Mia: "My most expensive vacation was 15,000 euros for 5 days, and I have no regrets"

The most expensive decision ever

I am married to Jacob and mother of Ilona (5) and Mike (9). Last year we did something we never dared before: we booked a trip to the Maldives. Totally insane! Six days, five nights, and an amount that still gives me an error when I say it out loud: 15,000 euros. A completely absurd amount, our friends agreed. But I'll be honest: I don't regret it for a second. It was the most expensive, but also the most magical (short!) week of our lives.

Jacob and I had been talking about it for years

Before we had children, the Maldives was our shared dream. Then we had children and said: "Later, when the kids are older, when we've saved more, when there's time". Time passed. Later became later and later. When a colleague suddenly fell ill, I said: "I'm not waiting for later, it never comes". The moment had arrived. We didn't go for practical, but for paradise. All in! And it turned out to be the best choice we ever made. We discussed it with the children, showed them videos of the turquoise water, and they got so excited. That's when I knew: this is going to be a memory for life.

Arriving in paradise

The flight was long, but the moment I caught a glimpse of that turquoise water, I was sold. It felt like we were stepping into a postcard. We were picked up by a seaplane that flew over the islands, Mike was glued to the window. It was truly very special! Ilona exclaimed, 'Mom, look! The water is blue with sparkles!' And it really seemed so. This was unforgettable. I took dozens of photos and videos.

Our resort was located on a small private island with only twenty cottages

We had a water villa with a glass floor, so you could see the fish swimming underneath. Every morning, a tray with toast, fresh fruit, coffee, and coconut water floated in the pool. When we went to the Maldives, we did it in style. We spared no expense and chose everything. In the evenings, Jacob and I sat on the terrace, with our feet in the sea, while the children still played with their shovels in the sand. It felt almost surreal: no cars, no rush, no noise. Just silence, waves, and an endless horizon.

We knew that such villas could cost up to 1,500 to 2,000 dollars per night

I suddenly understood why. It's not just luxury, it's pure tranquility, as if the world stops turning for a moment. Even Mike, who normally can't sit still for a minute, was staring at the horizon for a long time. He usually does a lot of DIY. As if he, just like us, and everyone else, realized that this was something special. Because it was.

What we all did

We didn't do much in the traditional sense, but we truly lived. Our days started with a dip in the warm water, followed by breakfast with mangoes, coconuts, and heart-shaped pancakes. The kids snorkeled for the first time. Mike spotted a turtle. I went diving with Jacob among the coral reefs for a while. So many colors, so much life. One evening, we had a private dinner on the beach. Definitely a bucket list item. A table in the sand, surrounded by candles. I thought: what a privilege it is to see this. To be here. Those moments with the four of us, away from the world, that's something money can't buy.

We did not visit any store

Mainly watched, felt, and enjoyed. I learned how little we actually need to be happy. It sounds contradictory, I know. A beach, some time, and each other, that was all it was. Of course, under idyllic conditions. Even the children didn't ask for screens or toys, they built castles and named fish. And I thought: this is how parenting should be. Everyday life. Just chill, full of joy.

The price of happiness

When we got home, it felt almost surreal. The jet lag was intense, but there was a peace over our family. People asked: “Fifteen thousand euros? For five days? Are you crazy?” Maybe. But I would do it all over again tomorrow. We had no screens, no arguments, no rush. The kids were outside all day, with sand in their hair and salt on their skin. In the evening, they fell asleep naturally, something that rarely happens at home. Jacob and I talked again, really talked. Not about work or groceries, but about dreams, about the future, about us. And would all that have happened at a campsite in Texel? I wonder...

I now understand that such vacations do more than just relax

They reset your entire family. They show how small your worries actually are, and how big the world is. And somewhere I also felt pride: that we had the courage to do this, even though everyone thought we were crazy. I never imagined that a vacation could have such an impact. Not because of what we saw, but because of what we felt. I learned that happiness sometimes lies in letting go of what is 'sensible'.
We no longer save for things, but for memories.

Since that trip, we plan more consciously

Not three short weekend getaways, but one special trip per year. The kids are still talking about it. It has had such an impact. A kind of culture or country shock. Mike asked, "Will we ever go back?" And I said, "Maybe not to that island, but to that feeling." That feeling of being completely together, without distractions, without time. I've learned that money spent on experiences rarely leads to regret. And that true wealth sometimes smells like salt water and sunscreen.

What I hope will stick

I'm not sharing this to boast. I know it's a lot of money, maybe even unwise. But I believe that if you have to choose between spending money on things or on time together, you should choose the latter. Because memories don't wear out. And now, when I see the photos of the blue sea and my children's laughter, I think one thing: every euro was worth it.