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 Jean-Christophe and his clan take the first steps towards a world tour!

D-100… Our explorer is ready to embark on an extended trip around the world with his wife and their four boys. We will follow his preparations and of course the trip itself, which will last almost a year.

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Making a dream a reality!

Set off as a family for a longer trip to discover the many wonders of the world. This idea did not just appear overnight (although…), but rather was born from many different encounters. From many travel experiences. And as our family has grown and time has passed, the need to spend time together and escape the thousand and one constraints of daily life has become ever more pressing.
It may seem a complicated decision to make, but in reality, nothing could be simpler. Of course, there are material constraints (budget, schooling, work, home and so on) to be overcome and reorganised. However, for us this is a commitment we feel we need to make, and so whatever happens we will make it work. Five years ago, we decided that we would start out in September 2017 at the latest.
So the date is set, and the flight to our first destination leaves on 3 September!

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Before even starting to think about organising the trip, we immersed ourselves in maps.

Rather than looking at a map of the world, with four different pairs of eyes excited by the idea of a world tour, but with no idea which countries to visit or even where to start, we asked each of our children what they would like to discover. From five-year-old Emile’s imaginary world to the more specific requests of Maël, the oldest of the brood, we settled on 15 destinations.
To this rather random list we then added the destinations we ourselves had dreamed of visiting, tempered by the realities of parenthood (a conflict of love and duty!), and finally linked them up taking the seasons into consideration.
And why not follow summer around the planet?
We loved the idea of our itinerary following that pattern, all mapped out.

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But how would we pace our journey, and how long should we spend in each port of call?

The choice came down to a mix-and-match approach somewhere between wanting to discover as much as possible, and also stopping, immersing ourselves and making the most of the time we have, taking our clothes out of the suitcases and settling into a place. We have decided to alternate between nomadic periods of roaming and periods that are more sedentary so we can establish ourselves in one place, making it our home for several weeks. Our main aim is to stop chasing time, not trying to see everything, but rather to immerse ourselves, take on board all the experiences that come our way, enjoy discovering new things and recharge our batteries so we can be ready to set off again for the next destination.

Next stop: the final decision on our destinations and organising the flight schedule! !

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Astuce : pour voir d’autres posts sur la même région, cliquez sur le nom du pays en sous-titre de l’article.

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Mongolia

You’ll love the wide, open spaces, riding on horseback through the never-ending steppe and spending a night in a yurt after sharing a meal with nomads. And if horses aren’t for you, why not take a camel ride through the dunes of the Gobi Desert? For those who love wide, open spaces and human encounters.

Our pick:
In July, the Naadam festival takes place in Ulan Bator and the surrounding regions. Three traditional sports are played here: archery, horseracing and Mongolian wrestling.

Aeolian Islands

Choose your boat, your crew and make like a sailor! On board an elegant caïque, the mineral and Mediterranean beauty of the Aeolian Islands is revealed. Volcanoes, little villages, secret beaches and snorkelling are all on the agenda for a languid cruise where you can take the time to enjoy your family’s company over a good meal.

Our pick:
Having your own boat is like staying in a house that changes location every day. Not having to worry about transport and accommodation logistics is one of the highlights of these family holidays.

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Thailand

You don’t necessarily think of Thailand, the Land of Smiles, when it comes to top long-haul destinations to visit with (small) children. We suggest the best of what Thailand has to offer far removed from the crowds and tourist clichés. You’ll enjoy places to stay that meet your requirements and the right balance between fun activities, exploring, encounters and relaxation.

Our pick:
Our summer is their green season when prices are lower than during high season (November to March). In contrast to what people think, it doesn’t rain all the time or even every day! The rain showers are brief and refreshing and the natural environment is at its very best.

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Tanzania & Zanzibar

The ideal destination for your first safari experience as a family. Featuring wide, open spaces and wild animals, high-quality organisation and carefully selected accommodation, we have all the ingredients for a thrilling trip! And let’s not forget that you will round off your trip on the beaches of the Zanzibar Archipelago.

Our pick:
Immerse yourself in Maasai country. Away from the beaten tourist track, you will be welcomed by a family from a Maasai village. Young and old alike will be sure to enjoy the chance to share and exchange!

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Indonesia

Summer is the best season to visit this extraordinary archipelago with its 17,000 islands, each more different than the last. Whether you are with young or older children, the paddy fields, temples, festivals and multitude of activities make Bali an unmissable destination.

Our pick:
Indonesia is overflowing with magnificent hotels, but staying in a villa for a few days when you are travelling with your clan is a better choice. In Bali, this means you can explore the island and sleep in a beautiful, and very comfortable, Balinese house.

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Western Canada

A road trip imbued with a spirit of adventure awaits in the spectacular countryside of Western Canada. A short flight in a seaplane will get you to those far-flung regions. Many highlights await as you come into contact with the spectacular natural world: a tête à tête with grizzly bears in the Great Bear Rainforest, watching killer whales, whales and sea lions in the waters of Vancouver Island and so much more.

Our pick:
Visit Calgary in July where the cowboys of the world meet for the rodeo, Country and Western dancing and chariot racing.

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Colombia

Visiting Colombia with your children guarantees you wonderful encounters with the Colombian people. Their welcome is warm and the country is awash with natural beauty, a multitude of activities and a rich colonial past. The country’s security and high-quality infrastructure make it the destination of choice for this summer.

