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20 Birthday Trip Ideas for Every Type of Traveler

Travel is the best birthday gift there is, and these destinations should be at the top of your list.

When it comes to celebrating another trip around the sun, the only thing better than presents and cake is a vacation — although, don't let anyone stop you from having all three. You might want to ring in your birthday on a beach in Mykonos or with a glass of Chianti in Tuscany. Or perhaps a jaunt through New York City or a relaxing soak in Reykjavík's Blue Lagoon is more your speed. However you feel like celebrating, there's a destination for you. Read on for the best birthday trip ideas from the mountains of Colorado to the winding rivers of Europe and beyond.

• Best tourist destination: Las Vegas
• Underrated hidden gem: Alexandria, Virginia
• Best for families: Charlotte, North Carolina
• Best for couples: Napa Valley, California
• Best for solo travelers: Santa Fe, New Mexico

Read on for the rest of our recommendations.

Elena Papadopolis / EyeEm / Getty Images

Las Vegas is a classic destination for celebrations of every kind. Whether you're in it to win a big birthday prize at the casinos or to splurge on world-class shows, your special day is a good excuse to run wild in Sin City. For a little balance, consider taking a breather from the madness and tacking on a road trip through the Nevada desert , stopping to check out roadside art and Gold Rush ghost towns along the way.

Alexandria, Virginia

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An underrated and affordable birthday destination, Old Town Alexandria has fascinating history and a happy marriage of Southern hospitality and Mid-Atlantic sophistication. Stay at the nautically inspired Hotel Indigo Old Town Alexandria , located mere steps from the easily walkable King Street, Old Town's main drag.

The city is charming, artsy, and packed with cute boutiques. Best of all, Washington, D.C. , is just a 25-minute ride away on the Metro, or you can simply enjoy the view of our nation's capital from across the Potomac River.

Charlotte, North Carolina

If melt-in-your-mouth BBQ and outdoor adventures are right up your alley, look no further than Charlotte for the ideal birthday trip destination. Home to the U.S. National Whitewater Center — where you can find whitewater rafting, biking, zip lines, live music, and craft brews all in one action-packed location — Charlotte is a perfect family birthday destination.

Visit the NASCAR Hall of Fame , the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art , and the NoDa Art District . Eat BBQ at Noble Smoke or satisfy every palate in the group by dining at Optimist Hall , a market with more than 20 local food vendors.

Napa Valley, California

The 21-and-over crowd can appreciate a cultured jaunt through wine country, which explains why it's a long-popular birthday destination. Between the picturesque landscapes, enchanting towns, award-winning restaurants, and world-class wine, Napa Valley is an easy choice for a romantic birthday trip with your significant other. While you're there, make sure to go for a ride on the iconic Napa Valley Wine Train .

If all you want to do on your birthday is relax and unwind, plan an indulgent spa retreat in Santa Fe . At the Ojo Spa Resort , you'll find spring-fed waters and the opportunity to soak in blissful thermal pools following a top-notch spa treatment. Healthy, nourishing farm-to-table meals are also included with your stay. It's the perfect getaway, especially for a solo birthday trip or a quiet retreat with a loved one.

Tulum, Mexico

A birthday spent in the spiritual center of Tulum is the best reset for another rotation around the sun. You'll welcome another year in one of the beautiful locales, right along Mexico's gorgeous Riviera Maya, on the Caribbean coastline replete with crystal clear waters and white-sand beaches. Known for its yoga retreats, jungle cenotes, sacred ceremonies, and Mayan ruins, Tulum is the perfect place to center your mind and reconnect with nature. The city also has plenty of hotels, restaurants, and shopping to keep you busy if you want a break from the jungles and beaches.

New York City

You can't beat the energy of New York City for marking a major milestone. The city that never sleeps keeps you young with near-infinite things to see and do. No matter how you hope to celebrate, NYC has it — from live entertainment and gorgeous green spaces to Instagram-famous foodie finds. Every season has something different to offer, too.

Book a room at the Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel to stay in the heart of all the action. You can fall asleep in the glow of neon lights, if that's your thing.

Laguna Beach, California

Pamper yourself in Laguna Beach , the ultimate Southern California destination for sunshine, surf, shopping, and spa treatments. A quirky-yet-chic beach town about an hour south of Los Angeles, Laguna is home to surf shops, art galleries, and eateries serving everything from street tacos to fine dining — it truly has something for everyone.

There's no better place to stay than in a private villa or suite at the oceanfront Montage Laguna Beach , where you can spend your time enjoying views for miles from the stunning Mosaic Pool , taking scenic strolls along immaculately manicured paths, and lounging on one of the area's most beautiful beaches. Treat yourself to a luxurious treatment at Spa Montage , whose massages incorporate California wildflowers.

If Hawaii has long been on your "someday" list, consider your birthday an excuse to finally book that trip. The greens and blues of Maui's tropical landscape offer a feast for the eyes. There's plenty to do for all ages and travel styles, plus great places to eat, and cultural experiences to enrich your worldly education. Try something new, whether that's learning to surf or sampling a spoonful of purple poi. To celebrate your birthday with a bang, make sure a traditional hula performance is on the itinerary.

Train Journey Through Italy

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If you know of a better way to celebrate a birthday than with all the pizza, pasta, gelato, and wine your heart desires, then, please, alert the presses. Otherwise, Italy is the ticket, and there are few better ways to see as much of the boot as you can than by train. Include highlights like Florence, Cinque Terre , and Tuscany (Italy's heavenly wine region) for the best scenery in your window.

Mykonos, Greece

If you really want to fete your birthday in style, there's no better place to do so than Mykonos, the ultimate party destination. Located in Greece's Cyclades islands, it captures the picturesque beaches and white churches most people associate with a Greek Island vacation. But what makes this place most appealing for birthday trips, especially for groups of friends, is its famous beach parties and thriving nightlife scene, allowing travelers to celebrate from sun-up to sun-down. Check in to The Wild Hotel by Interni for exclusive private access to the beautiful Kalafatis Beach , located below the hotel's cliffs.

Vail, Colorado

Jack Affleck / Courtesy of Vail Resorts

If you enjoy being active, Vail should top your birthday trip ideas list. You can snowboard and ski on Vail's renowned slopes in the winter — and who doesn't want to indulge in the pleasures of après ski for their birthday? — or hike among blankets of wildflowers in the spring and summer. Book a special dinner in a woodsy lodge for the full experience.

Backpack Through Thailand

Southeast Asia offers an unforgettable adventure packed with amazing views, flavorful dishes, and a welcoming culture, both from local residents and the country's large community of international expats. Thailand is a dream trip for many, and what better reason to realize your dream than your birthday? It's totally common to backpack Thailand solo, but there's plenty reason to bring a significant other or travel with a group. Though the flight will probably be more expensive than any to a domestic destination, your U.S. Dollar will go further in Thailand, making it a great place to splurge on a birthday bash.

James Andrews / Getty Images

Imagine celebrating your birthday with sprawling views from the 103rd floor of the Willis Tower or by diving into a deep-dish pizza after zipping along the Maggie Daley Park Ice Skating Ribbon in the winter. Depending on what time of year you visit Chicago , you can get out on the water or spend your days exploring museums and galleries. Swissotel Chicago provides well-situated digs located within walking distance of many attractions, including the shops of Magnificent Mile. Book a corner room for views of the Chicago River, Navy Pier, and Lake Michigan.

Kristjan Veski/Travel + Leisure

Those looking to skip the long flights often associated with international travel might consider the U.S.'s neighbor to the north. Toronto 's thriving music, food, and entertainment landscape means visitors never lack fun things to do in Canada's most populous city. Explore the culture of The 6ix by embarking on a street art crawl or spending the day at one of the city's various museums and galleries. If you have a spring or summer birthday, mark it at one of Toronto's music or film festivals. If it's in the winter, spend it at the Toronto Light Festival .

River Cruise Through Europe

London, Paris, and Rome are great places to turn another year older in Europe, but they've been done before. Instead, explore a less touristy side of the continent aboard a U by Uniworld cruise on the Rhine or the Danube. Not your grandparents' stuffy river cruise, this line is designed especially for the young and young-at-heart.

Whether you sail between Amsterdam and Brussels or explore Eastern Europe on a cruise connecting Vienna and Prague, meandering Europe's scenic rivers on a luxurious ship will make for a memorable birthday. Highlights include food inspired by the locales and tons of activities, from biking or walking tours at the port to silent discos and stargazing onboard.

Ivey Redding/Travel + Leisure

No place does Southern charm quite like Savannah . Stroll along the cobblestone streets, shaded by canopies of live oaks aged hundreds of years, and pop into some of the many award-winning eateries, like The Grey , housed in a former Greyhound Bus station. By night, book a ghost tour for some serious spooks (there are a ton of companies to choose from), after you've treated yourself to a generous scoop of Leopold's Ice Cream , of course. The Plant Riverside District is another main attraction, packed with shops, restaurants and bars, nightlife, and a hotel, the JW Marriott Savannah — all housed within a repurposed power plant.

Machu Picchu, Peru

Adventurous travelers might consider spending a birthday visiting Machu Picchu . You can hike, bike, raft, or zip line to the ancient Incan city on one of the various local tours, or opt for a more low-key experience and take the scenic train ride from Cusco instead. Once you're acclimated, see why the famous Incan citadel, high in the Andes Mountains, is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Breathtaking views and complex stone architecture make this ancient astronomical observatory a must-see.

You'll likely stay in the nearby town of Aguas Calientes, which offers lodging, shopping, its namesake thermal springs (which feel especially good after a long hike), and the Mariposario de Machu Picchu butterfly sanctuary. You can also check out Cusco (Cuzco), a charming city full of hotels, restaurants, and UNESCO World Heritage architecture.

The Palm Beaches, Florida

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The Sunshine State promises a laid-back, fun-filled visit any time of year. While there are great places to visit in Florida from the Keys to the Panhandle, the Palm Beaches are Florida's crown jewel. Packed with art and culture, outdoor activities, picturesque beaches, and all sorts of entertainment, the area has something for everyone. Opt for a chill escape in Lake Worth Beach, explore the buzzing nightlife in Delray Beach, or spend your vacation rubbing elbows with the rich and famous in Palm Beach.

Want to really up the ante? Miami is just an hour away on the luxurious Brightline train. Or you can head even further south by car and hit the Florida Keys .

Reykjavík, Iceland

If unrivaled sights and some of the best hot springs in the world are on your birthday wish list, you can't go wrong with Iceland's capital. Go for Reykjavík's famous lagoons and swimming pools, and stay for its museums, galleries, theaters, and cafes. Enjoy local game at one of the nearby restaurants, or join a whale watching tour. For a heightened experience, go horseback riding, glacier climbing, river rafting, or caving. This part of the world isn't even hard to get to from the U.S., with direct flights from NYC lasting less than six hours.

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The 20 Birthday Trip Ideas for Every Type of Traveler

Are you thinking about how to make your birthday extra special this year? Well, how about taking a trip that perfectly matches your personality? Imagine celebrating your big day in a place that feels like it was made just for you!

For the adventure-seekers and culture lovers, there’s a whole world out there. Fancy the energy of buzzing cities? Places like Chicago and Las Vegas are calling your name. Or, if you’re more about chilling in nature’s beauty, think about the serene vibes of Maui or Santa Fe.

And hey, if luxury and excitement are your things, why not jet off to somewhere like Ghana or Mexico City? Picture yourself living it up on your special day! But if a laid-back, cultural experience is more your style, you’ve got options like Florence or Zanzibar to soak up the scenery and local vibes.

Maybe you’re the type who loves a relaxed holiday – Europe’s river cruises or a wine tour in Napa Valley could be just the ticket. The best part? These trips are all about what you love, making your birthday not just a date on the calendar, but a truly memorable experience.

So, what do you think? Ready to match your birthday bash with the perfect destination? Let’s make this birthday one for the books!

Birthday Trip Ideas

1. backpack through thailand.

Backpacking through Thailand is an adventure filled with diverse experiences. Begin your journey in the north, in places like Pai, where you can indulge in incredible street food and enjoy a vibrant nightlife with jazz bars and parties.

Explore the rolling hills and visit unique eco-resorts that support local communities. Then, venture to the eastern islands like Koh Samet and Koh Chang, offering a more laid-back vibe compared to the southern islands, with beautiful beaches and opportunities to mingle with locals and fellow travelers.

In Phuket, although the city itself might not be the highlight, the surrounding areas like Khao Sok National Park and Ao Phang-nga National Park are must-visits for their stunning landscapes and outdoor activities.

Finally, head to the southern islands like Krabi and Koh Tao, renowned for their climbing adventures, beautiful beaches, and diving opportunities​​​​​​.

2. Train Journey Through Italy

Imagine traversing Italy by train for your birthday, a journey that combines the joy of exploration with the comfort of scenic travel. Start your adventure in the romantic city of Venice, with its enchanting canals and historic architecture.

Next, head to Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance, where art and history come alive. Don’t miss the rolling hills and vineyards of Tuscany, perfect for a wine-tasting session.

In Rome, step back in time with its ancient ruins and vibrant street life. Your journey could end in the bustling streets of Milan, Italy’s fashion capital. Each stop offers a unique way to celebrate your special day, from gourmet dining to historical tours, all set against the backdrop of Italy’s stunning landscapes.

3. River Cruise Through Europe on U by Uniworld

Imagine celebrating your birthday while gliding through the stunning landscapes of Europe on a U by Uniworld river cruise. This isn’t your typical cruise; it’s specifically designed for the young and adventurous at heart.

Picture evenings spent at the onboard bar, sipping on your favorite cocktail, perhaps the delicious “apple strudel” cocktail which comes highly recommended. The cruise also features a variety of themed parties and events, like 70s, 80s, 90s nights, karaoke, and comedy, ensuring that there’s never a dull moment.

As for dining, you can enjoy high-quality meals in a casual setting, with options ranging from buffet breakfasts to family-style dinners with diverse dishes like ribs, lamb wellington, and salmon. The cruise itinerary often includes picturesque Bavarian towns and cities, providing a blend of historical insights and breathtaking views​​​​.

4. Charlotte, North Carolina

A birthday in Charlotte, North Carolina, offers a blend of outdoor adventure and cultural richness. Kick off your day with some action at the U.S. National Whitewater Center, where activities like rafting and zip-lining await.

For a taste of the local cuisine, indulge in mouth-watering BBQ at popular joints like Noble Smoke. Explore the city’s cultural side by visiting the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art or the NASCAR Hall of Fame for some high-octane fun.

If you’re with a group, Optimist Hall is a great spot for diverse dining options. Charlotte combines the thrill of outdoor activities with the charm of southern hospitality, making it a perfect birthday destination

5. Maui, Hawaii

Celebrating your birthday in Maui is like stepping into a paradise of diverse experiences. Picture yourself taking the scenic Road to Hana, a journey packed with breathtaking views, refreshing stops at waterfalls, and delicious local snacks like Huelo Lookout’s tropical flavored smoothies or Halfway to Hana’s banana bread.

If you’re an adrenaline junkie, how about a thrilling rafting adventure or a leap from Ching’s Pond? And for a true Hawaiian experience, create your own luau with traditional dances, music, and a feast. Maui transforms your birthday into an adventure of scenic beauty and cultural richness​​​​.

6. Tulum, Mexico

Celebrating a birthday in Tulum, Mexico, can be an unforgettable experience. This trendy destination offers a perfect blend of relaxation on its stunning white sandy beaches and vibrant nightlife. You can start your celebration with a delightful meal at Ukami, known for its amazing sushi and fresh fruit cocktails.

Tulum is also famous for its upscale Mexican food, with places like Gitano offering a mesmerizing jungle dining experience. For a more lively birthday bash, head over to RosaNegra, where the party vibe is complemented by DJs, sparklers, and a champagne bar.

If you’re looking for a chill end to your night, Mojave offers great cocktails in a cozy outdoor setting. Don’t forget to visit the local favorites like Antojitos La Chiapaneca for authentic tacos and Batey Mojito and Guarapo Bar for their renowned fresh mojitos​​​​​​.

7. Santa Fe, New Mexico

Celebrating your birthday in Santa Fe, New Mexico, can be a culturally rich and relaxing experience. Start your day with a visit to the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, where you can immerse yourself in vibrant art.

Then, head to the Santa Fe Farmers Market for a taste of local flavors and artisan crafts. For a unique experience, stroll down Lena Street, a hip area filled with artist studios, quaint coffee shops, and Japanese eateries like Ozu.

Indulge in an elevated dining experience at Terra Restaurant, offering flavors of Northern New Mexico with breathtaking views. In the evening, embrace the local art scene with a visit to the New Mexico Museum of Art Vladem Contemporary or the galleries on Canyon Road.

And for a truly special experience, mix clay and cocktails at Tumbleroot Pottery Pub or catch a captivating flamenco show at El Flamenco Cabaret​​​​.

8. Toronto, Canada

Toronto, Canada, is an excellent choice for a birthday trip, offering a vibrant mix of music, food, and entertainment. You could start your day with a cultural dive into one of the city’s numerous museums and galleries or join a street art crawl to explore its urban creativity.

The city’s dynamic atmosphere ensures there’s always something exciting to do, regardless of the season​​. If you’re visiting during spring or summer, the city’s music and film festivals provide a perfect backdrop for celebration.

And don’t worry if your birthday falls in the cooler months; Toronto comes alive with winter fun and stunning fall foliage, offering experiences like the Toronto Light Festival or cozy winter retreats nearby. 

9. Savannah, Georgia

Savannah, Georgia, is the epitome of Southern charm and a wonderful place to celebrate your birthday. Stroll down the cobblestone streets, shaded by ancient live oaks, and explore award-winning restaurants like The Grey.

Don’t forget to treat yourself to a scoop of Leopold’s Ice Cream. If you’re up for some nighttime adventure, consider a ghost tour for a spooky experience. The Plant Riverside District is another must-visit, offering a plethora of shops, galleries, eateries, and bars.

It’s a vibrant area packed with entertainment, perfect for a memorable birthday celebration. Stay at the JW Marriott Savannah in this district to be at the heart of the action

10. Vail, Colorado

In Vail, Colorado, your birthday can be an adventure-filled celebration. Begin your day with a hearty breakfast at one of the local eateries before hitting the slopes for some world-class skiing or snowboarding.

If visiting in the warmer months, hiking or mountain biking through the scenic trails can be just as exhilarating. Relax in the afternoon at a luxurious spa or enjoy a leisurely round of golf surrounded by breathtaking mountain views.

As evening approaches, treat yourself to a gourmet meal at one of Vail’s upscale restaurants, offering a variety of cuisines from around the world. End your day by cozying up near a fireplace, reflecting on a day well-spent in this mountain paradise.

11. New York City, New York

In New York City, the options for celebrating a birthday are nearly endless. Imagine starting your day with a stroll in Central Park, followed by a visit to one of the city’s iconic museums or a Broadway show.

For foodies, NYC is a paradise with its vast array of dining options ranging from street food to Michelin-starred restaurants. As the evening sets in, head to a rooftop bar for panoramic views of the city skyline.

If you’re into more lively celebrations, the city’s diverse nightlife, from trendy clubs in Manhattan to cozy bars in Brooklyn, awaits you. And for a unique experience, consider a birthday cruise around the Statue of Liberty, offering a stunning perspective of the city’s skyline.

12. Machu Picchu, Peru

Machu Picchu in Peru offers an adventurous and mystical way to celebrate your birthday. This ancient Incan city, nestled high in the Andes Mountains, is a wonder of archaeological beauty and historical significance.

You can hike, cycle, kayak, or zip line to reach this iconic destination, immersing yourself in the breathtaking natural scenery and rich cultural history. For a more relaxed approach, consider a scenic train ride from Cusco, which still allows you to experience the grandeur of Machu Picchu without the strenuous trek.

The nearby town of Aguas Calientes provides a range of accommodations, dining options, and the relaxing thermal springs to unwind after your explorations. Alternatively, staying in Cusco gives you a chance to explore this beautiful city with its many lodging options, eateries, and UNESCO-designated buildings​​.

13. Mykonos, Greece

Imagine celebrating your birthday on the stunning island of Mykonos, Greece. Your day could start with a leisurely breakfast at a charming café, followed by a stroll through the picturesque streets of Chora, the island’s main town.

Here, you can explore the iconic windmills and Little Venice, with its colorful buildings and waterfront views. For a touch of history, visit the archaeological site of Delos, a short boat ride away.

As the sun sets, Mykonos comes alive with its vibrant nightlife. Enjoy dinner at a seaside restaurant, offering fresh Mediterranean cuisine, and then head to one of the island’s famous clubs or beach bars for a night of dancing and celebration under the stars.

14. Laguna Beach, California

Celebrating a birthday in Laguna Beach, California, is ideal for those who love the sun, sand, and arts. This picturesque coastal town is known for its beautiful beaches, perfect for a relaxing day soaking up the sun or enjoying water activities like surfing and paddleboarding.

Art enthusiasts can explore the numerous art galleries and maybe catch an art festival, depending on the time of year. Culinary experiences in Laguna Beach are diverse, with options ranging from casual beachfront eateries to upscale dining offering fresh, local cuisine.

As the sun sets, enjoy a beach bonfire, a perfect way to end your day in this serene and beautiful location.

15. Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, known for its vibrant nightlife and casinos, offers a unique way to celebrate your birthday. Spend your day exploring the famous Las Vegas Strip, home to numerous casinos, luxury hotels, and entertainment venues.

Try your luck at the casinos, enjoy world-class shows, or indulge in fine dining at one of the many top-rated restaurants. Don’t miss the iconic Bellagio fountains and take a ride on the High Roller Ferris wheel for stunning city views.

As night falls, the city comes alive with numerous clubs and bars, perfect for partying until the early hours. For a more relaxed celebration, consider a spa day at one of the luxury resorts or a round of golf at a nearby course.

16. Reykjavík, Iceland

Reykjavík offers a unique and memorable birthday experience. As Iceland’s capital, it’s known for its vibrant culture, stunning natural scenery, and lively nightlife.

You could spend your day exploring the city’s charming streets, visiting landmarks like Hallgrímskirkja Church, and enjoying local Icelandic cuisine at one of Reykjavík’s many restaurants.

The city is also a gateway to Iceland’s incredible natural wonders, such as the Blue Lagoon, Golden Circle, and Northern Lights, depending on the time of year. A birthday in Reykjavík could be the start of an adventurous Icelandic journey, filled with breathtaking landscapes and unique cultural experiences.

17. Napa Valley, California

Celebrating a birthday in Napa Valley is an experience filled with fine wines, exquisite dining, and breathtaking scenery. Start your special day with a Champagne toast at Domaine Carneros, set against a picturesque hilltop chateau.

For lunch, head to Oakville Grocery to enjoy a variety of options like deli sandwiches, fresh pizza, or a mix of cheeses and snacks. Spend the afternoon at Ashes & Diamonds Winery, known for its modern vibe and unique wines.

In the evening, Sky & Vine Rooftop Bar at Archer Hotel offers an incredible view of the Napa skyline, cozy fire pits, and a great cocktail menu, perfect for ending the day on a high note.

If you’re looking for a place to stay, Cambria Hotel Napa Valley combines style, modernity, and convenience, making it an excellent choice for your birthday retreat​​.

18. Alexandria, Virginia

Celebrating a birthday in Alexandria, Virginia, offers a unique blend of history and charm. This city, known for its association with George Washington, has an array of activities that bring its rich past to life.

You can join the George Washington Birthday Parade, a special event showcasing the nation’s largest parade dedicated to America’s first president. The parade route through Old Town Alexandria is a delightful way to immerse yourself in the city’s history.

Additionally, you can explore historic sites associated with Washington and his contemporaries through guided walking tours. Alexandria also offers a range of dining and shopping options in its quaint and bustling Old Town area​​​​​​.

For a more unique experience, consider attending events like the Chocolate with General Washington, where you can enjoy hot chocolate and discussions with a portrayal of General Washington, or the Virtual Birthnight Banquet & Ball, celebrating Washington’s legacy with a touch of historical elegance. 

19. Chicago, Illinois

Celebrating a birthday in Chicago offers a mix of cultural, culinary, and recreational activities. Start your day with a visit to Millennium Park to see the famous “Bean” sculpture and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere.

Explore the city’s renowned museums like the Art Institute of Chicago or take an architectural boat tour along the Chicago River. For food enthusiasts, Chicago’s diverse culinary scene, from deep-dish pizza to gourmet dining, is a delight.

In the evening, catch a show at one of the historic theaters or enjoy live jazz or blues at a local club. Don’t forget to take in the stunning views of the city skyline from the Willis Tower Skydeck or the 360 Chicago observation deck.

20. The Palm Beaches, Florida

Celebrating your birthday in The Palm Beaches of Florida means indulging in a variety of activities in a region known for its luxury and beauty. This area offers everything from relaxing beach days in Lake Worth Beach to vibrant nightlife in Delray Beach and glamorous experiences in Palm Beach.

You can enjoy art and culture, outdoor activities, world-class shopping, picturesque beaches, and diverse entertainment. For an extra dose of luxury, consider a trip on the Brightline train to Miami, or head further south to the relaxed and free-spirited Florida Keys.

The Palm Beaches provide an ideal blend of relaxation and excitement, ensuring a memorable birthday experience.

Final Thoughts

Celebrating a birthday is not just about adding another year to your age, it’s about embracing new experiences, creating memories, and exploring the beauty of our world.

Whether it’s indulging in the historic charm of a city, basking in the natural beauty of a scenic location, or immersing yourself in vibrant cultures, each destination offers its unique way of making your special day unforgettable.

So, when your next birthday rolls around, remember that it’s more than just cake and candles. It’s an opportunity to step out, explore, and celebrate life in all its splendor. Here’s to making your next birthday one of adventure and joy!

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15 Best Birthday Trip Ideas For Every Age

Blow out the candles in an exciting Southern destination.

21st Birthday Trip Ideas

30th birthday trip ideas, 40th birthday trip ideas, 50th birthday trip ideas, 60th birthday trip ideas.

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Parties can be more work than they’re worth, but birthday trips are always worth the time and energy. If you’re looking for the best places to go on your birthday, the South has plenty of great destinations where you can celebrate in style. Whether you want to splurge on a 21 st birthday getaway with your friends or are seeking a quiet couple’s weekend for your 50 th birthday, we’ve got ideas for travelers at every stage of their lives. For those with loved ones approaching milestone birthdays, forget the surprise party. Ditch the guest lists, streamers, and Publix grocery store cake , and give them a birthday experience they’ll remember forever. Here are the best birthday trip ideas for every age.

Nashville, Tennessee

Nashvegas may be known as bachelorette party central, but the city’s mix of Honky Tonks and swanky bars also makes it a great place to ring in a 21 st birthday. Treat yourself to a shopping day in the 12 South neighborhood, where you’ll find a healthy collection of boutiques like Reese Witherspoon’s Draper James alongside national retailers. Make dinner reservations at new East Nashville hotspot, Noko , or at Sean Brock’s acclaimed tasting menu-only restaurant June . Then, gear up for a big night out on Broadway. If you can snag a reservation to the Dolly Parton-inspired bar atop the Graduate Nashville hotel, there’s not a better, pinker, or more over-the-top spot to celebrate the occasion. A picture with the giant Dolly statue at White Limozeen is reason enough to go. The bar is 21+ after 7 p.m., so you’ll have a perfect opportunity to show off your newly legal license.

