'I'm not rich but I am savvy enough to take my kids on four holidays a year'

12 March 2024 , 14:45

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The Rushworth family prioritise going on holiday (Image: Supplied)

A mum who takes her kids on four holidays a year has already helped her son visit 30 countries before the age of seven.

Chloe Rushworth is doing all she can to ensure that her kids inherit her life-long love of travelling. The 34-year-old first took her son Edison abroad to Spain when he was just 11 weeks old. Now, at the age of seven, he has already clocked up 45,880 miles travelling to more than 30 countries.

Chloe, who frequently posts about their travels on her Instagram account @thewhitepinesproject, regularly shares tips and tricks about how to get away on holiday with your kids, without breaking the bank.

"I know not everyone can travel, it is not a cheap thing to do, but going away with (the kids) is important. I go on four holidays a year. I don't have unlimited money, I'm not rich. I'm just really savvy," Chloe told the Mirror.

Chloe is keen that her kids are as well travelled as possible (Supplied)

Chloe has offered some tips for other parents wanting to take their kids away (Supplied)

The mum got the travel bug as a child, when her parents took her on package holidays and to a variety of "random places", including on family coach trips to beer festivals in Germany. "My grandparents were very well travelled. It shaped who I am and I wanted that for my children," she said.

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Chloe has loved exploring with her children and says she has made her most vivid memories of her boys when they were on holiday.

"Edison has made core memories on these holidays and we’ve had some fantastic experiences. Italy and Madeira were both very child-friendly, I would highly recommend. We went on a cruise last year which had so much for the kids to do and explore, there was never a dull moment," she said. "Perhaps surprisingly, New York was up there for us: there were so many free things to do, and people were so helpful in the city and on the subway.

The family head on four holidays a year (Supplied)

She added: "It hasn't all been sunshine and rainbows – in Latvia, they wouldn't let us in a museum in case Edison made a lot of noise, and in Berlin, we couldn't find any highchairs when we went out to eat. But the good outweighs the bad. Because we have had so many unique adventures, our children have been able to embrace new cultures. Experiencing more of the world has really broadened their understanding of diversity."

In the last six months alone, the family has cruised the Caribbean Islands, enjoyed a festive trip to Lapland and hit the slopes in Bulgaria. Her seven-year-old has already visited bucket-list destinations many take a life to reach including experiences such as paragliding in Turkey, zip wiring in the British Virgin Islands and swimming with turtles in Barbados.

Chloe, who recently teamed up with Sainsbury's Bank Travel Money, has shared some of her top tips for travelling with kids - check them out below.

Ask for a baby bassinet

When flying with infants, most airlines will provide you with a travel cot free of charge. If you let the aviation firm know far enough in advance, then there's a good chance you'll receive a special seat with extra legroom. (The Mirror has a wider guide on airlines' rules when travelling with infants including what you can get for free).

"You're best to get your request in as soon as possible in case there are other babies on the flight. Ring or email. You can also get blow up beds, sort of a blow up cushion you put by (the baby's) feet which turns the seat into a bed," Chloe explained.

Don't get popular package holidays

Chloe is a big advocate for DIY holidays, arguing they are the best way to get a cheap deal so long as you're willing to do the research. This is especially the case now her oldest is in full-time education, as breaks outside of term-time can be more expensive.

"We went to Lapland just after Christmas and it cost half price doing it DIY as opposed to with a travel provider. You've got to go to places that are less known about. An all-inclusive Tenerife holiday will cost £8,000 in a nice hotel for a week if you go at half term, but we don't really do things like that," Chloe said.

"I want my boys to experience culture. We're going to Morocco on the coast and we're renting a villa with a private chef. It is costing £2000 for a week in May half term, with car hire, flights, luggage and the villa. It's a good idea to go to places that are a bit unheard of."

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Don't worry too much

In Chloe's experience, worrying about traveling is worse than actually doing it - particularly when it comes to taking a younger child on a long flight. Having taken her oldest away at 11 weeks old and her youngest all the way to New Zealand at three months, the mum is confident she's experienced the worst travelling with her kids has to offer. "I feel like my boys are quite good on planes. They're so used to being dragged around everywhere. When small it's quite easy. You worry more about doing it, but when you do it it's fine," she said.

Be flexible with dates if you can

Play with flight dates, try to be flexible. You can use a flight aggregator to test out different dates. If tied to school holidays then booking outside of summer holidays specifically is usually best. "I have found some great last minute flight deals in August for the past couple of years to lesser known locations. We travelled to Preveza in Greece August 2022, it was one of the most beautiful places and cost £2,000 instead of £7000 we were quoted for a week in Tenerife," Chloe said.

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Milo Boyd