If you’re celebrating a special anniversary in Japan, it’s no surprise you might be drawn to an onsen ryokan for a memory that lingers long after the trip. In a space steeped in Japanese aesthetics, you’ll soak in thermal waters and enjoy quiet moments that belong just to the two of you—exactly the kind of setting that suits milestones like a wedding anniversary or a birthday.
The signature hospitality of an onsen ryokan and its free‑flowing hot spring straight from the source (gensen kakenagashi) create an extraordinary mood and deepen your bond. Meanwhile, Japanese onsen hotels differ from ryokan in room types and service style; when you search for “onsen hotel japan”, you’ll see a mix of properties that aren’t all the same. Here, you’ll find a clear explanation of those differences, including a touch of scholarly perspective.
You’ll also get a comprehensive guide to regional and seasonal charms. Use these insights to choose wisely and plan without regrets, so your special day turns into an “exceptional memory.”
“Onsen ryokan” and “onsen hotel” may sound similar, but the stay style differs in notable ways. Especially for an anniversary trip, it helps to pick a place that matches the atmosphere and services you want. From rooms and dining to service operations and international readiness, let’s unpack the contrasts and consider which works best for your purpose.
Start by getting the essentials straight. Between onsen ryokan and onsen hotels, service offerings diverge clearly. Rooms at ryokan are typically tatami‑floored Japanese rooms, with futons laid out by staff in the evening; hotels mainly offer Western rooms with beds already made (＊1).
Tatami plus futon immerses you in Japanese culture; beds offer easy movement and Western‑style comfort. For an anniversary that calls for a heightened sense of occasion, a classic ryokan room fits beautifully; if you have knee or back concerns, consider a ryokan that offers bed setups or a Japanese‑Western hybrid room. Meals at ryokan usually include dinner and breakfast—often seasonal kaiseki served in your room or a private dining room. Hotels commonly offer breakfast only or room‑only plans, and even when dinner is included, it’s typically a buffet or set course in a restaurant—not in‑room dining (＊1).
If you prize privacy, in‑room dining at a ryokan is ideal; if you love choosing freely, a hotel buffet often suits better. Baths at ryokan frequently feature their own source springs, with indoor and open‑air baths, plus plentiful private reservable baths for individuals or couples.
By contrast, a hotel’s large bath may not always be a hot spring; city hotels may have only in‑room bathtubs (＊1). On the flip side, hotels often excel at amenities—pools, jacuzzis, saunas—and more lively facilities: whereas ryokan value quiet (many high‑end ryokan intentionally avoid karaoke rooms and game corners), hotels may add bars, karaoke, fitness, and spa services for an active stay.
Rule of thumb: choose a ryokan if you want unhurried time for two on your anniversary; choose a hotel if you want an active, facility‑rich stay.
If you’re seeking intimacy, an onsen ryokan is often your best match. Many ryokan are small properties with limited room counts.
Once a place drops to about 10–20 rooms—a true hideaway—you’ll likely encounter fewer guests and feel a hush, almost as if you’ve reserved the property for yourselves (＊2). With fewer voices and less foot traffic, the mood stays serene from check‑in to check‑out—perfect for keeping your focus on a private anniversary.
The staff’s sense of distance is also spot‑on: attentive when you need them, never intrusive, and skilled at “staging” your trip with the right touch (＊2). If you’re planning a surprise or special flourish, opt for a property known for flexible arrangements.
Arrival flow matters, too. At many ryokan, you’ll remove your shoes at the entrance and sit down in the lounge with a welcome drink while staff complete check‑in—crowding and noise are rare. Sometimes, staff will escort you to your room and finalize check‑in in‑room. This gentle start helps you both relax into your stay.
Hotels, by contrast, generally do upright counter check‑ins, with a busier lobby and more guests coming and going. Differences like these are a big part of why ryokan often deliver a calmer opening act.
With these traits in mind, it’s easier to match the stay to your purpose. For anniversaries and any trip where full privacy matters, an onsen ryokan is ideal. If you want to savor time together without being on display—say for a honeymoon or proposal—the intimate spaces and fine‑tuned hospitality of a small ryokan meet the moment.
