ideas for 40th bday trip with friends for around $2000-$2500 PP

[Anonymous]

Three friends and I would like to take a trip for our 40th b'days this year but picking a place has proved tricky so I'm hoping all of you might have some good ideas. Here are some of the details/constraints:

1) Three of us are in the northeast, one is in the west (near a regional airport)
2) 1 of us is in a tight budget and set a $2000-$2500 budget for her share of the trip (this is one of the east coast people)
3) there is some interest in an adventure (a multi-day guided bike tour was discussed) but nothing too hard core [I would be happy doing a few days of back country hiking - but I'm the only one interested in that]
4) Most people seem to want to get away for about 5 days, including travel time, so something near an airport would be best
5) 1 person really doesn't seem to like any options in the US (she has been pretty much everywhere already) and another person doesn't want any countries with too much poverty (Guatemala and Nicaragua were vetoed) [if people have ideas for things they did in the US that were really fabulous, maybe the person who wants to leave the US could be convinced]
6) I suggested Puerto Rico but the person who has been everywhere in the US said she has been there and doesn't want to go back [but if people have ideas for a "new" way to do PR, let me know!]
7) Europe was discussed but I think that would be tough for $2000-$2500 especially if we did a bike trip or some other adventure (I don't think people would be up for just renting bikes and winging it - they would want a guide). Also 5 days is tough for a trip to Europe
8) we have to go in late May or early June
9) I think South America might work, but I nervous about safety in Rio and BA is very expensive to fly to now and no one else seems to want to go to Colombia

Belize was discussed but then when I started googling it looked like the nice places to stay are all several hours from the airport. If we are only going ot be away for 5 days, that seems like a lot of time to lose to travel.

Any other ideas???

[Anonymous]

Id go to Vegas or Phoenix and stay at a nice place, take a day trip with a hike, and spend time together. More important than going somewhere exotic and being stressed out about it.

[Anonymous]

How about Costa Rica?

[Anonymous]

My friends and I are going to a destination spa resort for our fortieths. Woodloch is a great one in the northeast. You can do canyon ranch either in the northeast or west.

[Anonymous]

Canyon ranch is waaaaay more than 2k pp for 5 days. I would recommend the following: Iceland or Ireland(sorry west coast person) or something like Vegas with a side trip to Grand Canyon.

[Anonymous]

What about doing a wine-bike trip out in Dry Creek/Sonoma, CA?

[Anonymous]

Montreal and/or Quebec City?

For Belize, St. George's Caye Resort is near the airport and might have what you're looking for: http://www.belizeislandparadise.com/index.php

[Anonymous]

Go to BVI, rent charter yacht with crew and sail from one island to another

[Anonymous]

Bahamas (Atlantis specifically, never been, heard good things) or Bermuda?

[Anonymous]

I just spent a week in Colombia; 3 days in Bogota and 4 in Medellin. Felt very safe and it was inexpensive with plenty to do. Quito, Ecuador earlier this year was also a great, interesting week.

[Anonymous]

What about miraval in tucson

[Anonymous]

Bermuda.

[Anonymous]

Iceland

[Anonymous]

Iceland
Bermuda
Canada
Wine country

[Anonymous]

What time of year?

Vancouver could be an option - could do a kayak and bike trip there.

Canadian Rockies and beautiful and Banff has tons of great restaurants.