The Dive Watch Connection

DWC Peeps, my wife turns 50 this December and she has requested that I take her on a trip to a "surprise" destination for her birthday. Surprise meaning she will know the date, but I pick location and do all planning and she doesn't know "where" until we arrive at airport....

We like trying new and interesting and I thought folks here would have good ideas. Been to Europe/Caribean various times and would like to try something different outside the U.S. Timing in December eliminates some locals. Would probably only be able to be gone for 7-8 days, so that makes it tough to go places like New Zealand, where half that time would be spent in travel.....

Couple of ideas I have come up with so far....

Iceland.... We have both always wanted to visit. Winter doesn't have much daylight, but doesn't get super cold due to being an island and northern lights are supposed to be fantastic.

Chile or Argentina..... have not given this too much thought, but is summer there this time of year and my wife is a wine lover. Lots of interesting regions.... wine, mountains, etc...

Other ideas? Interesting islands like Madagascar?

Thanks in advance!

You can never go wrong with Paris

Seppia wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 08, 2019 5:29 am

If you want to be in Europe I’d suggest either southern Spain (Sevilla Granada and Córdoba) or southern Italy (Sicily!).

You will get mild weather, great food, fantastic cities with tons of history and art (just google Siracusa or Palermo) and cheap prices.

Paris is beautiful but you risk freezing your ass (same for Milan).
I would avoid Iceland as you’ll probably have 3-4 hours daylight at most in December.

Sorry, my post was unclear. Trying to consider locations other than Europe. My wife and I have each been to 8 or 9 European countries. I studied in Italy in college, but Sicily could be interesting. Never been there.

Thanks!

Then it's easy.

Australia.

You will thank me

demer03 wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 08, 2019 5:44 am

Then it's easy.

Australia.

You will thank me

Always wanted to go there. Any travel tips to avoid spending half the time en route? Where did you go there?

Thanks

Ha, no way to compress it. BUT...travel Quantas. They do it right.

I have a good friend who lives there and I did two weeks in NSW with he and his wife. I flew from LA to Sydney and then Sydney into Tamworth (country music capital of Australia). Spent the time on a sheep station in Manilla and in Lightning Ridge mining for Opals.

To be honest, it doesn't matter where you go.... the people are the best. I'd emigrate in a heartbeat. Winter here is a perfect time there.

Safari!

I also have a trip schedule between October and November this year for my 10 year wedding anniversary. My non Europe runner ups are Colombia and Argentina. I have a friend that travels to Columbia two-three times a month and he tells me that besides Bogotá and Medellín, Cartagena is a really fun place.

maybe try one of those vacation matchmaker sites and see what turns up

www.jauntaroo.com
https://www.wander.am

https://www.sandals.com/royal-caribbean


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dnslater wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 08, 2019 5:57 am

demer03 wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 08, 2019 5:44 am

Then it's easy.

Australia.

You will thank me

Always wanted to go there. Any travel tips to avoid spending half the time en route? Where did you go there?

Thanks

We went there about 15 years ago, and picked 3 different locations from this site. It was amazing. We stayed at Lizard Island, Silky Oaks, and El Questro Homestead.

https://luxurylodgesofaustralia.com.au/lodges/

Coming from Indiana and having only 7 or 8 days, I think destinations such as Africa and Australia are probably out. You'll lose at least a day each way to travel, leaving you only 5 or so days to explore. IMO it is simply not enough time to do those locations justice.

I would look at Costa Rica. You can rent a house on the beach in cool little town like Quepos. They are on Mountain Time, so minimal jet lag. You'll probably connect once in Miami, so total travel time of about 8 hours.

Look up Manuel Antonio Park. Take a horseback ride through the jungle there.

Quepos is known for its big game fishing (why I went). Take her out for a day of fishing for sailfish. The boat's mate will get the fish hooked for her, hand her the rod, and let the tug of war begin. Landing a big sailfish can easily take an hour. Boats leave really early in the AM, so you can stop at a bakery to pick up fresh pastries to eat while you cruise out to the fishing grounds (about 15 - 20 miles out). You'll see dolphin on your way out and maybe whale.

Weather in Quepos in December is about 85* during the day and 70* at night - pretty much perfect when leaving Indiana. The ocean is warm, the people are well educated (better literacy rate than the US) and pleasant. Costa Rica is far enough away to be an adventure, but close enough to be accessible.

If are down with a small town in Colorado in a cabin on the hillside then let me know.

Costa Rica is one of my favorite out the country travels.

toxicavenger wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 08, 2019 1:12 pm

If are down with a small town in Colorado in a cabin on the hillside then let me know.

Costa Rica is one of my favorite out the country travels.

Wife sister lives in Leadville so we go every other year. Love Colorado.

Belize is also worth a look.

I stayed here on my honeymoon and couldn’t really imagine a more beautiful and relaxing place.

https://www.cocoplumcay.com

dnslater wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 08, 2019 4:17 pm

toxicavenger wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 08, 2019 1:12 pm

If are down with a small town in Colorado in a cabin on the hillside then let me know.

Costa Rica is one of my favorite out the country travels.

Wife sister lives in Leadville so we go every other year. Love Colorado.

This is Green Mtn Falls

Belize and Costa Rica were the first two things to come to mind. Close enough to not lose days traveling and a nice warm get away in winter.

we stay in Guanacaste every time we go to CR

Great information everyone. Thanks!

Canadian Rockies...

Costco Travel has some great deals including flights from Indianapolis.

we stay at the riu

Never done it, but Kenya or South Africa for a safari would be a great trip if that's your sort of thing. SA supposedly has some good wineries, as well.

I know it's winter and you said outside of the US, but the Yellowstone/Grand Teton area in Wyoming is possibly my favorite place in the world. I've never visited in winter, but I've always heard it's amazing that time of year. Just cold.

We recently stayed at an all inclusive that was great, Excellence Playa Mujeres in Cancun. I can also recommend the Galapagos and a Tauck tour to SE Asia.