This version of the transcript has been cleaned for readability by removing timestamps, filler words, and "backtracking" corrections while preserving the conversational tone between you and Mark.

Wander World School Pod: 2025 End of Year Bonus Episode

Suzy: Welcome to Wander World School Pod. It's the 2025 end-of-the-year bonus episode and it's trivia time! Since we are reflecting back on 2025: how many nights did I stay somewhere besides our house in Denver, our apartment in Sevilla, or with family? This includes hotels, Airbnbs, camping, home exchanges, and house sitting. Stay tuned to the end to find out.

I'm Suzy, a travel-loving money nerd and mom of two. Our family lives between Spain and Colorado. On this show, we discuss the stories, logistics, and finances of traveling families and the many ways to learn along the way. Today's special bonus episode is all about 2025 reflections. My husband, Mark, will join me to discuss our 2025 superlatives—our "best of the year" travel edition. We will end with a reflection on gratitude, challenges, and what is in store for 2026.

But first, this bonus episode is supported by Flow with Connie into 2026. My dear friend Connie is hosting a 30-day gentle, creative email journey and community for parents who feel stuck. It combines creative reflection, soulful prompts, and AI-guided inspiration that you can complete in five to ten minutes a day. It’s very doable for busy parents. There’s no pressure, no catching up, and no "fixing" yourself. The program begins January 2026. Check the show notes for the signup link and join me and Connie to start 2026 off in a beautiful way.

The 2025 Recap: 60 Seconds or Less

Suzy: Okay, Mark, time me. Let's see if I can do this in under sixty seconds. We returned to Spain in early January. We fit in trips to Gibraltar and Nerja, hosted pop-ups in Cordoba and Sevilla, and visited Cadiz with friends from Germany and Denver. We toured Morocco for 10 days with a friend. We also ventured to Santiago in Northern Spain for Camp Fi and a home exchange near San Sebastian. We hosted Mark's niece from Berlin and did a home exchange along the coast in Chiclana.

Summer was awesome—it was my favorite. We visited Montenegro and Albania, and hosted a pop-up in Sarajevo. We visited family in Berlin, did house sits in Fort Collins and Aurora, started the kids in a dual-language school, hosted an exchange from Brazil, camped, and fit in work trips and house sits in the mountains. I also said goodbye to my job of 10 years. My personal highlights were starting this podcast and helping some amazing clients on their money journeys. If you want to work with me in 2026 to put together a financial plan, book a free 30-minute discovery call in the show notes.

Okay, how'd I do, Mark? Was that under a minute?

Mark: I think that was pretty good. You did it.

2025 Travel Superlatives

Suzy: Mark is here to discuss our 2025 superlatives. I always love these on the Extra Pack of Peanuts travel podcast with Travis and Heather Sherry, so I'm excited to start this tradition. Let’s start with stays and destinations. Mark, what is the most breathtaking view that you woke up to this year?

Mark: Thanks for having me, I'm happy to be here. I would say the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca. I got up at 5:00 AM and was one of only a handful of people there that early. Standing outside, soaking in the call to prayer, was a sight and a sound I won't forget.

Suzy: That was a great memory. We stayed right next to it, so you could get there easily. For me, the most breathtaking view was in Theth, Albania. The mountains rose right above our little guesthouse. We did a lot of hiking and the sunrise every morning was beautiful. What was the most underrated destination on the list?

Suzy: I’ll start: Albania. Even though we were only there for about a week, the people were so generous and kind. I loved the nature and meeting other families. I would have liked to explore even more of it.

Mark: For me, the foothills near Golden, Colorado. It was a last-minute trip, but when you live here, you sometimes take for granted that you're surrounded by that much beauty so close to Denver. That house we stayed in had breathtaking windows.

Suzy: Which country has the friendliest locals?

Suzy: I put Spain. I am always blown away by how kind people are, especially the community we've gotten to know through the school. We're even still in touch with our old landlord.

Mark: Hands down, the Spanish locals. They are such pros when it comes to hospitality. Despite some of the pushback against over-tourism in certain locations, they are still extremely kind.

Suzy: That’s why I encourage people to get outside of the major cities. Parts of Spain love having tourists and are so welcoming. What is the most difficult place to get to that was well worth the effort?

Mark: Driving the windy road to Theth. Hearing about car accidents on the way up kept me on my toes!

Suzy: I agree. It was basically a one-lane road. I highly recommend doing that drive during the day and taking your time. I also loved the village resort in Montenegro. It was hidden in the hills by a tributary of the lake; walking around with the cows and the village dog in the evenings was lovely.

