Our Year in Travel: 5 Family Adventures That Made 2025 Unforgettable
I love the New Year: I get so excited to look forward and plan the year ahead, but I think it’s also important to take the time to reflect and celebrate the year that’s passed too. 2025 was a good year.
We’ve explored so many incredible places as a family together this year. From beaches and theme parks to historic landmarks, each trip brought its own kind of magic – but on each trip, there’s that one celebratory moment that will become those special core memories I know I’ll never forget.
It’s always hard to narrow it down, but here are my top five family adventures that made 2025 truly unforgettable:
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Standing On The Edge of History: The DMZ, South Korea
Visiting the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea has been on my bucket list for years. This year, we finally made it happen.
We weren’t sure whether it would be a good spot for a family trip, but the boys coped really well. (You can read my full review of visiting the DMZ with kids here), It was one of those surreal travel moments that you can’t believe you’re really experiencing, standing in a place that’s filled with both tension and weirdly also hope.
We enjoyed learning about the history of the area, seeing the lookout points, and clambering down into the infiltration tunnels. This was physically demanding, but my favourite part of the day. Watching the boys like sponges absorbing the history, the information, and making their own opinions about what is a very complex place reminded me why we travel: to help them learn about the world by actually seeing it. If you get the chance to visit the DMZ (without or without your kids) then I really recommend you go.
A Wedding at Meiji Jingu Shrine, Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo always feels electric, and I’ve written alot about it being our favourite place in the world (and why!) but on our most recent trip, a visit to the Meiji Shrine offered something a little bit different.
We wandered through the torii gates and peaceful forest paths and felt a wonderful sense of calm: like we were in the countryside, but in the middle of the city. There are plenty of benches to stop for lunch (we had a Seven Eleven lunch in the sunshine) and it’s a great place to kids to let off steam too.
Then we stumbled across a traditional Japanese wedding procession. It felt like we’d stepped into another time. I couldn’t stop staring at the bride who looked so beautiful, but so unlike a typical bride at any wedding I’ve been to. The beautiful kimonos, the music, the dignity of the slow procession. I can’t stop thinking about it, and it was such a privilege to watch with my (equally quiet, equally fascinated) boys.
Jumping Waves at L’Espiguette Beach, France
If you know our family (or you follow my Instagram stories, where I seem to post more beaches than anything else!) then you’ll know that the beach is our happy place. This summer we took a road trip to the South of France, and the most memorable moment of this trip was our trip to L’Espiguette Beach.
The image shows the walk up to the beach (no beach pictures I’m afraid, as I won’t share pictures of the boys in their swimmers). It’s wild, endless, and gloriously uncrowded. And also the waters in the South of France tend to be calm, this was wonderfully wavey! L’Espiguette is the longest beach in France, stretching as far as the eye can see. We spent hours jumping waves, laughing, and just being together. It was one of those simple moments that felt perfect – the kind you wish you could bottle up forever. And I hope this shows that you don’t need to take big, expensive trips to make travel memories that you won’t ever forget.
Delving Into The Past in Pompeii, Italy
We’re a family full of history buffs, so when our youngest started learning about Pompeii, we decided to take a flying visit to show it to him with his own eyes. Walking through those ancient streets, seeing the preserved shops and homes, even the bodies, brought history to life in a way they could never learn about in a book!
You can read my essential guide to visiting Pompeii with kids if you’re interested.
Morbid but fascinating, my youngest walked around chirpily asking the curators and volunteers ‘Where can I see the ash people please’ and his absolute enthusiasm and fascination is something I won’t ever forget. Although we visited in February, the sun was shining (some much-needed Vitamin D for all of us) and the whole trip was both humbling but fascinating.
Throw in some iconic Napolean pizza in the sunshine, and you’ve got the perfect day!
Our First Sponsored Trip: Norwich Winter Wonderland
This one may be the closest to home, but it also felt extra special for me. As the blog has grown this year, I’ve had the chance to collaborate with some wonderful brands, with so many cool collabs coming up next year that I can’t wait for you guys to see. But Norwich Winter Wonderland was our first official sponsored trip.
Seeing all of us there under the lights, ice skating, squealing on the rides, the festive excitement, left me feeling so proud. The blog may be my project, but it’s always been a family effort. The boys love being part of the adventures, and this moment reminded all of us how far we’ve come. And with more collaborations already lined up for next year, I know this is just the beginning.
Looking Ahead
2025 was another wonderful reminder of just why we love travelling as a family, and showing our boys the world wherever we can. Not every day is perfect (some days are downright hard, noone’s life is a highlight reel), but those perfect days inspire us and bring us closer together.
I know I said this in my Christmas post but before we start the New Year, I want to say it again. Thank you for following our adventures, reading our stories, and sharing your own along the way. I’m so glad to have you with me in 2026 – a year that will bring more destinations, more discoveries, and hopefully more family adventures!
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Heads up! This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click and make a purchase, I might earn a very small commission – at no extra cost to you. This helps to keep the blog going. Thanks for the support!
