Following the epic 60th celebration , we decided to linger in San Sebastian (San Seb) for an additional day to soak in the village's beauty and uncover the old town's charms. Saturday coincided with a special event in the city—the Clásica San Sebastián , a thrilling 230 km bike race. Traffic was paused for the event, transforming the city into a festive hub, bustling with supporters cheering on their favourite cyclists. We witnessed the first few riders speeding around the final bend, their pace was lightning-fast. Our day continued with a stroll through the old town and along the bustling beach boulevard. We eventually settled into our favourite spot on the patio of Hotel Villa Favorita , where we indulged in a bottle of sparkling wine and savoured delicious snacks crafted by a Michelin-starred chef. And yes, we enjoyed a good old-fashioned pizza the night before—oh, and the night before! San Sebastián captivated us not just as a rendezvous point with dear friends but as an ideal extended getaway, surrounded by inviting coastal villages waiting to be explored. Although time was short, it's always nice to leave something for the next visit. Our Airbnb in San Sebastián couldn't have been more perfect, positioned in the heart of the city amidst stunning architecture and just steps from the waterside and local hotspots. The apartment was a sanctuary of natural light, spacious, with a fully equipped kitchen, strong Wi-Fi, and all the essentials for a comfortable stay. Our hosts, Nora and Susana, were a delight—they were attentive and always available, ready to assist with anything we needed. Sunday morning, we farewelled San Sebastián and Spain as we made our way to Bayonne in France, which also happened to be hosting the largest festival in France, 'Fetes de Bayonne', and we arrived on closing day, coming soon!

The final Toast in La Rioja - On the third day of festivities, we braced ourselves for the expedition ahead. After a few nights of hitting the town and drinking copious amounts of wine in San Sebastian, the most challenging part was upon us all: a 9 a.m. pickup to visit the nearby winery region La Rioja before divulging in another dining experience to remember! As much as we all complained, we put on our big girl shoes, and the bus was packed and ready—albeit with a few sore heads amongst the birthday crew! The first stop was Marques de Murrieta , revered as one of the region's largest and oldest wineries, for none other than a wine tasting and a tour of the immaculate grounds. The tasting soon alleviated the sore heads, and the gang was back in fine form. The picturesque garden setting, whilst sampling the delicious wines against the backdrop of endless vineyards and the architecturally splendid winery, was a site to behold. Our venture to Haro, a town cradled in the heart of La Rioja and renowned for its emblematic red wines, further enriched the day's tapestry. Upon arrival, we were led down the path through the quaint allure of this Spanish village and arrived at another Michelin-starred establishment, Nublo Restaurant . Nublo is housed within the walls of a 16th-century aristocratic dwelling, complete with a century-old wine cellar, and is a testament to culinary splendour. Upon entry, it wasn't just our footsteps that were halted but our very breath, captivated by the elegance that enveloped us. The space was absolutely stunning! We were greeted with a few magnums of bubbles as a prelude to the symphony of flavours awaited us in a 17-course tasting menu. Each dish was a refined reflection of the chef's artistry, harmoniously paired with meticulously selected wines. Lunch was filled with more heartfelt speeches from everyone to express their love for the birthday boy and our collective gratitude for the unforgettable odyssey that was the Festival of PP. There was not only laughter, but many of us struggled to hold the tears back. It is hard to describe the atmosphere, but one that we all treasure. As the final curtains drew on the festivities, our farewells were not goodbyes but pledges to find paths back to one another, to rekindle the joyful embers of the friendships and memories we had forged. To our dear hosts, our hearts brim with gratitude for the love, fun, and unparalleled generosity you wove around us. To the moon and back, we cherish you both.