Food, Drink, and Experiences

Suzy: What was the best meal you ate this year?

Mark: The Singing Nettle in Sarajevo. They had something for everyone, and the vegetarian and vegan dishes were absolutely amazing.

Suzy: I agree. We also had a memorable home-cooked meal in Morocco. Your friend took us to a village where a gentleman’s wife prepared an amazing meal for us. We sat around and had tea; it was a lovely experience. What city has the best coffee culture?

Mark: I like Spain’s casual bar coffee culture. It’s raw, non-pretentious—just sit on a stool, sip your coffee, and move on.

Suzy: I agree, it's very affordable. What was a memorable location for a meal?

Mark: Eating homemade sandwiches at Keystone Ski Resort at the base of the Mozart run. Lounging in a beach chair in the sun with the kids felt like being at the beach.

Suzy: I was on a work trip for that one! My most memorable meal was breakfast atop the Reichstag in Berlin. Having those views from such a historical building while the kids played with another family was special.

Suzy: What was the most beautiful natural wonder you stood in front of? We had the same one, right?

Mark: Yes, the Blue Eye in Albania.

Suzy: The water was freezing, but we jumped in! It was so translucent. We also went to a nearby waterfall that was basically empty. What was the most physically demanding activity you completed?

Mark: Carrying all the kids' skis to the base of the resort repeatedly. The sheer volume of gear on my back is heavy!

Suzy: You’ve worked out a good system, but hopefully, they’ll carry their own soon! For me, it was hiking the pass from Theth. I tried to do it as quickly as possible so I could get back to the hotel, and the views at the top were stunning.

Education and Relaxation

Suzy: Which museum or landmark was the most educational?

Mark: Berlin. I’ve been going there since elementary school. Seeing it transform from a recently reunited, poor city into Germany’s rich capital has been eye-opening.

Suzy: I also put the East Side Gallery in Berlin. I first went in 2009, and going back 16 years later to take a photo at the exact same art piece was special. I also found the Children’s Museum in Sarajevo very poignant—seeing the artifacts left behind by children during the war was very moving.

What is the most relaxing way you spent 24 hours in 2025?

Suzy: The spa day we did together in Sevilla in January. A massage and the pool area—it’s a perfect way to kick off the year.

Mark: 100% agree.

Looking Toward 2026

Suzy: What is the top item on your bucket list for 2026?

Mark: Skiing in Japan and eating authentic Japanese food.

Suzy: Yes! Japan has been on my list forever. We’re going to spend an extended period there to see the summer, fall, and winter. What is the biggest travel mistake you’ll never make again?

Suzy: Managing "stuff." I feel like we always have too much. I'm also trying to stop forgetting chargers in hotels!

Mark: Doing so many house sits last summer while working was challenging. I’d probably do fewer next time.

Suzy: What is the most important thing travel has taught you?

Mark: There’s always time and space to kick a soccer ball around. It connects kids to each other, gets them moving, and resets their attitude.

Suzy: Family travel has taught me that special moments come when you least expect them. I try to keep my expectations low and stay open-minded. Which trip provided the best digital detox?

Suzy: Camp Fi in Santiago. I talked so much I lost my voice, but it inspired me to start this podcast.

Mark: Any time I'm hiking in the mountains. If I don't have service, it's a forced detox. Plus, in the winter, it's too cold to take my gloves off to check my phone!

Suzy: What was your "Destination of the Year"?

Mark: The Balkans.

Suzy: I agree. It’s rugged, beautiful, and affordable. Finally, where are we returning to in 2026?

Mark: Sevilla. I can’t wait to put the kids back in school there and work on our Spanish.

Suzy: I have grand plans for my Spanish learning in January!

Closing and Gratitude

Suzy: This has been so much fun. I want to end with gratitude for you, Mark, for working around the world so we can travel. Gratitude to our extended family for their support, and to our kids for going with the flow—mostly! We had challenges, like pivoting during rain in Cordoba or kids getting sick, but we persevered.

I'm excited for Japan in 2026. If you have any Japan tips, please send me a text or email. Mark, thank you for sharing your reflections.

Mark: Thanks for having me. I’m very proud of what you’ve built with this podcast.

Suzy: Thank you. Now, for the trivia answer: How many nights did I spend away from our primary homes or family? 118 nights. Even though we slow travel, we fit in quite a few excursions!

Thank you, listeners, for tuning in. What was your 2025 highlight? Share it with me via the text link in the show notes. Don’t forget to check out Flow with Connie, and please use the links in the show notes to support the show. We’ll be back soon with interviews from families in Taiwan, Costa Rica, and more.

Until next time, stay curious and keep exploring!