Fellow travellers: For the Stricklands, journey is a household affair

Alex and Lara, 57, and their daughter Imogen, 17, have gone on common Intrepid household journeys, in addition to holidays of their very own, over the past decade. I caught up with them at dwelling in the UK to search out out why journey is such an vital a part of their lives and get the lowdown on a few of their favorite reminiscences collectively. 

In Imogen’s phrases

After I was eight, we went to Egypt. I used to be afraid of mummies, however I keep in mind strolling into our resort room and searching via the window and simply seeing previous all these buildings, previous the street and the constructing websites, simply the very high of the pyramid, and simply considering, ‘wow.’ 

With Intrepid, we’ve carried out seven or eight journeys, and it’s principally been group household holidays. I’ve two half-sisters on my dad’s aspect, and so they’re 12 years older than me. They’ve by no means actually lived at dwelling, so that they don’t go on these journeys – successfully, I’m the one little one at dwelling, which was why my dad and mom went into household group journey within the first place, to provide me another individuals my age to attach with.  

Seeing all of the completely different cultures – and seeing how our variations are our strengths – has formed my perspective. Seeing the pyramids and the Taj Mahal was superb, and Cuba bypassed all of my expectations – it was simply so completely different from anything I’d ever skilled. We went into South Africa and Swaziland and camped on a sport reserve. We checked out these superb stars, the Southern Cross and Scorpio, and we went to sleep with the sounds of lions. 

South America is true on the high of my checklist – I need to see the Uyuni Salt Flat in Bolivia and Machu Picchu. After that, I really feel like you can simply say wherever and I’d be up for it. 

My pals do snigger at me – they’re like, ‘The place are you jet-setting off to subsequent?’ After I come again, they ask me numerous questions, and I usually say it was good, however I don’t actually develop an excessive amount of, as a result of I don’t need to brag, and it’s numerous inside jokes that solely the individuals on the journey would ever actually perceive.  

Regular life strikes so quick that journey, though it may be hectic and it may be loopy, really provides you extra time to have these actually significant conversations. I feel it has introduced us nearer after we journey collectively. 

Travelling with your loved ones, but in addition in a small group, is about tales. You retain these tales endlessly, even when it’s just a bit factor. I feel that’s extra vital than your flash automobile or your flash cellphone – these tales of getting lived. I feel that’s actually particular. 

Within the phrases of her dad and mom 

Alex: I by no means travelled – I didn’t have a yr out or something like that. Earlier than Imogen, we didn’t have enormous means to do journeys so it will be a seashore someplace not too far-off, however no massive travelling – extra only a restful vacation. 

Lara: Imogen was about eight years previous, and she or he was finding out Egypt at college. I had discovered about Egypt myself at college, and it was a dream of mine to go there. I believed to truly convey what Imogen is studying within the faculty books alive could be completely fantastic.  

We acquired numerous loyalty factors with Tesco, and we discovered Intrepid by on the lookout for holidays via the loyalty scheme. We had a 3rd of the Egyptian vacation lined via factors – we in all probability wouldn’t have carried out Egypt with out that little nudge. We’re nonetheless Intrepid clients 10 years later. 

Alex: The format of the household journey labored very well – Imogen had children to work together with, which was a part of why we selected it. However what we found was that the opposite individuals there are all actually fascinating. 

We went to a few locations in India, then we travelled to Vietnam. We have been meant to go to Cuba, however the pandemic occurred, so we went again two years later. That was a extremely, actually fascinating journey. Imogen was attending to the age the place she’d be very a lot the oldest, so we did that as an bizarre journey. This yr at Easter, we went to Morocco, which was not a household journey, however there have been a few youthful lads of their early twenties, and that labored very well. So yeah, we caught the bug.  

Lara: We’re very a lot encouraging Imogen to form the journeys herself and select what she desires to do and the place to go. There may be nonetheless quite a bit that Imogen desires to see that if we are able to, we’d wish to see together with her – she’s very eager to go to South America, beginning with Peru and Bolivia. Subsequent yr, we’re taking a look at doing Canada. 

Whereas Imogen is finding out at college, I feel Alex and I would go do some gallivanting ourselves on our personal. When Imogen’s acquired go away from college, I hope she’ll do some travelling together with her pals, as a result of I feel that’s vital for independence. However I additionally hope if Mum and Dad pay, she’ll come and do some extra journeys with us. 

Learn extra of Imogen’s reflections on her travels with Intrepid, and discover a household journey of your individual.