sunny71

My friends and I (eight total) want to take a long weekend trip to celebrate our 40th birthdays. We've talked about it for 5 years and the time is nearing. Since the birthdays fall throughout the year, beginning this November thu next July, any time of year is appropriate. Some people are concerned with cost, some people are concerned with leaving their children too long. So, we're thinking a Thursday thru Sunday or Monday.
We really need suggestions on a destination that is very reasonably priced and can be done in a short time frame.
We live in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Chicago has been proposed but some gals are looking for a little bigger trip than that. A warm beach tip has been talked about.
Any suggestions on where to start looking? Any group of ladies, that have done a similar trip, with success have stories to share?
I'm really not sure on the dollar amount. I suspect there is a wide range people are willing to spend. We're hoping to keep it pretty low, so someone is not left out because of finances...after all, this is a difficult economy (for some of us more than others)
Thanks for any help or suggestions you are willing to share!

sf7307

Although it's not close to Wisconsin/Minnesota, I'd highly recommend Charleston for this kind of trip -- maybe in spring or fall. It's such a lovely city, with great history (and therefore, sightseeing), outstanding restaurants and terrific shopping, not to mention just being totally quaint/charming.

Santa Fe would be equally good for a 3-4 day trip. Or San Francisco.

If you choose the right time of year in San Francisco, apparently its pretty easy to get very good hotels for a very low price on priceline.

(Unfortunately, none of those would be good for inexpensive dining!)

ccolor

New Orleans.
So much to see and do!

suze

Would people be interested in Mexico? You could look at either a low to mid priced All Inclusive or renting a house together... someplace like Cancun, Cabo, or Puerto Vallarta?

suze

Oops, maybe not since this is posted in the U.S. forum, sorry 'bout that

mclaurie

If I were in your shoes, I'd start with which airlines fly non-stop to where from your home airports. For just a long weekend, you don't want to be changing planes or spending a fortune on airfare before you even get to your destination. kayak.com is a good place to start some research. Travelocity.com has dream maps that show airfare to various places from your home airport but it's usually just for upcoming flights, not in advance.

The other way to start narrowing options is by possible travel times. I imagine some of you have family or job obligations so try to nail down what months or specific weekends you could go which will help you figure out where it might be warm weather at that time (and preferably not high season).

I think New Orleans is a good idea as far as a place with lots to do and moderate prices but if it's going to cost a lot to fly there and require 2 changes of planes, it's not a good idea.

I think a place like Orlando offers a lot of air/hotel packages that are good value. You don't have to go for Disney. There are good spas and restaurants and shopping. Las Vegas would be another place with lots of good pkgs.

sunny71

Thanks for all the advice! Some of the group went on a trip to New Orleans (that was before marriage and kids). Charleston might be fun since I suspect not as many have been there before. Mexico is not a bad thought. I like the idea of all inclusive or package deal. That way each can decide if her budget allows without as much guess work. I'm going to jump over to kayak.com and check things out.
The beauty is, I know we'll have fun together no matter where we go. I am blessed with great friends!

suze

The thing about Mexico is, if you choose right, once you're there it's less expensive than vacationing in a major city in the U.S.

Buy a copy of Budget Travel magazine. They always have a section of Best Deals that gives examples of the kinds of packages you can find (for U.S., Mexico, Caribbean, etc.)

rncheryl

Like the New Orelans idea too. Our roommate reunion trip was a long weekend in Las Vegas. We sure had fun; plenty to do and see.

lvk

You have the right spirit. Just as long as you are together, you'll have fun wherever you go. Our first girls trip came about when a close friend from high-school was recovering from cancer surgery. We're doing our 8th one this year.

A 3-day Bahamas cruise out of Miami or Ft. Lauderdale is pretty reasonable. (that was our trip #1) I'm not sure how cheap it is to fly there from MI/WI, though.

You can also get good deals in late April/early May in desert towns such as Palm Springs & Scottsdale (repeat after me.. "It's a dryyyyyy heat" ). We generally rent condos, which are generally cheaper and more spacious than hotels when you have a large # of people. You also can save big $$ on things like breakfasts & cocktails that way.

I also agree about Mexico. We were in Puerto Vallarta a few weeks ago and was surprised at how reasonably priced everything was. Flight times might be a bit long for you, though.

sheri_lp

San Diego!

dfrostnh

Four of us have being doing a weekend trip for almost 30 years. Since we're in New England, Boston, NYC and other places within driving distance are our usual choices. New Orleans was one of our best special trips. We chose Veteran's Day weekend to have an extra day for travel. Montreal is also a place we'd like to go back to and since we usually travel in Sept, it's a good choice. We have been thinking about Toronto.
How much time do you ordinarily spend together? We only see each other once or twice a year (which is why we started doing a weekend together without husbands and children). We are frugal and enjoy early am/late night talking so we share a single room. Rooms usually contain double beds not queens so it's kind of close quarters. It will mean taking two cabs which isn't too bad. We usually plan a schedule to stay busy. This schedule does NOT include shopping, beaches or spa visits. It always includes a tour of some kind, theater or some other evening entertainment. Keep in mind dinner reservations for eight might be tricky in some places. We try to do something so that everyone is happy.
We haven't been to San Diego together but I've been there other times and agree it would be a great location. January weather can be decent, although cool.

Amy

My favorite girlfriends' trip report is this one: http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...rip-report.cfm

Philadelphia has a lot to offer for your group: it's very easy to get around, so a short trip is fine; it's got history, shopping, great food, culture--and a beach 1 1/2 hours away, if you decide you'd like one; it's not terribly extreme in its weather (yes, there can be some pretty sticky days in June and July, but usually not unbearable.)

Happy travels!

sunny71

Thanks for all the input, everyone! I am never disappointed when I ask for help at the Fodors website. The excitement in the group is growing. We see each other once a year for sure (ski trip with husbands that we've been doing for 13 years) and a few other times during the year at different events but those are usually missing one or two friends. I'll post our destination place once it's been finalized. In the meantime, if anyone has any additional ideas, we're all ears

MomDDTravel

In no order:

Las Vegas
San Francisco
San Diego