For active travel or facility‑forward needs, an onsen hotel shines. Families won’t get bored where there are pools or game corners. For late‑night conversations with friends, the hotel’s bar or lounge is handy. If you’re hosting guests from overseas—perhaps the sort who simply typed “onsen hotel japan” into Google—a hotel with multilingual, internationally oriented services may offer extra peace of mind.
In short, for couples’ anniversaries: ryokan for “quietly luxurious,” hotels for “glamorously fun.” That said, the lines are blurring—some luxury hotels offer rooms with private open‑air baths, while some ryokan feature stylish Western rooms. Choose by your priorities (for instance, “non‑negotiable in‑room dining,” or “English support essential”). When it matters to your party, confirm specifics in advance—tattoo policies, accessibility, dietary needs, and private‑bath reservation rules can differ by property.
To celebrate at your best, you’ll want to be intentional about room types and bath options. A room isn’t just a place to sleep—it shapes the whole feel of your trip—and at an onsen ryokan, which baths you use are central to the experience.
This section walks you through room size, views, and rooms with private baths. Choose the right space for the two of you, and your stay becomes truly memorable.
For couples on anniversaries, rooms with private open‑air baths are increasingly popular. With your own bath attached to your room, you can soak whenever you want, just the two of you—an unbeatable sense of occasion.
“Open‑air bath rooms” come in many forms. Common materials include fragrant cypress (hinoki), Shigaraki‑ware ceramic tubs, and stone or rock baths.
For example, at a ryokan in Gero Onsen, you’ll find as many as 11 varieties of in‑room open‑air baths—cypress, ceramic, hollowed giant‑wood tubs, rock baths, and more, each with a different design (＊1). Hinoki offers a fresh, woody aroma; ceramic brings a silky, rounded feel—the tactile quality of the water seems to change with the material. Some rooms also feature nezuyu (a shallow, lie‑down bath) so you can relax as if doing a half‑bath.
If scenery matters to you, look for rooms that face river gorges, the ocean, deep forests that blaze green or red with the seasons, or a classical Japanese garden—there’s real variety.
Views shift with season and weather, so if you’re dreaming of cherry blossoms in spring or snowfall while you soak, pick your bath‑attached room with season and location in mind. Consider temperature control, too.
Where spring temperatures run hot, water may be cooled or blended to reach a comfortable range; in bath‑attached rooms, some tubs let you add cool water by opening a small tap, while others feature automatic temperature controls. To ensure comfort, check reviews in advance to see whether guests found water‑temperature adjustments easy.
Even if your room doesn’t have a private open‑air bath, a reservable private bath gives you exclusive time together. Some are bookable in advance; others are first‑come, first‑served—if it’s a must for your anniversary, book a property that allows advance reservations.
Increasingly, private baths come with a mini sauna and cold plunge so you can achieve that refreshed “totonou” feeling in total privacy. You’ll also find rooftop private baths for star‑filled skies, or cave‑style rock baths—each with unique staging.
If you want maximum privacy, consider detached villas or suites. A hanare is a standalone building set apart from the main ryokan, giving you the feel of a private cottage.
With no shared walls, you won’t think about noise—you really do get a world of your own. For instance, one Niigata ryokan has all 11 rooms as varied, independent villas along a stream, each with its own open‑air bath—sumptuous and secluded (＊2). Detached villas often differ one by one, so even repeat stays can be exciting: “Next time, let’s try a different villa.”
Quiet sets the tone for quality at an onsen ryokan. To pick a truly calm property, preview a few points. First, room count and layout. As noted, fewer rooms often mean a more tranquil environment. On top of that, choose rooms located away from the lobby and large baths. Some ryokan publish floor plans—request a corner room away from elevators and entrances.
Second, check whether the property has an age policy. An adults‑only stance—such as “no young children” or designated adults‑only dates—keeps the ambiance subdued. Conversely, proudly family‑friendly ryokan may run lively; for an anniversary, you might prefer to skip those.
Building construction also affects acoustics. Reinforced concrete tends to be more soundproof; traditional wooden sukiya architecture can carry footsteps or voices. That said, many wooden ryokan lay tatami or carpet along hallways to enhance sound absorption and preserve quiet.
In fact, tatami has excellent sound‑absorbing qualities, so “tatami‑floored spaces grow quiet” is a common observation(＊2), and many luxury ryokan extend tatami even into corridors. Evening lighting matters as well. Properties that dim lights late at night to ease the eyes and hush the mood often attract guests with equally considerate manners.
