We spent three weeks traveling through four European countries with our seven-month-old, and this episode is an honest reflection of what that really looked like, far beyond the highlight reels.
We share the unexpected beauty of traveling with a baby: kind strangers who stepped in without being asked, people speaking to our daughter in languages she’s never heard before, and watching her light up as she absorbed new sounds, faces, and rhythms of life. We talk about wandering through centuries-old streets, standing in places layered with history, savoring unforgettable cuisine, and enjoying truly stellar wine that somehow tastes even better when life slows down.
We also get very real about the logistics. Pushing a stroller over uneven cobblestones day after day. Timing everything around naps and how flexible (or not) Airbnb check-in times can make or break a day with a baby. Why renting a car in Italy completely changed our experience and allowed us to see places no train could ever take us. And yes, the inhalation of constant cigarette smoke in Rome, something we weren’t prepared for and had to mentally and physically navigate with an infant.
This trip wasn’t effortless. Ten days of the flu in 18-degree weather with a sick baby. No food delivery or takeout when you’re too exhausted to leave the apartment. Navigating a hospital through a language barrier when your child is unwell. Changing flights because we were simply too sick to travel. Learning that Europe takes holidays very seriously, meaning closures, limited hours, and quieter cities that require flexibility. And realizing that overbooking ourselves with too many countries cost us precious time, as each flight took away nearly an entire day of presence and rest.
We also share the unsung heroes of this trip: the countless farmacias that truly saved us, offering support, medications, and reassurance when we needed it most.
This episode is about presence over perfection. About choosing memories even when things are hard. About what traveling with a baby teaches you about slowing down, surrendering control, and meeting life exactly as it is. If you’ve ever wondered whether international travel with an infant is possible, or if you’re craving a more honest conversation about family travel, this one is for you.
𝓍𝓍𝒮𝒽𝒶𝓊𝓃𝒶
𝒯𝒶𝓀𝑒𝒲𝒽𝒶𝓉𝒴𝑜𝓊𝒩𝑒𝑒𝒹 & ℒ𝑒𝒶𝓋𝑒𝒲𝒽𝒶𝓉𝒴𝑜𝓊𝒟𝑜𝓃'𝓉
BUY SHAUNA'S FIRST BOOK
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