We love meeting and finding out more about other family travellers. Today, we are introducing the Kid Bucket List Family who travel as much as they can around holidays. Here’s what they have to say
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What is your family travel? Full-time, part-time, digital nomads etc.
Our family fits travel around our school and work commitments, seeking out adventures in our afternoons and evenings, weekends and school holidays. With a healthy dose of long service leave up our sleeves, we’ve also been able to extend some of our holidays to enjoy them over a month or two.
2.How has your travel style changed since becoming a family?
I always thought that when we had kids that they would slip seamlessly into our fast paced travel lifestyle. I was so naive! Our kids have taught us to slow down the pace, spread out the adventure and take time to stop and smell the daisies along the way. Whilst spontaneity still exists to some degree, the kids have ultimately enriched our travel experience and taught us to work towards different goals – hence the Kid Bucket List!
3.What was your babies’ first trip? Why did you chose to go there? What were the highlights/lowlights etc?
Our very first trip as a family was to Hamilton Island in Queensland, Australia when our son was a mere three months old. T was best man at his best mate’s wedding so we never considered not going. We had an amazing time with the trip reinforcing two things: 1. that we could travel easily with kids if we just planned a little and maintained our cool and, 2. an Ergobaby carrier would keep us sane!
https://kidbucketlist.com.au/2014/07/24/travelling-with-baby-a-family-trip-to-hamilton-island/
4. What is your favourite family travel gadget and why?
My iphone has been my constant travel gadget for the last 8 or so years. I can download the perfect apps for each destination, search for good cafes to eat at on the go and even take images if I forget my Olympus PEN!
5. What is your favourite family travel destination and why?
That almost feels like you are asking me to choose my favourite child! It’s so hard! Of course Australia is the ultimate family destination as it has such a variety of different places to visit from the lush, untouched wilderness and wildlife abundant island of Tasmania to the Northern Territory where wrangling a crocodile just might be on the itineray; or you may prefer to swim with Whale Sharks in Ningaloo or snorkel the Great Barrier Reef? It has it all and you’re spoilt for choice.
6. What is the most family friendly accommodation you have ever visited?
I must put it out there and say that we are a family who don’t seek out accommodation styles that might suit other family travellers. We don’t use kid clubs and we have always been happy to cosleep so haven’t been phased if cots and the like haven’t been supplied. We do find that AirBNB provides the luxury of an entire home in places where we need a little space.
7. Family travel bloggers can be guilty of showing only the good stuff – what is your worst family travel experience?
We travelled to the Sunshine Coast in Queensland around two years ago now where we all became ill in a domino effect. Striker started by vomiting consistently every hour for 12 hours which spread to Sunshine. I then found myself with tonsilitis. When I went to the doctor he wanted me to go straight to hospital which I declined and ended up with two jabs in each buttock. We spent 7 days inside our hotel, sending T out to the chemist regularly. It was horrendous.
8. What are your top three tips for other families who wish to travel?
Less is more when it comes to travelling with kids. If you jam pack your itinerary so you don’t miss anything your kids will probably end of tired and cranky. Take things slowly. We’ve found this approach has led to some of our biggest surprises.
Pack light and invest in packing cubes. I know, I know, you feel you might just need that extra jacket in case it gets cold in Doha. We’re currently exploring Europe on an 8 week trip with one check in suitcase. Yes, one. It makes taxis, buses, trains and ….. staircases easy to maneuver and I know that we aren’t going to wear everything! Before I leave home I cull our packing in half….twice to three times over. Even then I find we don’t wear everything.
Do your research. This starts before you even leave. Stalk the airlines for good fares, know what the average price is and when the offers are likely to come out. Work out where the locals eat at your destination. Seek out the interesting places. Know the local etiquette and learn at least 3-4 phrases. This will help you interact.
9. What do you wish you had known or done before starting family travel?
That there is no right age, just a right now and that when people tell you it will go so quickly (as in the kids growing up) they’re absolutley spot on.
10. What are your future family travel plans?
We’re currently in the Balkans and will be heading back to Sydney, Australia in September. We have a few Australian travel destinations on our list for adventure this year with plans for either a Spain / Portugal trip or East Coast USA in 2018 (If I can get the whole family on board). I also have this hazy plan of maybe Iceland or Taiwan. We’ll see what happens in the NEw Year
Thanks for taking part Kid Bucket List. If you would like to read more about their adventure check out their blog or follow them on Facebook or Instagram.