Why We Took a Year-Long International Family Travel Adventure
The Harsh Reality of Family Vacations
For most American families, vacation time is painfully limited—just two weeks a year for adults and a handful of school breaks for kids. And those school breaks? They also happen to be the most expensive, busiest times to travel. Between work, school, and the everyday chaos of life, carving out quality family time—let alone planning a family travel adventure—feels nearly impossible. But here’s the thing: family travel isn’t just about getting away. It’s about connection. Studies show that by the time our kids hit their teenage years, most parents spend less than an hour a day in direct interaction with them. Between school, sports, activities, and screens, those moments of deep conversation and real connection start to disappear. But stepping outside of routine—traveling together—can bring families back to what really matters.
Just a Normal Family Taking an Unusual Leap
We’re not influencers. We’re not full-time travelers. We’re just a regular family of four—mom, dad, and twin 13-year-olds—who realized that spring breaks and summer vacations weren’t enough. There was too much world we wanted to see, too many experiences we wanted to share as a family. And we knew that if we didn’t make a change, time would slip away faster than we could hold onto it. So, we did something kind of crazy.
The Bold Decision: A Year of Vacation - Our Family Fun Year
When the twins were 12, we took a leap. We sold our house, put everything in storage, and took an entire year off—no jobs, no school, just travel. Our goal? To finally experience international family travel for more than a week at a time, turning a dream family vacation into a full-year adventure as we traveled the world together. Over the course of 12 months, we explored 40 countries, from the savannas of Africa to the Great Wall of China, from the Arctic wonderland of Northern Finland to the vibrant streets of India. It wasn’t just a vacation—it was a complete reset.
Why We Chose International Travel
When we decided to take a year off for travel, we didn’t rule out exploring the U.S. In fact, we’ve had some incredible family trips within the country and still have so much more to see. But when we sat down and made a list of our dream destinations, one thing became clear—international locations dominated. Some of the places we’d always dreamed of visiting as a family, like Africa, Japan, and the Maldives, required long flights, extensive planning, and more time than a typical vacation allowed. We knew that in the years ahead, we’d have shorter school breaks and long weekends—perfect for exploring more of the U.S. But opportunities to take extended trips to far-flung destinations would be much harder to come by. So, we went all in. We focused on the places that felt like once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, the destinations that would be hardest to reach once work, school, and responsibilities took over again. From trekking through Nepal to watching the northern lights in Finland, our year of international family travel was about making the most of the time we had—while we had it.
More Than a Trip—A Life-Changing Experience
It wasn’t always easy. Long flights, unfamiliar foods, language barriers, and the inevitable exhaustion tested us in ways we never expected. But in between the chaos, something incredible happened. We reconnected. We had real conversations without distractions. We problem-solved together when things went wrong. We laughed, we argued, we marveled at the world around us. And through it all, we grew closer than ever. This journey wasn’t just about seeing the world—it was about strengthening our family bond in ways that everyday life never allowed.
How We Planned Our Family Fun Year
To make this trip truly ours, we let each family member have a say. Each of us made a list of 10 dream destinations, and we built our itinerary around those picks. Ash wanted Nepal. Lila dreamed of Japan. Cooper had his heart set on India. My dream was Antarctica—but when the cost became too high, we opted for Finland instead, chasing the northern lights in a glass-domed cabin. From safaris in Africa to exploring ancient ruins in South America, from the beaches of Australia to the castles of Europe, we made sure our journey reflected all of our interests. It was a mix of adventure, culture, history, and pure awe-inspiring moments.
Why We’re Sharing Our Story
Taking a full year off to travel internationally as a family, isn’t realistic for everyone. But we believe—wholeheartedly—that travel, in any form, has the power to bring families closer. Whether it’s a weekend getaway, a road trip, or a summer vacation, stepping away from routine to explore the world together is an investment in your family’s connection. Throughout our journey, we shared photos and snippets of our experiences with friends and family, but we were traveling too fast to share the full stories behind them. Since returning home, so many people have asked us for more details—how we planned it, what we learned, and the unforgettable moments that made it all worth it. This travel blog is our way of finally answering those questions, filling in the gaps, and reliving those incredible experiences with the people who followed along from afar. If you’ve ever dreamed of traveling more with your kids, of making more time for shared experiences, of breaking free from the daily grind—this blog is for you. We’ll be sharing the lessons we learned, the places we loved, the challenges we faced, and the unforgettable moments that made our international family travel adventure worth it. Because in the end, it’s not just about where you go. It’s about who you’re with and the memories you create together. And those? Those last a lifetime.
Welcome to Family Fun Year—our story, and maybe, the inspiration for yours.