It might sound like a cliché title for a first blog post, but honestly, I can’t think of a more fitting way to kick things off. Whether you’re new here or followed my journey years ago, welcome—or welcome back.
Twelve years ago, I started blogging about my travels with my then three-year-old daughter. We explored Europe together—just the two of us—and I wrote it all down, partly for myself and partly so she’d one day be able to look back at our shared adventures. From beach days in Málaga to ferry rides to Tangier, train trips to Prague, and flights spanning from Malta to England, we didn’t just see the world—we grew up in it, together. It was messy, beautiful, challenging, and unforgettable. And somewhere in all of that, I discovered something about myself: I love to write.
Here’s the part I never thought I’d be sharing—at 43, I’m facing the end of my dream job. My contract is winding down with no renewal in sight, and while it’s been an incredible three years, it’s time to figure out what’s next. I’ve got two university degrees, a Master’s, and still, I find myself standing at a crossroads, unsure of where to turn. And yet, I’ve been here before—in the unknown—and I’ve always found my way.
Just recently, I took a good friend on her first trip to Europe. Planning it felt like coming home. But as I browsed blogs and social feeds for new inspiration, I hit a wall. Everything seemed tailored to 20-somethings living their yacht-life dreams or family-focused travel with toddlers and teens. On the other end of the spectrum, there were the retirees on organized tours. But where were the stories from people like me—mid-life, full of experience, still hungry for adventure, and looking for something meaningful in our travels (without needing five stars every night)?
So, I changed my search. I stopped looking for places and started looking for experiences. A picnic in the park. Discovering a speakeasy. Getting lost in a neighborhood and stumbling on something unplanned. That’s where the real magic happens. Sure, we did the touristy must-sees, but we also found the hidden gems—the ones that never make the highlight reels but stay in your heart forever.
Which brings me back to why I’m here. I love to travel. I love to write. And maybe—just maybe—that’s what I’m supposed to be doing next. They say when you’re unsure of what to do, chase the thing you love. So here I am, chasing it.
If you’re a fellow traveler in your 30s, 40s, or 50s—past the toddler stage, not quite ready for the senior tours—stick around. I’m building something here for us. Because this next chapter? It’s going to be about seeing the world through a lens that’s a little wiser, a little bolder, and a whole lot more curious.
Let’s go.
Perfectly Unpacked 
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