Patty Monahan started a tour company called Our Whole Village, which specializes in family travel and raising children to become global citizens. As a travel addict and a former educator, I have been a guest writer on her blog, which is filled with stories and tips related to family travel. I asked Patty about her thoughts on global citizenship, traveling with children, and what her offered tours are like. Plus, she's giving my readers a discount on all trips and tours! 

Patty, can you start out by just telling us a little about yourself?

I was born and raised in Sao Paulo, Brazil. After law school, I moved to Germany to get a masters in Law & Economics. I met my American/Venezuelan husband at the program and we’ve been traveling together since. We’ve lived in Bologna, Washington DC, Madrid and are currently based in Birmingham, MI with our two daughters, Sofia (8) and Julia (6).

I worked as an attorney for over 10 years before taking the plunge and starting my own business. Our Whole Village is the result of my lifelong passion for travel and my newfound mission to become the best parent I can be.

What is Our Whole Village?

Our Whole Village is a family travel agency with a conscious mindset. We find local and authentic family travel experiences for families who want to raise global citizens and give back. We look for transformative adventures and activities that connect families with the world, its people and cultures, so parents and kids can learn, grow and make memories together. And because 50% of our profits go directly to projects and organizations that help women and children worldwide, I like to say we’re changing the world, two families at a time. ;)

What are some projects and organizations that Our Whole Village helps support?

We are a social enterprise. Supporting non-profits is at the core of our mission.

We want families to have amazing experiences, create long-lasting memories and raise a whole generation of global citizens, but we’re equally passionate about giving back to local communities and helping women and children worldwide.

We’re currently focusing on a couple of projects on the Brazilian Amazon, but are hoping to expand soon, including a partnership with Planeterra Foundation and a couple of other amazing organizations.

We’re a Pending B Corporation, which is a certification for for-profit businesses dedicated to social and environmental issues.

What exactly does it mean to be a “global citizen” and why do you think it’s important?

Global citizens are mindful and globally aware. They are appreciative of other cultures and traditions and stand up for those who are vulnerable.

As I mention on this post, raising a child today comes with an extra challenge. We’re parenting our children for a world that is seamlessly connected in many ways, yet deeply divided in certain fundamental aspects. The world craves peace, harmony and understanding. And we need empathy to achieve that. Empathy starts with curiosity and an open mind, and translates into kindness and compassion. These are all traits of good global citizens.

Family travel is a powerful tool to nurture these values in our children. It fosters curiosity and an open-mind, broadening their horizons and cultivating empathy. It also teaches our kids to be more resilient and resourceful.

How much have your two girls traveled with you?

They’ve been traveling with me since they were infants (and in the womb before that).  :-) Now, Sofia is turning 8 at the end of March and Julia turned 6 in January, and they’ve been to 14 countries and counting. Some of our favorite family travel experiences include cruising in the Amazon and visiting the Iguazu falls in Brazil; exploring Singapore; hiking in Switzerland; visiting the Orangerie museum and re-creating Monet’s waterlilies at a local art studio in Paris; getting to know the artisans of Oltrarno in Florence; making pasta and truffle hunting at a villa in rural Umbria; and eating our way through Spain (where we lived for 4 years).

Can you think of a specific moment traveling with your girls when you thought to yourself, “See, this is why I do this!”?

There are so many little moments. I feel my girls are generally very aware of their surroundings, which is fascinating to me. They are always ready to help a friend in need or a stranger on the street. Even though neither is particularly outgoing (my youngest is actually very shy), they are very open and make friends everywhere we go.

The educational component is impressive too. I’m always surprised at how much they retain and remember. I’m not just talking about landmarks such as the Eiffel tower and the Coliseum, but little moments that shape their character and worldview. They might not remember all the details correctly, but the discussions that stem from their memories are always fun and wonderful. For instance, when Julia was 5 she asked me if I remembered the turtles we’d seen in China. She’s never been to China (she was remembering the Amazon), but she went on to say how much she loved it and how great it was to help the turtles swim, etc. She was only 3 when we visited the Amazon. Yet, she was reliving that unique moment nearly two years later.

Because you have traveled with your family so much, I’m sure you have a least one funny family travel story! Can you share one?

Funny is relative, right? Most weren’t funny at the time (at least not to one of us :)).

For instance, we once got one upgrade to first class. My husband quickly volunteered to take the seat and bring Sofia with him. She was 8 or 9 months at the time and a pretty good traveler, especially on an overnight flight, as it was. Well, apparently she fussed and cried the entire flight. I was oblivious to it all and happy as a clam watching movies and enjoying some baby-free time in coach.

My daughters used to be terrible on road trips. One would invariably get car sick and throw up.

