What a year it has been! 2025 has truly been a whirlwind of incredible adventures, and we are beyond grateful for every moment of it. From our family’s exciting travels across the globe to the unforgettable experiences shared with our worldschooling family, this year has been one for the books.
Kicking Off the Year in the US: Family, Fun, and Reconnection
We began 2025 with a family reunion in the US, spending time with loved ones in North Carolina, Georgia, Colorado and Arizona. The kids reconnected with cousins and friends, and we soaked up all the warmth and love that family brings. It was the perfect way to start the year and recharge before our big travels began.
Off to Turkey: Henry’s Invisalign Adventure
Next stop: Turkey! We headed east so Henry could begin his Invisalign treatment. We took the opportunity to explore Istanbul for two weeks while we found an orthodontist. Istanbul is a lively city run by cats. We enjoyed exploring the city.
Reuniting with Our Worldschooling Family in Montenegro
One of the highlights of our travels this year was reuniting with our worldschooling family in Budva, Montenegro. We had parted ways with them in November the previous year as we wrapped up our Southeast Asia tour, but this time we were all back together again. There’s something so special about traveling with others who share the same values, especially when it comes to parenting and learning on the road. We spent our days exploring Montenegro’s gorgeous coastline and reconnecting with our friends.
Budapest: A Worldschooling Pop-Up and Prom
Our next stop was Budapest, where we attended a worldschooling pop-up event, and Lucas attended prom. We met several other worldschooling families from all over the world. The kids had an absolute blast running around Budapest, going to board game cafes, and hanging out with their friends, while the adults enjoyed swapping stories and experiences over coffee and dinner.
The Four of Us on a Whirlwind European Tour
After Budapest, we set off on a whirlwind adventure, just the four of us. We started with a trip to Paris for the French Open—a dream come true for us tennis fans! The atmosphere was electric, and Michael was in heaven. From there, we traveled to Belgium (hello waffles and chocolate!) and then made our way to the Netherlands, where we had a chance to visit our niece, Vivian, and her mom, Suzan. It was so wonderful to spend time with family and show the boys a bit of life in the Netherlands.
We even managed to squeeze in a quick stopover in Germany—because, why not?
Romania, Italy, and More: Family, Friends, and Adventures
In Romania, we met back up with our worldschool family in Bran. It was a quiet month exploring castles and taking in the beauty of the Carpathian Mountains. Lucas then flew to Italy with his friends to attend SpeakTeens camp, where he acted as an Anglo teen guide, helping Italian kids learn English. We were so proud of him as he took on this responsibility, and it was an experience that really helped him grow. He will be going back next year, and Henry will be joining him. Meanwhile, Henry’s Invisalign treatment officially began after months of waiting for five of his teeth to grow in. His transformation this year from kid to teen is amazing, but it also pulls at our heartstrings as our youngest is no longer a little kid. Michael had to head back to the US for a few weeks to manage our rental properties. We also snuck in an Imagine Dragons concert in Budapest on our way to Romania, and Henry and Michael went to Bosnia during the stay after picking up Henry’s Invisalign trays in Istanbul.
Off to Serbia
We traveled with our worldschool family to Zlatibor, Serbia, where we met up with three other worldschooling families. It was a great time for the kids to bond and for us to share experiences and ideas about traveling and homeschooling. We had a great house in the mountains with our own homemade pickleball court and pack of dogs.
Cyprus: Three Months of New Adventures
After Serbia, we went to Cyprus, where the boys really dove into their activities. Henry got into robotics and sailing, while Lucas and Henry joined a tennis program. Cyprus offered so many opportunities for learning and growth. During our time in Cyprus Michael and Henry took a side trip to Malta, and I spent my birthday in Jordan.
We also went on a cruise after Cyprus with our worldschool family. It was their first cruise, and it was an unforgettable experience. More on that in our next post!
A Year Well-Lived: The Joy of Traveling with Our Village
Looking back on 2025, we feel incredibly grateful for all the experiences, challenges, and growth we’ve encountered. But what made this year truly special was the ability to travel with our worldschooling family. We’ve created our own little village on the road—one where we can support each other, learn from one another, and share in the joys and struggles of this unique lifestyle.
We have made lifelong friends, and we, as parents, have built a strong community of support. Traveling as a group has made us better parents, better partners, and better people. It has enriched our lives in ways we never could have imagined. And through it all, we’ve had so much fun.
As we close out this amazing year, we’re filled with gratitude for all the memories we’ve made and all the lessons we’ve learned. Here’s to many more adventures in 2026!
