The Art of Road Tripping Without a Plan
Wandering With My Daughter
The Freedom of Spontaneous Travel
I often hear it at the school gate—from other moms who look at me with a mix of awe and curiosity:
“I don’t know how you do it… Just the two of you, going off like that… without a plan?”Aren’t you afraid, And that all without a man!
And I smile, because yes—it does take courage. But it also gives back something so deep, so magical, that I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
It’s just the two of us. A mother and daughter team. Two backpacks, a rental car, and hearts wide open. We don’t plan every detail. We don’t need to. What we do have is a shared sense of adventure, a love for the unknown, and a deep trust—in ourselves, in each other, and in the journey itself.
And I’m proud, not just of myself, but of us. Because we may not always have a plan, but we always have each other. And that, to me, is everything.
Whether we’re winding through mountain roads in Europe, chasing sunsets across the USA, or soon hitting the beaches of Ibiza with sand between our toes… we go where our hearts take us. We listen. We feel. We follow our instincts, and our hearts.
No Plan, Just Us. Brave, Wild and Free
And let’s be honest ,It’s not always perfect.
Some nights we’ve slept in places that were… let’s say, less than charming.
Once we’ve ended up in places that looked like they came straight out of a horror movie. Dingy carpets, cracked walls, a smell you can’t quite place (and don’t want to).
And Once, at a nice little place we stayed somewhere that served a breakfast so foul, Day said it looked like a dirty diaper… and honestly, she wasn’t wrong. But that’s part of it too.
Sometimes it rains on our plans, or we get lost on winding roads with no signal and no snacks ( like that 1 time in the everglades )But even in those moments, I’ve never doubted this choice. Its another story to tel ;o)
Because on the flip side — we’ve found magic.
But the ones that steal our hearts the most? Romantic little hideaways tucked away in the heart of nature.Cabins with creaky wooden floors, soft blankets that smell like firewood, and windows that open onto nothing but trees and sky. Places where the air smells like freedom, like moss and morning dew, like dreams that haven’t been dreamed yet.
That’s where we feel it — the magic.
Where the outside world disappears and time slows down.Where we breathe deeper, laugh harder, and feel completely, truly home.Les Cabanes de Rensiwez or Landgoed Hilkensberg were those places.The scent of wood, the silence, the flickering firelight, the softness of the sheets, and food that made us close our eyes with every bite. Day soaked it all in with this quiet appreciation — like she felt the place, the way I did. That’s when I knew: this isn’t just travel. This is soul nourishment.
It felt like coming home, far away from home.
Because every detour teaches us something. Every delay hides a gift. Every place we’ve accidentally stayed became part of our story — some just for a night, others forever in our hearts.“We’re not just traveling — we’re building the kind of memories that will shape our soul.”
And that’s worth every wrong turn, every last-minute hotel, and every moment outside the comfort zone.
So no, we don’t have it all planned.And that, to me, is the greatest adventure of all.
And maybe that’s what we’re always looking for .
Planning without a plan
While most people have everything mapped out in advance, we like to stay flexible.Yes, we know the key spots we want to see. But how long we stay or where we sleep? That depends on the moment.Usually, we book the first two or three nights if we fly far. It gives us time to land, get used to the vibe, explore nearby.But after that — we decide day by day.
These days, it’s so easy to check what’s available for tonight or tomorrow. Whether it’s a hotel, B&B, or guesthouse — we look at what feels right and fits the budget.Sometimes we even stop at a motel on the way, ask to see the room first, and negotiate the price. It doesn’t always work, but it often does — especially in off-season.
This way, if we find a place we love, we stay longer.If it doesn’t feel right? We move on.Simple as that.
The freedom to change your mind
That’s the real beauty of not planning everything.Some places surprise you — in a good way.You arrive expecting to stay one night and end up booking three. Or five. Because it just clicks.Other times, you arrive somewhere and think:
“Okay, this looked better in photos.”No problem. One night, and on to the next.Traveling this way gives you freedom.It removes pressure.
No stress if the weather’s bad or something doesn’t go as expected — you just adapt.And it’s not just about the places, but the people.We’ve met locals who gave us amazing insider tips — places we would never have found through Google.
