If you’ve followed our journey at Away with the Steiners for a while, you know we love the good dream, a solid plan, and a well-booked train berth. But the truth is, there are so many unplanned moments we are incredibly grateful for and so many unbelievable people we have met along the way.
If two years living full-time in a motorhome across Europe, travelling through Middle East, East and Central Asia, and six trips to India have taught us anything, it’s this: the absolute best travel memories are more often the ones you never see coming.
They’re those spontaneous, surreal, “pinch me” moments that happen when you throw the itinerary out the window, say yes to a stranger, and let the world surprise you. They are humbling reminders that despite what the headlines might say, the world is overwhelmingly full of kind, beautiful people.
Looking back through our travel journals, website stories, and Facebook memories, here are 10 completely unexpected moments that became the ultimate highlights of our global family adventures.
1. Google Translating a Feast in Vietnam
Travel can often be a humbling reminder that there are many good people out there. And sometimes, when you take those chance meetings, you will find them. On our second day in Hoi An, we were riding our bikes through the vibrant green rice paddies when we crossed paths with a local woman named Mai.
Fast forward a couple of days, and she and her husband invited our family straight into their home. They took us back into the old city where we shared an absolutely incredible meal of authentic, real Vietnamese food. We couldn’t communicate more than a few words of English or Vietnamese, but with the help of Google Translate propped up on the table, we laughed, connected, and had one of the most memorable travel moments of our entire journey.
- Our Advice: Take those chance meetings. Grab the opportunity!
2. A High-Energy Welcome into Iraqi Kurdistan
Crossing international borders can sometimes feel a bit tense, but our arrival into Iraqi Kurdistan was the exact opposite. The moment we crossed the border, we were greeted with open arms by a local man and guide named Haval and his family, who invited us to meet with them in Erbil. (Not to mention the connection was organised by mutual friends in Luxembourg as the internet and borders shut during our travels in Iran). But there he stood at the border of Iraqi Kurdistan with genuinely open arms to meet us as we walked across.
As always, it’s the people who make a new place so special. In this case, it worked out perfectly because Haval’s sons, Abdullah and Mohammed, happened to be the exact same age as Harry and Oscar.
The language barrier didn’t matter for a single second. The best ice cream shops and slushies were shared, favourite football players were compared, and we had an amazing night out with the kids completely in their element – having a great time just being kids, as kids do best!
3. Kindness in Uzbekistan
When we rolled into Uzbekistan, we knew we were in for an architectural treat with the ancient Silk Road cities, but we weren’t prepared for the scale of Uzbek hospitality.
While exploring in Tashkent, we met a young man named Aslbek at our hostel, who completely redefined what it means to welcome a traveller. We had only just arrived in Tashkent, and he said when we returned to Samarkand after our travels, that he would like to meet up and could show us his hometown.
Well, we didn’t know how it would pan out. But three weeks later we sent him a message and ended up spending the week with him and his family in Samarkand.
From sharing simple cups of tea to helping us navigate local spots, his genuine warmth and instant friendship left us completely floored. It reminded us that the true beauty of Central Asia isn’t found in its tiled minarets, but in the hearts of its people. We can’t wait to go back.
4. Falooda and Zoroastrian History in Iran
Iran is a country that shatters stereotypes the moment you arrive, and our encounter with a young Iranian woman named Hasti is the perfect example. She didn’t just say hello; she introduced us to her wonderful family, who took us out to experience a local specialty: traditional Yazdi Falooda (a delightfully refreshing, sweet frozen dessert).
Then as if sharing sweet treats wasn’t enough, they took us deep out to visit an ancient Zoroastrian village, giving us a firsthand look into the country’s profound, multi-layered history.
Standing in a thousands-of-years-old desert village with new friends was a massive “pinch me” moment!
5. Village Couscous with Hasna in Morocco
During our time exploring North Africa in our motorhome, we crossed paths with a wonderful Moroccan woman named Hasna. We hit it off so well that she invited us to venture out to her traditional family village.
Sitting together on the floor around a massive, steaming platter of authentic, homemade Moroccan couscous was a dream come true! Watching our boys connect with her extended family in a rural village, sharing smiles over food, completely solidified our love for Morocco.
