From Wanderlust to Parenthood: Embracing the Adventure

I’ve always loved to travel. My twenties were spent planning, scraping together pennies and maximizing vacation allowances to get the most out of my time. I was lucky enough to spend weeks in Portugal during the summer months, explore Iceland in the winter, ski in Mammoth (although my family will tell you, somewhat unsuccessfully!) and staying by the beach in Southern California. I have worked and lived in New York, cruised in the Norwegian fjords and dined on amazing food in Istanbul.

Sedona, Arizona - almost at the top of the Devil's Bridge Trail, a hike that in my opinion, wasn't for beginners!

The passion comes from my Grandfather. He made the effort to learn popular phrases in the language of the country he visited, he travelled the world extensively and he spent years of his life between Nairobi, San Diego and the UK with work. My grandparents had a house on the Algarve during my childhood, and as I grew older, Granddad would set me challenges – he would pay for my flights as long as I could find deals for under $50. In those days, it was possible to fly from London to Faro incredibly cheaply, and I always managed to make it work. I sped from my office to the train, making a Friday afternoon flight by the skin of my teeth and felt the sun on my skin by the evening. A week in Portugal was never enough.

Once I had my children, I was told that travel would have to sit on the back burner. Its too hard, people said. They don’t like kids on aeroplanes, they muttered. Its more trouble than its worth! My grandfather was gone by then, and the appeal wore slightly as I set about raising two boys under two. The itch never left though, and I often found myself researching flights, looking at hotel deals or browsing home rental sites for diamonds - always located in new places that needed adding to the list. Promises between me and my husband of not travelling this year, and staying home to save money, were always dashed.

Torrey Pines North Beach, San Diego - at sunset. One of our favourite places in the world

During times we couldn’t travel internationally, we managed to find work arounds, and were able to explore the Scottish Highlands and Isle of Sky on a fantastic road trip with our small boys. More recently, we have spent a year living in San Diego, and as I write, our belongings are on a boat crossing the Atlantic as we prepare to move back to the South of England.

My long and winding point? It can be done. The secret? Its not that hard. Foster that love in your children and you’ll have a lifetime of memories together. Even the ones where your two year old stank out a long haul flight thanks to a terrible, terrible nappy. But that’s another story!

So to everyone who thinks having children limits your travel plans? Challenge accepted.