ideas where to send my dh and his best mate for 40th birthday present

[ErnestTheBavarian]

Dh is soon to turn 40. We live in Germany. Best mate lives in London. As he needs nothing I can think of (would maybe like a nice watch, but wouldn't want to risk cocking up expensive purchase) the only thing I can think of getting him is a weekend break with his best mate who he doesn't see very much.

We have 4 kids and dh works very very long hours and is really stressed and exhausted with work atm, so I thought a weekend break would be ideal. Unfortunately, as we live in Germany and no family, we can't do it together,.

So, I am trying to organise a weekend in May for 2 40 yr old men. It could be in UK, easy travel from Major airport destination, eg London, Manchester, Edinbugh etc, or it could be european, assuming easily reached from both London & Munich.

But I have no other ideas where to send them (city-wise) or what activities, if any, I should try to consider (eg go carting, paint balling) sounds cringey. If it were a woman it'd be easier, just choose nice spa.

DH has been married (to me) and blessed saddled with kids and work since university, so not really had a chance to do any of this stuff, so without giving the game away by asking, I don't even know if he would like to do any of this stuff. Are there any safe bets/good ideas out there?

I would be ever so grateful.

ps if you think the whole idea is totally shit, please also let me know!

Thankk.

(daren't say 'ta' any more.)

Skiing in Austria for weekend... maybe find a resort with a bobsleigh run - that would blow away a few cobwebs and give them an experience they'll not forget!

I would get his best friend to organise it all

then you will know that at least one of them is goign where he wants to go

obviously you will cough up for dh's share

I think it sounds like a good idea, just don't send him off on his birthday itself - if he's at home then you and the kids can still make a big fuss of him. And save back anywhere or anything you're particularly keen on for yourselves.

Is he into anything you could aim for - a favourite beer, sport, hills, stand-up comedy? Maybe avoid anything best done as a group (like carting) if it's just two of them.

compo, will try so see if bf "got some ideas" - seriously though not a bad idea, as like you say, he'll def then be doing something at least 1 of them likes.

slipper, good points. W/e is planned for 1 week before actual birthday, so he will be here on the day. So carting more of a group thing? Hm.

proudas, that would otherwise be a great idea, but we live only 40 mins from the mountains so dh goes skiing quite a lot, while I don't think bf has ever done it, so don't think it would turn out to be much for either or them unfortunaley. Plus ski season will be over by then (if it ever does stop, we've had more snow today ).

SO something like that, an activity for 2. Will see if bf has had any ideas. I suspect he'll be leaving it all to me...

Maybe it will reduce the headahce if either bf comes to nearish here, or dh goes to bf, rather than 3rd venue, so don't have to worry about 1 flight being cancelled?

what about the Monaco Grand prix? you can get packages that would take out the headache of organising it.

or if its the wrong weekend there is the Spanish grand prix (not quite got such a 'cool' reputation though)

kitten - it's good, really something for them to head to and watch/do (but he hates cars, sorry) so an event is good. Hm, are there any music festivals/concerts on around that time? That might not be bad, going to visit cool new city & see band...

it sounds like a lovely idea - would his bf going to you, with you then giving them a night out together, 'count'?

are you in munich, or just near - it's a great city for a night out. i'd avoid anywhere that's seen as romantic!

what is your dh into? my dh & his bf both still say that the best weekend they ever had was going to see some rugby in france (funny, neither of them mention the weekend they got married, or became a father )

my dh loves 'city breaks' & a mix of really nice meal out, beautiful city, art/culture etc would be great.

or a weekend with him going to the bf, without you?

sounds very thoughtful on your part btw

we are in Munich (outskirts, 15 mins from centre), but thought maybe he'd like to get away. That is a great idea, yes, rugby/football match, or failing that a concert). maybe I'll now pass it over to his bf, amybe he'll know of something...

thanks, feel closer to getting organised

also, doesn't HAVE to be on/near his birthday - if there is something he'd really like to go to, you could hand over tickets on the day as his present. if he has to wait a few weeks/months before ti happens, gives him time to look forward to it.

Now, if you REALLY want to plan ahead, the next rugby world cup is in New Zealand in Autumn 2011.

more likely, though, the Heineken cup final is the end of May.
here

One of the more rural beer festival (May ish) Erlangen for eg?

If he's into clubbing then Berlin Street fest / weekend in Ibiza - or Spain has a couple of great music festivals (all types of genres)
Glastonbury is on this year too

If he is into footie - the ultimate present would be a few days to South Africa for a World Cup game (or two) - that'd give you a zillion brownie points

Liverpool comedy festival?

back again. Need to book pdq.

am erring towards Liverpool comedy festival. Apparently fa cup tickets around £300, so a wee bit out of my league!

DH has never been to Liverpool.

His bf has thrown Dublin into the suggestion box.

So Liverpool (never been to & with summat going on) vs. Dublin, which he has visited (ages ago, with me, dunno if anything 'on')

Can fly to Manchester easily enough, not 100% sure about Dublin, but think ok.

Anyone kow both places who could offer suggestions?

Dublin is a lot more expensive than liverpool. Married to a scouser, I would pick Liverpool, but havent been to Dublin.

Liverppol - whole Beatles thang, Liverpool tour - you can even book lunch at Anfield if iot would interest your dh, Albert Docks, lots of fab new bars in Liverpool One.

Malmaison hotel in Liverpool v nice.

DDad, DH and DBil did Monaco Grand Prix a few yrs ago - they had a brilliant time - stayed in Nice which worked out a bit cheaper.