Austin, Texas

Gabrela Herman

There’s a palpable energy that runs through this college town that’s famous for keeping things weird. Cheers to turning 21 by sipping on a giant margarita on Joe T. Garcia’s colorful and often-crowded garden patio. If the weather is warm, spend the day swimming, lounging, and people watching on the grassy hills around Barton Springs, or rent a paddleboard and see the city from a different vantage point on Lady Bird Lake. Austin’s dining scene leaves nothing to be desired, whether you’re in the mood for authentic Tex-Mex, real-deal Texas barbecue, or want to sit down at a stylish restaurant for dinner. The city developed its reputation as a music town, so seeing a live show is a must. A visit to the Continental Club , often called the “granddaddy of live music venues” is a rite of passage befitting of your 21 st .  

New Orleans, Louisiana

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Every day is a celebration on Bourbon Street, so why not make the party that much better by bringing your big day to the Crescent City? The great thing about New Orleans is that it has range. From the grittiest of dive bars to the nicest white-tablecloth establishments, New Orleans is a city that does it all—and a place where you can experience it all. Simply strolling up and down Royal Street in the French Quarter, with its excess of shops, galleries, restaurants, and street performers, is an adventure. The birthday girl or boy can embark on tasting tour around town to sample some of the city’s many signature drinks. Frozen Irish Coffee at Erin Rose , a Hurricane at Pat O. Brien’s , and a Pimm’s Cup at Napoleon House are just a few to whet your whistle. And of course, it wouldn’t be a trip to New Orleans without eating your way through town . For a special night out, make reservations at a classic spot like Brennan’s or splashy newcomer like Wild South . You can’t go wrong either way.

It’d be a missed opportunity to turn the big 3-0 and not celebrate at a place that literally has the number 30 in its name. Named for the Scenic Highway that runs for 24 miles along Florida’s Gulf Coast, this idyllic vacation destination is known for its unique beachside communities that each have a style of their own. From the stunning upscale architecture of Alys Beach to the charming Mayberry feel of the town square in Seaside , there’s a beach town to suit every personality. Of course, the gorgeous sugar-white sands and turquoise waters are the big draw here–and there’s plenty of room for you and your closest friends to park your chairs for a day of chatting and relaxing in the sun. When the sun starts to go down, all you’ll have to do is decide which of 30A’s excellent restaurants you want to dine at. You can’t beat the views from Bud & Alley’s first-come-first-serve upstairs deck, but on the other hand there’s no place livelier or more ready for a party than The Red Bar .

Miami, Florida

Miami's energy is electric, which makes it the ideal place to ring in a milestone birthday. We guarantee that not a single second of your birthday trip will be boring if you spend it in this colorful, multicultural city. Start your day by getting the perfect 30 th birthday Instagram picture in front of a bright and bold mural at Wynwood Walls , the city’s original outdoor street art museum. For lunch, sit down at trendy KoKo for authentic Mexican cuisine in a beautifully designed space, or spend time in the vintage dining room at Versailles Restaurant , known for its Cuban sandwiches. Feed off the city’s unmatched energy by spending the day at a beach club on South Beach, where you’ll feel like you’ve been whisked away to a tropical island in the Caribbean. Not in the mood for a crowd? Charter a private boat to take you and your pals for a cruise.

Texas Hill Country

Grape Creek Vineyards

A trip to Napa’s wine country is a classic birthday trip that’s especially popular for those in the 30s and 40s crowds. If flying across the country to California feels a bit out of reach (or maybe like a little too much), the high concentration of excellent wineries in Texas Hill Country are a compelling alternative. Book a couple nights in one of the Hill Country’s many plush resorts ( Camp Lucy and Miraval Austin are both great options), then spend your days sipping wine in the company of some truly stunning scenery. Let Texas’s rolling hills, green countryside, and famous wildflowers create the perfect backdrop to an unforgettable birthday trip.

St. Augustine, Florida

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Compelling history meets unbeatable Florida sunshine in this small town that was voted as our readers’ favorite in 2023. There’s no better place to reflect on the passing of time, as one often does on landmark birthdays, than in one of the country’s oldest destinations. And St. Augustine proves that good things come with time. Take a tour of the sizable but entirely walkable downtown to see striking Spanish Renaissance architecture represented on Flagler College’s stunning campus and at the Lightner Museum . Stop to refuel at Boat Drinks , a colorful tiki-inspired bar and eatery centrally located on George Street. The great thing about St. Augustine is that is essentially two destinations in one. When your dogs are barking and you’re ready to trade city strolling for sun-kissed skin and an ocean breeze, head to Anastasia State Park , a 1,600-acre nature preserve with deserted beaches that’s less than 10 minutes from downtown.

Charleston, South Carolina

There’s no denying our love for this classic Southern destination. After all, our readers vote Charleston as their favorite city year after year. If you haven’t been yet, use your 40 th birthday as an excuse to check this bucket list destination off your list. And if you have had the pleasure of visiting before, a birthday is an equally good reason to plan a return trip. To do Charleston right for your 40 th , book a stay at a grand hotel like The Mills House or Hotel Bennett , both of which are located in walking distance of favorite attractions like King Street (for unbeatable shopping) and Rainbow Row. Then, plan a dream trip based on your interests. History buffs should check out the brand-new International African American History Museum . Art lovers will want to pop into local galleries and visit the Gibbes Museum of Art . And everyone will agree to dedicating several days to making a dent in the incredible dining scene

Highlands, North Carolina

The Old Edwards Inn and Spa in Highlands

If a quiet weekend away sounds like just the way to jumpstart a new decade of life, consider Highlands. The charming mountain town nestled within the Nantahala National Forest, which means gorgeous vistas and opportunities to explore and enjoy the great outdoors abound. However, that’s far from the only thing Highlands has going for it. Treat yourself to a stay at the Old Edwards Inn and Spa , a far cry from a rustic cabin in the woods. The luxury resort is the pinnacle of mountainside elegance. Find excellent farm-to-table cuisine at the resort’s many restaurants like Madison’s and Four65 Woodfire Bistro + Bar, and definitely book an appointment at the European-inspired spa. The last thing you should have on your birthday is a worry, and Old Edwards, it’s hardly possible.

Savannah, Georgia

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This beloved Southern city is as timeless as you, and that’s saying a lot. As the state of Georgia’s oldest city, Savannah has had a long and colorful history, but one thing that’s remained stayed consistent throughout the years is the city’s undeniable charm. Walk the cobblestoned River Street, where you can get great views of the Savannah River while popping into some the destination’s most iconic spots like River Street Sweets , which coincidentally celebrated its 50 th birthday in 2023, and Wet Willie’s , where frozen daiquiris await. If your sweetie (good bless ‘em) has suffered a fair share of missing the mark when it comes to picking out gifts, buy your own birthday gift at the 5,200-square-foot dream store known as The Paris Market and Brocante .

The Greenbrier

Located in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, The Greenbrier has more than earned its moniker as America’s Resort over the past 200 years. The National Historic Landmark, which encompasses 11,000 sprawling acres that contain not only the main resort, but also estate homes, cottages, four world-class golf courses, 19 dining options, and a shopping village where you can find everything from handmade jewelry to designer clothing. If you’re feeling lucky (and who wouldn’t be on their birthday), you can take a spin on the slots or sit down at a blackjack table in the Casino Club. If your birthday happens to fall around Christmas or Easter, you’re in for a real treat as the resort dresses up extra special for both occasions.

Marco Island, Florida

This laidback island on Florida’s Paradise Coast is so picturesque you might mistake your visit for a dream. Marco Island, along with its sister island Sanibel, is known for its unspoiled beaches, abundant wildlife, and a healthy collection of oceanfront resorts where you can set up home base for the weekend. Part of Florida’s Ten Thousand Islands, a string of isles that pops up at the meeting point of the Everglades and the Gulf of Mexico, there’s no better place to commemorate half a century of living. When you’re not searching for shells on favorite Tigertail Beach, head into the town’s historic district to explore shops, restaurants, and galleries housed in brightly colored coastal shanties. For an unforgettable birthday meal, snag a table on the patio at Snook Inn or at the beachfront Kane Tiki Bar & Grill .

Alexandria, Virginia

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Old-school charm is the name of the game at this waterfront town that’s known for its colonial era contributions. For a blast from the past, visit Gadsby’s Tavern , a fine dining restaurant that’s been open since 1770 and was a favorite spot for all five of the U.S.’s first presidents. Find modern-day stars up and down King Street, a mile-long thoroughfare that’s home to unique local boutiques, farm-to-table restaurants, cafes, and art galleries. Spend time soaking in the sparkling Potomac riverfront and check into one of the city’s many charming boutique hotels. If you’re a spring baby, you may even be able to make your visit coincide with the area’s famously beautiful cherry blossom season.

Ocean Springs, Mississippi

The lovely thing about this coastal Mississippi town is its just quiet enough, without ever teetering toward boring. This means you can have a relaxing day on the beach without having to worry about staking out your sliver of sand, but when night falls, you won’t be stuck inside with nothing to do. The hotels and stays in Ocean Spring are decidedly stylish. Treat yourself to a floating cabin at The Beatnik , a posh room in downtown’s The Hemingway boutique hotel, or a spacious suite at longtime favorite inn The Roost . Artsy folk will love visiting the Walter Anderson Museum , the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Arts Center , and the many galleries and workshops of local artists that span downtown. The best place to have your birthday dinner is Vestige , owned by James Beard-nominated chef Alex Perry. There you’ll have the opportunity to savor a creative five-course tasting menu that you’re guaranteed to think about for many birthdays to come.

Blackberry Farm

A birthday as momentous as your 60 th calls for an equally significant celebration trip. And there’s no place that screams special occasion like Blackberry Farm. Located in Walland, Tennessee, Blackberry Farm is the gold standard when it comes to not only Southern resorts but luxury resorts everywhere. Its stunning 4,200 acres in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains offers a host of activities from fly fishing in nearby Hesse Creek to horseback riding to paddle sports to cycling. If you’re hoping for a more relaxing trip, the award-winning Wellhouse Spa is the place to be pampered. The farm is perhaps most well-known for its outstanding food and beverage program that brings together the immense talents of first-rate butchers, foragers, cheesemakers, chefs, master gardeners, bakers, and sommeliers. This is the kind of trip you plan for years, then relive in your head for years after you’ve returned home.

Related Articles

Birthday trip ideas: 53 inspiring places to celebrate your birthday

Birthday trips are a wonderful way to celebrate a milestone birthday. Whether you want to party in Vegas with friends, tick off that bucket list destination with your partner or maybe take on a new challenge on a solo trip, the possibilities for birthday trips are endless – it’s your special day so everything can be just as you want it.

In this post I’ve put together over 50 brilliant birthday trip ideas for milestone birthdays. Because I can only have one birthday a year, I’ve enlisted the help of some of my favourite travel bloggers to tell me about their most memorable birthday travels.

Read on for fun, inspirational and adventurous ideas for places to travel on your birthday that’ll make travelling on your special day the perfect celebration.

21st birthday trip ideas

30th birthday trip ideas, 40th birthday trip ideas, 50th birthday trip ideas, 60th birthday vacation ideas, a 21st birthday trip to las vegas.

By Serena from Serena’s Lenses

Las Vegas is one of the best places to celebrate a birthday, whether it be your 21st birthday or 51st birthday. Known as the sin city, Las Vegas has something for everyone, whether you want to be nice or naughty.

Located in the desert of Nevada and only a 4-hour drive from Los Angeles, Las Vegas is the ultimate birthday trip destination because it offers endless choices of entertainment. I personally have travelled to Las Vegas several different times for different birthdays.

For my 21st birthday, my group of friends and I went “all out” in Las Vegas and we flew in Friday night from the Bay Area. Since we had more guys than girls in the group, we decided to visit Sapphire, one of the largest strip clubs in Las Vegas just to see what it’s like. The night ended embarrassingly when I threw up in front of a stripper and got escorted out, but hey at least we left in a limo!

The next night was more “tame” and we all went to the famous night club Xs, located between the Wynn and Encore.

For my 28th birthday I went to Las Vegas again with my parents and this time the celebration was much more relaxing, involving only Cirque du Soleil shows, shopping and eating on the Strip, some gambling in the casinos and a side trip to the Grand Canyon.

More travel inspiration

• 40 countries before age 40: how I did it and tips
• Visiting all the European Union capital cities
• Things to do in Ischia, Italy’s stunning island of thermal spas

Surprise 21st birthday trip to Amsterdam

By Gemma from Highlands2Hammocks

Where could be a better place to celebrate your 21st birthday than in a cosy caravan in the north of Scotland with your other half? That’s what my special day would involve with my other half, however, he had something much better in mind.

The day before my 21st birthday I woke up to find that we would instead be jetting off to Amsterdam , where we would be spending the weekend in a converted caravan by a lake.

The Netherlands is a country that had always been on my bucket list, so  I was certain it would be the best place to spend my birthday. We were staying at Lucky Lake Hostel, a hostel of vintage caravans converted into dorms or private rooms.

The adjacent lake provided the perfect spot for a peaceful, morning stroll and there was even free breakfast of pancakes and eggs, served (of course) from a converted double-decker bus in the middle of the park. We were in cloud nine as we gorged on Dutch pancakes for breakfast and lay in our hammocks as the sun set.

Amsterdam is a city full of activities and history and the Lucky Lake hostel was a just brief train ride away from the city centre. We explored the town, dodging bicycles and soaked up the atmosphere in Dam Square for a blissful 3 days, swearing to return one day and do it all again.

21st birthday getaway partying in Ibiza

By Marta from Backpackers.wro

Ibiza is a Spanish island located in the Mediterranean Sea. Ibiza is known for the best clubs and parties, and during the summer it is full of young people from all over the world.

If you plan to visit Ibiza, don’t miss the Old Town and Castle, as well as Hippie Market, when you can buy some handmade souvenirs and clothes. My favourite place on the island is the Cafe del Mar. I love watching this the most beautiful sunset in this part of the world.

I had a fantastic opportunity to spend my 21st birthday in Ibiza. I celebrate my birthday in August, and that time I was in Ibiza, working in one of the chiringuitos (beach bar) during the summer season. As always, I finished work at 10pm, and honestly, I was not planning any birthday party.

Surprisingly, my friends took me to one of the biggest discos on the island – Amnesia for their famous Foam Party. We were partying until 6am when foam flew from the disco ceiling. It was a really refreshing experience! Finally, I was at home a few minutes before 8am, and at 9am, I had to be back at work again!

Celebrating a 21st birthday with friends in Savannah

By Sydney from A World In Reach

There are few places better to celebrate a 21st birthday than Savannah, Georgia. This charming city is full of fun things to do, delicious food, and exciting nightlife. It’s also a short drive away from the beach!

When I tagged along to celebrate my friend’s 21st birthday in Savannah, we spent our days drinking delicious frozen daiquiris from Wet Willie’s while exploring Savannah ’s beautiful historic district (Savannah allows for drinking in the street as long as you’re in the historic district and if the drink is in a plastic container). Many restaurants in Savannah will even ask if you’d like a to-go cup for your alcoholic drink! A nice, refreshing cocktail is a great way to stay cool in the Savannah heat.

What’s a 21st birthday without hitting up some fun bars and clubs? If you’re looking for a nightclub for drinking and dancing, check out Club 51 Degrees, a huge nightclub where you can dance the night away. For a more relaxed vibe, check out the Alley Cat Lounge, a basement bar with great cocktails and a great atmosphere – this bar was my personal favourite!

While visiting Savannah, you won’t want to miss out on all of the delicious, Southern food that the city has to offer. Make reservations at the Olde Pink House for a special birthday dinner, and don’t forget to get ice cream from Leopold’s for dessert! If you’re ready to take a beach break, spend a day in nearby Tybee Island. This fun beach town is just a half-hour away from downtown Savannah!

21st birthday in Nepal

By Hanna from SolarPoweredBlonde

Still one of my favourite and most memorable birthdays was my 21st birthday in Nepal. I travelled here on a university placement in a hospital as a nursing student. I was staying in Pokhara with three other friends. We had no idea about the nightlife in Pokhara. There was an 11pm curfew whereby everyone was meant to be home and the street lights were off, as well as all bars closed. We had no idea that after the curfew, many bars do actually stay open for a while longer, behind closed doors!

After partying the whole night at the bar, we eventually decided to leave, after the curfew. We walked the 15 minutes back to our hotel in the dark with only our phone torches. We were followed by a few dogs who diligently made sure we made it home safely. Unfortunately we were met with another pack of dogs, and had to run away from a dog brawl.

Then, as we fell over the barriers to our hotel one by one, after a few too many birthday drinks, we were back in our hotel. I decided this wasn’t enough and I didn’t want my birthday celebrations to end! We ended up having a silent disco on the roof of the hotel amongst the washing!

Unfortunately for us, Nepalese hotels were not built for people dancing and jumping on the roof. Soon after the security guard came up to tell us that the hotel was shaking and could we please stop! We stopped and finally went to bed, but it will always be a memorable night.

Partying and sightseeing in Hong Kong for a 21st birthday

By Inna from the Executive Thrillseeker

I chose to celebrate my 21st by taking a birthday trip to one of the most dynamic and cosmopolitan cities in the world, Hong Kong. This city has a variety of entertainment for every taste. What attracted me most and made me choose it as my birthday destination is its vibrant nightlife and a great number of high-end clubs.

Along with that, at the time of my visit, Hong Kong was considered to be extremely safe. The city never sleeps and all the streets are illuminated at night, which made me feel quite comfortable and safe.

I spent a total of one week in Hong Kong, and for my special day, my friends and I went to an area called Lan Kwai Fong that is full of bars, karaoke, and clubs. We checked out a couple of places but the most memorable one was the club Dragon-i. This place truly is a playground for the rich and beautiful but the great thing is that it’s not overly exclusive, meaning that even normal people like us managed to get in with no problem.

So, my actual 21st birthday was spent partying, yet I also managed to explore some other highlights of Hong Kong. I climbed the Victoria Peak to admire gorgeous views of the city and spent a day on the beach. I also treated myself to an almost luxury shopping experience which I normally don’t do but since it was my birthday I made an exception.

Hong Kong is full of activities and I feel like I haven’t explored even half of them, so I’m looking forward to going back!

Celebrating a 21st birthday with penguins in South Africa

By Riana from Teaspoon of Adventure

One of my most memorable birthdays was turning 21 in Africa. I spent that summer interning with a psychology group at a children’s orphanage in Swaziland, in southern Africa.

On my actual birthday, my colleagues took me out for lunch and we celebrated with brownies that evening with my homestay family. But at the end of the week, we decided to kick the celebrations up a notch by heading to Cape Town, South Africa!

After a stressful last few weeks at our internship, my colleague (and travel buddy) and I were so excited to kick back and enjoy Cape Town. We loved walking along the waterfront and exploring the craft markets while eating delicious fresh seafood.

As a special treat, we headed up to Simon’s Town for a night to see the penguins! Boulder Beach in Simon’s Town is famous for its colony of resident African penguins – and they were the cutest! If you had told me I would be celebrating my 21st birthday with penguins on a beach in Africa I never would have believed you.

We rounded out the trip with a visit to Cape of Good Hope, where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet, and with views of Table Mountain. I would highly recommend celebrating a birthday in Cape Town! It’s a beautiful place with lots to see and do, and a great part of the world to discover.

City break in Barcelona for my 30th birthday

My first real birthday trip was a city break in Barcelona for my 30th birthday. I knew I wanted to celebrate my birthday somewhere special and I’d seen loads of amazing pictures of the beautiful Gaudi buildings.

I travelled to Barcelona with my partner a couple of days before my birthday and we visited all the big Barcelona sights; the Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlló, the Olympic Stadium and Las Ramblas.

I spent my actual 30th birthday in the stunning surroundings of Park Güell. I got my camera stolen from my bag while we were there, but it didn’t matter,  I was just happy to be in such an amazing place to celebrate my 30th.

Barcelona is a brilliant place to travel to on your birthday because you can have whatever kind of birthday you want there. Want to celebrate over food and wine with friends? Spend your birthday on the beach? Take in some culture? Go to a funfair? See world-class football? For all of these and more, Barcelona has you covered.

A 30th birthday trip to Santorini

By Lindsey from Seven Day Weekender

Greece had been on my bucket list for a very long time – ever since I was in grade school and learned about Ancient Greek history, further amplified by the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens when I was in high school. I made this dream a reality on my 30th birthday, travelling to Athens, Mykonos and Santorini.

Greece is the perfect place for a big birthday trip because it’s nice for the majority of the year, the types of activities are endless and the food is out-of-this-world.

Although the entire 10-day trip for my 30th birthday was amazing, my favourite part of the trip, and the thing I think should be on everyone’s birthday list, was the ½ day catamaran tour my friend and I took in the caldera of Santorini.

This was the one thing my friend and I splurged on and I would do it again in a heartbeat! It was the most perfect way to see the island – and in my opinion is the only way to see Santorini, from the water, the way Poseidon intended.

We chose to go on an afternoon tour in order to maximize the heat of the day for swimming, lounging and eating. The views were unreal, and it was also the first time I had properly snorkelled. There were so many little fish swimming around me, and the water was also (and still has been to this day) some of the clearest I have ever seen!

It was an afternoon I will never forget, and when people ask me what my most favourite thing was while I was in Greece this will always come out on top.

A bucket list Key West road trip to celebrate my 30th birthday

By Kylie from Between England and Iowa

For my 30th birthday I ticked off a road trip that had been on my bucket list for quite a while! I drove from Miami, Florida to Key West through the Florida Keys with my husband. The journey itself is quite a short one, it’s around 160 miles which takes roughly 3 hours without any stops. The route is via what is known as the Overseas Highway, as it travels through 29 islands which are connected by 42 bridges!

My birthday is in December so travelling to the far south of Florida (and the most southern point of continental USA!) was very much welcomed treat and a bit of respite from the usual cold winter!

Key West is a great place to spend a birthday. Even though it’s part of the USA, it has a very Caribbean vibe to it. I got to hand feed nurse sharks at my hotel and they even gave me a free room upgrade to a beach front room as it was my birthday.

Not only did we go on a snorkelling trip and spent some time at the beach and chilling in hammocks, but Duval Street is the main place to go for evening entertainment. It is packed full with bars, restaurants and live music entertainment.

As it was my 30th birthday trip I took great pleasure in trying the different cocktails, of course I had to celebrate with pina coladas and rum punches! Each evening there is a sunset celebration at Mallory Square which is fun too.

Visiting Nusa Penida in Indonesia for my husband’s 30th birthday getaway

By Penny from GlobeTrove

When my husband Shawn turned 30, I wanted to make his birthday extra special and what better way to do it than to take a birthday trip.

While I was narrowing down on our choices, I finally settled on Indonesia because he loved it there the previous time we visited. The highlight of our trip was spending time on Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan. The numerous  things to do on Nusa Penida  made it our personal favourite.

While Nusa Lembongan was a chill place to kick back and relax, the views on Nusa Penida were stunning. Even our accommodation had a brilliant view of Mount Agung and we loved watching the sun rise over the horizon every morning.

Most people choose to head here as part of a day trip but trust me, staying on the island is an otherworldly experience. It is serene, peaceful, beautiful and the food is excellent. The only thing about the food is that it caters to the western palate more. Once you make peace with that (if you have to!), all is well.

A big bonus is that we could choose to mix up peaceful days with active ones. It suited Shawn and me well. In fact… it was perfect!

A spiritual 30th birthday trip in the mountains of Colombia

By Daniel from Layer Culture

Over the years I have got into the habit of travelling for my birthday. What I usually do, around 3 months before, is to start to make a list of places I’d like to see. Because I love to travel to Latin America, the places I choose for my birthday trips are usually within the continent. I travel on my birthday to be able to reflect on life and see how far I’ve come since the previous year.

For my big 30, I was lucky to have chosen a place in Colombia called Minca. For me, it was the perfect place to spend my 30th birthday, because I love to be surrounded by nature and feel at peace with myself. It is said that Minca is the sustainable capital of Colombia. So what I did was look out for Eco-lodges and yoga retreats to be able to maximise my spirituality during the stay.

Not only do I love Colombian culture but I like to learn more about myself from being in new environments and meeting new people. I felt that the Nuevo Mundo Eco Lodge, where I stayed, was at the perfect place for this type of introspection. Arriving in Minca, a small mountain village, I walked up to the lodge which took about 1 hour. It was all worth it to get the amazing view of the mountains at sunset.

Celebrating on a 30th birthday trip with friends in Andalusia

By Corina from Another Milestone

Your 30th birthday is an important milestone in everyone’s life, so when my friend said she wanted to celebrate her birthday in Andalusia, Spain, we agreed to join her. We had a road trip in Andalusia, Spain, and she decided to celebrate her 30 th birthday in Cordoba.

Cordoba is a magical city and a great place to spend a day you will remember a lifetime. My friend was thrilled to walk the narrow white streets of the city until we found Calle de las Flores, to get lost in some patios full of red carnations in blue flowerpots, to enjoy a coffee in the Plaza de la Corredera and to explore la Juderia, the Jewish neighbourhood in Cordoba.

In the afternoon we visited Cordoba’s landmark La Mezquita, the Mosque-Cathedral with charming architecture. She said she had a great birthday, but that was not all. In the evening we prepared her a surprise and bought tickets for the light and sound show in the Alcazar de los Reyes palace.

The beautiful music, the fountains dancing and the story told using only sounds and lights touched her. She was impressed by the show and thanked us for the surprise.

We finished celebrating her 30th birthday with some tasty sangria in a local bar and she told us she had a perfect birthday.

Going on a cruise vacation for my 30th birthday

By Andrea at One Savvy Wanderer

I knew I had to do something special for my approaching 30th birthday. I just had my first baby 6 months prior and I was looking to get away just my husband and I to celebrate. As a new mom, I was looking forward to a relaxing vacation but also wanted the ability to let loose a little bit since we wouldn’t have any responsibilities. Taking a Caribbean cruise was the perfect trip that checked all the boxes for my 30th birthday celebration.

Being the budget-savvy traveller that I am, we were able to get cheap airfare using some of my favourite  airfare hacks  and we booked our cruise through Carnival because I’ve found that they are the most affordable cruise line.

When we got off the boat in San Juan, Puerto Rico, we took a taxi to the Isla Verde beach and found ourselves on the private beach of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. Since we were not guests of the hotel, we probably shouldn’t have enjoyed the beach loungers, umbrellas and bar service, but they never asked if we were hotel guests so we made ourselves right at home for the day!

Since it was my actual birthday on the day we were in San Juan, we stopped at the Senor Frogs that is right by the port to take a quick celebratory birthday shot!

