Travel More Adventurously

Rebecca

Travel More Adventurously is a podcast about travelling with children, why it matters, what it can give us as a family, and how we can make bigger adventures feel more possible. Hosted by Rebecca Ryell, the podcast brings together stories, conversations and practical ideas about adventurous family travel. We’ll explore the things that can hold families back, the experiences that help us grow, and the many different ways families can travel with more confidence, curiosity and intention. Expect conversations about family travel, health and safety, cost, planning, travelling with children of different ages, meaningful experiences, and the unexpected things we learn when we step outside the familiar. Whether you’re already travelling adventurously with your family or simply wondering what might be possible, this podcast is here to inspire you, reassure you and help you think a little differently about family travel. New episodes every Monday.

Episodes

  1. 4d ago

    Canada Road Trips with Kids: Big Adventures, Simple Memories | Emilie Brillon

    What happens when you sell your house to travel the world with your young children, only for a global pandemic to change everything? In this episode of Travel More Adventurously, I'm joined by Emilie Brillon, Canadian travel writer, family road trip expert and creator of Road Trip Across Canada and Love Life Abroad. When COVID disrupted Emilie's family's plans for a round-the-world adventure, they decided to explore closer to home instead, travelling thousands of kilometres across Canada and the USA with two very young children. What followed was an extraordinary journey that changed where they lived, how they travelled and what they valued as a family. We talk about the realities of long road trips with children, practical tips for making journeys more enjoyable, the benefits of outdoor adventures, skiing in the Canadian Rockies and how HomeExchange can make extended family travel more affordable. And I particularly loved Emilie's story about discovering that, despite visiting Disneyland, her children's favourite memory was simply camping with Mum. It's a lovely reminder that the most meaningful family adventures aren't necessarily the most expensive or elaborate. This episode is for anyone dreaming of exploring Canada, planning a family road trip or wanting to create more opportunities for adventure and connection with their children. Find Emilie and plan your Canadian adventure🇨🇦 Road Trip Across Canada – Family-friendly itineraries, practical travel advice and guides, including resources for driving across Canada and exploring Banff and the Canadian Rockies. https://roadtripacrosscanada.ca/ 🌎 Love Life Abroad – More family travel inspiration, outdoor adventures and road trip tips. https://lovelifeabroad.com/ 📸 Follow Emilie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovelife_abroad/ Discover HomeExchangeEmilie and I both love HomeExchange, which has helped make some of our family adventures possible. From the Canadian Rockies to French Polynesia, we chat about how exchanging homes can open up wonderful travel opportunities. If you're curious about trying HomeExchange, you can use my joining code: [rebecca-b74a1] https://www.homeexchange.com/ Disclosure: Emilie and I have both worked with HomeExchange. My referral code may provide a benefit for me as well as you when used. Find Rebecca and Travel More AdventurouslyI'm Rebecca Ryell, a GP, family travel coach and host of Travel More Adventurously. I help families overcome the practical and emotional barriers to taking bigger, more meaningful adventures together. 🌍 Travel coaching and inspiration: https://www.rebeccaryell.com/ 🎙️ Follow Travel More Adventurously wherever you listen to podcasts for more inspiring stories, practical advice and encouragement to make your family travel dreams a reality. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, share it with someone dreaming of an adventure and leave a review. It really helps more families discover the show. #FamilyTravel #CanadaRoadTrip #TravelWithKids #AdventureTravel #HomeExchange

  2. Nov 2

    Raising Curious Kids: Wild Adventures, Zwela Travel Journals & Family Memories | Mish & Kat

