Destination Celebrations

by Katie Coakley

Leave the familiar behind and consider traveling for your next special event

The journey is half the fun, especially when it comes to special events like weddings, anniversaries, honeymoon trips and milestone birthdays. The idea of escaping home for a special event is an exhilarating one: There are adventures to be had and ruts to leave behind. When planning for your next big milestone, consider these trends in destination getaways.

 

Hit the beach

A recent study found that about 20 percent of American couples are choosing destination weddings over the traditional hotel or banquet hall options, and the Caribbean and Mexico continue to reign supreme. Several factors contribute to this trend, including the ease of travel and planning. Resorts like Hacienda Encantada in Los Cabos, Mexico, host many destination weddings, making this option almost stress-free for both the wedding party and guests. Find details at haciendaencantada.com

 

Get into glamping

For those who are looking for a one-of-a-kind experience in nature without “roughing it,” consider glamping. Sites like glampinghub.com offer locations throughout the world from a treehouse in Georgia to camping domes in Patagonia that combine an opportunity to move beyond comfort zones while retaining five-star amenities.

“People are being drawn more to unique style accommodations over an all-inclusive resort to add something incredibly special and one-of-a-kind to their vacation, birthday, engagement or other special event,” said an industry insider.

 

Viva Las Vegas

Las Vegas knows how to throw a party, whether it’s a wedding (planned or on the fly) or a milestone birthday. On the nuptials front, wedding parties are coming in earlier for bachelor and bachelorette parties and to finalize details of the wedding, then are staying for several days to enjoy the destination with their wedding guests. Most resorts on the Strip offer deals and packages to those couples who decide to get married on property, making this option a better bet than most you’ll find in Sin City. Not into neon? Consider a desert wedding on the outskirts of Vegas with dramatic scenery for your one-of-a-kind ceremony.

Vegas is not just for the 21-year-olds, either. While 21st birthdays are still reasons to celebrate, more adults are coming to Las Vegas with their family and friends for 30, 50, 65 and other milestones birthdays. And though there are a few more years under the belt, these birthday trips include all of the excitement and anticipation of the 21st.

 

Katie Coakley is a freelance writer based in Denver covering travel, beer and outdoor adventure. Her work has appeared in a variety of publications including Whisky Advocate and Outside. She’s now perusing treehouse options for her next adventure.