Overall, the Caribbean cruise was a fantastic way to celebrate my 30th birthday and I can’t wait for another reason to go back!

Celebrating with a 30th birthday trip to Peru

By Gigi from Beach Addicted

I am not sure about you, but I have always wanted to celebrate my birthday somewhere unusual and especially in a different country or even better on a different continent.

I was so excited to finally celebrate my 30th birthday in beautiful Peru. We choose Huacachina oasis near Ica, as I have never seen an oasis in my whole life. And to my surprise and expectations, my day was absolutely wonderful. In the morning we had an amazing breakfast, I opened my presents and we went for a walk to dunes. We were so impressed with a little oasis we have found.

After taking many pictures, of course, we walked all the way to the top for the outstanding view on Huacachina. We spent a few hours sitting in the sand, talking and planning our upcoming trip.

We went back to our hotel and had a few cocktails at the pool.

After, we just waited for the beautiful sunset and pinky sky. It was a very unusual and extraordinary birthday which I will never forget. Also Huacachina oasis belongs to one of the most beautiful places we have seen during our 4 weeks in Peru .

Turning 30 on a birthday trip to Cape Town’s best wineries

By Cal from Once in a Lifetime Journey

For my 30th birthday trip, my wife organised a bespoke weekend wine getaway of some of my favourite wineries near Cape Town and some surprises. While tourists usually head straight to Groot Constantia, the oldest winery in the Southern Hemisphere, I had been too many times to count, so we started in Stellenbosch.

This home to the local South African varietal Pinotage, a blend of Pinot Noir and Hermitage (or Cinsault). Kanonkop is the most awarded winery in the Cape and makes a delicious Pinotage.

Some wineries I love for the wine, others for the views, a few for the food and most for the general relaxed vibe. Uva Mira and Tokara have my favourite views in the area. Spier, Boschendal and Babylonstoren are all like little villages with their own working farms, hotels, spas and fine-dining restaurants.

Franschhoek is the French enclave of the Cape, which is a unique part of the otherwise Dutch heritage and architecture. La Motte was where we went, with a brilliant meal at Pierneef a La Motte.

We ended our weekend at the Hemel-en-Aarde wine valley in the Overberg which is famous for its land-based whale watching. The area, translated to Heaven and Earth, produces Burgundy-style cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and my goodness does it deliver. We powered through several wineries in the area and standouts were Bouchard Finlayson, Hamilton Russell, and the gastronomic Creation Wines.

There was no better way to spend my birthday weekend lapping up the sun and ocean breezes while sipping some of the most amazing wines in the world.

History and beaches on a 30th birthday trip to Egypt

By Monica from Ahlan Monica

Milestone birthdays like your 30th, are the perfect occasion for a once in a lifetime trip, and what better place than the cradle of civilization – Egypt! In recent times, the country has had its stability returning, and so are the tourists, which is why now is the ideal time to travel and a birthday is a perfect excuse to do so! Imagine experiencing Ancient Egyptian temples and even the Pyramids, (almost) all to yourself.

There really are SO many incredible places to visit in Egypt and unique experiences to have (even beyond the great pyramids!). I’ve been fortunate to travel to Egypt many times, including for my 30th birthday just this year!

When you first arrive in Egypt, in many ways it can feel like you’ve been transported to another world. Cairo is a great jumping-off point to any visit to Egypt. You’ll get to sharpen your bargaining skills at the local markets and get a feel for the local culture by visiting some of the many beautiful mosques.

Then travel through upper Egypt as the Ancient Egyptians used to – by sailing the Nile. Take a cruise down to visit Aswan and Luxor and all the incredible sites in between, many of which you’ll only have seen in movies or in your dreams!

Egypt also may not always be the first country that comes to mind when you think of a beach vacation, but they truly have some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

If you’re looking to relax, definitely spending some time at a seaside resort is a must, with the option of either the Red Sea or Mediterranean (or why not both!). Immerse yourself in Egypt, a country full of rich cultures and history and who can forget, delicious food too

Halloween festival fun in Key West for a 30th birthday

By Derek from Robe Trotting

I celebrated my 30th birthday by travelling to Key West for their amazing Halloween-week party, Fantasy Fest.

Fantasy Fest is an annual celebration held the last week of October. The party peaks on the last Saturday of October with an over-the-top parade down Duval Street. Fantasy Fest has been compared to Mardi Gras or Carnival and from my experience that comparison is accurate. There is a lot of drinking and partying all week. The parade features costumed partiers tossing beaded necklaces to the crowd and the most popular costume is bodypaint.

The party mood in the city is contagious! We spent most of the day hopping from bar to bar on Duval Street. Key West’s nightlife made it the perfect place to celebrate my 30th birthday. Key West has all the charm of a Caribbean port city with the party vibes of New Orleans.

My birthday trip there was great because we were able to jump in and out of the party-scene by walking a few blocks off of Duval Street. We were able to enjoy a nice dinner and then stumble over to the bars quite easily. The weather is beautiful all year long and the locals and visitors are super-friendly and up for a good time.

30th birthday trip to the theatre in London’s West End

By Valerie from ValeriesAdventureTime 

I wanted to see the Lion King Musical for as long as I can remember. The Lion King is and always has been my favourite Disney movie. I am not actually sure why it took me so long to see the musical but it turned out to be the perfect event for my 30th birthday this year. My boyfriend got the tickets for us and he bought the champagne package seats, which were incredible!

As the name says, we not only had a fantastic view and access to the ambassador lounge, we also got a glass of champagne and some ice cream during the interval. The musical itself… I mean… I am still speechless. Literally! I had to really pull myself together to not cry all the way through. It was breathtaking and I can only recommend it to literally anyone!

Besides the musical, I thought London was a great choice to celebrate my birthday. We did some sightseeing, went on the London Eye and visited the Dungeon which was loads of fun. On the day of the musical, we also had a slot booked to visit the Sky Garden. It is free to enter but you need to book your visit in advance. The view from up there is incredible and we booked our time so that we were able to watch the sunset over London.

From there we walked to Chinatown and had some delicious Chinese food before heading to the theatre. All in all, I’ve had a fabulous time in London and I thought it was the perfect way to celebrate my 30th birthday.

Going to New Orleans for a 30th birthday getaway

By  Theresa from Fueled By Wanderlust

For my 30th birthday, my husband and I met my two siblings and their significant others for a weekend in New Orleans . These few days were filled with excitement and warm memories, but especially with lots of delicious food.

We opted to stay somewhere a little different, and booked the La Belle Esplanade bed and breakfast in the Tremé neighbourhood, just north of the French Quarter.  La Belle Esplanade was very New Orleans, with bright, vibrant colours and Mardi Gras beads livening up this beautiful historic building. 

The next few days were spent eating all that we could.  My husband and I had the first night to ourselves, and dined at Gabriel Restaurant, where we devoured items off their traditional creole menu.  The next day we did a food tour of the French Quarter, which took us through all the NOLA staples, like po-boys and gumbo. 

We capped these days off with fun nights on Frenchman and Bourbon Street.  After doing a lot of bar-hopping, Three Muses on Frenchman street ended up being my favourite spot for its low-key atmosphere and great music.  It was the perfect place to top off two and a half fun-filled days of celebrations before entering my 30’s.

Taking my partner to Iceland for his 40th birthday

For my partner’s 40th birthday trip, we went to Iceland – a real dream destination for both of us. His birthday is in February, so Iceland was at its snowy, icy best. We didn’t manage to see the Northern Lights, but we did do the Golden Circle tour, and we went to the Blue Lagoon.

The day he turned 40, we took an amazing day trip to southern Iceland . The highlight of the day was getting to walk on the Sólheimajökull glacier. It was the first time either of us had seen a glacier and we were both in awe at how enormous it was, and how blue!

Iceland is definitely expensive, so isn’t the best place to go for a birthday getaway if you want to celebrate with lots of food and drink. For incredible experiences though, it’s a fabulous place to visit for your birthday. My partner’s 40th birthday holiday is one we’ll never forget.

Visiting the Norwegian fjords to celebrate my 40th

My partner’s a few years older than me, and after we went to Iceland for his 40th, I knew I wanted to go somewhere special for my birthday too. For a while we’d planned to go back to Iceland and drive the Ring Road, and even started a savings account to make it happen, but that money ended up going towards a house deposit.

With our house purchase about to go through, we didn’t have a lot of spare money, but I still wanted to do something memorable for my 40th birthday. I kept researching different places to go and even asked for ideas for a birthday trip on the listener questions segment of the Women Who Travel podcast .

Eventually, I came across Norway In A Nutshell , a loose, self-guided “tour” which offers various itineraries between Bergen and Oslo . Since Norway’s another really expensive country we cut costs by going for as short a time as possible, packing in as much as possible.

We only spent a day and a half in Bergen, then on my actual 40th birthday we travelled by train, boat and bus from Bergen to Oslo on a 15-hour journey that took in a UNESCO World Heritage-listed fjord, a road with 13 hairpin bends, countless waterfalls and one of the world’s great railway journeys .

We arrived in Oslo at nearly 11pm and flew back home the following day: maximum Norway in the minimum time, and a brilliant idea for a 40th birthday trip.

Getting away on a 40th birthday trip to Israel

By Bella from Passport & Pixels

I was terrified about turning 40. I’m single and child-free, and my 40th birthday felt like the end of my youth. I didn’t feel like celebrating at all, I didn’t want a party, I just wanted to get as far away from real life as possible and pretend it wasn’t happening. So I persuaded a friend to come with me to Israel for a week, and it was the best decision I could have made.

We based ourselves in Jerusalem, and spent two days exploring the city before heading out on day trips to see the rest of the country. I loved Jerusalem: the way the limestone walls glow in the sunlight, the way history and spirituality ooze from every pore, the way the people are so friendly and welcoming – if you’re feeling a little lost in life it really is a wonderful place to be.

On the day of my 40th birthday we took a trip to Masada and the Dead Sea. Masada is an ancient fortification that sits on top of a plateau and was the site of a famous siege in the first century; the history is fascinating and the views over the Dead Sea are spectacular.

Later in the day we descended back down to the Dead Sea itself and spent an hour or so messing about in the salty water.

Finally in the evening, it was back to Jerusalem in time for a delicious meal with celebratory cocktails. The day was so busy I barely even had time to remember it was my birthday – which was exactly how I wanted it!

Celebrating my 40th birthday on safari in Tanzania

By Alex Kallimanis of Wanderlust Marriage Travel 

For my 40th birthday, I felt it should be something BIG. Fortuitously, I won a plane ticket at a Travel Massive event to anywhere in Africa that Turkish Airlines flies. Ultimately, I chose Tanzania because it’s one of the best countries for safari. It’s also home to Africa’s tallest mountain – iconic Mount Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar (aka Spice Island).

We took a 3 day  safari in Tanzania  – which included the National Parks of Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire. While Serengeti National Park is regarded as the best park to view the big five animals, we were still able to view four of the big five (we missed seeing leopards).

The National Parks of Tanzania are dramatically beautiful. The treasure trove of animals mingling in a vast plain like Ngorongoro resembles the Noah’s Ark fable. The resorts we stayed at like Maramboi Tented Camp were also beautiful.

When we arrived at the camp 3 giraffes crossed our path, with the sun setting behind them. You can hang out for drinks and enjoy breakfast as zebras and wildebeest graze around the property – which includes a pool deck.

Another fantastic spot is the Masai Lodge, nestled between Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru. The wonderful people and vibrant culture of Tanzania also contributed to an epic 40th birthday!

An incredible 40th birthday trip to Machu Picchu

By Fiona from Passport and Piano

Every birthday is an event which should be celebrated, but certain milestones should be marked uniquely. For my 40th birthday, I wanted to travel somewhere that would provide unforgettable memories, and my trip around South America certainly did.

My actual 40th birthday was spent at Machu Picchu. We travelled the night before from Ollantaytambo where the Inca ruins had already been impressive, for an early start in Aguas Calientes.

In fact, I think my 40th birthday was the most extended celebration ever. We caught the bus to Machu Picchu at 5am, and by 9.30am, I was standing at the top of Huayna Picchu with one of the most amazing views I’ve ever had the privilege of seeing.

For the most part, it’s a pleasant climb which although steep the path is easy. However, your nerves are challenged in the last section as you climb some very steep steps with no handrail. It’s also busy, and with people trying to come down as well as up, there were moments when I thought if I fall now at least, I will have seen one of the greatest wonders of the world.

The rest of the day was spent exploring the incredible ruins before returning to Ollantaytambo on the train. The remains of the village and the sculpted terraces which the Incas made for irrigation and agriculture are a fantastic feat of engineering.

Overall the location is remarkable and every bit as beautiful as the postcard images you see. It was both an enjoyable and memorable birthday – the perfect 40th birthday trip.

Seeing a favourite band in Mexico for your 40th birthday

By Julie from More Than Main Street

Imagine soaking up the sun, your toes in the perfect white sand, laying by crystal clear water in Mexico. Now imagine all that but add in your favourite band for three nights in a row for your 40th birthday. It’s a pretty incredible way to celebrate a milestone birthday, if I don’t say so myself!

The Barcelo Maya Caribe and Beach Resort in Riviera Maya , Mexico hosts several different bands each year with a stage set up literally on the beach! This all-inclusive resort along with CID put together an experience of a lifetime. (CID is the company that organises all the details associated with the concert).

My husband and I have always loved Dave Matthews. One of the things that bonded us at the beginning of our relationship was live music. So, when my husband said let’s go to Mexico to see Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds for your 40 th birthday, I was beyond excited!

It was a dream vacation. We are usually very active travellers but this vacation we chose to lounge by the pool or beach with a drink in hand and just relax. Time at the spa, free water activities all followed by three incredible nights of music made it a birthday I’ll never forget!

A festive 40th birthday trip to Edinburgh

By Gillian from Scotland Bucket List

I usually dislike having my birthday in December – Christmas is around the corner (everyone loves a joint Christmas and birthday present, right?!), inflated prices on all the festive menus and people are generally skint as they’re either spending their pennies on Christmas work dos or having to save up for presents. Nonetheless, I have to say that when my 40th birthday came round, I couldn’t have been happier to be a December baby…

We moved from Scotland to France in 2012, however, despite the move, Edinburgh had always remained as a very special place in my heart. It’s also an amazing destination to head to during the month of December – think Christmas markets, winter festival, ice rinks, pantomimes and plenty of mulled wine! There’s so much going on as the whole city comes to life during the festive period. So, hubby went on a secret mission to get me to the Scottish capital to mark the beginning of my new decade…

The celebration started with a surprise birthday party with friends and family in a lovely restaurant in Edinburgh’s New Town, however, the festivities didn’t stop there. We indulged in many mulled wines at the Scottish Christmas Market, went to the Panto, had a spin on the ice at St Andrews Square and fell under the spell of the magical illuminations at the Botanical Gardens. It was a truly memorable 40th birthday trip and we’d definitely recommend visiting Edinburgh at Christmas-time !

Celebrating turning 40 on the Amalfi Coast

By Katy from Untold Morsels

If there was ever a destination that cried out “pick me!” for milestone birthday celebrations it is Italy’s Amalfi Coast . And that’s exactly where I chose to celebrate my 40th birthday.

The spectacular cliffs, sparkling blue waters and picturesque towns that seem to tumble into the sea were the perfect backdrop to my entrance into a new decade. Basing ourselves in Amalfi and Sant’Agata we explored the dramatic coastline town by town, trying local delicacies and basking in the rays of the southern Italian sun.

Birthdays are best celebrated with drinks and dinner and amazing views and fortunately they are in abundance on the Amalfi Coast. Our very special lunch at Villa Cimbione in Ravello and stroll along the Terrazzo dell’lnfinito (Terrace of Infinity) was matched only by sunset aperitivo hour at the too perfect for words bar at Le Sireneuse in Positano.

But despite these luxurious treats, the highlights for me were splashing in the sea at retro beach hamlet Nerano, the jaw-dropping views from the Furore fiord and out day spent cruising to and around the magical island of Capri. These were truly some of the best days of my life and the perfect way to enter my 40s. In fact, I can’t wait to do it all again for my 50th birthday.

A 40th birthday trip to Phu Quoc, Vietnam

By Nicole from The Passport Kids

If you are looking for a place to celebrate the big 4-0, I would highly recommend the beautiful island of Phu Quoc in Vietnam . This paradise island is a great destination to relax, soak up the sun and enjoy some of the best beaches in Vietnam.

There are so many things to do on the island if you want to go explore and adventure including the Phu Quoc National Park or the Suoi Tranh Waterfall are great outdoor fun things to do during the day. We spent most of the days beachside and poolside enjoying the relaxing atmosphere of this island and resort life. The sunsets are amazing on the island and we loved the romantic walks on the beach while the sun went down.

We found this island to be tranquil, quiet and peaceful as compared to other spots in Vietnam so it offered a great break from the hustle and bustle of busy Vietnam. Plus, it was extremely affordability to enjoy some of the luxuries to celebrate a big 40th birthday.

Phu Quoc is the perfect place to enjoy a 40th birthday vacation if you are looking for beach life and luxury at a great price. The island of Phu Quoc is a quick flight away from the capital of Ho Chi Minh City so it’s somewhat easily accessible worldwide.

50th birthday in Madeira

If you have a birthday in February, and you want to get a bit of sunshine, then Madeira is a brilliant choice. Madeira is 1000 miles south west of Portugal and has a very pleasant climate all year round, ideal for exploring its beautiful mountains and ancient forests.

We spent my partner’s 50th birthday in Madeira’s capital, Funchal, enjoying Madeira wine tasting at a historic wine lodge, visiting the botanic gardens and taking a traditional wicker sled ride through the streets. We stayed at an all-inclusive hotel which was really relaxing but still felt special.

For his actual birthday we did a hike from one of Madeira’s most epic viewpoints at Eira do Serrado down to the Valley of the Nuns . The next day we walked along one of Madeira’s irrigation channels (called levadas) to the Balcões de Ribeiro Frio viewing platform.

Madeira is such a beautiful island and absolutely perfect for a relaxing but active 50th birthday trip.

Tango in Argentina to celebrate a 50th birthday

By James Ian from Travel Collecting

I wanted to go somewhere fun for my 50th birthday, but it’s in November, which is a terrible month for a vacation in the northern hemisphere, because the fall colour is done, the snow hasn’t really started in most places, it’s cold and grey… So I decided to head south. To Patagonia. But first stop, Buenos Aires. I’d always wanted to see  tango in Argentina , so the night of my birthday we saw a tango show, which was amazing.

But a birthday should never be limited to just one day, so my 50th birthday  weekend  also included an incredible steak dinner at one of Buenos Aires’ famous parillas / steak houses. I didn’t do this the same night as the tango so that we didn’t rush dinner. It was seriously the best steak I’ve ever had.

The weekend was spent shopping at the Sunday San Telmo antiques and crafts fairs (it WAS my birthday, how could I not get what I wanted?!); having breakfast of churros and hot chocolate at the iconic Tortoni Cafe; and some sightseeing in between. It was the perfect 50th birthday trip.

Celebrating turning 50 on a five-day Grand Canyon expedition

For my husband’s 50th birthday, he wanted to do something special, but didn’t want to have a big party. So he decided to do something as far from that as possible. Which is why we found ourselves sitting in a tiny wooden boat, bailing water like crazy as we rocked and tipped and rolled and dipped with water pouring into the boat from the churning rapids all around us, surrounded by the towering walls of the Grand Canyon.

The 5-day trip through the Grand Canyon starts at the beginning of the canyon and the walls slowly rise higher and higher as the river gets deeper and the canyon gets bigger. Soon, layers of rock that had been right beside were high above us.

Each night is spent camping on a sandy beach. In between rapids, there are opportunities to hike into side canyons, explore a mining tunnel, and climb up to an ancient granary. There is no other way to experience these things other than to ride the Colorado River rapids. It ends with a hike up the Bright Angel Trail to the south rim.

The best part? The guides baked a chocolate cake in a Dutch oven on an open fire for him on his birthday. So, he got his 50th birthday party after all!

50th birthday cruise to the Western Caribbean

By Bridget from The Flashpacker

50th birthdays need to be celebrated in style. And what better way to mark this important milestone than by taking a cruise around the Western Caribbean ?

I’ll level with you. An independent traveller in spirit, I had resisted exploring our world from the comfort of a floating hotel. But I soon came to realise that there’s a lot to be said for having the ability to visit multiple destinations over a short period of time. What’s more, there’s no need for frequent packing and unpacking.

What sets Western Caribbean cruises apart from others in this region is that their ports of call have more of a cultural and historical focus and concentrate less on beaches and shopping.

Stopping at Grand Cayman, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Belize and Mexico, this cruise gave me the opportunity to dip my toes into the balmy waters of Central America with very little effort.

Awesome experiences like swimming with stingrays in Grand Cayman and transiting the modern engineering marvel that is the Panama Canal. The gorgeous colonial city of Cartagena in Colombia was unforgettable as was sailing along the Tortuguero Canals in Costa Rica.

Celebrating my 50th birthday on a cruise was a turning point for me, sailing on a further four cruises, with more in the travel pipeline.

A Greek getaway to Paros for a couple turning 50

By Sandra from Greece Travel Secrets

A couple of years ago my husband and I both turned 50 (6 months apart) and really wanted to have a truly memorable trip to celebrate this milestone.

Although we live in Australia he is Greek and we try and travel to Greece most years. The year prior we had visited a few new destinations in Greece to scope out a good spot for a celebration and Paros soon revealed itself as the winning destination.

We sent out an expression of interest email to a bunch of family and friends and were not really surprised when strong interest came back from over 50 people. I mean who needs an excuse to visit the Greek Islands, right!?

Paros ticked all our boxes for a number of reasons. It’s quite accessible with a domestic airport and regular ferries and is relatively close to Athens and islands like Santorini that we knew a lot of people would be interested in, especially first-timers.

It doesn’t, however have an international airport or a cruise port so it’s not as crowded nor as expensive as most islands that do. It’s the perfect size and has a wide variety of things to see and do that would suit the diversity in our group, from teenagers and people with young kids to Baby Boomers.

After further research, I decided on the town of Naoussa and a hotel which, it turned out, is run by Greek Australians! I also chose a special restaurant for a dinner and they were even able to organise a live band for us.

In the end, there were 38 of us who spent 5 days in Naoussa, with much love and laughter over that time. We went on a fabulous sailing trip around the Small Cyclades islands, had numerous fabulous meals and plenty of cold drinks in the pool and at the beach.

The birthday party itself was one we will never forget with dancing until the sun came up. It truly was an incredible stay on this amazing island.

A 50th birthday vacation in Aruba

By Annick Lenoir-Peek from The Common Traveler

As fans of travelling, we celebrated my boyfriend’s 50th birthday with a one-week trip to the beautiful Caribbean island of Aruba . All but one night of our stay was at an environmentally friendly resort located on the widest part of one of the world’s most beautiful beaches. We could open our patio screen door and walk out onto a white sand beach with deep blue waters.

Relaxing under palapas on the beach, our only concern was deciding when it was time to put up our little flag that indicated we wanted to order food or a drink from the bar. We enjoyed sunrise and sunset yoga on the beach. We divided up our time between relaxing on our slice of paradise and exploring the island’s natural beauty, including on an ATV.

On his actual birthday, we stayed at the Renaissance Marina Hotel in Oranjestad which allowed us access to their private island – renowned for its famed Flamingo Beach. A knock on the door shortly before dinner surprised my boyfriend – a waiter entered with a bottle of bubbly and a small chocolate cake! The waiter even sang Happy Birthday!

In the lobby bar, upon hearing that it was his birthday, the bartender gave him another dessert with a sparkler on it.

Aruba’s natural beauty mixed with refinements like duty-free shopping and casinos meant that his 50th birthday vacation was the perfect mix for us – a little relaxation, exploration, and celebration.

Animal encounters in Kenya for a 50th birthday

By Bret Love & Mary Gabbett of Blue Ridge Mountains Travel Guide

Last summer, to celebrate my 50th birthday, I took my wife/business partner and my teenage daughter on an incredible 3-week tour of Kenya’s finest national parks and wildlife conservancies. As someone who’d dreamed of exploring the East African country since I first saw films like Born Free as a boy, it was everything I’d imagined and then some.

In terms of wildlife, Kenya boasts approximately 390 species of mammals (including 20 primates, 37 carnivores, and 43 ungulates), 1100 species of birds, 280 reptile species, and 115 amphibians. So for diehard animal lovers/wildlife photographers like us, the trip offered unimaginable sightings (including watching a mama Cheetah and her two cubs take down a Gazelle).

The most popular of Kenya’s national parks include Nairobi National Park, one of the few places in the world where you can go on safari in a major metropolitan area. There’s also the less-frequented Meru National Park and Lewa Conservancy, and the world-renowned Ol Pejeta Conservancy.

I’ll never forget our after-hours encounter with baby Elephants at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Orphanage (after we symbolically adopted two of them), going behind the scenes at Jane Goodall’s Sweetwater Chimpanzee Sanctuary, and hanging out with the world’s last two Northern White Rhinos at Ol Pejeta.

Another highlight of our trip was the Masai Mara National Reserve, which needs no introduction as the northern stop of the Great Migration route. But the 583-square-mile reserve is just one part of the Greater Mara Ecosystem. This includes neighbouring, Maasai-owned private wildlife conservancies and conservation areas.

The Greater Mara area is home to about 25% of Kenya’s wildlife, including an exceptional population of Big Cats (Cheetahs, East African Lions, and Leopards) as well as their prey.

Exploring this area with my family at the end of our journey was truly the adventure of a lifetime, and a worthy way to celebrate my own half-century on this planet!

A dream trip to Ireland for a 50th

By Roxanna from Gypsy With a Day Job

I wanted to visit Ireland when I was 10 years old. My father’s Irish ancestry and the charm of leprechauns and 4 leaf clovers, intrigued me. A few years later the Irish Tourism commercials were visually stunning and evocative. I was hooked. I had a deep yearning to visit the island, and the impression that I would feel home when I got there.

Then a lot of life happened. I was a young mother of 4 sons, a career woman, and eventually a grandmother. At 49 I realized that if I did not visit soon, it might never happen. So I planned a tour of Ireland for my 50th birthday.

My youngest son and I arrived in Ireland 6 days before my birthday for a 12-day journey. We visited Dublin and Belfast, hit major attractions, including the Cliffs of Moher, Giant’s Causeway, the Ring of Kerry, and the Rock of Cashel. We mingled in small towns, Doolin, Dingle, Portmagee, and Kildare. Everywhere was green and gorgeous as I had imagined.

The big day was spent in the tiny seaside town of Portmagee, with a drive along the coast, having a delicious dinner, and drinks at a local pub. I did feel as if I had finally made it home. It was the perfect 50th birthday trip!

Visiting Ljubljana for a 60th birthday

By Dhara from It’s Not About the Miles

If you are looking for a European getaway for a milestone birthday trip, consider Ljubljana! We celebrated my husband’s 60th in this charming European capital, and it was an amazing day for him (and me!).

