We’ve done plenty of travelling around the UK, and trust me, with four kids, that’s an adventure in itself. From beach days to exploring castles and wandering through forests, our trips are always chaotic, always loud, and always memorable. But one thing we’ve never done? Taken the kids abroad.

I know, shocking, right? It’s not that we haven’t thought about it. I’ve daydreamed about jetting off to somewhere warm and sunny or maybe heading to the Alps for a proper winter holiday – you know, the kind where we’d fly into Geneva, jump on a transfer, and make our way up to Tignes for a week of snowy fun.

In my head, it’s all very The Holiday – me in a cosy chalet, wrapped in a blanket, sipping hot chocolate while the kids build snowmen outside. Reality? I suspect it would be a bit more like National Lampoon’s Vacation, complete with lost luggage, overtired kids, and endless cries of “Are we there yet?”

For now, though, we’re sticking to UK adventures. There’s something comforting about packing up the car and heading off to a familiar place. Plus, there’s no stress about passports, airport security, or trying to remember if you need adapters for the plugs. We love our beach days in Wales, where the kids can spend hours splashing in the sea and hunting for crabs in rock pools. We’ve perfected the art of the spontaneous day trip – chucking some snacks and a few towels in the car and heading off to see where we end up.

That’s not to say I don’t have the urge to broaden our horizons. I’d love to take the kids abroad one day – not just for the sunshine but for the experience of seeing new places and cultures. Imagine the stories they’d tell after a trip like that! Harrison would be in his element, taking photos of everything (I wonder where he gets that from…), and Alexander would probably be climbing rocks, trees, or anything else he could find. Benjamin would be fascinated by the history and architecture, and Elizabeth? Well, she’d be happy anywhere, as long as there’s ice cream.

I know the first trip will be a bit stressful – what firsts aren’t? But once we’ve done it, I bet it’ll open up a whole new world of possibilities. Maybe we’ll start with somewhere easy, like a family-friendly resort in Europe with plenty of activities for the kids. Or maybe we’ll be brave and head straight for the snow. That trip from Geneva to Tignes sounds like the kind of adventure we’d never forget – winding mountain roads, breathtaking scenery, and the kids experiencing something completely different from our usual beach holidays.

For now, though, we’ll keep exploring what’s on our doorstep. There’s so much of the UK we haven’t seen yet, and I love the fact that we can just throw some bags in the car and head off on a whim. We’ve discovered some incredible places right on our doorstep – hidden coves, ancient castles, and little villages that look like they’ve been plucked straight out of a storybook.

Travelling with kids isn’t always easy. It’s messy, unpredictable, and occasionally involves someone throwing up in a car park (true story). But honestly? It’s the best kind of chaos. Watching them experience new places and make their own little adventures is worth every stressful moment.

And who knows? Maybe one day soon, we’ll take the leap and book that first family holiday abroad. Until then, we’ll keep on dreaming, planning, and enjoying the little adventures – because sometimes, those are the ones you remember the most.