In just a few short weeks, we’ll be setting off on what feels like the adventure of a lifetime. Over 43 days, we’ll travel through nine countries on a trip we’ve been dreaming about for years. We saved for this trip through Covid and home renovations and now it’s finally becoming real!
One thing that made planning a little easier is that many of the destinations are places we’ve visited before, such as London and Amsterdam. Normally we’re all about discovering somewhere new, but this time familiarity feels like it could be a gift. In our experience, travelling with kids changes things. So, knowing our way around a city, understanding the transport system, or already having a favourite cafรฉ in mind gives us confidence and helps take some of the stress out of the unknown.
Of course, that doesn’t mean we haven’t spent months researching and planning!
Like many travellers these days, we’ve found plenty of inspiration through Instagram and Facebook. We’ve created Google Maps lists packed with places we want to visit, restaurants we want to try, and viewpoints we don’t want to miss. We’ve even used AI chats to help brainstorm itinerary ideas (although we always double-check distances and locations ourselves).
And because we’re complete travel-planning nerds, we also have a very detailed Excel spreadsheet containing just about everything.
But our favourite round-the-world family adventure planning tool has actually been our living room wall.
To get the kids involved in planning, we stuck sheets of paper across the wall and sketched out a giant calendar covering every day of the trip. Then we cut up small rectangles of paper and wrote down all our ideas, including how much time each activity would take and roughly what it would cost. Armed with Blu Tack and a growing pile of little paper notes, we started building our adventure one day at a time.
It looks slightly chaotic. But it’s been brilliant so far. The kids can physically move activities around, compare options, and help make very important decisions, like: Lego Land or Disneyland Paris. Or the London Eye or Tower Bridge Walkway.
Suddenly the trip wasn’t something Mum and Dad were planning. It became our trip.
Are we over planning our round-the-world family adventure?
We haven’t planned every hour, or even every day. That’s not how we like to travel. But with some of Europe’s most popular attractions requiring bookings 30 to 60 days in advance, we knew we had to make some decisions early.
For us, planning isn’t about removing spontaneity. It’s about making sure we don’t miss out on the experiences we’d regret skipping.
In fact, one question keeps coming up whenever we’re deciding whether something deserves a place on the itinerary: “Will we regret it if we don’t do it?”
It’s a simple question, but it’s helped us prioritise what matters most.
That doesn’t mean we’ve forgotten about the practical stuff. We’ve intentionally built in time for rest days, slower mornings, and the occasional afternoon with absolutely no plans. We’ve even scheduled accommodation with a washing machine every five or six days because we’re hoping to travel with just three carry-on bags and one checked suitcase between the four of us.
Ambitious? Probably.
Worth attempting? Absolutely.
Over the past few months, this trip has become a regular topic of conversation. We’ve discussed ideas on the walk to school, around the dinner table, while driving, and even in the shower. Every conversation has added another piece to the puzzle.
And now, after eight years of saving, dreaming, researching and planning, we’re finally almost ready to go
.We know this will be a once-in-a-lifetime trip for our family.
So yes, we’ve planned carefully. Yes, we’ve colour-coded spreadsheets. And yes, we’ve covered our living room wall with paper and Blu Tack.
But more than anything, we’ve spent time imagining the memories we want to create together.
Now it’s almost time to go and make them.
Make sure you follow the fun starting 19 June!
Leave a Reply