Ljubljana is a very picturesque and compact city. While there are lots of things to do in Ljubljana , it is also the perfect place if you want a do-nothing-but-wander-or-relax kind of day. And the food is amazing!

We started our day by taking the funicular up to Ljubljana Castle, which sits on a hill overlooking the city. After enjoying the panoramic views from the viewing tower, we explored the complex. The chapel is lovely, and the old prison fascinating.

Back down in the city, we browsed the open markets, and bought some fresh fruit to snack on as we explored. The Ljubljanica River runs through the historic centre, and we walked along the river, pausing to admire and walk across the many historic bridges over the river. After lunch, we cruised the river as well!

Then it was time for a walking tour, to learn more about Ljubljana’s history and the architecture of Jože Plečnik, whose work you can see everywhere in the city. We also stopped to take photos of Ljubljana’s famous “pink church.”

We finished off the day with a fabulous dinner at Julija, one of Ljubljana’s well-known restaurants, followed by gelato at Cacao, one of Ljubljana’s top gelaterias. It was the perfect sweet ending to a wonderful day!

More fun places to go for your birthday

A birthday hike in patagonia.

By Philip from Zen Travellers

One of the best places that I’ve spent my birthday was in Torres del Paine National Park in Chilean Patagonia. It was my 31st birthday and we were 6 months into our 14 month trip around the world at the time.

We had planned to hike the length of the 130km O Circuit in Patagonia and we were 5 nights into the trek and nearing the end. The night of my birthday we were in the beautiful Paine Grande campground. And the timing worked out well, because Paine Grande campground is one of the more popular campgrounds on the trek it had more services than your traditional campground, meaning that we were able to purchase a bottle of Chilean red wine to celebrate properly!

My wife also purchased a WiFi package from the campground and arranged a surprise video call with some friends from back home which was an unexpected treat.

We watched the sun set over the rugged Patagonian mountains while enjoying our bottle of wine, appreciating how lucky we’ve been to be able to travel extensively and explore a lot of the world. It was a truly memorable birthday, in a beautiful part of the world, and not one that I’ll soon forget.

Celebrating my 35th birthday on Easter Island

By Rhonda from Travel Yes Please

The most incredible place that I’ve celebrated my birthday was Easter Island  (Rapa Nui), a remote volcanic island in Polynesia. It was a bucket-list destination for me, so to be celebrating my 35th birthday there made it all the more memorable.

My husband and I spent the day driving around, stopping at some of the island’s most beautiful and fascinating archaeological sites. We explored Rano Raraku, the quarry where Easter Island’s famous moai statues were carved from the bedrock before being moved to different locations around the island. Next, we marvelled at the 15 moai atop of Ahu Tongariki, the largest ceremonial structure in Polynesia.

For my birthday lunch, we ate at a small restaurant at Anakena Beach, the main beach on Easter Island. As I looked around at the swaying palm trees and platform of moai nearby, I almost couldn’t believe that I was in such an incredible place, nevermind getting to celebrate my birthday here.

The rest of my birthday on Easter Island was spent relaxing at Anakena Beach and searching out the smaller, more secluded Ovahe Beach. It was a perfect day full of my favourite things- ancient sites, beautiful views, and exploration. I honestly couldn’t think of a more intriguing place to spend a birthday!

A 1st birthday in Morocco

By Jenny from TraveLynn Family

Travelling is something that has always been important to me and my husband, and as soon as the kids came along, we knew that nothing would change and we would keep on travelling. For one reason or another, we always seem to be overseas for our kids’ birthdays. What better way to celebrate?

Perhaps the best of these birthday trip was when our youngest turned one. As any parent will tell you, this is quite a milestone and had to be celebrated. We decided to visit Essaouira in Morocco.

Essaouira is a bustling port city, with a beautiful windswept beach on Morocco’s Atlantic coast. There is so much to keep the kids entertained; sandy beach with safe, shallow waters, camels to meet and ride, the medina, souqs, fishing port and ramparts to explore. It’s a perfect destination if you’re looking to visit Morocco with kids .

For Ezra’s first birthday, we rented a gorgeous Airbnb in the medina. We took balloons, banners and bubbles with us from the UK, and we found a little patisserie in the medina who made a personalised birthday cake for him. If memory serves me right, it was only £5. We also celebrated with a camel ride on the beach that day and a paddle in the Atlantic Ocean.

He won’t remember it. But for us parents it marked a special occasion with fantastic memories, and I hope that when he looks back on the photos in years to come, he’ll think it was a pretty cool way to celebrate his first birthday. He has since then celebrated his second birthday in India, his third in Zambia, and his fourth in France.

Special 2nd birthday in North Sulawesi

By Lisa from FlipFlopGlobetrotters

When our son was 17 months old we decided to take a sabbatical for a year and travel around South East Asia. By the time our son’s second birthday came around we found ourselves in North Sulawesi, Indonesia at a great Dutch Airbnb called Sendowan Baru, in Amurang. They were happy to help us celebrate his birthday.

When travelling long term , birthdays always tend to be fairly improvised. We were lucky we found a number 2 shaped candle in the local supermarket which, paired with a piece of chocolate cake, made a perfect birthday cake. I fashioned a birthday crown out of some card stock and we even had some Duplo (which we had carried in our luggage since we first left) for his present.

All in all, he had a really fun birthday and we had a great day too. We sang for him, he had cake and then we went swimming in Sendowan Baru’s lovely pool. Our hosts even got him a marvellous soft football as a birthday present. It was a big hit and we carried it around with us the entire time we travelled, always remembering this special birthday.

Birthday trip to a surfing and yoga retreat in Costa Rica

By Katie from Just Chasing Sunsets

For my 29th birthday, I took myself to a surf and yoga retreat in a small town in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica. 10 days of surfing in beautiful water in the mornings and afternoon yoga in the jungle. In between, I napped in hammocks, snorkelled in the ocean, and took naps on the quiet and pristine beach.

The day before I left, which also happened to be my birthday, my surf instructor took me out to the big waves. I’d surfed many times before and trusted my instructor, so I agreed to go for it. It was a battle to get past the breaking waves and it seemed that just as we did, my instructor set me up to catch the next wave.

I wasn’t ready for it. I didn’t feel confident. There was someone paddling in front of me I thought I might hit. But I pushed all of these doubts aside and started to paddle. I couldn’t commit to the pop-up and fell off the surfboard…hard. When I finally came up for air, my instructor was beside me telling me I broke my board in half!

Wait, what? How? It’s still attached to my ankle.

While that was true, I glanced at the shore and saw the other half on the beach. OMG.

I wasn’t about to let that be the end of my trip and the start of my 29th year. So I tried again with a new board. This time, I felt sure and confident. As I began to paddle, I locked eyes with the surfer in front of me and he nodded. I paddled my heart out, popped up, and rode that wave all the way to the beach.

Celebrating a special birthday in the wineries of Napa Valley

By Tatiana from Family Road Trip Guru

When my best friend had a special birthday anniversary last year we decided to celebrate it in Napa Valley, California. We started the celebration with a glass of bubbly.

For a special celebration there is nothing better than a tasting at a fabulous Domaine Carneros. For a moderately priced option you can choose either Mumm Napa or Domaine Chandon, either of the experiences will be great, there is no bad champagne is Napa. After that we visited some of the iconic wineries in the valley: Robert Mondavi, Beringer and Inglenook.

But Napa Valley is not just about wine. It is home of the Culinary Institute of America; many celebrity chefs are former graduates of CIA. We had a fantastic educational tour of the beautiful grounds and exceptional facilities at CIA accompanied by lunch. Somehow even a simple sandwich at CIA tastes phenomenal and their desserts are to die for. We ended the day with a dinner at one of the stellar restaurants in Napa, Bistro Jeanty – it did not disappoint.

A birthday trip to Scottish whisky distilleries

By Kavita from Kavey Eats

My husband is a huge fan of Islay whisky, known for its heavily peated style and made on the island of Islay , off the West Coast of Scotland.

For his birthday in 2006, I conspired with the friends who’d first introduced him to Islay’s whisky, by organising a long weekend there for his birthday. It was only after flights were booked that I discovered it was coincidentally when the island holds its annual festival of whisky and music, Feis Ile. This serendipity meant that we visited the distilleries during their hugely entertaining celebratory open days, each one taking it in turns to put on a real party of music, whisky tasting events and fun. Food and drink were available and much merriment was had by all.

So much fun did we have on that first birthday trip that I’ve since organised 3 more visits to Islay during its festival week, which still coincides with my husband’s birthday, taking more friends along with us to discover the island’s charms.

Islay is a wonderful place to visit even if you don’t love whisky, with some truly stunning natural scenery and beautiful historic sites such as Kilnave Chapel, the Kildarton Cross and the ancient seat of the Lordship of the Isles, on the shores of Loch Finlaggan. There are some lovely pubs and restaurants, and we also love cooking in the kitchens of our self-catering holiday homes.

Celebrating a birthday floating in the Dead Sea, Jordan

By Ashlea from Dashing Around The World

When travelling long-term like we are, finding a special place to spend your birthday can be difficult, simply because you are visiting so many amazing places fairly regularly! Just last month I spend my 28th birthday floating in the Dead Sea in Jordan, and it was incredible! Visiting the Dead Sea was always something I’d wanted to do, but it was actually so much better than I imagined.

We spent two wonderful and relaxing days at a resort on the Dead Sea, amazed at the simplicity of floating (and being totally unable to sink) in the uber-salty water, slathering ourselves in the magical Dead Sea mud (that retails for over $30 a tube), tanning beside the 4 different resort pools, and pampering myself to a massage and facial at the spa.

Being Ramadan at the time, it was the perfect choice to stay at a resort with multiple restaurants and bars, as food and alcohol can be difficult to come by during the day (and in many countries its ‘technically’ illegal to sell alcohol during Ramadan)… and I definitely wanted a glass of wine on my birthday! (side note – Jordan makes surprisingly decent wine).

If you’re looking for a fun, relaxing and unique place to spend a birthday, you can’t look past pampering yourself at a resort on the Dead Sea (plus you’ll get your own ‘look – no hands’ photo!).

A family birthday celebration on the beach in Sardinia

By Claudia from My Adventures Across The World

I was born and raised in Cagliari, Sardinia. This island at the heart of the Mediterranean is one of the best places to spend the summer holidays, and people often pay a fortune to visit. My birthday is in July, right in the middle of the summer, and to me there’s nothing better than spending it right where I feel I belong.

A typical birthday for me involves spending a full day at the beach with family and friends, relaxing in the sun, swimming in the clear waters, chatting and just chilling. We usually go to Costa Rei , where I have been spending my summers since I can remember. It’s a beautiful, long sandy beach with very clear waters and a lot of services, that make it easy to enjoy for anybody.

Italians have a strong bond with food and to us there is nothing better than celebrating with a good meal. So, at the end of the day we all get ready and go out to have a fabulous dinner. I get to pick where I want to go and what I want to eat. Sometimes it’ll be a barbecue at home; but I usually opt for pizza as it is one of the foods I like the most.

Celebrating a birthday on the beach in Tulum, Mexico

By Hannah & Adam Lukaszewicz from GettingStamped

When we lived in Playa del Carmen, Mexico for a year, we celebrated our birthdays by heading down to one of our favourite weekend getaway spots – Tulum ! We usually love a little bit of relaxation and adventure, but for our birthdays, we decided to focus on all the relaxation, food and yummy drinks.

Our first stop was the beach of course. We picked the idyllic Playa Paraiso beach and relaxed on the sand for a bit, gazing at the glimmering turquoise waters. After a few hours of beach bumming, we headed back into town for some food and drinks.

We decided on El Asadero for food. Located in the centre of Tulum, El Asadero is one of the best restaurants in Tulum, hands down! We ate delicious Mexican BBQ – Arrachera steak was our favourite dish.

After a delicious meal, it was time for drinks. Tulum has the coolest treehouse bar, Mateo’s. Located right on the beachfront, this restaurant and bar has a great, friendly atmosphere and boasts some of the best sunsets you’ll ever see! We headed to the treehouse terrace with a drink in hand, watching the sunset over the jungle. It was the perfect end to the birthday!

Off the beaten track birthday on a Thai island

By Wendy Werneth of The Nomadic Vegan

My husband and I celebrated my 32nd birthday on the small Thai island of Ko Chang as part of a longer trip through Southeast Asia. We were actually a little burnt out on travel at this point, having had some disappointing travel experiences in the days leading up to my birthday. The worst of these was the now-infamous “tiger temple”, which we had thought was an animal sanctuary but which turned out to be a very exploitative animal attraction.

Eager to get away from the tourist traps and the crowds in general, we searched for off-the-beaten-track destinations in Thailand and settled on Ko Chang, a small island on the Andaman Coast near the Burmese border. Don’t confuse it with the much larger Ko Chang on the Gulf Coast!

This is not the place to go for a wild birthday party, but if you’re looking to get away from it all and recharge your batteries, Ko Chang just might be perfect. I use the word “recharge” metaphorically, of course. The electricity supply here is a bit erratic, so don’t count on being able to charge actual electronic devices.

With no roads on the island and just a few low-key bungalow complexes, infrastructure here is pretty minimal. The main activities are swimming in the ocean, eating local Thai food washed down with fruity cocktails, and watching the sunset.

A birthday helicopter ride in New York

By Nick from The Danish Nomads

On my 26th birthday, I woke up to an epic view on the 38th floor of a skyscraper in New York City. It was a lovely spring morning in mid-May, and I must have behaved myself that year because the weather was outstanding. The sky was blue and crystal-clear, and today that fact was a bit extra important. It wasn’t just because I wanted good weather on my birthday, but because today, we were going up in an open-door helicopter to see the city from the air.

Before the clock hit noon, we were airborne. The flight was every bit as awesome as I had hoped for, and this ultimate bucket-list experience stayed with us for the rest of the day. It was as if a smile had been drawn on our faces.

For lunch, we had a few of those outstanding pizza slices NYC is famous for, before starting the proper celebrations with our first drink of the day. Because we couldn’t get enough of heights, we opted for a roof-top bar in the Lower East Side, and some more of those impressive skyline views you won’t find anywhere else in the world. We stayed there all afternoon before heading out for an exquisite Italian dinner in the Village.

It’s safe to say that New York had some of the best food we’ve ever had on our travels. As you probably know, eating good food can make you really tired… But luckily we laughed that right off in one of SoHo’s many comedy clubs, before heading out for an unforgettable night in the city that never sleeps!

Celebrating my 35th birthday in Turkey

By Jessica from One Girl, Whole World

For my 35th birthday I wanted to do a truly epic adventure, so decided to spend a week exploring different areas of Turkey – with a little bit of luxury added in. I had previously visited Istanbul a couple times and loved it, but was dying to explore more of the country.

I started my birthday trip in Cappadocia, staying at the beautiful Mithra Cave Hotel. While the weather didn’t cooperate for taking a hot air balloon flight, I experienced a magical sunrise and got to spend a day visiting many of the amazing unique landscape areas, including the so-called “fairy chimneys” and caves.

The next step was a couple of days in a boutique hotel in Fethiye, on the stunning Turquoise Coast. In addition to some rest and relaxation, nearby Oludeniz is one of the best paragliding experiences in the world—the experience of floating serenely over the famous Blue Lagoon was amazing!

I then got to spend two days sailing around the nearby Gocek Islands, seeing all kinds of beautiful hidden beaches, stunning ocean sunrises, and eating delicious home-cooked Turkish meals. I spent the morning of my 35th birthday sipping hot black tea and watching a rich pink and purple sunrise from the boat.

I capped off my trip with less than 24 hours in Istanbul, exploring the coffee scene in the Beyoglu area and having dinner at Mikla, one of the top 100 restaurants in the world!

Celebrating a 25th birthday in Manali, India

By Shalini from Eager2Travel

My birthday falls in the month of June and it’s a pretty hot time in India. So while planning a trip in the hottest month of the year, you choose a cool place and that’s how I ended up celebrating my 25th birthday in Manali.

Manali is the queen of the hill stations in North India. It is located in Himachal Pradesh. Bhuntar is the nearest airport. For me, though it was a long-awaited road trip from Delhi. We were four gals and it took us around 17 hours to reach. The roads were narrow and bit difficult to drive through but it was an adventure for us.

We had booked a nice villa away from the crowd of tourists, overlooking the valley filled with beautiful flowers and far away were the snow-peaked mountains.

We had a nice warm bath in the tubs and then we set to explore Manali on foot. We had warm momos and hot thupka. We took a lot of pictures almost everywhere. Then we set out to Solang Valley which is the adventure-lovers paradise. We did skiing, paragliding, zip-lining and snow biking.

In the evening it was my time to be the queen of the day, so I decided to go to The Lazy Dog Cafe. There was a band playing and the ambience and the food was mouth-watering. We had food, wine and we danced our feet off. The next day we went to Manikaran to see the famous hot water shrines and to camp out in the wilds of Kasol.

A birthday month in Madrid learning Spanish

By Or from My Path in the World

As someone who has learned Spanish all on her own yet has a big Spain obsession, I wanted to travel to Spain to improve my Spanish level. I took advantage of my 24th birthday coming up, booked a one-month trip to Madrid, and signed up to four weeks of studying at a local language school called Enforex. I specifically wanted to study in Madrid since it such a diverse city with plenty of things to do and see, and a city that makes me feel at home.

As for Enforex, they have so many different programs for all levels, they offer tours and accommodation (only if you want), and they have the best teachers. The lessons were interactive and super interesting, and I was honestly excited to go to school every single day. Along the way, I also met people from around the world, which was another highlight for me. Getting to know other cultures and have these people become your friends is priceless.

On my actual birthday, right after four great lessons in the afternoon, I went out with my classmates to have dinner and watch a movie at a local cinema. It might sound like an ordinary birthday, but when you’re in another country and going out with people from countries like Japan, Turkey, and France who are now your friends, it’s an entirely different experience.

Total relaxation in Budapest to celebrate a 35th birthday

By Carine & Derek from We Did It Our Way

Birthdays are a big deal for us no matter how old we’re turning. And we always celebrate birthdays in a big way! We’re not just talking about a one-day celebration, we mean a whole week of festivities! Because we like to celebrate the smallest things. Because life is about the little details, the little moments really add up in the end, so it’s important to appreciate them all.

To celebrate Carine’s big 35, we actually toured Europe; 15 cities in 12 countries, and all in 30 days. That in itself is an awesome gift, but to make the week even more special, Carine got to choose the fun and special activities we did. She also got to pick all the restaurants and meals. It was her birthday week, so she was the boss!

And beyond that, she got to do whatever she wanted on her actual birthday. We were in Budapest , and she wanted to get a day of total relaxation. After all, travelling is hard sometimes, especially with our whirlwind European tour!

What better place to relax than the famous thermal baths in Budapest, the Szechenyi Baths. We went right at the opening and got to enjoy the baths all to ourselves. It was total bliss! We got to hop around all morning pretending we were Goldilocks looking for that perfect bath – not too hot and not too cold.

What better way to celebrate than to spend your time floating around, in total peace and tranquillity. And not just anywhere, but in Budapest, at the Szechenyi Baths, the largest medicinal baths in Europe!

A 7th birthday in Guatemala

By Katja from Globetotting

When my daughter, my middle child, turned seven we were travelling in Guatemala. We had started our trip in Antigua, a beautiful colonial town and the former capital under Spanish rule. After several days here wandering the cobbled streets and learning how to make chocolate, we headed for Lake Atitlán in the Guatemala Highlands.

It was while we were here, staying on the banks of the deepest lake in Central America, that my daughter had her birthday. Admittedly, this might not have been the ideal location for her to celebrate her birthday given that she doesn’t particularly like volcanoes and is not terribly fond of boats. In the end, however, it turned out to be a wonderful place to celebrate being one year older.

For starters, Lake Atitlán is breathtakingly beautiful. Aldous Huxley once called it “the most beautiful lake in the world”, and it’s hard not to agree. It was formed some 85,000 years ago after a massive volcanic explosion and is today surrounded by steep hills, dramatic volcanoes and characterful Mayan villages. The best way to explore the lake is by boat. Daily, a steady stream of lanchas and wooden fishing boats criss-cross the blue waters of the lake connecting the dozens of villages that line its shores.

On my daughter’s birthday we chose a private tour and spent the day hopping from one village to the next with our excellent guide, Alex. We learned about traditional weaving techniques at the village of San Juan La Laguna, enjoyed a cooking class at San Pedro La Laguna and bartered for souvenirs at Santiago Atitlán. There may not have been any balloons but Tess did receive a traditional birthday crown and still talks today about her birthday on the lake.

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Which of these places to celebrate a birthday would you choose?

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12 thoughts on “Birthday trip ideas: 53 inspiring places to celebrate your birthday”

Some great ideas here, Vegas is ALWAYS a good idea for a Birthday!

Keeley http://www.phatcupcake.com

Great places to go to celebrate any birthday! Lovely post and some more places to add to my bucket list.

Great ideas! I celebrated turning 50 with a trip to Egypt! My husband got a week skiing in Utah for his 50th. And I took my mom on a cross country trip by train for her 70th!

What a great list of birthday ideas. I would love to spend my birthday (or any day) on Easter Island, or that boat you featured for Santorini. I think I tend to be home for my birthday, although I have spent two of the last 6 in Australia, one in Caines, the other in Sydney.

Such a great concept for a post! I always say the best birthday gift is to go somewhere new! Will def refer back to this post on future bdays 🙂

This is such a fun list! I love going on a trip for my birthday. I’m lucky enough it usually falls around my spring break! My husbands 30th is coming up and we have Japan planned but I like the idea of a cruise or Andalucia.

We went to Costa Rica for my husband’s 30th! Travel is a great way to celebrate!

I love celebrating birthdays with adventures. My husband is turning 40 in a few weeks, and unfortunately, I’ll still be out of commission, but I’m hoping I can make it up to him either on our anniversary in September or later this year with a holiday trip! I wouldn’t mind celebrating my own birthday in Santorini. 😉

These are all such wonderful birthday celebration ideas! I think I need to plan my next birthday trip now. So many places to choose from, but would love to head to Patagonia and Easter Island!

What a fun list of birthday trips! I especially appreciate how you divided them by age. Thanks for all the great suggestions.

Some amazing ideas here! I went to New York for my 30th birthday and had an amazing time. I’d love to go on safari for my 40th, just 4 years to save!

What an amazing collection of experiences, all great ideas of how celebrate milestones!

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• Everyday Living
• Birthday Trip Ideas & Places to go

70+ Birthday Trip Ideas & Places to go

By: Angela Fulo

Our writer’s team sets out to find the best games, quotes and everyday information that benefit our readers.

Are you celebrating another trip around the sun? Grab these birthday trip ideas and list of places to go!

Let’s turn that birthday into something special! These birthday trip ideas and places to go to celebrate will make your big day one to remember.

If you’re itching for a chill getaway, a heart-pounding adventure, or a deep dive into culture, I’ve got you covered. From tropical retreats to buzzing city spots, I’m sure you’ll find a perfect destination for your birthday escape that suits your preferences.

Do you want to plan a birthday adventure that’s all about you?

Let’s make it happen! 🎉🌴✈️

Why Travel for Your Birthday?

Celebrating your birthday by traveling offers a unique and exciting experience beyond the usual. Instead of getting gifts that might not be memorable, planning birthday trip ideas lets you make lasting memories—exploring new places, trying different foods, and learning about other cultures. It all gives you experiences you’ll remember for a long time.

Get out of your comfort zone

Planning birthday trip ideas makes you step out of your comfort zone. It pushes you to grow and learn more about yourself. You can be finding your way around a new city or talking to the locals, but it’s sure to teach you something new.

Spend time with loved ones

Celebrating your birthday while traveling also allows you to spend quality time with your loved ones. Whether exploring old ruins together or just enjoying a hike, doing things together brings you closer.

Try new things

Your birthday is a time to break free from your routine and do something fun. Planning birthday trip ideas lets you do just that by giving you a chance to explore new places and try new things. It refreshes your mind and makes you feel alive.

Gratefulness POV

Birthdays often make you think about the past year and what’s important to you. Traveling to a new place can be a great way to reassess things and be grateful for what you have. Whether watching a beautiful sunset or seeing impressive buildings, you can find moments to appreciate the good things in life during your birthday trip ideas.

Unforgettable experiences

Whether relaxing on a beach, going on exciting adventures, or learning about different cultures, there’s a place right for you. There are birthday trip ideas that fit your preferences well. Traveling lets you plan your birthday celebration exactly how you want it. You can have a birthday you’ll never forget.

Birthdays are important milestones, and what better way to celebrate than going on a fantastic trip? Whether it’s a milestone birthday or a celebration of yet another year of experiences, traveling lets you have a unique and memorable celebration.

You might also want to explore 100 of the most beautiful places in the world!

Birthday Trip Ideas

You may want to start by deciding what kind of trip you want to take. Here are some of our favorites to help you choose:

• Shopping Spree
• International Travel
• Luxury Trip
• Adventurous Excursion
• All-inclusive Retreat
• Activity based excursion
• History Exploration

Places to go for Your Birthday

When you know what you want to do, it’s time to decide where to go. Are you splurging on an extended international adventure or staying closer for a party in the city?

Here are some suggestions on where to go!

Celebrate with a Luxury Birthday Trip

Enjoy an extravagant birthday getaway with fancy hotels, delicious meals, and top-notch relaxation. From cozy spa retreats to tropical escapes, this birthday trip idea is about pampering yourself and making memories in style.

Book an All-Inclusive Resort

Are you dreaming of a stress-free and epic birthday celebration packed with fun? Picture this: you, your friends, and your family all together, enjoying a tropical paradise or exciting adventures. Sounds impressive, right? But planning a birthday getaway can be overwhelming with all the details you need to sort out.

That’s where booking an all-inclusive resort comes in as a brilliant idea! Instead of stressing about organizing meals, drinks, and activities, you can simply book your stay at one of these resorts. Everything you need for a fantastic birthday bash is included – from delicious meals to refreshing drinks and even exciting activities like snorkeling or ziplining.

With all the planning taken care of, you can focus on what matters – an all-out celebration of your special day. And since there’s a variety of resorts you can choose from, it’s easy to find the perfect one that suits your birthday style and budget. So you can treat yourself to the ultimate birthday getaway.

Here’s a list of our very favorite spots!

• All-Inclusive Resorts in the US
• All-Inclusive Resorts in Mexico
• All-Inclusive Resorts in Cabo
• All Inclusive Resorts in Cancun
• All Inclusive Resorts in Tulum
• All Inclusive Resorts in the Dominican Republic
• All Inclusive Resorts in Costa Rica
• All-Inclusive Resorts in Hawaii
• All-Inclusive Puerto Rico Resorts

Opt-in for a Budget Resort

Searching for a fantastic way to celebrate your birthday without breaking the bank?

Although often thought to be pricey, all-inclusive resorts actually have some affordable alternatives that are perfect for birthday celebrations.

Booking a cheap all-inclusive resort for your birthday is a genius move for several reasons. First, they’re budget-friendly, so you can have an amazing celebration without spending a fortune. Plus, everything you need for a memorable experience is included – from delicious meals to fun activities and even drinks, so you won’t have to worry about extra costs adding up.