Finally, reviews help: look for “We spent a quiet time” or “We couldn’t hear neighbors at all,” and be cautious if you see “noisy with group tours.”
Of course, quietness varies by date and guest mix, so nothing’s absolute—but by weighing these signals together, you can pick the most serene escape for the two of you.
Restful sleep fuels satisfaction. As mentioned, ryokan typically use futons, though many high‑end ryokan now offer Japanese‑Western rooms with beds. Each has merits, so match to your preference. Futons on tatami provide pleasant springiness and a cocoon‑like sense of ease.
In the evening, attendants lay out your bedding and stow it in the morning, so you can enjoy the whole tatami room as a spacious living area during the day. Beds make getting in and out easier—helpful for older guests or those who are pregnant.
Ryokan beds often feature premium mattresses—Simmons and similar—so if you prize sleep quality, that’s a draw. When torn, consider low platform beds on tatami for a best‑of‑both balance.
Layout is another key point. In larger two‑room Japanese suites (with an anteroom), you can separate sleeping from lounging so your daily flow feels effortless. Even a single Japanese room of 10 tatami mats or more has ample space for luggage. Some ryokan provide screens or folding partitions so one of you can read while the other sleeps. Don’t forget power outlets—older ryokan may have fewer. If you need to charge cameras and phones, a small power strip helps. For light work or surprise video plans, pick a room—however small—with a table and chairs.
As for sound and view, river‑side or waterfall‑side rooms bring the sound of water. Some find it soothing; others find it distracting. Confirm your room orientation (garden view, mountain side, etc.) and request your preference at booking.
In short, weigh bedding, layout, quietness, and views that feel right for you, and your anniversary night will be the best it can be.
On an anniversary trip, meals become part of the memory. Onsen ryokan dining engages all five senses—seasonal ingredients, beautiful tableware, and intimate spaces. Here’s how to enjoy kaiseki and a few ideas for drink pairings to make your evening sparkle.
At dinner, many onsen ryokan serve Japan’s traditional kaiseki. This seasonal, multi‑course meal arrives as a procession of artful dishes. The first surprise is the presentation.
In spring, you might see cherry petals and mountain vegetables; in summer, green maple leaves and cool glassware; in autumn, colored branches and dobin‑mushi; in winter, red nandina berries and garnishes that look like snow—both garnishes and vessels shift with the season (＊1).
Kaiseki also weaves the idea of hashiri–shun–nagori: hashiri (first‑of‑season ingredients just appearing), shun (peak‑season ingredients at their most flavorful and nutritious), and nagori (end‑of‑season tastes you savor before they pass).
Blending these expresses the flow of the season across the meal. In an autumn kaiseki, you might taste hashiri matsutake rice, shun skipjack tataki, and nagori hamo in a clear soup—letting you feel the arc from early to late autumn in one sitting. It’s the spirit of ichigo‑ichie—a once‑in‑a‑lifetime dinner that exists only at that moment in that season, ideal for an anniversary.
Thoughtful pairings lift a beautiful meal even higher. Onsen ryokan pour a wide range: regional sake, wine, craft beer, even curated teas.
For your anniversary toast, start with sparkling. Champagne and sparkling wine are classics, and there are sparkling sake too. Fine‑bubbled, slightly sweet sparkling sake is friendly and makes a delightful opener for Japanese cuisine. Some ryokan offer pairing courses, adjusting by dish:
Chilled junmai ginjo with sashimi, a rich red wine with meat, and a fruity kijoshu or dessert wine to finish—sometimes selected by a sommelier or kikizakeshi (sake specialist).
More places now offer non‑alcoholic pairings so you can enjoy fully even if you don’t drink or are pregnant: sparkling grape juice from local fruit, alcohol‑free umeshu, or flights of fragrant teas matched to each course.
You can toast with non‑alcoholic bubbles in place of Champagne and still enjoy variety throughout dinner. The goal is simple: that you both feel great while you eat. It’s your anniversary—no need to force alignment. One of you can sample local sake, the other can savor crafted mocktails; both ways are perfect.
An onsen ryokan stay isn’t just about nesting indoors. To enrich your anniversary, many ryokan and regions offer experiences for couples—hands‑on Japanese culture, wellness, and outdoor programs that color your story together.
