Let’s be honest, the idea of slow travel with multiple kids sounds idyllic: sun-kissed beaches, enriching cultural experiences, and bonding moments under starry skies. The reality also involves sand EVERYWHERE, questionable translations of "please stop picking your nose," and enough lost flip-flops to populate a small island. But these 3 moms wouldn't have it any other way! Let’s find out why…
Meet the panel!
Vista, Michelle, Elodie. What do these three epic mums have in common (apart from all having beautiful names)? Their families have all spent time together in our Bali, Sintra and Syros locations. And they all have three kids each. Enough to take over a whole beachside cafe. I am going to prod them for the highs, lows, and hilariousness that accompanies their adventures together. Strap in folks!
💼 Packing Prodigies
OK, imagine you're packing for a year-long trip with your entire gang. What's the one item each kid insists on bringing that makes you roll your eyes every time? Bonus points for the most outlandish answer! (My son tried to take a 2-metre-wide inflatable banana).
Vista: Not very outlandish but they insist that they bring their own suitcase even though we only allow a backpack each. We remind them that we need to be hands-free to be able to travel around easily and more often…and they usually come to terms with it.
Michelle: My kids find unique treasures which they cannot live without, and once we reach our new destination, they make little altars of their belongings usually on their night stands.
Starting with Ally, she must take her kung fu belts that she earned in Syros. They are obviously used for showing off her kung fu fighting skills, but quickly become a baby doll carrier, dog leash, and Barbie doll hammock, to name a few!
Gabby lugs around 3kg worth of Magnatiles and Vickie has an assortment of Shopkins trinkets and at least 4 different journals/notebooks with her thoughts and doodles.
Elodie: The girls have a strong attachment to animals. Noa and Emi Li, 5 and 7, usually choose a plush toy, and select an electronic one that not only barks on the aeroplane but also makes the time at security more fun! For Li Lou, 9, it’s her ant farm - I’m afraid it won’t make it to Bali! 😬
🌋 Meltdown Masterclass
We all know meltdowns are a travel essential, especially with little ones. Share your most epic family meltdown moment on the road, and how you managed to turn it into a hilarious (or at least more bearable) memory.
Vista: Oooh my youngest likes to legit scream at the top of his lungs, “It’s taking too long!!” whenever we’re in ANY line at the airport. And of course all eyes are on us while I just respond with “Yes, it is!!” It has been a blessing in disguise many times though since the security folks come and escort us to a shorter line for the sake of the nearby passengers who have had to endure his screams for too long. Sometimes I think the passengers want to clap as we’re escorted away!! Hahaaa It is what it is though!
Michelle: Literally on the road, one hour drive from the airport where we had just landed, and at least another 1 hour until we reach our first stop, Vickie’s left leg was suddenly encroaching on Ally’s right leg in the back seat. Before we knew it, words turned to whines which turned into “sister slaps” which turned to hair pulling. My refereeing from the front seat was doing no good, tensions were high, music was too loud. Ugh, could you not take a less windy road, Mauro?!
It. Was. Just. Chaos.
There was finally a wide shoulder where we could screech the car to a halt and continue our verbal assault on each other with less distractions . Then, I took a loud deep breath. I caught Mauro’s eye and we both took another loud deep breath. Turning back to our kids, we remembered how early they had to wake up that day, how the only thing anyone had eaten were those biscuits from the vending machine next to the car rental desk, and saw that although they fit nicely, those booster and car seats really didn’t leave much room for the occasional leg stretch. We agreed to take the next exit for a sweet snack. No longer will we be caught without a bag of gummy bears or lollipops on travel days.
Elodie: The last one was with my middle child, who decided in the morning that socks were unnecessary, and on the way to the EC realized her feet had started hurting. I just went with the flow. Breathed in and out. Stopped. Removed my socks - gave them to her - and we went up the stairs. Her eyes said it all: she understood I was here to help her, guide her. And we haven’t had any sock episodes since then.
➕ Unexpected Upsides
Spill the beans on the most unexpected benefits of slow travel with a big brood. Did you discover hidden talents in your kids (like impromptu fire juggling)? Did you develop ninja-level negotiation skills with over-tired, over-stimulated siblings?
Vista: I love how we have time to actually do something that lights each of us up. Not just sightseeing which is the usual for typical travel experiences. Slow travel doesn’t leave us coming home feeling like we need a vacation from our vacation!
Michelle: Without the pressure of needing to see all the sights, we appreciate more what we have chosen to do that day. We rarely stack more than one experience or visit in a day or even on weekends, and this allows the scheduling of downtime.
Elodie: Big one for me has been to see them growing very close to each other. Don’t get me wrong - they still fight a lot. But they’re creating so many unique memories together, as well as going through ups and downs together. This is truly special.
💶 Budget Benders
Let's be real, family travel can be a budget black hole. What are your top money-saving hacks for slow travel with a big family?
