A British family who pulled their kids out of school and quit their jobs to travel the world has been staying in five-star hotels – and all without working.
Charlie and Jade, both 36, packed up their lives and set off on a globe-trotting adventure with their children Maisie, 16, Tommy, nine, and Isabelle, five.
They say they have no regrets and reckon more Brits should ditch their mundane routines and do the same.
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The couple deregistered the youngsters from school and have spent the last 11 months travelling across Asia and Australia while homeschooling them on the road.
And it’s not rough and ready backpacking, either, with the family often staying in luxury accommodation.
Now, after visiting nine countries and creating memories they say will last a lifetime, they are urging others to escape the routine of everyday life.
“We shouldn’t get stuck in a routine of work and mundane life,” Charlie, from Chatham, Kent, told Whats The Jam.
“I recommend everyone to get out of their comfort zone and go and travel and see the world.
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“There’s so much out there to see and we all have such a short time on earth.”
The family has travelled through Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Australia, the Philippines and Vietnam.
They are currently back in Indonesia before heading to Japan and plan to return to the UK at the end of August.
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And they’ve done it with earnings from renting out properties they own.
Before leaving, Charlie worked as a property developer while Jade was a dancer.
Charlie said: “We don’t have jobs.
“We live off investment property – I rent property out to generate income.
“We are funding the trip through savings and investment income.
“Our spending in Asia has been higher than at home because we are eating out two or three times a day.
“And we splashed out on higher-end accommodation as well as doing as many local activities as possible.
“We have mostly stayed in five-star hotels, villas or beachfront bungalows, all at a fraction of the cost of a London hotel.
“We choose to stay at higher-end accommodation to really enjoy the luxury and time away.
“It has been great.
“You get so much more for your money in Asia.
“It can definitely be done on a budget of less than half of ours but we have worked hard to be able to enjoy it to the fullest.
“We had a budget of £150,000 for 13 months and have kept in budget.
“We knew the rough cost of accommodation and flights before leaving.
“The pot that we have to spend has obviously gone down each month but we are on target to make it home on budget at the end of August.
“It’s been a great experience that has brought us closer together as a family.
“It has allowed us to spend time together travelling the world.
“The best part is experiencing new things together.
“We all love trying new food, seeing new places and cultures and seeing the best things nature has to offer like mountains and waterfalls.
“Our view is, you live a short life; there is nothing better to spend your money on than good food and great experiences with your family.
“But it is nice to get a change of scenery with each hotel change.
“It’s nice to come home, walking through a nice entrance lobby, up to your room that’s had your bed made up while you’ve been out all day.
“It’s just really relaxing.”
They packed up and left the UK last summer to enjoy a year together in the sunshine.
Charlie said: “We decided to leave because it was perfect timing after our eldest, Maisie, had just finished her GCSE exams.
“She could do an online A-level course while travelling.
“We deregistered the [other] kids from school and have been homeschooling since we left, using apps online to follow the curriculum.
“There was no backlash taking them out of school.
“The process to deregister them was really easy.
“We had informed the head teachers of our decision and they had said what a great opportunity it would be to spend time together and see the world.
“We have now registered for them to start school again in September.
“Tommy will be back in his old class, Maisie will be starting college and Isabelle will be starting in year 1.
“Friends and family were in full support of our decision and excited for us.
“We’ve always travelled, every half term, easter and summer holidays.
“So this was going to be the same, just longer.”
But Charlie admitted spending almost a year travelling with three children has not been without challenges.
He said: “The most challenging part is the logistics of moving so much luggage.
“Packing everything we might need for a year away is bulky.
“We need enough toys and books to stimulate the younger two as well as clothes for all weathers.
“Being together 24/7 definitely has its challenges and sometimes comes with bickering and the odd argument.
“But we try to give each other space when it’s needed.
“We are travelling slowly so we have days to sit and do nothing other than watch a movie and order a takeaway, just so we don’t feel like we’re burning out constantly on the move.
“The kids have been fine.
“There have been times when they have missed their friends but we are constantly active so we don’t have much time to sit around.
“We are always on a hike, at the beach or doing an activity like climbing through waterfalls, boat trips and snorkelling.”
Although the family are due home next month, Charlie says they are already planning their next adventure.
He said: “We would do it again.
“We have no regrets.
“Family and friends have loved seeing us posting where we are and what we are doing.
“Everyone feels like they have been along the journey with us as we’ve shared it all on social media for them to see.
“It’s crazy how quickly a year flies by.
“Our plans when we return in August are to enjoy summer at home with friends and family, then look to book some more travelling.”
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