# The Best Anniversary Trips, Chosen by a Travel Advisor URL: https://emptvl.vercel.app/best/anniversary-trips Publisher: Empyrean Travel (https://emptvl.vercel.app/) Last reviewed: 2026-10-19 The best anniversary trips, from Bora Bora and Tetiaroa to the Okavango Delta, Paris and Kyoto, plus how to choose, when to go and how to make it special. **Quick answer:** The best anniversary trips either return you to a place that matters or give you something new to share. Bora Bora and Tetiaroa suit a milestone with total privacy; Botswana’s Okavango Delta and Cape Town’s Winelands combine adventure and great food; and Paris, the Amalfi Coast, Kyoto and a small-ship Mediterranean cruise suit couples who love culture, wine and long dinners. - Milestone splurge: Tetiaroa or Bora Bora - Short escape: Paris, 4–5 nights - Something new: Okavango Delta safari - Book: 6–12 months ahead ## How did we choose these anniversary trips? Anniversary travelers are different from honeymooners. You may have children at home and less time, or you may be empty nesters with more freedom and higher expectations. So the list mixes short, high-impact city breaks with longer journeys for milestone years. Every pick offers privacy, exceptional food and at least one experience you’ll remember together, whether a sunrise drive in the delta or a private dinner on a motu. ## Should you go back to your honeymoon spot or somewhere new? Returning works beautifully when you upgrade the experience: a villa instead of a garden room, a different island in the same archipelago, or a vow renewal. Many resorts in French Polynesia arrange Polynesian-style vow renewal ceremonies; they’re symbolic rather than legal, and lovely. Going somewhere new suits couples who want to feel the thrill of discovery again. A safari is a favorite for a reason: shared wildlife moments and intimate camps make it feel like a second honeymoon. See our honeymoon safari guide for camp styles. ## How do you time and budget an anniversary trip? Milestone years, such as the 10th, 25th or 40th, justify a splurge; other years might call for a long weekend done well. If your anniversary falls in a destination’s off-season, consider traveling a few weeks earlier or later; our where-to-go calendar shows what shines each month. The smartest lever is to splurge selectively: one or two nights in a top suite, then a well-chosen standard room. At Virtuoso partner hotels, you typically receive daily breakfast, a property credit and an upgrade when available. Our guide to hotel upgrades has more ideas. ## How should you book an anniversary trip? Book 6 to 12 months ahead for milestone trips and peak seasons, and longer for Tetiaroa or small safari camps. Let hotels know it’s your anniversary at booking; many add a thoughtful touch, though it’s never guaranteed. Planning a surprise? Check passport validity quietly, ask a friend to confirm dates, and give your partner a packing hint. Gigi coordinates private dinners, guides and transfers so the trip runs itself. ## Our 10 favorite anniversary trips - **Tetiaroa** (French Polynesia · May–October): Marlon Brando’s former atoll, home to a single eco-luxury resort, The Brando, reached by a 20-minute flight from Tahiti. The ultimate milestone splurge. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/french-polynesia/tetiaroa - **Bora Bora** (French Polynesia · May–October): Return to the lagoon, upgrade to a premium overwater bungalow and renew your vows on the beach. Few places feel this romantic twice. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/french-polynesia/bora-bora - **Okavango Delta** (Botswana · June–October): Small camps in private concessions, mokoro glides and sundowners on the floodplain. Intimate, remote and wonderfully romantic. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/africa/parks/okavango-delta - **Cape Town and the Winelands** (South Africa · October–April): Sea views, Cape Dutch estates, chef’s tables in Franschhoek and the drive to Cape Point. Perfect for food- and wine-loving couples. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/africa/cape-town-and-winelands - **Seychelles** (Indian Ocean · April–May, October–November): Empty beaches framed by granite boulders and quiet island lodges on Praslin and La Digue. A peaceful finish after a safari. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/africa/seychelles - **Paris** (France · April–June, September–October): Long lunches, museum mornings, an evening on the Seine and a palace hotel. A short trip that still feels like a celebration. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/destinations/world/paris - **Amalfi Coast** (Italy · May–June, September): Cliffside terraces in Ravello and Positano, a private boat to Capri and dinners overlooking the sea. Best outside July and August. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/destinations/nap - **Kyoto** (Japan · Late March–April, October–November): Temple gardens at dawn, kaiseki dinners and a ryokan stay with a private bath. Profoundly calm and beautiful in spring and autumn. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/destinations/kix - **Santorini** (Greece · May–June, September–October): A cave suite with a caldera view, wine tastings and a sunset sail. Best in the shoulder months, when the crowds thin. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/destinations/jtr - **Mediterranean small-ship cruise** (Europe · May–October): A yacht-style ship of a few hundred guests or fewer, with late evenings in Portofino, Hydra or Korčula. Unpack once and see five places. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/cruises/mediterranean-cruises ## Frequently asked questions **Q: Where should you go for a 25th anniversary?** A: For a 25th, choose something both grand and personal: an overwater bungalow in Bora Bora, a stay at The Brando on Tetiaroa, or a safari in Botswana’s Okavango Delta followed by the Seychelles. If you prefer culture, a week split between Paris and the Amalfi Coast, or Tokyo and Kyoto, delivers food, beauty and romance. **Q: Can you renew your vows in French Polynesia?** A: Yes. Many resorts in Bora Bora, Moorea and Taha’a arrange Polynesian-style vow renewal ceremonies, often on the beach or a private motu, with traditional music, flower crowns and a blessing. These ceremonies are symbolic rather than legally binding. Book them with your resort stay so dates and locations are confirmed. **Q: How long should an anniversary trip be?** A: A long weekend of four or five nights works well for European cities such as Paris. For long-haul trips to French Polynesia, Africa or Japan, plan at least eight to ten nights to make the flight worthwhile and recover from jet lag. Milestone anniversaries often justify two weeks combining two contrasting places. **Q: How do you plan a surprise anniversary trip?** A: Choose dates your partner can actually take off, check that their passport is valid for at least six months beyond travel, and recruit a friend or colleague to help clear the calendar. Give a packing hint, such as beach or city, without the destination. An advisor can hold flights and rooms while you confirm the details quietly. ## Sources - [Tahiti Tourisme](https://www.tahititourisme.com/en-us/) - [South African Tourism](https://www.southafrica.net/us/en) - [Italia.it: Official Tourism Site of Italy](https://www.italia.it/en)