Turning another year older is already a momentous occasion, but when you’re on the cusp of adulthood at 21 or entering another decade at 50, it’s even more important. Milestone birthdays don’t come along very often – only once every 5 or 10 years, to be exact – and because of that, they deserve an out-of-this-world celebration.
Well, an out-of-this-country celebration, at least. One of the best ways to commemorate a landmark birthday is by visiting a landmark destination – some place you always wanted to see in person. Whether you plan to turn 60 in Europe or 30 in Asia, then, here are some of our favorite milestone birthday destinations from across the globe. Remember, it’s your party, and you’ll fly if you want to!
Paris, France
Paris might seem like an obvious choice, but we’d be remiss to exclude it from any list of must-see locations. Fresh from the 2024 Summer Olympics, Paris is consistently at the forefront of culture, fashion, and cuisine. Take your spouse to the top of the Eiffel Tower for a celebratory kiss, or snap some Instagram photos with your fellow travelers on the Champs-Élysées. You could even recreate the most memorable scenes from Emily in Paris as you mark your special day in the City of Love.
New York City, USA
What could be better than waking up on your birthday in “The City That Never Sleeps”? New York is replete with landmarks and locations used in movies and TV, like the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, and Times Square. Whether you want to follow your Friends to Greenwich Village, visit Grand Central Station like Gossip Girl, or um, swing through the streets of Manhattan, New York is packed with history and pop culture resonances. Take pride in picking NYC as your milestone birthday destination, because as Frank Sinatra once said, if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere!
Reykjavík, Iceland
Iceland can seem like a unique choice in an article titled “Another Trip Around the Sun.” But remember that Iceland is also home to blissful geothermal hot springs, allowing you to host the ultimate spa weekend for your birthday! Emerge rejuvenated from those mineral-rich waters and take in, like Superintendent Chalmers, the aurora borealis. Then, when you’ve hit peak relaxation, plan a day trip or two to see a lava field, glacier, mountain, or fjord. Plenty to post on Instagram when you and your companions arrive home, in other words!
Seoul, South Korea
Seoul, the capital of South Korea, is a good example of an underrated destination, despite the city being a beautiful, unique blend of old and new. For every futuristic skyscraper and high-end media installation to marvel at, there’s a bustling street market or serene temple to appreciate. You only turn 20 (or 30, or 40, etc) once, so why not celebrate it with a once-in-a-lifetime adventure?
Galway, Ireland
Dublin is the Irish capital, and Cork is where this writer hails from (near the fabled Blarney Stone, in fact). However, for an authentically Irish birthday blowout, why not head to the wilds of Galway, famous for its epic coastline and rugged landscape? Galway is also known for its thriving foodie scene, festival atmosphere, and even its appearance in songs by Ed Sheeran and Steve Earle! Situated on the west coast of Ireland, Galway also makes a great base of *birthday* operations, as you can travel to the equally spectacular Cliffs of Moher and Aran Islands from there.
Las Vegas, USA
Now, we’re not suggesting that you gamble away all that birthday cash at Caesar’s Palace this year. But in terms of spectacle, shows, shopping – and yes, maybe even slots – Las Vegas is hard to beat. The city is known for its entertainment, hotels, and casinos, but if you tire of the one-armed bandits and resident performers, you can venture into the Nevada desert. Vegas is close to Death Valley, Zion National Park, and the Western Rim of the Grand Canyon, so make sure you save some money for a birthday road trip!
Tokyo, Japan
From the imperial palaces of Kyoto to the tropical beaches of Okinawa, you could fill an entire bucket list with Japanese locations. For most people, however, Tokyo is the best place to start. Any fans of anime, manga, or video games will feel right at home here, as they explore the diverse neighborhoods of Shibuya, Ikebukuro, and Akihabara. Besides being an up-to-the-minute metropolis, though, Tokyo is also a cultural hub, renowned for its food, museums, public gardens, and shrines. To really make the most of your trip, you could book a course in sake tasting, sushi making, or flower arranging!
Sydney, Australia
Sydney is another location you may have forgotten about, nestled as it is in the corner of our world maps. Known for its Opera House, Botanical Gardens, and breathtaking SKYWALK platform – an observation deck 800 feet above the city – Sydney is a vibrant, scenic destination. Some of the best beaches in the world can be found close to the harbor, and if the perpetually sunny weather does begin to grow old, you can always plan a secondary trip to New Zealand (since you’re in that part of the world anyway).
Casablanca, Morocco
Casablanca – which means “white house” in Spanish – will be familiar to most because of the movie Casablanca (1942). Beyond that, however, Casablanca is an earthy, oceanside city, famed for its vibrant nightlife, cosmopolitan population, and artistic splendor. Although Bogart and Bergman never actually set foot in Morocco, the U.S. set they used was recreated in 2004 at Rick’s Cafe in theOld Medina area. And frankly, if you don’t feel the romantic pull of Hollywood when you go to book your flights to Casablanca – well, we’ll always have Paris. Right back at the top of this article, you see.
And there you have it: a list of travel ideas that will have your nearest and dearest reaching for their passports and planners when you edge closer to your next major birthday. If you want some other advice before you start your globetrotting, check out our articles on “Trendsetting Travel Apps for a Stress-Free 2024 Vacation” and “Tips to Consider Before You Travel with Friends.” Then let us know in the comments below how you’ve celebrated milestone birthdays in the past, or which trips you’re looking forward to in the future!
Eoin is a Content Specialist at Zazzle in Cork. He’s recently bought a house with his fiancée, and thus most of his time these days is spent trying to keep the walls from caving in and the wolves from the door. Still, he’s always open to book, game, and movie recommendations, so if you have some, let him know: he’ll add them to a very, very long list.