If you want a particularly Japanese anniversary, try a tea ceremony workshop. Many long‑established ryokan and hot‑spring towns teach how to whisk matcha and guide you through the etiquette.
Sitting on tatami in a tea room, you’ll learn step by step from the hostess or instructor. Sharing matcha and seasonal wagashi that you’ve prepared for each other becomes a charming memory.
You’ll also find kōdō (incense appreciation), shodō (calligraphy), hand‑building at a local pottery studio, and wagashi‑making classes—programs that leverage the region’s cultural assets. Renting yukata in town and strolling in wooden clogs adds to the charm.
In Kinosaki Onsen, for instance, you can rent colorful yukata and wander willow‑lined streets—the “yukata stroll” is a highlight. Many ryokan let you pick your yukata for free or help dress you.
These activities are beginner‑friendly—just jump in. Time spent together with Japanese traditions feels fresh and meaningful, whether you’re visitors from overseas or a Japanese couple, and it gives your anniversary deeper resonance.
If you’re stepping away from busy days to realign body and mind, wellness programs are a gift.
Morning yoga in crisp air is becoming a staple at resort ryokan. In the highlands or by the sea, classes often run on outdoor terraces; breathe with the sunrise and you’ll both feel renewed. Beginners are gently guided by instructors.
If you want to share stillness, try zazen at a partner temple. With the head priest’s guidance, you’ll sit upright and center yourselves—an uncommon and precious experience to share. Some ryokan lead meditation sessions, too—aroma scents after an open‑air soak, calming music, and quiet breathing in a Japanese room to loosen the day’s tightness.
One of the great joys of an onsen ryokan is claiming the natural world and nighttime hush as your own. First, try an early‑morning soak in mist. In mountain and highland hot‑spring areas, radiative cooling can mingle steam with cool dawn air, wrapping the bath in ethereal fog.
When the white veil fills your view and the water glints in first light, it can feel beyond words. From autumn into winter, cold mornings often bring mist—perfect for unforgettable photos from the open‑air bath.
At night, you have moon‑viewing, snow‑viewing, and stargazing unique to ryokan. On a full‑moon night, looking up from the bath is incomparable—moonlight floating on the water is pure poetry. In winter snow, a softly lit garden becomes a romantic stage for a yukimi‑buro (snow‑viewing bath). In the hush where you can almost hear the snow fall, warmth meets cold in a way that stays with you.
In the countryside, the stars can astonish. You might find yourselves looking up and losing track of time. In places famed for starry skies—like Achi Village in Nagano—ropeways take you to mountaintops for night sky tours, celebrated as Japan’s best stargazing (＊1). Some ryokan lend telescopes or invite star guides for mini talk sessions. Orion under winter’s clear air; the Milky Way as you lie back in a summer bath—each scene elevates the romance of your anniversary.
Japan has countless hot‑spring areas. For an anniversary, think about regional character and seasonal appeal—access time, transportation, types of views, spring quality, and local cultural assets. Work backward from your date to pick an area at its seasonal peak, and you’ll zero in on the ideal ryokan for you two. Use these criteria whether you’re leaning toward a boutique ryokan or an onsen hotel japan‑style resort. Here are highlights of major regions and what each season brings.
Hakone (Kanagawa): Close to Tokyo, Hakone blends museums with grand scenery. With institutions like the Pola Museum of Art and the Open‑Air Museum, art‑lovers are spoiled. From lakeside ryokan, you may catch Fuji across Lake Ashi, especially romantic at dusk. Springs vary—sulfur and chloride springs among them—and milky sulfur baths let you feel the volcano’s gift on your skin.
Izu/Atami (Shizuoka): A mild seaside region on Sagami Bay, prized for ocean views and seafood. From hilltop ryokan in Atami, panoramic horizons take in Hatsushima and Ōshima; watching sunrise over the sea from your private bath is moving. Across the Izu Peninsula you’ll find ultra‑clear simple springs and moisturizing salt springs known for skin‑friendly waters. Savor the sea breeze in an open‑air bath and dine on spiny lobster and kinmedai—an eye‑catching feast.
Kusatsu (Gunma): One of Japan’s most famous hot springs, Kusatsu is known for its strongly acidic water and its symbol, the Yubatake. The Yubatake source sits around pH 2.1, famed for strong antibacterial properties and said to help with cuts and skin issues (＊1). Source temperatures reach 50–60 °C, and seven wooden flumes cool the water naturally (＊1).
