Nine days in Northern Italy — from a long travel day to one of the most stunning lake we've ever seen

Some travel days are part of the adventure. Ours started on a ferry at 7am, wound through Split, a flight to London, a long layover, another flight to Verona, a rental car, and somewhere around 7pm — a table in a tiny Italian town with a pizza in front of us that tasted like the best thing we'd ever eaten. We made it. Northern Italy, here we come.

Then there was the soccer. Soccer is life, and Vis proved it. We stumbled onto a youth tournament at the local field — kids from different islands, playing like the whole world was watching — and we were hooked from minute one. We went back the next day. And the day after that. Three days in a row. We didn't plan it. We couldn't help it. Soccer has that effect. By the end we were proper regulars, fully invested in teams we'd only just met, already dreaming about the World Cup.

When our first Airbnb turned out to be a “death trap for children and drunks alike,” we knew this trip was going to be one for the books. We rebooked to Villa Karex in San Teodoro, loaded up our trusty van Bufalina (aka Scratchy), and never looked back.

Singapore was never meant to be a big stop. It was a layover with legs — a day and a half wedged between flights. But sometimes the short stops surprise you the most.

This one did.

It was rainy, it was fast, and it was genuinely great. We made the most of every hour — and came away feeling like we'd actually experienced something real.

After a quick flight from New Zealand, we landed in Fiji and immediately felt the shift—stepping off the plane into warm, humid, 90-degree air that somehow felt like a welcome embrace. We grabbed a taxi and headed straight to our hotel on Denarau Island, a man-made island filled with beautiful resorts. While there wasn’t a traditional beach, the water was still stunning, and everything about the atmosphere felt like a true escape.

We came back to New Zealand’s North Island for a second time, but this trip felt completely different.

It was slower. Softer. More intentional—without actually trying to be.

Three weeks. Three places. Each one on the water. Each one offering its own kind of magic. And somehow, somewhere along the way, I felt like I came back to life.

As our time on New Zealand’s South Island came to an end, we found ourselves trying to soak in every last moment — and somehow, it just kept getting better.

Our journey toward Lake Tekapo felt like stepping into another world. Along the way, we stopped at the Clay Cliffs, a surreal landscape of towering formations that felt almost otherworldly.

Our time in Arrowtown and Queenstown felt like the perfect mix of cozy charm, epic adventure, and meaningful family time. It was one of those stretches of travel where every day felt full, but never rushed — the kind of days you wish you could bottle up.

Our journey from New Zealand’s wild West Coast to Wanaka was unforgettable from the very start. The drive itself felt like an adventure — winding roads, dense rainforest, and waterfalls spilling down steep cliffs at Roaring Billy Falls, Thunder Creek Falls, and Fantail Falls. The rain tried its best to hide the mountain peaks, but even through the mist the scenery was incredible as we transitioned from lush rainforest into dramatic alpine landscapes.

Boone turning FIVE - what a freaking special time for all of us to experience this milestone in all of our lives — and celebrating on the wild West Coast of New Zealand felt pretty unforgettable. What unfolded was a week of trains, beaches, bikes, glaciers, playgrounds, and so much family time. The best kind of birthday adventure.

We made the ferry!!! 🙌🏼 (and by “made it,” I mean we absolutely sprinted for it 😅).

Our South Island chapter started with me completely messing up the car ferry. We rushed out of the hotel in full chaos mode — bags half-zipped, kids hustled into shoes, adrenaline HIGH. By some miracle, we got lucky and were able to get our car onto the massive ferry just in time.

After celebrating the New Year on Waiheke Island, we continued our journey through New Zealand’s North Island—and wow, this stretch absolutely delivered. From adrenaline and movie magic to hot springs and slow family days, this part of the trip was packed with unforgettable moments.

Between the incredible food, exceptional wine, breathtaking scenery, and the ease of traveling with kids, Waiheke Island ended up being the perfect place to ring in the New Year. Truly, there is no better way to welcome a fresh start.

Here’s to a happy, healthy, and epic 2026 — cheers to new adventures ahead 🥂✨

Christmas in Tasmania was everything we hoped for: adventurous, meaningful, and full of moments we’ll remember forever.

From Sydney to white-sand beaches, koala-filled islands redwood forests, and Melbourne🐨

We’ve been living out of the car, chasing national parks, ferry rides, epic playgrounds, and unforgettable moments — learning how to celebrate traditions, slow down, and find our rhythm on the road.

Still pinching ourselves. Grateful for every mile 🤍✈️🚗

After what felt like the longest travel day in the history of travel days, we officially touched down in Sydney and honestly, it felt like we time-warped through about five different dimensions to get here.

Time has a funny way of slipping by, doesn’t it?
One day you’re rocking a baby to sleep, and the next, you’re wondering how he’s already big enough for kindergarten. Somewhere between work meetings, school drop-offs, and endless to-do lists, we realized how easy it is to be busy—and how hard it is to be present.