I love learning about families who travel whether those families travel abroad or at home. This week we are meeting the Newby Tribe who have been fearlessly exploring the UK with their children! I can’t wait to read their story and learn about their time exploring at home which can often be overlooked by travellers and holidaymakers alike!
What is your family travel? Full-time, part-time, digital nomads etc?
We are definitely part time travellers. As both children are in school full time we can only take trips out when they have holidays – although we would love to travel more in the future.
How has your travel style changed since becoming a family?
Our travel style has changed dramatically since becoming a family. When it was only the 2 of us, we used to travel extensively – sometimes 5 or 6 times a year we would go abroad. However, 2 years ago we adopted a 3 and 5 year old so have had to think more carefully about what we do and where we go. So far we have only done travelling in the UK with them, although this will be changing in October when we go on our first foreign travel aboard a cruise ship!
What was your baby(ie)’s first trip? Why did you chose to go there? What were the highlights/lowlights etc?
Our very first trip as a family of 4 was a week away in Dorset, 4 months after the children came home. We chose to go there because we knew it really well and our in-laws were going to be there at the same time. The absolute lows of it were that we had booked a holiday on a holiday camp for the first time ever and it was horrible! Really dirty and everything was sticky – we only stayed for 2 hours before I was on the phone finding a lovely cottage for the week. The highlights were showing the children some of our favourite places in beautiful Dorset.
The Newby Tribe
Our favourite is the very simplistic BubbleBum child booster seat. We take it everywhere with us (one in pink and one in blue) so that when we want to get out and about in taxis, on trains or in family cars the children are safe and are able to see out of the windows!
What is your favourite family travel destination and why?
Although we haven’t taken the children yet, our favourite family travel destination is Orlando in Florida. Paul and I went for 3 weeks a few years ago and fell in love with the family feel, the safety and of course Disney. We will be taking the children there in 3 years time as our first big family holiday!
What is the most family friendly accommodation you have ever visited?
The most family friendly was the Novotel in Brentford. It was amazing! When we arrived they greeted the children as well as us, gave the children a goody bag and even the restaurant had ipads and computer games for them to use. We will definitely be going back there.
Family travel bloggers can be guilty of showing only the good stuff – what is your worst family ravel experience?
Our worst family travel experience was definitely to a holiday park a few years ago. I’m not normally one to fuss, but I could barely set foot in the room. When I picked up the remote control to turn on the TV for the children it was sticky – not a good start! There was mould on the windows, the curtains had burns in them and the whole place smelt damp. There was no way I was letting the children stay there!
What are your top three tips for other families who wish to travel?
My tips are: prepare the children for where you are going before hand – show them some photos of the room, pool and areas you are likely to visit. If you are going in the UK, travel late at night – it’s so much easier to pop children to bed in a strange room if they are already mostly asleep! And finally, get the children to pack a small rucksack with must have toys!
What do you wish you had known or done before starting family travel?
I wish we had done all of the things in my top tips. It took us about 4 trips before we finally got everything sorted!
What are your future family travel plans?
We are off on a cruise ship in October which we are all looking forward to as it includes a lovely play scheme for the children. If it all goes well then we will look at doing a cruise once a year!
Thanks for taking part in our interview series Newby Tribe! If you would like to learn more about them then why not check out their blog or follow them on social media Facebook: