25th Wedding Anniversary Travel Destination Ideas

I've been to all the places you mention, in recent years, (and lots more) but most of the time we're not doing the relaxing bit but doing a lot of travelling and sightseeing (I don't sit on beaches or by the pool). I was in Rio a few months back and put up a thread in "Shineys' Travels". Here's a link to it
http://gardenerscorner.co.uk/forum/threads/brazil-a-country-of-contrast.61319/

At the top of that is a link to the main index of what I have posted so far - lots of countries to do but not enough time in summer to do it.

I think your best bet is to speak to a good travel agent who knows a lot about the places you want to go to. I could give you the name of the company that have been listed the top travel agent in the Which? Travel magazine for the last few years. They have got a rating of 97% satisfaction .

All their staff are very knowledgeable and if the one you're talking to feels they don't know sufficient about the place you're interested in, they'll pass you to someone who does. So you're likely to be able to speak to someone who has actually been to the hotel you're interested in or has had a personal report from their client. Even when I've done all the research myself I will still, usually, book through them (they've got ATOL, ABTA etc. They even phone us up a week after arriving home to check everything was OK and ask for feedback.

I'm always happy to answer questions, if I'm able, but what we like to do may not be what you would like. I've been travelling for over fifty years (written some travel guides - not in print now!) but have always preferred to see the way people live and the historical sites.

Have you thought about Hawaii? The name covers a number of islands and the main island, Big Island is actually known as Hawaii. The other islands have their own names.

Big Island has beaches, resorts, towns, open country, a dry side with lots of good hotels and the main town of Kona (where the coffee comes from), a wetter tropical side and the main town of Hilo (botanical gardens etc.) and the Volcano National Park with active and extinct volcanoes that are a must to visit.

The island of Kauai is a lovely island. It's the oldest (geologically) and very unspoilt - but still has lots of holiday venues. They also use it a lot for the setting for films. They've used it for well over forty famous films from 'South Pacific' to 'Jurassic Park' and 'Pirates of the Caribbean' (also 'Donovan's Reef' - which I enjoyed). Another island that's very easy to drive around. Waimea Canyon is not to be missed. It's a small version of the Grand Canyon but in technicolour. Poipu Beach on the south of the island is a good choice but so are most of the other beaches.

Oahu (the capital island) has Waikiki Beach which is crowded and overrated - other beaches are OK. Not my favourite island.

Maui is a favourite holiday destination but I would guess that it has changed considerably since we were last there (I may be wrong).

Depending on the amount of time, and the depth of your pocket, you could have a few days stopover at San Francisco on the way. Busy San Francisco and a more peaceful Kauai would be a good combination.