Please....Need Ideas and suggestions

[Sheryl]

I really hope you guys and gals can come up with some ideas or suggestions to help me out here.

There are 5 of us at work that hang around and are great friends. One of the girls will be turning 40 in Nov 2005, and she is already having a hard time dealing with it.

The other 4 of us want to take her away for a long weekend in either Oct or Nov 2005. She will know nothing about it, until we pick her up for the airport, but her husband will know and will help us out. It will have to work around our school schedule, but it would either be a Thursday night through Sunday, or Friday night through Monday.

We're trying to plan this far in advance so that we can financially do it, trying to keep the cost somewhat lower, but if we find the right place, it won't matter.

We are all working Mom's who just want to get away for a restful weekend to have some fun, preferably somewhere warm. Since we are in Buffalo, we'd like to try to keep the travel time (prefer to fly) low, so I think Vegas is out since we won't have alot of time.

My first choice was Disney. If we can get the $59(each way) flights, book a deluxe room (for 5) at one of the resorts, and just hang out. I figure we won't even have to do any of the parks, if not everyone is interested.

But, I'm looking for other ideas to give them too. They asked me to find some places, and I said I would.

Looking for any suggestions please. :pinky:

Thanks,
Sheryl

[LimeGreenCheri]

I think a beach weekend would be a great place to just hang out with the girls. Savannah Georgia is a great little town with lots of shopping. I've also heard that St. Augustine is a great place for a girls trip. Have fun whatever you decide.

[BetsyAnn]

A quiet cabin in the woods with lots of food, wine and laughter. Or maybe there is a spa that interests you all. You said Vegas was out - what about Alantic City - I would think in Nov you might be able to get a good rate. Still thinking -- And 40 is a great age -- What are some of your friends favorite things - Does she talk about a place a lot - or activities that she likes or liked to do.

Good Luck Sheryl

[SusanL]

The Coast of Maine is beautiful in the fall, or Vermont/New Hampshire. It would be a good if you planned it around peak foilage(sp) time.

[Robin]

New England in the Fall sounds wonderful and relaxing, but a bit chilly. Besides the foliage, there are tons of outlet stores in Freeport Maine and some wonder day trips in the area.

I guess it depends if you really want warm weather or not. It would drive me nuts to be in WDW and not set foot in a park at all. What about planning it when MNSSHP (?) is running. What a better way to let your inner child loose than dressing up for Halloween.

I guess it comes down to do you guys want to lounge in the sun by the pool, go partying, or have a relaxing time indoors.

[DisneyBUff]

what about like myrtle beach SC ?


The one thing that cought my eye above is A quiet cabin in the woods with lots of food, wine and laughter there are LOTS of Cabins To rent in NY that you could do this in and they are't always bad priced and there is always fun stuf to do.. food(even if it has to be kept to a minamum) wine and laughter are a great way to make it a wonderful birthday.

[MissBianca]

How about some sort of hot spring and cabin in the woods thing? I'm sure there would be places like that not too far from you in the Adirondacks. Never underestimate a spa experience and a nice fireplace with bunch of good friends!

[Bookwood]

Sheryl- have you looked into Spa type places around your area? I think that would be the ultimate weekend away for the girls! you don't have to have alot of treatments just one or 2 (I know there's a spa in Hershey and it's driving distance for you !)

[Stinkerbelle]

If you can get a decent airfare, New Orleans is nice and warm in November and would be a great place for a girlie get away weekend. I volunteer to be your welcome wagon.

[BetsyBoo]

:lol: Shopping, Shopping, Shopping!!!

Come on out to the Mall of America!

BetsyBoo

[disneyfanatic]

Sheryl,

Of course, Disney is always at the top of the list. However, have you thought about NYC? You should be able to get RT on JetBlue for around $100 or less. Get some play tickets, do Times Square, etc. Of course, number one of the list is the Disney Store. We were there in January and it's truly amazing. Three floors of pure Disney! Because you are looking at November, that's why I mentioned NYC. Later in Nov. all the lights go up for Xmas at I think it is Rockefeller Center, etc. I've never seen this myself but I've been told by many it's breathtaking and a must see. How about a carriage ride around Central Park while sipping some hot chocolate?


Michele

[disneylover]

What about Saratoga Springs.Has the spa and shopping

[Cinderella]

Okay Sheryl:

Now you're into my area of expertise (I think so anyhow). I've been surprising DH for the last .................years by taking him away for his birthday every year and not telling him where we're going. I always made all the plans and just told him what to pack. It was always a driving vacation due to the cost and time involved.

