We are the Russell-Smith’s
From Educators to Explorers: Our Family Adventure
We are John (Dad and a Geography teacher), Martina (Mum a training teacher) and our two boys ben (big brother and sport mad) and Will (the cheeky singing one whose also sport mad).
We travel the world on a REAL budget in the British school holidays showing you that backpacking and cheap travel does not stop when you have kids. We have been inspired to vlog/blog by the fact that many blogs/websites/books claim to show you how to travel with kids but will often take you to 5 star resorts out of the peak holiday season which for most of us is not realistic.
Check out our 14 Base Camp Challenge
We also love to travel – click here to see our adventures over the years
Our Story: A Family Adventure That Never Stops
Family adventure has shaped every chapter of our lives. Long before we became parents, travel was already changing who we were, and today it continues to define us as a family of four. We believe that the greatest gift we can give our children isn’t just a collection of souvenirs or passport stamps, but a lifelong curiosity about the world, its people, and the incredible experiences waiting beyond their comfort zone.
Our story begins with two people from different corners of Europe. John, from England, and Martina, from Slovakia, who didn’t grow up travelling extensively. In fact, we were both relatively late to discover the travel bug. Like many people in our early twenties, we followed the traditional path until we realised there was a much bigger world waiting to be explored.
Everything changed when we independently found ourselves in Queenstown, New Zealand, working on The Remarkables mountains. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, breathtaking scenery and travellers from every corner of the globe, we met for the very first time. Neither of us could have imagined that a chance meeting on a mountainside would become the beginning of a lifetime of family adventure.
It didn’t take long before we realised we shared the same dream. We weren’t interested in simply ticking countries off a list. We wanted to experience cultures, meet local people, embrace the unexpected and create memories that would last forever. So, with backpacks on our shoulders, we headed to South America together.
Travelling through South America cemented everything. Somewhere between the towering peaks of the Andes, colourful markets, remote villages and unforgettable sunsets, we fell in love. More importantly, we realised we had found someone who saw the world in exactly the same way. Adventure wasn’t just something we enjoyed; it was becoming the foundation of our relationship.
Our wedding reflected that spirit perfectly. Rather than choosing a traditional venue back home, we travelled to Sri Lanka, where we married on a beautiful beach in a traditional Sri Lankan ceremony. It was intimate, unforgettable and completely true to who we are. Instead of a typical honeymoon, we spent seven incredible weeks backpacking across Southern Africa, experiencing wildlife, landscapes and cultures that only deepened our passion for travel.
Eventually life brought us back to the United Kingdom, where we settled just outside London. We both chose careers in education, partly because teaching is something we genuinely love, but also because it gives us the opportunity to make the most of every school holiday. Every break from the classroom becomes another opportunity for family adventure, whether that’s a weekend exploring somewhere closer to home or several weeks discovering a new country together.
When our sons, Ben and Will, were born, plenty of people assumed our travelling days were over. We heard all the usual comments: “You’ll slow down now,” “Travelling with children is too difficult,” and “Wait until they’re older.”
We couldn’t disagree more.
Rather than putting our adventures on hold, we adapted. The backpacks stayed, but now they carried nappies, snacks and cuddly toys alongside hiking gear and cameras. Ben and Will were soon riding happily on our backs as we explored mountain trails, ancient cities, tropical beaches and bustling markets around the world. They’ve grown up believing airports are exciting, long journeys are part of the adventure and trying unfamiliar food is simply what you do when travelling.
13 Weeks of Travel a Year – How We Actually Afford It
Today, family adventure is about far more than visiting new places. It’s about raising confident, resilient and curious children who understand that the world is full of incredible people and experiences. We want Ben and Will to appreciate different cultures, learn that kindness exists everywhere and understand that some of life’s greatest lessons happen far outside a classroom.
Our adventures haven’t always gone to plan. We’ve dealt with delayed flights, torrential rain, missed buses, wrong turns and plenty of unexpected surprises. Yet those moments often become our favourite stories. Travel has taught us flexibility, patience and the importance of laughing when things don’t quite go according to plan.
This website is where we share our family adventure with you. From detailed destination guides and hiking routes to honest advice about travelling with children, family travel itineraries and practical tips we’ve learned through experience, our goal is simple: to inspire other families to realise that adventure doesn’t end when children arrive—it simply changes.
Whether we’re trekking through the Andes, exploring the Amazon, hiking in the Alps, discovering hidden corners of Europe or heading off on our next backpacking adventure, we’re always searching for meaningful experiences rather than luxury.
If our story encourages just one family to book that trip they’ve been putting off or to take their children on an adventure they never thought possible, then we’ve achieved exactly what we hoped.
Because, in our experience, the greatest journeys aren’t measured in miles travelled but in memories made together. Family adventure isn’t just what we do—it’s who we are.
14 base camps
We are currently embarking on the journey of a lifetime (with holidays inbetween) to the bottom of the highest mountains in the world. Inspired by the mountains and those that climb them our family of four are on a mission to conquer the 14 basecamps of each 8000m mountain.
The challenge, taking over five years to complete, will see us trek an estimated 1100 km in the mountains with our children.
Where did it all start…
