MiamiBeachMomma

Please help!
We are trying to plan a birthday trip for a group of couples where the guys are childhood friends. Our target time is Labor Day weekend for 4-5 days. No one can agree on a location. Someone said it should be "memorable".
We all live in Miami and don't want to do the beach thing. We would love to do London, Paris, Venice, Madrid, or the like but the cost and time frame doesnt match up (plane tickets are about $1000 a person.)
We all agree that NY and Vegas are out. Ideas that have been thrown around were Napa/No Cal, Montreal, and Cartagena which were not well received by all.
We are starting to loose hope. Anyone have any fabulous suggestions?
BTW - The guys going scuba diving every year and just got back from a guys trip to Costa Rica.
Thanks!

saige

Some group trips that we have enjoyed with long term friends were San Francisco and the California wine country. Both are great trips for several couples. We hired a limo for the wine tour day, so no one worried about being the designated driver. Members of our group had memberships in wine clubs at some of the wineries and they had set up special tours and tastings. We celebrated a birthday with a picnic at one of them.

We're from Texas and have also enjoyed group trips in San Antonio, Austin and Fredricksberg. You might also like Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Happy Birthday!

enzian

I tend to organize things like hiking to th ebottom of the Grand Canyon for group clelbrations, but that isn't for everyone.

Since you appear to like world-class cities, how about Vancouver, BC with a side trip (day or overnight) to Whistler for scenery, golf, cycling, shopping, hiking, or whatever strikes your fancy.

DebitNM

The southwest is beautiful at that time of year [the best, I think]. Santa Fe or Durango would be excellent -- warm days with sunny blue skies and mild temps and nights that are cool enough for a cozy fire. Lots to do, inside and out, great restaurants, amazing scenery, shopping, museums and more.

I am biased, I have homes outside of both cities and really love both places. Fly into Albuquerque [try Southwest] and you will love it! B&B's, ancient ruins, hiking, biking, almost anything you want and no beaches or humidity!

boom_boom

You could also consider San Diego, easy access, good food, close to Temecula wine region.
Also agree with DebitNM re Durango or Santa Fe, a great time of year to visit. IMO Santa Fe is a world-class city for the history, the scenery and the food.

volcanogirl

I would go to Santa Fe or to Boston.

cmcfong

A group of my friends and I went to Park City, UT over Labor Day last year. Perfect weather, no crowds at all the fabulous restaurants, tons of variety available for activities...and great rates! I'd do it again in a minute.