Will be celebrating the big 4-0 next year and am planning to go somewhere special for 3 weeks. So far these are my options, however I was wondering if Fodors readers could suggest which of these would be the best.
1. Vienna, Prague, Budapest
2. Italy - Rome, Siena, Florence, Venice
3. LA, San Francisco, Las Vegas

Obviously I've never been to any of these places. My most recent trips were to Paris, Amsterdam & New York. I am female & will be travelling solo.

Hi W,

What happens Europe, stays in Europe.

When are you going?

Will you rent a car?

I can't help but be partial to #1, since I had a wonderful time celebrating that same big day while on a trip to Vienna and Prague (5 nights Vienna and 7 nights Prague worked out perfectly for me)...and, having been to Vienna, Prague and Budapest, I recommend that you save Prague for last, as it's extra-special in my book.

Then again, so is Venice...

I agree too, but not if the celebration will be during the hot summer months. I nearly melted in Vienna one August, and that was before the heat of the past few years. Humid, too.

Hi ira,
I was thinking about either June or September 2008.
Will not be renting a car. Will be using trains/buses.
Thank you so much for your responses. They are very encouraging.

Having been to all the above except Budapest and Las Vegas, I can heartily recommend either #1 or #2. Although San Francisco is fun, I would recommend Europe for an extra special birthday celebration. Europe is lovely in September.

The Italian scenario. I've done it solo, and by train/public trans. No where better to wander solo and take in the sights than Venice, or Siena, or... in my book! I'm going there again in June. June and Sept. are of course warm there but still wonderful!

I loved Vienna but for the extra special trip I'd go Italy. Can't speak to Prague though and I hope to go there soon.

I live in San Francisco area but agree that for this big day Europe would get my vote.

Italy in Sept. sounds great!

been to them all and I would choose Italy for your special birthday.

love all the other places, but Italy.. sigh... it just fits for your birthday celebration... it just does....

Rome, rome, rome..and Venice!

Last year, I was lucky enough to go to Rome for the first time at the age of 49 - spent most of the time kicking myself that I'd never been before.

also i got back to Venice for the first time in about 25 years, and phoned home to say I'd forgotten how lovely it was!

My suggestion would be [to give you a bit of variety]

Fly into Venice,
train to one of the lakes,
pick up car,
tour down through tuscany,
return car to say, Orvieto
train to Rome.

Have wonderful time!

I went to Europe for my 40th last year and went to Budapest, Cologne, Germany and Paris...it was wonderful!! I spent 12 days there and would definetly go back...I got a great deal on flights to Budapest on germanwings like the Southwest Airlines of Europe ( it was $45 per person to fly from Cologne to Budapest). Have a great time.