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Post 4: Let's start some action

From Chaos to Charm: Our Italian Kick-Off in Milan & Garda

After hours of flying and breathing recycled cabin air, we finally landed at Milan airport. It was 7:30 PM—nipping cold, buzzing with excitement and little did we know, a crash course in travel reality was just around the corner.

The first message we received?

“We’re sorry to inform you, your booking has been cancelled.”

Yep, that was the first message we received upon landing. Not a welcome drink. Not even a pizza emoji. A cold-hearted cancellation notice.

Now, for most, that’s panic territory. But thankfully, my better half and I have completely different panic buttons. When one melts, the other usually freezes (in a good way). We somehow leveled out and managed to score a decent last-minute stay.

As soon as we walked into our hotel, the smell of wood-fired pizza and the sight of endless wine bottles put us back in a good mood. Naturally, we binged.

But oh, the surprises weren’t done. The hotel—nowhere in the listing—had no lift. ZERO. I looked at the stairs. The stairs looked back at me. Let’s just say, feminism took a back seat real quick 😄. I graciously let my husband flex his muscles and haul our luggage up the stairs while I provided “strategic emotional support” (read: minimal). I felt bad for him… but those stairs were just not negotiable.

🔖 Takeaway: Always, always call the hotel beforehand—ask about lifts, floor level options, and shuttle services (especially if it’s in the outskirts—they sometimes offer free shuttles)

The next morning, we set off to Peschiera del Garda, a gorgeous town on the southern tip of Lake Garda and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But our reason was less about history and more about adrenaline: Gardaland for our son’s adventure fix.

We checked into a cozy hotel run by an elderly couple, then walked back to the station to catch a bus. It was supposed to arrive in 5 minutes… but 45 minutes later, there was still no sign of it. Just as we booked our first Uber for an expensive 15-minute ride—poof! The bus appeared. Magic. Typical

We rushed in, only to realize we had just 3.5 hours before Gardaland shut its gates. We debated the pricey tickets for such little time… but one look at our son’s excited face and that was it.

No regrets. We made the most of those three hours, tried as many rides as possible, and yes—got tempted by those impossible-to-carry fluffy prizes. Most rides were included in the entry ticket, barring a few over-the-counter games.

At exactly 6 PM, the guards shut the main gates (they don’t joke). We headed back, tired but happy, and famished to devour a hearty Italian dinner.

Later that evening, we took a moonlit stroll along the Garda lake, soaking in the calm, sipping local Lugana wine, and tasting Grappa—a fiery traditional Italian spirit found mainly in northern Italy. But honestly, more fascinating than the drink was the towering Grappa bottle they poured it from. Practically a striking reminisce of Garda’s historic symbolic fortress. Spectacle meets spirit!

We wrapped up our night at 11 PM, recharged for the next chapter of our Italian escapade.

🔖 Takeaway:

Public transport abroad isn’t always punctual—breathe, adapt.

Travel often juggles money, time, and experience. Prioritize based on what matters at that moment.

In small towns, staff may have limited English. Ask clear questions before ordering. If the food isn't to your taste, a polite request might just earn you a replacement.

And Grappa? Let’s just say, try it for the experience, more than the flavor. It’s quite a neat journey 😊

In case you are carrying your waterbottle don’t hesitate to ask for refill.

Most restaurants usually serve only liquor post 9pm and discourage walk-ins.

List of Hotels for this leg:

Interno 13 - Coffee, WiFi & Mxp

La Viscontina

Giada Rooms

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“Pack Light, Laugh Hard” mini-guide for travel buddies

Post 3

Packing light is an art. And not the kind that gets applause easily. It’s less about stuffing things into a bag and more about preparing your brain for the reality that you’ll look the same in every picture. Yep, that same jacket might become your new personality.

This whole thing isn’t about packing stuff—it’s about mentally stepping down from glam mode and embracing functional fashion. You’re not going to look like a diva, except maybe on that one carefully curated dinner night. And guess what? That lens focus is shifting—from you to your surroundings. Sorry, not sorry.

If you’re okay with making real memories instead of chasing fancy Instagram aesthetics, congratulations—you’re evolving into a real traveler. That said, let’s not romanticize this too much. It’s not always as cool as it sounds. I’ve had my fair share of “Why did I do this to myself?” moments—yes, tears and regrets included. But looking back? It is totally worth it. Every single time.

So, here’s my go-to guide for surviving (and even enjoying) packing light:

1. Essentials First, Not Your Entire Wardrobe

Think through your daily essential and match them to the number of days you’ll be traveling. If you're staying longer in one place, consider laundry services, they’re especially helpful when traveling with kids. Trust me, clean clothes mid-trip feels like luxury.

