There’s always a good reason to travel, but the best of all is a birthday, particularly when it’s your own. I love a good surprise party as much as the next birthday girl, but social etiquette kind of frowns on planning it for oneself. Instead, book a getaway that will leave you equally amazed.
As a child born in early September, I grew accustomed to sparsely attended birthday parties and lots of frozen cake. Wedged between the end of summer and the looming school year, friends were often away on Labor Day family road trips while I shared a sheet cake with my folks (after which Mom would carefully divvy up the leftovers into freezer-ready servings to be consumed well past Halloween).
As an adult, I decided if I couldn’t beat my absentee birthday guests, I would join them. The rest of the world seemed to be traveling that week, and so would I. A few passport stamps later, I now look forward to ticking off another calendar year in someplace new (it helps distract from the whole getting older thing pretty nicely). I do miss the cake, but, hey, it freezes well.
Dublin, Ireland
Sure, I could have opted to, say, drink my age in rounds of pints at the famed Guinness Brewery. Certainly, I wouldn’t have been the first. And, with its chocolate leather seats and sexy lighting, the bar at our hotel, The Morrison, looked plenty birthday-worthy. Instead, however, a short trip on Dublin’s fantastic DART commuter train deposited my boyfriend and me in the picturesque seaside town of Dalkey where we toasted my 27th year with a bottle of stout on the seaweed-strewn Kilkenny beach. Public transportation rarely features highly on the birthday wish list, but when it meets the Irish Sea, the results are magic.
Córdoba, Argentina
For year #28, I finally put a lifetime of frequent flier miles to good use: Argentina. There, on the other side of the globe, after a week of navigating Buenos Aires’ buzzing streets, I craved a little quiet. In the Pampas northwest of BA is where I found it, in the famed network of estancias, rural estates often open to tourists looking for a little gaucho living. For this birthday, I wanted to party with livestock. Communing with the cows at sunset after a horseback ride on Negrita, my insolent, hoofed tour guide, proved to be a time-traveler’s dream. Marking the passage of time with a bygone era? Another birthday success.
Nice, France
After ten days in Corsica, the rustic — and reluctantly French — island in the Med, we arrived in Nice just before my 29th birthday. Having grown tired of cabin-made meals assembled from our two-aisle roadside market, I was yearning for something a little more luxe. Thus far, I had successfully avoided nightclubs, red ropes and Jell-O shots for the big day, but something about the Riviera required a dose of glamour. And a glass of champagne. Where better than the Taittinger-owned Palais de la Méditerranée, with its Art Deco style and seaside swank? There’s no better remedy to those birthday blues than a view of the Côte D’Azur.
Amsterdam, the Netherlands
When I first visited Amsterdam, at age eight, the canals were frozen solid. Twenty-two years later, for the big 3-0, I found myself navigating its waterways as the captain of my own Dutch ship, albeit an electric one, thanks to the only DIY boat tour in town, complete with an adorable name: Boaty. After a brief dockside orientation by a Boaty expert, my crewmate and I were off and puttering on our three-hour tour (Gilligan would have been proud). The six-person fluisterboten, or “whisperboat,” was a breeze to steer, and one couldn’t help but feel a little superior to the throngs of tourists crowded onto lunch cruises or the exhausted sightseers spinning around in those pesky pedal boats. With nothing more than a map, our life jackets, and a bottle of Prosecco, we nimbly explored the city and even ventured out onto the wide-open Amstel. Boat docking was an unexpected challenge, so we ditched our plan for lunch at The Dylan and double-parked next to a bridge where we split a Dutch almond tart that rivaled any birthday cake or party boat.
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I am so on board with a birthday trip. As another Sept birthday, I understand completely. Although, I cannot afford any far or exotic destinations (yet), I am going on a solo excursion to Austin for my birthday. To relax, to get away, to do the out of the norm. I have been looking forward to this since I started planning this a month or two ago. One more week and I’m off on my adventure, albeit a small one. It’s a step in a bigger direction. Thanks for sharing!
