Life is to be celebrated, any time of year and, for those who have been married for a decade, we’re sharing some fabulous 10 Year anniversary trip ideas. Why is 10th anniversary important? It’s possible you spend more time looking after others and less time celebrating each other, and the life you’ve made together – and you deserve to spend more than one night doing that.

It doesn’t really matter what sort of anniversary getaway you go for; the key is finding the trip that brings you together. Maybe there’s a city or small town you’ve always wanted to go to, or one you spent some of those heady early days in that you’d like to return to? Maybe there’s a destination that was in the running for your honeymoon? Or maybe you’ve always fancied a hot air balloon ride or a romantic dinner overlooking the Eiffel Tower?

We’ve put together some 10 Year anniversary trip ideas to help you settle on the right romantic anniversary vacation for you. And while we’re here, you might be wondering: what is a traditional 10-year anniversary gift? It’s tin. Might we suggest a little travel tin to go with your trip of a lifetime?

Napa Valley 

If the sound of a classic locomotive steam whistle makes your hearts skip a beat and you also happen to love wine, rolling hills and gorgeous dinners in red banquette seating, the Napa Valley Wine Train is for you. Peel your attention from the windows to gaze into each other’s eyes as you roll into world class vineyards for wine tastings in your exquisitely maintained 100-year-old Pullman train car.

You may also enjoy reading: Luxury 25th Anniversary Trip Ideas For Silver Celebrations

The Maldives 

If you didn’t get to do the most honeymoon of honeymoons the first time round, what’s stopping you? Now you can do it without the accompanying stress of planning a wedding. For this anniversary getaway, think: lounging together in your overwater bungalow, gazing at the Indian Ocean from your own private plunge pool, relaxing on the beach, taking a sunset stroll on the diamond white sand.

Japan

Perhaps you both have a hankering for an adventure – somewhere far from home, that you’ve always wanted to see. Find love in the bamboo groves, temples and gardens of Kyoto, or the sheer thrills and traditions of Tokyo, or the art and peace of Naoshima, or all of the above. Our Majestic Japan journey will introduce you to castles, hot springs and bullet trains – it’s the romance and adventure you’re lusting after, the Luxury Gold way.

Explore Japan together in Luxury Style on: Majestic Japan

Paris

Just because the City of Love is obvious, doesn’t mean it’s not the most romantic anniversary trip in the world. There’s a reason why it features on our list of 10 Year anniversary trip ideas. To embrace your inner cliche, you will need: a hotel with views of the Eiffel Tower from your balcony, a hand-in-hand stroll around some gardens, a cruise along the Seine, copious romantic dinners, a moment together with La Basilique du Sacré-Cœur, a kiss on the Pont des Arts, a padlock.

Join our Ultimate France journey to make your romantic Parisian dreams come true.

For more celebration inspiration you may enjoy reading 21 Of The Most Romantic Anniversary Trip Ideas

Cappadocia

If hot air balloon rides are high on your list, you will fall for fairytale Cappadocia, famed for its honeycomb-colored volcanic rock landscapes, sculpted by erosion into towers, cones, valleys, and caves in the central Anatolia plateau. On an anniversary getaway here, you’ll soar above those other-worldly views, sleep in a romantic cave hotel and watch the sunrise over breakfast and Turkish tea on the hotel rooftop – the sky will already be dotted with balloons.

The Amalfi Coast

Take your beloved by the hand and go looking for the dolce vita. You will find there is not much sweeter in the world than the dramatic clifftop views, poolside Bellinis, cliff-clinging villages, vineyards, lemon groves and sparkling, azure waters of the Amalfi Coast. Each small town is as ravishing as the one before it. This is an iconic vacation for a special pair of icons.

Extend our Ultimate Italy journey after you’ve said arriverderci to (the also supremely romantic) Venice. 

New Orleans

If you can’t decide between a vacation and a party, go to New Orleans, where noone would ever make you choose. Spend the night of your life together at a jazz club, sip Sazeracs in a world class bar and send your tastebuds wild over oysters, po’ boys, jambalaya, gumbo, freshly baked beignets and – oh – the pralines! Those little golden morsels of sugar and pecan. And that’s just for starters.

