Where the hell should we go? Just two adults and everything has to be booked through a travel agent.

I won a raffle that is basically a gift certificate at a travel agency and I'm not quite sure where to go. I've been thinking either an all inclusive Sandals type resort or spending time in Europe. I'm fine doing anything ranging from 5-10 days.

Something all inclusive sounds easy because I can spend all the money and not have to be on a schedule, which would be pretty relaxing.

If I go with a non-all inclusive trip, I would have to book dinner reservations everyday and I'm not sure if I want that, but that also opens up my options to going to places I've never been (Europe).

Im assuming I haven't even thought of some cool options so I appreciate any feedback!

There are lots of all (or mostly) inclusive trips to Europe, if you don't mind traveling with a group of 20-30 people. I've done Adventures by Disney (they offer adult-only departures) and Tauck is another company with a ton of great itineraries (not just in Europe). Both also offer European river cruises, which I've heard are great.

I did a Seabourn cruise of the Greek islands a few years ago. That's a trip I would do again. The key is to do one of the high end cruise lines.

Sonora Resort - Vancouver

Spent a few days here in July. Probably the best vacation we've ever had. It is all inclusive. The meals were easily the best back to back to back to back meals I've ever had. Only a few liquors weren't included, mostly fancy scotches and tequilas. Gray goose, crown, etc., are all included. You think AI means mediocre food and house booze. Not so. Seriously. SOme day I'll post pictures we took of our meals. Holy F it was amazing.

We paid to do a Butte Inlet Fjord cruise (several hours on a private 36ft Grady White), went salmon fishing, etc.

We flew from Vancouver to the island on a sea plane, and flew back on a helicopter.

what was the cost per day being there?

Looked up Bora Bora and that place looks amazing. I don't have a lot of preferences but my girl likes beaches. Neither of us have been there either.

We were there during the high season so it was more expensive. The highest level room (not counting suites/villas) was 1125 a night in canadia $'s, which is about 30% more than the US $.

Rates are as low as 650 CAD during the low season.

They're only open form May - October.

Standard tip is $45 per day, per person, that covers waiters, house keeping, etc. The standard tip for tour guides is $50 per person per 1/2 day.

Transport too/from the resort and Vancouver was $500 each way per person. THere's a ferry option, but you have to drive an hour or 2 from Vancouver just to get to the ferry. The ferry/water taxi is still $215 per person each way. Add in rental car, time, etc, plus the sheer experience of the sea plane/helicopter - I'll skip the ferry every time, no questions asked.

It's not cheap.

All prices above are CAD, so not 30% off.

Just sitting in our room we could see seals and bald eagles right outside our window, no binoculars necessary. They do provide binoculars however in your room.

For meals they have a static a'la'carte menu with about 7 apps, 7 entrees, and 7 deserts to choose from. Each night they have a chef's tasting menu with 2 apps, entree, and desert. Some nights I'd say "I want the left side of the menu (tasting menu), plus this app on the right". By our 2nd night the waiter met me at our table w/a sazerac since he and the bartender knew that's what I preferred.

For excursions/trips you we'd walk into a snack bar, fill as many coolers as we wanted with beer, wine, sodas, sandwiches, snacks, a bottle of gray goose, etc. They also provide water wear (bib style pants, winter coats that double as life jackets).

You could also rent a yacht with a captain and cook and tour the caribbean.

https://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/caribbean/yachts-cruises-caribbean

Wife and I have been to French Polynesia and Bali, I would pick Bali.

This looks like an amazing place to visit...I'm going to call the travel agent to get a price on this one. There's so many different excursions that we could keep busy all week long. Thanks for the suggestion.

Looking up trips to Bali today!

Hoyt Ag said:

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If I ever spend 10 grand on a Sandals vacation, please commit me to the nut house. 10 grand puts me in SE Asia minimum 3 times living like a king.

I am flying home from Bali as we speak. Just spent 2 weeks there and a week in Thailand. Bali is amazing, we had a great time.

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I probably should've said and all inclusive destination instead of mentioning Sandals by name. That's just what came to mind. Thailand is quickly becoming more interesting. Just spoke with a pretty well traveled buddy and he said Thailand, specifically ****et, was amazing. He said Bora Bora was beautiful but there wasn't a night life there.

I'm going to see what I can piece together for a Thailand trip.

Thanks to everyone for input so far!

Hawaii or Europe.....but I would just go to a place you've always dreamed of going.

Yah, Bora Bora would be my choice. You can easily burn through $10k on that trip.

Maybe its just me, but with all due respect to your friend, I wouldn't say ****et is amazing. If you like touristy Thailand with a bunch of sleazy German tourists, then yeah...it's amazing.

Places like Thailand are not going to be generally cost prohibitive for working professionals, and it's the kind of trip you can always do another time, and also stay in a decent hotel for a very reasonable amount of money.

As others have said,I really would try to go somewhere that you just normally wouldn't be able to afford.

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Maybe its just me, but with all due respect to your friend, I wouldn't say ****et is amazing. If you like touristy Thailand with a bunch of sleazy German tourists, then yeah...it's amazing.

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Agreed.

I'd do a high-end cruise of the Adriatic.

Can you use the $10k towards biz class tickets somewhere and take care of the rest of your trip on your own?

My parents just did a week cruise to galapagos islands, a trip my mom has wanted to do for decades. The cruise ship was about 150 people, not the monstrosities that have thousands.

I didn't ask, but I'd bet that trip was pushing $10k for both of them.

Thread high jack and I'm sorry....

Tell us about your Bali trip!

Also, for the OP, look up the Seychelles and see if they have any AIs there.

Do the Maldives. I've always wanted to go but $5k+ for two coach tickets is hard to swallow.

African safari?

I will do a write up sometime this week.

07ag said:

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Can you use the $10k towards biz class tickets somewhere and take care of the rest of your trip on your own?

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I could do that if I wanted and I'm thinking about it.

I'm kinda thinking Spain, Great Britain, Tahiti/Fiji or Thailand.

Just got back from Madrid and it was truly incredible!! Doing a Spain tour and seeing the entire country plus some of their islands would be awesome!! <3

Too bad Turkey is going through mayhem at the moment bc you could easily do Istanbul and Cappadocia and it'd be a trip of a lifetime.

argentina and chile: andes, Santiago, Buenos aires, Mendoza wine region, the lakes district, iguazu falls, tierra del fuego, perito Moreno glacier

I Play With Guns said:

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Just got back from Madrid and it was truly incredible!! Doing a Spain tour and seeing the entire country plus some of their islands would be awesome!! <3

Too bad Turkey is going through mayhem at the moment bc you could easily do Istanbul and Cappadocia and it'd be a trip of a lifetime.

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The idea of a 7-10 day trip to Spain is very very appealing. I'd love to mix in a soccer game in Barcelona or Madrid as well