These trips are amazing only in my dreams.Maybe for my 50th
Every year my husband takes me to my favorite place on earth the Negril Treehouse Negril Jamaica every year he asks if I want to go elsewhere but the beauty and people and peace bring me back
A Trip like this would be such a Blessing. Dreams Do come true. Maybe for my 55 Birthday!!!
Seriously. What kind of under-30 has the resources to go on this kind of trip even once, never mind every single year?
Great article! Perhaps my husband and I will be able to enjoy his 37th on Halloween in a similar fashion.
I don’t need a birthday to travel; indeed it is best to be back, at home for a birthday to take stock of past year and plan the next trip!
Dreams do come true! I have always celebrated my birthdays with dinners with family and friends. This is a great idea, to be traveling to a new destination on your birthday! Perhaps this coming year! I say, your travels are over the top for your age, but good for you.
My birthday is in Feb. My husband just passed away March 6. on my birthday I would love to take a trip. Jamillah the Artist
I am planning a trip to South Africa with the family for my 50th bday 2012!
If I could, I would travel every year for my birthday as well. My birthday is also in September and is a great time to travel. Maybe starting next year, I’ll be so lucky!!
I’ve only just started doing that this year – my 27th – as well! I love it and plan to keep it up, since I have birthday parties, but personally I prefer other peoples parties and hate having my own! This year was Paris, since I live in Australia it’s fairly time-consuming and expensive to go too far, but definately inspired to keep this up, even if its just domestic travel. I’m currently on a Russia trip for a friend’s 50th as well! Fabulous writing, keep it up!
I have been taking trips for my birthday since I turned 40. My first trip was to the Island of St. Martin and I’ve been going places every since. I’ve been to St. Thomas, The Cayman Islands, Maui, Puerto Rico, Miami and South Padre. For my big 5-0 I’m having a birthday bash in Barbados with my closest girlfriends. I think everyone should treat themselves to an exotic trip for their birthday.
Libran balanced views on birthday trips from me. This year it is Leros Island and Athens pre-birthday from me but to be home (on England) on my birthday. Still I fully agree with the sentiment here and will continue to do so with a drink watching the full moon over the Acropolis tonight!
I, too, travel for my birthday. As I was born on 9-11, travel at that time of the year has become more poignant in the last ten years. To the commenter above asking how under 30s can afford to travel internationally, I answer…it is totally doable. I have never earned big bucks, but have been creative to seek subsidized travel oops, everything from housesitting in exchange for frequent flyer to volunteering for international events. If you want to travel, you can, whatever your age or income. Happy Birthday travels to us all!
LOVE the birthday trip idea Erika! I’m an early Sept baby too so I totally relate to the underwhelming bday parties. I planned on travelling for my birthday this year but plans didn’t quite work out… Next year, I’m definitely making it happen!
So looking forward to my first birthday trip. My husband is taking me to Paris for my 50th which falls on 11/11/11. We have never been to Europe and hope this will be the start of
Continued from above….many more birthday destinations. Spain is next.
fantastic! being born on the fourth of july i know the feeling of having absent friends for celebrations and my boyfriend changed that last year taking me to vancouver. it was a blast and a special way to celebrate. growing up with a mom for a flight attendant, i learned lots of ways to travel on the cheap and still find luxury in any destination regardless of price range. to the commenter above questioning this, trust me it is more than feasible. start dreaming and saving and you’ll be jetting about sooner than you think!
Thinking of doing Venice by myself for my Sept. 21st birthday and great hotel suggestions for women traveling alone as it can be sometimes lonely there?
Glad to see someone else celebrates their birthday like my husband and I do! We are lucky enough to be be born 4 days apart in February and so we ‘do it up’ for the whole month. We each get to choose where we want to be. For my sweetheart, natural hot springs are a real draw, so we last went to the Italian isle of Ischia for his special day and I got to wake up on my big 50th and throw the double shutters wide open onto a beautiful canal in Venice! It was a spectacular trip – Rome, Sienna, Assisi and Carnival in Venice! Fabulous! This year we are still planning but if i tell you I am feverishly studying French you could guess that Paris is in the plans as well as Nice and yes, some hot springs near the French Basque country. Tell us more Erika! Anyone done the walking tours in Scotland and Wales? There are on my list, but maybe not for February!
