The Emotional Odyssey of moving abroad as a family

We just moved country.

While this isn’t a first for us (it’s actually our 8th international relocation as a family) it’s been hard work and mentally exhausting.

While the prospect of a new adventure is exciting it's essential to acknowledge the unique emotional challenges that families face when uprooting their lives.

❤️ 1. Farewells and Separation:
Bidding adieu to the comforts of your home, friends and family can be heart-wrenching. Those emotional farewells can bring a sense of loss, but remember, it's not a permanent goodbye; it's a 'see you later'. Stay connected, embrace technology, and cherish every moment.

🌟 2. Culture Shock for All Ages:
From the youngest to the oldest family members, adapting to a new culture, language, and daily routine can be bewildering. Everyone may experience culture shock differently, so be patient with each other and explore this new world together.

🎒 3. School Transitions:
For children, transitioning to a new school system can be an emotional rollercoaster. They might feel anxious about fitting in and making friends. Offer reassurance, visit the school together, and foster their sense of belonging.

💼 4. Career & Identity:
Parents might face professional and identity challenges. The emotional weight of balancing family needs with career aspirations can be overwhelming. Self-reflection, self-discovery and open communication within the family are key.

😔 5. Family Dynamics:
Living in a new environment can sometimes strain family dynamics. Adjusting to new roles, routines, and challenges can cause stress. Prioritise open communication, empathy, and quality family time.

🌆 6. Homesickness and Nostalgia:
Homesickness is not exclusive to individuals; it can affect the entire family and it's okay to miss the familiar sights, sounds, and tastes. Create opportunities to reminisce about home, and encourage each other to adapt to the host country's customs and traditions.

🌈 Despite these emotional challenges, relocating as a family offers unique opportunities for growth, bonding, and building a shared adventure. 🌈

✨ Top Tips:

1️⃣ Team Spirit:
Approach this journey as a team, supporting one another through ups and downs.
2️⃣ Create New Traditions:
Blend your old traditions with new ones, creating a sense of continuity and belonging.
3️⃣ Seek Support:
Connect with local families and join expat communities for mutual support and friendship.
4️⃣ Embrace Adventure:
Celebrate the beauty of new experiences and the richness of cultural diversity.

Wanna hear more about relocation? Follow me on IG @cadario_travel or on Facebook

And if you are about to embark on your new chapter in life book a free discovery call to see how I can support you.

The highs and lows of a digital nomad lifestyle

I am humbled to have been invited to the WFHforever podcast to talk about all things #workingfromanywhere

Listen in and get intrigued about the topic

✈ How it all started

How Doris' curiosity for the world led her to leave home in pursuit of exploration, setting the stage for a remarkable journey filled with cultural immersion and personal growth.

🏡 How to assure stability within Nomadic Living

Moving internationally every two to three years, Doris and her family established a unique pattern of life. This #slowtravel lifestyle not only nurtured their desire for discovery but also offered an element of stability for their children.

🏔 How to choose your next destination

The family’s diverse journey spanned from the buzz of London to Swiss lakes, across Northern Irish beaches and sunsets in Southern Spain. The catalyst behind these moves often revolved around finding the right school systems for their three children.

👋 The Ache of Departure

Leaving behind people and homes they had grown to cherish is one of the major challenges. Yet, to Doris it's a mindset thing.

💻 Trailblazing Remote Work

The trials and triumphs of transitioning to remote work. Her pre-pandemic adoption of this approach within a global organisation paved the way for discussions to showcase the value added. Persistence and determination played key roles in negotiating this shift.

💻 How to navigate the Scrutiny of Remote Work

Being a pioneer in #remotework Doris felt the weight of scrutiny from her superiors, leading her to hold herself to a higher standard. She learned the hard way the importance of strictly setting work and life boundaries and introducing important social cues.

🌍 A Purpose Unearthed Through #Travel

After exploring over 80 countries, Doris experienced a transformative career pivot. Her passion for guiding others in maximizing their international experiences led her to set up her Ca'Dario Travel & Relocation Coaching Business.

💪 Empowering Families and Single Females

Doris supports families navigating international moves. She also extends her expertise to empower single females and novice travellers seeking guidance in similar journeys through managing realistic expectations and facilitating smooth transitions.

🌤 How to navigate New Horizons

Get some insightful tips for acclimatising to a new country and building a local support network. From engaging in local Facebook groups to participating in school associations, sports, and proactive outreach to educators and local authorities, she emphasized the importance of taking the initiative.

Have a listen to the WFHforever podcast and share with someone who is ready to take the leap.

Wanna hear more about relocation? Follow me on IG @cadario_travel or on Facebook

And if you are about to embark on your new chapter in life book a free discovery call to see how I can support you.

The power of goal setting

The moment you decide on a new goal the direction of your life changes instantly.

Read this again and let it sink in.

Now make it fun.

Don’t create tasks and to-do lists. They'll only bring the work mindset up in you.

Make this juicy, adventurous and light.

You are planning to move to Spain?

Think of the smell of citrus blossom as you walk past a lemon grove. Think of fresh figs you are tasting at the local market. Think of sun sets down by the beach. Think of the little yet exciting things that will make your life so much better.

And set a date.

For example: by May 2024 I want to be sleeping on a sail boat in the port of Cadiz in Andalucia.

These are the things that will motivate you to start working backwards on your timeline, to set milestones and to put an action plan in place.

What is your goal?

Wanna hear more about relocation? Follow me on IG @cadario_travel or on Facebook

And if you are about to embark on your new chapter in life book a free discovery call to see how I can support you.