From quiet beaches to small restaurants, or even private stays — just because we were open to changing plans and going with the flow.It keeps travel exciting. Real.And never boring.
How we book — simple, quick & flexible
People often ask me:
“But how do you even find a place last-minute?”Easy. It’s 2025 — all you need is Wi-Fi and a coffee.We usually start with a quick scroll on Booking.com, Expedia, or GetYourGuide — depending on where we are and what we feel like. These platforms make it super simple to filter by location, price, reviews, and vibe.You can even see which places still have rooms available tonight or tomorrow, which is perfect for spontaneous travelers like us.
Another tip?
Always check photos from guests, not just the official hotel ones. You’ll get a way more honest idea of what to expect.And if we’re on the road and spot a cute motel or inn, we sometimes just walk in and ask if they have a room.If they do, we ask to see it first.If it’s okay — and especially if it’s late in the day — we often negotiate the price.You’d be surprised how often that works. Especially in the US, or in quieter seasons in Europe.
And for activities and tours, GetYourGuide is our go-to.From hot air balloon rides to local food tours — you can often book the night before.It’s easy, fast, and usually cancelable if plans change.
So no, you don’t need to plan your entire trip months ahead.A few good platforms. A bit of gut feeling.And you’re good to go
Yes, we travel without a fixed plan— but let’s be clear: that doesn’t mean we travel unprepared.
Because while the freedom is beautiful, there’s also a layer underneath. A quiet foundation that allows us to be spontaneous—because we’ve already thought about the what ifs.And especially as a single mom, those questions are real.
How do you organize a trip like this? How do you keep it light and free, while also staying safe and smart?Here’s what we’ve learned along the way:
Travel Document Checklist for Single Parents
Essential Travel Documents for Single Parents
– Valid passport or ID for both parent and child
– Child birth certificate (original or certified copy)
– Proof of legal custody or guardianship (e.g. court ruling or official register)
– Consent form signed by the other parent (if joint custody applies)
– Translated documents (if required by destination country)
– Proof of return flight or onward travel plans
– Emergency contact card (grandparents, family doctor, embassy info)
– Travel insurance and child medical records
– Document with accommodation address and contact number abroad
Important: Traveling Abroad as a Single or Divorced Parent
travel documents for single parents, border control single parent travel, consent letter for child travel abroad
When traveling internationally as a single or divorced parent, having the correct documents is absolutely essential—especially if your child doesn’t carry your last name. Border officials may stop you to ask for proof of consent from the other parent, or documentation showing you have full custody.
In my case, I have full legal custody of my daughter, which makes traveling simpler—we don’t need to consult or get permission from anyone else. Still, because she doesn’t carry my last name (yet), I always travel with official documents clearly stating our legal relationship and my parental rights.
What you may need as a single parent:
- Proof of custody or guardianship
- A consent form signed by the other parent (if applicable)
- A birth certificate or legal document showing your relationship
- A government-issued document (available via your municipality) confirming your authority to travel abroad with your child
Tip: Always check the requirements for the country you’re traveling to. Some border controls are very strict, and not having the right paperwork can result in delays or even denied entry.
This kind of preparation might feel heavy, but it protects your child—and yourself—and lets you travel freely and confidently.
Day & Nicole
Thanks for joining us!
For reading and visiting FemmVoyage! I’m Nicole, a proud single mom to my 12-year-old daughter, Day. Together, we’re navigating the adventures of single motherhood, work-life balance, and everything in between.We’re a dynamic duo bud also facing the ups and downs of single motherhood, and all the adventures life has to offer. From family travels and weekend getaways to crafting,home decor, gardening, cooking, and fashion, I love sharing our journey with you.
At FemmVoyage, I inspire other busy moms, women, travel lovers, foodies, and home enthusiasts with practical tips, stories, and creative ideas, personal stories, and lots of fun ideas. So Whether you’re a single mom like me, how loves decorating your home and garden, or just looking for fresh inspiration, you’re in the right place and will find something here to spark your joy. Let’s make every moment count whether we’re on a trip or decorating our backyard!
Let’s explore life together.