Having a BIG bday this year. Heading to Thailand with my husband who is 4 days older than I…don’t spend your $ on a party. See the world instead
What a wonderful idea! I will be traveling with m husband for our birthdays (We are born 8 days apart) to give ourselves a much-needed break. This year, we are going to Chiang Mai, Thailand. May make this an annual affair!
I started my own birthday suitcase last year for my 30th in southern Italy. And after reading your article, I am definitely inspired to keep up with the tradition. Great article, keep writing!
If you think a September birthday is bad try December 27. What are your recommendations for winter travel to Europe?
I started the birthday trip expeditions about 10 years ago. Mainly because my birthday is a week before Christmas and I always wanted to escape the cold in Toronto to a tropical climate. I absolutely love it!
I can totally relate, being born in Early September (sweet 16 was the first day of school!) around Labor Day – it was often a lonely birthday.
Hello all! I am overwhelmed with gratitude that this piece has struck a chord with so many! To the many commenters who mention the key is being resourceful – I totally agree. From Craigslist to AirBnB, frequent flier mileage programs or just flopping with friends, where there’s a will, there’s a way! And if there’s any day to splurge on yourself, it’s your birthday.
Love the idea and have done so for several birthdays, although not every year. last year was unable to do the ‘out of country’ trip so instead opted for a trip to disneyland with my 4 yr old twin girls. still splurged a little staying at one of the property hotels. it was fun. next year…back to international travel!! ditto on being creative and resourceful…you can do it!
For the past six years, I have taken a vacation which was specifically to celebrate my birthday. I think doing something to honor yourself is very important. I also have three girlfriends who also have birthdays in September and when possible we get together to celebrate our birthdays – we rented a villa twice in Jamacia; last year we went to Palos Verdes. I have also celebrated in St. Lucia and Miami. Next year I’m planning a trip to Italy. I love these trips.
Sept 2 is my day and I think escaping is a great way to celebrate! Two years ago I did a solo trip of the California coast, stopping atvall the places I wanted to go and lingering as long as I liked – no one rolling their eyes on the Hearst Castle tour, or waiting while I browsed in shops or sat for hours in the museums of Pasadena. This year? Well let’s just say I am writing this from Paris after an amazing girls weekend in Normandy with one if my best girlfriends!
Wow – what a timely story to roll into my inbox. My 30th bday is looming and I have been trying to decide – trip or party with fam n friends. My mom decided for me and is planning a trip and this post definitely inspired me to get on board with the idea of traveling for more birthdays to come. Grow my mind as I grow older. I like that concept. Have travels bday girl.
My Boyfriend took me to Paris for my 50th Birthday three years ago. There, I said it…… 50 and a ‘boyfriend’. He is the love of my entire life and the most romantic man ever. I will never forget my birthday trip to the city of love.
Birthday trips are a great way to remind us annually that we ‘need’ to get away, to renew, to explore. One rule we have, when we are on the way home from a trip we decide where the next destination will be.
This is a wonderful idea. Each year I can never think of what I want to do and it doesn’t make it any better that mine is the last one in my family. I agree with you ladies so this year I’ll stay at home but next year…I’ll be in the wind. Enjoy your birthday everyone mine is this Sunday.
I completely agree that there is no better birthday present than a trip. I´ve just came back from Dubai and Zighy Bay in Oman (a marvelous hotel from the Six Senses chain) for a celebration of my 52nd birthday. The experience of seeing & learning new things and the memories of the trips are the presents that I carry with me always. I´ve been travelling all my life (have lived in 5 different countries) and every year I find the trips more interesting. So, well done Erika and please keep us updated on your adventures.
love this! just went to paris/london for my birthday (also a september baby) and definitely wouldn’t mind doing this yearly.
Erika, kudos to you! I’m celebrating my 60th this year and have been traveling every year, for my birthday since I was 22. It’s off to Corsica this time. Looking forward to keeping up with your adventures.