Travel with kids - how to turn frustration & stress into adventure & fun

Travelling with children does come with stress and frustration which we often just don’t have the energy and patience for. The thought of spending 24/7 together away from our routine, of dealing with tantrums or teenage boredom attacks outside our ’safe’ environment gets us cold feet and I daily hear parents dreading the holidays, the organisation and the stress of dealing with situations often out of their control.

Stop dreading it and learn how to turn your holiday into a fun adventure with below tips which have been making all the difference on our world travels with our three children and which I share i my 'travel with kids' webinars.

📝 At planning stage

Try to involve and engage everyone in the planning: from choosing the destination, the accommodation, the route and the activities to packing their own bag

🚗 Getting there

Turn the ‘are we there yet’ into a fun treasure hunt and let the kids take over the map reading. Decide together on fun pit stops and some extra special snacks or meals along the way. Bring travel games and audio books, and plan in some limited screen time towards the end as a reward.

🤸‍♀️ Activities

Start slow and allow for some adjusting to the new climate, culture, food and surroundings on the first few days. Only plan 1-2 activities per day, plan in a few special highlights every few days and allow rest days in between. Communicate the overall plan clearly at the beginning of the trip and each morning for the children to know what’s happening. Knowledge reduces anxiety. And it’s ok to be bored sometimes, too. That’s when they start getting creative.

And finally some general tips for #familytravel :

🌼 Avoid giving instructions; asking questions or letting the kids choose between 2-3 options tends to be more efficient and gets them more engaged.

🌼 Less is more - go slow and don’t try to see and do it all but allow for some unplanned time of people watching or playing in the park.

🌼 Communicate & delegate. You’ll be surprised how quickly kids learn.

🌼 Let them write / draw a travel journal. It helps digesting all the new experiences, emotions and feelings.

🌼 Unexpected and unpleasant things will happen - on each trip. Try reframing to turn them into an anecdote.

Remember: it’s all about having fun and creating memories together.

Happy travel!

Would you like to offer your employees a 60 min webinar or workshop to gear up with excitement for their annual family holiday? Let's chat!

Wanna hear more about relocation & travelling? Follow me on IG @cadario_travel or on Facebook

And if you are about to embark on your new chapter in life book a free discovery call to see how I can support you.

Why a minimalist approach works wonders when travelling

When I started out travelling 30 years ago I used to take along a huge suitcase or an oversized backpack. I used to pack my entire wardrobe - ‘just in case’.

It used to be tiresome and cumbersome, and made me dependant on the help of others to drag them up the stairs or into overhead compartments. And in the end I would literally use less than a fifth of it.

Following the introduction of extra charges for luggage on planes I downgraded to a trolley some 20 years ago. Still cumbersome, still reducing my agility (especially with three small children), still forcing me to get to my accommodation first before exploring.

Which took me to go fully minimalist. And it has been a game changer. Not only does it help me to focus on what really matters.
Travelling lightly gives me wings.
It gives me that absolute sense of freedom.
And it allows me to travel more economically, more sustainably, more spontaneously and more agile.

So how do you squeeze all your needs for 1-3 weeks into a small backpack, I hear you asking.

🎒 choose versatile clothing to dress in layers and to mix & match

🎒 layout all you plan to take and remove half of it - radically

🎒 bring along clothing just for one week, then do a laundry

🎒 roll up your clothes into compression packing cubes

🎒 go minimalist on toiletry

🎒 get all your tech gear organised Tetrix-style in one small pouch

Just back from a wonderfully light trip to London and the best of all? Unpacking is done within the blink of an eye 🤸🏻‍♀️

Wanna hear more about relocation & travelling? Follow me on IG @cadario_travel or on Facebook

And if you are about to embark on your new chapter in life book a free discovery call to see how I can support you.

8 things you need to hear before moving abroad

I relocated 19 times, 7 out of these were international moves as a family of 5. So I do know a thing or two about the highs and lows, the overwhelm and the anxiety around moving my family abroad. Not only have these experiences transformed our lives and turned into a passion for slow travelling. They have also brought about a change in my career from talent manager to relocation coach as I now guide other bold expats, mostly families, on their journeys abroad - holistically.

So trust me on these 8 things to stay calm and actually find joy in the exciting process of relocating

☀️ You don’t need to know everything. You’ll grow into it. Trust that the right information will always come to you at the right time.

☀️ Fearful people will try to place their fears onto you. If someone only points out the cons it is their life they are reflecting. So go listen to the optimists close to you instead. It’s your life, remember?

☀️ A lot of stress comes from packing and aiming to bring along too much stuff. Try the minimalist approach and really just take the essentials. You'll be surprised how much lighter that feels.

☀️ You are going to be physically away from your family and friends but I experienced that you are sometimes closer to them the further you are away. Keep in touch and allow your loved ones to be part of this new chapter. Don't try to prove anything but make sure to share with them both the ups and downs, the highlights and the difficult moments. And try to understand that people might be hurt for you leaving them.

☀️ Wherever you move to, there are people living there. They may not always receive you with open arms or roll out the red carpet just for you. YOU will need to take the first steps in any interaction with those around you. Start early. Even before arriving.

☀️ While it may be helpful to speak the language spoken the new country you don't need to be fluent before arriving. However, make sure you know these two: 'hello' and 'thank you', accompanied by a smile. People will get from your accent that you are not a local but will appreciate the effort. You managed to break the ice and you are off to a positive start. The beginning of many new encounters.

☀️ It will be a rollercoaster. After the initial excitement and adrenaline 2-3 months into your relocation you’ll experience a sudden mental low when you'll start missing your old life, when you realise things aren’t exactly as you expected and when you'll start questioning whether this was the right decision. This is when many people make a U-turn. Plan some highlights for these crucial few weeks to stick through, for instance friends visiting, a weekend out exploring your new region, signing up to a new activity or a catch-up call with your relocation coach. Things WILL improve day by day and your life WILL turn into the very vision you had designed.

