Right now I’m sitting in a café, sipping a cup of cappuccino while browsing through hotel options in Istanbul for our little family. Finding the right place has been surprisingly tricky, especially when traveling with a toddler. We need something comfy, spacious enough for the three of us, with an elevator (because carrying a stroller up the stairs is a big no), and practical amenities like a kitchenette, bathtub, washing machine, etc. Amidst the confusion of comparing hotels, my mind suddenly wandered back to my solo-traveling years. The way I used to plan trips and the way I travel now, couldn’t be more different. Everything changes when you add a baby or toddler into the mix. It comes with its own set of challenges, of course, but it’s also incredibly rewarding.

In this post, I just want to reminisce a little about those solo travel days. I’m grateful I had so many adventures on my own before this season of family travel, because both chapters, solo and family, have shaped me in their own beautiful ways.

7 Years of Solo Traveling

If I had to describe my travel style, it would be a mix of half-planned travel infused with spontaneity. I used to spend days researching things to do, transportation options, and how to find the cheapest tickets, yet somehow I’d forget essential things like a local SIM card. I always knew which places I wanted to visit in each city or country, but I often delayed moving on if I fell in love with the vibe of a place or met interesting people along the way. Because of that, I rarely booked transportation or accommodation until the very last minute. Back then, I often found myself wandering around, hunting for free Wi-Fi because I didn’t buy a local SIM card or roaming package. Getting lost never felt like a disaster; it was a fun twist, an unexpected layer that made my adventures even richer.

My overseas travel planning usually started months in advance, mostly because I needed to submit my annual leave request, which was pretty limited compared to the number of vacation days people in the Western world get, and also to apply for a visa. The way I chose a destination or created a travel route was purely driven by curiosity: a fascination with a place’s history and culture, paired with the temptation of seeing magnificent architecture. And just like that, voilà! a ticket would be booked.

When I planned a trip to Europe, for example, I simply looked at the map, picked one city I was most curious about, then added a few others nearby that I had heard of but never really looked into. That’s how I ended up in Strasbourg and Cologne after spending a few days in Amsterdam, without even knowing that Strasbourg was famous for its festive Christmas market or that it had such a unique blend of culture and history. I didn’t read anything about the city until I arrived. Years later, in Bali, I met someone who considered Strasbourg his hometown. That person eventually became my husband, and we have since returned to Strasbourg several times for our vacations.

Back then, I didn’t care much about accommodation the way I do now. A bed in a hostel dorm or a couchsurf stay in someone’s home was more than enough. As long as the place fit my budget, wasn’t too far from the main attractions, and had decent reviews, I would book it without hesitation. Because my trips weren’t always well-planned, there were a few times when I couldn’t find a place to stay for the night simply because everything was fully booked—or, in one memorable case, because a racist staff member at a hostel in Venice refused to give me a room even though the place was far from full (he was British, by the way). I ended up hiding on the common room sofa until 3 AM because I couldn’t find another room nearby. Eventually, he gave up and handed me a key (thankfully).

Whenever I traveled to Europe, my goal was always to visit as many cities and countries as possible. My holidays were limited, and Europe was far and costly that I felt I had to make the most of every minute. My trips often turned into “flash travel”, hopping on trains or buses every few days, constantly moving from one place to another. As exciting as it was, there were times when the pace caught up with me. I’d find myself exhausted after long journeys and from having to make every decision alone. So it wasn’t surprising that I occasionally made some major mistakes. Still in Venice, it’s such a beautiful place, but overwhelming at the time, I miscalculated the timing of the vaporetto (water taxi) and the bus. By the time I arrived at the bus station, it had already left for my next destination: Vienna, Austria.

It was winter in 2017. Venice was already dark, cold, and I was completely exhausted, so I decided to head back to Giudecca Island where the hostel was located. All I wanted was a place to rest and to figure out my next plan for getting to Vienna. But it really wasn’t my lucky night. The hostel staff guy refused to give me a room, saying all the beds and rooms were fully booked. After wandering around for a while and failing to find any other available accommodation, I eventually returned to the hostel and sat on one of the sofas in the common room. I tried to rest my body and calm myself from the shock of the situation. Thankfully, FlixBus sent me some credit, which meant I could book another bus to Vienna for the next day.

It wasn’t until around 3 AM that the same staff member finally gave me a room. That’s when I realized he had simply been racist toward me the whole time, because the hostel actually had plenty of empty rooms and beds.

Look, solo travel can be challenging, but it also gives you complete freedom. I could choose any destination I wanted without having to compromise with anyone. I met interesting people from around the world and always returned home with new experiences and stories. In my late 20s and early 30s, my main goal in traveling was simply to satisfy my curiosity about the world—so solo travel was perfect for me.