After a rejuvenating pause in Madrid , we embarked on a scenic five-hour train journey to Donostia-San Sebastian. This picturesque city, nestled on the northern coast of Spain and just a stone's throw away from the French border, set the stage for a remarkable 60th birthday celebration that will be etched in our hearts forever. The enchanting escapade unfolded over three magical days, filled with the warmth of rekindled friendships and the joy of new acquaintances. We indulged in gastronomic feasts unlike any others, crafted by the hands of skilled Michelin-starred chefs. The revelry extended beyond the exquisite dishes as we raised our glasses filled with a seemingly endless flow of fine champagnes and choice wines. Each toast, each sip, contributed to an already unforgettable experience. Describing the festival of PP is challenging, for it transcends the boundaries of language. Indeed, Pedge hit the nail on the head when he complimented the orchestration of these moments, giving accolades to his beloved wife and our graceful host, who artfully earned the title of professional memory maker. This was not just a celebration but a testament to the beauty of life, friendship, and exceptional hospitality—a true symphony of experiences that will resonate with us for years to come. Day One - San Sebastian , Spain Upon arriving in San Sebastian, you instantly were impressed; it is a resort town on the Bay of Biscay in Spain's mountainous Basque Country. It's known for Playa de la Concha and Playa de Ondarreta, beaches framed by a picturesque bayfront promenade, and world-renowned restaurants helmed by innovative chefs. A total of 19 Michelin stars in such a small city makes San Sebastian the place with the highest concentration of Michelin stars per square kilometre in Europe, so you are spoilt for choice. Kyoto (Japan) is the only place in the world with a higher concentration of Michelin stars than Donostia. In addition to the beachside promenade, the cobblestoned old town (Parte Vieja) is a vibrant area full of upscale shops and pintxo bars pairing local wines with bite-size regional specialties; it is full of magic. The afternoon was ours to explore and discover this new destination; we did this the way we know best by finding a quaint dining spot,  Cortázar Donostia,  to enjoy lunch over champagne and more of the delectable Jamón Ibérico. Within moments, we looked across the road, and our dear friend Kristian was wandering by, so we spent the afternoon catching up on the past few years. We followed this with a stroll along the esplanade, soaking up the picturesque vibe of San Seb, and soon found ourselves with Piscos enjoying the view at the beautiful Villa Favorita , it had the most quaint balcony to sit back and soak up our new surroundings; and the cocktails were delightful! As destiny had it, we also captured a photo of our new friends enjoying the view; unbeknownst to us, we would be sharing the next few days together, and the friendship has continued after rendevous in Melbourne and Dubai, following Spain. The evening was upon us, so the first of many meetups was planned. We arrived at Geralds Bar , a local favourite of the birthday boys, to be reunited with everyone; it was a fabulous night of being reacquainted with delicious gourmet food and local wines. It was precious to catch up with our lovely friends after so many years apart, even though it felt like yesterday we were together, the epitome of true friendship. We all made new friends as we prepared for the next few days together; it was a night filled with old and new memories of Pedge, his beautiful wife shared, and a heartfelt speech to warm us all up, along with loads of laughter and love. Day Two - Getaria, Spain Day two was the main event; the boy was 60! We all met at the designated restaurant dressed to impress in Getaria, a charming fishing village a 30-minute picturesque drive along the stunning coastline. Getaria, although small, this seaside fishing village is known for fresh grilled fish and rolling vineyards that produce the unique Txakolí Basque wine.  Elkano Restaurant is not only known to be the best seafood in the region, proudly holding two Michelin stars, but it is also No.16 on the Top 50 restaurants in the world. Elkano is another precious favourite of the birthday boys, and we can see why. Pre-lunch beverages were hosted on the deck overlooking the beautiful village with snippets of pristine views over the coast whilst sipping on world-class champagne. We were soon defeated by the noon sun and were all seated in a very eloquent private dining room. It was a delightful afternoon celebrating PP and hearing from his lifelong friends while enjoying delicate seafood dishes and the famous Grilled Turbot, which was mouthwatering, all accompanied by some of the world's most outstanding wines. Sadly, the birthday lunch ended, but not before we all kitted up in our new birthday tees to capture some more precious memories of the 60th celebration of Pedge; we were all transported back to San Sebastian for round three. After a quick freshen-up, we rolled into an evening of drinks overlooking the beautiful bay from the magnificent  Hotel de Londres.  The sun was setting with the birthday crew, and we all prepared for our final day together in the wine region La Rioja .

