Taking our daughter Bella on her very first international trip was something we had looked forward to from the moment we knew we were going to be parents. Even in our earliest conversations about the future, my husband and I would imagine traveling with her, watching her discover the world one city at a time.… Continue reading Bella’s First International Trip: A Memorable Visit to Amsterdam
Category: Wanderlust Diary
Porto and Lisbon: A Birthday Escape in 2019
In March 2019, my husband and I decided to treat ourselves to something special — a trip to Portugal to celebrate my birthday. It wasn’t just about the celebration, though. We both had been caught up in the hustle and bustle of work and life, and this trip came as a much-needed pause. A chance… Continue reading Porto and Lisbon: A Birthday Escape in 2019
How I Spent My Birthday in Prague in 2022
In March 2022, I had the most unforgettable birthday experience. Little did I know that two months later, my life would take a beautiful turn when I found out I was pregnant. That birthday in Prague became a significant milestone, not just because it was a special day, but because it was the beginning of… Continue reading How I Spent My Birthday in Prague in 2022
Bordeaux 2020: A Birthday Sojourn Through Time and Wine
In the early days of March 2020, long before the world experienced the challenges that would soon unfold, my husband and I embarked on a four-day trip to Bordeaux, France. The purpose of our visit was simple yet meaningful: to celebrate my birthday in a city known for its rich history, world-class wines, and captivating… Continue reading Bordeaux 2020: A Birthday Sojourn Through Time and Wine
A Birthday in Thessaloniki: A Quiet Adventure in March 2018
In March 2018, I celebrated my birthday in a way I’ll never forget. That year, we found ourselves in a place that wasn’t part of our original plan—Thessaloniki, Greece. It was our first time in Greece, and we had been thinking about going to Athens, the country’s capital and the more popular choice for first-time… Continue reading A Birthday in Thessaloniki: A Quiet Adventure in March 2018
Lake Como in 2016: A Birthday Dream I Never Knew I Had
It was a day before my birthday in March 2016. We were in Milan, Italy, sitting in a small, warm Filipino carinderia tucked into a quiet corner of the city. The smell of garlic fried rice and daing na bangus filled the air. I remember the comforting taste of itlog and longganisa, familiar and rich… Continue reading Lake Como in 2016: A Birthday Dream I Never Knew I Had
A Dream in Paris: Our Final Stop Before Heading Home
After a day spent walking through the gold-filled halls and endless gardens of Versailles, we were still carrying that feeling of quiet awe as we packed up and headed to our final destination—Paris. I had always heard about the City of Light, seen it in movies, on postcards, and in dreamy Instagram photos. But nothing… Continue reading A Dream in Paris: Our Final Stop Before Heading Home
Our Unforgettable Day in Versailles
After leaving the beautiful landscapes of Toulouse behind, we continued our journey north through France. The drive was smooth and relaxed, the scenery gradually shifting from wide open countryside to charming little towns, each with its own personality. I was simply following the route with curiosity, not knowing exactly what to expect next. That’s when… Continue reading Our Unforgettable Day in Versailles
Across Borders and Mountains: From Zaragoza to Toulouse
As our journey across Spain neared its final stretch, we found ourselves in Zaragoza, a city we reached after a long day’s drive from Bilbao. By then, we were carrying the weight of many days of discovery—Barcelona, Valencia, Madrid, and then Bilbao. Each city left us amazed, full of memories, but also a little worn… Continue reading Across Borders and Mountains: From Zaragoza to Toulouse
A Serene Surprise in Bilbao
When you think of travel, there are places you dream about, plan for, research ahead of time, and imagine vividly long before you ever set foot there. Bilbao, for us, wasn’t one of those places. To be honest, the only reason I ever heard of Bilbao before was because of football. I’d seen the name… Continue reading A Serene Surprise in Bilbao
Madrid: A City Once in My History Book, Now in My Heart
It was in the middle of a long, unforgettable road trip across Germany, France, and Spain when we finally reached Madrid. The summer of 2015 had already gifted us incredible moments—from the energy of Barcelona to the charm of Valencia—but there was something about Madrid that stirred something deeper in me. Maybe it was because… Continue reading Madrid: A City Once in My History Book, Now in My Heart
Valencia: A Gentle Surprise Between Barcelona and Madrid
After the energetic pulse of Barcelona, we headed south toward a city we didn’t know too much about but were quietly excited to discover: Valencia. We had heard it was lovely, but nothing prepared us for just how beautiful and welcoming it would be. It surprised us in the best possible way—not loud or overwhelming,… Continue reading Valencia: A Gentle Surprise Between Barcelona and Madrid
Barcelona: Our First Spanish Chapter
Barcelona was the first Spanish city we visited on our 2015 summer road trip, and it opened the door to Spain in the most beautiful way. Coming from Marseille, after a long stretch of travel, we arrived in the afternoon—tired, a little stiff from the drive, but excited to finally be in a city that’s… Continue reading Barcelona: Our First Spanish Chapter
Moments in Marseille
Marseille was one of those cities that seemed to stretch endlessly in every direction. It was the kind of place where you could spend hours walking and still feel like there’s more just around the next corner—more stories, more color, more life. As the second-largest city in France, it felt alive in a way that… Continue reading Moments in Marseille
A Day in Lyon
We had talked about doing a road trip for a year, and in the summer of 2015 (almost 10 years ago), we finally made it happen. Living in Germany, we’re lucky to be right in the heart of Europe—with so many countries just a few hours away, the possibilities felt endless. So we mapped out… Continue reading A Day in Lyon
Unforgettable Memories from Our European Road Trip – June 2015
In June 2015, we embarked on an unforgettable 19-day adventure, covering around 5000 kilometers as we drove from Germany to various captivating destinations. Our trusty companion, the reliable little Polo, carried us through each city without a hitch. We began in the grandeur of Luxembourg. Known for its medieval architecture and stunning landscapes, the city… Continue reading Unforgettable Memories from Our European Road Trip – June 2015
A Birthday Road Trip Across Borders: Memories from March 2015
Some trips are remembered not because of how far you go, but how deep they sink into your memory. In March 2015, my husband and I set off on a European road trip that still makes me smile when I think about it. It wasn’t our longest or most extravagant holiday, but it had something… Continue reading A Birthday Road Trip Across Borders: Memories from March 2015
A Weekend to Remember in 2015: Wandering Through The Hague, Rotterdam, and Dordrecht
Back in February 2015, we set out for a short trip to the Netherlands. The plan was simple: start in The Hague, then move on to Rotterdam, and finish in Dordrecht. It wasn’t our first time in the country, but each visit brings something fresh. The Netherlands is only a three-hour drive from where we… Continue reading A Weekend to Remember in 2015: Wandering Through The Hague, Rotterdam, and Dordrecht
Exploring Prague and Beyond in 2014: A Birthday to Remember
In March 2014, I celebrated my first birthday in Europe, and my husband planned a road trip that became one of the most memorable experiences of our lives. We started our journey from home, passing through the beautiful cities of Magdeburg, Halle, and Dresden. But the real highlight of our adventure awaited us in Prague—a… Continue reading Exploring Prague and Beyond in 2014: A Birthday to Remember
Our First European Adventure: Exploring Amsterdam
In October 2013, my husband and I embarked on our first travel adventure since arriving in Germany in 2013. The destination: Amsterdam. Despite my inability to locate the photos from that memorable trip, the memories are etched in our hearts.
