5 women turning 50
 

Five active women (and former classmates)turning 50 in 2005 are looking for travel destinations to consider for next summer to celebrate & congratulate ourselves without spouses. Looking for ideas for a 4-5 day getaway with R&R and some fun options. Any suggestions for us? Thank you.

From where do you start, what budget, what is your definition of "fun options"? Most obvious places (like Las Vegas) will be mighty hot in summer.

What about a spa? A friend recently told me about a new one in Taos, NM called El Monte Sagrado. There are other spas in Santa Fe. Lots of options in California too (spa and non-spa) La Jolla!! Beach, shopping, dining, museums.

And then there's Paris, France, Europe! A summer package can be just as cheap as going somewhere in the US.

Since you asked... Paris!
Something for everyone.
Shopping, clubs, jazz, rock, classical, concerts, museams, boat trips, architecture, fashion, parks, food, great wine, great beer, and (if you feel like it) sightseeing. The countryside is also close by. Does not have to be expensive either.

New Orleans has plenty of options but may...errr will be sticky in the summer.

How about Toronto? Stratford, ON (I believe) has a big theater, variety of plays each summer for a week or 2.

If your idea of fun is outdoorsy...how about Southern Utah National Parks, maybe a river raft trip or just enjoy Zion, Bryce or others.

Then of course there is the ever popular San Fran, Napa region and the previously mentioned Vegas.

Again, it depends on your budget and how far you want to travel, but how about Quebec? Great dining, shopping and pretty countryside nearby if you are interested.

For a more "outdoorsy" recommendation, I'd suggest Seattle, where you can mix some dining/shopping fun with great outdoor activity.

For a bigger splurge, how about Londonor some of the English countryside?

I second New Orleans if you can stand the heat. We live here & some friends had a great 50th party. All the women dressed in black (big gaudy hats,etc) & went out to dinner & wound up at the Cat's Meow karoake bar at Bourbon & St Peter. It was a blast. In New Orleans it's ok to cut up & at 50 you should! There is also the casino, spa treatment at local hotel & tons of food & drink.

My friends and I have enjoyed the area around Washington DC, Montreal, Boston, NYC, Stowe, etc but we go in September. We do best if there is something to do at night which sometimes is merely a late dinner. We aren't active types though.
You might consider Maine where there is lots of hiking and sea kayaking opportunities. Try to find a condo or suite hotel because ordinary hotel rooms are not fun. You'll want to sit around talking until all hours. If you consider Stowe, we liked the Golden Eagle Resort although it is is more of a big fancy motel than a resort. Something with a frig is good. Have a great time and don't forget to bring your yearbook.

Vegas is the only place!!!

Stay at mega resort like bellagio paris or venetian...

goto rio and see chippendales...you will love those kind of hot flashes!!

have a drink top of stratosphere!

shop till you drop at caesars forum shops or any other shops..

go to spa and have a girlie day wit massage manicure pedicure and chocolate strawberries...

then go home and prepar to do it again next year!!

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do then by the ones you did. So, throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.
Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)


Ralph Castro & Marjorie Silva
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What is your agenda?

Spa?
Shopping?
Beach?
Ski?
Big City?
Foodies?

If you could narrow this down a little, I'm sure we could give you some great suggestions.

New Orleans and Vegas sound like fun, but I think they are way to hot for a summer trip (especially N.O. ... the humidity will be horrid).

I would highly suggest SanFrancisco for a west coast option, or Montreal for east coast. Stay at a nice place with spa, and then you have some great nightlife options. Seattle would also be a great summertime destination and would offer more outdoorsy type activities. Another great destination would be London .... may be too much travel for 4-5 days (depending on where you're coming from).

I recently read that the Rio was going to be opening a women's only complex by the end of 2004. It seems they've decided there's a market to be had in booking bachelorette parties, class reunions, girls' night out, etc. Your post reminded me of this. I think the centerpiece is the Chippendales lounge. I'm not saying this is what you're interested in, but it seems you might fit the demographics of what they're looking for.

My best friend and I celebrated our 50th birthdays with a trip to Hawaii (sans husbands). It was fantastic. We took snorkle trips, relaxed on the beach, hiked and ate great meals. Don't know if this is what you are interested in, but we really enjoyed the relaxed time together.

I'd have to throw my vote in the ring for Hawaii - preferably Oahu. There is so much to be done there and you can't beat the beauty & the atmosphere. There are so many things to do, and great beaches (& pools) to lounge around when you don't want to do anything at all. Shopping is great, restaurants are plentiful & diverse and of course there are oodles of fun bars with all those yummy tropical drinks just waiting for you!

Since you said you're an active bunch - there are areas to hike and explore, lovely places to discover driving around the island, historical treasures to learn about, Chinatown to investigate, spas to visit and be pampered in. The list is endless.

Red Mountain Spa in St. George, Utah. Although I would make it in the spring or fall so it isn't too hot...but then again I'm a wimp when it comes to heat:) The spa is great...lots of guided hikes and mountain bike rides...several levels for each...and many onsite classes, pools, cooking demonstrations, other classes, you name it. They have midnight hikes, pottery classes, star gazing, etc. Just so much to do there and the spa itself was heavenly. I went with a bunch of girlfriends from all over the country and it was a perfect getaway!

Charleston, SC. Great restaurants, shops and it is a walker's city. If you need a spa, there are several there.
Another option is Bermuda. Very wonderful place for women on their own.
Have a great time!

How about NYC? Theator, shopping, great resturants, museums, historical landmarks, interesting walking tours, biking through Central Park, a chance for your group to watch an early morning T.V. show taping - something for everyone.

My gal friends and I have started a tradition of taking a bicycling trip every other year....2 years ago Vermont...this year Martha's Vineyard/Nantucket and in two years, hopefully France or Tuscany! We have a ball, and NO husbands (for those who are married) allowed! We happily call ourselves "Team Menopause"!

jdpkjohnson, you still out there?

GoTravel

I was thinking the very same thing, great question!

This looks to be jdp's one and only post, hopefully she will come back.

I asked a similar question when I turned 50. We ended up going to Tortola. Great restaurants, snorkling, relaxing, sailing and rum drinks. Other islands close enough to visit. I couldn't have found a more fun place to turn 50.