Belgrade, Serbia - 21 July 2021 Birthdays are a celebration of life, and we had the most wonderful weekend, full of special moments celebrating Wayne's 59th Birthday exploring Belgrade. A collection of birthday memories and reminders of all the wonderful dining experiences (we were going for Gold at the Olympics 'dining & drinking' event). Our three-day celebration is full of amazing restaurants; Josephine was picked for the birthday lunch, cocktail bars, birthday surprises with new friends, shopping, exploring, walks, and street entertainment. Happy Birthday to my beautiful hubby Wayne Schmidt. I hope you have the most magical day. Enjoy the last 12 months of our travels together. Thank you for all the wonderful and special moments we are so blessed to enjoy and experience together. Having the best life with you and loving spending every day together enjoying this precious world. I love you with all of my heart. Sal xx Thank you to all our wonderful clients, who are also dear friends, for the heartwarming messages Sal produced in a morning video; it started the day with tears, but it was the perfect beginning. Thank you to the NOMAD crew and little Matteo for the birthday surprises. I love the drawing and am happy to hear we have been upgraded from the 'funny couple' to the 'cool couple'. It was the perfect ending. You all truly made our day memorable.

Happy birthday to my wife, Sal Schmidt; your smile lights up the world.

It's your 60th Birthday!! Happy Birthday to my darling Wayne. To celebrate this special milestone with you in the Canadian Rocky Mountains was magical. A place that brings you so much joy, surrounded by incredible nature and nestled amongst 360 degrees of mountains, Canmore was perfect! Thank you for taking the role of chef for your special day; it was nice to have a day off:-) A special thank you to everyone who shared their birthday love with Wayne. It truly made his day memorable to see and hear from you all. The past five years have been the best decision we ever made, to travel endlessly around the world together. We have experienced so much together, dined and wined our way around, and created magical friendships, and our days continue to be brighter each day. Looking forward to the next adventures, we truly are blessed to live the life we have created. I love you so much and love our life together. Thank you to everyone who shared a message of birthday love for Wayne; it truly was a magical morning seeing and hearing from you all.

Today is a beautiful day. So grateful to have celebrated 18 of your birthdays so far. I am looking forward to continuing to travel the world with you. You are the most wonderful woman in the world, my wife. I am so grateful for your unconditional love and support. Your beautiful smile lights up a room, and kindness radiates from you . The past 18 years have been filled with love and laughter ; I wouldn't trade that for anything. Happy Birthday, my love!

Being away from family and friends while celebrating a birthday can be challenging. Being in a foreign country with a different culture can be exciting and emotionally challenging. Sally celebrated her birthday in Ait Ben Haddou in Morocco, just before COVID-19 made its way worldwide. In comparison, I celebrated in Rovinj in Croatia, in a post-COVID-19 environment. It gives us time to reflect on our journey in life. Now more than ever, I want to leave this world in a better place than I was born. The simple thing is worrying more about others and keeping the world clean (tidying up others' mess). When we started this journey in 2017, we could not have imagined the beautiful people, cultures, views, food, wine and friendships we would experience, see, taste and create. Now more than ever, people need to think more about others than themselves. So on your birthday, consider whether you will be proud of your actions in 2020.