Get a taste for the Big Easy on our Southern Grace journey.

England

If your idea of romance includes quaint English villages, chic cocktail bars and secluded hot tubs in the countryside, pack your peacoat for a romantic getaway on the cobbles. In England, you can do it all in a relatively short space of time: his and hers massages in a world class hotel, Michelin star dining, fairytale castles and all the charm and wonder of those quintessential small towns.

Is our British Royale journey the romantic anniversary trip of your dreams?

Arizona 

California has the most National Parks in North America but Arizona has some of the most astonishing landscapes to bask in. If you like the idea of going off-grid together for a while, perhaps the canyons and craters are calling – and not necessarily the grand one. The artsy desert town of Sedona is breathtaking – celebrate your love in its brilliant orange-red glow by day, staring at its star-spangled, inky black skies by night, with romantic dinners and wine tastings in between.

If our 10 Year anniversary trip ideas have inspired you to travel together in luxury style, take a look at our full collection of small group journeys.

With a cultural scene tied up in royalty, historic landmarks and some of the world’s oldest and best hotels, London is a honeypot for luxury living. Guests on Luxury Gold’s 10-day British Royale journey will get 24 hours in the UK’s iconic capital – including some free time between the included experiences. For those who want to make the most of their time in London, or choose to arrive in the city a couple of days before their itinerary starts, this is the guide for you – the  very best London experiences to make you feel like the star of your own  

Take a helicopter ride along the River Thames

Seeing the London skyline from a hotel sky bar is one thing (Sky Lounge at The Shard has the best), but there’s nothing quite like soaring over the Thames, Houses of Parliament, St Paul’s Cathedral and the Shard at sunset. The London Helicopter’s 35-minute flight follows the majestic river as it passes dozens of key landmarks. Why this flight? You’ll enjoy it with a chilled bottle of Champagne and glasses on hand for two. With 24 hours in London to spend as you please, this is how to do it – living the high life in the literal sense. 

Price: £750 for two

Enjoy an iconic afternoon tea at Claridges

Afternoon tea in is not just one of the best London experiences, it’s an essential one. But in a city with scores of afternoon teas, high teas, tea services on buses and as takeaway picnics, why Claridges? Well, because this Mayfair hotel is the crème de la crème – it’s where the Princess of Wales stayed over before marrying the future heir to the throne, it’s been a hotel since the 1850s, and it does a superior afternoon tea service. Think dainty finger sandwiches of cucumber and dill creme fraiche, smoked salmon with lemon and capers, plus exquisite cakes, served on the finest bone china. Add a glass of one of several premium champagnes to really do it like the royals.

Price: £100pp with a glass of Laurent-Perrier Héritage

Credit: Claridge’s

Dine aboard a luxury steam train from London Victoria

Harking back to the golden age of travel, London still operates gorgeous steam trains from its main terminals – take the Belmond British Pullman, which runs delightful round-trips into the countryside from London Victoria station. Book for a five-course lunch and you’ll board in your finest to a Champagne reception, with uniformed stewards and lavish Art Deco train interiors right out of an Agatha Christie novel. Chugging into the Kent countryside with steam streaming from the engine carriage, you’ll enjoy fine dining treats such as braised shorthorn beef with oxtail tart, or damson baba.

Price: From £540pp

Create your own bespoke perfume at Floris

Luxury fashion, beauty and fragrance houses have deep roots in London – for one, perfumer Floris was founded back in 1730 in London’s smart St James’s neighbourhood. It’s since received royal warrants and celebrity fans from Winston Churchill to Marilyn Monroe, but still operates an exclusive bespoke service today. Enter its historic boutique at 89 Jermyn Street, where you’ll be given a glass of Champagne as you peruse a selection of fragrance bases over a two-hour session, naming notes you love and trying different blends until you’re happy with your fragrance’s bouquet. You can then give it an original name, and even have the bottle engraved – not only one of the best London experiences, but one that will endure long after you return home.

