It’s the annual birthday issue for my birthday twin Taylor and me. So this week, a few of my self-indulgent favorites in travel made it onto the list. You’ll want to check out Kisawa, which was the biggest surprise this year for me in travel. I’d always wanted to go to Mozambique, but never dreamed I would find a place that was so special. This week the WSJ Magazine has Kisawa front and center, and even more importantly, our beach attendant Alex on the cover.

During my stay, I mentioned to Alex that I wanted to search for seashells. So each day he brought me beautiful treasures from the ocean side of the island. That gesture only just begins to express how special of a place that Kisawa is. If there’s one of the many places that we share on Galavante to put on your bucket list, Kisawa is it.

Happy Birthday to Me

As my Mom put it, I may be old but I still look young. (Thanks Mom). But seriously, a birthday is always a reflective time for me. If I’m being candid, I’m normally pretty unsatisfied with my station in life on a birthday. Maybe that’s why I’ve historically tried to avoid a big celebration or drawing a lot of attention to myself. Like many driven individuals, I’ve always had the feeling that any level of success just isn’t enough. In many ways it feels good to know that I’m not settling. I know I haven’t peaked yet, and I have yet to accomplish so much more.

For some reason though, this birthday hits differently. I don’t know if it’s age or wisdom, but this year I feel like I’m in a good place. Don’t get me wrong – of course I have a long list of goals to still meet. However, I’m looking at this birthday feeling like I’ve done more than ok. I’m proud of where life is at, although it is far from perfect. I feel like it’s a big step as someone who is a perfectionist. If I reflect more, I’ve come to realize it’s managing through imperfection that creates empathy and kindness. So if it means that I get to be a better human being, I’ll take imperfection any day.

What Makes You Confident?

There’s a guy that I follow on Instagram who asks people in NYC why they’re confident. For me, my confidence comes from knowing that I will handle anything that comes my way. I’ve had so many challenges in my life to overcome, and somehow I’ve navigated each and every time. At minimum I’ve survived, and in most cases, it’s made me better. And you know what’s always made it better? Travel, of course.

You’ll Always Remember that Trip

There are many times in looking back that I can’t believe I traveled when there were so many suboptimal circumstances around me. However it wasn’t that temporary situation that I remember today, but rather what travel did for me at challenging parts of my life. I remember swimming in the Med at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc when I was going through a particularly challenging time in Galavante’s business. As I looked up to the pool with all my friends catching up, I distinctly remember saying out loud, “Everything is going to be ok.” And it was more than ok; it was extraordinary.

A Year of Epic Travels

I was very lucky this year to return to the Hotel du Cap, which is my happy place. It was on the same trip I went to Paris and St. Tropez. This 2025, I’ve been to Honduras, Aspen, South Africa, Mozambique and Namibia. I’ve been to Italy, Hong Kong and Chicago more times than I can count. I took my parents and brother’s family on a lifetime trip to Denmark, Poland, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Finland and Sweden. This birthday I am so grateful for all that travel has taught me in life, and all the happiness I have when I travel. There’s nothing like it. As I’m writing this I’m sitting on a beach in St. Barths. Because I can, and so can you.

Photos at times speak louder than words, so here are a few of my 2025 travel highlights that I am grateful for. Thank you all for being with me through this perfectly imperfect, beautiful birthday and year.

All the best,

Christine Drinan, Founder