Our initial five-day Venetian escapade left us yearning for more; we had merely glimpsed the city's surface. In a burst of spontaneity, we hopped online the morning of our departure, serendipitously prolonging our stay for another week. Venice, you are a gift that keeps on giving. With check-out from our first Airbnb complete, we were eager to experience a fresh perspective. We settled into a new abode overlooking the Grand Canal, an idyllic setup that allowed us to revel in the maritime bustle and a continuous parade of awestruck visitors. This Airbnb, nestled just a whisper away from essentials, let us indulge in the charms of the local deli – wines, prosciutto, cheeses – and the daily freshness of the floating vegetable market. Here was the heart of Venice, laid out before us, perfect for soaking in the city's rhythm. Of course, we strolled across to Piazza San Marco for a little indulgent retail therapy. We found ourselves in the welcoming embrace of D&G's staff at their majestic boutique housed within the 19th-century Palazzo Torres. Their stylistic prowess gently nudged us just beyond our comfort zones – an enthralling experience. We were honoured with an exclusive tour, marvelling at the private couture collection housed in the palace's original quarters – a treasure trove of bespoke elegance. Thank you, D&G . Retail escapades behind us, we veered off the beaten tourist paths towards Estro, a Michelin-recommended culinary gem, with a pitstop at Osteria Ai Pugni . Urged by friends, this local wine bar enchanted us with its vibe and exceptional negronis—a true local haunt. Dinner at Estro was a symphony of flavour, with innovative dishes and superb wines from Mt Etna gracing our table. To cap the evening, we returned to Ai Pugni for a twilight libation, immersing ourselves in the local scene against the canal's silhouette and the vanishing sun. The staff were full of positive energy, and we promised to be back. We strolled home with a bounce in our step and a newfound love for Venice, feeling again it wasn't yet time to leave, but it was time to return to our beloved Belgrade and busy making plans on when we could return to continue unwrapping the layers of this floating city. The journey to the airport was quintessentially Venetian—a private water taxi directly from our Airbnb. Gliding through the canals at sunrise, we bade Venice goodbye, a city farewell tour from the water. Arriving at the airport by boat, we felt a flutter of excitement at the novelty, grateful for the simplicity of travelling light. Amidst the airport bustle, we savoured one last Italian coffee partnered with a celebratory morning prosecco, reflecting on our ten exquisite days in the City of Canals.