Our pick:
Rent a house in the charming village of Barichara. In a building with colonial architecture, you will enjoy a pool and staff to pamper you before you set off to enjoy one of the many activities available in the region (paragliding, hiking, horse riding, zip lines, rafting and many more).

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Astuce: pour voir d’autres posts sur la même région, cliquez sur le nom du pays en sous-titre de l’article.

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La Charly’s team Travel Wish List

One of the dangers of working at Looking for Charly is that every day you are constantly exposed to dangerous levels of wanderlust. It’s not easy to remain at your desk when you have to contend with images of tropical lagoons, mysterious deserts, charming locations and other gems all day long.Here is a peek at what we are dreaming about at this very minute !

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– Hawaï –

 Four Seasons Resort Hualalai

Simonetta Bertoni, Co-Founder & Travel Designer

“The former “Sandwich Islands” are the stuff dreams are made of; a perfect cocktail to satisfy both the fashionista and the adventurer in me when I travel. Hawaii’s stunning countryside is just made for adventures with volcanos, beaches, waves, forests and tropical waterfalls. And the very best establishments, of course. They are peace on the Pacific, beautifully retro and the last word in elegance. My top pick? The Four Seasons Hualalai with its ocean views and its humble, authentic yet luxurious character.”

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– British Columbia/ Western Canada –

Clayoquot Wilderness Resort

Jean-Christophe Guerin, Co-Founder & Travel Designer

“This is the place if you are looking for nature on a grand scale! It is child friendly and therefore the ideal place to take my entire clan on an adventure and introduce the kids to the best locations. Inspired by the great camps of the end of the 19th century, its atmosphere will transport you back in time. It is glamping in all its splendour combining soft carpets and antique furniture, walks among thousand-year-old cedars and whale watching”

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– Porto/ Portugal –

The Yeatman

Héloïse Garino, Co-Founder & Travel Designer

“Porto is my personal favourite. It just oozes history all around with its little streets, large squares, the Douro, nights that are just perfect for partying and, the cherry on the top, the wine. Or, more precisely, Port. I love exploring the wine cellars and rounding that off with some tasting. My home away from home is the hotel Yeatman, for its wine dinners hosted by wine makers, its wine cellar that is reputed to be the biggest cellar of Portuguese wines in the world and, of course, its rooms that offer the most beautiful panoramic views of the city! “​

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– Yucatan Peninsula/ Mexico –

Chablé Resort & Spa

Fanny Jehan, Co-Founder & Travel Designer

“This pearl is a hacienda with walls seeped in history, brightened with a touch of modernity and offering views that will take your breath away. For me, Chablé Resort is the ideal location to use as a base to travel around and explore the treasures of the Yucatán Peninsula. I felt imbued with the energy of all the Maya people when leaving my room to set off for the adventure of freediving among the cenotes, deep water diving in the Caribbean, mountain biking in the jungle and kayaking in the mangrove of the Gulf of Mexico.”

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– Montana/ USA –

The Ranch at Rock Creek

Véronique Wilmot, Independant Travel Designer

“It’s a giant! Montana is one of those immense territories where you can travel for miles without seeing another human being. In the very north of the United States, it is a kingdom of vast plains and high peaks, the mythical Rockies, the land of the Sioux and trappers. The greatest thrill for me is the dream of escape. You simply can’t remain unmoved by the Glacier National Park, Yellowstone and the tales of the Sitting Bull battles. Here you can play Cowboys and Indians. Ye-ha! And to experience the American dream in all its glory, head to The Ranch at Rock Creek. You can go horse riding, try your hand at fishing and relax in the spa. I love losing myself in the vastness as if I am in a Western. It is luxury and more! !”

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– Ayers Rock/ Australia –

Longitude 131 

Valérie Ferrer, Wordsmith Looking For Charly

“For the colours, the energy and the legends. For the moment laced with symbolism, and the immensity of the landscape. For the feeling of satisfaction and eternity when you have climbed to the very top of this immense sandstone crag at 348 m. Uluru, the sacred place of the Aboriginals, is an initiation rite and something that has fascinated me since I was a child. A mark on my geography books. A longitude. 131°. A number that now also represents a hotel to me. It is an exceptional place to stay that offers tented pavilions with a full-frame view of Ayers Rock. All the flavours of the bush are on your doorstep. It is a truly unique experience.”

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– Bali/ Indonésie –

Maison Simba

Cathy Dubois, Graphic Designer Looking For Charly

“I spend my time on my computer putting together images of the most beautiful trips you can imagine. But my own dream takes me to Bali. The paddy fields, the beauty of the mountains on this island of the Indonesia archipelago, the smiling faces of the Balinese people, immersion into the greenery and calm… I’ll make sure I Get Around to going one day, as the Beach Boys would say. My destination? Maison Simba. At the very heart of the island, Maison Simba is a small, secret and exclusive spot inspired by Singapore’s black and white houses. It is set among paddy fields next to a river with an incredible view of Bali’s volcanos and a homely atmosphere with white-glove service on top. Just perfect!”

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Astuce : pour voir d’autres posts sur la même région, cliquez sur le nom du pays en sous-titre de l’article.