Family Gap Year, Curious Plans for 2015

After a brief stopover in Kuala Lumpur, our first proper destination is Hoi An. We’re spending 3 weeks in a graceful colonial style house in the peaceful village of Cam Thanh so we can savour the area slowly. Located on the banks of the Thu Bon River, we’re just a hop-skip into the historic, atmospheric old town with it’s meandering streets and grand architecture. Rural hinterland and alluring beaches are also only a short bike ride away. Hoi An is known as a foodie mecca so we’re looking forward to sampling the gourmet Vietnamese cuisine. Finally, it’s a hot-spot for tailoring, and the prices are rock-bottom. I know I’m going to be seriously tempted with the incredible designer imitations they can whip up I just need to work out how I can fit them in my backpack….

From here it’s a whistle stop few days in Saigon before we head onwards to the Philippines.

This is where things get a bit interesting, a lot more rustic and the travel really ramps up. For 6 weeks, we’ll be hopping our way across paradise islands dotted throughout the Philippines. We’re going back to basics with limited power supplies, low-key accommodation and plenty of hours bumping our way along roads less travelled. We’re mostly excited and ever so slightly terrified - this is by far the most ambitious bit of our trip with more time on the move than we’ve attempted before. On the flipside, our efforts will be rewarded with splendid isolation in flabbergastingly stunning surroundings.

We kick off exploring Palawan - the World’s number one best island as voted by Conde Nast readers. With palm-fringed, white powder beaches, crystal clear turquoise waters and natural lagoons for wild swimming it certainly has the wow-factor. It’s also home to one of the new seven natural wonders of the world, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River which runs for over five miles underground.

Next up is Cebu - a gem of an island at the heart of the Philippine archipelago. The ocean around Cebu is dotted with small islands to explore and teeming with nature and wildlife. We’re basing ourselves in Bohol to explore the surreal Chocolate Hills and are looking forward to meeting the tarsiers, the world's tiniest monkeys.

We finish up in Boracay an itty-bitty island in the Western Philippines. A tropical paradise with postcard-perfect endless beaches and incredible sunsets it’s become one of the top drawcards for tourists in this region.

Our dream destination for 2015 is the Seychelles. With its luxury resorts and royal honeymooners I’d always assumed this idyllic island getaway is solely for the uber-rich. Luckily for us there is a simpler side to the Seychelles. With a little pre-planning and some island know-how, we’ve discovered that it’s possible to experience these beautiful islands without totally blowing our budget.

We’ll be kicking back on the island of Mahé for a month. Exploring talcum-powder beaches lapped by brilliant blue seas and backed by lush hills and dramatic granite boulders. When we feel like getting energetic there are jungle and coastal walks, boat trips, and diving and snorkelling to keep us busy.

We’re then off to Praslin a smaller island with a much quieter vibe. As well as plenty of glorious stretches of sand and sheltered coves the island is also home to the Vallée de Mai Nature reserve, a Unesco World Heritage Site.

Tiny La Digue is our final stop and offers the classic Seychelles escape, a sleepy island where everyone travels by bike. It’s also blessed with spectacular beaches, such as the lagoon of Anse Source d’Argent and the secluded coves of Grand and Petite Anse.

Towards the end of May, we make our way back to Europe and are planning a 6-week trip around the Greek islands. We’re still putting our ideas together but are seriously tempted by dramatic cliffs, ancient ruins and picturesque towns of whitewashed houses nestled into the hillsides. Neither of us has travelled this part of the world for a long time so any recommendations very much welcome! We’re also delighted about making our way closer to England and the possibility of friends joining us for parts of this trip.

July sees us homeward bound for London which I am already bursting with excitement about. You can travel all over the world, but there really is “no place like home”. One of the biggest sacrifices we made when heading off on this trip was saying goodbye to our nearest and dearest and the missed moments in the lives of people so dear to you. We can’t wait to get back and enjoy summertime in this wonderful city with good friends. A road-trip around the country will give us cherished time with family and allow the girls to build precious bonds with their grandparent, aunties, uncles and cousins on this side of the world.