☀️ A relocation isn’t a one-way ticket like in the old days. If things truly don’t work out you can always end this chapter and start a new one, move on or come back. It is never a failure but simply one more experience helping you to become a better and more resourceful YOU.

The journey is the reward. Make it a fun one.

Wanna hear more about relocation & travelling? Follow me on IG @cadario_travel or on Facebook

And if you are about to embark on your new chapter in life book a free discovery call to see how I can support you.

Today two years ago I quit my job

2 years since I took a leap of faith and left my industry after 20 years without having anything lined up.

So I thought it might be a good time to reflect back on how they went:

THE FUN STUFF

🤸‍♀️ Moved to Southern Switzerland
🤸‍♀️ Delivered a series of workshops at voiio on ‘Travelling with children' (in German)
🤸‍♀️ Traveled to over 20 countries with my three children
🤸‍♀️ Learnt to ride a motorbike
🤸‍♀️ Completed a #lifecoaching course and got my accredited certification
🤸‍♀️ Started my own #relocation & travel coaching business
🤸‍♀️ Ran my first half-marathon
🤸‍♀️ Learnt the in & outs of social media from scratch (it truly is never too late)
🤸‍♀️ Floated in one of the saltiest lakes on earth
🤸‍♀️ Learnt how to code and created my own website
🤸‍♀️ Got over my fears of judgement and started posting on LinkedIn
🤸‍♀️ Am training to become a trainer at Thomas International Schweiz & Liechtenstein
🤸‍♀️ Am learning the in & outs of event management by co-organising several TEDxZurich events
🤸‍♀️ Am working from all around the world
🤸‍♀️ My children are speaking Italian within only a few months thanks to deep immersion
🤸‍♀️ Was awarded Airbnb superhost @Ca Dario Andalucia for the 4th time in a row
🤸‍♀️ Did my first 180 on my snowboard
🤸‍♀️ Got over my camera fear and was a guest on three podcasts
🤸‍♀️ Designed and drafted plans for a luxury desert cave house for the Airbnb OMG competition and got selected amongst the 200 craziest ideas worldwide

THE SCARY STUFF

🙈 Only just avoided a mental breakdown in time
🙈 Risked my life savings about 5 times
🙈 Got Covid twice
🙈 Nearly got lost in the Senegal desert
🙈 Invested endless hours in research
🙈 Had 7 flights cancelled and had to change travel plans over a dozen times
🙈 Nearly quit my business at least 20 times
🙈 Got our van broken into in Tuscany and all our belongings stolen
🙈 Failed my motorcycle exam twice
🙈 Woke up to a big hairy spider in the Mexican jungle
🙈 Ran my first half-marathon
🙈 Avoided a severe accident by seconds for driving through a mud storm
🙈 Was rejected or ghosted more than I can remember
🙈 Spent many hours crying and loads of sleepless nights

It’s definitely been a rollercoaster of a ride but I wouldn’t change it for the world. I’ve learnt more about myself and experienced more growth in the last 2 years than I could have possibly imagined.

Can’t wait to continue on this path and see what the future holds. I know I’ve only scratched the surface of what’s possible.

Fun is over once you have children

When my father became a parent for the first time he made sure to throw out his entire vinyl collection, to sell his motorcycle and to switch from adventure trips to playing chess.

Are you one of the 99% of people in this world who were made believe that play time is over once you have children? That you got to settle for good and become a responsible and respectable parent enclaved in daily, weekly and monthly routines for the sake of stability and to prove to the world that you are being a ‘perfect' parent?

If you recognise this, I am sorry society screwed you over. I almost fell for it, too.

You see, as a child I was told to go for my dreams, to be myself and to find fun in everything I do. I should be creative, open to new food, things, experiences and people, I should push my boundaries, learn from my mistakes and go for what I believed in.

And yet, as soon as we become parents society expects us to do the complete opposite. You are to settle, to stick to your job and to the rules, to not colour outside the lines for the sake of ’safety', to eliminate the concept of adventure, freedom and fun from your life and to simply do what a ‘good’ parent gotta do.
Shoulder shrugging moment.

But what if being a ‘good' parent means something completely different? What if being responsible actually means thinking outside the box?
If it means to continue following your dreams TOGETHER with your family, if it means combining adventure and kids for the ultimate bonding experience, if it means pushing beyond your comfort zone as a FAMILY and celebrating the SUCCESSES along the way together.

So we gave it a go. We exchanged a settled life with exploring the unknown as a family. We took our jobs abroad and experienced urban life in the heart of London, the snowy peaks and green pastures in the Dolomites, beach life on the shores of the Mediterranean, a deep dive into life on the Green Island, snowboard galore while enjoying cosmopolitan Zurich and now an intriguing tiny-village experience above the palm-lined shores of Lake Lugano.

Each relocation came with a number of well-meant ‘you should...’ and the classic ‘why can’t you settle like everyone else’ along with ‘you can’t keep doing this to your kids’.

Yet, each relocation came with learning a new language, finding new friends, living in some most beautiful spots, getting to live extraordinary experiences, immersing into a new culture, and, most importantly, growing as a family.

So I am here to tell you, from the bottom of my heart, that play time isn't over, it only just started.
You CAN have both. Children and adventure.
Give it a try.

Send me a message for a free discovery call, follow me for more on IG @cadario_travel or book a 60 min online relocation coaching session with me to start making your dream a reality.

The pros and cons of being a digital nomad

Wanna hear a secret? I don't always love being a digital nomad...

There I said it. And it feels good to get that off my chest!