Price: £750 for 100ml

Creating your own unique scent at one of London’s oldest perfume houses (Floris)

Put your foot down at an Aston Martin driving experience

You expect me to talk? No, Mr Bond, we expect you to drive. Like 007 himself, of course in a classic Aston Martin, made in Britain since 1913. Head to the Millbrook-based Aston Martin Clubhouse just outside the capital for a four-hour luxury driving experience, involving a four-hour drive with an instructor and guide, an overview of your chosen vehicle’s dynamics, a chauffeur-drive transfer from the nearest station and breakfast pastries, a hot lunch and other refreshments served at the Clubhouse. 

Price: From £1,800

Drive an Aston Martin while you’re in London (Unsplash/Andrew Pons)

Hire a personal shopping assistant at Liberty London

London’s stylish, original and carefully curated luxury shopping scene is best experienced at Liberty of London – the grand, mock-Tudor department store just off of Regent’s Street devoted to everything from botanical-print textiles to cult beauty products and homeware design. Book a personal shopper here for the most relaxed retail experience in town: based in a private suite on the second floor, you can arrange to put together next season’s wardrobe, reinvigorate your entire beauty regime or redecorate your home. Once you’ve selected your favourites, simply have them delivered. Not only is this one of the best London experiences, it’s also free. 

Price: Free

Book a private photography shoot

In town for a special occasion? Capture the magic effortlessly by engaging a private photographer for an afternoon – a two-hour shoot is typical, often at “golden hour”, the time before sunset. A local photographer can help you plot out a particularly scenic walking route along which to snap your sophisticated vacation photos, perhaps pausing by the Thames riverbank, in pastel-painted Notting Hill or the romantic, 1900s Apple Market in Covent Garden. Once framed at home, your 24 hours in London will last forever.

Price: £475 for two hours

Commission a tailored suit on Savile Row

London is famous for its tailoring, with the visionaries along the world-famous Savile Row stitching classic, timeless and more cutting-edge suits for generations. Having your next ensemble made to measure on this iconic Mayfair street is a worthwhile use of 24 hours in London; there are a handful of top boutiques to choose from, but Gieves and Hawkes has real pedigree. Since being founded in the late 1700s, it’s tailored suits to King Charles and the late Duke of Edinburgh, and they’ll run you through a comprehensive library of luxe (some exclusive) fabrics and textiles to work with, keeping your measurements and preferences on file for future purchases.

Price: From £5,000

See London in style on Luxury Gold’s 10-day British Royale tour.

Some restaurants are just a cut above. Maybe it’s the satisfaction of eating a smooth entrée that makes the taste buds unite in total harmony. Or perhaps it’s the unique sensation of flavours that should, in theory, clash, but combine to create something delicious. Every foodie likes something different about dining, but one thing everyone agrees on is that Michelin star restaurants are the epitome of fine cuisine. 

But what does it take to be one of the world’s top Michelin star restaurants? Aficionados may discuss it over glasses of rare wine and tantalizing tasting menus, and among the world’s top chefs, how to get a Michelin star is a hot topic: the recipe for success, however, is secret. 

Tantalize your taste buds: Exceptional Dining with Luxury Gold

The Michelin inspectors could arrive anytime

Chef and owner Vincent Guimera prepares a dish at Michelin-starred L’Antic Moli in Spain, where you dine on Spain & Portugal in Style. Photo credit: @lanticmoli on Instagram

Michelin has produced its restaurant guides since 1900. As the brand’s reputation grew, the process of its prestigious awards was refined. In a nutshell, anonymous inspectors will book, dine and pay at an establishment that’s caught their eye – where the ingredients are said to be top-notch, or the chef is believed to be particularly excellent.

There are currently around 80 Michelin inspectors, all of whom are highly trained food professionals, sworn to total secrecy.  The inspectors are told to pay no attention to the restaurants decor, service, or any other distractions. They simply focus on the meal in front of them. 