About 4,000 liters per minute gush out—steam and the particular sulfur scent heighten the hot‑spring mood. With yumomi performances and footbath hopping, the whole town celebrates hot‑spring culture—ideal if you want a “real onsen” anniversary.
Karuizawa (Nagano): A highland resort best known as a summer retreat; beyond chic hotels, it also has good springs like Hoshino Onsen. Clear air and forested open‑air baths refresh you, and Western influences mix with Japanese style—museums, churches, and outlet shopping make it more than onsen alone. Cool even in summer, it suits an active anniversary with terrace meals and cycling.
Kanazawa/Yamashiro (Ishikawa): Kanazawa, once a castle town of the Kaga domain, flourished in crafts and cuisine. Pair city sights like Kenroku‑en with nearby Yamashiro Onsen. With deep ties to Ko‑Kutani porcelain, ryokan present Kaga kaiseki on beautiful Kutani ware—an artful pairing of vessels and food. The sodium‑calcium sulfate spring is soft and known as a “beautifying” bath. Plan a sophisticated anniversary with gold‑leaf sweets in Higashi Chaya and a night at a noted Yamashiro ryokan featuring Kaga vegetables and Japan Sea seafood.
Arima (Hyogo): North of Kobe, Arima is among Japan’s three ancient hot springs. Loved by warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi, it has two springs: Kinsen (iron‑ and salt‑rich, reddish brown) and Ginsen (carbonated and radium springs). Kinsen’s dense minerals boost warmth and are said to help neuralgia and cold sensitivity. Its reddish water even stains tubs—a powerful “this is onsen!” impact (＊2). The retro shopping street adds charm; munch carbonated senbei as you stroll. With easy access to Osaka and Kyoto, ending a Kansai trip with an anniversary night at a luxury Arima ryokan is a lovely idea.
Kinosaki (Hyogo): Beloved by literary figures, Kinosaki is famed as the birthplace of soto‑yu hopping—seven distinct public baths. Stroll the willow‑lined canal in yukata and clogs, cooling down between baths for a classic onsen town vibe. Springs are all chloride‑type, with each bath named for blessings like “Ichino‑yu (Good Fortune)” and “Goshono‑yu (Beauty)” (＊3). For your anniversary, challenge yourselves to stamp all seven. Night brings the clip‑clop of geta and yukata‑clad bathers—be part of it and enjoy the mood. Local treats include crab and Tajima beef.
Beppu/Yufuin (Oita): Oita’s flagships. Beppu comprises eight areas with an extraordinary variety of springs—acidic, sulfur, carbonated—earning the nickname “department store of hot springs.” Explore jigoku (colorful, boiling pools), sand baths, steam baths—like a hot‑spring theme park. For an anniversary that plays with hot springs as entertainment, go Beppu. Yufuin is quieter and rural, with morning mist over Lake Kinrin against Mount Yufu. Stylish, modern‑Japanese ryokan abound, with aromatherapy and in‑house galleries. Cuisine leans to gentle flavors and local vegetables; open‑air baths in morning mist are deeply soothing. Do both: play in Beppu, unwind in Yufuin.
Kurokawa Onsen (Kumamoto): In the hills of Aso, about 30 ryokan line a stream in a wood‑toned townscape. The famed culture here is rotenburo hopping: buy a wooden Nyūtō Tegata pass and choose any three open‑air baths (＊4). From riverside cave baths to hillside baths with views of terraced fields—and private baths—you’ll wander from one to the next. Take café breaks, then enjoy a silky onsen pudding after your soak. By night, lanterns sway and water murmurs—a dreamlike setting. Springs vary widely here, including sulfur; each ryokan can have different waters, which is part of the fun.
Noboribetsu (Hokkaido): Fed by the volcanic Jigokudani, Noboribetsu is dynamic: 9–10 spring types bubble up, with some of Japan’s richest sulfur flows (＊5). Steam rises year‑round and sulfur scents the air—dramatic to see, and the source of its bounty. You can “hot‑spring hop” by function—acidic waters for cleansing, sulfur for metabolism, salt for warmth. Many ryokan maintain multiple baths from different sources, letting you try several in a single night. Pair with nearby Toya Lake for firework or boat‑cruise romance.
