5-Month Family Adventure: Embracing Wanderlust and Flight Deals Abroad

"Are we really doing this?" That was the question that echoed through our minds as we embarked on a 5-month adventure abroad with our family. We were the stereotypical travelers, bitten by the wanderlust bug, always seeking the next adventure. But this journey was different; it was a leap into the unknown, fueled by a flight deal and a deep love for travel.

The stars aligned when an opportunity to relocate came our way. With my husband Dan working remotely we were relocating our family to a better place for us. Our kids weren't in school yet, and we had nothing tying us down. No mortgage, no expenses, no place to be. It was like the universe was whispering, “Chase some memories!" So, we did just that. With a mixture of excitement and trepidation, we packed our bags (WAY TOO FULL), kissed our normal life goodbye, and boarded a plane to London.

Planning the Unplanned

Our adventure began with a carefully calculated chaos. We planned our first 8 weeks before leaving—London for 2 weeks, Edinburgh for 2 weeks, Belfast for a month where we found the kindest people in the world and the world’s worst AirBNB. But after that? Well, we decided to let the wind (and our whims) guide us. It was a daring choice, but oh, how it paid off!

Our journey took us to a darling little Irish Cottage in Omeath, then on to tour as many Christmas markets as we could find! We ventured through the bustling streets of Brussels, where the waffles became our breakfast staple and and rode the most charming merry-go-rounds. Bruges charmed us with its fairytale architecture and incredible hot chocolate, and Cologne wooed us with its majestic cathedral and 4 enchanting Christmas markets. We strolled past the Rhine River in Strasbourg and listened to delightful Christmas choirs, and tasted frankfurters in Frankfurt. We watched the kids eat their first cotton candy and go from joy to heartbreak as it started raining and disintegrating their tasty treat.

Next we moved on to Italy finding a charming Italian villa as home base in Pisa while we spent the next month exploring the treasures of Italy—Pisa, Cinque Terre, Sienna, Lucca, San Gimignano. We celebrated 2 birthdays, Christmas, and New Years in Italy and were smitten by it all. We were blessed to be invited to a traditional Italian Christmas dinner with 5 courses and 3+ hours at the dinner table. We have never been honked at more and learned that the Italian postal workers have no desire to try to figure out your English and limited Italian.

Paris, with its iconic landmarks, was a dream come true, which included 2 days at Disneyland Paris for our family’s first ever Disney experience. And Amsterdam was a whirlwind of bicycles and canals, leaving us wanting more even after 2 weeks. Prague's historic beauty left us breathless, and Stockholm's archipelago of islands was pure magic.

Adventures and Misadventures

Now, here's where the misadventure comes in—travel isn't all sunshine and rainbows. In London on day 2 of our five month journey, our three-year-old fell off the playground equipment, breaking her arm. But did that deter us? Absolutely not! Although lets be honest, it almost did.

Language barriers? We embraced them. Ever tried ordering dinner in Ireland where you think you all speak English, with a mix of charades, pointing, and a lot of “huh”s? It's an experience worth writing home about. And while we had our share of challenges, from one NHS hospital to the next, we learned that adaptability is the secret sauce to successful travel.

Chasing Memories, Not Perfection

Our journey was filled with moments of pure joy, spontaneous discoveries, and breathtaking sights. Yet, it wasn't perfect, and that's what made it so perfectly us. We didn't chase perfection; we chased memories that will last a lifetime.

We watched our kids soak up the world with wide-eyed wonder, from trying new foods to learning how to say "hello" in different languages. We relished every sunrise and sunset, knowing that each one was a unique masterpiece painted on the canvas of our adventure.

Our adventure abroad wasn't just about seeing new places; it was about growing as a family and as individuals. It was about learning to adapt, finding common ground when faced with unfamiliar circumstances, and creating our own definition of home wherever we went.

The Return Home and Ongoing Wanderlust

As our 5-month adventure drew to a close, we returned home with hearts full of memories and a newfound appreciation for the world. We learned that travel isn't just about ticking off destinations; it's about embracing the journey, with all its highs and lows.

We've traded our suitcases for storybooks, sharing tales of our adventures with our kids. And while we may not be jet-setting around the globe right now, our souls are forever restless, always eager for the next adventure.

So, here's to the flights of fancy, to the pursuit of adventure, and to a family that dared to take a leap into the unknown. Our 5 months abroad were a whirlwind of laughter, tears, and unforgettable moments, and we wouldn't trade a single second of it for anything. Our only regret…buying a roundtrip flight giving us a set end date. We wish would have continued on. After all, life is an adventure, and we're here to chase it with humor, sass, and a never-ending love for travel. Cheers to chasing memories that will last a lifetime! 🌍✈️🌟