For German native Sarah Noack, motherhood never meant standing still. Three years ago, she set out on a journey that would redefine both travel and parenthood—becoming a solo mother traveling the world with her young daughter, who’s now four. What began as a decision to keep moving after separation turned into a way of life: one measured not by milestones, but by moments shared across continents.
Together, they’ve trekked the Camino, lived among Bedouin communities in the Jordanian desert, and danced at baby-friendly beach clubs—proof that adventure doesn’t end when motherhood begins. Along the way, Sarah has built a growing online community of women inspired by her resilience and openness, using her platform to show that it’s possible to build a meaningful, mobile life on your own terms.
In this conversation, she reflects on the realities of raising a child while exploring the world—offering an honest glimpse into the joys, challenges, and quiet strength behind one of the most inspiring modern travel stories we’ve come across.
Could you introduce yourself and your life before motherhood?
I’ve been traveling now with my daughter for almost three years full-time, but before I became a mom, I was working as a flight attendant. I’ve basically been traveling ever since I got out of school, and I studied media management while working as a flight attendant. Just before I got pregnant, I moved to Spain (to Valencia), which is where I met her dad. I finished my studies, then, when her dad and I separated, I decided to leave Spain and start traveling with her.
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How did your journey as a solo mother traveling the world first take shape?
It began because of the separation. I didn’t know where I wanted to live because I didn’t want to stay in Spain, and I didn’t want to stay in Germany. So I figured I just wanted to travel for a while to see where I wanted to be.
I’m not sure if there was ever a lightbulb moment when I realized, “Oh yeah, I could turn this into a full-time lifestyle.” I think it came more naturally and unplanned. The first trip was only planned for about three months, and I always returned to family and friends after three or four months. It just kind of developed from there. I don’t think there was one lightbulb moment—it was more that after each trip, I’d think, “Oh yeah, I could also go there.”
You’ve said that children are natural icebreakers. What does a typical day look like for you as a solo mother traveling the world with your daughter?
It depends a lot on where we are. When we started traveling, it was more like full-on backpacking. We’d wake up, have something planned for the day—like going sightseeing or hiking—and then we’d usually spend the whole day outside. We’d always watch the sunset somewhere and grab dinner at a street food market.
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Sometimes she’d fall asleep, especially when she was smaller. I always had her in the carrier, and she’d just sleep in there if she got tired. It was never a problem.
Do you have a favorite travel memory?
Yes, I think one of my favorite memories is definitely reaching the peak of a mountain in Nepal after hiking up for three days. That was my first hike with her, and it was a really special moment because I didn’t know I’d be capable of doing that with her on my back.
Another really special moment was when we reached the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. After walking the pilgrimage for two weeks, that was emotional and special. But even small interactions stay with me as good memories.
How would you describe the transition between traveling alone and traveling with your daughter?
I hadn’t extensively solo-traveled before, so traveling with her was really my first experience doing it alone. I mean, as a flight attendant, I sometimes walked through cities or did things solo, but it’s different.
When you’re traveling without kids, you have so much more flexibility—you can just decide to do things spontaneously. Now, you’re taking care of a little human, so you have to weigh things more carefully. But I’ve found that as a solo mother traveling the world, you actually immerse yourself in cultures far more deeply, because children are natural icebreakers.
I don’t think I would’ve connected with so many locals—especially women—if I hadn’t been traveling with my daughter. It’s just so natural to connect when you have a child with you. You see a softer, kinder side of every place. You really see the good in people. I’m not sure I would’ve seen it to the same extent without her.
You’ve chosen to keep your daughter’s face private online. what does protecting her privacy mean to you?
I’ve always hidden her face and never wanted to show it on social media. What traveling and being online have taught me is that the real world isn’t as dangerous as people think—the real danger is social media.
There are so many hateful, cruel people online. I’ve never met them in the real world! In three years of traveling, no one has ever told me in person that I’m selfish or crazy for doing this. That only happens online. I just want to protect her identity from that hate.
And beyond that, I’m aware of the dangers of AI and how images can be used. It’s just not worth the risk.
How has this lifestyle impacted your wellbeing—and your daughter’s?
I don’t have a perfect comparison to other kids, but when I see my mom, for example, she always says, “It’s crazy that she does that at her age, none of you girls did.” I think she’s quite developed for her age and very empathetic. I can certainly say it hasn’t harmed her development—it’s benefited it. Of course, every child is different, but for her, I just see positives.
For my own well-being, there was definitely a point where traveling really drained me. I realized I needed more stability—not in terms of location, but in having a proper routine. Constant travel can take a toll on your health. You eat quick snacks, sleep less, and the physical side of carrying everything (including her!) can be exhausting.
But it’s also made me stronger. As long as I keep a good routine—exercise, eat well, sleep enough—it works. When I’m visiting family and friends, I take time to rest and not overpack my schedule.
What advice would you give solo mothers nervous about traveling with their child?
The best advice I can give is to just go for it. Most people overthink it. If you overthink it too long, that’s the biggest obstacle. Once you’re out there, you’ll see how kind people really are.
There are so many moms who’ve traveled with their kids after seeing my content, and they always tell me they had the best experience. Start small. Don’t overpack. Don’t overthink. Take care of your health and wellbeing—it can be a lot—but don’t take it too seriously. Just try it.
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What’s next for you and your daughter?
I’d really like to have a home base soon, but I still want to keep traveling—especially now with my docuseries! What’s changed over the years is that this lifestyle has become my job through social media.
I’m getting more interested in how communities, especially mothers, live around the world, and I want to use my platform to pass them the mic. I’ve become more interested in sharing their stories rather than my own.
I want to advocate for mothers who live under policies that don’t protect them. My journey is shifting from backpacking for fun to something more purposeful. There’s not one that’s better—it’s just a natural evolution.
Next, we’re going to Kenya to visit a matriarchal village, then to Tanzania for a group trip, and maybe Rwanda. We’ll go back to Germany in December—we always spend Christmas with my parents. As for next year, I have no idea!
Sarah Noak’s Instagram and TikTok collectively hover near 120,000 followers, and, never one to pause too long, she is also launching a docu-series spotlighting motherhood across the globe. For many, she is an example of how to thrive, not just survive.
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Eibhlis Gale-Coleman is a travel writer from the UK. She has an ever-growing bucket list of “everywhere” and took her first solo trip abroad at 16 to volunteer in marine conservation.
