Ashley Campbell: Seven People and One Extraordinary Trip Around the World

When Ashley Campbell’s first child was a toddler, it was happenstance that she ran across an article about a family who devoted a full year to traveling the world. That article seemed to spark the belief in her that one day it might be possible for her family to do the same. She and her husband, Chris, talked about the possibility, and it became an idea they couldn’t shake. Their desire grew along with their family, which had burgeoned to five children. The couple continued to save for the trip, and their dream became a reality in June 2022 when her family embarked on 365 days of travel abroad.

Ashley shared the experience on her Instagram account, @underthesycamore, where her social media friends were treated to glimpses of the family’s adventures through stunning photos and write-ups that shared details and history of the area where they were staying. Learn more about how this family of seven was able to take the trip of a lifetime and what they gained from their incredible journey.

TK: Share a little about you and your family.

Ashley: My husband, Chris, and I are lifelong Tulsa-area residents and have raised our five kids (ages 13, 15, 16, 18 and 20) here, too. In 2008, I founded SnapShop Online, where I teach photography courses for kids and adults using your phone and/or DSLR camera. Chris is the Executive Director of 111Project, a local nonprofit assisting kids with foster care.

TK: What sparked the year-long family travel adventure?

Ashley: When our oldest son was a toddler, I read a magazine article about a family of four that traveled the world for a year. I shared with Chris that it would be cool to do something like that one day. Soon, “that would be cool” became a plan we committed to pursuing.

TK: What were the reactions of your friends/family to this decision?

Ashley: I don’t think the news surprised any of them. Most of our friends and family were accustomed to us picking unexpected paths, and they knew we chased adventure and travel. A common response was, “If anyone can do it, it is you guys.”

In Jordan. Photo by Ashley Ann Photography

TK: How did you decide where to visit?

Ashley: In the simplest sense, we picked locations based on budget and weather. We stuck with warm-weather climates (less to pack) and budget-friendly countries. Those two factors set us on a course to travel along the Equator as we circled the globe. My kids had a few things they wanted to do, but they preferred I take the lead in planning. They all trusted that I knew them well enough to plan a trip they’d enjoy.

TK: What appealed to you about this opportunity?

Ashley: We aimed to experience the world, not check off a list of ‘must-see’ locations. I picked the route based on what was the cheapest. For instance, a ferry from Morocco to Spain cost $45, and a flight from Morocco to Rome cost $25. That determined our stop after Morocco would be Rome. We repeated this process for a year. In each country, we aimed to visit the capital, a medium-sized city and a small community. The diversity of locations in each country allowed us to gain a more complete picture of each place.

TK: How did you financially plan for this trip?

Ashley: We funded our trip through little decisions every day, year after year, for over a decade. My kids had a master class in delayed gratification, as most decisions were made in light of the trip. We’ve always driven older, used cars. We don’t shop name brands. We don’t have closets overflowing with clothes and shoes. We don’t buy excess (except throw pillows), and I shop almost exclusively at Aldi. As a family of seven, we ate at a sit-down restaurant maybe once a year. We spent as little as possible and lived well below our means.

Aside from saving, our expenses drastically dropped while traveling. Our home was rented, cars sold, and we didn’t have all the regular expenses like utilities, sports, car insurance, social events and school-related costs. Transportation, food and lodging were basically our only expenses. For transportation, we almost always picked the least expensive option (hello, buses). Our food bill was pretty much the same as at home, and with booking months ahead, we’ve stayed far under our lodging budget.

The more comfort you want, the more it costs. The less you need to have a great time, the less it will cost. We needed very little to have an epic year, so we did it for far less than what we live on at home.

In Vietnam. Photo by Ashley Ann Photography

TK: Any rules for the trip?

Ashley: Our only “rule” was that everyone had to carry their own backpack. We opted to travel with small carry-on backpacks only. Having responsible teenagers meant I didn’t need to dictate what they packed, knowing that if we needed something along the way, we could buy it locally. My 16-year-old son packed a basketball and pump. It was possibly the least practical item but the most important. A basketball is a ticket into just about every community around the world.

TK: Tell us a little about the book you’ve written (set to be available in 2025):

Ashley: I wrote it with my future grandkids in mind. I wanted to give them a collection of stories, lessons learned and things I pondered as I traveled the world with their parents, aunts and uncles. It is things I want them to know about the world – how it is full of good, good people. It’s about how bougainvillea sways in the wind from Morocco to Vietnam, how Albanian bus drivers look out for everyone, and how basketball is like a religion in the Philippines. It’s about how people see the beauty in others, share meals with strangers, and aren’t scared to open their homes and hearts. It’s stories of vibrant markets, sticky tables and questionable decisions on their grandparents’ (and parents’) part. I want my grandkids to see the world beyond the headlines, so I put it into words.

TK: Biggest take-away from this experience.

Ashley: The world overflows with beauty and creativity. It is seen not only in landscapes and sunsets but also in the faces, cultures and communities that dot the globe. When I hear someone say, “The world is on fire,” my first thought is, “Not the one I’ve seen.”

TK: What would be your advice for someone thinking about doing this (for even for a month)?

Ashley: Do it. Instead of asking all the negative “What if?” questions, try asking the exciting ones like, “What if it is better than I could dream?” The cliché is true: Life is short, so you might as well go for it! Details can be figured out along the way.

TK: What is your advice for people traveling with kids?

Ashley: Keep everyone’s preferences and interests in mind as you plan. Throw away the checklist, ditch the Instagram recommendations and go slow. Be curious with your kids. Instead of seeking out the famous museum, look for the community park and join in on games. Invite them to wander and wonder about the world they see. Lastly, keep everyone well-rested and fed. The biggest thief of travel fun is often hunger and exhaustion.

There is a common belief that if you want to travel the world, you must do it before you have kids, and before life settles you down. Don’t buy into that narrative. It’s simply not true.

In Thailand. Photo by Ashley Ann Photography

TK: What came out of this trip?

Ashley: We have a different perspective of the world, the U.S. and our community. My kids quickly recognize false narratives in the news or conversations about the people and places they visited.

They gained a new outlook on how they use their time, what makes for a fulfilling life and how their days are numbered. Since being home, I’ve watched them make brave and unexpected decisions regarding the paths they want to pursue. The unknown has become an invitation to adventure.

TK: What about holidays? Did you physically see your extended family over that year?

Ashley: We traveled for the entire year, so we missed a year of holidays and birthdays with our extended family. In fact, we vividly remember snorkeling in Indonesia, and a local man mentioned that more tourists were in the area for the big U.S. holiday. Chris and I looked at each other, “What holiday?” And then it dawned on us that Thanksgiving was the next day. We spent Christmas in Thailand and celebrated birthdays in Morocco, Italy, Jordan, the Philippines and Colombia.

TK: Do you have a favorite country/place?

Ashely: That is an impossible question for anyone in my family to answer! There were aspects about every place we loved! However, I think about the street food in Chiang Mai, Thailand, at least once daily.

To find out what Ashley is currently learning, check out the Sharing Passion and Purpose Podcast on your favorite podcasting platform or directly at SharingPassionandPurpose.com. You can connect with Ashley online: @underthesycamore; ashleyannphotography.com

Nancy A. Moore is a Public Relations Coordinator at Montreau, Adjunct Professor at Tulsa Community College, and has been writing for TulsaKids for almost 20 years.