Venezia Venezia Venezia, you truly are a gift that keeps on giving, an endless treasure. Welcome to Venice, the everlasting gem of Veneto in Italy. Venice, the heart of Italy's Veneto region, is an enigmatic city that refuses to be forgotten. Nestled on over 100 petite islands within the embrace of the Adriatic Sea, its charm is unparalleled. The absence of roads, replaced by an intricate network of canals, sets Venice apart from any other city worldwide. Leaving Venice felt premature (more on this soon) – with its boundless beauty, the city felt like a gift we had only just begun to unwrap. Five years ago, in 2018, we were fortunate to visit Venice on a day trip in February during the full swing of Carnival . The city was bursting with infectious energy, and the locals were all filling the city in elaborate costumes and masks. That day has always held a special place in our hearts. Back to the present, we were excited as memories flooded back, and we slowly approached the canal city by train from Bologna ! Travelling lightly, so after deboarding, we took to the cobblestone streets decorated by canals and majestic little bridges to navigate our way to our Airbnb in the mid-summer heat. Upon entering our Airbnb, the magnificent building we would call home for a week, you are transported back to the early days of Venice, opulence at its best. We fell in love with the spacious design, decor, and high ceilings of the apartment, and the views over the quiet canal were spoilt by a glimpse of the sunsets, too. It was a blessing to stay in a quiet little corner away from the hustle and bustle of tourists, yet only minutes from all you need to be. After settling in, it was time to meet our lovely friends for a welcome dinner like no other at The Gritti Palace on the terrace at Club del Doge overlooking the raw beauty of Venice on the Grand Canal. It was a perfect evening, full of laughter, fun, fabulous food, and wine; we all had a blast and continued to pinch ourselves. We enjoyed the evening together in the most idyllic location on the world-famous Grand Canal, creating magical memories. Dinner was only the beginning of making memories; we followed this with a day trip to Murano, Burano and Lido with our dear friends and their gorgeous girls; thank you for having us along and sharing your family vacay. The day began early with a luxurious private water taxi cruising through the quiet canals of Venice with a new appreciation of these pristine boats; they are something else! We arrive in Murano for our first adventure of the day, a visit Mazzega Merano to see the masters perform their magic and create awe-inspiring art pieces. It provided a newfound respect for the art of glass after experiencing the extreme heat working conditions they experience each day and the effort it entails. Watching the glass evolve and come to life as a piece for all to appreciate was extraordinary. We loved chatting with Marco and hearing about the history of the Mazzega Murano and how each generation continues the family traditions for glass art and ancient processes. The showroom provided an excellent selection of their craft as we carefully viewed the displays. Our second adventure was visiting Burano, a Venetian Lagoon island famous for lacemaking and small, brightly painted houses all nestled around a beautiful canal and cobblestone alleys. We wandered around and marvelled at the lace work and beautiful items you could purchase; they also have an impressive range of high-quality linen pieces to enhance your summer wardrobe. We stopped for a quick bite and the obligatory Campari Spritz to start the day and shelter from the heat. Fun fact: If someone wishes to paint their home, one must send a request to the government, who will notify them of the certain colours permitted for that lot. The island is considered among the ten most colourful places in the world. Now our bellies were satisfied; we were all back on the boat for a 50-minute cruise to our next destination, the famous Hotel Excelsior Venice , a luxury resort in Lido on the beach in Venice…the only hotel that can boast this unique distinction, it also hosts the world-famous Film Festival annually. As we approach the hotel, the boat sneaks into a small inlet; we are mesmerised by the surrounding atmosphere and the spectacular hotel upon us. We soon found ourselves on the endless private sandy beachside of Venice, settling into a beach cabana for the day. The weather was initially questionable, but with only the afternoon to experience, we were making the most of it, and our spirits were heightened all the same. An afternoon of captivating views, being delivered our food and drinks whilst we all enjoyed each other's company, was perfection. Kel, you are an absolute rockstar in discovering the hidden gems! After an afternoon of sun, water and beverages, before our water taxi returns, we sneak up to the terrace for a final cocktail and a snack before returning to Venice. We couldn't have timed our return better with the sunset as we approached the unforgettable landscape of the floating city of Venice - a perfect ending to our first few days in Venice. The family vacay is ending; it's already time to bid farewell to our fabulous and fun travel companions. After a few hectic days of sightseeing and making the most of their time discovering Venice, we decided to relax in the serene courtyard of their stunning Airbnb, enjoying drinks and nibbles overlooking the Grand Canal. Wayne and I were a little early for once, but as we strolled the cobblestone streets of Venice, we couldn't pass up the opportunity to enjoy a slow lunch in an old-school trattoria with tables on a small canalside balcony. We were welcomed by the team at Ristorante Sempione with such warmth and were grateful to be moved to such a magical table once it became vacant partway through our meal. Our table was overlooking the canal on the terrace, with the gondolas passing us by while we devoured, yes, you guessed it, more delicious Italian food! We loved being intimate with the canal and the Gondolas; we would 'Salute' them as they passed us by; it was loads of fun and provided the Venice experience. After lunch, we strolled across to our friends to enjoy an afternoon of G&T's and reflect on the past few days we spent together while soaking up the breathtaking canal view through the beautiful archway; it was picture-perfect. As the sunset blessed us with its presence, the drinks were flowing, we were full of laughter, the dancing started on the canal, and we all enjoyed the moment, basking in our time together in this picturesque floating city of Venice; we couldn't have planned a perfect farewell until we meet again, we will cherish the time we all spent in Venice. Our journey in Venice is far from over! As the day we were supposed to bid farewell to this enchanting city approached, we couldn't resist the allure of its winding canals and hidden alleyways. In a spontaneous twist, we decided to prolong our stay for an additional five nights. Keep an eye out for updates on our final week as we continue to discover the magic of Venice.