Exploring the UK with a Toddler.
Summer 1999. The year we finally tasted true vacation freedom. Until then, summers had been anything but leisurely for our little family.
Yoni, as part of his four-year Therapy training at the Humaniversity, was committed to a month-long intensive program every summer called “Melting.”
It was a powerful but all-consuming experience—one that, while transformative for him, didn’t leave much room for family fun.
But the summer of 1999 was different. This was the first time we could travel, without any restrictions, to explore and enjoy the world.
There was just one tiny little problem. How do you plan a dream family vacation with a two-year-old toddler, brimming with energy, and a bank account that’s more empty than full? Ah, the joy of adulting!
Enter our unexpected heroes: good friends and low-cost airlines.
Yoni’s therapy training, despite being not what he imagined, led to one golden takeaway: friendships that would shape our future adventures.
Two of Yoni’s friends were living in the UK, which meant we had the perfect opportunity to score cheap flight tickets and save on accommodation by staying with them.
It was a win-win!
With excitement bubbling, we packed up our lives (okay, mostly Thom’s stuff—toddler essentials take over EVERYTHING) and flew across the channel to the UK.
Our first stop: London! We stayed in one of Yoni’s friend’s apartments, which was like an international student haven.
The place was a lively hub of musicians, artists, and creative minds—most of them also part of Yoni’s year at the “Humaniversity.”
Now, picture this: a jam-packed apartment with guitars, drums, and spontaneous music sessions happening every day.
Thom, our little toddler, was in pure heaven. There she was, joining in with a tiny tambourine, twirling around, and trying to play the guitar (sort of).
Honestly, it was like living in a rock ‘n’ roll music video, with one very tiny but enthusiastic participant.
To top it off, the UK was experiencing an unusually hot and sunny summer.
Yes, you read that right—no rain! We could explore London without the typical British fear of being drenched in a downpour.
For Thom, however, the most important part of London was… the pigeons.
She was utterly fascinated by them. Feeding them, chasing them, giggling as they flapped away—she had found her London obsession.
Who needs museums when you have city pigeons?
After a few days in the city, it was time to head north, where another dear friend, Deepika, lived in an Osho Commune.
Deepika’s daughter, Suzi, was just a year younger than Thom, which was perfect.
Thom finally had a playmate, and the idea of a new adventure kept her energized for the next phase of our trip.
Now, traveling across the UK with a toddler can be… a challenge. The key is to stop often and let them run free.
So, we found ourselves at playgrounds, farms with kid-friendly activities like tractor rides, and petting zoos where Thom could get up close and personal with both wild and domesticated animals. The goal? Keeping Thom entertained while making sure she could burn off her endless toddler energy.
When we finally arrived at Deepika’s place, the experience became even more magical.
Her home was nestled in the heart of the New Forest, surrounded by nature, trees, and wildlife.
The days were spent climbing trees, dressing up in imaginary outfits, having picnics in the forest, and watching deer and rabbits roam freely around us.
It was a blissful, peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Thom could hardly believe her eyes when she saw the animals wandering about.
She was living her own little storybook adventure.
Looking back on that summer, we realized that it didn’t take much to create a memorable vacation.
With a bit of creativity and a sense of adventure, we managed to have an amazing trip without breaking the bank.
The experiences were rich, the memories priceless, and the joy of discovering new places together—unforgettable.
