We certainly did, Dan. While it was a surprise for Sarah, we both got to experience 5-star accommodation for the first time. Thank you for visiting.

Exactly. That was the point. I think people sometimes feel envious of what we do because they cannot do the same, or are not in a position, or never thought to celebrate that way. Thank you for visiting and commenting. Hugs.

Really though, a vacation can be anything you want, if you’re willing to be flexible. Once (when I was driving a car that I had bought new — but NINE years before), I decided to rent a convertible for a 3-day weekend. I didn’t get a hotel, not enough funds for both. But I drove up to a “Bavarian” town in the nearby mountains and took in all the touristy stuff. Back in town the next day, I drove the opposite direction and spent the day at a Rennaissance fair. A wealthy friend (whose husband paid cash for her Lexus car) was annoyed with me, to my surprise. “Why didn’t you take the money for the car you rented and stay in a nice bed & breakfast?” Who knows why she was so bent out of shape about it… My point is, that a vacation can be whatever gets your head out of day-to-day existence. It doesn’t have to be what everyone else does.
Hugs.