In an exclusive interview, Patty Brown shares the details of her incredible two-and-a-half-month journey with her two adult children, Sophia and Alex. Traveling across three continents, they embraced new cultures, faced challenges together, and created memories that will last a lifetime.

By the spring of 2023, my daughter Sophia had decided she would graduate high school a semester early, in December 2023. She wanted to spend her "gap semester" traveling to different countries to experience new cultures and meet people different from her. That idea sparked our adventure. We started planning for places to visit from January 2024 to June 2024. We were lucky to have Alex, my son, join us during his winter break, spring break, and summer break from CU Boulder.

We were on the road for a total of about nine and a half weeks, spread across three separate trips. 

In January, we spent four and a half weeks visiting South Africa, Tanzania, Zanzibar, and the Seychelles.

 In March and April, we spent two weeks exploring Japan, with stops in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Hiroshima. 

Finally, we spent three weeks in Europe, visiting Paris, Rome, Positano, Capri, Nice, Monaco, Cannes, and St. Tropez.

Sophia wanted to experience different continents, so that was a big factor. She was especially eager to visit places she had never been before, like Asia, Europe, and Africa. She even wanted to go to Antarctica, but we didn’t quite make it there! Each destination was chosen to offer something unique, whether it was cultural immersion, natural beauty, or historical significance.

Traveling through Africa presented some logistical challenges because the continent is made up of many different countries, each with its own requirements. There’s a lot of documentation needed—visas, vaccinations, and other paperwork. We worked with a travel agent, Go2Africa, and did our research to ensure we had everything we needed well in advance. Some vaccinations, for example, need to be started a month ahead of your travel date, so planning was crucial.

We also had a couple of minor medical situations, which made us thankful for our Faye travel insurance—it was a great investment. Each country was amazing, but doing thorough research ahead of time was key, especially when traveling to cities with higher crime rates, like Johannesburg and Kenya, where we had layovers.

There were so many! We saw Taylor Swift’s Era’s Tour in Paris at La Défense Arena. It was her first stop in Europe, and she debuted her new "Tortured Poet’s" songs. Her shows are always so captivating!

In Monaco, we attended the Grand Prix F1 race. One day, we watched from the grandstands in front of the famous Monte Carlo Casino, and another day, we watched from a yacht. That was an experience we’ll never forget.

Traveling throughout Japan on the bullet trains was a highlight too. We got to experience the cherry blossoms and explore shrines, temples, and their incredible history. The whole atmosphere in Japan felt magical.

One of the most impactful experiences was visiting the Datoga tribe in Tanzania. We learned about their culture, danced with them, ground corn, and even drank homemade alcohol with the elders. It was such an eye-opening experience to see how others live and connect with them on a personal level.

Going on safari in the Timbavati Nature Reserve, part of Kruger National Park in South Africa, was another unforgettable experience. We saw all of the "Big Five" game animals—lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and African buffalo. We also witnessed the Great Migration in Serengeti National Park, with thousands of wildebeest and zebras stretching for miles. It was truly inspiring.

In Hiroshima, the history surrounding the atomic bombing during World War II was deeply emotional. It was a stark reminder of the devastating impact of war.

Sophia and I also volunteered with World Unite at The Mother Nature Camp in Zanzibar. We stayed in a local village and worked on marine conservation and recycling efforts. We educated children at their schools, played sports with them at the beach, and introduced them to Snapchat. We even worked at a sea turtle sanctuary. That week was so fulfilling and brought us closer to the local community.

Spending so much time together, often in the same hotel rooms for weeks on end, was life-changing. It brought us closer in ways I never imagined. We got out of our comfort zones and experienced the world together, which created a bond that’s hard to describe. 

The trip reinforced for all of us that life isn’t meant to be lived on repeat. I’m so glad I got to show my kids, at a young age, that there’s a whole world out there to explore. It opens your eyes to new ways of thinking and makes you more accepting of those around you.

One of the best parts was getting away from social media and the distractions of daily life. We shared so many laughs and late-night adventures. Even now, after the trip, we spend a lot of time together and often reminisce about the memories we created. We’ll never forget this time together.

Planning ahead is crucial, and it’s important to involve your kids in researching the travel plans. It makes them more invested in the trip. If possible, have your kids contribute to the travel expenses, whether through part-time jobs, fundraising, or other means. It teaches them responsibility and the value of money.

Now that you’re back, how do you and your kids feel about returning to a more stable routine? Do you have any future travel plans?

Re-entry after each trip was a process. We missed the people we met and the experiences we had, but there’s no place like home. The best part is knowing that there are more places in this amazing world to explore.

We’re already thinking about future trips. Australia and New Zealand are on the horizon for late 2025, and we’re considering Antarctica in 2026. We’d also like to explore South America. My mother is from New Zealand, and I’m half New Zealand Maori, so experiencing my heritage is something I’m really looking forward to.

Every place we visited exceeded our expectations, and we were so fortunate that we didn’t encounter any major issues. However, if I could change one thing, I would have spent more time in the south of France and less time on the Amalfi Coast. The south of France had more to offer in terms of activities, and the weather was better during our stay.

My biggest piece of advice is to avoid checking baggage if possible. Pack light, and take advantage of laundry services at your destinations. It makes a huge difference when you’re moving through multiple countries, allowing you to get in and out of airports more quickly and with less hassle.

In a time when many families struggle to connect amidst the noise of daily life, Patty and her kids chose to invest in experiences that would forever shape their perspectives and relationships. Their story is a testament to the power of stepping outside of comfort zones, embracing new cultures, and, most importantly, spending meaningful time together. Their adventure reminds us all of the value in exploring the world, not just as individuals, but as families.