Why not head to paradise for your 50th? The Maldives has crystal clear waters and white beaches
So it’s finally happening – you’re going to be 50. I hope you’re not planning on burying your head in the sand and pretending it isn’t happening, because this milestone deserves a celebration, a big party, a trip of a lifetime even.
Whether you escape with loved ones to a hidden resort, learn to samba in Rio, take in the Northern Lights or embark on an African safari, be sure to mark your 50th with a spectacular celebration that this landmark birthday deserves.
1. Luxuriate in the Maldives
Perhaps the idea of some barefoot luxury appeals as the perfect way to rejoice in reaching 50 – and where better than the Maldives?
Talcum powder white beaches, crystal-clear seas and impossibly lush vegetation, as well as deeply luxurious accommodation and endless opportunities for indulgent pampering.
There are any number of beautiful resorts to choose from, but Kuramathi, Maafushivaru and Kandolhu each offer something a little different.
Kuramathi has out-of-this-world snorkeling and scuba diving on its house reef. Maafushivaru is the ultimate island hideaway with a glorious lagoon teaming with turtles, manta rays and whale sharks. Don’t miss an exclusive, one-couple-at-a-time visit to its pristine, uninhabited sister island, Lonubo. And picture-perfect, five-star Kandolhu is a boutique island haven, with superb dining, snorkelling and stylish villas.
Dreamy stuff.
High50 Insider Tip: Don’t miss swimming with manta rays and baby sharks. In the evening, enjoy a sunset cruise with bubbly and canapes.
When to go: Temperatures remain around 25-30 degrees Celsius year-round, Dec – April are the drier, hotter months
2. Visit New York
Break out the champagne in the Big Apple
New York has got to be at or near the top of any list of places to go to for a significant birthday celebration. It’s got the lot – breath-taking architecture, world-beating museums, shopping to die for, rocking bars, iconic restaurants, you name it.
The rare joy of New York is that the “tourist stuff” is so great. Take a massive bite out of the Big Apple and head to the top of the Rockefeller Centre for cocktails, go shopping at Saks on Fifth Avenue, marvel at the art and architecture in the Guggenheim Museum, tour Central Park by bike, or stroll through the West Village while munching on a signature cupcake from the Magnolia Bakery. You’ll feel like you’re in a Woody Allen movie. And you can be as grown-up or childish, insider or tourist as you want.
Kuoni hand-picked some of the best located, charming hotels in the city: fancy an intimate designer hotel? Head to the Hudson, which has a rooftop bar and is one block from Central Park. The Waldorf-Astoria is the classic choice for elegance and luxury a stone’s throw from Fifth Avenue. Book the Gotham for your own private balcony in Midtown.
When to go: Beware the chill of January and the humidity of August. Spring and autumn are ideal times, but the city offers entertainment and sights year-round
High50 Insider Tip: Don’t miss the Frick for the best paintings by European artists. For authentic food, skip the tourist trap little Italy and go to Mission Cantina for Mexican-Korean food. Trust us on this one.
3. Skiing in Verbier
Take your friends and family to Verbier, Switzerland
What could be better than seeing in your second half century skiing in one of the best resorts in the world? Skiing is always more fun in a group, so assemble a bunch of friends and head for this breath-taking winter destination. Head to Verbier, Switzerland – one of the best skiing resorts in Europe.
Stunning views that reach as far as the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc, Verbier boasts 100 lifts and access to more than 400km of ski runs. When you’re skiied out, dress up and indulge in the nightlife scene. For those who prefer to stay wrapped up sitting by the fire with a cup of hot chocolate, the wild, snowy landscape will feel like a winter fairytale.
High50 Insider Tip: Don’t forget to get a massage and head to the sauna after a day on the slopes
When to go: Nov-March
4. Partying in Rio
After partying in Rio, relax in Buzios
If you like to party, then why not head for the biggest party on the planet? The Rio Carnival takes place in February each year and is one of the most fabulous, dazzling, over-the-top spectacles – a thoroughly fitting way to celebrate a milestone birthday.
Treat yourself to some luxury accommodation and book a guided tour. A little planning goes a long way this hectic time of year.
For quieter evenings, retreat to Belmond Copacabana Palace, the original hang-out of the elite that dates back to the 1920s.
Escape to the local holiday resort of Buzios with gorgeous beaches. It’s a perfect retreat to spend the last few days away from the city.
When you’re all partied out you can tick off the iconic sights of Christ the Redeemer, the Sugar Loaf mountain and Copacabana Beach.
High50 Insider Tip: Bag tickets to the Sambadrome, the main stadium of samba, the lively Brazilian dance. Bring your dancing shoes.
When to go: Warm year-round, February for the Rio Carnival and Sept-Oct for drier weather
5.Trekking the Inca Trail in Peru
Hike the Inca trail to embrace your birthday milestone
It’s inspiring not just to go somewhere extraordinary but also to achieve something for your 50th, and trekking the Inca Trail in Peru has to be bucket-list unbeatable.