Another great thing about cheap all-inclusive resorts is that they offer everything within the same place. Whether looking for family-friendly entertainment, thrilling adventures, or just some downtime by the pool, you’ll find it all at a budget all-inclusive resort.

Treat yourself to the ultimate birthday getaway without risking bankruptcy. With plenty of options, you’ll easily find the ideal spot to celebrate your birthday in no time.

• Explore 15 of the best Cheap All-Inclusive Resorts .

Go for an Activity-based Birthday Trip

Break the birthday routine and spice things up with an adventure-packed trip. Whether hiking, diving, ziplining, or exploring nature, this journey promises excitement and loads of fun with loved ones.

Go to a Dive Resort

Booking a dive resort could be the perfect idea if you are looking for a unique birthday celebration! It’s one of the best options if you’re into underwater adventures.

Dive resorts are available in various options, from budget-friendly to luxurious and everything in between. You can access multiple types of birthday celebrations. Whether you’re on a tight budget or looking to splurge, there’s a dive resort that fits your needs.

For those who want to keep costs down, budget dive resorts provide a comfortable place to stay without breaking the bank. You’ll still get access to excellent diving spots and all the gear you need, plus extras like a restaurant and maybe even a pool for some post-dive relaxation.

If you want to treat yourself, luxurious dive resorts pull out all the stops. Picture gourmet meals, spa treatments, yoga classes, and more! All set against the backdrop of stunning dive sites. It’s the ultimate way to celebrate and pamper yourself simultaneously.

And let’s not forget about all-inclusive dive resorts. They take away the stress of planning. With everything from diving to meals to accommodation included in one convenient package, you can focus on celebrating and enjoying a care free time.

So why not make your birthday one to remember by booking a dive resort? Whether you want adventure, relaxation, or a little bit of both, booking a dive resort is an excellent idea for an unforgettable celebration.

• Explore the 10 Best Dive Resorts in the World .

Book a Liveaboard

Are you searching for a super cool way to celebrate your birthday? How about ditching the usual party scene and diving into adventure on a liveaboard diving trip?!

Imagine spending your special day diving multiple times in unique underwater spots with friends who love diving just as much as you do. Liveaboard diving is like a special cruise just for divers. You won’t have mediocre shows or bland, questionable food options. Instead, you’ll jump into an incredible adventure, moving from one fantastic dive site to another.

It’s tons of fun and not a single dull day. You’ll have all the time to explore colorful coral reefs and swim with majestic sea creatures. Plus, it’s overflowing with opportunities to capture unforgettable moments on camera while discovering hidden underwater treasures.

And the best part, Liveaboard trips happen worldwide, so you can pick the ideal place for your birthday bash. Whether you want to dive in the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean, the tropical paradise of the Maldives, or the wild beauty of the Galapagos Islands, there’s a liveaboard trip that’ll make your birthday totally awesome!

• Explore all the Best Liveaboards in the world , from Mexico to Micronesia.

Snorkel in Turks and Caicos

Why is snorkeling in the Turks and Caicos Islands such a great idea for a birthday celebration? For starters, the islands are surrounded by stunning Caribbean waters. It’s an excellent backdrop for unlimited birthday photo ops.

The Turks and Caicos Islands are famous for their barrier reef. It’s the second-largest in this part of the world! It means there are plenty of amazing spots to explore, with shallow areas perfect for snorkeling. There’s no need to be an expert to enjoy the waters. Just grab a mask and snorkel, and you’re good to go!

Plus, the underwater world there is like something out of a movie – colorful coral reefs, tropical fish galore, and even bigger marine creatures like sharks and rays. You’ll also see humpback whales in the deep channels that cut through the underwater plateaus. It’s like a real-life adventure right out of a storybook!

So why not make this birthday one to remember by diving into a snorkeling adventure in the Turks and Caicos Islands? It’s an exciting experience and will add magic to your special day!

• Find where to stay in Turks and Caicos

Dive in Turks and Caicos

When you think of the Turks and Caicos Islands, you probably imagine those beautiful blue waters and super white sandy beaches. It’s like stepping into paradise. And guess what? Diving here is just as amazing!

Underneath the surface, divers get to explore some really cool stuff. These excellent reefs and big underwater walls make you feel like you’re flying. With over 40 islands and cays, you won’t run out of diving spots. And the water is so clear that you can see really far – like 200 feet (60 m)! Plus, the barrier reef here is one of the longest in the world, adding more magic to its beauty.

But it’s not just about diving. The Turks and Caicos Islands are also famous for being super fancy. There’s no lack of nice hotels and resorts where you can stay and feel like royalty.

And if you’re on a budget, don’t worry! There are plenty of affordable places where you can stay.

No matter how you get here or where you stay, one thing’s for sure. Once you try diving in the Turks and Caicos, you’ll love it.

Take an Adventurous Birthday Trip

Prepare for an adrenaline rush as you jump on a thrilling birthday trip idea. From daring activities like kite surfing to deep diving, this trip is all about pushing your limits and creating unforgettable experiences.

Hop on Excursions in Aruba

Celebrating your birthday on an Aruba trip adds an extra touch of magic to your special day. But if you love to make the most of every moment, you might wonder what other adventures await beyond your resort’s doorstep.

While Aruba’s resorts offer fantastic beaches, there’s a whole island waiting to be explored.

Aruba isn’t just another beautiful beach destination. You can soak up the sun and absorb its culture—a paradise to pamper your taste buds with delicious food. Plus, discovering its rich history and art scene is a fantastic experience on its own.

So, a trip to Aruba might be your best bet if you’re looking for a unique birthday celebration. You can enjoy  life to its fullest when exploring everything this island offers.

Whether you’re doing an island tour or enjoying the food options, there are plenty of adventures you can try. Plus, what better way to mark your special day than jumping on an exciting adventure in the Caribbean?

• Find excursions in Aruba
• Find where to stay in Aruba

Join Excursions in the Bahamas

Are you planning a birthday bash in the Bahamas? Then get ready for an unforgettable celebration! With over 700 tropical islands, the Bahamas promises endless fun and relaxation. All the fun on some of the world’s most beautiful beaches.

But hold on, there’s more to these islands than pristine white sand beaches. After a few days of beach bliss, why not spice up your birthday trip with some exciting excursions? Hop on an exploration of nature and tasting local cuisine. You can also learn about the rich history of the islands and discover hidden gems and secret spots you might not find on your own.

From snorkeling with colorful marine life to tasting Bahamian dishes, each activity is sure to make your birthday celebration even more special..

• Find where to stay in the Bahamas

Plan a City Trip

Get lost in the hustle and bustle of city life as you discover places to go for your birthday. Explore famous landmarks, try delicious food, and soak in the vibrant culture of urban landscapes. It’s an exciting way to discover new places and treat yo’self!.

Things to do in New York

How about treating yourself with a trip to the amazing city of New York for your birthday celebration?

New York City, also known as “The City that Never Sleeps”, has so much to offer, whether you’re into towering skyscrapers or beautiful hidden cafés. There’s a treat waiting for both the young and the young at heart.

Explore incredible art at the MoMA museum or catch an exciting Broadway show. And if you want something new, why not take in the stunning views of Central Park from a helicopter ride?

And let’s talk about the food scene – it’s absolutely fantastic! Whether you’re a meat lover craving a unique dining experience at Takashi or prefer vegetarian options like the ‘broccoli dogs’ at Dirty Candy, you won’t be disappointed.

So why choose New York for your birthday celebration? Because it’s a city bursting with unforgettable experiences and memories just waiting for you to discover. Get ready to pack your bags and plan your route. Get lost on an incredible birthday adventure in the Big Apple!

Things to do in Las Vegas

Thinking about going to Las Vegas for your birthday this year? It’s not just about bright lights and casinos – there’s a ton of other cool stuff to do there, too!

Las Vegas offers all kinds of activities, so no matter what makes you tick, there’s fun waiting for you. Las Vegas has it all if you like exciting adventures like ziplining, watching awesome shows with famous performers, or getting pampered at fancy spas!

And the best part? Las Vegas is all about the unforgettable. Whether taking a helicopter ride to see the Grand Canyon, riding the giant Ferris wheel, or exploring the fabulous downtown area, you’ll have fun celebrating your birthday in Las Vegas.

Things to do in Los Angeles

Thinking about where to celebrate your birthday this year? Well, how about making it extra special with a trip to the fantastic city of Los Angeles?

In LA, you’ll feel like a superstar with all its glitzy entertainment scene. From chic rooftop hangouts with stunning views to vibrant nightclubs, there’s no shortage of places to go for your birthday, let loose, and party like an A-lister. You’ll also be thrilled to discover the breathtaking natural beauty that Los Angeles offers. With its gorgeous beaches and tranquil parks, you can try plenty of outdoor adventures on your special day.

Of course, no trip to LA would be complete without visiting its iconic landmarks and attractions. Snap a selfie in front of the famous Hollywood Sign, take a stroll along the star-studded Walk of Fame and cruise down the scenic Pacific Coast Highway for jaw-dropping views of the coastline.

LA is bound to be an epic birthday adventure!

Plan a Trip to Europe

Explore the wonders of Europe on your birthday with its charming streets, historic sites, and delicious cuisine. From romantic cities like Paris to ancient ruins in Rome, a visit to Europe is an excellent birthday trip idea offering a mix of experiences that will leave you in awe.

Things to do in Brussels

Looking for a cool birthday idea? How about celebrating in Brussels? It’s the perfect place for a weekend getaway. Brussels is known for its beer, fries, and chocolate, and it’s super easy to get to from places like Paris. If you want a fun city with great food and lots to see, Brussels could be perfect for your birthday bash.

Brussels has fantastic food, loads of history, and a cozy european vibe. It’s popping with cute cafes and pretty streets perfect for birthday photoshoots. If you’re staying in a major European city, getting to Brussels is easy peasy.

With its awesome food, extraordinary history, and laid-back vibe, Brussels promises an unforgettable birthday celebration.

Things to do in Paris

Where should you celebrate your birthday in style? Consider Paris, France! It’s no secret that taking a break from the daily grind can do wonders. And Paris is the ideal place to unwind. There’s so much to discover, making it a dream destination for many.

Paris isn’t just about famous sights like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre- it’s also a city filled with charm and romance. Picture yourself strolling along cobblestone streets and discovering cozy cafes. There are hidden gems wherever you turn.

And let’s not forget about pampering your taste buds! Paris’ culinary adventure is a total blast, from gourmet restaurants to bustling markets.

The enchanting ambiance and endless opportunities for adventure make a trip to Paris one of the best ways to celebrate your birthday.

Things to do in Copenhagen

Copenhagen is known for its hip and modern atmosphere, making it one of the best places to go for your birthday celebration. This Scandinavian gem offers some of the best experiences you can take home from a trip- a unique blend of history, culture, and innovation.

Copenhagen’s mouth-watering food scene is one of its main draws. With 15 Michelin-starred restaurants, including world-renowned establishments like Noma and Geranium, you can treat yourself to a culinary experience like no other.

Beyond the dining scene, Copenhagen is also brimming with exciting attractions- the food for your soul. Explore the historic Tivoli Gardens amusement park, stroll along the picturesque canals, or visit the eclectic Free State of Christiania.

And let’s not forget about the bike-friendly culture of Copenhagen. With dedicated bike lanes and flat terrain, biking is one of the best ways to see the city like a local. You can rent a bike and pedal your way through the charming streets.

Whether you’re seeking a cultural experience, a satisfying food trip, or simply a good time with friends, Copenhagen has it all.

Party at the Beach

Enjoy the sun, sand, and waves as you throw a beach birthday bash. Whether lounging by the shore, trying out water sports, or dancing under the stars, a beach party is one of the best birthday trip ideas, promising endless fun and relaxation for your special day.

Beaches in Playa Del Carmen

Are you dreaming of having a super fantastic birthday bash? Well, imagine this: sandy beaches, blue skies, and waves crashing gently nearby. That’s what you get with a beach party at Playa del Carmen!

Playa del Carmen is a fantastic spot along the Riviera Maya in Mexico. The beaches here are out of this world – soft sand and clear, blue water as far as the eye can see. Picture yourself chilling on the beach, swimming in the ocean, or sipping a tasty drink under a shady palm tree. It’s your tropical paradise!

But wait, there’s more! Playa del Carmen isn’t just about the beach. The town itself is bursting with life – colorful streets lined with shops, restaurants, and cool hangout spots. You can wander around and taste yummy Mexican dishes and delicacies.

And it’s also a treasure trove of fun activities! You can go snorkeling or diving in the coral reefs, check out ancient Mayan ruins, or just kick back and soak up the sun.

Playa del Carmen is the ultimate cocktail of relaxation and adventure. Topped with good times, celebrating in Playa del Carmen will make your special day one of a kind!

• Find where to stay in Playa Del Carmen

Beaches in the Bahamas

With over 700 islands and cays to explore, there’s a beach for every taste and preference. Whether you prefer long stretches of powdery white sand or secluded coves tucked away from the crowds, you’ll find your perfect spot in the Bahamas.

But it’s not just about the picture-perfect scenery- the whole experience makes a beach party in the Bahamas so special. One of the best parts of celebrating your birthday in the Bahamas is the laid-back island vibe. Time seems to slow down here so you can savor every moment without worries.

The best part of all is the sense of freedom and adventure that will make your birthday celebration unforgettable.

Beaches in Mexico

Mexico beach parties offer a unique blend of vibrant culture, stunning natural beauty, and endless entertainment options.

First and foremost, Mexico’s beaches are renowned for their diversity. From the rugged cliffs and world-class surf breaks of the Pacific Coast to the powdery white sands and tranquil turquoise waters of the Caribbean, there’s a beach to suit every taste and preference. This variety means you can choose the perfect setting for your birthday celebration.

What truly sets beach parties in Mexico apart is the vibrant atmosphere and lively energy that permeates every gathering. However, perhaps the most unique aspect of beach parties in Mexico is the warmth and hospitality.

• Find where to stay in Mexico

Beaches in Aruba

Celebrating your birthday with a beach party in Aruba offers a truly unique and unforgettable experience for several reasons. The island’s stunning beaches provide a picturesque background for a celebration like no other. Quickly creating a magical atmosphere for your special day.

Aruba’s exceptional weather conditions make it an ideal beach destination. Unlike tropical locales with unpredictable rain showers or stifling humidity, Aruba boasts a consistently dry and sunny climate year-round. Making it the perfect place to bask in glorious sunshine without worrying about weather disruptions.

Celebrating your birthday with a beach party in Aruba promises an unmatched experience. It combines natural beauty, perfect weather, and beachside revelry. A beach birthday on this island is a chance to leave all stress behind and enjoy a breathtaking tropical paradise surrounded by the wonders of the Caribbean coastline.

Beaches in Fiji

Fiji boasts captivating blue lagoons, pristine sandy shores, and luxurious resorts on unspoiled landscapes. Known for its tropical allure, Fiji’s beaches also offer excellent water activities that will add a thrill to your once-in-a-lifetime birthday party.

With over 300 islands and numerous exclusive beach resorts, choosing the perfect beach for your celebration can be daunting. No worries, though! Fiji offers a variety of options to suit whatever your preferences and desires may be.

Celebrating your birthday with a beach party in Fiji offers a perfect blend of natural splendor, diverse experiences, and genuine hospitality.

• Find where to stay in Fiji

21st Birthday Trip Ideas

Backpacking Through Europe : Explore Europe solo for the first time. Visit iconic cities like Paris, Rome, and Barcelona. Experience new cultures, try local cuisine, and marvel at historical landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Colosseum.

Road Trip Across a Country : Take your first road trip across a country you’ve always wanted to explore. Whether it’s the scenic beauty of New Zealand, the vastness of Canada, or the diversity of the United States, hit the open road and discover new landscapes and cultures.

Adventure in Southeast Asia : Embark on an adventure in Southeast Asia. Visit countries like Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Experience bustling cities, serene beaches, and ancient temples. Try street food, go island hopping, and immerse yourself in the vibrant culture.

Safari in Africa : Fulfill your dream of going on a safari with friends. Head to Africa and embark on a wildlife adventure in Kenya, Tanzania, or South Africa. Go on game drives, spot the Big Five, and witness the breathtaking beauty of the African savannah.

Backpacking in South America : Explore the wonders of South America. Trek through the Andes in Peru, visit the Amazon rainforest in Brazil or explore the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador. Experience the continent’s rich culture, stunning landscapes, and diverse wildlife.

Expedition to Machu Picchu : Fulfill your bucket list dream of visiting Machu Picchu. Trek the Inca Trail or take the train to the ancient citadel. Marvel at the breathtaking views of the Andes Mountains and immerse yourself in the history and mystery of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Scuba Diving in the Great Barrier Reef : Dive into the crystal-clear waters of the Great Barrier Reef solo. Explore vibrant coral reefs, swim with tropical fish, and encounter majestic marine creatures like sea turtles and manta rays. It’s an unforgettable underwater adventure for your 21st birthday.

Skydiving Over a Famous Landmark : Experience the ultimate adrenaline rush with your first skydiving adventure. Choose a location with a stunning backdrop like the Grand Canyon, Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah, or Queenstown in New Zealand. Feel the thrill of freefalling and enjoy breathtaking views as you parachute back to earth.

Culinary Tour in Japan : Embark on a culinary adventure in Japan, which is known for its delicious cuisine and rich culinary traditions. Explore bustling food markets, dine at Michelin guide restaurants, and learn the art of sushi-making or ramen cooking from expert chefs.

Expedition to the Amazon Rainforest : Dive deep into the heart of the Amazon Rainforest. Trek through dense jungle trails, spot diverse wildlife and learn about indigenous cultures. Stay in eco-lodges and experience the magic of the world’s largest tropical rainforest.

Road Trip Along the Pacific Coast Highway : Take a road-trip with friends along California’s iconic Pacific Coast Highway. Drive along breathtaking coastal cliffs, stop at charming seaside towns, and admire stunning ocean views. Take the chance to visit landmarks like Big Sur and the Golden Gate Bridge.

30th Birthday Trip Ideas

Wellness Retreat : Treat yourself to a wellness retreat focused on relaxation, rejuvenation, and self-care. Choose a destination spa or wellness resort where you can enjoy spa treatments, yoga classes, healthy meals, and mindfulness workshops.

All-Inclusive Getaway with Friends : Plan a weekend getaway with your closest friends to a scenic all-inclusive destination. Whether it’s a beach resort, mountain cabin, or charming vineyard, enjoy quality time with friends while exploring new places.

Personal Growth Workshop : Go relax at a personal growth workshop or retreat focused on empowerment, self-discovery, and goal setting. Whether it’s a leadership seminar, a mindfulness workshop, or a creativity retreat, you’lll appreciate the opportunity for personal development and growth.

Shopping in Europe : Go for the ultimate European shopping experience. You can easily start in London and take the train to Paris and Milan to tap into all the fashion capitals of Europe.

Surfing Retreat in Hawaii : Escape to the paradise islands of Hawaii for a surfing retreat. Catch waves at famous surf breaks like Waikiki Beach on Oahu, Honolua Bay on Maui, or Hanalei Bay on Kauai. Take lessons from experienced instructors and immerse yourself in the laid-back surf culture of the islands.

Yoga Retreat in Bali: Enjoy a yoga retreat in Bali’s tropical paradise. Practice yoga and meditation in serene jungle settings, relax on beautiful beaches, and indulge in holistic wellness treatments like Balinese massage and traditional healing ceremonies. It’s a rejuvenating and transformative experience for your 21st birthday.

40th Birthday Trip Ideas

Blindly pick a place: This might require a bit more planning ahead of time but spinning a globe and picking a place at random might be just the adventure you’re looking for.

Cruise : Charter a sailing boat or yacht for a few days of relaxation and adventure on the water. Whether cruising along the coast, snorkeling in crystal-clear waters, or enjoying a sunset dinner onboard,you’ll love the luxury and tranquility of a small group sailing experience.

Scenic Helicopter Tour : Arrange a scenic helicopter tour over a stunning landscape or city skyline. Take panoramic views from above while flying over landmarks, mountains, and natural wonders for a thrilling and memorable birthday experience.

Extreme Sports Experience : Plan a week worth of touring around chasing adrenaline.Plan visits to adventure parks and try activities like zip lining, rock climbing, bungee jumping and skydiving. Challenge yourself and conquer your fears.

Fly Fishing Expedition : Organize a fly fishing expedition to a pristine river or remote wilderness area where you can enjoy the tranquility and beauty of nature while casting for fish. You can go on great trips fly fishing for trout in the Rocky Mountains, salmon fishing in Alaska, or bonefishing in the Caribbean.

Wine Tour : Arrange for a wine tasting tour in Napa Valley and plan your stay in the area. You can also extend a luxury trip to Italy, drive through wine country and explore charming Italian villages.

50th Birthday Trip Ideas

Scenic Train Journey through Switzerland : Embark on a scenic train journey through Switzerland aboard the Glacier Express or the Bernina Express. Sit back, relax, and enjoy panoramic views of the Swiss Alps, picturesque villages, and pristine lakes while traveling in comfort and style.

Historic Tour of Charleston, South Carolina : Explore the charming city of Charleston, known for its rich history, antebellum architecture, and Southern hospitality. Take leisurely walks along cobblestone streets, visit historic landmarks like Rainbow Row and Fort Sumter, and indulge in Lowcountry cuisine at acclaimed restaurants.

Cruise to the Greek Islands : Embark on a relaxing cruise to the Greek Islands, exploring iconic destinations like Santorini, Mykonos, and Crete. Enjoy leisurely days at sea, exploring charming villages, swimming in crystal-clear waters, and soaking up the Mediterranean sun onboard a luxurious cruise ship.

Cultural Retreat in Sedona, Arizona : Experience the tranquility and spiritual energy of Sedona, Arizona, on an artistic retreat. Explore art galleries, visit spiritual vortex sites, indulge in spa treatments, and enjoy breathtaking views of red rock formations while immersing yourself in the natural beauty of this desert oasis.

Wine Tasting Tour in Sonoma County : Discover the scenic wine country of Sonoma County, California, on a wine tasting tour. Visit boutique wineries, sample award-winning wines, and enjoy leisurely picnics in vineyard settings while exploring this renowned wine region’s charming towns and rolling vineyards.

River Cruise on the Danube : Enjoy a leisurely river cruise along the Danube River, passing through picturesque landscapes and charming towns in countries like Austria, Hungary, and Germany. Explore historic cities like Vienna and Budapest, attend classical music concerts, and savor regional cuisine onboard a comfortable river cruise ship.

Cultural Tour of Kyoto, Japan : Discover the cultural treasures of Kyoto, Japan’s ancient capital and cultural heart. Visit historic temples and shrines, stroll through traditional gardens, and participate in tea ceremonies and calligraphy workshops while immersing yourself in Kyoto’s timeless beauty and elegance.

Cultural Cruise along the Rhine River : Embark on a cultural cruise along the Rhine River, passing through picturesque landscapes, medieval castles, and charming villages in Germany, France, and the Netherlands. Explore historic cities like Cologne, Strasbourg, and Amsterdam, and enjoy onboard amenities like gourmet dining and live entertainment while soaking up the scenic beauty of the Rhine.

Cultural Exploration of Prague, Czech Republic : Explore the fairytale city of Prague, known for its stunning architecture, rich history, and vibrant culture. Wander through the cobblestone streets of the Old Town, visit iconic landmarks like Prague Castle and Charles Bridge, and enjoy classical music concerts and performances while immersing yourself in the beauty and charm of Prague.

Relaxing Retreat in the Amalfi Coast, Italy : Escape to the breathtaking Amalfi Coast for a relaxing retreat in one of Italy’s most picturesque regions. Stay at a luxury hotel or villa overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, lounge on scenic beaches, explore charming coastal towns like Positano and Ravello, and savor fresh seafood and Italian cuisine while enjoying the stunning scenery and laid-back atmosphere of the Amalfi Coast.

Cruise to the Norwegian Fjords : Cruise to the Norwegian Fjords for a scenic journey through stunning landscapes, towering cliffs, and picturesque fjords in Norway. Explore charming port towns like Bergen, Alesund, and Flam, take scenic rail journeys through the mountains, and marvel at the natural beauty and tranquility of the Norwegian Fjords while cruising onboard a comfortable cruise ship.

Cultural Tour of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico : Discover the cultural treasures of San Miguel de Allende, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its colonial architecture, art galleries, and vibrant culture. Explore historic landmarks like the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel and the Instituto Allende, wander through colorful markets and cobblestone streets, and savor traditional Mexican cuisine while immersing yourself in the beauty and charm of San Miguel de Allende.

Solo Birthday Trip Ideas

Exploring Nature: Go solo camping to a national park or a local forest. You can hike trails, spot wildlife, and sleep under the stars. Your own personal spiritual retreat.

Beach Retreat Getaway : Take a solo trip to the beach and enjoy the company of like minded people by joining a retreat. Opt in for retreats for your body, mind and spiritual renewal.

City Adventure : Plan a solo adventure to any city you wish to explore. Tour museums, try new foods, people watch with a cup of coffee, and take in the sights. Don’t forget to treat yourself with a little shopping.

Historical Exploration : Spend your birthday exploring historical sites. Visit museums, old forts, or even ancient ruins. You’ll learn a lot while having fun on your solo adventure.

Road Trip : Plan a solo trip to visit multiple places for your birthday. You can stop at quirky roadside attractions, beautiful scenic viewpoints, and delicious waffle diners.

Spa Weekend : Treat yourself to a relaxing solo spa weekend. Jump on a plane or drive to a resort. Book massages, facials, and mani-pedi to pamper yourself for a whole weekend. You’ll leave feeling a year younger!.

Culinary Tour : Take a solo culinary tour of a city, or an entire region, of your choosing. Try different foods from various restaurants, food trucks, and markets. It’s a tasty way to celebrate your birthday.

Wildlife Safari : Take a solo trip to a wildlife sanctuary. Spend a few days observing exotic animals, learning about conservation efforts, and maybe even participating or helping out.. There are plenty of options to volunteer at sanctuaries worldwide

Music Festival : Attend a music festival or concert completely solo. Dance to your favorite tunes, discover new bands and immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere. Go with the flow and get to know new people.

Photography Expedition : Embark on a solo photography expedition to capture the beauty of nature, cityscapes, or everyday life in a new area. Grab your camera and enjoy the creative life. If you are traveling you can hit up local photographers or join a photography tour.

And with that, we wrap up. I hope these birthday trip ideas and places to go sparked your inspiration. May your birthday trip be everything you’ve dreamed of and more and, here’s to celebrating you in style- wherever your trip takes you!

Happy birthday, and safe travels! 🎂✈️🌍

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15 Birthday Trip Ideas for Every Type of Traveler

Travel is the best gift — here are 15 birthday trip ideas to celebrate.

Happy birthday to you! When it comes to celebrating another trip around the sun, the only thing better than presents and cake is traveling (but don’t let anyone stop you from having all three). Read on for the best birthday trip ideas from sea to shining sea — and beyond.