Nyuto Onsen‑kyo (Akita): For lovers of hidden springs, Nyuto Onsen‑kyo gathers about seven lodgings at the foot of Mt. Akita‑Komagatake, iconic for its milky white waters. The oldest, Tsurunoyu, is a thatched‑roof inn with a storied mixed open‑air bath of white, opaque water—picture‑perfect rusticity.
Tsurunoyu draws from four sources; the representative Shiroyu includes sulfur‑bearing sodium/calcium chloride and bicarbonate components (hydrogen sulfide type), among others. In the deep mountains, nights lit only by lamps pull you close together. There’s no flashy staging, but if you go in midwinter, a snow‑viewing bath—warm beneath falling snow—delivers a primal, shared thrill worthy of an anniversary.
Whatever your anniversary date, weaving in seasonal joys raises the trip’s satisfaction.
Spring (Mar–May): As the cherry front moves north, hot‑spring towns turn pink. Many ryokan offer blossom‑viewing from riverside open‑air baths; soaking under illuminated night sakura feels dreamlike. Mountain areas serve spring sansai (wild vegetables) like fuki‑no‑tō and tara‑no‑me—nature waking from winter.
Fresh green follows the petals—baths ringed by young leaves feel invigorating. Spring can be changeable, but cool days make hot springs even more welcome. Around Golden Week, carp streamers swim over towns—photo‑ready scenes.
Summer (Jun–Aug): Summer onsen trips double as escapes from heat. Highland or deep‑gorge springs run cooler—often pleasantly chilly mornings and nights. Fireflies dance in some areas; a few ryokan offer firefly tours. Turning your room lights off and watching from the balcony is wonderfully romantic.
Pair with matsuri and fireworks. Yukata, geta, and fireworks after a bath make for classic ambiance. A cold beer or fizzy ramune post‑soak is extra delicious. Combine with hiking or river rafting; you can play hard by day and restore in the hot spring by night.
Autumn (Sep–Nov): Prime onsen season—kōyō (autumn leaves) from the bath steal the show. In places like Okuhida or Nasu, the leaf spectacle is worth the crowds; fallen leaves floating in the tub add charm. Autumn is harvest time—matsutake, mushrooms, chestnuts, new rice, and freshly pressed local sake.
Menus become “all‑autumn,” with dobin‑mushi, mixed rice, and comforting dishes like taro dumplings. Nights grow cool—borrow a light jacket from the ryokan to stroll the town in the crisp air. Sipping bottled milk in the chill with insect song as a soundtrack is a simple pleasure.
Winter (Dec–Feb): The season when hot springs feel most miraculous—also a favorite for anniversaries. Snow‑viewing baths are a once‑in‑a‑lifetime sight: snow gathering on your shoulders as steam rises into a white world—unmatched escape. In Hokkaido, Tohoku, and Hokuriku, ryokan work hard to keep open‑air baths usable while showcasing the snow.
Dinners bring warming nabe: crab, monkfish, or wild boar—perfect by an irori hearth for two. Some rooms offer kotatsu tables; lingering with mandarins tucked under a warm blanket is a quintessential Japanese indulgence. With Christmas and New Year’s, properties add seasonal touches—trees, kadomatsu, and festive arrangements—an extra layer of sparkle.
However you time it, let the season lead your plan: cherry‑view baths for spring anniversaries; leaf‑view classics for autumn birthdays—the memories will glow brighter.
In Closing：
This guide has explored how onsen ryokan set the stage for life’s milestones: superb source springs, serene spaces infused with Japanese aesthetics, and heartfelt hospitality with flexible, thoughtful touches—everything you need for a special anniversary.
At the same time, understanding the differences from onsen hotels and the personality of each ryokan helps you choose a stay that truly fits your wishes. By weighing room types, dining, experiences, and region‑plus‑season from multiple angles, you’ll create an anniversary trip that makes you say, “I’m so glad we chose this place.”
Let the comfort of the hot springs carry you, and in the quiet flow of time, appreciate each other anew—that kind of moment is a rare luxury in busy everyday life. Use this guide to make confident choices and plans, so you can enjoy an exquisite anniversary that reaffirms your love and connection.
May your journey stay with you, and may the memory nourish the years ahead. Here’s to a wonderful celebratory trip for you both.