When we tell people we’re heading off on a year-long global sabbatical with two kids, the first question is usually: “Who’s planning it? Are you using a tour or travel agent?”
The short answer? No.
I’ll be the first to admit it: I am a total spreadsheet nerd. While some people see a blank itinerary as a logistical nightmare, I see it as a puzzle waiting to be solved. Give me a fresh Excel sheet and a few (hundred) hours of research time, and I’m in my happy place. I love the “digging in” phase—finding that perfect neighborhood in Tokyo or figuring out the train routes through Europe.
Plus, let’s be real: I can’t even imagine what a professional planner would charge to coordinate a year-long trek through Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Oceania!
However, while I’m handling about 85% of this world trip, there is one exception.
Enter: New Zealand
We are spending six weeks in New Zealand, and the excitement levels are off the charts. We’ll be there during peak summer weather, which is perfect for all the outdoor exploring we have planned. Even better? We’ll be celebrating the girls’ birthdays there!
But what makes this leg extra fun is that we aren’t doing it alone. Our great friends from Toronto (and their daughter) are joining us for three weeks to explore both the North and South Islands.
Because our “to-do” list for the rest of the year was so massive, our friends took the reins on New Zealand. I probably wouldn’t have accepted (or trusted?) the help from many other people, but we’ve travelled the world with these guys.
While I was deep in the weeds of booking our Japan leg, they were busy mapping out driving routes, suggesting stay durations, and scouting the best accommodations. We’ve had the “big meetings” (both over drinks in person and via Zoom) to make sure we’re all on the same page, but having someone else steer the ship for this section has been a gift.
On our New Zealand Hit List is Hobbiton (so excited!), glow worms, penguins, and Milford Sound.
It’s going to be a whirlwind of 100% pure Kiwi magic. Handing over the planning to capable hands has allowed me to focus on the rest of the world, knowing that our time in New Zealand is going to be amazing.