We’ve spent more than eight years traveling full-time as a family, first as four, and now as three, since our daughter began college. Along the way, we’ve learned to live lightly, explore deeply, and create a life filled with purpose, adventure and connection.
With just one carry-on suitcase each, we traveled through 15 countries, house and petsitting, caring for animals, meeting extraordinary people, learning through culture, and finding joy in simplicity.
What began as “let’s try this for a while” unfolded into a lifestyle we love, one built on freedom, kindness, teamwork and saying yes to experiences that help us grow.
House-sitting became our doorway into real homes, real communities and real stories. Each place we lived taught us something new about nature, people, resilience and ourselves. In return, we made it our mission to leave every home better than we found it.
A New Kind of Classroom
Our education wasn’t built inside four walls. It was built in gardens, kitchens, fields, forests, markets, trails and living rooms across the world.
Over the years, we cared for dogs, cats, donkeys, horses, goats, sheep, chickens, ducks, geese, turtles, tortoises, guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, snakes, fish, frogs, and even an axolotl.
Every animal brought a new lesson in empathy, courage, responsibility and presence.
Our son became an avid gardener and fixer, learning alongside his dad as they repaired fences, rebuilt shelves, tidied land and restored gardens. Our children made friends in every country, often with nothing but a football and a smile.
The world taught us far more than a textbook ever could.
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
One of our family mottos is simple: “Teamwork makes the dream work.” It guided everything we did, especially the way we gave back.
In Hungary, expecting parents were due home with a new baby in arms. We ordered a ton of firewood, chopped every branch into logs, stacked them neatly, and made piles of kindling so they could return to warmth and ease.
In Spain, a property owner was facing difficulties due to unsafe outbuildings. We helped dismantle them, cleared the rubble and left the land safe and tidy.
At another home in Spain, we built a large vegetable garden with a complete irrigation system, leaving behind fresh food, beauty and abundance.
Living Light, Living Free
Traveling with one carry-on suitcase each taught us the beauty of simplicity. We discovered we didn’t need much, just our essentials, our creativity, our connection as a family and our courage to say yes to life.
“Life is an adventure that’s meant to be lived”, another of our mottos, became our daily reality.
We swam in oceans, lakes, rivers and hotel pools and snorkeled everywhere we could. We hiked mountains, followed forest trails, climbed rocks and explored caves.
One day, we even scuba dived with sharks at the Bear Grylls Adventure Centre in the UK, a moment that transformed fear into fascination.
A New Chapter: Van Life
More recently, we stepped into another adventure: trying out van life. Not in a professional build, but in a van, our 12-year-old son converted himself, with help from his dad.
He insulated it, helped with wiring, designed the layout, built the furniture, and created a traveling home made from love, curiosity and a willingness to learn.
Have Courage and Be Kind
Photo by Laura Helen
Our final family motto says everything: “Have courage and be kind.” Travel has been the perfect mirror for both. It taught us resilience, compassion, adaptability, and how to connect with people of every background, culture and language.
The World Will Always Be Enough
Eight years. Fifteen countries. Hundreds of animals. Thousands of moments of learning, connection, and joy.
We didn’t plan this life. We created it, together. And we’ll keep creating it, one adventure at a time. Because when you choose purpose, kindness, curiosity, and courage… the world truly becomes the most extraordinary classroom.
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Author Bio: Laura Helen is a multi-bestselling author, worldschooling mum, and adventure-led creator who has spent nearly a decade travelling full-time with her family. Featured on Sky TV and across international media, she helps families rewrite their stories, live with purpose, and turn the world into a living classroom. With a playful heart and a deep belief that life is meant to be lived fully, Laura inspires others to choose courage, curiosity, and connection—wherever in the world they may be.
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