In 2025, I took a nine-month trip around the world, visiting forty-eight countries and spreading my mom’s ashes in twenty-two of them. Growing up, my mom and I traveled a lot together; we loved visiting museums and seeing the sights. We traveled all across the U.S., Europe, and India. When she passed, I knew I wanted to do a major trip to honor her. At the time, I had no idea it would last nine months or cover so many countries.

South America

The journey began in February 2025 in South America, where I spent five weeks traveling through Colombia, Chile, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Brazil. My favorites were Chile and Brazil. In Chile, I visited Easter Island, which was amazing—the Moai statues are scattered all across the island. I also went scuba diving, which was out of this world; they actually sank a replica of a Moai statue that you can see underwater. Another highlight of Chile was the Atacama Desert; with its vast mountains and amazing stargazing, it looked like the surface of Mars.

I didn’t realize I would love Brazil quite so much. This was my second time there, and I got to witness the joy and craziness of Carnival. On the last night, I went to the Sambadrome for the parade, arriving at 10:30 PM and leaving at 5:00 AM while the party was still going strong. Rio has a little bit of everything: nightlife, beaches, shopping, and amazing scenery.

The South Pacific & Japan

Next up was the South Pacific: New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, and Vanuatu. In New Zealand, I marveled at the serene beauty of the fjords, pristine waters, adventure sports, and amazing hikes. In Australia, I visited the iconic Sydney Opera House, went scuba diving at the Great Barrier Reef, and visited the Whitsunday Islands—the beaches there are so beautiful you would think angels created them. Fiji and Vanuatu had some of the most stunning turquoise waters I’ve ever seen, and the diving in Fiji was so good it might have even topped Australia.

Japan was a place my mom and I always believed we would visit together one day. Spending nearly two weeks there exploring Tokyo, Sapporo, Kyoto, and Osaka was everything I imagined. With its mix of ancient traditions and futuristic innovations, it’s no wonder Japan is so high on everyone’s bucket list. In Tokyo, I loved the bustling streets and the colorful alleyways of Golden Gai. In Sapporo, I was lucky enough to see the cherry blossoms before the season ended. Kyoto was my favorite place in Japan—the temples, the Geisha shows, and the majestic Shinto shrines were divine. Finally, in Osaka, I attended the 2025 Expo and visited Himeji Castle, which I had first learned about in one of my mom’s classes. Dating back to the 1300s and registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site, it was a dream to finally see it in person.

The Himalayas & Europe

I continued west to the Himalayas for a two-week group tour of Nepal and Bhutan. Nepal is filled with magical monasteries and centuries-old temples. A major highlight was Chitwan National Park, where I saw the greater one-horned rhinos. Bhutan had been on my list for a long time; its serene monasteries and breathtaking mountain views are truly awe-inspiring. The centerpiece of the trip was Paro Taktsang, the “Tiger’s Nest” monastery, which has clung to the side of a cliff since the 1600s.

I then spent nearly two months in Europe, visiting both new and familiar countries. I fell in love with Crete; the food, the people, and the scenery were so captivating I could have easily stayed longer. In Sicily, I spent five days based in Catania, taking a day trip to the enchanting city of Taormina (the filming location for The White Lotus season two). Portugal also did not disappoint—Lisbon and Porto are both amazing cities with incredible food and nightlife. I was also pleasantly surprised by Lithuania and Estonia, which offered amazing food and 14th-century “ancient city” vibes. Visiting Krakow was another highlight; wandering the markets, seeing the Royal Castle, and witnessing the somber history of Auschwitz-Birkenau made for a very memorable visit.

It wasn’t all museums, though—I did a little partying, too! I visited Ibiza for the first time, enjoying the clubs and day parties. In Prague, I saw AC/DC in concert; they rocked out for over two hours, making it one of the best shows I’ve ever seen.

Africa

One of my favorite parts of this trip was Africa. I did a two-week safari with my dad through Kenya and Rwanda. In Kenya, we saw the Great Wildebeest Migration, which looked like something straight out of National Geographic. In Rwanda, we trekked to see the mountain gorillas. We hiked for an hour before suddenly finding ourselves in the presence of a silverback, a baby, and about eight others. A silverback walked just two feet in front of me! They are so majestic and seem completely unfazed by humans. While in Kigali, we also visited the Genocide Memorial, a moving final resting place for 250,000 victims.

The other big adventure was a 40-day overland bus tour from Nairobi to Cape Town with 22 other travelers. We crossed eight countries: Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. Highlights included the Serengeti, scuba diving in Zanzibar, Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park, jumping in Devils pool at Victoria falls and skydiving in Swakopmund. I did learn one thing: at nearly forty years old, I’m not built for sleeping on the floor in a sleeping bag—I opted for a bed! My mom and I would have loved a safari together; I felt her spirit with me every step of the way.

The Final Stretch

The last part of the trip took me to Georgia, Armenia, Romania, and Albania. Georgia was the biggest surprise—I absolutely loved the mountains, the world-class wine region, and the gorgeous churches. Albania served as a great jumping-off point for day trips to Montenegro and North Macedonia. Tirana had a lively art scene and fascinating museums, and I definitely plan to return for the southern beaches.

Reflection

I left in February and returned in November. Nine months of travel. I spread my mom’s ashes in twenty-two countries. She was with me for every mile. Every time I entered a church, I would sit for a few minutes and ask her to watch over me. I am truly grateful for this opportunity. I often wonder what she would say about this journey, and I know exactly what it would be. She would look at me, smile, and say: “Bravo, Alexander. Keep traveling.”

And that is exactly what I will do.