Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
If you’re searching for real-life inspiration for traveling with kids, this week’s featured family is one you won’t want to miss!
Meet Cristina and her family—also known as The WanderFull Spirit—who are all about seeking out adventure beyond the typical theme parks and beach resorts. In this feature, they share their experiences along with helpful tips to inspire other families to get out and explore with confidence.
Meet the Family
Hi, I’m Cristina—creator of The WanderFull Spirit. I’m a mom to an energetic 8-year-old,
balancing travel with the everyday rhythm of a 9–5 job, school schedules, and sports
practices (among many other things). When we aren’t balancing the chaos, we travel
the world.
At this stage in our lives, we travel between work deadlines, school holidays, and
weekend tournaments. It’s not always easy, and it’s not always glamorous – but it can
be done.
If you’re a parent juggling responsibilities and wondering if travel is still possible—I’m
here to show you that it is. It may look different. It may take more planning. But it’s worth it!
Why We Travel
For us, travel is more than just a getaway; it’s education beyond the classroom.
My travel journey didn’t start on a plane. It started with books.
Growing up as the daughter of immigrants, travel wasn’t part of our reality. Like many
families, our focus was simple: work hard, build stability, and keep moving forward. So I read about distant countries, historic moments, and cultures different from my own.
Books became my passport long before I ever held one. In fact, I didn’t get a passport
until I was 19!
I read about distant countries, historic moments, and cultures different from my own.
Cristina – The Wanderfull Spirit
Books became my passport long before I ever held one.
That curiosity stayed with me. It shaped the way I see the world and ultimately led me to pursue a degree in International Relations. I wanted to learn about people, cultures, and the connections that tie us all together.
During college, I studied abroad, and after college, I left to explore the world with nothing but determination and excitement.
Now, as a parent, my curiosity has evolved and fuels the way we travel as a family. For me, travel is more than just a getaway; it’s education beyond the classroom. Our trips are about learning through experience; understanding history, where it happened, geography, or tasting culture through food. We love seeing the world through a lens of curiosity and respect because I want to raise a global citizen.
The Journey
Before becoming a parent, my travel style was all about last-minute, budget
bookings—often pulling all-nighters at the airport or staying at the cheapest hostels
where I had to share a bathroom with ten other people.
I still remember our first attempt at planning a trip as new parents. We had no idea where to begin, but I knew my old ways would likely not work for us. We contacted a travel agent for guidance, but instead of reassurance, we were told that traveling with a baby would be difficult—and that pulling it off within a week wasn’t possible.
We were told to consider a theme park or an all-inclusive beach vacation. While these are good options, that is not the kind of travel I envisioned for us.
I remember feeling completely defeated and discouraged, as if becoming a parent had suddenly set limits on what we could do and where we could go.
Travel was now out of reach or reserved for “another phase of life.” Instead of accepting it, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I started researching, planning, and figuring out what travel could look like for us as a family—not what others said it should look like.
Since then, I’ve been planning our adventures, learning through trial and error, and realizing that travel doesn’t have to be complicated to be meaningful. I discovered that one week—when planned intentionally—is more than enough time to create a memorable, enriching experience. With only one week of time, we have traveled to Japan, Fiji, Ireland, Argentina, and many other countries. Our adventures are proof that it can be done; it just takes intentional planning.
HOW WE BALANCE TRAVEL
- Plan trips a year ahead—set your destinations and dates, not necessarily bookings.
- Align work schedules with the school calendar and block travel dates early.
- Book evening departures after school; return 1–2 days early to adjust (jetlag is real!).
- Arrange pet care at least 2 months in advance.
Resources & What They Offer
Cristina and her family have turned their love of travel into a resource for other families
looking to plan meaningful trips. They started their business and website in January
2026 and continue to evolve.
Through The WanderFull Spirit, they offer:
- Travel planning support and services (from destination ideas to full itineraries).
- Blogs that share their experience and knowledge, as well as activities.
- Their goal is simple: help families focus less on planning and more on being present during their travels.
Where to Find Them
You can learn more and connect with them here:
Website: The WanderFull Spirit
Travel Essentials
Socials: @thewanderfullspirit
Redefining Family Travel
Cristina’s story is such a powerful reminder that travel doesn’t have to fit a certain mold to be meaningful.
Between work schedules, school calendars, and everyday responsibilities, she’s found a way to make travel not only possible—but deeply enriching for her family. It may take more intention and planning, but as her experiences show, even a single week can open the door to incredible adventures.
If you’ve been waiting for the “right time” to start traveling with your kids, this is your reminder that it doesn’t have to be perfect to begin. Sometimes, all it takes is deciding to take that first trip—and seeing where it leads.
Leave a Reply