6 weeks long trip to Europe

So much excitement around a big trip. Can you imagine packing and planning a trip of 6 weeks with a toddler? Have you ever managed a long journey through Europe? This one was my first experience with a toddler; very dynamic and fun. And, what I learned from it is to organize 50% of your time, and your trip will be the best!

You will be able to go everywhere with me, feel the space and people, and get tips on how to help you manage your future journey.

If you are alone, with a partner, or with family, I believe there is no significant difference except your priority changed. It depends on what makes you happy.

I felt delighted traveling alone through Italy on my motorbike (check my blog about it here). I was thrilled when I was with my partner on our journey through South America. And I was happy when I was in Europe for six weeks with my partner and two and a half years old toddler.

Family reunion

Everyone was influenced by covid. We could not travel and see the family. We are also living in New Zealand, which makes things more challenging. My and Axel’s (my partner) family did not see our little toddler, Sophie. We were missing our family and friends.

So After 4 years, we decided to go to Europe. It was not an easy decision since we are trying to buy a house here. The house prices are so high that it is tough to do it. And, the costs of the tickets get high too. But my motto has always been that it is one life, and you should live it!

Is it too personal?

All my travels, escapes, and things I am writing about are personal. I love to bring you into my world and show you some good content from my perspective. But while I am sharing those things with you, I will always try to inspire you, motivate you, and give you some tips and hacks that were helpful for me.

Packing Hacks

Before I start my story, I would like to share something that will inspire you and help you plan your journey very soon. I made an efficient Travel packing list. Are you traveling alone, or with somebody, maybe kids? It can be beneficial. 

You can download this packing list for FREE HERE. You can print it or save it on your laptop/phone and use it. Feel free to take it before we continue.

A day before the big journey

Why am I writing about a day before a trip? I am too excited! It is my birthday, we need to pack for a long journey, and I am working on the same day. My schedule was a bit busy, but that is something I love. 

• I went to the library 
• I was in the shopping
• I went to work
• I packed 
• I had a birthday dinner with friends

Doing all those things in a day could be challenging, but I love it! I was so excited! How I managed to do it all? Easy, I prepared my brain so that I would enjoy every second of my madness.

Crazy schedule

• 7 am I went to the library, and as soon as it was open
• 7.15 am I was chasing some hoodies to buy. They are perfect for traveling between 2 different zones. It was winter but not extremely cold in New Zealand and Europe; it was hot. Of course, some shops haven’t been open yet, but after an hour, I found what I was looking for.
• 9 am I was at work, trying to do as much as possible before a long trip.
• Around 5 pm, I went home to make 2 cakes. One for my friends and one for my friends from work. The cakes were massive. Axel asked if I was celebrating my birthday with an army.

I made two giant cakes in 2 hours! If you would like a recipe, I am not sure I can give you a proper one because every cake I make is different. If you would like an ‘approximately’ recipe, please leave a comment below.

• 7.30 pm we went for a birthday dinner. After dinner, we came home with friends to eat cake and have some wine and beer. 
• Around 11 pm, I wanted to finish packing to be ready because I had a busy schedule the day after, and I wanted to ensure we had everything.

MIYA’s tip on when to pack

I always have my packing list with me. I started packing the day before. It took me 15/20 minutes. Focusing on elementary things from the list helped me much faster. I just checked the list the day before the trip and added other things. I do the same for Sophie, and it does not take too much time.

It is time to go!

As I mentioned, I had a busy schedule again.

• 6 am I had a training
• I put all my things in a car
• 9 am I went to work a bit earlier to print a few things and to finalize things before I go. That day I was not duty manager because I was finishing earlier around 3 pm, so I was just doing wine tasting.
• 3 pm I picked up my things and draw to Axel’s company, where he is working. It is quite close to the airport and they allowed us to leave the cars because the space is huge.
• Around 3.30 pm we grab a taxi and went to the airport. To be totally open, I was a bit worried about the whole trip. After COVID and a lot of restrictions I was not sure what to do I had all the papers, are they going to ask for something that we cannot provide?

For example:

We were going to France. And with a Serbian passport, I do not need a visa, but maybe if they asked me for additional documents, I need to provide full insurance (I paid $300), an accommodation certificate stamped and signed by the public authorities, and other things. It took me a few days to do it.

• We checked in earlier and set to have a coffee. I wanted to work a bit on my blog.
• The flight was short, like an hour, from Napier to Auckland. It was an older airplane, smaller because it was domestic, short-flight.

Our flight was at 6 pm. That is why we arrived at 8 to the room. The hotel was not too far from the airport, so we did not want to go outside. There is nothing around the place. We dine in the hotel’s restaurant, chill a bit, and went to bad.

Day between flights

It was Sunday, sunny and perfect to go somewhere. The first idea was to go to the aquarium but it was far from our accommodation, around a 1.5h drive by bus. So, we decided it is better to go to the city center and walk around.

We did not plan anything, just catch a bus and left for the unknown. We reached the city after an hour, and of course, we felt hungry. I do intermittent fasting, and it was a time to eat. I am doing (16h I fasting, and 8h I eat). I do not know if should I recommend it or not. There are some opposite opinions, but I feel much better if I do.

A place to recommend to visit

TEED ST LARDER

café – restaurant settled in Newmarket, Auckland. Beautiful coffee and my brunch were great. I ate a duck, and it is crispy on the outside and juicy and tasty on the inside, with very well kale and herbs.

WESTFIELD

Shopping Centre – very well made with a lot of options regarding food, clothes, drinks, books, etc.

DUCK ISLAND ICE CREAM

A cute and cozy spot to chill with the family and explore classic, but tasty and juicy flavors. The ambient could inspire you to write or draw, or whatever creative you like to do.

Ready for a long Europe trip

Just before we left Newmarket, we bought some takeaway Thai food. We did not do much since we walked for the whole day.

There are a few more travel hacks I would like to mention here

The trip can take 30-40 hours, and be overwhelming. Find a way to entertain yourself.

• Drawing – you need a bit of material like paper and colors, but you can always use just the appropriate pen for drawing. If you like to do aquarelle, you can use crayons deeps in the water.
• Pocked books could be very practical to fit into your luggage.
• Most of the time I love to switch on ‘my imagination. It is very powerful. Thinking about things you would like to do, that sometimes look impossible, you can imagine all possibilities and convince yourself that you can do it.
• Tablets and Movies can help partially, and it is provided in the airplane
• Travel Journal – Even if you do not write, try to write a journal. You will be surprised how it can be liberating.
• Plan for Stops. In most airports, there is a lot of space to walk. Yes, there are a lot of shops, and that is a nice combo. You can stretch your legs, it is good to walk because on the plain we seat a lot. At the same time, you can see what is in fashion, and electronics or you can find some good books.
• Audible Entertainment. To learn more, or just to be motivated, and inspired you can easily use audiobooks offline. Very good to use all that time on the plain.
• Play Family Games. Find practical family games, from cards to Cluedo games, or making origami.