A mum leaves her husband and kids at home as she goes on EIGHT solo holidays a year – and says it ‘makes her a better wife and mum.’
Huda Alvi, 39, loves to travel and has spent her 30s prioritizing ‘me time’ – calling her solo vacations “an act of self-love”.
She flies for up to five nights at a time and can spend up to $5,000 on each trip – from solo backpacking through Costa Rica and Colombia to sightseeing in Paris, France and dream cruises to explore Vietnam.
The mother of three makes sure she fills every trip with culture and adventure — whether it’s paragliding in the mountains of Guatemala, Mexico, or exploring Costa Rica on the back of a quad bike.
Huda says her solo travels ensure she is a better wife and mother, as she is more fulfilled, more rested and ‘fills her cup again.’
Huda, a lifestyle entrepreneur from Toronto, Canada, said: “My husband understands that travel is part of my DNA.
“I don’t need his permission to book a single trip as he knows I have to do it as part of my well-being.
“He and those around me see the effects that travel has on me – it makes me a better mother and wife, I’m fresher and emotionally available.
“For me, it’s an act of self-love, because you can’t pour from an empty cup.
“There’s something freeing about traveling alone because you can tailor a trip to you and explore at your own pace.
“Some people may find it strange that I leave my children and my husband alone on vacation, but that doesn’t bother me.
“I refuse to listen to society telling me ‘You can’t do this because you’re a mother.’
“I have four trips planned for 2025 and I can’t wait.”
After going through a divorce at the age of 22, Huda moved back with her parents to Toronto, Canada.
While working as a realtor, she navigated being a single mother of two.
“Being from a Muslim background, divorce was and still is considered a taboo subject,” said Huda.
“I felt a sense of failure when I got divorced and it hurt my confidence.
“But I focused on myself and my kids and built it brick by brick.”
After meeting her now-husband Yehhia Bub, 42, a firefighter, in October 2007, the pair married in August 2012.
They live together with Huda’s children – 17 and 19 – and Yehhia’s son, 18 – in Toronto, Canada.
Huda’s solo journey began in November 2018 with a five-hour flight from Toronto to California, USA, where she traveled from Malibu to Los Angeles and Monterey.
Huda has since explored Morocco, Italy, Colombia, Costa Rica, Vietnam and Paris.
She said: “Traveling in my 30s is the best thing I’ve ever done.
“It makes life more fulfilling and I’m more confident now than ever.
“Backpacking through Colombia and Costa Rica was one of the most incredible experiences because I had to keep my wits about me.
“When you travel alone, you’re not really alone, I like talking to people and making friends as I go.
“To stick to my budget when I’m traveling, I keep money in envelopes labeled ‘food’, ‘activities’ and ’emergency.’
But Huda and Yehhia make sure to take at least two trips a year alone without the kids to “keep the spark alive,” as well as one big trip as a blended family.
“I love traveling alone, it’s something I’ll never say I do, but traveling alone with Yehhia and I is just as important.
“It helps keep us connected and the spark alive.
“We’re going to a festival in Tulum, Mexico next January to feel young again.
“My daughter and I started traveling together to Portugal last year and Italy this year.
“It’s great for us to spend one-on-one time together and we’re building her confidence with the trips.
“It even inspired Yehhia and his son to take a road trip from California to Las Vegas this year!”
Huda documents her travels on social media and has over 97k followers on TikTok where she shares her tips for solo travel as well as her activity recommendations.
In 2016, Huda and her sister, Sana Alvi, 35, started travel company The Girls Trip, which helps women in their late 20s, 30s and mid-40s travel alone.
“I don’t care what other people think and I would recommend any mom who is curious to do the same, just book that trip,” Huda said.
“That’s why my sister and I started our travel company, to show women how empowering it is.
“It doesn’t have to be far, you can always build distance with time.
“I want to show my children the importance of independence and traveling for yourself.
“Solo travel may not be for everyone, but it makes me feel alive.
“Overall, it’s not the quantity of travel, it’s the quality of travel and what you get out of it.”
Follow Huda and Sana @the.girls.trip on Instagram
Adventures of Huda:
Halong Bay Luxury Cruise, Vietnam: $300 per night
Motorbike around Costa Rica: $20 per day
Massage at Dior Spa, Paris, France: $442
Paragliding in Guatemala, Mexico: $100
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Image Source : nypost.com