Episode #12: One Year Around the World with Kids: The Beougher Family’s Life-Changing Adventure (with Ashley Beougher)
In this inspiring episode, I chat with Ashley from Traveling Graces, who took her family on a year-long journey around the world — visiting 23 countries across Europe, Africa, and South America. We talk about how they made it happen, how they saved, what daily life on the road looked like, how they homeschooled on the move, what they learned, and the unforgettable experiences they shared as a family.
Ashley and her husband have been traveling together since they were teenagers and have now passed that love of adventure on to their two kids. After saving aggressively and reprioritizing life goals, they sold almost everything, packed four backpacks, and hit the road for a full 12 months of global adventure.
Highlights From Our Conversation
1. Ashley’s Background & How Traveling Graces Began
Married young (19 & 20), started traveling on a budget while newlyweds
Saved for years for milestone trips like a Mediterranean cruise and Tahiti
After becoming parents, they committed to making travel part of their family culture
Eventually decided to travel full-time for a year with their two elementary-aged kids
2. How They Decided to Travel for a Year
Kids were at the “perfect” ages: 7 & 9
Husband was ready for a break from an intense job
They saved intentionally and treated the year as a “family sabbatical”
Wanted to prioritize family time before middle school + teenager years
COVID actually forced them to not plan ahead, which worked better in the long run
3. Planning a Year of Travel With Kids
🗺️ Choosing Destinations
Spent ~3 months each in:
Europe
Africa
South America
Chose next destinations based heavily on transportation costs
Booked very few things in advance due to unpredictable COVID rules
💸 Budget Tips That Made Long-Term Travel Possible
Rarely ate out; shopped local groceries & cooked
Walked or used public transportation everywhere (no taxis in Europe!)
Stayed in basic, budget accommodations including hostels
Prioritized experiences > hotels and fancy meals
Adopted a “minimalist” mindset to stretch savings further
4. Packing for a Whole Year — Into FOUR Backpacks
Each family member carried one backpack for the entire year
Brought math workbooks, journals, Kindles, and a few school supplies
Their “souvenir system”: one sticker per destination
Ashley shared the complete packing list on her website (linked HERE)
5. Homeschooling on the Road
Focused on the essentials: math, reading, writing, geography, and scripture
Used journals, coloring pages, maps, and historical fiction
Integrated learning into real experiences (museums, geography, languages, audio walking tours)
Kids returned home on pace academically — even after a year away
6. Family Bonding + Challenges
More sibling connection + shared inside jokes and memories
Learned flexibility, patience, and teamwork
One “trial run” safety moment in Pisa became a memorable life lesson
Some nights they arrived too late to find dinner (survived on popcorn + ginger snaps!)
Hard moments happened — but didn’t overshadow the incredible growth and memories
7. Favorite Places From the Entire Year
Ashley’s top picks:
Italy (best “one country” recommendation for first-time international families)
Egypt (surprisingly affordable + unforgettable experiences)
Colombia
Peru
Salzburg, Austria and many more…
8. Working With Brands While Traveling
Only partnered with companies for activities they already wanted to do
Never forced content (especially as kids got older)
Balanced presence vs. content creation by prioritizing family time
9. Advice for Families Wanting to Travel Long-Term
Start early. Plan ahead but stay flexible.
Prioritize experiences over luxury
Bad days will happen at home too — don’t let them derail the adventure
Traveling is the best education
Just GO — even if it’s not “the perfect time”
Connect With Ashley (Traveling Graces)
Instagram: @travelinggraces
Website: TravelingGraces.com
Destinations
Packing List for a full year abroad
Blog with logistics, schooling, budgeting, and long-term family travel tips
Facebook: Traveling Graces (active during travels)
Useful Travel Links
HappyLittleTraveler.co
Amazon Storefront: Travel Favorites
Flytographer – Get $25 off your first session
Thrifty Traveler Premium – Get $20 off
🎧 Final Notes
This episode is a beautiful, inspiring look at what it really takes to travel the world with kids — the logistics, the emotion, the sacrifices, the joy, the laughter, and the lifelong lessons. Ashley shares openly and generously about how her family made this dream a reality, and how other families can too.
