10 Memorable Milestone Birthday Vacation Ideas
What better way is there to celebrate another year of successes and welcome in a new wave of triumphs than a long list of birthday vacation ideas? If you’re coming up on a milestone, it might be fun to frame it with memories of an all-inclusive resort or a European getaway.
Whether you travel with a group of friends or your partner or even make it a solo adventure to test your strength, these ten ideas will be the springboard to a new set of stamps in your passport. Get ready to pack light, adventure big, and celebrate a life well-lived.
1. All-Inclusive Caribbean Resort
This is a memory in the making, no matter your age. But, if you have 30th birthday vacation ideas in the works, you won’t regret a sun-filled week on a stretch of Caribbean beaches.
Although Atlantic and Club Med are easy wins, you might consider one of the lesser-known resorts like Andros Beach Club or Baha Mar. Once you arrive, it’s up to you if you’d like to spend the day nestled under a palm tree beside the pool or venture into the Barrier Reef.
Either way, you can’t beat a birthday vacation filled with world-class dining, oceanfront views, spa packages, and endless offerings of umbrella drinks. Check out our in-depth guide to the best all-inclusive resorts to help you plan the Caribbean getaway of your dreams.
2. Australian Adventure
Caribbean beaches are tough to beat. With those white, sandy shorelines and clear blue waters, it’s about as close to paradise as possible.
For your next milestone birthday, however, start making some plans for an Australian adventure. Consider the Great Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its diverse marine life and vibrant coral reefs. This could be your moment to enjoy some sailing, scuba diving, and snorkeling.
Port Douglas and Cairns are safe bets if you’d like to get close to the Great Barrier Reef. But you can get even closer with a multitude of beautiful escapes scattered throughout the region, including luxury resorts and low-key abodes.
Daydream Island Resort is particularly renowned for its Asian-inspired menu and sweeping island views. Hamilton Island is home to Qualia, one of the best-known luxury resorts on the Great Barrier Reef. Its natural timber and stone construction offers the most relaxing views of the Whitsundays. There, you’ll find everything from private bungalows to an adults-only boutique resort.
Truly, you can’t go wrong with any of these islands. Nothing will stop you from endlessly gazing over those clear, turquoise waters. But, if you’ve made it this close to the end of the earth, you might as well keep going with a stopover in Sydney before heading further north to Asia.
3. Asian Exploration
If you’d like to extend the bliss you experienced in the Great Barrier Reef, you might consider ringing in your next birthday in Bali. With healing rays, sun salutations, luxurious spa treatments, and overall wellness, Bali is your ticket to paradise. It lands atop nearly every list of travel guides for good reason.
With ancient temples, decadent gardens, and surfing beaches all around, zen will be the only thing on the menu. Nyang Nyang Beach showcases greenery-lined cliffs, white sands, and a complete absence of cumbersome crowds. It’s a beautiful alternative to some of the more popular beaches in this gorgeous corner of the world.
In terms of temples, you simply must visit Gunung Kawi Temple. It’s an astonishing 11th-century complex of courtyards containing cliff-carved shrines along the Pakerisan River. Intriguing myths and legends surround its creation, but no matter which one holds the most truth, you’ll feel a change in the air when you visit this shrine.
For the artists in your crew, you’ll also want to see the Sukawati Art Market, which is not too far from Gunung Kawi. You’ll find a treasure trove of framed paintings and hand-carved wooden sculptures to admire as you soak up each interaction with the locals.
In Bali, you’ll dance under the waterfalls, climb towards heaven in its temples, and savor some of the most spectacular cuisines. Rest and relaxation are the names of the game in this oasis, and what a way to ring in a new year.
4. Parisian Party
They say our 40s is the decade we really come into our own. Throughout our 20s, we’re mostly finding our way in life. In our 30s, we’re finally starting to settle down. For 40th birthday vacation ideas, though, it has to be a sophisticated European getaway.
Paris isn’t only for lovers. It’s for your gorgeous group of girlfriends, too. You’ll have plenty of options in terms of Airbnbs in the Latin Quarter, Le Marais, and Montmartre.
Depending on how many girls are going and how many ways you can split the bill, you might even up the ante with a luxurious 5-star stay at The Ritz or the Hôtel du Collectionneur near l’Arc de Triomphe.
For more on what to do during your stay, whether it’s with your gal pals or your lover, check out our travel guide to 3 Days in Paris. We’ll walk you through the benefits of a museum pass, must-see historical marvels, and a few artistic explorations.