    What happens when you take your children wild camping among elephants and hippos, rafting on rivers with crocodiles, or exploring Spain in a campervan? And how can we turn those adventures into memories that last a lifetime? In this episode of Travel More Adventurously, I'm joined by Mish and Kat, two adventurous South African mums living in Barcelona and the creators of Zwela Journals - beautifully illustrated travel adventure journals designed to help children become more curious, observant and engaged with the world around them. Mish and Kat contacted me after listening to the podcast, and I'm so glad they did! I felt as though I'd known them for years, and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them both. We share some extraordinary family travel stories, from wild camping in Botswana's Okavango Delta, with elephants wandering metres from camp, to rooftop tent adventures in Namibia, a rather eventful crocodile encounter on a rafting trip, and Kat's campervan journey through Northern Spain - complete with a mosquito invasion! But this conversation is about much more than adventurous destinations. We explore how to raise curious and adventurous children, why slowing down and noticing the little things can transform family holidays, and how travel journalling can encourage creativity, gratitude and connection without feeling like homework. Mish and Kat also share the story behind Zwela Journals and how their own experiences travelling with children inspired them to create something that encourages young explorers to ask questions, notice wildlife, reflect on their experiences and record the memories that matter. In this episode, we explore: Adventurous family travel in Africa and EuropeWild camping, safaris and campervan adventures with childrenHow to encourage curiosity, confidence and independence in kidsTravel journalling, mindfulness and gratitude for familiesWhy the unexpected moments often become our favourite travel memoriesHow to make everyday adventures meaningful, even close to homeWhether you're planning an African safari, dreaming of a family road trip, travelling with young children or simply looking for ways to encourage your kids to spend more time exploring outdoors, this conversation is full of inspiration. Because adventurous family travel isn't necessarily about going further or spending more. Sometimes it's about learning to see the world through your children's eyes. Discover Zwela JournalsWebsite: https://zwelajournals.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zwelajournals/ Find Rebecca & Travel More AdventurouslyWebsite: https://www.rebeccaryell.com/ Listen to more episodes of Travel More Adventurously here on YouTube or your favourite podcast platform. If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe, share it with another family who loves adventure, and leave a comment. I'd love to know: What's the most unexpected thing your children have remembered from a family adventure? #FamilyTravel #AdventureWithKids #TravelJournaling #ZwelaJournals #TravelMoreAdventurously

  3. Oct 26

    Choosing Adventure Over Routine: Family Travel, Freedom and Living Differently | Anisha Patel

    Choosing Adventure Over Routine: Family Travel, Freedom and Living Differently | Anisha Patel What if you could redesign your family life to make more room for adventure, freedom and experiences together? In this episode of Travel More Adventurously, I chat with Anisha Patel, a former NHS pharmacist, entrepreneur, podcaster and mum of two, about breaking away from the traditional 9–5 and creating a life where travelling with children becomes a priority rather than an occasional luxury. Anisha shares her family's incredible adventures through Thailand and Kenya, from travelling with just two backpacks to watching her children develop confidence, independence and a stronger sibling bond through their experiences abroad. We explore the realities of extended family travel, working remotely with children, balancing school and adventure, choosing experiences over possessions, and challenging society's expectations of what family life should look like. Anisha and her husband Sunjay have now left their traditional jobs to build The Podcast Department, helping others create and grow their own podcasts while building greater flexibility into their family life. It's an inspiring and refreshingly honest conversation about making intentional choices, embracing uncertainty and remembering that we only have one life to live. If you've ever dreamed of travelling more with your children, escaping the daily routine or finding a different way to balance work, family and adventure, this episode is for you. 🌍 Find Anisha🎙️ The Podcast Department – Podcast strategy, production and support from Anisha and Sunjay https://thepodcastdepartment.com/ 🌴 The Love Life Family – Follow their family travel adventures https://www.instagram.com/thelovelifefamily/ 💊 Pharmacist Diaries – Anisha's podcast exploring careers and opportunities in pharmacy https://www.youtube.com/@pharmacistdiaries 💼 Connect with Anisha on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/anisha-patel-a95b9562/ 🎧 Find Rebecca & Travel More Adventurously🌍 Family travel coaching and inspiration: https://www.rebeccaryell.co.uk Follow Travel More Adventurously for inspiring conversations, real family adventures and practical ideas to help you explore more of the world with your children. If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe, like and share it with someone who dreams of making more room for adventure in their family life. And I'd love to know in the comments: If you could change one thing about your family life to make more room for adventure, what would it be? #FamilyTravel #TravelWithKids #AdventureTravel #FamilyAdventures #TravelMoreAdventurously

