Traveling with family creates memories that last a lifetime. For us, Greece has been a cherished destination, being only five hours from our home. It offers beautiful beaches, vibrant culture, and unforgettable experiences. This article recounts our adventures in Greece, highlighting our trips in 2018 and 2022, and the lessons we learned along the way.

Our First Trip to Greece: Summer and Early Autumn 2018

Our love for Greece began back in 2018 when Artur, our first son, was just a baby. We were enthusiastic about balancing travel and social life alongside raising our son. In June 2018, we embarked on our first trip to Greece, spending about four days in Asprovalta. It was just the three of us— my husband, Artur, and me. The serene beaches and warm Mediterranean climate provided the perfect backdrop for our family getaway.

One of our memories from Asprovalta was discovering an amazing bakery. However, a word of caution for fellow Greece travelers: if you’re not a goat cheese lover, be careful when selecting feta. In Greece, fresh feta is often goat cheese by default. Amauri and I experienced this firsthand when we couldn’t enjoy some pastries because we didn’t ask in advance about the cheese type. Since then, whenever we visit a bakery, supermarket, or restaurant, we always double-check the kind of cheese being served. Despite this hiccup, we absolutely loved other typical Greek foods, with giros being our favorite. We always seek out local spots where the locals go, enjoying fresh pita bread with simple garnishes like tomatoes and a Greek salad. Amauri, on the other hand, delights in the variety of salads they offer.

Later that September, we chose Neipori as our next destination, eager to explore more of what Greece had to offer. Neipori has a reputation for being a great family-friendly place. Artur, at 11 months old, was growing curious and active, eager to explore his surroundings. For this trip, we brought my mom along to help with Artur. Having her with us allowed us to enjoy our vacation while ensuring Artur received the attention he needed.

Discovering Neipori: Our Favorite Spot

Neipori's beach is beautiful, with vibrant bars and diverse dining options making it a perfect getaway. While checking out the bars by the beach in the center of Neipori, we discovered Venus Bar, a charming café bar that offered a unique blend of relaxation and entertainment. We thought it was the prettiest spot, enjoyed some laughs, and had delicious pizza. The bar had a volleyball court and a small playground for kids, making it an ideal spot for both adults and children to enjoy.

We played a bit of volleyball—we brought a ball, but I wasn’t very good at it and gave up quickly. Artur enjoyed the playground outside, which they had thoughtfully set up. The comfortable chairs and excellent food made our stay even more enjoyable. We also loved the refreshing cocktails, expertly crafted by a super nice bartender who left a lasting impression on us. Artur delighted in his fruit salad, and my mom thoroughly enjoyed the beach and our cozy Airbnb apartment.

Back to Greece: Our 2022 Family Trip

June 2022 marked our return to Greece, now with Mateo joining us. It had been three years since our last seaside trip due to the pandemic and my pregnancy with Mateo. This trip was a testament to our ability to adapt and cherish the moments that matter most. Neipori welcomed us with open arms, and we were eager to revisit our favorite spots and discover new ones.

When we planned to go to the beach in 2022, we naturally chose Neipori again, hoping to recreate the wonderful experience we had at Venus Bar. However, things weren't quite the same. While the food remained similar, it felt different after three years—we were older, more tired, and had more experience. We stayed for four days in Neipori but didn't spend as much time at the same Venus Bar. After the kids played at a pirate-themed bar, we went to Venus Bar and ordered the same fruit salad and pizza, and overall, it was still a pleasant experience. The water was refreshing, but traveling with kids meant we were mostly taking care of them in a new environment and didn't get a much chance to swim as much as we wanted. We had to be well-prepared, packing big bags with reserved clothes, wet tissues, diapers, band-aids (you never know when you might need them), toys, and little books to keep them entertained. This time in 2022, we brought many toys to the beach and even parked a car nearby each time to easily access what we needed.

