Tomorrow my little explorer turns 6, and I thought it would be fun to interview him about his incredible travel journey so far. What started as a simple chat turned into the most delightful conversation about his 23-country adventure – and I think this might become another of our annual birthday traditions!
Hi Romeo! You’ve been to 23 countries – how does that make you feel?
“Makes me feel like an explorer!”
What’s your absolute favorite country and why?
“Portugal. I like Portugal more than anything because my grandma lives there. And I like the food. And I like the fun stuff.”
Which country do you remember visiting when you were really little?
“Abu Dhabi. I remember the beach and the playground that I went to. And watching Coldplay but wait, that was in Dubai right? Sorry I mean UAE as Abu Dhabi is the capital not the country”
Little Romeo in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
What’s the most fun thing you did while traveling?
“That’s really hard. Usually I say the big boat. The cruise ship in Saudi. I really liked the cruise ship.”
Which place had the best food and what did you eat?
“Portugal. My favorite food in Portugal is “pimento padrão” and “arroz de grelos”. The second best food is Saudi Arabia – hummus and falafel wrap.”
Where did you have the most fun swimming or playing?
“Trinidad and Tobago. So warm. So nice and warm. Love the beaches there.”
Geography Quiz Time! Can you name five capitals from countries you visited?
“Of course! The capital of Tunisia is Tunis. The capital of Greece is Athens. The capital of Portugal is Lisbon. The capital of Egypt is Cairo. The capital of Saudi Arabia is Riyadh. The capital of Trinidad and Tobago is Port of Spain.”
[I’m still amazed by his geography knowledge – he loves geography!]
One of the coolest capitals, according to Romeo, Cairo.
Which country is shaped like a boot?
“Italy! But I haven’t been to Rome yet. That’s the capital and it’s almost like my name but I was in Italy just not the capital and I love pizza, pasta and gelato.”
What’s the biggest city you’ve been to?
“London. That’s the biggest city. I was born there. I was born in Paddington, Westminster, and I love Paddington the bear you know.”
Can you say hello in different languages from places you visited?
“In Portuguese it’s Olá. In Spanish it’s Hola. In French it’s Bonjour. In Arab countries like Saudi it’s Mahaba. In Italian, it’s Ciao.”
What’s your favorite thing about hotels?
“The beds are uncomfortable for me, but I like the Kids Club. That’s my favorite thing about hotels and the swimming pools and also love when they have jacuzzis.”
Which country had the best beaches or pools?
“Of course Trinidad and Tobago.”
TT, land of the best beaches according to Romeo
Where did you make the most friends?
“Tunisia and Croatia. In the kids clubs and playing in the hotel, so many cool kids”
If you could go back anywhere tomorrow, where would you go?
“One place? Can I say three places! I want to go again to Saudi Arabia, and Trinidad and Tobago, and Portugal.”
Where do you want to go next that you’ve never been?
“Where do the tacos live? Mexico! I want to go to Mexico. I’ve never been there. Also want to go to China. And Japan. And Cambodia because I know its your favourite country. And I really want to go to Palestine like you mummy, but we might have to wait for Palestine as it’s too dangerous now.”
Do you want to keep travelling when you’re grown up?
“Yeah! Of course”
Making Memories in Croatia
Where did you have the most fun dancing?
“Tunisia. Yeah, Tunisia. I was dancing so much! And Egypt.”
The Dancing Superstar
But here’s my favorite Romeo travel story – and it happens everywhere we go. This kid has a gift. The moment we arrive at any resort, any hotel with evening entertainment, Romeo transforms into this incredible little performer.
In Tunisia, he danced so much at the kids’ disco that he actually hurt his feet! But that’s Romeo everywhere we travel – he becomes the star of every dance floor, the kid everyone remembers, the one who lights up the room with pure joy.
From Mummy’s Perspective
Watching Romeo grow from a baby who slept through flights to this confident little world explorer has been one of the greatest gifts of my life. He’s not just collecting passport stamps – he’s collecting experiences, knowledge, friendships, and a perspective on the world that will shape who he becomes.
His geography obsession started around age 4, and now he knows more capitals than most adults. He can spot flags, identify countries by their shapes, and tell you which cities have the best beaches or the most interesting food. But more than that, he approaches every new place with curiosity and openness.
When people ask me about travelling with a young child, I tell them about Romeo. How he makes friends in every country, how he adapts to new foods and customs, how he finds joy in hotel kids’ clubs and warm ocean waters. How travel isn’t just showing him the world – it’s teaching him that the world is full of good people, interesting places, and endless possibilities.
What’s Next?
As Romeo turns 6, I’m excited to see how his travel perspective continues to evolve. Mexico is definitely on our list (thanks to his taco curiosity and because I can’t wait to return!), and I know there will be many more countries, many more dance floors, and many more memories to make.
This little interview will hopefully become a tradition I want to continue every year. I can’t wait to see how his answers change, what new places capture his imagination, and how his understanding of the world grows.
For now, though, I’m just grateful to be travelling alongside this incredible little human who sees every trip as an adventure and every new country as a friend waiting to be made.
Happy 6th Birthday for tomorrow, Romeo! Here’s to 23 countries down and a whole world still waiting to be explored.
Saudi Arabia, one of Romeo’s fav countries.
What do you think about starting an annual travel interview tradition with your kids? I’d love to hear about your family’s travel adventures in the comments below!
Romeo’s Travel List so far:
- England 🏴* (19/20/21/22/23/24/25)
- Portugal 🇵🇹* (19/20/21/22/23/24/25)
- Scotland 🏴 (20/22)
- UAE 🇦🇪 (22)
- Egypt 🇪🇬 (22/23)
- Spain 🇪🇸 (22/23/24)
- Belgium 🇧🇪 (23)
- Romania 🇷🇴 (23)
- Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 (23)
- Jordan 🇯🇴 (23)
- Trinidad and Tobago 🇹🇹 (23)
- Wales 🏴 (23/24)
- Croatia 🇭🇷 (23)
- Bosnia and Herzegovina 🇧🇦 (23)
- Morocco 🇲🇦 (24)
- Lithuania 🇱🇹 (24)
- France 🇫🇷 (24/25)
- Monaco 🇲🇨 (24)
- Italy 🇮🇹 (24)
- Poland 🇵🇱 (25)
- Greece 🇬🇷 (25)
- Germany 🇩🇪 (25)
- Tunisia 🇹🇳 (25)
2019 – 2 (🏴🇵🇹)
2020 – 3 (🇵🇹🏴🏴)
2021 – 2 (🇵🇹🏴)
2022 – 6 (🇵🇹🏴🇦🇪🇪🇬🇪🇸🏴)
2023 – 12 (🇵🇹🏴🇧🇪🇷🇴🇸🇦🇪🇬🇯🇴🇹🇹🇪🇸🏴🇭🇷🇧🇦)
2024 – 9 (🇵🇹🏴🇲🇦🏴🇪🇸🇱🇹🇫🇷🇲🇨🇮🇹)
2025 – Still counting… (🇵🇹🏴🇵🇱🇬🇷🇩🇪🇹🇳🇫🇷…)