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Family Gap Year
Round The World
Thailand, India, Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific, Chile, Brazil
If you're considering taking your family on a round the world trip or family gap year, read our interview and tips from the Monneron family, based in France.
We're happy to help you choose family-friendly destinations and tours for your trip - find out more on our Family Gap Year page!
The Family: Luc Monneron, Karine Bourdais-Monneron and their 2 year old daughter, Valentine, from France
The trip: PARIS - PHUKET – MUMBAI – surface – CHENNAI – BANGKOK – SYDNEY – AUCKLAND – PAPEETE – SANTIAGO – surface – RIO DE JANEIRO - PARIS
What made you decide that the time was right to go travelling as a family?
Firstly, the age of our daughter. We wanted to travel before she has to go to school.
And, we have been thinking about this travel since too much time... we had to do it!
The French law allow us to have one free year every 4 years when your firm has more than 200 people. On the other hand, we don't receive an income!
How did you decide which destinations were suitable for a young child?
We excluded all the countries where the malaria is dangerous, and then we also excluded all the countries we had already visited. And finally we didn't want to visit Africa this time. We prefer to visit it later, when Valentine will be old enough to enjoy it, like safaris, and because it is not so far away..... so easier to do it later, several times!
How did you work out your budget?
With guides and information on the internet. But in reality our budget was not enough for travelling with a young child. We have realised that travelling with a little girl means finding rooms and hotels always clean, safe and quiet, because of her rests in the afternoon! And because too many hotels are really noisy, even in the night! And this kind of hotels are always more expensive!
Then for the food: even if we share our plates, we eat more than for only two people!
For the transports too, she often pays a full price ticket or similar.
In summary, travel with a small child means really travelling differently and this has a cost!
Have you found the experience of travelling with a young child stressful?
Yes, because of lots of things! The lack of hygiene everywhere in some countries like in India (which is not at all a good destination with a girl of 3 years old!) It is difficult for a child to always hear: don't touch here please!!! People always wanted to touch her every day in some countries... especially in poor countries. At the end, she feels some insecurity!
Then for the food: it is difficult for her to eat all the food she isn't used too!
So you need to insist, each time...
What are the positive experiences that you feel you, as a family have gained from travelling the world together?
We've been together every day and between 2 and 3 years old, there are so many changes.... we have seen each of them and it is really a great opportunity! We can say now that's we know each other very, very, very well!
Which destinations/activities has valentine most enjoyed?
For the activities: Anywhere with slides, swimming, sand castles
For the countries: Australia (everything is planned for families in this country, it is paradise!!), Polynesia (Valentine spent all her time in the lagoon... very happy), Peru (we rented a flat for one month and it was almost like at home! She even had a friend and played a lot with her and she even went at school!)
Which destinations have you found most child-friendly/easiest to travel around with a young child?
Australia of course, above all the others countries!!
Have any hotels or airlines been particularly good/bad for travelling with a young child?
Good airlines : Air Tahiti, Qantas, Cathay Pacific
Bad : LAN Chile, LAN Peru, LAN Argentina
Hotels: Difficult to say, there were so many!! And we never slept in a big or famous hotel!
Don't forget: We're happy to help you choose family-friendly destinations and tours for your trip - find out more on our Family Gap Year page
More family trip accounts
» Cambodia, Bangkok, China, Australia, Peru & Ecuador
» China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Bali, New Zealand, Australia, Chile & Brazil |