What would you do for your 40th? (If you didn't like flying?)

[Fortyfied]

It's in November.

My youngest will be 13. Eldest 21 so could do a few nights away but hate flying so would have to be UK. Which will be pretty miserable in Nov.

I want something to mark the occasion but I don't want a party. Absolutely not.

I don't wear jewellery, not a single piece.

I have enough shoes. I'm not into designer stuff.

Feeling a bit stumped.

I have to tell DH as he's pretty useless at birthdays and needs it spelling out to him.

Has to be UK?
are you talking a long weekend?
you can’t get train to Paris ?

We did an overnight stay at a zoo last Spring for a special birthday. It was in the UK, different from anything we'd done before and while dry weather was preferable, it wasn't totally weather dependent.

Have you got enough money for somewhere like Centreparcs/similar cheaper option with log cabins, pool, sauna, jacuzzi etc in the Uk?

Train to Paris or Amsterdam, easy if you can get to St Pancras easily.

Or what about a posh country house hotel with a pool, spa, etc? There are loads of really nice places with great dining rooms and facilities.

Do you want something just for you and DH, with 21yo looking after the younger DC?

Somewhere like Chewton Glen? Or Cliveden?

What's the approx budget?

Do you really need to celebrate it? If you don’t like parties or jewellery etc and this is sounding like an added task in your life… just choose not to?

Have you been to Bath? Depending on budget you could go to the roman baths followed by pump house afternoon tea. Also they may have the xmas market in November.

Or perhaps visit somewhere like York.

Another vote for Eurostar. Amsterdam or Lille.

I’d probably do a weekend away in a really lovely hotel with a delicious dinner, perhaps Manoir. Or, I’d do a weekend city break, Edinburgh, York, Bath.

Or, a trip by train to Amsterdam, Paris or Lille might be nice.

If you didn’t want a party how about having a few of your closest friends round for dinner?

I would mark the occasion with something. You’ll be 40 either way so why not do something memorable.

Another one voting for a city break in a nice hotel. Like others have said, you can get a train to the near continent or do one of the big cities here. Alternatively what about a short cruise departing the UK if you don’t like flying? Usually something for everyone onboard, nice food etc. You can be as low key as you wish if you don’t want to dress up (it’s not all posh frocks and dinner suits).

Do you have a particular interest or experience you’d like to do? For instance my DH was 70 in November and our friends bought him a birds of prey experience where he gets to learn about them and fly them. It’s run at a hotel further down from where we live so I’ll take advantage of the hotel pool and spa while he does his experience and we’re booking dinner and an overnight stay to make it special. What about something along those lines?

Watch the sun rise from the top of Snowdon. If you take the Llanberis path, it isn't a difficult walk. It won't be expensive (just the cost of camping / b&b / hotel) and it is a spectacular experience.

Obviously make sure you have appropriate clothing / plenty of water, but you don't need to be a full on mountaineer.

This would be my choice. It’s been on my bucket list for years.

https://www.burghisland.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=local&utm_campaign=gmblisting

A city break in the uk or as another posted has said the tunnel to Paris or you could also go via the tunnel to Bruges.

Long weekend in Munich via the tunnel (change at Brussels Midi). It's what I did.

I’d like to book a cottage somewhere with my dh and my best friend and her husband. Somewhere lovely with a hot tub for a chilled weekend with walks and a hot tub!

I went to Paris. If you are further north so train isn't an option, how about the new Buxton crescent spa? I've been and it's very good, as is the town more generally, lots of nice restaurants (recommend the French one)

If money was no object QM2 to new york. I know someone who didn't like flying who did this. Though their husband arranged for them to fly out and QM2 back so ahe didnt soend the whole trip worrying about the flight.

If more local i'd go for eurostar to bruges or amsterdam. Or a night or two in a really fancy/expensive hotel somewhere you'd never ever normally get a chance to do like the shard.

Just wanted to express my jealousy, when I turn 40 my kids will be 4 and 8 😩
I would love to do karaoke.

Going for a curry is the big birthday celebration in this house. Extra poppadoms for the birthday person. Probably not what you've got in mind though.

The only thing that scares me more than flying is big ships 😂😂

I'm a travel wuss!

That's more within my comfort zone.

I'm trying to do something big but I'd rather be at home with a curry for sure. But I've done that every other birthday of my life

I am with you OP! 40 this year and know people are going to be asking me what I’m doing but I just can’t think of anything! Budget doesn’t really allow for travel, I’m not much of a foody or culture vulture. Kids are late primary/early secondary. So am watching with interest for suggestions!

Drive over to Europe or get the Eurostar. Alternatively, get help for your anxiety. You’re missing out on a lot if you limit yourself to UK only holidays.

I rented a big cottage (friends all chipped in) and had a weekend away with friends and family. I still found it a lot, as I find being the centre of everything overwhelming, but I knew I had to do something special for it otherwise I’d feel like I was selling myself short.

If that wasn’t option, I’d stay in a fancy hotel somewhere I’ve always wanted to go and do things I like doing when there.

We're close in terms of birthdays ;-)

Not sure if we're similar in terms of outlook due to similar ages but agree I kind of feel like I actually don't like the hassle of doing A Big Thing

(I was contemplating Japan, the Camino in Spain...I may eventually get round to those but honestly whole planning and fitting in with work and packing...too much hassle. It just seems like more stress which isn't the goal!)

I used to enjoy going "out out", but have found I have less FOMO and people annoy me more, so I'm definitely more at the "curry in" stage.

What I have enjoyed is getting away to nice self-contained situations....having a kitchen and self check-in so completely independent and no awkward conversations.

Can you find a really nice self-contained AirBnB or booking.com place close to you, so you and DH can just stay in and get a posher than normal curry takeaway? So the same as other birthdays, but more luxury?

Weekend away but you don't need to worry about getting dressed up if you're not in the right frame of mind.

Everyone always bangs on about spa breaks or going to X place or restaurant hotspot but if you don't enjoy it and thats not your thing, then why do it? (And we all know sometimes the vibe can be unfriendly/snobby/poor customer service which isn't really something you want on your 40th!).