20 Fabulous Ways to Celebrate a Milestone and Create Memories to Cherish

Have you ever taken a celebration vacation?

Milestones are for celebrating, and honoring a special occasion is the perfect reason to travel. Traveling makes a "big" birthday or anniversary even more memorable. And there's no better way to celebrate retirement than with a dream vacation.

AARP research finds that 75% of people 45 and over will take a "Celebration Vacation" at some point, with anniversary and birthday trips being the most popular. For these occasions, travelers prioritize relaxation and spending time with family and friends.

Celebration vacations start with the "why," the milestone you're commemorating. Let's look to the rest of the 5W's for factors to consider as you begin planning.

Who do you want to travel with?

Of course, there are no rules, but travel for birthdays, graduations, and retirements are more likely to be shared with family or friends, while couples tend to take anniversary trips with just one another or a small circle.

When is the best time to take your celebration vacation?

Do you want your milestone event to fall during your Celebration Vacation? For example, do you want to enjoy a champagne toast in Paris on your anniversary? Then you'll need to plan your trip so that you spend your special day exactly where and how you want.

What style of trip best suits the occasion and your group?

There are so many possibilities:

• Explore your passions. Whether it's golf, gardening, or gazing at stars, allow your interests and hobbies to guide your travels. Best suited for groups of friends, clubs and leagues, retirement celebrations, couples' getaways, and solo travel.

• Be immersed in a culture. Take a deep dive into your destination's culture by visiting museums and historic sites, sampling authentic cuisine, and spending time with locals. Best suited for retirement and graduation celebrations, couples' getaways, family gatherings (especially if your genealogy is tied to the destination), honeymoons, milestone events, and solo travel.

• Go for a gastronomy tour. Grab the people you love to gather around a table with for a vacation focused on food and wine. Enjoy culinary tours, wine or spirits tastings, cooking classes, and visiting the local market with a chef. Best suited for retirement celebrations, couples' getaways, groups of friends, milestone events, and solo travel.

• Take an epic adventure. Perfect for hikers, cyclers, boaters, nature-lovers, and adventure-enthusiasts. An adventure vacation can cater to all levels of activity, from easygoing to adrenaline-pumping. And you don't have to rough it, either! Accommodations can range from budget-conscious to ultra-lux. Best suited for couples' getaways, honeymoons, family gatherings, groups of friends, and solo travel.

• Enjoy some R&R. If you've just celebrated a big event, chances are you could use some rest and relaxation. If you're craving downtime or an opportunity to connect with people you care about, you have so many options, including time at a beach, spa, or resort. If relaxation means no cooking, shopping, or clean-up, a cruise, all-inclusive tour, or a stay at a fully-staffed villa may be just the answer. Best suited for: couples' getaways, family gatherings, honeymoons, groups of friends, retirement/graduation/milestone events.

Where do you want to go?

Here are 20 ideas to help you get started:

1. Sip your way through Napa Valley

2. Relax in an overwater bungalow in Bora Bora

3. Chase the northern lights in Iceland

4. Take a culinary tour of Vietnam

5. Sip whiskey with an expert in Ireland

6. View the Thanksgiving Parade in NYC like a VIP

7. Take a wine river cruise through Burgundy

8. Hike in the US National Parks

9. Be a walk-on in a Broadway show with your friends/family watching from the audience

10. Take a whistle-stop tour of Ireland on a luxury sleeper train

11. Soak up the sun on one of Maui's spectacular beaches

12. Search for the Big 5 on safari in Africa

13. Take a painting class in Giverney

14. Feel the holiday magic at the Christmas Markets in Europe

15. Live like a rock star on Sir Richard Branson's new cruise line, Virgin Voyages

16. Cook with a chef in Tuscany

17. Be pampered in Laguna Beach

18. Unwind on a barge cruise through the canals of France

19. Swim with turtles and sea lions in the Galápagos

20. Play a round of golf at St. Andrews in Scotland

Do you have a milestone coming up that you'd like to celebrate? Email me to start planning.