Birthdays Abroad

29 Trips Around the Sun: Birthday Moments from Around the World

For the past seven years, I’ve been lucky enough to celebrate my birthday abroad—either doing something wild or lazing in the shade of a coconut tree. Since this year was a little different (read: no palm trees or plane tickets), I decided to take a trip down memory lane and look back at my past birthdays. Here’s what those travel birthdays looked like…

 

Turning…

…22! Stargazing in Liechtenstein’s Alps

Wild camping is legal in Liechtenstein, so my then-boyfriend and I made our way into the Alps, pitched our tent in a quiet meadow, and celebrated under the stars with bubbles and smoked salmon. It was my first time camping in the wild, and I absolutely loved being completely surrounded by nature. Though I must admit, there were a few moments at night when I was certain a serial killer was scratching at the tent… Tsss, city girls.

 

…23! Exploring Marrakech and its bazaars

This birthday was the perfect finale to a two-week trip through southern Morocco and the Western Sahara. After desert dust and camel treks, we cleaned up, hit the souks of Marrakech, and spent the evening bargaining for trinkets and sipping Moroccan wine on rooftop bars.

 

…24! Solo in Egypt

Instead of flying straight home after a conference, I stayed behind to explore Egypt solo. Most people celebrate their birthday with loved ones—but that year, it was just me. I felt proud: proud to be 24 and assertive enough to handle Cairo’s chaos; proud to be fit enough to hike Mount Sinai for sunrise; proud to be brave enough to travel alone through a country that felt unfamiliar and male-dominated. It was a birthday full of empowerment and gratitude.

 

…25! A 40-hour train ride across India

Easily one of my least glamorous birthdays. Picture a sweaty Indian train, a group of men watching my every move, rats sprinting across the floor, passengers loudly clearing their noses, and a toilet best left unmentioned. No cake, no candles—just endurance. But after two very long days, I arrived in Udaipur to breathtaking views and a surprise cake. Not the birthday I wanted, but one I’ll definitely never forget.

 

…26! Chasing the best “pasteis” and Port in Portugal

A birthday road trip through Portugal, driving from city to city, sampling pasteis de nata, sipping on Port, and learning about Portuguese cuisine and culture. It was indulgent, relaxed, and utterly satisfying—my gift to myself.

 

…27! Love Cake in Kathmandu

We paused our Himalayan trek prep to spend a few days in Kathmandu, and I spent this birthday visualising myself at the top of the mountains. I don’t remember many details from that day—except the Love Cake. A legendary chocolate cake from the hippie-trail days in the 70’s. I wasn’t expecting much (because let’s face it, chocolate outside Western Europe can be hit or miss), but this one blew my mind. For a few moments, I sat in stunned silence. Pure bliss! It could’ve been the weeks of bland dal bhat talking… but to this day, it’s still my favourite chocolate cake ever.

…28! By the pool in Myanmar

With 40°C heat in Bagan, there wasn’t much else to do but laze by the pool, explore temples at sunrise and sunset, and melt in the in-between. A slow, hazy birthday with a surprise cake that looked amazing… but tasted like solidified fat. I ended up splitting donating the entire cake to the staff , who at least seemed to enjoy it.

 

…29! Cheese and wine with family

No temples, no palm trees, no exotic food—but something just as good, maybe even better: a table full of stinky cheese and red wine, surrounded by my family in Belgium. It might not be a dream destination, but it’s exactly where I want to be.

What about you, is celebrating your birthday at home a “must”? 

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