This four-day hike, culminating in the lost city of Machu Picchu, is no easy stroll, but it’s totally achievable by anybody with vaguely reasonable fitness. Yes, that means you!
Peru has more to offer, as well. Combine Machu Picchu with visits to Cusco, Arequip, the Colca Canyon and Lake Titicaca, to see this country’s wealth of magnificent ancient colonial scenic sights.
High50 Insider Tip: Dine on “ceviche of love” at Astrid and Gaston in Lima. The delicacy is raw sea urchin, clam, squid, mussel and shrimp marinaded in lime and three types of chilli pepper.
When to go: April – November
6. Experiencing India’s Golden Triangle
Soak up the sights of India
Heading to India to celebrate your 50th must qualify for inclusion in any Top Ten list.
A fantastic introduction is to explore the sub-continent’s most famous sights in its Golden Triangle, combining imperial Delhi with the legendary Taj Mahal at Agra and the magical pink city of Jaipur. A tour of all three takes you to six UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Receive first-class service without breaking the bank – India offers a fantastic range of luxurious hotels at value-for-money prices. At Maidens Hotel, there are luxuriant gardens with 8 acres to stroll through, a pool, tennis courts – all a stone’s throw away from Delhi.
Then there’s the fabulous food from the region, and the fact that English is an official language so you can easily interact with the locals. It all adds up to make India both familiar and “other” at the same time.
High50 Insider: Take a detour to Fatehpur Sikre (39k from Agra), the eerie one-time capital of the region abandoned due to drought in 1585. The architecture includes one of the largest mosques in India.
When to go: Late October- mid-March to avoid monsoon season
7. Swooning in Antigua, Caribbean Islands
Antigua, Caribbean – kick of your sandals and head to the sandy beaches
For a couples-only celebration, head to Keyonna Beach in stunning Antigua and relax by the pool, lounge on Bali beds with a rum cocktail in your hand, or kick of your sandals and head to the pristine beach.
With no children allowed, this resort is peaceful and indulgent. The Beachview Cottages have outdoor showers and decks with sea views for those who want to remain close to home, and there’s snorkeling and diving for ocean lovers and rainforest canopy treks for the land dwellers.
Take your entire family or your best friends for a trip of a lifetime.
High50 Insider Tip: Charter a skippered yacht from English Harbour around the island
When to go: year-round
8. Spotting the Big Five in Tanzania
If you haven’t been on safari yet, then your 50th is a great excuse. Tanzania is gloriously wild and has some of the very best game viewing in the whole of Africa, avoiding the crowds of Kenya and Botswana and the better-known safari destinations.
Be sure to go on night drives to spot the normally elusive leopard and feasting prides of lions, or daytime drives to see the herds of gentle elephants, cape buffalo, giraffes and other fellow vegetarians.
Dine in the Serengeti Bushtops in Tanzania
Enjoy an exclusive Serengeti Bushtops experience where you can wine, dine and even enjoy the hot tub, all while sitting on the beautiful landscape of the Serengeti National Park.
After you’ve enjoyed the wilderness, head to Zanzibar for the beaches.
High50 Insider Tip:Take your entire family or your best friends for a trip of a lifetime.
When to go: June – Sept
Nothing is quite as magical as the Northern Lights in the Yukon
9. Seeing the Northern Lights
There can be no more magical or other-worldly site than this celestial light show dancing across the Arctic sky. The Northern Lights are meant to be auspicious too; the Chinese think that making love beneath them will mean their child will be male (a blessing in China), and while I am not encouraging naked sex on the snow in the heart of the Yukon, Canada perhaps experiencing the lights could augur well for your coming decades.
Also in the Yukon, try dog sledging. A four-night tour with a few days in Vancouver. We have a four night tour combined with a break in Vancouver
High50 Insider Tip: Explore the Norwegian fjords on a boat tour by day and at night, take the chill off in typical Scandinavian style by stripping off and heading into a sauna
When to go: late Sept – early April (Oct – Nov and Feb – March are ideal for seeing Northern Lights)
Escape to Sri Lanka – tea plantations, beaches and culture
10. Delving into Sri Lanka
For a tropical escape in a beautiful landscape, head to Sri Lanka. For stunning beaches, the Southwest coast is renowned for its resorts. At Nisala Arana, you and your crew can dine under the stars or relax with yoga. Small, intimate and serene, it’s surrounded by lush gardens.
By day, explore the unmissable tea plantations (truly!), watch elephants splash around in the river at Pinnawela Elephant orphanage and take in the colourful local culture.
If beachfront is more your scene, Jetwing Sea is on the quiet end of Negombo beach. With two infinity pools, a rooftop spa and a poolside bar, you can relax without lifting a finger. Deluxe rooms include a Jacuzzi and a balcony overlooking the ocean.
High50 Insider Tip: Head to the local ayurveda spa. We like the one in hilltop village Ella for a two-hour luxurious massage in a tunnel of heated coals.
When to go: November – March or July to August
Ready to book? After all, you’re only 50 once. What are you waiting for?