Recommendations needed for 40th Birthday Fall Girls' Trip!
 

Hello, Fodor's Travel Experts! I would love some potential ideas for my own 40th birthday this year. I'm interested in planning a girls' trip this Fall to celebrate my entry into middle age - haha!

1) AMOUNT OF TRAVEL TIME – 3-4 night stay; days of week are flexible
2) WHEN TO GO – late October thru early November
3) DEPARTURE POINT – Houston, TX
4) BUDGET --$750-$1000 airfare + hotel (if less, even better!)
a. Estimating airfare at ~ $300-$400 (could be higher if destination is Mexico)
b. Will consider all-inclusive if that route makes sense
5) THINGS TO DO -- daytime activities (which could be shopping, pool/sun, beach), good food/drinks, fun nightlife + 1 possible spa day
6) MISCELLANEOUS –
a. Destinations up for consideration already – Yucatan Peninsula (Cancun, Isla Mujeres, Playa or Cozumel), New Orleans
b. Ideal group size – 8-10 (could be 6 depending on location/expense)
c. NO GO – Las Vegas (annual work trip around the same time) ; South Beach – May 2008 girls’ trip; Napa/Sonoma – 10-year anniversary trip in 2009; Kona, Hawaii – Sept. 2011 girls’ trip; New York City – visited multiple times for work/pleasure; Nashville -- May 2012 girls' trip with family
d. U.S. mainland beach destinations probably won’t be ideal this time of year (Fall, weather/water are cool), except maybe Key West or San Diego??

If you ever had a dream of being a travel agent with an open itinerary, here's your chance! I'm open to different destinations - just want to have a memorable trip with my friends & sister.

thank you in advance for your suggestions!

This is easy - San Francisco!

Santa Fe or Sedona if it's not too late in the fall the pools should still be open and they have everything else you are looking for.

From Houston - Costa Rica could be a lot of fun. Not sure what type of shopping you want to do - but you can see a Volcano (Volcan Arenal) and get to our favorite beach area - up at Flamingo, and if you check ahead - you might get some bargain airfares for the fall time slot. As I recall - it's little over a 3 hour flight?

see: http://www.resortflamingobeach.com/

Count me in on the Santa Fe reocmmendation!