Since the Venus Bar experience wasn’t quite like last time—perhaps because my mom wasn’t there, we were older, and we had an additional child to manage (Artur, now seven, had become more obedient since starting preschool)—we decided to explore and discover other beaches. We searched for nice sand and warm, clean water. Neipori boasts a beautiful long sandy beach with plenty of bars, supermarkets, and family-friendly facilities. On our last day, we decided to buy umbrellas and chose a more deserted place called Skotina Beach. I wanted something close to Neipori with trees and shade because both Mateo and I are quite pale and need good shade protection. We bought umbrellas from a nearby shop and ended up at Skotina Beach, renowned as one of the prettiest beaches in Neipori. The beach and sea were wonderful. We took some drinks from a café, spent time under our umbrellas on the sand, and the kids loved it—it felt more private and magical. I can still remember Mateo’s joyful and sparkling eyes and Artur’s loud laughter—he is the more outgoing one. We hope to return there again, this time with Olivia.

Travel Tips from Our Family

Choose Family-Friendly Accommodations: Airbnb offers a variety of options that cater to families, providing the comfort and space needed for a relaxing stay.

Involve Extended Family: Bringing grandparents along can make the trip more enjoyable and manageable, especially with young children.

Explore Local Attractions: Discovering local bars, cafes, and playgrounds can enhance your travel experience and create lasting memories.

Be Flexible: Adapt to changes, whether it's the dynamics of traveling with older kids or seeking out quieter beaches. Flexibility ensures that you can still enjoy your travels despite unforeseen circumstances.

Cherish Every Moment: Whether it's your first trip with a new child or revisiting a favorite destination, every journey is special. Embrace the moments and create beautiful memories with your loved ones.

Pack Smart: When traveling with kids, always pack essentials like extra clothes, wet wipes, diapers, band-aids, toys, and books to keep them comfortable and entertained.

Double-Check Food Preferences: Especially if you have specific dietary preferences or restrictions, always verify ingredients in restaurants and bakeries to avoid any unwanted surprises.

Reflecting on Our Travels

Looking back, our travels to Greece have been a journey of growth, adaptation, and togetherness. From our early days balancing travel with raising a young child to expanding our family and exploring new destinations, each trip has strengthened our bonds and enriched our lives.

Traveling as a family has taught us the importance of togetherness and the joy of discovering new places. Our trips to Neipori, Greece, in 2018 and 2022 were beautiful chapters in our travel story, filled with laughter, exploration, and love. We can't wait to see where our adventures take us next.

When Mateo was just a year old and had just started walking, we decided to take a family trip to Zlatibor. I was in that optimistic phase where I still believed I could balance everything—two kids, work, and travel. I pictured us having the perfect mountain getaway, enjoying the snow and fresh air together.

We were so excited, especially Artur, who couldn’t wait to ride the gondola lift up the mountain (or žičara, as we say in Serbian). The thrill of the snowy hills and the view from the lift were all we needed to start the day. Getting everyone ready, though, was quite the task! Between the winter clothes and the endless layers, getting two young kids prepped took ages—something no one ever warns you about before you have kids. But once they were bundled up - probably after 2-3 hours, we were finally ready to step out into the winter wonderland.

And then came our first “adventure moment.” As soon as Mateo touched the ground, he took a little tumble. We didn’t think much of it at first, but then we noticed he had somehow cut his lip and was bleeding. Cue parental panic mode! We started talking about taking him to emergency care, but after a few deep breaths and a good look, we realized it was just a small cut. (Baby mouths tend to bleed a lot—no one warned us about that either!)

Once things calmed down, we strolled by the lake in the center of Zlatibor. There, we met a friendly Russian couple whose little one hit it off with Artur while I carried Mateo in my arms, just to be safe. The kids laughed and played in the snow, and we took some lovely family photos with the lake as our backdrop. Artur was overjoyed to see the big, playful mascots wandering around, and we all enjoyed a hearty meal at a cozy kafana. We stocked up on food to enjoy back at our Airbnb, which the kids adored because it had TVs in every room. We even promised ourselves that we’d set up the same when we got home—so each family member could enjoy their own Netflix show without any debates!

