Occasions That Call For A Special Trip
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Life is full of milestones, new starts, and moments worth celebrating.
Special occasions call for a special trip.
Maybe it’s a honeymoon, a retirement, or a milestone birthday. Maybe it’s that faraway vacation you’ve always dreamed of taking or that bucket-list adventure you can’t wait to knock off your list.
Need an occasion to look forward to? Or some inspiration for how to celebrate? We’ve covered you with our list of special occasions that call for a special trip — and the perfect destination to pair them with.
The “OVER THE HILL” Birthday Trip:
Explore the U.S. national parks
You’ve made it over life’s metaphorical hill! So give yourself a well-deserved reward at the top. This milestone birthday is the perfect opportunity to experience America’s beautiful National Parks.
Glacier, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Great Smoky Mountains...from lush forests to snow-capped volcanoes to sprawling beaches, with 63 gorgeous locations throughout the U.S., you truly can’t go wrong. Nature walks, scenic drives, and wildlife sightings, oh my! Whether you choose one park to explore or opt for a road trip to see several of them, you’re in for an adventure.
Get out there, see something new, and show the world that age is just a number. In fact, go ahead and scream it from the mountaintop... there will be plenty to choose from!
The “I JUST QUIT MY JOB” Vacay:
Sail the Caribbean seas
You finally did it. That scary and thrilling and brave thing: you just quit your job. Maybe you know exactly what you want to do next, or maybe you have no clue. Maybe you’ve got an exciting opportunity lined up with some time for yourself in between, or maybe that time for yourself is indefinite. Either way, this calls for a special type of trip — one where you can be ‘Out of Office’ in every sense of the word.
As you set sail on a new career path, set sail through the Caribbean! (Don’t worry, you won’t actually have to do the sailing — they have captains for that). The Virgin Islands, the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos...all jaw-dropping destinations for an ultra-relaxing sailing trip through dazzling blue waters. Not a care in the world, and nothing on the agenda but warm sun, white sand, and the open sea.
Because there’s no better time to be on “island time” than when you’re in between jobs, and there’s no better place to do that than actual islands.
The “HAS IT REALLY BEEN THAT LONG?” Anniversary Getaway:
Wine taste in the French countryside
Some milestone anniversaries feel especially significant, especially big. Whether it’s 10 years, 30 years, or 40 years, you can’t believe it’s been that many (for better or for worse). Whatever the number for you, it’s a big one. So go big.
An anniversary trip calls for not just celebration but romance and a sense of reminiscence. The perfect trip to encapsulate all three: wine tasting through the centuries-old vineyards of France. Together, you can sip on pinot noir in the medieval countryside of Burgundy, sauvignon blanc in the peaceful Loire Valley, merlot in the famed city of Bordeaux, or champagne in, well, Champagne — all paired with charming, picturesque landscapes.
No matter where you go, you’ll feel the love in the air (and if not, the wine will help with that).
The “LAST TIME AS JUST THE TWO OF US” Babymoon:
Hit the beach in Hawaii
Your life as you know it is about to completely change...forever. Luckily, nine months gives you plenty of time to not just make a new human but to go off and enjoy one last blissful trip! Before reality really sets in, go escape it for a bit.
Hawaii is one of the best places to babymoon — the ideal location not just for a couple looking to soak in some special time together, but for a pregnant woman. Head to Maui, Kauai, the Big Island. You’ll find temperate, beautiful weather for optimal comfort, so much delicious food for all that eating for two, and virgin cocktails that taste just as good as the real thing.
It’s time to say “aloha” to life as just the two of you, and “aloha” to all the new joys ahead.
The “I HAVEN’T SEEN YOU GUYS IN FOREVER” Family Reunion:
Cruise through Alaska
You probably feel like you haven’t seen your family in forever. It’s been too long since you got to joke around with your cousins, and you can’t even remember the last time you saw your Uncle Joe. You miss them. Heck, you’re almost starting to forget how crazy they are. But don’t worry, it’ll all come back to you on an unforgettable cruise through Alaska!
You may be thinking, “Wait, I said I miss them...not that I want to be trapped on a boat with them.” But a cruise is actually perfect for large groups (even crazy ones)! Experience the beauty of Alaska’s glaciers, fjords, wildlife, and culture together, all with ultimate convenience — no logistics to worry about, separate living quarters, all-inclusive meals, and plenty of activities and excursions for any family member to enjoy (separately, or together!).
The word “reunion” has taken on more meaning since the pandemic, so climb aboard and make this one special.
by Carly Weaver
Carly, a New-Jersey-native-turned-Los-Angeles-local, has worked in digital marketing for the past decade doing everything from copywriting to creative production to brand strategy. But she’s always had three great loves: food, travel, and writing. That’s where Ogden Pacific comes in.
All-time favorite travel story? That time she slept in a drawer in a Florence hospital. All-time favorite meal? Well, as a decidedly unemotional person she’s been moved to tears by a single bite of food more than once...so let’s not even go there right now. All-time favorite destinations? The Jersey Shore for Springer’s Homemade Ice Cream and pure nostalgia. The British Virgin Islands for endless crystal clear seas and some of the nicest people on earth. Montana for that clean, crisp, mountain air and $2 Moose Drools enjoyed over dive bar shuffleboard. And Italy for literally...every...single...thing. Including that bite of burrata she cried over.
She’s here to help inform you, guide you, entertain you, and inspire you to find your next all-time favorite trip. (And also to help make sure you don’t end up in a drawer while you’re there.)