  4. Oct 19

    Making Family Adventures Possible: Travel, Fear and Additional Needs | Michelle Doyle

    Making Family Adventures Possible: Travel, Fear and Additional Needs | Michelle DoyleWhat if the biggest barrier to your next family adventure isn't what's possible, but what you believe you can manage? In this episode of Travel More Adventurously, I'm joined by Michelle Doyle, a Welsh mum of three, surfer and adventurous traveller who has taken her family across the world, including Australia, California and Hawaii, while navigating the challenges of travelling with a child with additional needs. We talk honestly about the fears that come with travelling with children, particularly when they have additional needs, and the practical strategies that make adventurous family travel possible. From managing long-haul flights and other people's reactions to flexible itineraries, balancing everyone's needs and building confidence, Michelle shares what she's learned along the way. Michelle also reflects on how travel coaching helped her take the leap towards a family adventure she once thought was impossible. This episode is for anyone who dreams of travelling more adventurously with their family but wonders whether they can really make it happen. Find Rebecca and Travel More Adventurously: 🌍 Website and family travel coaching: https://www.rebeccaryell.co.uk 📸 Instagram: @rebecca_ryell_travel 🎙️ Listen to more episodes of Travel More Adventurously on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube. If you enjoyed this conversation, please follow the podcast, leave a comment or review, and share it with someone who might find Michelle's story inspiring. It really helps more people discover the show. #FamilyTravel #TravelWithKids #AdditionalNeeds #AdventureTravel #TravelMoreAdventurously

  5. Oct 11

    “We Must Be Absolutely Mental” — Lake Toba, Volcanoes & the Banyak Islands | Sumatra Part 2

    What is it really like travelling through Sumatra with three young children? In this episode of Travel More Adventurously, Pete is back for part two of our family travel adventure through Northern Sumatra, Indonesia - and this part of the trip involved volcanoes, Lake Toba, a terrifying boat journey, traditional Batak tuak, hungry children, remote islands and more than one moment when we wondered whether we had completely lost the plot. We pick up the story after returning from the Mentawai Islands, when a chance meeting with a local driver called Harley ended up shaping the next few weeks of our travels. From Berastagi, we climbed Mount Sibayak before sunrise with three young children, walking through the dark past steaming volcanic craters before reaching the summit as the sun came up. There was also the slightly surreal moment when a group of local children became convinced that one of our sons was Justin Bieber. From there we travelled on to Lake Toba, the enormous volcanic lake in North Sumatra, where we ate extraordinary local food, bought fresh fish and crayfish from fishermen, and experienced one of those frightening parenting moments that feels much bigger when you are a long way from home. We also talk about tuak, the traditional Batak palm wine we tried in Northern Sumatra. Made from fermented palm sap, it was cloudy, milky-white and considerably more alcoholic than we were expecting. Looking back, it is one of those tiny details of travelling that has stayed vividly in our memories. Then came the journey to the Banyak Islands. We set off from Singkil in a tiny boat in torrential rain and rough seas, unable to see land and bouncing across the water for hours. At one point I remember looking at Pete and genuinely thinking: we must be absolutely mental. And then, somehow, we arrived in paradise. The Banyak Islands were remote, beautiful and completely unlike anywhere we had stayed before. We swam over coral reefs straight from the beach, watched the children invent games with hermit crabs and experienced what happens when you take three children somewhere so remote that there simply aren't any snacks. As storms prevented fishermen from bringing in food, our meals became smaller and smaller. The children, who could once be particular about how a fish finger was cooked, suddenly discovered that hunger makes you remarkably adventurous - including enthusiastically eating chicken legs when they finally appeared. We also saw first-hand the enormous amount of plastic pollution washing onto these remote beaches and heard about the devastating impact of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami on the islands and the people who lived there. It was one of those travel experiences that was simultaneously beautiful, uncomfortable, funny and thought-provoking. And after several days of increasingly small meals, our stay ended with an unforgettable surprise

