Four of my closest childhood friends and I want to plan a trip to celebrate our 40th birthdays. We're looking for places in Europe or an Island within 6 hours of the East Coast (specifically Baltimore)that are interesting. We would like to find deals on flights, or even package deals if they are flexible with hotels, meals etc... I'd appreciate any information or suggestions you can provide!

Hi cheryl,

Happy birthday.

How about a week in Paris?

Paris immediately popped into my mind. So much to see and do - to me, it's a place for celebrations. Check out France Vacations (flight/hotel) - I have often seen good deals on them, such as approx. $600 for 5 nights and that's from the U.S.West Coast. I would pass on meals being included (more cost) and do your own thing. You don't mention when during the year you want to go but I think these deals are more towards November.

..a friend just celebrated his 50th with a bicycle tour in france (with his wife and 2 other couples)..great fun and wonderful thing to do as a group..they went with Butterfield Robinson which is definitly a splurge!!but they are already talking about another bike trip 9 1/2 years into the future for a group 6oth..

Paris is great, but since you mention an island also I might suggest somewhere in Spain. How about somewhere like Nerja, where you can rent a lovely apt. hanging on a cliff overlooking the sea? What a fun trip for 4 longtime friends. I wish I had friends that go back that far who would be willing to make such a trip!

If you mean that literally (time), I think the only island you can get to in 6 hrs from BWI is Iceland. You can't get to any other island in Europe in 6 hrs from BWI. The next closest is probably Ireland, which is about 6-1/2 hrs from BWi on Air Lingus.

Other than that, you could go to the Caribbean in that time frame, such as Puerto Rico.

Iceland would be a fabulous island choice, albeit not particularly the first thing one thinks of * when the "island idea" comes up.
Icelandair has some good deals out of BWI, and you'd have the options of a spa/shopping/ dining type trip or nature/adventure or historic/Viking or all three!

(*unless you're me)

I'm hoping to go to China for my fortieth, but I have the feeling Iceland will sneak in somewhere that year...

Barcelona!

What time of year are you going, how long can you go for, do you want beaches, mountains or cities, access to spa treatments or museums. All these would make a difference in our recommendations.

I agree that a 6 hour flight time limit will be hard to do, someting like 9 -11 hours is more realisitc for Europe, esp from Baltimore where you are probably not going to have a lot of non-stop flights to choose from.

Like others said, it's hard to make recommedations without knowing what time of year you're going and what your interests are. And are there places that you or your friends have been to already?

If you want to go to Europe, you'll have to find out which European cities have direct flights from BWI, and that will limit your options (if you want to keep travel time to a minimum). Iceland would be the closest, with flight time 5hr40mins outgoing, and 6hr10mins returning.

How about Bermuda or Bahamas?

The only island I know of in Europe that you can get to in 6 hours from Baltimore is England, and you can't count on 6 hours or under, depending on the time of year.

Why does it have to be 6 hours or less?