CELEBRATORY VACATIONS

MARK YOUR MILESTONES!

BY Pallavi Pinakin

What’s the best way to mark a milestone in your life such as a birthday, an anniversary or retirement? Take a vacation, of course! Nearly two-thirds of leisure travellers the world over have taken a celebratory holiday at some point in their lives – and the trend continues.

Here are some tips to make your next such vacation extra memorable.

INTIMATE TRIPS Be mindful about where you choose to stay. Nothing ruins a romantic mood faster than finding yourself surrounded by noisy babies or rowdy backpackers. Opt for hotels that offer secluded accommodation, private dinners and exclusive destination experiences such as deserted island picnics or couples’ massages at the spa.

Anniversaries offer a good excuse (if you need one!) for a domestic getaway. Local booking websites offer an array of possibilities – you can even organise something spontaneous for the very same weekend. Hotels and resorts are usually delighted to make your special day even more memorable so don’t hesitate to let them know about your reason to celebrate. If you’re lucky, you could be in for a room upgrade or basket of goodies!

FAMILY SOJOURNS As the world looks to return to a ‘new normal,’ cruises may make a comeback; they are a great option for families travelling together to celebrate a special occasion. There’s a good balance of structure and freedom – meals are included, entertainment is scheduled and day trips can be booked with ease.

With a multigenerational group, flexibility is the key and cruises are perfectly designed for this. Don’t feel like a shore excursion? No problem; pop over to the deck pool instead. There are also games on offer for every age group from treasure hunts for the kids to pub quizzes for adults.

FRIENDLY FUN For younger travellers fresh out of university or in the early years of their career, all-inclusive trips are a great way to celebrate milestones without breaking the bank. Once you’ve paid in full, you can relax and enjoy everything the resort has to offer without worrying about any additional expenses.

Older groups could consider staying at a private countryside cabin or beach villa. Try to stick to one meal together each day and arrange a limited number of pre-planned events on the trip. This way, everyone will have some free time for themselves as well. To stay connected and avoid confusion, having everyone in the same text or email group is ideal for updates.