As I’m finalizing the details for our annual Christmas trip I’m also looking ahead into 2015–specifically thinking about our four-year anniversary next June. Three out of our next four (major) vacations have already been decided (if everything goes as planned), which leaves us with that lone fourth destination and brings us to our fourth anniversary. Coincidence? I think not.
Over the last four years it has been pretty easy to pinpoint our next destination: from the Bahamas, to the Southern Caribbean, from a few different adventures island hopping in Hawaii, and even our once in a lifetime trip to Norway with my sweet grandmother, all of these trips have always felt “right”; the right time, the right budget, the right destination. In fact, it’s hard to recall a time when we didn’t know exactly where we were headed next.
This new feeling of the unknown is exciting. I look over my map of the world and am filled with wonder thinking about all of the amazing places we could visit. Locations scattered throughout the world are suddenly a reality instead of just a dream written down on a piece of paper. And while the locations are all starting to feel tangible, trying to decide between these amazing destinations is a little overwhelming. In order to help us narrow down our choices I have looked back to our bucket lists, my 101 goals list, and my personal “Dreams” list (a list with so many exotic locations it’s titled DREAMS). 🙂
At this point in time, my husband and I are discussing three different locations: Greece. Italy. and Thailand.
If we went to Greece we would spend our days island hopping–I’m picturing amazing sunsets in Santorini and wandering the streets of Mykonos. Of course, no trip to Greece would be complete without spending at least two days exploring the rich history of Athens.
On the other hand, there’s Italy… Venice, Rome, Florence… need I say more? Venice and Rome have both been on my bucket list since I sat down to create a bucket list, and Italy is also on my husband’s bucket list. That being said, we have told ourselves that when my husband graduates from the University we will celebrate by going to France and Italy… so do we wait two more years? or do we go now?
And to make a hard decision even more complicated, the beautiful country of Thailand has peaked my interest as of late. After reading about my fellow blogger’s experiences in this amazing area of the world, Thailand has moved from a destination on the edge of my radar to front-and-center. If we went to Thailand we would spend our four-year anniversary island hopping–I imagine that we would rent one of the many beachfront bungalows and go on endless scuba diving adventures… this destination sounds RIGHT up my alley.
So today, I’m asking for your help. If you have been to any of these incredible destinations, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Leave me your advice in the comments below…
σας ευχαριστώ! Grazie! ขอบคุณ!
(Thank you! in Greek, Italian, and Thai) 🙂
Pictures and Plane Tickets 
Hey Krystle, such a Great Post!
Whenever you decide to visit our beautiful Greece, I would love to give you any recommendation or advice!!
🙂
Thank you! I most definitely will!!
I’ve not been to Greece (except as a child) or Italy so cannot comment on those though I am sure they are beautiful. Thailand is however a wonderful country and I just keep returning – I think there are 8 stamps in my passport – and each time I discover somewhere new!
If you do go, why not consider some of the off the beaten track islands, or some areas just north of Bangkok? Koh Samui, Koh Phanang and Koh Tao are all very pretty though, and fairly Westernised (i say fairly – i should say very!)
Koh Kood beach resort (on Koh Kood ironically) has beautiful bungalows on the beachfront. We booked a few nights on our honeymoon and extended to 8 – we would have stayed longer was it not for plans to meet friends. The river Kwai Resort in Kanchanaburi is beautiful and very peaceful – close enough to the historical museums and railway. Ayutthaya has some fantastic history and temples being the ancient capital of Thailand, although I can’t recommend a hotel – ours was poor! Hua Hin has beautiful beaches just a couple of hours from Bangkok – but is quite an expat community.
There is also the jungle regions of Chang Mai and Chang Rai – and flights are cheap enough if you don’t fancy the VIP bus (which is pleasant enough)
If you do decide on Thailand and want some advice let me know!
Enjoy planning your trip onto the current unknown x
Victoria,
Thank you for stopping by and for you amazing advice on Thailand. I have a feeling I will be referencing your comment many times over the next few months. 🙂 Such useful information, thank you for sharing!
Your welcome.
It really is a beautiful country, and so diverse.
If you have any questions feel free to ask – Ill try to help as much as I can, and if your looking for the best mango and sticky rice in Thailand, I can direct you to just the lady! x
All three countries are great. Island hopping in Greece is a fantastic way to explore the country. Every island is very different to one another. Santorini has the best sunsets, but it’s also worth visiting some smaller, more unknown islands 🙂 Thailand and Italy are also lots of fun.
Hi Anna,
Thanks for your advice. We will definitely have to do a cruise through Greece to explore a lot of the islands. 🙂 A Santorini sunset is on my bucket list! 🙂 What were your favorite locations in Thailand and Italy?
We have been lucky enough to visit Italy with stops all over including Rome but as you say, you have plans to get there so no need to go on with that. However, make sure Tuscany is a part of your journey as its simply breathtaking. Notwithstanding the above, of all the places we have been to Santorini is something that cannot be missed. It is simply beautiful. There is no other way to describe it. Likewise, with many of the other Greek Islands. May I suggest you consider a Greek Isle cruise or perhaps a Mediterranean Cruise this way you get to experience a little bit of it all and never have to worry about dragging your suitcase along. Food for thought….
Hey friend,
It was a hard decision because all three destinations were equally intriguing for different reasons. 🙂 However, we finally made up our minds and I will be announcing it on Monday! A Greek cruise is a fantastic idea. We have looked into that in order to see as much as possible in our limited time frame.
Have a good day!
looking forward to the announcement!
I went on a two week tour of Italy in 2012…loved all of it! Venice, Florence, Rome, Amalfi Coast…romance and history and good food! I haven’t been to Greece or Thailand though, I’m sure both destinations would also be amazing.
