Family travel wish list

I always have a list as long as my arm of all the places that I want to visit in the world, and I feel so lucky that we live in the UK. It’s such a great location for exploring the world, as so many countries are within a short plane ride. My parents are well travelled, and I’m in awe of my mum as she hasn’t let my dad’s passing stop her from exploring. She has planned trips to India, Israel and Japan within the next year, and I just think that she is amazing. My parents loved taking us to new places, and I love nothing more than being somewhere new with Jared and my little people.

We have a few travel plans for this year – in July we are going to Tenerife, in August we are going to our first festival with friends and Jared is going to Istanbul in September with some of my family. I have always wanted to have some surf lessons, and I’m hoping to book a few in over the summer holidays. I’ve had a couple of lessons in the past, and it’s something I know that I will love – I’ve just been waiting for the right time.

I do ask the boys if there is anywhere or anything that they really want to see, and I love hearing what they come out with. For a long time Winston’s number one destination has been the NASA Kennedy Space Center in Florida, and Rufus and Otto are both desperate to see dolphins and whales swimming in the wild. I’m really hoping that we can tick off Ru’s and Otto’s whilst we’re in Tenerife, and we’re making plans for Win’s too.

My travel wish list changes frequently, but there are a few that nag away at me, and hopefully I will have a lifetime to fulfil them:

Barcelona – I know lots of people that have been to Barcelona, and they just rave about it. So many people seem to return to Barcelona too, so I suppose I want to see what all the fuss is about.

Japan – I’ve done a lot of research into visiting Japan and everything about it intrigues me. It will be a really expensive trip, so it won’t be for a while. I also want the boys to be older, so we can do everything when we’re there.

Machu Picchu – Jared laughs at my current obsession with Peru and Machu Picchu, but it is very real. I find myself looking at pictures of it – just staring at it. It looks unbelievable.

Norway – Specifically the Norwegian Fjords. We were so close to booking a trip to Norway, but decided to wait until the boys were a little older.

Plitvice Lakes, Croatia – I visited Plitvice National Park as a student, and slept in a car for a whole week (!) I am desperate to take Jared and the boys to see it. Everything about it was magical, and I remember feeling so emotional the whole time I was there.

Iceland – Like Norway, we have been very close to booking a trip to Iceland but want to wait until Jasper is a little older, as there are certain things that we couldn’t do with a baby in tow.

The Lakes – I haven’t been to the Lakes for years, and it’s a part of the country I forget about. Go on a boat ride and go on a hike – it’s so peaceful and just stunning.

The Caribbean – Anywhere. The amazing weather is a real pull, as well as all the beautiful nature and scenery.

Where would you most like to take your family?

E xx