Who are we?

Hey there! We’re Tia, Miguel, Riley, and Sophie—the family behind Suitcases & Serenity. Oh, and let’s not forget our fluffy sidekick, Chrissy the cat! 

We’re a travel-loving family based in Melbourne, Australia, with a passion for adventure, freedom, and creating unforgettable memories. In 2024, we spent a year living in Portugal, where Riley played soccer, and both kids immersed themselves in the culture, attending school to learn the language. From road-tripping in Australia to exploring the world, we believe in making life an adventure—not just something you escape from.

We’re here to inspire and empower families, travel lovers, and freedom seekers to break free from the 9-5, explore more, and design a life they love. Through our experiences, travel tips, and online business insights, we’ll show you how to create more time, freedom, and adventure—without sacrificing what matters most.

Join us as we chase sunsets, explore new horizons, and help you do the same. Ready to turn your wanderlust into a lifestyle? Let’s go!

Our Mission:

We believe life is a journey meant to be explored—one destination at a time. Our goal is to inspire you to take that leap of faith, create lasting memories, and design a life of adventure and freedom.

When we started, we had zero experience in building a website or working online. But we knew one thing—we wanted more for our family. We dreamed of breaking free from the daily grind, and traveling the world, with no time restrictions. We wanted our kids to experience the world beyond four walls because the world is our greatest teacher.

People always say, “Once you have kids, you won’t be able to travel like that.” But we refuse to believe that. Having kids doesn’t mean giving up on your dreams—it means showing them what’s possible.

That’s why we started Suitcases and Serenity. Not just to document our travels, but to help others break free from the 9-5, build an online business, and create a life filled with joy, purpose, and adventure.

A little about each of us.

Hi, I’m Tia, I’m an Aussie, a self-proclaimed tidy freak, and a travel addict with a love for new foods and new adventures. Growing up in Wodonga, VIC, a country border town, my family sparked my love for travel with frequent holidays in timeshare around Australia and New Zealand – especially camping trips. I spent some time living in Brisbane, Queensland, before packing my bags in 2003 and traveling solo to the UK to work, live, and explore Europe. My journey didn’t stop there! In 2006, I ventured to Calgary, Alberta in Canada, and eventually settled in Melbourne in 2009 to pursue my studies. I have a degree in  Youth Work and AOD (Alcohol & Other Drugs) and Endorsed Enrolled Nurse (EEN), I also welcomed my two kids, Riley and Sophie, into the world.

In 2013, I married Miguel, who’s from Portugal, and together, we’re building a life full of travel and adventure. Over the years, I’ve done many forms of travel—backpacking, hostels, cruising, and now, with the kids, we love staying in apartments, and hotels, and enjoying the flexibility of car rentals and our trusty suitcases. I pride myself on being a budget traveler, but I also know how to sprinkle in some luxury here and there!

Now, I’m transitioning from nursing to working purely online so my family can spend more time together and create more memories. 

Meet Miguel, Born and raised in Porto, Portugal, Miguel spent 10 years living in Fuerteventura, the Canary Islands, Spain, before moving to Melbourne, Australia to start a new chapter. He became an Aussie citizen in 2018—though he still has a thick accent.

Miguel has a great sense of humor and a love for the outdoors. He’s all about seafood, travel, camping, fishing, hunting, and 4×4 driving—he’d do this every day if he could!

Before the injury, Miguel worked as a concreter. But in 2016, life threw him a curveball with a serious head injury. The years followed were filled with medical appointments and medications, but he’s now back to a new normal. Thankfully, his sense of humor remains as strong as ever.

Meet Riley, Riley’s journey began with a bang—arriving early at 30 weeks, weighing just 1.2kg (2.6lbs). Despite a rough start and multiple surgeries, he’s proven just how resilient he is, bouncing back with courage and determination.

A thoughtful, wise soul with a bit of shyness, Riley loves asking questions and is fascinated by history. His true passion, though, is soccer—he spent a year in Portugal playing and learning the language. Riley also loves exploring new places, making new friends, and showing off his magic and card tricks. A thrill-seeker at heart, he’s always ready for any daredevil ride that comes his way! Plus, through their travels, he’s developed a love for trying new and exotic foods.

Meet Sophie, Sophie is our princess—sassy, stubborn, and full of life! Her wittiness lights up any room, and her infectious laughter radiates happiness wherever she goes. She’s a chatty one, always talking and sharing, and she loves being outdoors, ready for any adventure that comes her way. She’s constantly asking, “Where will we go next?”

Sophie loves school, especially catching up with her best friend Alana (they’re inseparable!). During our time in Portugal, Sophie crushed learning Portuguese and quickly made new friends. She’s also very tall and has boundless energy.

An animal lover at heart, Sophie enjoys drawing, crafting, and baking, with dreams of becoming an actress one day. She’s always eager to try new things, making her the perfect adventure buddy!