"We travelled to Northern Cyprus with our six-month-old in tow"

As a new mum, I wanted a unique but family-friendly experience that would also allow me to explore new cultures. And so my husband and I ventured off the beaten track to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

- CAM KHALID

When it comes to taking long-haul flights, I always pack extra clothes just in case things get messy - but I never expected a dreaded baby blowout right as the plane took off. Not only were my baby's clothes soiled, but so were my jeans.

Before becoming a mum, travelling was an integral part of my relationship with my husband. We explored unfamiliar grounds, immersed ourselves in different cultures, and sought thrilling experiences, from climbing up mountains in the winter to learning Welsh from the locals.

Yet, when we embraced the grandest adventure of all - parenthood - we knew sacrifices had to be made as we adjusted to our new roles. But we were determined to ignite our daughter's sense of wanderlust as soon as possible.

Travelling meant bidding farewell to sleep schedules and daily routines.

We knew this day would come, so we threw ourselves into the deep end early by regularly going on hikes, taking her to restaurants, and going on road trips. By five months, she had mastered the art of slumbering in any location, and we knew that she'd be ready for an overseas trip by six months.

TAKING THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED

For our first two-week adventure as a trio, we decided to start with Turkiye in late March. With the winter to spring transition, it's the perfect season to be out and about with a baby.

However, due to the devastating earthquake that happened earlier this year, we were advised to stick to family-friendly destinations such as Cappadocia and Istanbul.

With a strong desire to step off the beaten path, we added the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (Northern Cyprus for short) to our itinerary. It has connecting flights from Istanbul - the only way you can get there without crossing over from the Republic of Cyprus.