The next day, we took the kids to Dino Park, where they had the time of their lives exploring and spotting the massive dinosaur figures. We also found a great little slope for sledding, so we bundled up Artur and Mateo and let them zoom down the hill, capturing videos and sharing lots of laughter. The pure joy on their faces made all the chaos worth it.

Looking back, this trip was our first real snowy escape with both boys, filled with moments of laughter, small scares, and memories that deserve to be preserved. It was a trip that taught us so much about the joys and surprises of traveling with young kids—a little family adventure that we’ll never forget.

This is a brief reflection on our unforgettable experience in Brazil from February to October 2019. Let me start from the beginning: My husband is Brazilian, and when we found each other, our love story came together so quickly. We met in 2016, and just six months later, we got married. Ten months after that, our first son, Artur, arrived—a blessing that forever changed our lives. Since I felt more comfortable and secure in familiar surroundings, we decided to return to my home country, Serbia, for his birth. My hometown, a cozy and intimate place, felt safer compared to the bustling city of Campinas, where my husband grew up.

Artur was born in Serbia, and a year later or to be precise in October 2018, we made our way to Brazil to visit my husband’s family. As soon as we arrived, we were reminded of the country’s rich flavors and warm, welcoming spirit. The simple joy of seeing people smile in stores and the effortless friendliness of strangers felt like a breath of fresh air. From the moment we set foot in Brazil, we were enveloped in a warmth that was uniquely Brazilian. We decided to live in Brazil and chose Vitória as our destination. The city offered proximity to the beach, good educational opportunities, and, as my husband discovered, a safe and peaceful neighborhood called Jardim Camburi. Located in the state of Espírito Santo, Vitória felt like the perfect place for our new adventure. That same month, after visiting my husband’s family, we flew to Vitória for just two days and were fortunate to find an apartment to rent for the entirety of 2019.

Adjusting to a new country with a young child wasn’t always easy. We briefly hired a babysitter, but Artur was so attached to us that it didn’t work out. We even tried having a small dog for two weeks, but the responsibility felt overwhelming. Yet, there were countless magical moments that made every challenge worth it. We bought bicycles and took long rides to the beach, where Artur would giggle with delight or nap peacefully. Our days were filled with volleyball games on the sand and leisurely strolls by the ocean.

One of my favorite memories was our regular visits to a nearby park. Artur loved playing on the small trampoline, and we enjoyed the vibrant atmosphere—food kiosks lining the park, families gathered in chairs, and the air filled with laughter. We also frequented a botanical garden, where Artur and I would share pão de queijo and fresh juice, admiring exotic green trees and the playful animals. Each Friday and Saturday evening, we visited another park that came alive with music. Families gathered to listen to live bands, and it was there I first heard the beautiful song “Ainda bem que agora encontrei você.”

But life, as always, brought its complexities. We had some misunderstandings with Uber drivers and faced challenges with my husband’s university. As October approached, we made the difficult decision to return to Serbia. My parents’ support was a compelling reason, and we hoped my husband could pursue his studies in English. We were also concerned about the cost of education and more than anything we were worried about the safety in Brazil on the long run. Moreover, our dream of owning a home seemed more attainable in Serbia, where land was still affordable.

Looking back, our decision to return home turned out to be a lucky one. The pandemic hit soon after, and being with my parents during that uncertain time was a real blessing. It felt like one choice set off a chain of life-changing events. Even with the challenges and our move back to Serbia, Brazil left a lasting mark on my heart. I’ll always treasure those days at Vila Velha’s beautiful beaches, chasing Artur in the park, enjoying sweet cakes with coffee, and watching him take some of his first steps.

We were happy, deeply happy, and those memories will forever be a part of us.

Hopefully, one day, we’ll return with our whole family—all five of us. I’d love to visit that same café and order cake for everyone, along with fresh mango juice.