Like you, it seems our travel spots reveal themselves to us. I bought an African Safari at an auction earlier this year and plan on surprising my boyfriend at Christmas…so it looks like that’ll be our 2015 vacation spot.
Will look forward to hearing where you’ll decide to celebrate your anniversary. 🙂
With so many great things about Italy being discussed in the comments, it is definitely at the top of my list. We have decided to head back to Italy for my husbands graduation in two years (we will probably stop by Paris as well). It sounds like an amazing country filled with amazing people and beautiful sites. I can’t wait 🙂
And that African Safari sounds incredible! What a great surprise for your boyfriend. 2015 will be a great year for you two. Isn’t it neat how the travel spots reveal themselves… Can’t wait to see your pictures of this trip.
Have a great day!
I’m hooked on Italy and go back as often as possible. A combination of the people, food, culture and history keep me hooked. The atmosphere is unbeatable. I always feel like I’m going home.
Hi Sandra,
I’m hearing so many great things about Italy. We have finally made up our minds and this time around we are headed somewhere else, but we are planning on going to Italy when my husband graduates in a couple of years. It sounds like I have a LOT of great things to look forward to! 🙂 Thanks for your advice!!
Italy is amazing! I had the opportunity to go to Roma and Milano for work and I took every opportunity I could get outside work to explore. The architecture just takes your breath away and the people are so sweet. Just loving life. Thursday night and little corridors are filled with ppl drinking house wine and eating the delicious food. Love it!
The architecture is what intrigues me about Italy. There are SO many buildings and statues to see throughout the country. It feels as though there’s something “famous” in almost every city in Italy (it’s really not fair when you think about it) 😉 I know if we don’t get to Italy this time around we will be headed that way in a year or two for SURE!
Thanks for your advice.
Hi!
Great blog. I too love to travel and dive. 1 site that entices me with some good deals is http://www.travelzoo.com My favorite dive co. in Thailand is called Big Blue on Koh Tao Is. (there is an office near Koh San Rd.) Party on the train (7pm( from BKK to Chumpon, wake up and get on the ferry to Koh Tao. Be sure and say hello to Sonia, Simon and Dean, great dive masters and instructors. You might consider getting your Rescue dIVER, good stuff!!! I passed my DM course there 4?, 5? years ago. Also I would suggest going to Burma especially Bagon, I’ve been there 3 times and it still blows me away. The people are wonderful and the Dagon Red is great!
Keep on writin’ and truckin’, Cheers,Deane
Hi Deane,
Thank you for your great advice! Koh Tao is one of our main reasons for wanting to visit Thailand. 🙂 The scuba diving sounds amazing. I’ll go check out that dive shop while we are there, do you have any other favorite things to do on Koh Tao besides dive? Travelzoo has many great deals and I receive their emails often. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and adding your input, I greatly appreciate it! 🙂
My mom and I have been to Italy–and to those three exact places!–and it was really cool! Good food! Rome is a little gritty, though, but Venice and Florence are pretty. Also went to Paris, which was so romantice with the cafes, the museums, the Eiffel Tower shimmering in lights at night…
Think of it this way, wherever you guys decide to go, the other two places will still be there for vacation. 😀 I doubt countries can up and move or disappear lol.
You are completely right. Those other two countries will still be there. 🙂 Sometimes I get so caught up in the thought of how little time I have to visit all of the places that I dream about that I forget there is always a next time.
Your trip to Italy and France is exactly what my husband and I have talked about for his graduation trip. He really wants to visit Paris. Maybe we should keep those plans as-is and decide between Greece and Thailand this time around… 🙂
Definitely a tough choice! I haven’t been to any of those places, but they are all three toward the top of my bucket list. Can’t wait to see what you choose and read about the trip when it happens!
Thanks, Kacy. It’s going to be a tough decision as we keep going back and forth discussing all the great things each destination has to offer. We may just have to flip a coin. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
oh dear, I can’t help with this one, the three choices are far too exciting to pick one
Hi Ruth,
Definitely hard to choose. Part of me feels like because Italy and Greece are so close to each other we should visit both, but then I feel like there’s too much to see and do in each country and if we tried to do it all we would shortchange our experience in both countries… Maybe I can win the lottery between now and June and I can do all three?? 😉 😉 🙂
Have a great day!
+1 for Italy, the food, oh my… the history, the culture, the sounds the smells. I have the Amalfi Coast on my radar 😀
Auntie, I agree! All of that history has me so intrigued. And the canals in Venice. Wine Country. The pasta… The Amalfi Coast looks spectacular as well! I hope you get to visit soon!! 🙂
Greece is amazing! Mykonos is a bit of a young party island so for a romantic anniversary it wouldn’t be my top choice. I would definitely say go to Santorini, it’s stunning, but also look into Zakynthos. It is home to the Blue Caves and absolutely breathtaking. However, Italy is incredible as well and Florence is the heart of Tuscany and wine country. I don’t know much about Thailand, but it looks beautiful. If it were up to me for an anniversary I would choose Greece. Its romantic and gorgeous. The summer weather is lovely and there are so many things to do from swimming in caves and kitesurfing, to fine dining and spas overlooking the cliff sides. Best of luck choosing xoxo!
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Annie, thank you for your great suggestions. 🙂 I’m going to go research Zakynthos!!
Tough decisions! But the best kind of quandary to have, no? I have been to Italy and loved, loved, LOVED it. I would go back in a heartbeat. I haven’t been to Greece or Thailand, but those are also on my bucket list. I don’t think you could go wrong with whatever you picked! 🙂
Hey Leigh!
Very valid point 🙂 I know we are way lucky to even be considering these destinations for our anniversary. What was your favorite part(s) about Italy??