  6. Sep 20

    Why Adventurous Family Travel Is Good for Us | Dr Kate Staveley

    What if adventurous family travel isn't just fun, but actually good for our health, our relationships and the resilience of our children? In this episode of Travel More Adventurously, Rebecca Ryell talks to Dr Kate Staveley, GP, lifestyle medicine doctor and co-founder of Hexagon Health, about the connection between family travel, health and wellbeing. Kate has travelled adventurously with her own children for years - climbing mountains in Borneo, surfing together in Costa Rica, volcano boarding in Nicaragua and, more recently, travelling in Japan. We explore the six pillars of lifestyle medicine - nutrition, restorative sleep, physical activity, social connection, mental wellbeing and reducing harmful substances, and dicuss how surprisingly naturally many of them can become part of travelling together as a family. We also talk about raising resilient children, knowing when to encourage them through discomfort and when to stop, getting away from screens, experiencing different cultures, eating local food, learning to cope when plans go wrong and the powerful connection that comes from doing hard, funny and memorable things together. Kate also shares her recent experience of travelling in Japan, including Tokyo, public transport, food, language, jet lag and why she found Japan such an easy and fascinating place to explore. And we come back to something that sits at the heart of this podcast: the window we have to adventure with our children is surprisingly short. If you've ever thought one day we'll take that trip, this conversation might just encourage you to make it happen. Find Kate and Hexagon Health: https://hexagon.health/ Find Rebecca and Travel More Adventurously: https://www.rebeccaryell.co.uk If you enjoyed this episode, please follow Travel More Adventurously, share it with another family who might need a little encouragement, and leave a review, it really helps more people find the podcast. #FamilyTravel #AdventureTravel #TravelWithKids #LifestyleMedicine #FamilyAdventure

  7. Sep 13

    Under a Himalayan Sky: Raising Children, Taking Risks & Seeing the World | Dr Jane Wilson-Howarth

    What does travelling with children really give them - and how do we balance adventure with keeping our families safe? In this episode of Travel More Adventurously, Rebecca Ryell talks to Dr Jane Wilson-Howarth - doctor, zoologist, author, mother and leading travel health expert. Jane has spent decades living and working around the world, particularly in Nepal and Asia, written more than 200 health features for Wanderlust, and was named by Simon Calder as one of his most impressive travel authorities. We talk about family travel, travelling with children, travel health, risk, resilience, motherhood and Nepal — including Jane’s experiences of raising her own children overseas and returning to Nepal after her son David was born with profound health problems. We also explore what children can gain from travel, how families can prepare for genuine health risks without letting fear stop them, and some of the decidedly less glamorous realities of adventurous travel. Jane isn't known as The Long Drop Doc for nothing! Jane’s beautiful new memoir, Under a Himalayan Sky: A Story of Love, Loss and Learning to Live, transported me straight back to Nepal. Its honesty, humanity and extraordinary story of family life stayed with me long after I finished it. If you’re wondering whether adventurous family travel is really possible, this conversation is for you. Find Jane 🌍 Jane's website 📷 The Long Drop Doc on Instagram 📖 Under a Himalayan Sky 📖 How to Shit Around the World Find Rebecca & Travel More Adventurously 🌍 rebeccaryell.co.uk 🎧 Follow Travel More Adventurously If you enjoyed this conversation, please follow, share it with another adventurous family and leave a rating or review — it helps more families discover the podcast. #FamilyTravel #TravelWithKids #TravelHealth #AdventureTravel #JaneWilsonHowarth

About

Travel More Adventurously is a podcast about travelling with children, why it matters, what it can give us as a family, and how we can make bigger adventures feel more possible. Hosted by Rebecca Ryell, the podcast brings together stories, conversations and practical ideas about adventurous family travel. We’ll explore the things that can hold families back, the experiences that help us grow, and the many different ways families can travel with more confidence, curiosity and intention. Expect conversations about family travel, health and safety, cost, planning, travelling with children of different ages, meaningful experiences, and the unexpected things we learn when we step outside the familiar. Whether you’re already travelling adventurously with your family or simply wondering what might be possible, this podcast is here to inspire you, reassure you and help you think a little differently about family travel. New episodes every Monday.

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