Take a trip for your wedding
No, not your honeymoon — your actual wedding. Destination weddings are all the rage these days, and happy brides and grooms are hopping on cruise ships and planes to their weddings in Iceland, Hawaii, and other exotic locations across the globe.
Destination weddings aren’t for everyone, and they do come with some planning challenges. There are also some great companies out there that will help you plan yours, though, and the experience of combining a dream vacation with the most important day of your life is surely one that you will never forget. If you and your partner are getting closer to that ultimate commitment, then maybe you should discuss a vacation that is truly once-in-a-lifetime.
Rent an RV for a road trip
The great American road trip is a classic vacation choice for a reason. But let’s face it: When you’re on the road for hours and hours a day, a regular car or truck can start to seem cramped. That’s why there are recreational vehicles, which offer all the comforts of home on four (or more) wheels. RVs are wonderful ways to travel, and they can save you a mint on room and board by allowing you to stay in campsites without sacrificing your comfort. If RVs are your kind of thing (and you know what you’re getting into), then there’s no better way to take a vacation.
Of course, RVs don’t necessarily make good investments. Unless you plan to use yours an awful lot, it’s probably not a good idea to buy one. You can rent one, however, and that can make the whole idea a whole lot simpler. Teaming up with friends or loved ones to rent an RV and take off across the country or through the nearest National Park is a great way to build memories and an experience that’s uniquely American.
Go way off the beaten path
Some places are known as vacation destinations, but others are not — at least, not yet. Keep in mind that unusual choices for vacation destinations can make for incredible experiences. If you make a niche choice, you’ll beat the crowds and encounter cultures and vacation scenes that are unlike any you’ve experienced before.
Sometimes, unusual destinations go mainstream — just look at Iceland, for instance. Other times, they continue to draw in small numbers of happy tourists year after year. The bottom line is this: Don’t feel pressured to go where everyone else is going. Strike out on your own: Go to a state you’ve never been to before or a country that you’ve barely heard of. Do your research, find places that interest you, and don’t worry about whether they’re supposed to be orthodox “vacation spots” or not.
Visit a classic destination
Hawaii. Florida. The Bahamas. When we think of vacations, we think of these sorts of places — the classic scenes of the sort that we’d find in vacation clip art and stock photos. Many people try to get clever about their vacations; they’ll avoid these places, and they’ll go off the beaten path. As we’ve just seen, that’s a viable option but don’t overthink it.
There’s a reason that so many tourists flock to Florida year after year. It’s a wonderful place with great weather, it’s easy to access from other states and abroad, and it’s full of destinations that can absorb those big vacation crowds. There are plenty of reasons to choose coastlines for your next vacation.
If you’re worried about crowds, just seek out resorts and towns nearby the big names — instead of going to Miami Beach, head to Jupiter or Port St. Lucie. You’ll still find all the same sorts of attractions: There are stunning beaches and boat tours in Jupiter and all along Florida’s coast, and many of the towns and beaches will leave you plenty of personal space. Don’t ignore the classic vacation destinations: They’re classic for a reason.