Being a digital nomad means:
- Working irregular hours adjusting to ever changing circumstances
- Stressing out about reliable Wifi
- Being at the mercy of well-meant pressure from others about finally settling down
- Feeling big responsibility towards my kids, finding good schools and a thriving and safe environment for them
- Getting accused of gypsifying my children (whatever that means)
- Always being the foreigner and never truly belonging
- Having to say goodbye over and over again and missing family and friends
And so much more.

What you see on social media is NOT the entire picture behind being a digital nomad.

BUT, just like any lifestyle, there are pros AND cons. And living as a digital nomad family travelling the world is no different.
So here's what I've learned - even if you're super passionate about your lifestyle, there will always be parts of it that you don't enjoy so much.

The trick is to find a lifestyle you love where the pros outweigh the cons.

And for me, being a digital nomad slow-travelling the world with my family has SO many pros that outweigh the cons.

For example, I LOVE:
- Being able to be my own boss and build something of my own
- Setting my own schedule and owning my life fully
- Getting to travel the world
- Immersing into true local life and getting to know the real heroes wherever we travel or move to
- Learning something new every single day
- Having amazing, unique experiences with my family that likely we wouldn't have if it weren't for our lifestyle
- Connecting with a community that loves to adventure, is passionate about the outdoors and prioritises quality time
- Helping others to creating their own authentic lifestyle

Anytime I feel discouraged or overwhelmed I go to this list and remember my 'why' and all the pros to this lifestyle of ours.
And then I am reminded that I really do love what I do and I can't imagine myself doing things differently.

Maybe you share similar dreams?
If you do, I want to help you find your own authentic lifestyle that works for YOU.

The time is NOW, not in 1 year or 5 years. To live a life that you once dreamt about but didn't think was possible.

I'm here to tell you that it IS possible. Anyone can do it. If you want to expand your boundaries and try out something different, if you are determined and motivated, you are more than a quarter way there.

And I will walk you step-by-step in my #coaching sessions. In only 5 weeks I will help you dig deep, uncover and design your own lifestyle.

Send me a message for a free discovery call and follow me for more on IG @cadario_travel or book a 60 min online travel coaching session with me to start making your dream a reality.

Why you should take your kids to Japan

Japan is finally open to tourists again. After two long years visitors can once again explore the land of the rising sun. We visited Japan in 2019, just before the pandemic. A dream come true as Japan had been on my bucket list forever. Join us as we take you to one of the most fascinating countries I have visited.

First stop, Seoul
When taking intercontinental flights with a stopover we always try to select a city or country we are intrigued by. We like to extend the stopover to at least a couple of days to get a taster of the place and to figure whether it will make it onto our bucket list. Not only does a stopover help with jet lag. Splitting a long trip into two makes it definitely more fun aka bearable when travelling long distance with kids. On this occasion we chose Seoul. The capital and largest city in South Korea surprised us as being a very modern city with a large heritage. During our two-day stopover we really just managed to grasp the main sights and to get a feel for the city but it was enough to make it onto our bucket list to explore deeper on future travels.

Tokyo
When arriving to a new country we like to get a first impression of its capital by doing some people watching and light exploring of the city by foot to get a feel while getting acquainted with the climate, the food, the culture and the people. After that we travel round the country and finally spend the last 3-4 days back in the capital for deeper exploration.
Somehow we had imagined Tokyo being a massive, overpopulated and chaotic city and were surprised that it is totally manageable, despite its size and its 14 million people. Its many different neighbourhoods are each fairly self-contained with a very local, almost village-like feel. For our first few days here we rented a small, typical Japanese house in a quiet neighbourhood in East Tokyo and explored the small, traffic-free backstreets and the immediate surroundings by foot, ate with the locals and fell totally in love with the electricity poles and overhead power lines all over. A well-balanced mess amidst so much perfection and straight lines.

Washoku
Food porn meets Minimalism. How can a number of basic ingredients prepared in three different steps taste so deliriously good?
We came across this tiny place on a backstreet off the hustles of Tsukiji fish market and asked for the local specialty as we always do. What followed was an intro into the refined art of Japanese Washoku through all senses which left us totally speechless. An orgasm for the palate. A true eye opener. A taster of what lay ahead of us over the next few weeks. So experimental that even the kids loved it.

Surfing on Chiba peninsula
A few days by the coast felt just right after the first few overwhelming days in Japan’s capital and the Chiba Peninsula South of Tokyo was just perfect. Through Airbnb we had found a traditional Japanese house in the tiny fishing village of Shinkan outside Katsuura. Totally thrown into local life watching fishermen going about their business, elderly divers going for seafood and some special algae. We also managed to throw in a whole day of surfing the waves of Onjuku alongside elderly locals feeling young again. True immersion.

Shinkan
Mingling with locals is easier said than done when you speak only a handful words of their language and they speak none. However, there was so much interest from both the locals and our side to communicate that we did manage to exchange words, smiles, hand gestures and even animal sounds (for food ordering). As a linguist I am intrigued by the power of language and communication, the effort it takes and the satisfaction that comes with it. There are a number of good apps out there that help in these situations but I still prefer the good old ‘point it’ booklet that has been with us on our travels for the past 20 years. Call me old school.

Tsumago
After our beach days on Chiba Peninsula it was time for the mountains on our Japan travels. Impressive peaks in the Japanese Alps and then this beautifully preserved village of Tsumago-juku. It lies in the remote Kiso valley on the Nakasendo merchant trail that connected Edo (modern-day Tokyo) to Kyoto. The heavy rain during our stay made it even more mystic and set us back to the Edo period with Samurais passing through here on their missions.
Definitely want to return to walk the entire Nakasendo walking trail. One more for the bucket list.