2. Layers Are Life

If your destination demands layering, plan those inner layers like a pro. Don’t skimp. Weather can be a mood-killer. And hey, checking the forecast isn’t just for nerds—it’s a superpower.

3. Outerwear Repeat Game

Repeat those outer layers. No shame. Pick jackets that are light, warm, and foldable. Fancy overcoats? Unless you’re on a Vogue shoot, skip them.

4. Kids = Chaos (So Plan 1.5x More)

With kids, go 1.5x on basics and layers. Always pack medicines well, and if your little one is a picky eater, bring some comfort food—powdered or solid.

5. Shoes: Choose Wisely, Cinderella

Footwear can gobble up space. Go for all-rounders, something comfy that goes with most outfits and a pair of casual chappal. That one fancy pair? Leave it behind. Your feet (and back) will thank you.

6. Utility Kit Must-Haves

Always carry a tiny kit with a Swiss knife, mini scissors, torch, measuring tape, and a portable weighing scale. Sounds extra? Maybe. But this little kit has saved me so many times.

7. Toiletries & Little Luxuries

Pack small, pack smart. Include your regular basic makeup, high-quality sunscreen, moisturizer. Don’t forget the toilet seat spray and wet wipes. Wrap bottle necks with tape or toss them in pouches to avoid mid-suitcase disasters. A fully packed toiletry kit can easily weigh a kilo, so don’t go overboard.

8. The Magic Ratio: Bottoms 1:4 Uppers

Pack one bottom for every four tops. Mix light and dark colors. Denims are a lifesaver—durable, fuss-free, and stain-resistant. Works for both adults and kids.

9. Nightwear = Minimal Drama

Keep it simple. 1:4 ratio works here too. You’re sleeping, not auditioning for a pajama ad.

10. Entertainment for the Tiny Humans

Pack age-appropriate distractions—coloring books, journals, novels. I recently bought Vobble (headset + preloaded content) for the kids. It’s decent, does the job. Try nudging them to jot down trip memories, it’s a better souvenir than a phone full of selfies.

11. Snack Smart, Not Heavy

Food’s the last thing in but always makes it. I carry a bag of mixed nuts, an energy bar per day, and some desi namkeen. These little munchies are gold during random hunger pangs or food fails.

Most important: Avoid carrying anything expensive, especially jewelry. Keep your ID, debit card and credit card to be essential. Always carry some local currency mainly for countryside travel.

Final Wisdom: If you’re hopping across multiple destinations, keep that luggage tight and light. It’s exhausting to drag around a mini home. Be honest with yourself, pack what you need, not what you might, maybe wear. And if you're open to new cuisines, food will never be a problem.

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Post 2

Planning Your Own Europe Trip from Scratch: Real Tips from Our Family Experience

Planning your own trip from scratch is no doubt a Herculean task. But it gives you the flexibility to structure your experience—and to adapt if things change along the way.

We’ve never hired an agent for any of our travels. For visas, though, it can be helpful to use a reliable agent, especially to avoid appointment delays or documentation issues.

It’s always smart to cross-check your documents with the agent before submission. Also, stay updated on the visa rules of the country you’re applying to. Even if you’ve traveled internationally before, embassies can still reject your application without warning.

✈️ Transit Visa Tip for Long Layovers

If you have a long layover, you can opt for a transit visa to exit the airport. We did this during our return via Muscat, and it allowed us to explore the city during our wait.

Depending on your stopover country’s visa policies, it's always best to have everything ready and sorted before you fly.

⚖️ The Portable Scale: My Secret Weapon

Managing luggage weight is a huge stress point for international travelers. Just a few extra grams can lead to heavy charges. To avoid this, I carried a portable weighing scale. It was a lifesaver and saved us from surprise fees across multiple journey legs.

💼 Flights and Baggage: Be Extra Careful

We booked our round-trip flight from Milan. I found that flying in and out of the same city or country tends to be more cost-effective.

Few airlines now offer super saver fares if you travel without check-in bags. But beware—if you’re flying within Europe on budget carriers, you must strictly follow their luggage rules.

We booked Ryanair from Prague to Milan, and their baggage policy was extremely strict.

They check your luggage weight from multiple angles.

Handbags must fit in a tray at check-in. If not, you’ll be asked to check them in and pay extra based on the weight booked.

If you plan to shop or add anything to your luggage during the trip, it’s a good idea to pre-book extra kilos, especially for domestic or budget flights.

Also, keep liquids to a minimum in your cabin bags—including water. The rules are rigid, and you may be asked to discard them.

🚆 Eurail Pass: Great Option, But Follow the Steps

If you’re traveling between multiple countries, the Eurail pass is highly recommended. One of its best features is the option to cancel with a 100% refund (minus a small fee) if you don’t activate it.

