We spent 6 months of our parental leave traveling through Europe with our baby. It wasn't the trip I thought it would be.

The author and her family spent six months traveling with their then 8-month-old daughter.

Courtesy of Riana Ang-Canning

My husband, Colin, and I have lived abroad in Prague, road tripped through New Zealand, and country-hopped around Southeast Asia. So years before we welcomed our daughter into the world, we knew we'd want to spend part of our parental leave traveling.In September 2025, we left for six months of travel through Europe with our then 8-month-old. We also brought our dog along!I was so excited to be traveling with my family. Even though I knew it would be different from our pre-baby travels, I still pictured us going on day trips, filling our itinerary with sightseeing, and spontaneously staying out past bedtime.

The author and her family found time for activities like visiting the Spitalfields City Farm in London.

Courtesy of Riana Ang-Canning