Driving in Japan
Rental car or public transport? We generally prefer public transport as a mean to get around on our travels. More sustainable and also a great way to mingle especially if you speak the language. However, on our travels through Japan we opted for a rental car to move around the country while we used public transport to move within the cities. There is an amazing train pass which most tourists use to travel around Japan and we did consider it strongly but then decided for a rental car after all to be able to go off the beaten track, to explore areas away from the train lines and stations, to be able to do spontaneous pit stops in places we love but also for budget reasons.
Driving in Japan has been a very interesting experience in itself. Combine very strict speed limitations on motorways and narrow lanes on small roads and you understand why most cars are small and square to fit as much space into as little volume as possible. Then add street signs in Japanese and the local gps system based on phone numbers rather than street names...Patience was certainly key... and loads of pit stops along the way. Which again gave us an insight into very rural areas of this amazing country.

Kyoto
On our travels we generally book our accommodation only a few days in advance as to allow more flexibility and to be able to adjust our trip as we go along. However, if we need to travel in high season, such as on this trip, we make sure to book most accommodation ahead. Our travels to Japan coincided not only with Golden Week which is prime travel time in all of Asia but it also happened right during the Japanese imperial transition and hence the largest national holidays with prices extremely high and availability very limited.
When travelling during high season it’s also advisable to plan visiting major tourist destinations such as beautiful Kyoto during the week for fewer crowds and lower accommodation rates. Additionally, as a family it pays off to stay a bit further away from the centre for more space and better rates while giving you an insight into life in the neighbourhood and its local markets.
Kyoto is just stunning and a must-visit on any Japan trip. We also happened to be there for the flea market which only takes place once a month so it was shopping some beautiful pieces to take home as souvenirs. After all the walking a well-deserved rest in the Kyoto Gyoen National Garden, a sanctuary of calm amidst the busy streets of central Kyoto. Ideal for a 🍣 picnic while recharging and reflecting on all the impressions of the day.

Eating out in Japan.
Minimalism in every detail. The front of the restaurant with its vertical wooden slates, the square Noren cloth at the entrance for further intimacy, the reserved attitude of the waiters, the sleek linear arrangement of your shoes at the entrance, the basic seating arrangement on tatami floors, the individual presentation of the refined dishes across small plates, baskets and bowls. And the tiny sake cup Ochoko to end the delicate feast.
Restaurants are a good option for dinner though best to check prices online first to keep the bill minimalist, too. For lunch we generally try to go for a hefty bento box. Set meals tend to be great value and kids love selecting their favourite from the fake waxy menu display, more in our stories. Alternatively, there is the fun option of the common ramen restaurants with ticketing machines where you can select your dishes by pressing on the pictures at a ticket machine and then hand the tickets over to the chef who prepares it for you and shouts once ready. For picky kids order basics such as white rice or plain noodles, they can then try mixing with different sauces from your dishes.
Finally, get some training chopsticks for the kids on your first days, by the end of your trip they will be experts.

All about the rituals.
On our travels we come across the most interesting traditions and rituals. The best way to experience them is by closely observing the locals and then imitate them such as the hand washing ritual before approaching a shrine. We particularly loved a ritual at this quirky shrine in Kyoto where we would watch young Japanese woman buy a special piece of paper, write their name and a wish on it, stick it onto the enkiri/enmusubi stone on top of hundreds of others and then crawl through the small hole. Turns out this stone will bind good relationships tighter if you crawl in one direction and end bad relationships if you crawl the other way. We definitely made sure to crawl in the right direction after we were given the explanation by one of the Japanese women

Dear public toilets.
One can’t deny that toilets are an important part on any travels and as such influence the lasting impression of a country. Well, Japan has certainly left an inspiring mark as for these bare necessities.
Absolute luxury with water sound, music, heated seat, dryer, adjustable water temperature, you name it. Each session was total entertainment, especially for the kids.
This picture was taken in a public toilet, oh yes, public. So the idea is that you take off your shoes at the entrance just like when you arrive at home, you then walk barefoot or in house slippers on the carpet or tatami and put on the designated bathroom slippers to be used only on the tiles within the bathroom. They are to be left in the bathroom and not to be used anywhere else. Totally love this sophisticated culture around separating the clean from the unclean.

Deer feeding in Nara.
This was possibly the most touristic place on our trip through Japan. It was extremely busy but well worth if you are travelling with kids. The numerous stunning temples and extensive gardens are surrounded by hundreds of deer and the kids just adored them. Deer biscuits are sold everywhere and you can feed the all but shy deer who will follow you everywhere.

Ninja village.
The kids’ absolute highlight on our Japan trip was the ninja village in the remote town of Iga Ueno. It consists of a ninja residence with ninjas guiding you around revolving walls, trap doors and hidden compartments and a museum displaying ninja tools, gadgets, costumes and weapons. They also inform about the ninja way of life and practical techniques used by the ninja such as how to tell the time by observing a cat's pupils... The grand finale was an awesome ninja show featuring authentic ninja skills, including a splendid and fun demonstration of using throwing stars. The show was held in Japanese given the mostly Japanese audience which made it even more of an immersion into ninja and local life. Can you guess what we all dreamt about that night?

A farm stay in Odai.
Exploring the local way of life is our main drive on our family travels. So being able to spend some time with a local family on their tea farm has been a rewarding experience. Initially it was intimidating to share their house with them and - against our expectations - to sleep in their living room, especially given the extra thin walls in traditional Japanese houses which let through any sound or noise... such as the nightly frog concert from the rice fields outside. But it turned into a wonderful cultural exchange and lots of learning. For me the highlight was definitely watching our host mindfully preparing the wonderful breakfast and meticulously laying it out each morning (needless to say the kids preferred cereals over algae soup).
Our hosts also happened to be professional climbers which meant they had built a climbing wall in their barn which we were allowed to use. They also recommended a wonderful hike to some nearby water falls across lush forests and along a wild river where we spotted snakes and monkeys.

