One of the things we miss most about our full-time travels is having family join us on the road. We love the freedom of our lifestyle and all the incredible places it has taken us, but there is something especially meaningful about sharing those places with the people we love. Traveling allows us to create unforgettable memories as a family of four, but when grandparents, siblings, cousins, and nieces are part of the adventure, those memories become even richer. So when my dad Richard and his wife Kay, my little brother Brian and his sons Leon and Isaac, and my older brother Sam, his wife AC, their daughter Vivian, and her boyfriend Sten all made the trip to Italy, we knew it was going to be a reunion we would never forget.
Our family reunion actually began in two parts. Sam and AC arrived in Milan first and were only passing through for one night before continuing to the Netherlands for Vivian’s highschool graduation. Even though the visit was brief, we were excited to catch up, share a meal, and spend a little time together. Henry was itching to play chess. Of course, no visit to Milan would be complete without a stop at the famous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II to joined the crowds in the long-standing Milan tradition of spinning on the mosaic bull’s testicles for good luck. It seemed a little strange, but if it brings us luck… We knew we’d see Sam and AC again later at Lake Garda, but it was a wonderful way to kick off the reunion and made Italy feel even more like home.
A few days later, my dad, Kay, Brian, Leon, and Isaac arrived, and we settled into three days of exploring Milan together. Milan was the perfect place to begin—a city filled with history, beautiful architecture, sprawling parks, and enough variety to keep everyone entertained. Despite the summer heatwave, we packed a lot into our days.
We wandered through the impressive halls of the Science Museum, explored the grounds of Castello Sforzesco, and admired the breathtaking Duomo. No matter how many famous places we visit, there are still moments when we stop, look around, and think, Wow…we’re really here. Sharing those moments with family made them even more meaningful.
One afternoon we visited the Museum of Illusions, which ended up being a hit with both the kids and the adults. It was filled with mind-bending exhibits, optical illusions, and plenty of opportunities for silly photos. Everyone had fun trying to figure out the puzzles and tricking their brains with rooms and displays that weren’t quite what they seemed.
Not every memorable moment came from famous attractions, though. Some of our favorite memories were simply spending time together in the city’s parks. We tossed a Frisbee back and forth, watched the boys run around together, and enjoyed slowing down after busy sightseeing days. Those unplanned moments often become the ones we remember most. One of my favorite parts of our time in Milan was watching Henry, Leon, and Isaac together. The boys have spent countless hours playing online together over the years, but seeing them finally share those adventures in person was something special. They explored the city, joked around, played games, and picked up right where they had left off online. Their friendship felt completely natural, and it was a reminder of how technology can keep relationships alive until families have the chance to be together again.