That said, the Eurail app can be tricky for first-time users. We saw many travelers struggling with it.

Here’s how it works:

Activate your pass before your journey and download the digital copy.

For each route (like Milan to Switzerland), activate the travel leg.

If it’s a reserved train, book your seat in advance.

Link the trip to the pass of each family member individually.

Generate the respective train ticket with a barcode. This barcode is what the train conductor scans.

⚠️ Important: Just having an Eurail pass and a seat reservation isn’t enough. If you don’t generate the barcode ticket, you could be fined or asked to buy a new ticket. The barcode is what confirms your booking and triggers Eurail’s payment to local train vendors.

🧳 Trains Move Fast—So Do Your Risks

When traveling between cities, make sure to be on time and board the correct train. Superfast trains stop only briefly at each station.

We lost our child’s backpack on a Verona to Venice train. Unfortunately, there was no way to recover it. Most trains don’t have CCTV, and there’s no reliable lost-and-found system.

Though some countries trains have online lost-and-found portals, but chances of recovery are slim.

🚋 Day Passes for City Travel

For local city transport, it’s smart to buy day passes. These usually cover:

Buses

Trams

Ferries

And sometimes even entry to attractions

You can purchase them via GetYourGuide, Viator, and other online tour operator websites or at metro stations on arrival.

✅ Always tap to validate your ticket before using it. If your ticket expires or is unvalidated, you may be fined or asked to get off—especially as a tourist.

🔐 Pickpocketing & Document Safety

Keep hard copies of all essential travel documents:

Hotel bookings

Attraction passes

Transport tickets

Passport and visa copies

Store them separately in a small, secure bag. Don’t keep all valuables in one place.

I lost my wallet on a non-stop train from Switzerland to Austria. The train had no CCTV, and someone quietly removed my bag from the overhead rack while we slept. Despite checking with fellow passengers, we had no luck.

Sadly, in Europe, lost belongings are rarely recovered. The system doesn’t offer much support—even for theft onboard trains.

✅ Final Thoughts

Despite the challenges, planning the trip ourselves gave us more control, freedom, and learning. Yes, it took effort. But it also gave us flexibility and deeper travel experiences.

So if you're planning a trip to Europe:

Be prepared.

Keep things simple.

Stay alert. And carry that portable scale. You’ll thank yourself later.

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The Joy (and Juggle) of Travel: A Family Adventure Across Europe_2025

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We all love the sound and feeling of the word “travel.” It brings joy, freedom, and a sense of discovery. But here’s what many don’t talk about: the behind-the-scenes effort—the planning, the packing, the problem-solving. Especially when you're traveling overseas with a child and determined to experience everything.

I recently returned from a nearly month-long trip across Europe with my husband and 9-year-old son. We explored four countries, multiple cities, countless experiences—and a million little moments in between. While the pictures may show only the smiles and sights, the journey began months before we even boarded the flight

Trust me, it wasn’t easy. We had an ambitious plan to experience as much as possible in every destination. It took us over three months to carefully book our hotels—prioritizing easy commutes, proximity to major attractions, access to restaurants, and the availability of public transport like metros and buses.

For each city, we meticulously pre-planned our experiences. We secured day passes, mapped out food stops, galleries, museums, everything we wanted to explore. We tried our best to anticipate everything before setting off on this adventure.

Luggage: Our Biggest Puzzle

Packing was a challenge in itself. Traveling light was essential—but it had to be functional to suit the different terrains. Western cities can be less hospitable in terms of hotel services compared to many Asian destinations. Many accommodations have no elevators, and navigating cobbled streets or deep metro stations with heavy bags can become a nightmare if not planned well.

We debated over every single item we packed. It was frustrating—but absolutely worth it in the end.

On few recommendations, we considered packing Indian food, but had to abandon most of it to keep our luggage weight in check. We settled on dry fruits and a few snack packets. Food can be tricky, especially with kids. Thankfully, our son has grown up trying different cuisines and is generally open to experimenting. Still, I’d be lying if I said it’s always easy. Like any parent, I’ve had anxious moments when he wouldn’t eat well or showed signs of falling sick.

To be prepared for any health emergency, I packed six large pouches of medicine covering everything from minor discomforts to more serious conditions. When traveling overseas, especially with kids, medical preparation is a must.

And Then We Were Ready

Armed with 2 medium trolleys, 2 small ones, 3 backpacks, a folder of bookings and documents, and a head full of excitement, we set off. The journey wasn’t just about ticking destinations off a map—it was about building memories, facing challenges together, and learning to embrace the chaos that often comes with meaningful travel.

It wasn't smooth sailing all the time. But then again, the best journeys never are.

#meaningfultravel #travelwithkid #journeyoversea #travelanxiety #memories #flywithme #travelchaos #reallife