Onsen bathing.
Have you ever been to an Onsen? It’s a whole different level of bathing. Superior to any bathing culture I have experienced. Refined down to every little detail. Our host on the farm we were staying at had recommended this luxurious Onsen and kindly shared an intro into the hidden world of Japanese bathing and its etiquette. So, armed with the do’s and dont’s we ventured into the local Onsen. As the only foreigners we made sure to apply all we had learned and we managed to immerse into a part of local life that left us amazed. Locals of all backgrounds and generations were quietly soaking in the natural hot spring pools originating from the volcanic activity underground, scrubbing each other on their stools, buckets in their hands, meditating in the outdoor pools and floating along side each other with their folded towels on their heads. A beautifully surreal exercise. A mix of mindfulness, curiosity and admiration.

Shimoda.
Some places are best raw. In pure state of nature. Wind through your hair. Kids rolling down sand dunes. The surfer in his element. The ocean at its most powerful.
Those remote beaches that you stumble upon by chance on your drive to Mount Fuji. That gate that isn’t mentioned in any travel guide hence looking out onto the rough ocean in peaceful solitude. That inviting Airbnb on the cliff for a fraction of the cost just because off-the-beaten-track. And you decide you want to just be for a few days.
Those are the moments I love remembering most. Those are the moments when I feel alive. And free.

Mount Fuji.
What a mysterious mountain. Perfectly round with that beautiful white peak and at its foot the wonderful lake Ashinoko.
To avoid the hords of tourists stopping over for one quick photo shoot on their classic tour we hiked in the surroundings to get a glimpse of Mt. Fuji from different angles.
And to celebrate the birthday of this one with special views.

Kamakura.
Last day on the coast before heading back to Tokyo.
Watching local surfers and families. The sun setting over misty Mt. Fuji at the far distance. Asahi in my hand and a grateful smile on my face. Grateful for the opportunity to explore this amazing country and its people. Grateful to be able to share this journey with the four most precious people in my life.

Back to Tokyo
These barrels hold a lot of sake... They were donated to the Meiji Shingu Shrine in Shibuya by sake brewers from all over Japan and the sake is used for celebrations such as the wedding we were witnessing.
When travelling to a new country we love to get an overview of the capital for a few days to start with. After that we go off exploring the country and then, at the end, we return to the capital for another few days for deeper exploration. Once back it seems a totally different city, the summary of the places, people and traditions we experienced across the country. All of it squeezed into one amazing city.

On this second stay we chose to stay at a traditional house in busy Shinjuku, this time on the West end of Tokyo. And then it was checking out the famous Shibuya crossing, eating in ultra-modern robot restaurants, checking out eclectic markets, visiting the Museum of Modern Art, visiting the technology mile, trying out Karaoke in the super busy Karaoke parlours and looking over the city by night from atop the Government Building.
All in all, a grande finale.
Japan, we will be back.

Get inspiration by following me on IG @cadario_travel or book a 60 min online travel coaching session with me to start making your dream a reality.

How to fall in love with Senegal

Diary from our recent deep dive into this wonderful West African country.

Day 1: We made it to Senegal. Deep dive.
Only a 4 hour flight from Madrid. And yet a world away. The flight in itself a wonderful intro: first crossing the Mediterranean, then over the snow-capped Atlas mountains in Morocco. After that the Sahara, the world’s largest hot desert. The plain nothing. Sand dunes after sand dunes.
And as the sun was setting and the full moon rising we crossed from desert Mauritania into the savanna plains of Senegal. Warm air and a bustling atmosphere as we left Dakar airport. Then a 30min ride in a prearranged taxi to our hotel. From the new airport road onto a dirt track, across potholes, past cattle and goats on the road to reach Toubab Dialao on the coast South of Dakar for a few days of settling into African life. We chose Toubab for its quietness as a low key beach town around a community of Senegalese artists. The hotel welcomed us with some great murals and recommended a local dinner shack on the beach to try the national dish called Thieboudienne: grilled catch of the day with rice and vegetables. Kids and cats playing around our table and locals dancing in the shack next door to the tunes of drums after a long day of Ramadan fasting.
We have arrived in West Africa.

Day 2: Toubab Dialao
I was woken up at 6am by the calls for prayer. Birds chirping, cockerels in the distance and waves crashing. While everyone was still asleep I went to check out the neighbourhood. Women selling coffee and peanuts, men selling artwork and proposing their service as a guide, taxi driver, drum teacher etc. The unpaved dirt road along unfinished houses led me to the cliffs with stunning views over the wide beach and the fishing boats. Straining dogs in the distance and some woman setting up their stands selling tie-die dresses and bracelets. The water is still fairly cold but refreshing. A reminder that this is the open Atlantic ocean even though we are close to the Equator. As I walked back through the village past lots of garbage on the street I took in the chatting of a group of women washing their clothes in their buckets surrounded by their playing children and the hammering of the builders next door. Then the odd car driving through leaving a trail of dust in the air. I bought water melon, mangoes and mandarines at the only fruit stall for breakfast and then we were ready to head inland for a major highlight, the Bandia reserve. This eco reserve was created in the 1960s to reintroduce wildlife about to be extinct in Senegal. This country used to have a diverse range of wild animals including lions which are part of Senegal’s emblem but were disappearing due to poaching. We organised a taxi to take us there and drive us through the reserve and after a prolonged initial drive amidst giant centenary baobab trees and thorny shrubs we started spotting families of warthogs, gazelles, antelopes, buffalos, zebras and eventually several herds of giraffes and a couple of rhinos. The latter have been imported from South Africa to repopulate and the effort is paying off. Seeing these animals in their habitat has been extraordinary and the trip under the scorching heat well worth it.
Loving this country already.