Essential reading to get ready to dine: What to Expect When Dining at a Michelin-star Restaurant

Experience Michelin-starred dining at L’Antic Moli on Spain & Portugal in Style

Graded according to five criteria

Delicata pumpkin, Exmoor caviar and pecan served at Michelin-starred Olive Tree Restaurant in Bath, England. Dine here on British Royale. Photo credit: @olivetreebath on Instagram

Michelin officially lists five criteria chefs should be striving for; the quality of the ingredients (i.e. only the freshest produce and most succulent meats), mastery of culinary techniques, an injection of the chef’s personality into each and every dish, value for money, and the consistency of the food.

The inspectors report back to Michelin with their findings and the company holds regular meetings to decide which eateries make the cut. However, being a top Michelin star restaurant isn’t easy; inspectors will visit, at any time, to make sure the food stays up to scratch. And, if a chef leaves, they don’t take the Michelin star with them: they have to earn it in their next kitchen.

You may also be interested to read: A Journey of Flavour: The Mastery of India’s Michelin-star Chefs

Savor exquisite dishes at Michelin-starred Olive Tree Restaurant on British Royale

A revered three-star system

A sensational dish is served at Michelin-starred Borkonyha Winekitchen in Budapest. Dine here on Harmony of Central Europe. Photo credit: @borkonyha on Instagram.

One hard-earned Michelin star is enough to put any restaurant on the map, but since 1931, restaurants can earn up to three of these floreal accolades. The early editions of the Michelin Guide said that an eatery with one star was “very good in its category”, two meant it had “excellent cooking, worth a detour” and a third meant it offered “exceptional cuisine, worth a special trip”. Currently, France has the most Michelin star restaurants – with Japan hot on its heels.  

If a restaurant is thought to warrant an upgrade to a two-star, four inspectors need to visit to verify the quality of the food. Should that restaurant be lucky enough to be considered for a third Michelin star, ten different inspectors need to sample its delicious dishes.

As the Michelin listings are updated every year, there are plenty of opportunities to gain a star. Currently, there are 139 three-star restaurants: France and Monaco have 29 of them. 

Read about the best of Japanese cuisine: Explore the Top 8 Michelin Star Restaurants in Tokyo

Experience fine dining plus an extensive wine cellar at Borkonyha Winekitchen on: Harmony of Central Europe

A Michelin star is not for life

Divine dishes and stunning vistas await at Michelin-starred Mamma restaurant in Capri, where you dine on Ultimate Italy. Photo credit: @lemonzurestaurant on Instagram

In the tough world of restaurant accolades, all chefs know what is given can easily be taken away. In fact it’s not uncommon for restaurants to lose a Michelin star. This could be a result of standards in the kitchen slipping, the downgrading of ingredients, or even head chefs leaving for greener pastures. 

Gordon Ramsay’s NYC restaurant, The London, notoriously lost two of its stars in 2013 – the Hell’s Kitchen star himself was reduced to tears. Despite this Ramsey holds 17 Michelin stars, making him the third highest chef for these esteemed accolades. Frenchman Joël Robuchon is top with 31.

However, inspectors at Michelin are aware of the impact losing a star could have on a chef’s career – be they young or established – and endeavour to be as fair as possible in their judgment.

Perhaps the greatest thing about the top Michelin star restaurants is that the guide is always growing, evolving, and open to innovative ideas – so, when exploring our wonderful world, the flavour-loving traveller will always find somewhere phenomenal to satisfy their culinary cravings. 

Bookmark for later: The Luxury Gold Guide to the Finest Michelin star Restaurants in Edinburgh

Enjoy exceptional dining and sensational views at Michelin-starred Mamma Restaurant in Capri on Ultimate Italy

Exceptional Dining – a hallmark of Luxury Gold

From in room breakfasts to culinary masterclasses, VIP wine tours to Michelin star dining, gastronomy is at the heart of every Luxury Gold journey. You’ll experience sensational surroundings from private estates to bustling street markets, and sample the menus of acclaimed chefs worldwide. Delectably delicious and thoroughly enjoyable, each plate and Exceptional Dining experience brings you closer to your destination.

Tantalize your taste buds with our worldwide collection of small group journeys.