Husband's 40th Birthday
 

My husband wants to go away for his 40th birthday in November. He's given me a couple of ideas, just hoping to get some feedback regarding the time of year. (It would be just the 2 of us - no children)

We live in Canada, and he is not keen on going to the US, only because our last trip was to Florida, and he'd like to see something different. Having said that, he has mentioned the following:

Northern Lights
Chichen Itza – Mexico
Pirate Week – Cayman Islands
Iceland
Motorcycling in the dessert

Me personally, I'd like to rule out anywhere cold, as we already live in Canada and it's cold at that time of year, therefore I would of course like somewhere hot, but it is his birthday.

Any thoughts / experience on the above? I'm open to suggest other places to him if you have any others.

Thanks!

Well if YOU want to avoid the cold that eliminates the Northern Lights and Iceland.

Motorcycling in the dessert could be hot or cold depending on time of year and which dessert you visit. Since you will be accompanying him you have to ask yourself whether or not you will enjoy motorcycling as much as him. If not, are you willing to do whatever it takes so he will thoroughly enjoy the trip without listening to you complain? If he is really into motorcycling then I'd opt for this type of trip as it will probably be a "once in a lifetime" adventure.

Chichen Itza is an interesting place but for most people it is a one day stop. I wouldn't make the trip to Mexico just to see that place. You'll basically be going to Cancun and its surrounds for the rest of your trip - nothing really special about that would make it stand out as a "birthday" treat.

That leaves Grand Cayman. Honestly, Priate Week isn't all that different from other weeks on the island as far as most tourists are concerned. Go there not for the "pirate parties" but rather if scuba diving, snorkeling, deep sea fishing, and other water sports appeal to your husband. After all it is HIS birthday.

You know your husband better than the responders on this forum so it all comes down to pleasing him. Choose the destination/ activity that he wants to do most not what we think he will like.

He's given me some more ideas recently i.e. skiing in Whistler, Ice Hotel in Quebec, and sitting on the beach so I've got lots to choose from now.

My intention is to give him a memorable birthday doing something that will make him happy.

So top picks so far:

1. Motorcycling in the dessert
2. Skiing in Whistler
3. Ice Hotel in Quebec
4. Sitting on a beach (Caribbean)

Hope to narrow this list down to 2 places over the next couple days, but any ideas pertaining to the above are welcome
Thank you

Motorcycling through the desert seems to be the the only one that stayed on the list from the OP (unless Pirate Week and sitting on the beach are the same thing).

Should you decide on the motorcycling trip, would you be going along? Would it be in the US or Africa or Patagonia or Australia?

What do you mean by "...any ideas pertaining to the above are welcome..."????

The thing you've listed are THE IDEAS. Now you have to decide which of those IDEAS you want to pursue.

As far as I know, there will only be one "Ice Hotel" in Quebec and it is only in operation between January 4 and March 27, 2017 so you won't be able to go for your husband's birthday in November.

Likewise, not sure how much snow there will be in Whistler in November so here again you'll probably find you'll have to go at a time other than your husband's (November) birthday for the "better" skiing.

Of course those two options involve "cold weather" which you said you wanted to avoid but perhaps you are willing to make a sacrifice.

If you include the Bahamas in your search there are over 800 different islands and cays in the Caribbean and literally 1,000's of hotels, resorts and inns. you can visit. Have you thought of a cruise that will visit several different island? People her could give you more guidance if you gave us some type of budget and let us know what type of accommodations you prefer and what type of activities might interest you.

That leaves you with motorcycling in the desert - something that's been on the list since your initial inquiry. Maybe your husband is trying to tell you something!!!!! You major decision, if you select this option, is to decide on which desert. You previously indicated you don't want to go to the US so maybe look at desert areas in other parts of the world. Go here for a good list: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_deserts_by_area When making your choices be aware there are both warm weather and cold weather deserts so select the climate that best suits your and your husband's desires.

You know, if the OP is planning on just telling him what his trip is and then going later on, there are some interesting "once in a lifetime" options for desert motorcycling: http://www.desertroseracing.com/

Mayan Riviera Mexico (fly into Cancun then head down to somewhere around Playa del Carmen, Isla Mujeres, Cozumel, Tulum). Weather should be great in November.