Remember Europe? | October 2023 #Shorts

A look back at our October 2023 Europe trip: the moments, mistakes, and memories that still make us smile, plus tips for planning your own autumn getaway.

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#Europe travel#Paris#October 2023#couple travel#travel memories#Shorts

Some trips stay with you long after the suitcases are unpacked. For us, October 2023 in Europe is one of those. We put together a quick #Shorts video to look back on it, and honestly, it took about three seconds of scrolling through old clips before we both said, "Remember Europe?"

If you want the short version, you can watch the video on YouTube. If you want the longer, more honest version, with the details a 60-second clip can't hold, keep reading.

Why October Is Our Favourite Month to Travel

We're from Mississauga, so we know a thing or two about October. The leaves turn, the air gets crisp, and then everything starts to feel grey. Leaving Ontario in the fall to find golden light in Europe felt like cheating.

October is a sweet spot for European travel. The summer crowds have thinned, the prices drop a little, and the weather is cool enough that you can walk all day without melting. For two people who love to wander with no fixed plan, that's perfect. Samantha always packs a scarf she swears she won't need, and she always needs it. Amir always underpacks layers and spends the first evening shivering and pretending he's fine.

The Moments That Stuck With Us

A Shorts video can't capture everything, but here's what we keep coming back to:

Slow mornings. Some of our best moments weren't at landmarks. They were at small cafés, sharing a pastry and watching the city wake up. Samantha grew up around food that's fresh, simple, and deeply tied to family, so she's always drawn to the places where locals actually eat. Amir will follow her anywhere if there's bread involved.

Getting a little lost. We've learned that the wrong turn is often the best part of the day. Some of our favourite photos came from side streets we only found because we ignored the map.

Seeing the same sights through different eyes. We come from very different backgrounds, Vietnamese and Punjabi, and we notice different things. Samantha pays attention to markets, flavours and how people gather around food. Amir notices architecture, public spaces, and how a city moves. Travelling together means we get two trips in one.

What We'd Tell You Before You Go

We've made our share of mistakes, and we'd rather you learn from ours. A few tips from our own experience:

Don't over-schedule. It's tempting to book every hour. Leave gaps. The unplanned afternoon is often the one you'll remember.
Wear shoes you've already broken in. European cities are beautiful and they are hard on your feet. Cobblestones add up fast.
Book the big sights ahead. Even in October, popular attractions can sell out. Reserve the ones you really care about and keep everything else flexible.
Learn a few phrases. A simple "hello," "please" and "thank you" in the local language goes a long way. People notice the effort, and they respond with warmth.
Carry a small day bag you feel safe with. Busy tourist areas call for awareness. Keep valuables close and stay relaxed rather than paranoid.

If Paris is on your list, we learned a lot there, and we wrote about it. Our Top 10 Mistakes in Paris is the post we wish we'd read before landing, and What Surprised Us About Paris covers the things nobody warned us about, both good and bad.

Travelling as a Couple From Two Cultures

One thing we get asked about a lot is what it's like to travel as an interracial couple. Honestly, most of the time it's just joy: two people trying new food, taking too many photos and arguing lightly over directions. But it also shapes how we see the world. We bring our families' values with us, and we're always curious how other places do things differently.

If you're curious about that side of our journey, we've shared more in Traveling as an Interracial Couple: What We've Learned. It's honest about the good moments and the awkward ones.

Looking Back, Looking Ahead

A lot has changed since October 2023. Our life looks different now, with more diapers, more snacks in every bag, and a very small travel companion who has opinions about naps. Trips are slower and more intentional, and we plan around feeding schedules instead of opening hours. If you're thinking about big trips with little ones, our guide on what to know about flying long-haul from Toronto with young kids shares what we've learned so far.

But that's what makes looking back so sweet. Before kids, before the busy routines, there was a crisp October in Europe and the two of us with nowhere to be. We're grateful we took that trip when we did, and grateful we filmed enough to remember it.

So tell us: what's the trip you still think about? Is there a month, a city or a meal that takes you right back? Leave a comment on the video or send us a message. We love hearing your stories, and we're always collecting ideas for where to go next.