Hi, we're the De Dominicis'! I'm Viktoria of @viktoriawanders, wife of @ryan_domenico and mama to Lia and Oliver. 

Originally from Chicago, I travelled the globe chasing a bout of wanderlust for years before meeting my British/Italian husband in Melbourne in 2013. Continuing with the backpacker lifestyle, we split ways and met back up in 2015 in South America, falling in love with not only each other but nature and hiking. 

Wanting to prolong our adventurous lifestyle, we decided to move to New Zealand, where we could work, explore and continue to date without visa issues. Six and a half years later, we are still here, loving the life we've built for ourselves and our family.

Where do you live? 

Ryan: We live in Queenstown on the South Island of New Zealand. There is an endless list of things we love about this place, but at the top of the list is the beautiful scenery. To have the mountains on our doorstep is quite special. After living in windy Wellington for six years, we moved down here at the end of 2021, and we don't ever want to leave. 

I spent time reading, meditating and manifesting a beautiful, calm home birth in Queenstown. Frustrated at being a few days late, we took a family hike to one of our favourite spots in the gorgeous golden light. I think the uneven trail kick-started my labour, and the next morning, around 3am I woke up with surges. I watched a remarkable sunrise full of colour and peace, and I knew this was the day I would meet my son or daughter. 

I distracted myself throughout the day by imagining our little one arriving at night. Sometime around 7pm, the surges became more intense and just before 8pm I climbed into the birth pool set up in my bedroom in front of the french doors overlooking our garden. From there, everything ramped up and just after 10pm we welcomed our son amongst the most beautiful playlist, candles and twinkling lights. 

It was everything I dreamt of and more. We climbed into our own bed and woke up with our son beside us. It's a moment I'll never forget. 

A few days a week, Lia goes to kindy and I'll run errands or go for long walks with Oliver. Ry helps out when I'm struggling with the two, and he is the chef of the house, so he's always cooking up something delicious. 

We love popping into town for coffees, playground time and a stroll or up to the gondola for a ride on the luge. We try to squeeze in hiking and camping trips as much as we can, and we are slowly figuring them out with two littlies. 

What is your favourite travel destination for families in New Zealand? 

Ryan: Our favourite place in New Zealand is Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. The scenery is incredible and easily accessible for families with trails that your little ones can walk. You're surrounded by the tallest mountains in New Zealand with glaciers down to village level. The drive into the park is equally beautiful with great photo opp stops along the way, and it's a great place to try out camping with a drive-in campsite with toilets and an indoor spot to cook. 

Parenting life is all go. What do you do to fill your cup? 

Viktoria: Filling my cup includes self-care, which right now means a long, hot shower, going for walks and chats with friends. I try to find time for my yoga mat, and when we put the kids to bed early, Ry and I will have a late dinner and movie date. With no family in the country, it can be very hard to find time for ourselves, but we make sure we do. Ryan loves to rock climb and is often climbing crazy peaks when a moment arises, and we have dinner parties as often as we can. If all else fails, just getting outside with the mountain views helps immensely. 

What are your plans as a family this Easter?

Viktoria: As someone who grew up in the States, going all out for holidays is in my blood. I love creating magic for my kids, and Easter is no different. I fill eggs, hide them around the house, and hide a basket full of treats and toys. Then we feast on a big brunch with mimosas for the adults. This year we're inviting our rad Uncle and Aunt and doing all the above!