With our itinerary and budget set, we dove into preparations for this epic family adventure. Key steps included arranging work leave, handling our home, updating documents, and securing necessary vaccines. These tasks are manageable with good organization and backward planning. We recommend at least 6 months' lead time for a stress-free setup—and that's exactly what we had.
Focus on three priorities: work absence, housing, and itinerary.
Securing time off work is crucial for a multi-month trip. Employees can request sabbaticals, unpaid leave, or resign. My husband continued as a digital nomad, working remotely with internet access. I notified my associates; a replacement will cover my patients. I'll share updates once my travel plans are finalized.
Renters simply give notice. As homeowners, we listed our Lille loft with a short-term rental agency that handles contracts, check-ins, cleanings, and more. Rental income covers our mortgage payments. Alternatively, defer payments to pause installments temporarily.
With our home rented furnished and belongings in storage, we decluttered aggressively—selling unneeded items on classifieds. We bought essentials like down jackets, backpacks, shoes, and anti-UV clothing secondhand. List needs early: snag jackets in summer or sandals in fall on sites like Vinted for deals.
We chose Asia exclusively for our 6 months. Researching countries, visas, weather, and borders was key. I drew from trusted travel blogs like Worldwildbrice, run by an Asia resident offering practical insights beyond pretty photos. Essential read!
Listed dream destinations, checked France Diplomatie for entry rules (e.g., visa-free Thailand under 30 days, e-visa for India, pre-trip Chinese visa). Visa, weather, and land border constraints refined our route.
Teachers support our project, ensuring seamless re-entry. Remote oversight involves teachers and peers. French law mandates education, not schooling—we'll maintain progress using site-adapted learning: English via local kids, math with currencies, Asia-focused geography (e.g., Indonesian volcanoes for tectonics).
R. (entering CM1) thrives academically but needs calm; travel reinforces her skills, leveraging her reading strength.
A. (first grade) is gifted in reading, math, languages, memory—travel builds maturity.
Boscher's "Whole Program" manuals cover core subjects. Lulu la taupe provides fun, printable edutainment for independent play.
Details on inspector notifications follow.
We tallied major outflows: loans, taxes. Direct debits simplify remote management; withholding tax means no income, no tax.
Incompressibles like phone, car (parked), home insurance, banking—we reviewed contracts, saving euros monthly by tailoring them.
As a private nurse, my professional fixed costs (office, software, insurance) persist; I fund them via reduced salary.
Essential: typhoid, Japanese encephalitis, rabies, hepatitis A/B. Some required, others advised. Not Social Security-covered (mutual may reimburse). Costs: hepatitis A ~€20, Japanese encephalitis ~€150+. We chose rabies (3x€30), Japanese encephalitis (2x€86), hepatitis A (€20), typhoid (€12)—€1200 for four, mutual-covered.
No long-term antimalarials; instead, protective clothing, repellents, nets, avoid dusk in rural areas. Urban risks low. Prepped with impregnated gear post prior trips (Thailand, etc.). Full check-ups: dentist, eyes, pediatrician, gyno, derm—plus meds list.
Passports valid 6+ months post-return; renewed kids', took visa photos (note background rules). Got international driver's license (weeks to process).
Most visas on arrival; China's pre-departure—details in our China post.
Buy-as-you-go over RTW tickets for flexibility/cost. Booked China flights 3.5 months out for €1000 for four; intra-Asia ~€2000 total. China needs full itinerary. Prioritize land borders (Malaysia-Thailand-Cambodia).
Temporary deregistration letter to inspectorate 3+ months prior (even private school): dates, IEF method, family book copy, contact info.
Authorization received; shared with school/town hall. Psychologist home visit assessed environment/plan—no issues.
Switch to email; standard letter stops junk mail. Forward to family for €30.50 (6 months).
Avoided high fees with Monabanq Visa: 25 free withdrawals/year (50 for trip), 50 payments. Beats 2% bank fees on €14,400-16,200 budget. Check card expiry/notify bank.
Last-minute tweaks.
Travel health insurance essential (beyond Visa's 3 months). Compared via Tourdumondiste.com; Chapka popular. Subscribed post-departure to cover pre-existing issues.
Cancel subs, suspend landline, adjust phone/car insurance.
Photocopy/digitize IDs, passports, vaccines, scripts; share with family. Note emergency contacts.
Test packs with minimal gear; added extras for longer stay. Used packing cubes, file-folding for organization.
Update message with email. Give family keys, docs, codes, itinerary.
Party with friends and family before takeoff!