1. The Palm Beaches, Florida

The Sunshine State promises a laid-back, fun-filled visit any time of year. There are  great places to visit in Florida  from the Keys to the Panhandle, but the Palm Beaches are Florida’s crown jewel. Packed with  arts and culture , outdoor activities, world-class shopping, picturesque beaches, and every sort of entertainment, the area has something for everyone — whether you’re looking for a chill escape in Lake Worth Beach, buzzing nightlife in Delray Beach, or a glamorous vacation spent rubbing elbows with the rich and the famous in Palm Beach.

Want to really up the ante? Miami is just a one-hour ride away on the luxurious  Brightline  train. Head even further south and you’ll hit the Florida Keys, where anything goes — especially on birthdays.

2. New York, New York

You can’t beat the energy of New York City for marking a major milestone, especially growing older. Plus, the city that never sleeps is guaranteed to keep you young because there’s always something new to discover. No matter how you hope to celebrate, New York has it — from live entertainment to gorgeous green spaces to Instagram-famous foodie finds. Every season has something different to offer, so New York makes for a festive trip no matter your birthday month.

Book a room at the  Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel  for a stay in the heart of the action, where you can fall asleep amidst the glow of neon lights — a birthday fit for a movie scene.

3. Laguna Beach, California

For a truly pampered birthday, head to Laguna Beach, where you’ll find the ultimate Southern California escape, complete with sunshine, surf, shopping, and spa treatments. A quirky yet chic beach town about an hour south of Los Angeles with surf shops, art galleries, and everything from to-go tacos to fine dining, Laguna has something for everyone. There’s no better place to stay than the oceanfront  Montage Laguna Beach , where your party can share a private villa or book spacious adjoining suites; enjoy views for miles from the stunning Mosaic Pool, take a scenic stroll along immaculately manicured paths, or hit one of the area’s most beautiful stretches of  white sand beach ; and enjoy luxurious treatments at Spa Montage, from massages using California wildflowers to romantic couples’ experiences.

4. Maui, Hawaii

If Hawaii has long been on your “someday” list, then let your birthday provide the excuse you’ve been waiting for to finally book that flight and just go for it. Regardless of your age, Hawaii offers lots to do, great eats, and cultural experiences to enrich your global education, while the greens and blues of Maui’s tropical landscape offer a feast for the eyes. Try something new on your visit, whether that’s learning to surf or sampling a spoonful of purple  poi . To really celebrate your birthday with a bang, make sure a traditional hula performance is on the itinerary.

5. Train Journey Through Italy

If you know of a better way to celebrate a birthday than all the pizza, pasta, gelato, and wine your heart desires, then please alert the presses. Otherwise, head straight to Italy for a travel birthday bonanza — there are few better ways to explore the dreamscape that is  Italia  than to see as much of the boot as you can by train. Include highlights like Florence, Cinque Terre, and Tuscany (Italy’s heavenly wine region) for the kind of trip that might make you pick up scrapbooking again.

6. Charlotte, North Carolina

If melt-in-your-mouth BBQ and outdoor adventures are right up your alley, then look no further than Charlotte, North Carolina, for the ideal birthday trip destination. Home to the  U.S. National Whitewater Center  — where you can find whitewater rafting, biking, zip lines, live music, and craft brews all in one action-packed location — and the fragrant pits of drool-worthy  Noble Smoke , Charlotte promises great eats and a great time. 

Looking for more? Charlotte is also home to the NASCAR Hall of Fame, Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, Carolinas Aviation Museum, NoDa art district, and even Carowinds amusement park. If you’re traveling with a group, head to  Optimist Hall , where everyone can enjoy a meal of their choosing from local food vendors.

7. Santa Fe, New Mexico

If all you want to do on your birthday is relax and unwind, then plan an indulgent spa retreat to the American Southwest and put Santa Fe at the top of your list. At  Ojo Santa Fe Spa Resort , you’ll find spring-fed waters and the opportunity to soak in blissful thermal pools following a top-notch spa treatment; healthy, nourishing farm-to-table meals are also included in your stay. It’s the perfect getaway, especially for a solo birthday trip or a quiet retreat with a loved one.

8. Vail, Colorado

If you enjoy being active, Vail should top your birthday bucket list. You can snowboard and ski in the winter on Vail’s renowned slopes (and who doesn’t want to indulge in the pleasures of après ski for their birthday?) or hike among blankets of wildflowers in the spring and summer. Book a birthday dinner in a woodsy lodge for the full experience.

9. Backpack Through Thailand

Fly the distance to South Asia for an unforgettable adventure packed with amazing views, flavorful dishes, and a welcoming culture, both from native residents and the country’s large community of expats. Thailand is a bucket-list trip for many, so what better reason to plan a trip than for your birthday? 

Whether you go solo, with a friend or partner, or with a group of friends, Thailand is sure to please — the reason for its popularity among travelers is immediately obvious upon touchdown. Plus, Americans can stretch their dollars further here than many other places in the world, so it’s a great place for a full-out birthday bash.

10. Las Vegas, Nevada

Vegas is a classic destination for celebrations of every kind, and birthdays are no exception. Whether you’re in it to win big at the casinos or splurge on world-class shows, birthdays present the needed excuse to run wild in Sin City. For a little balance, consider adding on a  road trip  through Nevada’s deserts, stopping to check out roadside art and Gold Rush ghost towns along the way.

11. Chicago, Illinois

With lots to do, see, and eat in Chicago — and sprawling views from spots like Skydeck Chicago at Willis Tower — it’s a great place to ring in another year. You can get out on the water or spend your days exploring museums and galleries, depending on what suits your fancy. And no worries if your birthday’s in the winter: after ice skating along the Maggie Daley Park Ice Skating Ribbon, you can warm up with a piping-hot deep-dish pizza, a Chicago classic.

Swissotel Chicago  provides well situated digs located within walking distance to many attractions, including the shops of Magnificent Mile. Book a corner room for views of the Chicago River, Navy Pier, and Lake Michigan.

12. River Cruise Through Europe on U by Uniworld

London, Paris, Rome — sure, these are great places to turn another year older in Europe, but they’ve been done before. Instead, explore a lesser-known side of the continent by boarding a  U by Uniworld  cruise and rolling down the Rhine or floating down the Danube. Not your grandma’s stuffy river cruise, this line is a fresh take on a method of traveling that’s totally underappreciated by everyone under 70 — built for the young (and young-at-heart). 

Whether you sail between Amsterdam and Brussels or explore Eastern Europe on a cruise connecting Vienna and Belgrade, you’ll never forget a birthday spent meandering Europe’s scenic rivers on a luxurious cruise with locally-inspired food, fun-loving fellow passengers, and tons of activities, from biking or walking tours at port to silent discos and stargazing onboard.

13. Savannah, Georgia

No place does southern charm quite like Savannah. Walk her cobblestone streets, shaded by canopies of live oaks aged hundreds of years, and pop into her many award-winning eateries, like  The Grey , housed in a former Greyhound Bus station. By night, book a ghost tour for some serious spooks (after you’ve treated yourself to a generous scoop of  Leopold’s Ice Cream , of course). The new  Plant Riverside District  is another main attraction, packed with shops, galleries, entertainment, restaurants and bars, nightlife, and even a hotel, the JW Marriott Savannah — all housed within a repurposed power plant, now a one-stop shop for merrymaking.

14. Napa Valley, California

(Almost) any age can appreciate a cultured jaunt through wine country, which explains why it’s a long-popular birthday destination. Between the picturesque landscapes, the enchanting towns, the award-winning restaurants, and the world-class wine, Napa Valley is an easy choice for a birthday to remember — and a crowd-pleaser if you’re hoping to convince a group to join you. 

15. Alexandria, Virginia

To enjoy your birthday to the fullest, head to the underrated and affordable small town of Alexandria, where you’ll find both fascinating history and mouthwatering eats, a happy marriage of Southern hospitality and mid-Atlantic sophistication. Stay in Old Town at  Hotel Indigo Old Town Alexandria , mere steps from easily walkable King Street with a clean, nautical vibe. 

The city is charming, artsy, and packed with irresistible boutiques to shop; best of all, Washington, D.C., is just a quick 20 minutes away on the metro (and it’ll only set you back $5) — or you can simply enjoy the view of our nation’s capital from across the Potomac River.

Related Article: The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2022

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13 Birthday Trip Ideas to Celebrate Your Special Day

Wondering how to celebrate your birthday this year? Why not take a birthday trip? Whether you’re looking for excitement or relaxation, there’s sure to be a destination that’s perfect for you. A birthday trip can be the best present someone could ask for. It can be a great way to see a new place, take in new sights and sounds, and create memories. 

When planning a birthday trip, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Consider the budget. How much can be reasonably spent on travel and accommodation?
• Think about the destination. Is there somewhere that the birthday person has always wanted to go? Or somewhere that would be particularly special to them?
• Don’t forget to book activities and make restaurant reservations in advance. 

With a bit of planning, a birthday trip can be the perfect gift for yourself or a loved one.

Los Angeles, California

If you’re looking for birthday trip ideas, look no further than Los Angeles! There are lots of things to do in this sunny California city, whether you’re interested in Hollywood sightseeing, shopping, beach time, fine dining, or nightclubs. 

Spend a day exploring the Hollywood Walk of Fame, checking out movie studios and celebrity homes. For a little retail therapy, visit Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. Venice Beach is a must-see, with its boardwalk and muscle beach. Or relax on the sand at Santa Monica State Beach. And finally, round out your birthday trip with a fancy dinner at one of L.A.’s many Michelin-starred restaurants. However, if you want to stay out a little later, put on your dancing shoes and head to a nightclub. 

New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans is known for its lively atmosphere, delicious food, and fun-loving people. Here are a few birthday trip ideas to make your birthday celebration in New Orleans genuinely memorable.

Try some of New Orleans’ classic Creole cuisine for a birthday meal. Indulge in dishes like shrimp étouffée, jambalaya, or gumbo, or go for something a little lighter like oysters Rockefeller. Be sure to save room for dessert! After all, a birthday cake is even better when served with a scoop of sweet Louisiana honey ice cream.

After dinner, head to Frenchman Street for some live jazz. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, take a stroll down Bourbon Street for a wild night out. 

Las Vegas, Nevada

While some birthday celebrations involve a quiet dinner with family or friends, others are more extravagant. For those looking to celebrate in style, a birthday trip to Las Vegas, Nevada, is the perfect option. Sin City is known for its wild nightlife, and there is no shortage of options for birthday fun.

Whether it’s gambling at one of the many casinos, seeing a show on the world-famous Strip, or dancing the night away at a club, Vegas has infinite options. And, of course, no birthday trip would be complete without a visit to one of the city’s many iconic landmarks, such as the Bellagio Hotel or the Venetian Resort. 

New York City, New York

New York City offers endless possibilities for birthday fun, whether taking in the sights from the top of the Empire State Building, indulging in a delicious birthday dinner at one of the city’s many acclaimed restaurants, or seeing a Broadway show. And, of course, no birthday trip to NYC would be complete without a visit to Times Square, where you can enjoy the hustle and bustle of this iconic destination. With so much to see and do, New York City is the perfect place to celebrate a birthday.

Miami, Florida

A birthday trip to Miami, Florida , is an excellent option for those who want to enjoy the sun and sand. The city has a vibrant nightlife and plenty of shopping and dining options. Plus, many activities keep birthday guests entertained, such as riding the waves and exploring the Everglades. No birthday trip to Miami would be complete without a visit to South Beach. 

Nashville, Tennessee

Planning a birthday trip to Nashville can be an exciting and memorable experience! With its rich history, live music scene, and atmosphere that celebrates the southern charm of Tennessee, Nashville is the perfect city for a celebratory getaway. There are countless activities to fill the days with fun – enjoy bands on the main strip of Broadway, explore the various museums throughout Nashville’s neighborhoods, or have an elevated meal in one of the famous restaurants. The night life won’t disappoint either – from honky tonks to craft breweries, your birthday trip will be one to remember!

Oahu, Hawaii

Oahu, Hawaii, is the perfect place to escape and enjoy sunny birthday fun. From soaking up the sun on Waikiki Beach and hiking to the top of Diamond Head to riding birthday waves at Banzai Pipeline and indulging in a birthday luau complete with traditional Hawaiian food and music, those are just a few of the many birthday trip possibilities! No matter how you choose to spend your birthday on Oahu, it’s sure to be a memorable one.

Santa Catalina Island, California

There’s no place quite like Catalina Island, and that’s why it’s the perfect place to take a birthday trip. Just off the coast of Los Angeles, Catalina Island is a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Catalina Island is a true paradise with its beautiful beaches, crystal-clear waters, and lush vegetation. And there’s no shortage of things to do on the island, whether you want to go hiking, biking, or kayaking. There are also plenty of excellent restaurants, bars, and shops to explore. Catalina Island has everything you need to make your birthday an exceptional occasion.

Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts 

Martha’s Vineyard is known for its beautiful beaches, quaint towns, and relaxed atmosphere. You can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, fishing, and sailing. Martha’s Vineyard is also home to several historic sites and museums. The island was first settled by the English in 1602 and was named after Martha’s Parish in England. Every August, the island celebrates Martha’s Birthday with a festival that includes a parade, live music, and street performers. So if you’re looking for a charming place to spend your birthday, add Martha’s Vineyard to your list!

San Juan Island, Washington

San Juan Island is a beautiful place to visit, and it’s even more special when you’re celebrating a birthday. The island is located in the San Juan Archipelago, known for its mild climate, beautiful scenery, and abundant outdoor activities. You can enjoy hiking, biking, kayaking, camping, glamping, and whale watching. There are also several museums and historic sites on the island, as well as shops and spas. Half the fun is getting to the islands! You’ll have to take the ferry, seaplane, or private boat!

Go On A Cruise

Are you looking for a birthday trip idea that’s unique or super special? If so, you might want to consider taking a cruise . Cruises offer many different activities and amenities, making them ideal for birthday celebrations. You can spend your days lounging by the pool, exploring new ports of call, or indulging in spa treatments. 

And when it comes to food and entertainment, cruises offer an incredible variety of options. Whether you’re looking for fine dining or live music, you’ll be sure to find it onboard. So if you’re looking for a memorable birthday trip, a cruise might be your ticket. Popular cruise destinations from the U.S. include the Bahamas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Aruba, and Mexico.

Take A Camping Trip

Camping is the perfect birthday trip idea for those who love spending time outdoors. Not only will you enjoy the fresh air and beautiful scenery, but you’ll also have the opportunity to bond with your friends or family. Plus, camping birthday trips are inexpensive, so you won’t have to spend much money to make it happen. 

Plan a Ski Trip

If your birthday is during the winter months, hit the slopes and enjoy some time skiing! If you’re planning a ski trip, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure you have a great time. First, it’s essential to choose the right destination. If you’re a beginner, you’ll want to find a resort with gentle slopes and plenty of lessons available. For more experienced skiers, you may want to seek out a resort with more challenging terrain. 

Final Thoughts

Turning another year older is always an exciting time. And what better way to celebrate than by planning a memorable birthday trip? Birthdays are the perfect opportunity to explore somewhere new, whether it’s a weekend getaway or a more extended vacation. Whatever destination you choose, remember that the most important thing is to enjoy yourself and make memories.

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This article originally appeared on Wander With Alex .

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alexandrea Sumuel Groves is a nationally syndicated travel writer and founder of the Wander With Alex travel blog. Her work has appeared on MSN, YAHOO!, Euronews, and FOX, ABC, and NBC affiliates across the United States. 

Alex travels to experience, eat, explore, and occasionally escape! She collaborates with destinations, vacation property management companies, and hospitality technology firms to provide her readers with exclusive insights and information.

Where Can Travel On My Birthday? 11 Best Birthday Trip Ideas For Travellers

Are you planning to travel on your birthday and looking for good trip ideas for your birthday ? If you have no idea where to go? This article can help you in finding the best birthday trip ideas.

On your birthday, you are free to go wherever! What kind of experience you seek will decide everything. A cruise, a city tour, a road trip, a trip to a national park, or even a day trip to a nearby town are all fantastic ideas. Enjoy your special day wherever you chose to go!

Whether you want to party in Vegas with friends, check off that bucket list location with your partner, or perhaps take on a new challenge on a solo trip .

I’ve compiled more than 11 fantastic birthday vacation idea s for milestone birthdays in this post. I’ve asked some of my favourite travel bloggers to share their most memorable birthday travel experiences with me because I can only celebrate one birthday a year.

For fun, motivational, and exciting suggestions on where to go on your birthday , continue reading. Travelling on your special day will be the ideal celebration.

Should I go on a trip for my birthday?

Travelling for your birthday is one of the finest ways to make the most of the occasion. You may avoid working on your birthday by organizing a trip, which will give you the opportunity to do something enjoyable and novel. Additionally, it enables you to extend the celebration beyond a single day.

List of 11 Best Birthday Trip ideas

After a lot of research by considering a lot of factors, we have shortlisted some of the best places to travel on birthdays .

• Tulum, Mexico
• Laguna Beach, California
• Backpack Through Thailand
• Chicago, Illinois
• Toronto, Canada
• River Cruise Through Europe on U by Uniworld
• Savannah, Georgia
• Peru’s Machu Picchu
• Florida’s Palm Beaches
• Alexandria, Virginia

1. Tulum, Mexico

After spending your birthday in the spiritual core of Tulum, gather a group of friends and start the new year with a fresh head.

You’ll ring in the new year in one of the planet’s most stunning settings as the Caribbean coastline, along with its white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters, is situated along Mexico’s stunning Riviera Maya.

Tulum is the ideal location to find inner peace and reestablish a connection with nature. It is well-known for its yoga retreats, jungle cenotes, sacred ceremonies, and Mayan ruins.

When you wish to leave the tranquillity of the rainforests and beaches behind, the city also boasts lots of hotels, restaurants, and shopping to keep you occupied.

2. New York

The excitement of New York City is unmatched for celebrating a significant occasion, especially getting older. Additionally, there is always something fresh to see and do in the city that never sleeps, which will keep you youthful.

New York City has everything you could want for a celebration, from live music and lovely green areas to Instagram-famous cuisine spots. No matter what month you were born, the Big Apple is a fun birthday travel idea because it has something to offer in every season.

To stay in the centre of the action and experience a birthday fit for a movie scene, reserve a room at the Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel. There, you can drift off to sleep amid the glow of neon lights.

3. Laguna Beach, California

Head to Laguna Beach for the ideal Southern California getaway, complete with sun, surf, shopping, and spa services, for a truly indulgent birthday vacation idea.

About an hour south of Los Angeles, Laguna is a quirky yet stylish coastal town where you can find surf shops, art galleries, and restaurants serving anything from to-go tacos to fine dining.

There is no better place to stay than the oceanfront Montage Laguna Beach, where your group can rent private villas or book roomy adjoining suites, take in the breathtaking views from the Mosaic Pool, go for a stroll along the area’s most picturesque stretches of white sand beach, or all of the above.

At Spa Montage, indulge in opulent services including massages with wildflowers from California and romantic events for couples.

4. Backpack Through Thailand

Fly over to Southeast Asia for a once-in-a-lifetime trip filled with breathtaking scenery, delectable cuisine, and a warm local population that includes many ex-pats from around the world .

What better occasion to book a trip than your birthday when Thailand is a popular dream vacation location for many people?

Thailand is likely to impress whether you travel alone, with a buddy or spouse, or with a group of friends; the reason for its appeal among tourists is evident as soon as you land.

Additionally, Americans may spend their money more freely here than in many other parts of the world, making it a fantastic location for a lavish birthday celebration.

5. Chicago, Illinois

Chicago is a great place to ring in the new year because there is so much to do, see, and eat there. There are also expansive views from places like Skydeck Chicago at the Willis Tower.

Depending on your preferences, go sailing or spend the day browsing galleries and museums. Even if your birthday falls during the winter, you won’t need to worry because you can warm up with a sizzling deep-dish pizza, a Chicago tradition, after skating down the Maggie Daley Park Ice Skating Ribbon.

The Swissotel Chicago offers convenient lodgings close to various attractions, including the stores along the Magnificent Mile. For views of the Chicago River, Navy Pier, and Lake Michigan, get a corner room.

6. Toronto, Canada

If you want to avoid the lengthy flights frequently involved with international travel, think about celebrating your next birthday in our northern neighborhood.

There are always entertaining things to do in Toronto because of the city’s vibrant music, cuisine, and entertainment scenes.

Take part in a street art crawl or spend the day at one of the city’s many museums and galleries to learn more about the culture of the 6ix.

At a Toronto music or film festival, celebrate turning another year older if you were born in the spring or summer.

Naturally, there is also a tonne of winter fun and fall foliage to enjoy in the cooler months, when you may celebrate your birthday at the Toronto Light Festival or go on a winter retreat nearby.

7. River Cruise Through Europe on U by Uniworld

London, Paris, and Rome are all fantastic locations in Europe to celebrate turning another year older, but they have all been done before. Instead, go on a U by Uniworld cruise and travel along the Rhine or Danube to explore a less well-known region of the continent.

Not your Grandma’s stuffy river cruise, this line offers a novel perspective on a mode of transportation that is completely underappreciated by those under the age of 60 and was designed with the young and young-at-heart in mind.

You’ll never forget a birthday spent meandering Europe’s picturesque rivers on a luxurious cruise with locally-inspired food, fun-loving fellow passengers, and a tonne of activities, from biking or walking tours at the port to silent discos and stargazing onboard.

Whether you sail between Amsterdam and Brussels or explore Eastern Europe on a cruise connecting Vienna and Prague.

8. Savannah, Georgia

Savannah does southern charm better than any other city. Explore the many award-winning restaurants, including The Grey, located in a former Greyhound Bus station, as you stroll down the cobblestone lanes under the shady canopies of live oaks that are hundreds of years old.

After treating yourself to a big scoop of Leopold’s Ice Cream, of course, arrange a ghost tour at night for some serious spooks (there are many companies to pick from).

Another popular destination is the Plant Riverside District, which is a converted power plant that is now a one-stop shop for having a good time.

It is crammed with stores, galleries, entertainment, restaurants and bars, nightlife, and a hotel, the JW Marriott Savannah.

9. Peru’s Machu Picchu

More daring tourists could think about going to Machu Picchu on their birthday. On one of the several regional trips that bring thousands of visitors to Machu Picchu each year, you can hike, cycle, kayak, or zip line to the historic Incan city.

Take a picturesque train ride from Cusco if you’re a more laid-back visitor but still want the experience without completing the entire three-day Inca Trail climb.

Discover why the renowned Incan fortress, perched high in the Andes Mountains, is one of the Seven Wonders of the World once you’ve gotten used to it.

This historic astronomical observatory is a must-see because of its breathtaking views and intricate stone architecture.

You’ll probably stay in the adjacent town of Aguas Calientes before and after visiting Machu Picchu because it has a tonne of accommodations, dining options, shopping, the eponymous thermal springs (which feel especially wonderful after a long climb), and the Mariposario de Machupicchu butterfly sanctuary.

Cusco is another option; it’s a gorgeous city with plenty of lodging, dining options, and UNESCO-designated buildings.

10. Florida’s Palm Beaches

A carefree, enjoyable trip is guaranteed in the Sunshine State at any time of year. The Palm Beaches are Florida’s jewel, even though there are wonderful spots to explore throughout the state, from the Keys to the Panhandle.

The region has something for everyone, whether you’re looking for a relaxing getaway in Lake Worth Beach, a buzzing nightlife in Delray Beach, or a glamorous vacation spent mingling with the rich and famous in Palm Beach.

It is full of art and culture, outdoor activities, world-class shopping, picturesque beaches, and every kind of entertainment.

Want to step it up? A one-hour trip on the opulent Brightline train will take you to Miami. In the Florida Keys, which are even further south, anything goes, especially on birthdays.

11. Alexandria, Virginia

If you want to make the most of your birthday, go to Old Town Alexandria, which is underrated and reasonably priced.

Here, you’ll find both fascinating history and delectable cuisine, as well as a harmonious fusion of Southern hospitality and mid-Atlantic sophistication.

Stay at the Hotel Indigo Old Town Alexandria, which is close to King Street, the major thoroughfare of Old Town, and has fresh, nautical air.

The best part is that Washington, D.C. is only a 25-minute Metro ride away and costs about $5. Alternatively, you can simply enjoy the view of our nation’s capital from across the Potomac River. The city is charming, artsy, and full of irresistible boutiques to shop in.

FAQs For Birthday Trip ideas

There is a lot of confusion that comes to mind while deciding places for travelling on a birthday some of the commonly asked questions are answered below.

Q.1 What is the rare day to have a birthday?

The least frequent birthdays are on December 25 (Christmas Day) and January 1 (New Year’s Day), respectively. The third least frequent birthdate on the list is December 24 (Christmas Eve), while the fourth is July 4 (Independence Day).

Q.2 What is a good budget for a birthday?

Generally speaking, $10 per year of age is a decent guideline! Write down those figures on your gift tracker after you have a general idea of how much you can afford to spend on each person while still meeting your annual budget target. Now that you have a monthly budget set out for birthday spending, congratulations!

Q.3 What can replace Happy birthday?

Many blessings to you! I hope you have a fantastic birthday! Have a great day! I hope you had a fun birthday!

Q.4 Is it OK to do nothing on my birthday?

Some people prefer not to celebrate, which is acceptable, just as some people count down the days until their birthday and love to do so. There are several reasons why someone could do this, including bad memories of birthdays in the past, the birthday blues, or just being busy with day-to-day activities on their birthday.

Tell Us In The Comments As per You Which One is the Best Birthday Trip idea?

Also, don’t forget to book your personalized holiday package with  Fiery Trippers . Let us make your vacation a romantic as well as a dreamy getaway.

Tushar Chaudhary

He has a diverse educational background with expertise in travel content creation and digital marketing. His self-motivated learning approach has made him a well-rounded professional in the field. Read More

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The Destination Experts

30+ Best Trip Ideas For Birthdays By Decade

Are you looking to travel for your next birthday? Traveling out of town for your birthday can be one of the best ways to celebrate regardless of age. Whether you want to take that long bucket list trip you’ve always been dreaming of or just get away for the weekend, a birthday trip will always be something to remember. Especially if its with your friends or family! Below is a list of the best trip ideas for birthdays by decade. No matter what your age you will be sure to discover an amazing trip from these options.

Need help planning your trip? Click here to find a MAST Travel Advisor near you. MAST Travel advisors are here to help with all your travel plans and needs.

Best Trip Ideas for 21st Birthday

21st birthday trips rank as one of the best times to travel. What better way to celebrate becoming the legal age than going to Las Vegas or having a drink on the beach? Not to mention the destinations below have some of the best night life you can find.

Las Vegas, Nevada

Viva las Vegas! Do we need to say more? This is an obvious choice for a birthday celebration in your 20’s. Vegas is constantly opening some of the biggest and best bars and casinos in the world. You are sure to have one of the greatest birthday celebrations ever in a city that never sleeps.