We once drove from Madrid to Lisbon. As we got close to Lisbon and were about to cross the 25 de Abril bridge that leads into the city, my husband and I thought we were safe and clear and started celebrating a puke-free journey. 10 seconds later our youngest put an end to our celebration.

I just asked Sofia what she thought was our funniest travel story:

According to her, it was the time I slipped and almost fell into a lake in Switzerland.

She was 3 (!) and she remembers it because she was proud she saved me (I was holding her hand).

I don’t have kids yet, but I know that many people are scared or overwhelmed with the idea of traveling while they are pregnant and also when they have young children. How did you manage to overcome this and what are some tips for these people?

Traveling with little ones can be daunting, but a lot of it is managing expectations and preparing for success.

First of all, our children pick up on our state of mind. If you're stressed out, you bet your child will be anxious too.

I'm not saying that keeping your cool is a foolproof guarantee that your journey will be smooth, but it's certainly a great start.

Like parenting itself, it's makes it much easier if you're able to laugh at yourself every once in a while.

When things go wrong, know that other parents have been there. More often than not, you'll find kind souls to help you along the way.

I've had negative experiences, but the good ones certainly outweigh the bad.

I'd add that toddlers are by far the hardest to travel with. They're mobile, easily frustrated and can't fully express themselves.

Overnight flights work best for this age group.

Speaking of flights, do you have any tricks for flying with infants/toddlers/kids to help relieve the stress that parents (especially new parents) face on a plane?  

Always pack an extra outfit in your carry-on for everyone.

When the kids are little, those Aden & Anais soft swaddle blankets are lifesavers. They're the best and multipurpose, from nursing cover, to blanket to towel.

Likewise, a sarong for mom (or any woman, really) is a must. Something lightweight and large enough to wear over the shoulders as a shawl, as a scarf around your neck, or as a blanket on the plane.

Finally, remember to nurse or give a bottle to little ones at takeoff or landing to equalize and prevent ear pain. Raisins work well for toddlers who are not quite ready for gum.

More tips here: https://ourwholevillage.com/7-unique-tips-plane-travel-kids/

How does your family pack for trips? Do you each just have a carry-on? When the girls were younger, did you bring a stroller?

Funny you ask because my husband and I don't see eye to eye on this issue:

I'm a huge fan of packing light and flying carry-on whenever possible.

My husband is the opposite. He likes to check bags and not have to worry about them until we get to our destination.

I sometimes pack a carry-on for my daughters and myself and my husband checks his bag!

As far as packing tips, I just bought compression packing cubes and I'm super excited about them. Each family member gets a cube and makes it so much easier to unpack when we get to our destination, especially if they're in a different room.

When I had toddlers, I would take my Ergo carrier everywhere. With two, I'd also bring an umbrella stroller (simple and lightweight. Nothing fancy)

Let’s talk about your Our Whole Village tours...

I see on your website that you have some day walking tours, but also some full one-two week trips. On the full trips, is there a guide with the family the whole time?

Yes, full trips are small groups of up to 16-20 people (generally 3-5 families) and the group is  accompanied by a local English-speaking guide. Small groups are perfect for families. Kids get to make new friends, but there’s plenty of flexibility and time alone as a family.

How are these trips specifically designed to be good for families/kids?

We work with big and small operators alike, but they are all carefully vetted to make sure they are both family and eco-friendly. The itineraries are designed with families in mind and take both the kids’ and the parents’ needs into account, so they’re fun and enriching for everyone.

Our tour providers also share our commitment to conservation and sustainability, and they play an active role in their communities.

Are there any age restrictions for these trips?

The bigger operators usually require that kids be 5 or older.

Others do not have an age restriction per se, but we work with them to define “recommended” ages. We want families to make the most of their trip.

Do these trips include transportation, accommodations, and some meals?

Yes, they include in-country transportation, accommodations and some meals, as noted on each itinerary. International flights are not included.

What are a couple of your most popular trips/tours?

Our most popular trips have been the Brazilian Amazon cruises, and our most popular tours are the Vatican and Ancient Rome tours.

Thank you so much for letting me interview you! What final tips do you have for parents who want to travel as a family with a focus on global citizenship?

Start from home. Get a map or a globe, cook international recipes, read plenty of books about the world, talk about other customs and cultures. 

The first thing our subscribers receive is our e-book "Around the World in 12 Recipes" so they can start having fun and exploring from their kitchens. You can sign up here. 

If you want to travel with your kids, go check out Our Whole Village! There are so many interesting tours to choose from, all over the world, and the blog is full of helpful information for parents and family travel. Use the coupon code 'GETOUTOFTOWN10' at checkout for a 10% discount on any tour or 'GETOUTOFTOWN' $100 off any multi-day trip! 

Happy family travels!

-Jessica