“You’re crazy!” That’s what some people said when my wife and I decided to travel for three weeks, across three countries, with our three kids who were all under five.
Maybe they were right, but we believe in spending money on experiences and memories, not just stuff.
If you’re unsure about a trip like this, let me tell you: it’s totally possible and one of the best things you can do for your family.
This is the story of our trip.
Table of Contents
Tokyo, Japan
Our adventure started in Tokyo, Japan, in August. This was a bad time to go; Tokyo was super hot, about 95 degrees. We stayed in an Airbnb in Ebisu which was a great spot for families.
We visited Tokyo DisneySea, which is one of the most beautiful Disney parks I’ve seen. It’s by the water, so you get a nice breeze.
Tokyo is an amazing city. But it seems made for families of four or less. With five of us, restaurants often didn’t know how to seat us. They struggled to find a spot for our fifth person.
Here’s an important tip: use a luggage delivery service from the airport. The only hard times were when we tried to move around the city with our suitcases.
Here are more pictures from Tokyo.
Bali, Indonesia
After Tokyo, we flew to Bali, Indonesia. This part of the trip was slow and relaxed. We stayed at another Airbnb in Ubud, and it was incredible.
Our best move in Bali was hiring a driver named Panda. He was amazing, and I’d tell anyone to hire him. Most travel in Bali is by scooter, so having a driver for our family was key.
We only planned one thing to do each day. We’d visit a nice beach resort, the rice paddies, the Bali Zoo, or the Monkey Forest. Then we’d go back home to relax.
My advice for Bali: really research where you’re staying. Traffic is awful. A two-mile drive can take 40 minutes. Pick a central spot to cut down on travel time.
New Zealand
Our last stop was four days in New Zealand. This was a huge change. We crossed the equator and went from summer to winter.
We stayed in an eco Airbnb in the mountains. It had no heater so we had to build a fire every night. The pace was very slow. We’d go to town, eat, shop, and then go home.
The best part was our drive to Hobbiton. My wife and I had been there eight years before and took a picture. This time, we took the same picture with our three kids.
What We Learned
Traveling with kids gets easier the more you do it. And the longer your trip, the easier it gets. By the end of our trip, our kids understood the routine. They knew when it was time to get on the plane.
Second, change what you expect. This isn’t a solo trip. We planned one main activity per day and left lots of time to just explore. Don’t plan too much, or you’ll get stressed.
Finally, don’t overthink it. Travel means making memories. And those memories are priceless.
Conclusion
Our three-week trip was full of different weather, cultures, and experiences. It showed us that family adventures don’t need to wait until kids are older. Do them now.
We loved it so much that we’ve already signed our kids up for an international preschool exchange program in Japan next year. The world is big. And there’s no better way to see it than with the people you love, no matter how old they are.