Our tradition of travel

A different approach to the holidays

Sup friends,

I’ve been off the radar for a bit, but I’m finally back in Barcelona and I’m excited to kick off a New Year with you all.

I just spent the past few weeks in Southeast Asia with the fam. I always think I’ll be productive on these trips, but it’s never the case. Our days were filled with various activities and tours…

We spent a few days at an elephant sanctuary…

We explored the street food scene in Bangkok….

We saw a boxing match at the night market…

And had plenty of $10 massages…

This trip marks our 27th year of this tradition and I’m certain this is the best gift you can give your children.

How it all started

When I was in 4th grade, my parents decided to try something different for the holidays. Instead of getting a tree and decorating our house with lights, we packed up our bags and went down to Australia.

It was my first big overseas trip. My mom booked one of those group excursions where we were on a tour bus with a bunch of other people.

The memories from the trip remain vivid, down to the tiny details.

Our guide was Frank Kutak.

I remember in Sydney it was my first time staying at a hotel with an omelet station. I thought that was the coolest thing ever.

I remember playing with the kangaroos and climbing Ayers Rock back when it was still allowed, as of 2019 they stopped letting people go up to the top.

These memories are priceless… and everyone knows that experiences are more valuable than material things.

So if you have kids, stop buying them more stuff.

Show them the world instead. Open their eyes to what else is out there!

The benefits are long-lasting

Since the Australia trip, we’ve only spent one Christmas at home and we agreed we would never do that again.

Over the years we’ve traveled to all 7 continents and 60+ countries. This tradition has brought us closer together as a family. When you travel together, you will inevitably run into challenges.

Canceled flights, lost bags, catching diseases in third world countries.

The list of things that can go wrong is endless. But by overcoming these little obstacles and challenges, our bond has grown stronger.

We can look back years later and laugh at the time my Dad caught Malaria in Kenya.

Aside from that, the people you meet on these trips can turn into lifelong friends.

I think one of the reasons I’m intrigued by Serendipity is because I’ve seen it play out in so many different ways while on these family trips.

• On that first Australia trip, my dad befriended this guy Robert from California who became somewhat of a mentor to him. I’m still friends with his two kids.

• When we went to the Galapagos Islands we made friends with another family and over the years that relationship has blossomed. Since then we’ve gone on other trips together and my parents recently attended one of their daughter’s weddings.

• My sister met her boyfriend in the Maldives, he was working at the resort we were staying at and now two years later they live in Budapest together.

What are you waiting for

I know the year just started, but if this resonated with you in any way then start planning your family holiday now.

It will give you all something to look forward to. Forget about the details, just book a flight somewhere and throughout the year start telling people where you plan to go.

You’ll get tips and recommendations as the year progresses and then you can start ironing out the minutiae.

Why December?

Because unless you’re in hospitality, work tends to slow down in December. It’s easier to disconnect and be with your loved ones.

There are fewer Slack messages and emails. Deadlines are not as urgent as they usually are and you can probably get away with a two-week trip without eating up too many vacation days.

If you’re looking for recommendations or have any questions drop a comment down below and I’d be happy to answer them.

I’m forever grateful to my parents for starting this tradition and I can’t wait to do it with my kids someday. A few weeks ago I had no idea that Mango Sticky Rice was a thing, now it’s my favorite Thai dessert.

I’m wishing you all a very healthy and happy 2024.

Until next time my friends.

<3 B