After the pandemic, Adrien and I traveled to France. We had amazing adventures exploring Paris, Lille, Strasbourg, and Normandy. Then we parted ways for a few days because I wanted to visit Lisbon and Porto. I had traveled solo many times before, but somehow I couldn’t enjoy Lisbon and Porto on my own. Lisbon was sunny and colorful, almost like Bali. As I wandered up and down the hills, I kept thinking, “This city isn’t meant to be enjoyed alone.” It honestly sucked to be there by myself. I didn’t feel like making friends at the hostel or talking to anyone. My mind just kept counting down the days until I’d fly back to Paris. That was the moment I realized my solo travel chapter had come to an end. And that’s okay. I’m grateful I closed that chapter after experiencing so many adventures along the way.

Family Travel: New Experiences

I don’t even remember how many flights Aimee has taken, she started traveling when she was still in my womb. Just like in the picture above, we went to Japan when I was only a few months pregnant. And ever since she was born, the three of us have continued traveling together, starting from when she was just three months old.

The way we plan our trips as a family is completely different from how I used to travel on my own. I still need to find tickets and accommodation one or two months before departure and do a lot of research, something I’ve always enjoyed—but now I have to do it much more thoroughly. We need to book hotels in advance for every city we plan to visit, and our requirements for ideal accommodation have definitely increased. As I mentioned earlier, we prefer a spacious place with facilities that help us feel comfortable and maintain a daily routine.

To anticipate the possibility of my daughter losing her appetite while traveling, I try to recreate a routine similar to the one we have at home. Having a kitchen with proper cooking tools in an apartment or hotel helps us a lot. And because not every hotel or apartment in Europe has an elevator, I often have to dig deeply into reviews just to confirm this single facility.

We also don’t rely on public transport as much as we used to. We usually take taxis so we can easily carry our bags and stroller, and we only use trams or buses when they’re accessible for strollers. In Paris, for example, I had to check which metro stations had elevators at both the departure and arrival points before deciding to go anywhere. My point is: travel planning now has to be much more detailed, and there’s far less room for improvisation or mistakes compared to my solo travel days. E-sims or SIM cards need to be prepared in advance, the travel route has to be decided beforehand, and all transportation and accommodation must be booked before we even leave.

For our upcoming year-end trip, I’ve spent quite a lot of time searching for hotels in Istanbul and Rome. At first, I wanted to stay in Taksim because the area is said to have a more authentic vibe—modern, lively, and close to shopping centers. But staying there would mean relying heavily on public transportation, and it would take longer to reach most of Istanbul’s main attractions, which are mostly located in Fatih/Sultanahmet. So in the end, I shifted my search to Fatih. After reading tons of information and reviews, I finally found the perfect hotel, just three minutes away from the Basilica Cistern and Hagia Sophia!

I’m honestly so excited for this trip. I’ve been to Istanbul once, nine years ago, but it was only a short stopover. I managed to explore the historic area and scratched the surface by visiting the Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar, but not much beyond that. This time, it will be my first chance to properly explore this spectacular city that was once called Constantinople. I’ve always been fascinated by the legacy of the Ottoman civilization—the traces I’ve seen in Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Croatia, and Hungary have only deepened that curiosity. Now, I finally get to experience the heart of it.

By choosing a hotel located close to the main attractions, our trip will be much easier. Not only can we reach everything on foot while pushing the stroller (and relying less on the baby carrier), but we can also return to the hotel easily so my daughter can take a nap and we can rest a bit before continuing our exploration of Istanbul. That’s something I never did when I was traveling solo. Back then, I was used to spending the entire day out—exploring nonstop and ticking off all the places on my list until the sun went down.

Traveling with family also means we move at a slower pace. We usually visit only two or three places in a day and take our time enjoying coffee or lunch at a restaurant. We stay longer in each city, hop between cities less often than I used to, and visit fewer attractions in a day. That’s what did in France and Australia this year. But I’m not complaining at all. This family travel style makes me enjoy the trip so much more, and it brings us closer together as a family.

Unlike my solo travel days, I now have my husband to share the decision-making and everything in between—one of the many reasons why traveling as a family feels so much more enjoyable and meaningful. And with our year-end trip coming soon, plus the adventures we’re already dreaming about for next year, I can’t help but feel excited for all the memories we’ll continue to create together.

Curious about my adventures in Europe and America ?. You can click the following links to see my traveling videos that have aired on Net TV :

1. Desa Hallstatt, Desa dengan Arsitektur Klasik di Pinggir Danau
2. Imutnya Park Guell, Dunia Fantasi Ala Gaudi di Barcelona
3. Ada Turki Mini di Bosnia Herzegovina
4. Nyobain Makanan Khas Bosnia, Kaya Rasa dan Pasti Halal
5. The Bean, Seni Kontemporer yang Ada di Film – film Hollywood

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