodges.
11. Antarctica cruise - We want to do this so bad! I don’t know when I’ll make it here, but it sounds like an amazing and special adventure.