GET BUSY LIVING
Worldwide Travel with Kids
SO NICE TO MEET YOU
Welcome, from the four of us
ONCE UPON A TIME
Welcome! We are the Ramirez family. Just your average family, based in Nashville, with a love of culture, togetherness, and making memories.
Once upon a time, Roberto and I were best friends in high school, fell in love, and got married.
We have always loved to travel together. It began pretty humbly, traveling to visit Roberto's family in Puerto Rico during our college years. Then Roberto had a life changing study abroad trip to Siena, Italy. So, we saved our pennies and took our first overseas trip together spring break of our Senior Year in college. We spent the week experiencing Madrid and Barcelona (the college way) and sleeping on the floor of a friend's apartment.
And so began our love of European cities and the European way of life.
AND THEN WE HAD TWO KIDS
As the years went on, we dreamt of traveling the world and lingering in all the nooks and crannies of the globe, to truly appreciate the beauty of people and cultures everywhere.
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And then we had two kids. Our lives changed, as they do when you grow your family.
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Traveling with two young children felt like a compromise initially. We travelled locally for many years, visiting nearby cities, skipping activities that would have previously been the highlight of the trip, rushing through meals because kids were melting down, going to bed early rather than experiencing a new city at night. Quick spoiler alert, we still do all of these things, just through a different lens.
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It had been two years since we had traveled internationally, and we were going a bit stir crazy. Though we enjoyed exploring locally, we missed experiencing other cultures.
And a lot of life had happened during these years. Katie's dad had life changing medical issues. Roberto's work life was busier than ever. It hit us hard one day. Life is short, sometimes way too short. If we waited for the "perfect" time to travel, with or without kids, we realized, it may never come. It was time to get busy living (see what I did there?).
We had no family living close by, no one to watch the kids while we galivanted. We decided to give international travel with the kids a shot. "If it is awful," we decided," we won't do it again. But if it is great, well, then it's a win!"
WHAT WE THOUGHT WAS A COMPROMISE
WAS ACTUALLY THE DREAM.
In 2018, Veronica was 2, Roberto was 4, and we embarked on our first international adventure as a family. We visited London, Nice, and Barcelona.
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It was different. We skipped museums, lines, and day trips. Instead, we explored parks and the kids played with local children. We got caught in the rain when visiting the Tower of London and played tag in the streets as the rain cleared. The kids fell in love with Tikka Masala in London and Jamon Iberico in Barcelona. We slowed down.
We came back with amazingly strong arms after carrying Veronica around for 14 days straight. And a much greater appreciation for the culture of these 3 beautiful cities than we would have had if we spent the trip hitting all of the traditional sights.
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It was a success to say the least.
WE ARE ALL LEARNING
Traveling with kids is not always sunshine and unicorns. There are compromises. There are melt downs. There are disappointments and annoying moments. Thankfully, my kids seem to understand that only one of them is allowed to be moody at a time.
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I can say without any hesitation, however, that I have never regretted traveling with my kids. The only regrets I have had were not taking a trip and missing out on those moments.
Roberto and Veronica remember way more about trips years ago than I ever expected. Which makes me a tad concerned that they aren't forgetting all the mistakes I have made along the way.
Hearing them talk about their memories is so cool. Hearing them talk about life in another country. How kids and adults who live in other parts of the world eat differently, speak differently, have different priorities, have homes that look different, do things differently. And yet, at the same time, experience that they are also alike in so many ways.
To understand that the world is bigger than them. That is truly awesome.
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE
So here we are. A family of four. Who all (yes, all four of us) love culture, togetherness, and making new memories. Who are all the best version of ourselves when we are experiencing a new place, having a new adventure, and making a new memory.
We are here to document our adventures. To share our stories and our travel experiences. And, perhaps inspire others, who find joy the same way we do, to take the trips. I don't think you will regret it.
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Thank you for checking out our blog. Please reach out to say hello and share your stories!
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Cheers,
Katie, Roberto, Roberto, and Veronica