Miami, Florida

Miami is great for watching the big game, going to brunch, or even renting a boat. Miami boasts with things to do for travelers turning 21. Make sure to check out some of the bar’s drink packages to save yourself some cash.

Louisville, Kentucky

Louisville, Kentucky known for the Urban Bourbon Trail would make your birthday celebration extra unique. This birthday trip is perfect for whiskey fans as it features some of Kentucky’s best distilleries. Enjoying an old fashioned for your birthday is a must on this trip.

Austin, Texas

As you might have heard, Austin, Texas is a city on the rise and for a good reason. Austin is a terrific destination to experience the outdoors, eat good food, and catch a concert. If going to a concert is in your birthday plans, Austin is highly recommended.

Best Trip Ideas For Birthdays In Your 30’s

Here are some of the best trip ideas for your 30th birthday or any birthday in your 30’s!

Palm Springs, California

Palm Springs is a great destination for relaxing by the pool and enjoying all the wonderful views. If your are into golf this destination is for you. Palm Springs is home to multiple golf courses that have some of the best views in the nation.

Denver, Colorado

If you are a fan of baseball and would enjoy celebrating your birthday at a baseball game, Denver, CO is a perfect option. Coors field is located in the heart of downtown Denver, with one-of-a-kind views for the stadium and some of the best art you will see. So sit back, order a beer, and enjoy the game.

Hawaii should probably be on everyones birthday party bucket list. With plenty of hiking, zip-lining, kayaking and other fun activities, Hawaii is a no-brainer. The islands Maui, Kauai , and Oahu are all great islands to consider when planning your birthday trip.

South Africa

For the more adventurous, South Africa is a great destination to celebrate your 30th birthday. Featuring an abundance of sight-seeing and some of the most friendly people around, South Africa is sure to be a memorable trip for your big day.

Best Trip Ideas For Birthdays In Your 40’s

Check out these awesome destinations to visit for a 40’s birthday trip.

Jackson Hole, WY

For music lovers, Jackson Hole is great place to catch a concert for your birthday. Boasting with several unique music venues like the Silver Dollar Showroom, The Mangy Moose, and the Center for the Arts, there are plenty of options for live music. On top of that, Jackson Hole has wonderful views of different types of wildlife and the Tenton Mountain Ranges.

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Known for some of the best beaches in the world and spectacular scuba diving, Cabo makes the perfect destination for anyone looking to spend time on the water. Consider booking your stay at a resort for this trip as Cabo San Lucas has some of the most beautiful and all-inclusive resorts out there. Make sure to tell your hotel or resort staff that it’s your birthday as they may do something special!

Phoenix, Arizona

Soak up the sun and enjoy the heat in Arizona. A long-time favorite of many travelers, Phoenix Arizona is great for golfing, watching baseball, and visiting the various desert botanical gardens. This trip is perfect to take if your birthday falls during the winter months where there is snow!

Santorini, Greece

Another bucket-list worthy destination, Santorini is a spectacular city. If you want your birthday trip to feature luxury hotels, picture-perfect scenery, and some of the best Mediterranean food you will ever eat, this is the destination for you.

Best Trip Ideas For Birthdays In Your 50’s

Check out these awesome destinations to visit for a birthday in your 50’s!

Denali National Park, Alaska

Traveling to National Parks for your birthday is something you may forget to consider, but a great option to say the least. If you want to go big for your birthday, consider traveling to Denali National Park in Alaska. Featuring over 6 million acres of Alaskan wildlife you will be sure to enjoy some incredible views and take in the unique experience that Alaska offers.

Kenya, Africa

If it’s your first time looking to go on a safari for you birthday consider Kenya! Kenya offers some of the most unique and diverse wildlife to see on the planet. Kenya has a wide variety of places to stay as well. From camping to lodges, your stay will be truly unique. And a bonus is you can celebrate on the beach after your long day out on a safari.

The Maldives

Travel to this picture perfect destination for your birthday and have no regrets. Enjoy all of the best water activities for your birthday in the Maldives including canoeing, snorkeling, jet-skiing and fishing. This destination falls on this list for a reason as it is absolutely one of the best trip ideas for birthdays.

Lake Como, I taly

Best Trip Ideas for 60th Birthday

Here are some of the best trip ideas for birthdays in your 60’s.

Napa Valley, California

A top destination for relaxing and sipping wine, exploring Napa Valley for your 60th birthday is sure to be a good time. Napa Valley has over 370 wineries you can get a tasting from. If you are a wine-lover and haven’t been to this destination yet, there is no better time to go!

Florida Keys & Key West

What’s better than the most southern point of the continental U.S. for a beach birthday party? Enjoy the clear water, eat great food, and have a few drinks in the popular Florida Keys. The Florida Keys also has great festivals to attend like the Lower Keys Underwater Music Festival and Hemingway Days .

One of the more unique destinations on the list, Nantucket is a great destination for summer beer gardens, sailing, and free, open beaches. If your looking for a calm and relaxing birthday this year, consider Nantucket.

Sicily, Italy

If sight seeing is a must for your birthday, Sicily is a great choice. Here you can see a variety of historic and magnificent cathedrals, temples, and churches. Some of the famous ones include the Monreale Cathedral and the Cathedral of St. Agatha, Catania.

Spoiled With Options

Whether you are looking to find the beach, just relax, or go out, the world is your oyster for your next birthday celebration.

Suggested Travel-Related Birthday Gifts

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15 Birthday Trip Ideas from Around the World

• July 24, 2024

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Is your birthday coming up and you’re looking for an epic way to celebrate? Instead of the usual dinner and cake, why not plan an unforgettable trip? We’ve got some amazing birthday trip ideas for you that promise fun, excitement, and memories that’ll last a lifetime. From tropical beaches to vibrant cities , here are 15 awesome destinations to consider for your birthday getaway:

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

This is, in our opinion, the ultimate birthday destination. With its gorgeous beaches , lively nightlife, and endless outdoor activities , you’ll never run out of things to do. Whether you’re into water sports, exploring charming streets, or feasting on fresh seafood, Puerto Vallarta is one of those fun places to go for your birthday that you won’t forget.

New York City, USA

For an urban adventure, you can’t beat New York City. It’s one of the coolest places to go for your birthday, with Broadway shows, world-class dining, and iconic landmarks like Times Square and Central Park. The Big Apple has endless options for fun and excitement, no matter what your interests are.

Los Cabos, Mexico

If you’re after a mix of luxury and natural beauty, this is the place to be. At the southern tip of Baja California, Los Cabos has stunning desert landscapes, crystal-clear waters, and high-end resorts. From whale watching to golfing and spa treatments, making it one of the coolest places to go for a birthday trip.

Paris, France

Celebrate your birthday in the City of Love! Paris is perfect for a romantic getaway or a sophisticated birthday bash. Visit the Eiffel Tower, stroll along the Seine, or indulge in some of the best pastries and wine in the world. It’s a dreamy destination that promises unforgettable memories.

Tokyo, Japan

For a birthday experience like no other, head to Tokyo. This blushing city has a mix of traditional culture and modern attractions . Enjoy the Japanese cuisine, the ancient temples and the lively nightlife. It is, on top of all, a very fun place to go for your birthday.

Cancun, Mexico

Picture this: turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, and non-stop action. Whether you want to chill on the beach, explore ancient Mayan ruins, or hit the clubs, this is why Cancun is a top pick for birthday trip ideas, and perfect whichever celebrations you want.

Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona boasts an unique blends of architecture, culture, and beach vibes. Go and see the famous church of Gaudi, relax on the beaches of Barceloneta, and the delicious tapas and sangria. It’s one of the best places to go for your birthday that adults will love, especially if you dont forget to explore the amazing nightlife.

Bali, Indonesia

For a tropical birthday escape, Bali is hard to beat. The different landscape, the beaches and loving culture make it a great place to go. Whether you like to do something active like surfing, or visiting temples, it is also possible to enjoy a spa day and relax at these stunning beaches.

Reykjavik, Iceland

For a truly unique birthday adventure, consider Reykjavik. Iceland’s capital offers incredible natural wonders like geysers, waterfalls, and the Northern Lights. Relax in the Blue Lagoon, explore the city’s vibrant arts scene, and take in the breathtaking landscapes. It’s a cool place to go for an unforgettable birthday.

Sydney, Australia

Sydney is a fantastic birthday destination with its iconic landmarks, beautiful beaches, and vibrant nightlife. Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge, visit the Sydney Opera House, and relax on Bondi Beach. It’s one of the best places to go for your birthday that adults will find thrilling.

Cape Town, South Africa

For a birthday filled with adventure and stunning scenery, head to Cape Town. From hiking up Table Mountain to exploring the Cape Winelands and relaxing on the beaches, Cape Town offers a mix of activities that make for an exciting birthday trip.

Venice, Italy

Celebrate your birthday in style with a trip to Venice. This romantic city offers beautiful canals, historic architecture, and delicious Italian cuisine. Take a gondola ride, visit St. Mark’s Basilica, and enjoy a glass of Prosecco in a charming piazza. Venice is a dreamy place to go for a special birthday.

Las Vegas, USA

Las Vegas is synonymous with celebration and excitement, making it a perfect birthday destination. From world-class shows and casinos to luxurious hotels and vibrant nightlife, Las Vegas promises non-stop fun. It’s one of the most universally fun places to go for your birthday.

Santorini, Greece

For a picturesque and relaxing birthday, Santorini is an excellent choice. With its stunning sunsets, white-washed buildings, and crystal-clear waters, Santorini offers a serene and beautiful setting for a memorable celebration.

Montreal, Canada

Montreal is a fantastic destination for a birthday trip with its rich culture, delicious food, and vibrant nightlife. Explore the historic Old Port, indulge in poutine and bagels, and enjoy the city’s numerous festivals and events.

Book Your Birthday Getaway

From the tropical beaches of Cancun and the vibrant city life of New York to the serene beauty of Santorini and the adventure of Cape Town, these birthday trip ideas offer something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for fun places to go for your birthday, cool places to go with friends, or serene destinations to relax, the world is full of amazing options.

So, start planning your next birthday adventure today and make it a celebration to remember!

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Birthday ideas: 13 trips to celebrate

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Got a milestone birthday on the horizon? Misty-eyed maudlinism will only help you miss the real opportunity – which is, of course, a massive, over-the-top, it’s-all-about-you group holiday. And the bigger the birthday, the better the excuse for something really top drawer. Whether your thing is once-in-a-lifetime trips to the Arctic or East Africa , living large on Ibiza , celebrity-spotting in Baja California , or even renting your own island , we’ve got an epic getaway plan for you. Many happy returns.

Go low-key: Greek island hopping

More suitable for a cluster of close friends than a huge entourage, hopping around the Greek islands can be as blowout or pared back as you like. We would take a couple of your nearest and dearest on a jaunt around some of the biggest hitters. For a splurge in Santorini , take over whitewashed Perivolas Hideaway , a four-bedroom villa built into the ruins of a pumice mine that is accessed by speedboat and which has a horizon-pushing seawater pool, roof terrace and private beach. Next, travel to tiny Folegandros , a speck of an island that’s an hour's ride the fast ferry from Thira/Santorini. Just eight miles long, it’s one of the Cyclades' lesser-visited destinations, where you might have the yellow-sand beaches all to yourself. Finish up on Mykonos , the party island, to lose afternoons at beach clubs such as Nammos or Scorpios. Sarah James

Go glam: Lake Como, Italy

Make like George Clooney and bring your entourage to Como , where you can swan around your own lakeside villa. Maybe it’s the fact the Milanese holiday here that makes it so effortlessly fashionable; nothing much ever happens, but there’s an innate, sedate elegance in those long aperitivos, sipping the world’s best espressos on waterfront promenades and gazing contemplatively over silvery ripples towards the Alps . You must, of course, rent a mahogany motorboat and go touring: preferably in a pair of ludicrously expensive sunglasses and short-shorts. The best hotels in Lake Como are amongst some of the best in the world. At the top of the list is Il Sereno , a smart hotel with 30 immaculate rooms done out in walnut and leather. The Mandarin Oriental is another option, beloved for its meticulous gardens, floating swimming pool and celebratory afternoon tea. 

Go cultured: Ghent, Belgium

Fresh-faced Ghent might be known for the medieval architecture that lines its canals, but in recent years the small Belgian city has undergone an artisanal revolution, driven forwards by the student population who make up about a quarter of locals. The beer scene here is famous – best sampled at traditional pubs such as Trollekelder – but there are also clever gin distilleries and cocktail bars such as tiny waterside spot De Alchemist. By day, you can wander along the bridges and down narrow cobblestone streets seeking out quirky shops and urban-cool food joints (one of our favourites is De Superette, a bakery-restaurant in an old mini market). Take over two-bedroom De Waterzooi Lodge , set in a 16th-century house, to live like a local. Sarah James

Go large: Can Mimosa, Ibiza

The ultimate go-large destination, Ibiza is flush with chic villas perfect for private after-parties. One of our favourites is Can Mimosa , from British interior designer Caroline Legrand: a place of cool white marble with retro-tropical accents (clock the banana-leaf-print wallpaper). Equidistant from traditional San José and party beach Playa d’en Bossa, it has the best of both worlds: secluded seafood restaurants and lazy pavement cafés on one hand; super-clubs including Hï Ibiza (formerly Space) on the other. Plus, the location is all the better for being a five-minute drive from Blue Marlin (such a darling of the A-list, it has its own water-taxi service for private yachts). Sleeps 11. For an Ibiza hotel stay, Nobu Ibiza Bay has a party atmosphere, particularly around the glamorous beachside pool.  

Go once-in-a-lifetime: Northern Lights, Iceland

Perhaps retreating to a remote Arctic nowhere to catch the Northern Lights doesn’t quite say ‘birthday bash’ (quiet, cold, and not a wine shop in sight). Unless, of course, you head for Iceland , which has a fabulously cosmopolitan capital just a short ride from the country’s stock landscape: darkened wilderness unpolluted by urban glare. For a once-in-a-lifetime stay, rent this spectacular glass cottage Airbnb , where the lights can be spied from under the glass ceiling in bed, and the glass bathroom means you can shower while admiring views of volcanoes. Or book a cosy room at Hotel Rangá , a log-style cabin with glacier views that's one of our favourite hotels in Iceland . When you’re ready for action, head into the city for fine new Nordic cooking (Dill sheep-dung-smoked lamb is better than it sounds), and craft tap rooms (cosy Micro Bar pulls exclusively Icelandic brews).

Go A-list: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Jennifer Aniston’s favourite retreat – she even brought her squad here to celebrate her 50th birthday – Cabo is the epitome of relaxed glam. With its mix of glorious sun-bleached beaches , smart hotels and restaurants, and more low-key traditional markets and cantinas, it’s an occasion destination without pretense, and a guaranteed good time. The Friends actor is partial to the One&Only Palmilla – which has a hacienda-style, four-bedroom villa. For privacy and beach swimming, Montage in nearby Los Cabos is perched on Santa Maria Bay, the most swimmable beach in the area. Don’t plan on spending days sightseeing: the Hollywood set come to Cabo for sun, ceviche, massages and cocktails. Do as they do.

Go east, Kerala, India

Kerala ’s backwaters offer a birthday-ready blend of lazy and exotic; it’s otherworldly magical, but also mercifully laidback. The done thing, of course, is to charter a traditional rice barge for gentle meanders around beautiful lagoons. But consider, for a moment, what it would be to hire your own luxury motorboat, with eight cabins and 24-hour butlers instead. That’s the appeal of the Oberoi Vrinda , tastefully decorated like a rice- barge and cleverly designed so as not to disturb the peace. With a bar, dining room, roof deck and large picture windows for capturing those 50-shades-of-green views, it’s an ultra-comfortable way to sail around the region, and there are small rice boats on hand for visiting the narrower canals, too.

Go sailing: British Virgin Islands, Caribbean

The BVIs were made for sailing: a string of 60 islands, islets and cays, stroked by steady winds and strewn with sheltered coves. Far from jazzy hotels and jet-skis, it’s a private-feeling Eden of dazzling white-sand beaches, superlative snorkelling and ramshackle rum shacks. Hire a skipper ( The Moorings come recommended) for an easy idle on its gentle currents, with little to do but live the barefoot dream: be that at The Baths on Virgin Gorda, where volcanic boulders form grottoes and pools; or on Jost van Dyke island’s legendary Soggy Dollar Bar for signature Painkiller cocktails (best enjoyed while swinging in a sea-facing hammock). Guana private island is the place for a big-birthday feast: chef Xavi Arnau trained at Nobu in London and Catalonia’s El Bulli.

Go remote: The Scottish Highlands

It’s tempting to equate going big with going far-flung. But there’s no need to jump on a long-haul flight if you’re after epic landscapes in a remote destination. The Scottish Highlands have some of the most beautiful scenery anywhere in the world – as well as white-sand beaches, a delicious farm-to-fork food scene and wonderful places to stay. Take over the two-bedroom Boat House at The Torridon , a private hideaway set right on the water with views across the loch. There’s 58 acres of grounds to explore – try sea kayaking, a whale cruise or go all out and charter a yacht to the Isle of Skye . Sarah James

Go Safari: Serengeti, Tanzania

It doesn’t get much more ‘big birthday’ than a hot-air-balloon ride over the Serengeti . And if you thought a safari might skew a little too rustic for a birthday celebration, don’t worry: there’s plenty of coddling at Four Seasons Safari Lodge , where creature comforts include your own private infinity pool and elevated sun deck. Book a terrace suite and watch elephants drinking at a nearby waterhole over your morning coffee; or presidential villa perks include two bedrooms, a private chef, poolside barbecue and an outdoor tub for deep soaking. Four Seasons safaris offer game drives, walking adventures and, of course, that all-important sunrise balloon ride, followed by a Champagne breakfast in the bush.

Go Tropical: The Tamarind, Thailand

The Tamarind is a luscious tropical escape that feels a world away from Thailand ’s frenzied beach hotels. Close to Bangsaray, a relaxed seaside getaway popular with wealthy Thais, it’s clean, green and quiet, which is more than can be said for better-known neighbour, Pattaya, a 20-minute drive north. The Tamarind has two villas: one sleeping 20 people, set in three acres of jungly gardens; the other housing 12, on the shores of the lake. Also thrown in: 25 full-time staff (can’t confirm), including chefs and drivers. Better still, nearby Hat Sai Kaew beach is the jewel of the region: managed by the Royal Thai Navy, it’s utterly pristine, with mountain views, soft, white sand and crystal-clear shallows for swimming. Also close by is Silverlake Vineyard, a seriously scenic spot for lunch.

Go refined: Napa Valley

In the billionaire’s playground that is the Bay Area, one region in particular is a byword for unparalleled luxury: Napa. Here, big shots retire to tend their own wine estates, eat at triple- Michelin-starred restaurants and tootle two-lane highways through manicured countryside that appears forever bathed in a soft summer glow. Fancy giving the gift of the wealthy Californian’s life – albeit briefly – to yourself? Villas of Distinction rents a £10,000 a night, five-bedroom house in the heart of Napa’s winelands, with a pool, hot tub, 20ft wood-beamed ceilings and roaring fires for those chilly Northern California nights. ( Roman Coppola ’s favourite place to eat, Ciccio in Yountville, is nearby.) Or rent a two-bedroom, cedar shingle lodge at woodland wonderland Calistoga Lodge , one of our favourite wine-country hotels in the world.

Go all-out: Dolphin Island, Fiji

None of this sounding big enough? Then how about this: your own island in the South Pacific . Fourteen-acre, castaway retreat Dolphin Island , available for exclusive-use only, can host a maximum of eight guests. Along with four thatched-roof suites, there’s a hilltop open-air bedroom, lit only by lanterns and candles for the ultimate in stripped-back luxe. Surrounded by shallow water and reefs, snorkellers can head straight out from the sandy beach, and there are 25 excellent dive sites all within an hour. There is, naturally, an infinity pool, helipad and on-tap spa treatments, too.

Planning a Birthday Trip: Travel Solo or with a Group

Posted on Published: November 23, 2021  - Last updated: December 13, 2022

Traveling for your birthday is a special kind of travel. It’s unlike any kind of other travel because it has a unique spark of excitement. You’re marking the passage of a year of your life, but a birthday spent traveling is unlike any other birthday – it’s different because you are on an adventure .

I believe that birthday travel is one of the best kinds of travel and one of the best kinds of birthdays.

In this article, I’ll share with you my tips for making sure that your birthday travel – whether it’s an epic solo adventure or gathering up your whole gang for a weekend visiting a place you love – is a memorable, enjoyable birthday trip that you’ll remember fondly for years.

How to Make Birthday travel really Special

It doesn’t surprise me that people love to travel on their birthdays. Birthdays mark for us the passing of the year. That reality can bring up a lot of different feelings for different individuals, but one way to make a challenging birthday easier to enjoy is by spending it traveling.

Travel naturally gets our brains excited about new and novel experiences. Travel gets us out of our comfort zone, where any number of possibilities are imaginable. To most brains, that’s really exciting and pleasurable experience.

Why travel is a good option for a difficult birthday

Some birthdays can be challenging due to grief experienced in the previous year or an internal struggle with the realities of getting older, but travel can help us cope with unpleasant feelings while creating exciting new travel memories.

Birthday travel avoids the trap of depression, dissociation, and distraction, and instead leans into the aging process in a healthy way: with excitement and curiosity for what the future holds.

Planning birthday travel is a chance to show self-care to yourself. It acknowledges, “Yes, I’m getting older, and my life is an adventure that I’m excited to move forward into.”

Solo or group travel on a birthday takes that adventurous travel-excitement and associates it with your birthday. While many people pass difficult birthdays with depressed moods (my own mother spent her 40th birthday secluded in her room!) or unhealthy distractions (like drinking too much at a party in excess of what we’d actually enjoy) travel is a healthy way to enjoy a hard birthday.

How travel marks the passing of time

Think about how memorable travel is. Most of us remember very little of our early childhoods, but what we do remember is often colored by the excitement of family vacations or a visit to distant relatives. Significant trips create really vibrant memories- and that continues into adulthood.

Birthday parties, however, tend to not be remembered as well. Even the best birthday party lacks the excitement of a grand travel adventure, solo or with a group of friends.

By planning travel as a way to celebrate your birthday, you can flip the script a bit and plan a trip that will result in a birthday that’s exciting and memorable.

Travel for your 20th, 30th, 40th birthday or older.

As we age, the ways we enjoy travel tends to change. A young adult celebrating their 21st birthday with travel may want to focus their travels on nightlife, sleeping in hostels , and traveling like a teenager , whereas celebrating your 40th birthday on the road (like I did in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park ) has a different flavor.

As we age, we continue to develop and mature, and this is often reflected in the kind of travel that we choose for our birthdays.

Because of this, avoid being influenced away from the type of trip that you actually want. Travel websites make money selling others on what travel should look like- but you (especially on your birthday!) get to choose what your travel style is and how to best enjoy traveling on your birthday.

Bringing the whole gang? Check out my tips for planning group travel that everyone will show up for .

The best destinations for traveling on your 21st birthday

Because younger travelers tend to have different priorities than older travelers, the ideal location for a trip can shift as we age.

For 20-year-olds who are primarily interested in meeting people and experiencing nightlife, a city with a thriving hostel culture and nightlife scene is likely the best choice. The best places to celebrate a 21st birthday include Budapest, Hungary, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and Bangkok, Thailand, all of which have a thriving hostel culture that appeals to many people celebrating their 20th, 21st, 25th, or another early life birthday. (Related resource: Top 100 Nightclubs in the World )

Need ideas for where to travel next? Take THE Quiz

Traveling solo for your birthday

Although many of us want to be surrounded by family and friends on our birthday, the lure of solo travel can often be greater than this drive. Alternately, if you have a Christmas-adjacent birthday (like yours truly), you may find that gathering friends for your birthday gets harder every year as people become more linked with families as they age.

Solo travel can be a great way to spend a birthday, because you get to focus on sold solely on you – the birthday boy or girl. Not only can you choose your destination for solo birthday travel, but you also get to have total and complete control over what you see, how long you stay, and what restaurants you eat at. If eating alone in restaurants is a little bit challenging, be sure and check out my guide to eating alone in a restaurant with confidence .

Final thoughts on traveling on your birthday.

There are so many different ways to enjoy birthday travel that it’s difficult to say for sure, or even sum up in a single article, all of the best birthday travel ideas. What I can say for sure, though, is that travel is an excellent way to mark, with adventure, the passing of time and the personal growth that has come through another year of life.

Lynli Roman’s unique approach to travel is informed by decades of experience on the road with a traveling family and, later, years spent as a solo international traveler. When she’s not writing about Seattle from her Pike Place Market apartment, Lynli writes on-location while conducting hands-on research in each destination she covers. Lynli’s writing has been featured by MSN, ABC Money, Buzzfeed, and Huffington Post. She is passionate about sharing information that makes travel more accessible for all bodies.

15 Unforgettable 50th Birthday Trip Ideas to Take with Friends

Are you looking for a memorable and fun way to celebrate your 50th birthday? A girls’ trip is the perfect way to ring in this significant milestone. Whether you’re a homebody or a seasoned jet setter, your birthday is the perfect opportunity to see new places, escape with your close friends, and enjoy a fantastic getaway. We’re rounding up our favorite 50th birthday trip ideas that are worthy of this momentous occasion. So come along and discover the best places to celebrate and unwind!

*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. Please check out our  disclosure policy  for more details. Thank you for your support!

Table of Contents

15 Birthday Trip Ideas That Are Perfect for Celebrating with Friends

1. newport, rhode island.

Newport is the perfect place for a relaxed, coastal getaway. Enjoy classic New England charm while soaking up the salt air and beautiful scenery. 

Start your holiday with a stroll on the Cliff Walk, a 3.5-mile coastal trail that highlights the best of Newport’s beauty. Then head to its quaint downtown area, where you can peruse art galleries, dine in local restaurants, and stroll the scenic streets. 

But the best way to see Newport is from the water. Consider booking a sightseeing cruise on a vintage lobster boat or classic sailboat. A summertime visit offers the chance to enjoy a sun-soaked beach day. Head over to Easton’s Beach, or rent bikes to visit Gooseberry Beach.

One of our favorite Newport activities (especially for a girl’s trip!) is a mansion tour . The Breakers is the most popular and stately mansion to tour, but we also love The Elms for its gorgeous gardens. 

2. Asheville, North Carolina

Asheville has a little bit of everything: serene mountains, fun local culture, unique shopping and dining, and unforgettable attractions. That’s why it’s a great place to celebrate a special occasion – especially a 50th birthday!

We recommend booking a stay in one of its historic downtown hotels, but for a true escape, you could instead reserve a mountain cabin. Either way, you’ll want to make sure you enjoy both the city and its scenic surroundings. 

Of course, you can’t miss touring the Biltmore Mansion (the town’s most popular attraction), complete with time at their wine bar. The estate also offers guided hikes, bike rentals, croquet games, and falconry experiences. 

Back in town, be sure to save up for a full day of shopping and dining. When the weather is good, you could easily spend multiple days simply strolling through its charming streets. 