6. Smashed Wheel Bearings and History Lessons in Bosnia
During our two-year motorhome trek through Europe, we hit a mechanical nightmare in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Our wheel bearings were completely shot, and we found ourselves stranded just over the border. But enter Bedi, a local mechanic with a massive heart who stepped in to save the day.
We stayed three days while Bedi and his wife Sanela got our home on wheels fixed up, he took the time to talk to us and teach us all about the heavy, resilient history of his hometown, Goražde, during the Bosnian War.
As we sipped coffee(s) with our Gorazde hosts and looked around at the scarred buildings, you can’t help but feel in awe. In awe of these two incredible people, we met purely by chance.
While in disgust – at history.
In fear – at the power of human beings.
Then in awe again at the resilience of real people – like here in Gorazde, Bosnia.
7. Falling in Love with Village Life in Bangladesh
Bangladesh is a country blissfully untouched by Western mass tourism, meaning every single interaction feels incredibly raw and real. But we also had the unbelievable privilege of doing a homestay in a tiny, rural village with Jafar and his family.
Living simply, waking up to the sounds of the countryside, and watching our boys run through the dirt lanes playing with the village children was an absolute reality check. There were no tourist crowds, no gimmicks – just pure, beautiful human connection in its truest form.
8. Bumping into Hospitality in the Hills of Saudi Arabia
You know you’re in for a cool travel story when the highlight begins with literally bumping into someone. While driving through the spectacular, rugged hills of Saudi Arabia, we quite literally bumped into a local man as we came into a village.
We hadn’t planned on staying any longer than getting some lunch. But no sooner had we stepped out of the car when a man fresh from prayer came walking towards his car and as we passed by said ‘Salam Alaikum’ and gestured welcome for us to follow him for some lunch at his house instead.
So, we did!
Within minutes, we went from being lost in the mountains to sitting on beautiful traditional carpets, drinking Arabic coffee, and being treated like royalty by an entire family of absolute strangers.
9. From a Zoom Call in Rarotonga to Eid Al-Adha in Karachi
This story actually starts all the way back in 2021 when we were living in the Cook Islands. I did an online travel interview with Shafaq – an inspiring mum and doctor from Karachi, Pakistan, with a serious passion for travel. We connected instantly online, and I remember ending the interview with Shafaq saying, “You guys should come to Pakistan!”
Fast forward, and Shafaq, her husband Aftab, and their entire extended family hosted us in Karachi for our first visit to Pakistan. We’ve since met up in Dubai (where we surprised them at the airport!) and travelled together through Islamabad, Murree, and Lahore.
Being with them meant we got to completely immerse ourselves in Eid Al-Adha in Karachi. Gavin’s Eid day started with early prayer at the local mosque with the men, followed by the traditional sacrifice of goats outside. We watched the men meticulously section the meat into three exact parts, so nothing went to waste: the first portion went straight to families living on the streets outside, the second was shared with visiting friends and relatives alongside gifts of sweets, and the third was kept for our incredible celebratory family feast at home.
To be embraced so completely during one of Islam’s most sacred holidays was an honour we will never forget.
10. Going Viral with a Roadside Tea in Morocco
So often, social media influences people to only post curated, perfect snapshots. But one thing we feel incredibly proud of is that ever since we started our channel, we have simply shared the raw positives, the kindness, and the unmatched hospitality of the people we meet.
While we were parked up on the side of the road in Morocco in our motorhome, a local family noticed us, walked out of their home, and brought us hot mint tea and a beautiful fresh lunch right to our door, expecting absolutely nothing in return.
We filmed the interaction, posted it, and woke up to find out we went completely viral across Morocco, Egypt, and the Middle East!
To see the world celebrate such a simple, beautiful act of Moroccan hospitality was pretty darn cool.
These Pinch-Me Moments
These are the moments that money simply cannot buy. They don’t happen because you booked an expensive excursion; they happen because you kept your heart open, smiled at a stranger, and embraced the beautiful chaos of the road.
Keep traveling, keep saying yes, and let the world surprise you!
Useful Links for Your Travels In Europe and Beyond
These are the companies we use and can recommend for planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. It is easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally.
- 12GoAsia – Book trains anywhere online.
- Skyscanner – This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world. Everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Make sure you have insurance before embarking on the adventure of vanlife in Europe with kids!