My sister and I want to go somewhere special for approx. a week or less for my birthday in May. Spa, Vegas (not for gambling),Europe? We are looking for something not too expensive!
Any suggestions/experiences?
Thanks so much!!!!!

Hi C,

What's your budget?

Hi cms: Happy 50th!! Several weeks ago, I posted a similar question - asking folks where I should go for my upcoming 40th birthday. Here's the link to thread:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35112462

I got a ton of great responses. Maybe you'll find some ideas on it.

Have a great b-day! - M

(P.S. I decided to go to Buenos Aires).

i think somewhere 'sentimental'
an ancestor's homeland?
is there time to search your roots?
dont all people come from ireland lol?
thats where id go if i had irish roots
since i dont have irish roots ill just go one day anyway
( musta had irish roots in a past life cos ireland is a-calling)

or tuscany
everyone goes to tuscany
there's something dignified about the very word!
where did shirley valentine go?? i must be the only one on the planet who hasnt seen the movie
or do a mini-road trip ala oprah style
whats down mexico way? never been close enough but maybe theres a cute all-inclusive resort?
enjoy and honour the coming of age ( and as long as it keeps coming we cant complain!)

On my -0 birthdays I do something daring to defy time and my own limitations, such as hiking in Hawaii along the cliffs when I have acrophobia. I felt very empowered after I faced my fears and walked through them, literally.

I try to do something I have never done before in an interesting place. Only you can figure it out.

Maybe it would help (for at least a few of us) to know some of the places and times NOT TO GO!
Cancun is one that comes to mind...especially during spring break when thousands of young beer-drinking college kids take over the place. Short cruises from Lauderdale or Miami that attract the noisy, heavy drinking/partying crowd, too. Christmas-time cruises (or other holiday seasons) when there are hundreds of small urchins screaming all over those confined spaces on board. -OR- On second thought...if you love being with crowds of thousands, loud obnoxious partying drunks and lots of kids running around that IS EXACTLY when and where you DO want to go! Different strokes for different folks.....thank heaven!
Wonder if we ever make it to heaven that it'll be quiet and peaceful there? Sure hope so. The opposite must be hell, huh?

I wouldn't do Europe for only a week. Considering travel will take a day each way and the time change might ruin one more day.

I'd suggest a cruise. There are tons to choose from depending on what you are interested in and range from 3 days on the short end to any length you want.

It's hard to recommend without knowing where you are located.

Europe is not cheap and I wouldn't bother with only 7 days, unless you are on the East coast U.S. the I'd consider Paris or Amsterdam for a week.

Any interest in Mexico? Puerto Vallarta is nice. And fairly easy to reach from most places in the US and Canada.

I went to Honolulu/Waikiki to celebrate my 50th (but I'm in Seattle so the flight is only 6 hours nonstop from here).

You don't say where you live, but if you on near the East Coast, someplace in the Caribbean would be nice (try to find an inexpensive package or all-inclusive resort that is not geared to only honeymooners), and on the West Coast, I'd pick one of the Hawaiian Islands--probably the Big Island where you can get a lovely rain forest cottage for not a lot of money (check on the volcano activity first!).
You also don't say what your interests are. I live on the East Coast, and some of my favorite destinations have been New England, especially Newport, RI; the Finger Lakes area of NY with its many vineyards; Charleston, SC and/or Savannah, Ga., are full of southern charm, and Florida, which ranges from historic sites in St. Augustine, to Disney (expensive), to the sand dunes of the Panhandle,the gorgeous Keys, and the glitz of Miami and South Beach.
I also second the idea of a cruise because it's mostly all-inclusive (except for drinks, tips, and shore excursions) and you can be pampered for your birthday.

The original post is over 3 mos old and he/she hasn't been back. So they've either decided where to go or decided just to skip # 50.

Because things move so slowly here on the "Smart Travel Tips" forum it's easy to get these older posts mixed up with the new ones.