Nature lovers will want to head into the Blue Ridge Mountains, where there are many hiking trails with breathtaking views. And anyone will appreciate Asheville’s great spas, like Shoji Spa and Lodge , which offers professional treatments in a serene setting. 

3. Savannah, Georgia

Enjoy southern charm, coastal beauty, and unique culture in Savannah . If you’ve never visited this gorgeous Georgia city, your 50th birthday is the perfect excuse. 

Mild winters mean you can enjoy downtown strolls throughout the year, but we still prefer fall and spring for their picture-perfect conditions. Immerse yourself in the historic architecture, delicious food, quaint courtyards, and lively culture of Savannah. 

You need to book a ghost tour of downtown Savannah – the city’s unique history and peculiar hauntings are fascinating. Another option is to stay up late in one of its fun jazz bars or at the Savannah Smiles Dueling Pianos bar . 

If you want to dip your toes in the ocean, take the short drive to Tybee Island. You can dine on local seafood and maybe even see dolphins and sea turtles in their natural habitat. 

4. Charleston, South Carolina

The colorful, cobbled streets are enough to lure most girl groups to Charleston. But there’s more to this vibrant city than what meets the eye. 

Your 50th birthday getaway to Charleston will be full of beautiful sights, amazing food, great music, and plenty of relaxation. 

See the city from a horse-drawn carriage , or rent bikes to explore at your own pace. Consider taking a historical tour of one of its unique homes or neighborhoods, or simply unwind at one of Charleston’s excellent spas. To soak in the sun, take the 20-minute drive to Folly Beach, where you could easily spend an entire day enjoying its unique beach-town vibe. 

For brunch, eat at Park & Grove , which has an unbeatable farm-to-table menu. Seafood dinner is best at Chubby Fish – just get there early to minimize your wait time. 

5. Quebec City and Montreal, Canada

Quebec City and Montreal are great places to celebrate the big 5-0. These Canadian towns are perfect for sightseers who love unique architecture and walkable streets. 

Begin in Quebec City, where you can see Montmorency Falls, a natural wonder that’s larger than Niagara Falls. Also check out Place Royale, a historic square with old-world European architecture and quaint shops. 

Take the 3.5-hour train ride from Quebec City to Montreal. It’s a scenic route, and the business-class service is excellent. 

Once in Montreal, marvel at the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal, walk through the Parc Du Mont-Royal, and explore the Montreal Botanical Garden. 

There’s a lot of walking to do in both Quebec City and Montreal, so consider speeding things up by renting a moped – it’s a fun way to see the sights. Montreal is also a great place to take a cooking class . Or, leave the cooking to the pros and enjoy fine dining at L’Express , an incredible French bistro that you must visit while in town.

6. Sedona, Arizona

If you’re looking for a balance between relaxation and adventure, Sedona could be the perfect destination for your 50th birthday vacation. 

Sedona is hailed as a place of healing and sacred energy, so your trip here should definitely include one-of-a-kind spa treatments. Book a treatment (or an entire stay) at The Wilde Resort and Spa to enjoy the hotel’s peaceful atmosphere and luxurious service. 

Join a wine tour to sip and see even more of the area’s natural beauty (without the hassle of driving!). 

And when you’re ready for outdoor adventures, Sedona won’t disappoint. Go horseback riding through the desert or fly high in a hot air balloon. There is also great hiking throughout the area. Sugar Loaf Loop is an easy trail that’s located near town, or consider booking a guided hike to see some of Sedona’s hidden gems. 

7. Cape Cod, Massachusetts 

Cape Cod is quintessentially New England, and you’ll be immersed in its movie-worthy aesthetic and coastal charm. 

Plan your trip here around the best restaurants. Seafood reigns supreme, but you can also find excellent delis and bakeries throughout town. Also, keep your itinerary light – you’ll want plenty of time to relax on its many beautiful beaches. 

Don’t forget to head to one of the area’s downtown districts, where colorful streets, unique shops, and local art galleries can keep you busy for multiple days. 

For a unique stay, book rooms in a local bed and breakfast. Or, book a luxurious stay at Chatham Bars Inn , which features an onsite spa, tennis courts, and an oceanfront heated pool. 

8. Park City, Utah

Park City is best known for its winter sports – and it’s our go-to recommendation for a girls’ ski trip. But even in warm months, you can have a fun-filled 50th birthday getaway in this scenic city. 

Of course, the best things to do in Park City are skiing and snowboarding, but its winter après-ski options can keep everyone in your group entertained. Enjoy great restaurants, live music, and the many adventures at Olympic Park. 

In the warmer months, you can fly fish, horseback ride, hike, or take a scenic yoga class. Plus, there are great spas throughout Park City that will help you unwind, whether you’re taking a break from non-stop skiing or lounging by a fire. 

9. Palm Springs

For a stylish SoCal getaway, head to Palm Springs. This sun-drenched city offers incredible shopping, spas, and adventure, all set in the unique landscape of the California desert. 

Our favorite 50th birthday trip ideas in Palm Springs include visiting Joshua Tree National Park and a day shopping and dining along Palm Canyon Drive. 

For a world-class spa day, you must go to The Spa at Séc-he . It’s a glistening property located in the heart of Downtown Palm Springs, and it’s home to the city’s only natural hot spring. Services include mineral baths, quartz beds, salt caves, and cryotherapy. It’s certainly a rejuvenating way to ring in a new decade of life!

10. Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas is a popular choice for any big occasion, and your 50th birthday celebration here will be unforgettable. Book a luxurious stay at a world-class hotel and be within walking distance of some of the most lively activities. 

You’ll want to check out some live entertainment while in Sin City. Cirque du Soleil , U2 at The Sphere , Shania Twain, David Copperfield , and Absinthe are popular choices for girls trips. 

Hit the slot machines or go big at a table game. If gambling is not for you, there’s still plenty to do, like shopping, dining, and sightseeing. 

Outside of the city, you can take a day trip to the Grand Canyon , take an ATV tour of the nearby desert , or hike through Red Rock Canyon. 

11. Scottsdale, Arizona

Scottsdale is famous for its luxurious spa resorts and golf clubs, which is reason enough to make it your 50th birthday destination. A girls’ trip here can include wine tasting, massages, and sightseeing. 

There’s a Four Seasons and a Fairmont here, so you can treat yourself to a luxurious stay. 

You can also thoroughly enjoy the great outdoors while in Scottsdale. Take a hot air balloon ride , or white water raft , go hiking, or join a guided mountain bike tour . For a more relaxed way to take in Scottsdale’s unique scenery, you can book a chauffeured driving tour or take a leisurely hike near town. 

12. Fort Worth, Texas

Fort Worth is a great place for a weekend girls’ getaway in Texas . There are endless amounts of great shopping, dining, and nightlife – perfect for groups that want an easy and fun escape. Plus, getting here is a breeze with so many flights coming into DFW airport. 

Fill your days with distillery tours, downtown restaurants, and unique museums. Kimbell Art Museum is incredible, and the National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame is perfect for a girl’s trip. 

The Fort Worth Stockyards has twice-daily cattle drives that you have to check out. There are also regular rodeos and old-fashioned salons in this historic neighborhood. Book a stay at Hotel Drover to be close to all the action.

13. St. Augustine, Florida

Looking for 50th birthday trip ideas that include plenty of sand and sea? St. Augustine offers the classic beach trip your entire group will love, plus a lot of history that will make the vacation even more memorable. 

Your first stop will be the coastline, where crystal clear waters and unique lighthouses await. Crescent Beach is perfect for a beach day, and you can even go horseback riding on this scenic stretch of sand. 

When you’re ready to explore the historic city, consider getting a day pass for the hop-on, hop-off old town trolley, allowing you to see more of town (and its many distilleries and shops) with less walking. 

And when the sunsets, you’re ready to enjoy live music at one of the historic district’s great bars. Or, book a ghost tour for a unique insight into America’s oldest town. 

14. Lake Tahoe, California

Lake Tahoe is a great destination for any group, especially for celebratory girls’ trips. Adventurous travelers will love exploring on a kayak or stand-up paddleboard. Meanwhile, a relaxed getaway could include a scenic gondola ride or a wine cruise on the lake. 

In the winter, Lake Tahoe is a fun skiing destination with unforgettable scenery. It’s a great location for beginners, so you and your friends can take a group class and hit the easy slopes for a fun day on the mountain. 

Desolation Hotel is a top choice for a girls’ getaway, and you’ll have the best time eating and drinking throughout town. It’s a top place for bonding, adventure, and relaxation. 

15. Banff, Canada

Have you ever been to Banff, Canada? This resort town is located within a national park pleasing luxe travelers and adventure seekers alike. 

In the winter, you can hit the slopes at one of Banff’s three world-class ski resorts. But we prefer summer trips when the weather is great and endless exploration awaits. 

You’ll love relaxing in Banff Upper Hot Springs and dining in one of the town’s scenic restaurants. But be sure to get out and about, either on a driving tour or a hike. Banff is a great place for spotting wildlife, and each corner of the park is filled with stunning views. 

So hit the trails, unwind, and dine in style in Banff – one of our top 50th birthday trip ideas.

Looking for more destinations? Don’t miss the best 40th birthday trip ideas and where to go for a 10th anniversary trip !

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It pays to be born. Beyond a complimentary  dessert at your favorite restaurant , there are plenty of free birthday travel promotions that should be on your radar. Whether it’s extra bonus miles, hotel discounts or even upgrades on long-haul international flights, you’d be surprised how much you could potentially save on your special day.

Getting excited to celebrate? Don’t worry, we already did the hard work. Check out our list of places that offer the best birthday freebies.

Southwest Airlines

Even though you may not get anything for free when turning a year older,  Southwest Airlines  loves to celebrate other holidays at 30,000 feet in the air. Travelers have reported receiving free premium drinks when flying on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, Valentine's Day and other holidays.

Plus, Southwest does celebrate its own birthday on June 18. So make a note and feel free to plan around it during the summer.

Compare Southwest Consumer Credit Cards

China airlines.

This may not seem like a lot, but a discount is a discount. If you book a flight during your birthday month  with China Airlines, you’re eligible to receive 5% off economy tickets and 10% off on business class routes in Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, Guam, Palau, Hong Kong and China.

You just have to sign up for the airlines’ loyalty program to take advantage of the promotion (it’s free to sign up).

The more you stay at  Marriott hotels , the higher your loyalty status will be. In the past, some members have received a  free future night  for their birthday, though this appears to be paused for now.

There are no guarantees, but it could pay off to indicate your birthday on your account to increase the odds of receiving an offer like this someday. The best part is that the night might count toward the number of stays you have to accrue for a certain loyalty status. To put things in perspective, you only need 10 nights to gain Marriott’s lowest Silver status.

The 5 Best Hotel Loyalty Rewards Programs

Kimpton hotels.

Kimpton St Honoré Paris/IHG

Some customers have reported getting birthday surprises from Kimpton Hotels. These could include balloons or dessert placed in their room after giving the property a heads up they were celebrating a birthday. This isn't guaranteed every time, but it doesn't hurt to let the hotel know it's your big day and see if they reward you with something special.

Recommended Travel Credit Cards

Vegas hotels.

If Vegas is on your birthday itinerary, it’s worth checking if you can get a little something for free as you celebrate another year. For example, the Wynn Las Vegas offers complimentary credit to use at its properties, along with a dinner credit for many of its locations, to those with Platinum or Black Wynn Rewards Tier membership.

The Plaza makes it even easier to score a freebie with its birthday discount, which just requires using the provided promo code when you make a reservation.

The next time you're in Vegas, let the hotel or restaurant know it's your big day, and see if any surprises come your way.

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Alaska airlines .

Again, it’s not much, but with  Alaska Airlines  you might be able to save up to  5% off tickets  for you and a friend. The promo codes are reportedly unique to each member account and emailed to you around your birthday. It doesn’t hurt to get an already affordable flight for even cheaper.

Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines is also known to offer birthday freebies for travelers, from a host of hot and cold drink options to birthday cake, as a former flight attendant recently detailed on Tiktok.

@geiwosushi Reply to @_xiaotheng_ PART 2: 🍝🥪🍎🍬🍰🍦 #fyp #singaporeairlines #tiktoksg ♬ original sound - OMGXIAOQIAN

To score the free cake on your birthday, you’ll want to let the airline know in advance so they can bring it on board, but in general, free drinks and some foods are available most of the time on Singapore Airlines, birthdays included.

Leave it to the happiest place on Earth to make your birthday magical. At  Disney World  and  Disneyland , guests receive a free birthday button so the staff can properly greet you as you make your way through the grounds. It’s also an easy way for employees to know when they should give you the series of freebies from the different theme parks.

A few examples include a free pretzel at  Disneyland’s Wetzel’s Pretzels  with no purchase necessary, or a special offer at the Lego store. However, you have to sign up for the loyalty program beforehand. At  Disney World , you might snag complimentary birthday desserts at an array of restaurants or an Icee from Club Cool in Epcot.

Additionally, outside franchises like Starbucks and Earl of Sandwich scattered around both parks sometimes honor their company’s birthday freebies for loyalists. It may only save you a few dollars, but nothing beats a free Frappuccino or Earl’s popular roast beef sandwich.

How I Booked a Trip for Four to Disneyland for Almost Nothing Using Points

If you love the water, you might be able to swing a free cruise on your next birthday. While you’re unlikely to get a free oceanfaring weeklong cruise for free, some companies offer free harbor cruises on your birthday. Captain Cook Cruises , in Sydney, Australia, does, and they also offer a dining discount on birthdays. If you’ll be stateside for your big day, City Cruises in San Diego also offers a similar harbor tour the week of your birthday.

Tell People It's Your Birthday

As seen here, not all birthday promotions are officially advertised, so one of the best ways to score a deal on your big day may be just to ask. If you're flying, dining at a favorite restaurant or visiting a hotel, it could pay to let people know it's your birthday.

Best case scenario, you'll get a free piece of cake or a nice discount. Worst case, someone will wish you happy birthday—and while that won't do much for your bank account, it's always nice to hear.

Make sure you’re always getting the best prices when you travel by setting a  Deal Alert . We’ll let you know as soon as there’s a new offer for your favorite airline or hotel.

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11 Unforgettable Trips for a 50th Birthday

The 50th birthday anniversary is a milestone in life – a momentous occasion that deserves to be celebrated in a grand and unforgettable manner. As the years of wisdom and experience accumulate, so does the desire to venture on new adventures and explore the world.

What better way to mark this significant chapter than by fulfilling your long-held travel dreams and embracing the spirit of wanderlust.

• Machu Picchu, Peru – Embark on a journey to the ancient Incan citadel of Machu Picchu, nestled amidst the Andes Mountains. Trek the iconic Inca Trail or take the scenic train ride to witness this archaeological wonder up close.
• African Safari, Tanzania or Kenya – Experience the thrill of a safari in the Serengeti or Maasai Mara, where you can witness the majestic wildlife of Africa, including the Big Five, in their natural habitat.
• Northern Lights in Norway – Head to Norway’s Arctic region, such as Tromsø or Lofoten Islands, for a chance to witness the mesmerizing dance of the Northern Lights across the night sky.
• Galápagos Islands, Ecuador – Explore the unique and diverse ecosystem of the Galápagos Islands, where you can encounter fearless wildlife and marvel at the pristine beauty of this volcanic archipelago.
• Greek Islands Cruise – Sail through the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean, hopping from one enchanting island to another, and indulge in the rich history, cuisine, and beauty of this ancient civilization.
• Japanese Cherry Blossom Tour – Time your 50th birthday with the cherry blossom season in Japan for a picturesque experience of these delicate blooms and immerse yourself in the country’s rich culture.

Continue reading for the complete list of unforgettable trips ideas for a 50th birthday.

This is a compilation of memorable and awe-inspiring destination ideas that promise to make your 50th birthday an unparalleled celebration of life, joy, and adventure. From breathtaking natural wonders to vibrant cultural experiences, these handpicked journeys will not only nourish your soul but also create memories to be treasured for a lifetime.

Whether you are an intrepid explorer yearning to conquer distant peaks, a cultural enthusiast eager to immerse yourself in distinct traditions, or simply seeking a serene escape to connect with nature’s beauty, there is a perfect bucket list trip waiting for you.

How to Choose a Destination for a 50th Birthday

To choose the perfect destination for your 50th birthday celebration, start by having a conversation with yourself. Reflect on your dream destinations, places you’ve always wanted to visit, and specific experiences you wish to have. Consider your interests and preferences – whether it’s adventure, history, culture, nature, relaxation, or a mix of these.

Next, take into account your physical abilities and health condition. Opt for a destination that offers activities and experiences you can comfortably enjoy. If you have a bucket list of destinations, consider choosing one from your list – fulfilling a long-held dream can make the celebration even more special.

Think about who will be accompanying you on the trip. Whether it’s a family celebration or a solo adventure, ensure that the destination caters to the interests and age groups of everyone involved.

Research the weather conditions and seasons of potential destinations. Choose a time of the year when the weather is pleasant and aligns with your preferences – whether you prefer a warm beach destination or a snowy mountain retreat.

Consider your interests in art, history, and cultural experiences. Some destinations offer unique cultural events or festivals that can add a special touch to your celebration.

Tailor the destination to your hobbies or passions. Whether it’s a culinary tour, wine tasting in a renowned wine region, birdwatching, golfing, or a photography expedition, make sure it aligns with your interests to make the trip more enjoyable.

Remember, the key to choosing the perfect destination for your 50th birthday celebration is to make it a thoughtful and personalized adventure that reflects your desires and creates lasting memories for years to come.

Travel Destination Ideas for a 50th Birthday

Visit the archeological wonder of machu picchu, peru.

Experience the awe-inspiring voyage to the ancient Incan citadel of Machu Picchu, nestled amidst Peru’s majestic Andes Mountains.

Choose between the iconic Inca Trail trek, offering challenging yet rewarding landscapes, or opt for a scenic train ride through the picturesque Peruvian countryside. Regardless of your chosen route, the sight of Machu Picchu’s terraced ruins, ancient temples, and enigmatic structures against lush greenery and misty peaks will leave you breathless.

As you explore this historical gem, a profound sense of wonder and reverence for the past will captivate you. Machu Picchu’s spiritual and cultural significance makes it a perfect destination for a 50th birthday celebration, a reminder that age should never deter you from embarking on extraordinary adventures that create great memories.

Hiram Bingham Round Trip Luxury Train to Machu Picchu

See Wildlife Up Close on an African Safari, Tanzania or Kenya

Go on an exhilarating African safari in the Serengeti or Maasai Mara for your 50th birthday. Witness the magnificent wildlife of Africa, including the renowned Big Five, thriving in their natural habitat.

Guided by knowledgeable experts, you’ll gain insights into the intricate ecosystem and behaviors of these impressive creatures. The stunning landscapes, from golden savannas to iconic acacia trees, add to the enchantment of your safari adventure. Engage with the Maasai people to learn about their rich culture and traditions, fostering a deeper connection to the region.

This once-in-a-lifetime journey is a celebration of nature’s beauty and a reminder of the importance of conservation. From encountering graceful lions to observing playful elephant herds, every moment will leave an indelible mark on your heart.

Classic Balloon Safari & Breakfast in Serengeti & Tarangire

Witness Northern Lights in Norway

For a magical experience, travel to Norway’s Arctic region, where you can witness the mesmerizing dance of the Northern Lights across the night sky.

Head to Tromsø or the Lofoten Islands, where the natural phenomenon of the Aurora Borealis takes center stage. Be prepared to be spellbound as vibrant ribbons of green, purple, and pink swirl and flicker in the darkness, creating a celestial spectacle that will leave you in awe. The Arctic wilderness provides the perfect backdrop for this magical display, offering a serene and otherworldly atmosphere.

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or undertaking your first adventure, this incredible encounter with the Northern Lights promises to be an unforgettable highlight of your 50th birthday celebration. Embrace the wonder of the universe as you witness this spectacular natural marvel in one of the world’s most breathtaking settings.

Aurora Hunt Tour with Citizen Science from Tromso – Professional Photos Included

Observe Unique Nature in the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

Go on a remarkable journey to the Galápagos Islands, where you will discover a unique and diverse ecosystem unlike any other. This volcanic archipelago, situated in the Pacific Ocean, promises encounters with fearless wildlife and pristine natural beauty.

As you visit the islands, you’ll have the extraordinary opportunity to witness creatures found nowhere else on earth, from giant tortoises to playful sea lions and charismatic blue-footed boobies. The Galápagos’ remote location has allowed its flora and fauna to evolve independently, making each species a living testament to the wonders of evolution.

With its crystal-clear protected waters, vibrant coral reefs, and photogenic landscapes, the Galápagos Islands will captivate all your senses. This once-in-a-lifetime experience is a celebration of our planet’s incredible biodiversity.

Classic Galapagos: South Eastern Islands Cruise

Treat Yourself to a Greek Islands Cruise

Go on a captivating voyage through the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean as you hop from one enchanting Greek island to another. This amazing trip promises to be a feast for the senses, allowing you to engage in the rich history, delectable cuisine, and breathtaking beauty of this ancient civilization.

Each Greek island offers a unique and alluring charm, from the iconic white-washed buildings of Santorini perched atop volcanic cliffs to the lively and bustling streets of Mykonos. Explore archaeological treasures that harken back to ancient times, stroll through quaint villages where traditions are still cherished, and savor the flavors of traditional Greek dishes that have stood the test of time.

As you sail through this storied sea, you’ll feel a deep connection to the past and an appreciation for the enduring legacy of Greek culture. Let the Mediterranean winds carry you on this unforgettable 50th birthday odyssey, revealing the timeless allure of Greece’s sun-kissed islands.

Greece Sailing Adventure: Cyclades Islands

Bask in the Japanese Cherry Blossoms

Plan a truly unique 50th birthday celebration by timing your trip with Japan’s cherry blossom season. This enchanting experience will immerse you in the delicate beauty of these blooms and allow you to bask in the richness of Japanese culture.

As the cherry blossoms blanket the landscape with soft hues of pink and white, you’ll be captivated by the breathtaking scenery that unfolds before your eyes. From strolling through ancient temples and traditional gardens to partaking in hanami (flower-viewing) picnics under the blooming trees, you’ll find yourself surrounded by the essence of Japanese traditions and customs.

Indulge in the delectable flavors of seasonal sakura-themed treats, witness time-honored rituals, and be welcomed by the warmth of the Japanese people. This extraordinary trip during cherry blossom season will create unforgettable memories and fill your heart with the beauty of spring’s fleeting magic in Japan.

Cherry Blossom Tours – Essence of Spring

Feast Your Senses on an Icelandic Adventure

Venture on a journey of discovery through Iceland’s enchanting otherworldly landscapes, where nature’s wonders abound. Prepare to be amazed by geysers shooting hot water into the air, majestic waterfalls cascading down rugged cliffs, immense glaciers that stretch as far as the eye can see, and the striking beauty of volcanic terrain.

To unwind and rejuvenate, treat yourself to the luxurious experience of relaxing in geothermal hot springs. These soothing pools offer a unique way to connect with the earth’s natural warmth while surrounded by the untouched beauty of the surrounding landscapes.

Iceland’s allure lies not only in its captivating natural wonders but also in its vibrant culture and friendly locals. Embrace the spirit of adventure as you traverse this unique land, exploring its folklore, traditions, and modern artistic expressions.

Premium Iceland Tour

Adventure on a Cruise to the Antarctic Peninsula

Go on an extraordinary sailing adventure to the frozen continent of Antarctica, where a world of breathtaking ice formations and unique wildlife awaits. This unique environment offers an unparalleled voyage into one of the most remote regions on Earth.

As your ship navigates through icy waters, you’ll be mesmerized by the grandeur of towering icebergs and magnificent glaciers that glisten under the sun. The sight of vast colonies of penguins, gracefully gliding seals, and majestic whales breaching the surface will leave you in awe of nature’s wonders.

Antarctica’s allure lies not just in its incredible landscapes and wildlife but also in the profound sense of tranquility and wonder that surrounds you. Let the magic of Antarctica capture your heart as you experience the majesty of one of the world’s last great frontiers.

WWF Journey to the Circle and Giants of Antarctica (Ocean Endeavour)

Read WHAT IS EXPEDITION CRUISING AND WHY IS IT BECOMING SO POPULAR AMONG WOMEN OVER 60?

Pamper Yourself in Tuscany, Italy

Indulge in the irresistible charm of Tuscany, where rolling hills, vineyards, and quaint towns beckon with their timeless allure. This Italian region promises an unforgettable experience, where every moment is a celebration of life’s simple pleasures.

Immerse yourself in the art, history, and romance that permeates the very air of Tuscany. Visit iconic cities like Florence, renowned for its Renaissance masterpieces, and wander through cobbled streets that seem frozen in time. As you explore, tantalize your taste buds with delectable Italian cuisine. From savory pasta dishes to luscious wines, Tuscany’s gastronomic delights are a sensory delight that will transport you to culinary heaven.

Tuscany’s allure lies not only in its captivating landscapes and gastronomy but also in the warmth and hospitality of its people. Embrace the spirit of la dolce vita as you bask in the welcoming embrace of this enchanting region.

A trip to Tuscany is a celebration of life’s simple pleasures – where art, history, cuisine, and breathtaking scenery converge in a symphony of beauty and romance.

Premium Tuscany Tour

Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Dive into the vibrant underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef, the largest coral reef system on the planet. Snorkel or dive to explore the diverse marine life, including colorful corals, exotic fish, and majestic sea turtles. 

Stay on nearby islands or luxury liveaboards for an immersive experience. This UNESCO World Heritage site offers an unparalleled adventure that celebrates the beauty of our oceans and the wonders of marine biodiversity.

Patagonia, Argentina and Chile

Go on an expedition to the rugged landscapes of Patagonia, where you can trek through breathtaking national parks such as Torres del Paine and Los Glaciares. Marvel at the towering granite peaks, expansive glaciers, and pristine lakes. 

Enjoy activities like hiking, horseback riding, and wildlife spotting in one of the world’s last great wildernesses. Patagonia’s dramatic scenery and untouched nature make it a perfect destination for a memorable 50th birthday adventure.

Read 8 SPIRITUAL JOURNEYS FROM AROUND THE WORLD .

Also read THE 10 SAFEST COUNTRIES TO TRAVEL AS A WOMAN OVER 50 .

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Is your 50th birthday coming up? Are you planning something grandiose like a bucket list trip of a lifetime? Tell us about it in the comments below.

Tags Travel Tips and Plans

Sandra Roussy

Sandra is the middle-aged woman you hear about who sheds everything she owns and sets out into the world to rediscover and redefine herself. After more than twenty years spent in the fashion industry designing collections for brands such as La Senza, Victoria’s Secret, and JACOB Lingerie, she shifted her path and pursued her longtime passion for writing, traveling, and photography. Sandra was published in the NY Times best selling book Eat Pray Love Made Me Do It. A deeply personal essay hand-picked by Elizabeth Gilbert about loss, facing fears, and going after dreams. Visit her website: www.sandraroussy.com

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