Travelling With Kids: The #Take12Trips Challenge

I recently came across the #Take12Trips challenge that started on the blog, Need Another Holiday and thought what a great idea! I love travelling and have had the privilege of exploring the world since childhood. My first holiday was to Tunisia at the age of one! My dad's side of the family live in India so we went on regular holidays there and yearly holidays to other destinations around the world. My family would skimp and save in every other way though. I barely remember eating out at all throughout my entire childhood, unless we were abroad. We didn't have a car but we went abroad most years. When I went to university the travel continued and I did the whole backpacking experience around Asia. I later lived abroad in two countries and was fortunate to travel extensively with work. I've loved these experiences and by nature I am an explorer!

I've often said I want to take my little boy travelling to see the world from a different perspective. The first time I went to India I was four and loved it. I hated the food, went a little crazy in the heat but I just remember playing with all of my cousins and the neighbours' kids and getting so much attention. My family in India were very poor back then, the children had barely any toys (they'd be shocked at the amount we have here) and in the main house each family lived in just one room, often a family of four or more sharing one double bed! I didn't notice the difference at the time. I was too busy having fun with all of my cousins, with so many kids to play with, so much noise and colour and hustle and bustle! There are so many treats on the senses in India, it's full of every type of life you can imagine and you get to experience so many things that don't exist in the UK. As a child and even as an adult those things are amazing to witness. Even now when I return from India I am struck by how quiet and plain everything seems in comparison.

I would love my little boy to experience the same thing. He's been on two holidays abroad so far to France and Italy. Last year we didn't go anywhere because everything was still up in the air. It's difficult to plan anything let alone a holiday when your mind is elsewhere. The other thing that put me off were the disasters and tragedies occurring around the world. The Shoreham air crash was just up the road from here and obviously Paris is very close to home. The news was so depressing for a while that I really didn't want to read it. It made me question whether I wanted to take my child abroad or anywhere for that matter. But then you can't live in fear forever can you?

So, this year I've decided to take part in the #Take12Trips Challenge! The Travel Hack states 'A trip can be anything from a week-long holiday to one night away or even a day out somewhere new.' I like the flexibility with this as I go on so many local trips that can count in the challenge too. The Travel Hack offers great tips for planning trips and at this time of year there are so many great travel offers tempting me to book holidays abroad! I'd like to take toddler abroad at least once as well as on smaller trips to London, Cambridge, Cornwall, explorations in and around Brighton and wherever life takes us. I can't wait!

*Sponsored content. All words and opinions are my own. 

What places are on your travel bucket list? Will you be taking part in the #Take12Trips Challenge? I'd love to hear your travel plans.