Day 5: Petite Cote
After our initial days in quiet Toubab we headed South to Saly which seems to be the most developed in terms of tourism and hence offers a handful restaurants and serves as a gateway to the Southern part of Senegal. We had initially considered renting a car for our Senegal trip but were discouraged by my daughter’s French teacher who happens to be from Senegal and indicated that the easiest and cheapest would be to hire a local man and his car to take us to places as police corruption seems common and best dealt with by locals. This has been working very well so far and each driver is being such a delight to chat to sharing their wealth of knowledge and their insight into the country’s social, political and economic situation. And we are being forced to polish up our French again which is the lingua franca here in Senegal next to Wolof and 12 other local languages... and if that wasn’t enough people also do speak some English, Spanish and Italian.
Yesterday we explored the unique island of Fadiouth just off the fishing town of Joao. Now picture a car free island made entirely of sea shells with a village of 6000 people almost exclusively Christian populating the tiny island. Unique in every sense.

Day 9: Desert life
What a wonderful stay and immersion into desert life. We had debated whether to splash out on a neat desert tourist package or whether to face the challenge and do it on our own. Needless to say we decided for the challenging option and booked a Mauritanian camp set up and run by the men from the local village who picked us up at Lompoul village after our 4-hour drive from Saly. A fun 4x4 ride to the camp which lies at the entrance into Lompoul desert. If you ever followed the Paris-Dakar rallies then you get the gist. At the basic camp we were assigned a 5 bed tent with a basic toilet and shower inside (though was no water during our stay but just a simple bucket). So what do you do once you are in the desert? Instead of taking any classic squad or camel rides we decided to simply enjoy the absolute quietness and vastness, taking in the magical sunset over the dunes at the bleating of the goats, having a Senegalese dinner cooked up by the local women (typically chicken Yassa with couscous) and then sitting by the bonfire as the moon came up and the air started getting chilly.
I wish I could say we slept like babies in our tent but the unfamiliar sounds, the cold and the basic bed that was missing a few slates kept me up most of the night. On day two it was rolling down the sand dunes and walking well into the desert in the morning before the midday heat and then chilling bedouin style and experiencing what life in the desert must be like. Perfect moment to plan for our upcoming days in the capital Dakar, book accommodation and decide on activities. On our second evening in the Lompoul desert some men with their bongos came over from the village to celebrate together with a group of four French engineers from an NGO who had been building the local market in the village over the past two months and we thoroughly enjoyed dancing round the fire to the sound of the drums.
What a fantastic desert experience that ended in a walk of the last bit back to the village the next day after the vintage 4x4 broke down to catch a 4-hour ride into crazy Dakar.
I must admit there were moments I wished we had splashed out on the comfortable tour package instead of going DIY with the locals but the unexpected challenges and adventures are the ones that will stick.

Day 10: Dakar
After our in-depth experience in the desert we made it to Dakar. Overwhelming, chaotic, busy. Just like you would expect from an African capital city. We were welcomed by millions of people, taxis in an ever congested city, goats and donkeys on every corner and stalls throughout the city in the absence of shops. We chose to stay in the very centre, the Medina, close to the Mosque for a couple of nights to experience real live in an African capital. And it was so worth it for the sounds, smells, the chaos and even the dust and garbage everywhere. Deep dive.

Day 11: What it’s like to travel to a Muslim country during Ramadan.
When planning our Senegal trip we anticipated that there would be some challenges on our travels during Ramadan when it comes to food and entertainment as the country is 95% Islamic. Most restaurants and stalls are shut during the holy month when Muslims don’t eat nor drink between sunrise and sunset and we soon decided that it was best and easiest to somewhat stick to their routine and found it cleansing while showing respect and solidarity with the people around us. We hence fixed our own breakfast at home (freshly baked baguettes and fresh fruit is sold on every corner) and then had a proper meal after sunset. We made sure to bring along water when being out and about and were aware that this would be an alcohol-free holiday.
Ramadan is the time when solidarity and openness are most shown. After sunset food is shared on the streets with everyone and on several occasions we were invited to join in. It was impressive to see everyone's excitement as the sun was setting, the long queues at the bakery and the stalls all offering lentil filled baguettes. It was great to be able to witness the preparation for prayer with everyone on Dakar’s busy streets getting washed in public to then lay out their beautiful carpets in Mecca’s direction to do their prayers. To be woken up by the call for prayer from the mosque and to witness a collective effort to support the poor.
Senegal seems fairly progressive and society seems very open, women seem to have an important part in the structure with many organisations run by women. I felt safe as a woman at all times and didn’t experience uncomfortable looks or approaches. People truly go about their lives, especially in the areas away from tourist hotspot which I found very relieving and which allowed us to get into deeper conversations with people as much as our basic French allowed.

Day 14: Have you ever floated in a salt lake?
On our travels we try to plan one highlight half way and then one at the very end for the grand finale and today - our last day in Senegal - excelled all expectations. In the morning we packed our bags and left our apartment on Dakar’s Northern beaches in Yoff to drive North with our man and his car that we had organised through our Airbnb host. Funnily enough our driver had never been to Lac Rose so I had to navigate him through busy villages and dusty dirt roads. And what a sight when we arrived at the pink lake. What looked like a dirty brown water from afar turned into a bright pink the closer we got to the salt lake. Needless to say went in. We had to walk over salt crystals and muddy black turf and it was the most extraordinary experience to start floating in this highly salty water. Literally floating. Forever. I had read somewhere that you can get some horses on a nearby farm to ride across the dunes to the beach and that is exactly what we did. In our super salty swim suit we saddled and had the most wonderful ride over the dunes until we reached the eternally long beach without a soul and with the most powerful waves. Excellent swim to wash off the sticky salt, to ride back to Lac Rose, grab our car and make our way to the airport on time to catch our flight back to Milan with salt in our hair and sand on our feet. It’s these intense days, these powerful emotions, this feeling of absolute freedom, of strong bonding with the best travel companions I could wish for. Not even the teenager could hide his emotions. Absolute sense of happiness.