Some of the things I've planned for him:

Booked rooms at various B&B's in New England. There are a gazillion B&B's in New England not far from you which would be quick to get to. You could all even drive there and back in a matter of hours. You could double up in a few rooms and be pampered. All those beautiful Victorian B&B's have bedrooms with large beds/canopy beds (and you can get single beds too) and fabulous bathrooms with claw-foot tubs or modern ones with jacuzzi's. The breakfast choices are usually fantastic and you wouldn't have to go far each morning to eat. Most places are near other points of interest - shopping/museums/historical places so there's lots to do. Some have spas or are near spas. Some have horsedrawn carriage rides and hay rides.

MY choice would be New England as we've gone to so many of the B&B's there and were never disappointed. It's quiet, peaceful, and in the scenery is beautiful. Lots have lounge chairs near pools or near lakes and streams. I have a ton of books and lists of places in each state if you need help. Some are in college towns so there's lots going on. We've gone to some near Cooperstown (for DH) where we stayed in the honeymoon suite, we were in a beautiful one a little larger in NH which was outside a college town with lots of shops and shows and museums. That one had big suites where extra beds could be set up and a four**** restaurant for breakfast and dinner (breakfast was included in rate).
They had a stream out back and big lobby filled with antiques. Most places have resident cats or dogs to greet you. We found all the B&B owners to be very friendly and helpful and can give you lists of what's in the area and directions. Our favorite is in Maine (but it has small rooms) where they serve breakfast on the terrace outside overlooking their four acres of gardens. It's right near a quaint little New England town with all kinds of boutiques and shops and a beach.

You can go to Kittery NH and work yourselves into a shopping frenzy. There's lots of B&B's and small hotels up there on the NH/Maine border.
You can go up to LLBean etc. in Maine. (longer drive and much cooler).

Most New England towns have apple fests and apple cider weekends and shows and craft fairs from Sept. on. You could stay at the Hershey Hotel or Lodge and go to the spa at the hotel and pool and take the girls to Hershey museum/outlets/town.

You could find a B&B in upstate NY near some outlets (I know you know where they all are Sheryl!!!). Find one with a spa and get facials and massages etc.

Go out for ice-cream sundaes/roller skating/hit chick flicks at the movie theater/see a play.

Keep it low key so you can all have time to sit around and talk and unwind etc.

Let us know what you guys end up doing. I'm always looking for new ideas.

(Buy the way Sheryl, I have a BIG birthday coming up next year if you want to start planning!!!)
:dance: :rofl: :rofl: :cake1:

Good luck!!

Cinderella

[Lady]

Before I read the other replies
my first instinct was St. Augustine - beautiful - absolutely!
followed by New England - but you said you want warm - love New Eng. in the fall
third choice is New Orleans - loved it!!!

I'm from Atlantic City - worked in the casinos and have been to Myrtle Beach, SC
neither would I suggest - they are so built up - but maybe your friend likes that and if she does then those places would work - but for peacefulness - quaint - lovely and all that look at the other places.

Hugs Shell

[Jasonsmom]

If Disney wasn't a choice, I'd do a spa. My friend and I turn 40 within a week of each other (in 3 years) and my SIL turns 30 that same year so we're going to a spa. Here's the link to the one we're leaning towards. It only takes 6-8 people at a time which I like. We're going to try to fill it up with our family when we go. www.thekerrhouse.com.

Jasonsmom

[Sheryl]

Thank you everyone for the awesome ideas. I've written them all down and will ask my friends what they think. I could see us doing each and every idea.

Stinkerbelle, thank you for the offer. New Orleans is somewhere I've never been too and would love to visit.

I'm so excited to get going on this.

Thanks,
Sheryl :minnie:

[FLSharon]

Sheryl, whatever you guys do, be sure to give us a report... sounds like a dynamite time. I just met with my gals from high school. We had a laid back weekend at a lodge in a state park. Next year its to a resort and a casino. The resort has a spa too. I think we'll all enjoy this one since we all wanted a little something more to do than sit and yak..

I can see Disney and an evening at PI. And If none have seen the resorts you could give them a tour....eat and drink your way around a few of them.

[Pockets]

Sheryl,

How about one more suggestion. Williamsburg, Va. 40 won't look as bad when you visit historic Williamsburg.

Just a thought.
Pockets