40th Birthday...Where in Europe?
 

Hi...My 40th birthday is early December and I want to experience something really cool! Any suggestions, in Europe or elsewhere during this time? Not into skiing. Open to Eurail travel. Something quite, relaxing, quaint, friendly, not touristy. Thanks!

Have you traveled to Europe before?
How long a trip?
What are your interests?

Hmmm... I went to Switzerland for my 40th (falls early November) to Lausanne, Vevey, and Montreux. That was my 1st trip to Europe as well.

I went to Paris and had a blast!

For my 40th, this July, my husband and I took my sister to Paris for her first visit and we had a wonderful time seeing the city through her eyes.

We spent my husband's 40th in Bermuda (I surprised him) and it was very relaxing, but also touristy (not that we cared).

Is there a special place that you've always wished to visit? If so, go there.

How long do you have? Check out what's on in St Andrews for St Andrews Day (30 November). They usually have a week of events culminating in an all day festival. Not overly touristy, attracts mainly locals.

I went to Paris and am going there again for my next big birthday, but my birthday is in May...if it was in December, I'd probably pick southern Spain.

well, I spent my 18th and 50th in Switzerland and believe it is the most glorious place on earth. But, if you've never been to Europe and have little travel experience, you may want to book one of those low-key tours. Actually, I think maybe you'd be happier postponing till May or June. The Europeans and tourists en masse don't come out till July. Since you don't ski, do you like cold? Do you snowboard or cross-country ski? The Berner Oberland part of Switzerland is gorgeous.So is the Lake Geneva area. But if you get bored with snow and ice and a few nights in front of the fireplace are enough, I would suggest waiting for a time when you can walk, shop, etc. More info, please!

<<Have you traveled to Europe before?
How long a trip?
What are your interests?>>

To which, I add...

Which languages do you speak?
From where did your family come?
Can you tell us something about your education or career?
What makes you think you want to go to Europe in the first place?

My answer(s) would be very different if you are part of the family of Arnold Schwarzenegger, or Celine Dion or Melina Kankaredes.

For what it's worth, there is no company in Europe named "Eurail" - - or at least, not one that operates any trains. Eurail is part of a brand name of the North America marketing corporation (owned by the French national rail company and other members of a consortium). Unless you plan to spend more than a week, I recommend no more than one country as your (set of) destination(s), and probably no more than one train trip from A to B (though there could be many reasons for you want to break this "rule").

Best wishes,

Rex

I have no idea what your tastes are. I do know that in early December, you will find me at the Weihnachtsmarkts (Christmas markets) in Germany and Austria. There is something about gluhwein (hot, spiced wine) in the freezing cold. To round out the four basic food groups, we have bratwurst sandwiches, lebkuchen and...more wine.

Thank you everyone...here's more information: I have been to England, France, Switzerland, Italy, Greece, Croatia, and Bosnia. Of which I LOVED all of them, but especially loved Croatia and Switzerland. I hope to take at least a week for this trip, maybe longer. I love seeing the land. I'm not into the touristy stuff, would rather be in a B & B, than a hotel. Would rather eat in a local dive than a fancy restaurant. Would enjoy finding a great place to just "be", relax, read, mix with the locals, no mission at hand. Thanks again for the input!

Go to the TOP

Okay. Portugal.

Puerto Rico (southwest coast), Punta Cana (Dominican Republic), Greek Isles, Canary Islands, Seville.

Happy (early) Birthday to you!
I turn 26 at the end of the month and am lobbying DH for a quickie trip to Austria over Thanksgiving. Hit Salzburg and then spend a couple days in the lake country. Might that be an option for you? The Christmas markets would be in full swing by December.