Get inspiration by following me on IG @cadario_travel or book a 60 min online travel coaching session with me to start making your dream a reality.

How to plan your travels through 10 simple W questions

Travelling isn’t just about the ‘Where’ and ‘What’. Before nailing down your destination when planning your travels I highly recommend to ask yourself and your group these 10 crucial W questions which we have put together over the years and which help us to define our next trip.

1. WHY?
Why am I taking this trip? What do I want to get out of this experience, what do I want to take home? How do I want to feel?

2. WHO WITH?
Who do I want to travel with? How can I get them engaged? Are expectations aligned? How can we share responsibilities and preparation tasks?

3. WHEN? HOW LONG?
What time of year? 10 days, 3 weeks, 3 months?

4. HOW MUCH?
What is my budget? Overall, weekly, daily? What can I get out of it?

5. WHAT ARE MY CHALLENGES?
And how can I tackle them?

6. WHAT MEAN OF TRANSPORT?
Walking, bike, motorbike, car, public transport, bus, train, boat, plane, camper van?

7. WHAT TYPE OF TRAVEL?
Any of below or a combination of which? Family holiday, romantic getaway, party weekend, city or island hopping, beach holiday, mountains, hiking, focus on one region, museums, shopping, sports, culture, night life, history, art, adventure, travel off the beaten track, nature trip, first big city trip, solo, food travel, backpacking, eco conscious travel, round the world trip, ancestor discovery trip, language learning, study or work abroad, volunteering, sabbatical, pilgrimage, visit of offspring, introspection or retreat, or simply some time off and some fun

8. WHICH ACTIVITIES?
What kind of sights are we into, any special shows or event to plan for, which typical local activities not to miss?

9. WHAT TYPE OF ACCOMMODATION?
Should accommodation be for sleeping only or could it be a highlight in itself? Standard hotels versus unique stays or typical local housing? A combination of different options?

10. WHERE?
If you haven’t already decided, now is the moment to nail the destination. Take an online travel quiz ‘where to travel’ for inspiration, eg. Conde Nast's destination quiz.

Whohoo! We got a destination! Now on to the exciting part, to be shared next Tuesday.

Get inspiration by following me on IG @cadario_travel or book a 60 min online travel coaching session with me to start making your dream a reality.

16 tips on remote working with kids (without going insane)

As digital nomads we have been working from home for the past 10 years while raising our three kids now aged 9, 11 and 14. So we do know a thing or two about combining the beauty of remote working with kids.

Let me share the 16 do’s and dont's that we have come up with over the years and that helped us through a range of challenging situations (and yes, there were tears and frustration, too).

1. Stick to the same working space every day so your kids can associate it with you working.

2. Avoid using a common room if possible. You want to clearly separate work from family time.

3. Don’t work in bed. Your back will thank you for that and your kids need clear cues so ideally work at a desk.

4. Don’t work in your PJs. Get dressed to get into work mode. It is also an important signal for those around you. Plus, you got to distinguish weekdays from weekends somehow.

5. Set clear objectives and priorities for the day and set a time when you want to call it a day. Use a countdown for your kids to know how much is left until mummy / daddy time. Siri or Alexa can help and for smaller kids a cardboard watch works beautifully.

6. Employ key cues. Clearly explain to your kids when you are working and when you aren’t so they understand when they are allowed to talk to you and when they need to wait. Use key cues such as ‘closed door = videoconference on’ and ‘headset on my head = I am on a call’. These signals will help kids to gauge when they should keep quieter.

7. Communicate. Let them know when you are about to enter a call and tell them as soon as you finish that videoconference so they can return to normal noise levels.

8. Make good use of your mute button, it’s in the interest of everyone on the call.

9. Mind your backdrop. For the sake of professionalism choose a pleasant backdrop such as a neutral painting or some plants for your videoconferences while avoiding a cluttered kitchen unit, a hoard of kids’ toys on the floor or bathroom tiles…

10. Each evening plan school tasks for the following day together with your kids. Put together a list of things they can do on their own and a list of tasks that need your guidance for, ideally visualizing them on a daily agenda. Let them be participants in preparing their agenda and selecting the tasks for the next day - the more they feel included and part of this the more they will collaborate.

11. Get support. Get grandparents, family or friends to help with homework via Facetime. It’s a great way to get them connected and it earns you some focus time.

12. Coordinate agendas. If you have a partner and you are both working from home, discuss your meeting agendas so that your most important meetings don’t overlap. One of you should always be ‘on alert’ in case there is a serious meltdown, a fight happening or even just a delivery at the door.

13. Save their screen time for when you need to attend the most important call of the day.

14. Plan break times and make sure to alternate them with your partner.

15. Reward your kids in the form of pleasant activities or a special snack or meal after you finish working.

16. Prepare for the worst and have a backup plan. If the most dreadful does happen and kids do burst into your call keep calm and take the situation as it is. Trying to push them the away will make things worse. Instead, gracefully turn it into an opportunity to introduce your kids to your co-workers, bosses or clients. We are all humans and it can help as an ice breaker especially now that almost everyone is in the same boat.

Are you enoying working from home? Are you dreaming of taking your kids travelling while working remotely? Don’t know where and how to start? Could you do with some help from the expert?

Get inspiration by following me on IG @cadario_travel or book a 60 min online travel coaching session with me to start making your dream a reality.