Vista: Definitely credit card points. But also many of the places we’ve been so far have had a lower cost of daily living. Plus, slow living allows for cooking at home most days which adds up in savings for a family of five big eaters.
Michelle: Shopping for local, fresh, in-season fruit and veggies at farmers markets is my pro-tip. You get to discover new flavours at the peak of their ripeness. And the folks at the stalls are always so jolly to let your family sample the produce they are most proud of.
Elodie: Make the most out of being able to travel during the cheapest seasons/weeks (flights are a big-budget eater when you’re 5). This combined with cards and points will already make a major difference!
📌 Local Lowdowns
You've lived and breathed like a local in some AMAZING places. What's the most unusual or unexpected cultural quirk you've encountered, and how did you explain it to your kids?
Vista: I think most unexpected were the temples at every home and business in Bali and how the Balinese took time every single day to provide a blessing/offering at the temples - regardless of how busy they were. It was a beautiful lesson for not just the kids but for us especially in our go, go, go world that we live in. We loved witnessing how they incorporate and prioritize such a mindful moment into their daily lives. What a wonderful way to bring presence into one’s life and take a moment to show gratitude.
Michelle: In Tuscany, you may not help yourself to the farmers market fruits and veggies! My kids have always loved helping out with gathering food items on our shopping list, so it was a big shock for us when my daughter was happily selecting some persimmons only to be shouted at to not touch! I got an earful as well for letting her touch the fruit. Well, we didn’t get anything that day. We just got used to getting our fruit and veggies selected for us and were never disappointed with the taste! When my mom came for a visit a few weeks later, it was my kids who more delicately explained to her that she was not to touch anything.
Elodie: Greece is completely closed every day between 2-6pm. Nap time for everyone! A great opportunity to explain to the girls that no, you can’t get everything you want immediately. And also that they can (should really!) rest as well if they want to enjoy a slightly longer evening.
🫂 Relationship Revelations
Spending 24/7 with your partner and offspring can test even the strongest bonds. What's the one thing you've learned about your relationships (with each other and the kids) during slow travel? Did you discover hidden strengths (or weaknesses) in your partner's parenting style?
Vista: I definitely love the opportunities for self growth!! And there’s definitely lots of it happening! That does not mean it is always easy, but it definitely does mean it is worth it. We get the opportunity to experience new things together (culture, food, activities, people, places) which alone is growth; doing that TOGETHER adds a whole other layer of growth to things which is just so special. I really believe that when you grow together, you also grow closer.
Michelle: I’m not sure this is a strength or weakness or style, but I love Mauro’s bedtime ritual with the girls, which is giving them each a ride from the living room to their beds. Sometimes he is a Tuk Tuk (if in Sintra), or a sailboat (if in Syros), or a Gojek scooter (in Bali).
Elodie: Hannes has revealed himself as a wonderful storyteller. With 3 keywords, he will capture the girls’ attention and imagination every evening at bedtime. And bonus points: this also means we don’t need to travel with books!
🚀 Future Adventures
Where will your wanderlust take you next? Have your kids developed a taste for the nomadic life, or are they begging you to settle down in a house with ALL the pets?
Vista: We don’t have our next destination set yet believe it or not, but looking forward to it! We are looking keen to hear about Boundless’ next locations!
Michelle: We are set for Tuscany this spring. Our kids are looking forward to reconnecting with good friends they have travelled with in past locations, and they clearly remember how amazing the gelato is (or is that me!?).
Elodie: Next for us is Boundless Bali - excited to go back for 3 months this time. When I ask my oldest where she’d like to settle down, she’s actually the one telling me she would prefer not to and wants to keep on exploring! A true nomad.
🪖 Advice from the Trenches
If you could give one piece of advice to other families considering slow travel with a big crew, what would it be? Pack earplugs? Embrace the chaos? Wine is your friend?
Vista: Honestly, my greatest piece of advice is stop putting it off. Yes there will be chaos, but there will be chaos when you are at home too! Our children will not want to travel with us for much longer. They are young only once. This is the time to make core memories. This is the time to shape their minds and create new perspectives. You can always make money later, but you can’t always make your children want to go places with you later!
Michelle: Slow travel with your nuclear crew is so special, and if the opportunity allows, I suggest inviting grandparents, family and friends from back home to visit and experience the new destination with you. In short stints (i.e. 1-2 weeks seems ideal), you get the benefit of extra help with the kids, making memories in new settings with old friends, and grandparents especially love the time with their adventurous grandchildren!
Elodie: Make special time with each one of them. For me, every location is an opportunity to create new mother-daughter traditions. So, make the most of it, 1:1. In Syros, I ran with Li Lou during the weekend. Heading to Bali, I’m looking forward to organizing massage time just for Emi Li and myself - and maybe mani/pedi with Noa, my youngest and girliest of all 3!
If you are ready to embrace the chaos let’s embrace it together! Take the first steps on the path to your own BIG Boundless adventure.
