The Trip That Lit the Spark: Why Travel Became My Non-Negotiable.

Note from me:

Welcome to my travel blog — part storytelling, part guidebook. I’m sharing our family travel experiences — the highs, the chaos, the lessons — but I also want to break things down to help others do the same. Expect tips, budget insights, and honest reviews in upcoming posts. Because travel shouldn’t feel out of reach for everyday families — and I want to show you how we made it work.

The Non-Negotiable: Travel ✈️

Anyone who knows me knows I love to write. It’s my way of getting thoughts and ideas down — a kind of therapy like no other. And if I can help someone along the way? Perfect.

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on life and where I want to be. Maybe it’s the big 4-0 looming, and with it comes that familiar feeling of reaching a milestone — thinking about what you’ve achieved and what goals are still on the horizon.

As a social worker, my job can feel all-consuming at times — intense, emotional, and often heavy. It’s more than a 9 to 5; it has a way of seeping into everything if I let it. But travel — and writing about travel — reminds me that while my career is a big part of what I do, it’s not all of who I am. There’s me outside of that — Naomi, aka Zo — with dreams, joy, love, and a life I’m building with intention. I truly believe that work should fit into your life, not the other way around. And for me, getting out into the world helps bring that balance back into focus, every single time.

Being a working family in the UK isn’t for the faint-hearted. Juggling work, finances, kids, ever-changing health needs, and a social life… the list goes on! Sometimes it feels absolutely relentless. But we all find ways to cope and succeed. For me, one of my absolute non-negotiables has always been travel.

Whether it’s a long weekend away in the UK or a sun-soaked holiday further afield, every trip has been filled with experience, joy, love, and laughter — worth every single penny.

Travel has always been my passion — a way to connect, explore, and create lasting memories with my family. Over the years, my husband and I have made it our mission to show our kids the world, all while juggling everyday life, work, and a mortgage.

We’re not millionaires or full-time travellers. Instead, we’ve mastered the art of budget-friendly family travel — carefully planning trips around school holidays and finding smart ways to save without sacrificing the experience.

Our First Family Trip Abroad – Turkey 🌴

So I’m starting this blog where it all began — with the trip that lit the spark…

Fifteen years ago, when our kids were tiny — my son in that terrible “toddler phase” where nothing feels easy, and my daughter already obsessed with the sun and pool time (even if it meant burning to a crisp!) — we took our first big family holiday abroad. We headed to Marmaris during what was said to be the hottest summer Turkey had seen in years.

It wasn’t an expensive trip — quite the opposite. We booked it through TUI, half-board, but never actually sampled the breakfast because… well, let’s just say it didn’t exactly look edible! We quickly learned to explore the local area for food instead. And honestly, that little Chinese restaurant around the corner from the hotel? Still some of the best Chinese food I’ve ever had. I wish I could remember its name — I’d travel back just for that meal.

The sticky, stuffy family room we booked was less than ideal. Air conditioning only in the bedroom meant my husband was practically suffocating on the sofa in the sitting room, trying to stay cool. We still laugh about it now. The hotel itself was loud and high-energy — not the relaxing getaway we might choose today. But you know what? It was perfect for us at the time.

That trip gave me a sense of freedom and joy I hadn’t felt in ages. Seeing my kids so happy and carefree sparked something in me. It was the first time in a long while that my husband and I could just let go of the daily struggle, forget work and worries, and be in the moment — together as a family.

Looking back, that’s what hooked me on travel. Not just the destinations or sightseeing, but the rare, precious moments of connection and calm amid the chaos of life.

One of the highlights of that trip was a boat excursion we took. It sounds simple now, but it was actually my first time going abroad not as a teenager or 20-something, just chasing beach days and nightlife. This trip sparked something deeper.

I remember that quaint, excited feeling of exploring culture, tasting local food, and seeing new places. It was a pivotal moment where holidaying stopped being just about escaping the day-to-day grind with a cocktail in hand, and started becoming about learning, living, and feeling more than what my little world in the UK had shown me.

Thinking about it, that trip wasn’t just pivotal for my travel experience — it helped shape the woman I am today.

Experiences really do have the most significant impact on our character.

And that’s exactly what I wanted for my kids — to grow up curious, open, and connected to the wider world.

Wrapping Up Our Turkey Trip

That first family holiday wasn’t perfect — stuffy rooms, scorching heat, and toddler tantrums included — but it was real. It showed me that travel could be more than a break; it could be a way to grow, connect, and create memories that last far beyond the suitcase unpacking.

Since then, every trip we’ve taken has been about those moments — the laughter, the discoveries, the family bonding. And yes, sometimes the crazy bits too.

If there’s one thing I hope you take from our story, it’s that travel doesn’t have to be glamorous or expensive to be meaningful. It’s about the people, the experiences, and the joy you create together.

Representation Matters – And So Does Joy ❤️

Since that first trip, we’ve gone on to explore so much more of the world — and the experiences have only deepened. As a Black Brummie woman raising a family, travel hasn’t always felt like something “for us” — but it’s become a huge part of our lives. With every journey, I’ve grown more intentional about what it means to take up space in places we weren’t always expected to be. I’ll be sharing more of that along the way.

So as those stories unfold, I hope you’ll stay locked in to my suitcase travels — each one packed with a story to tell.