Agent uses lockdown to write book on large family travel

Agent uses lockdown to write book on large family travel
By Alexandra Coulton


While Melbourne’s 111-day lockdown proved devastating for local agents, one savvy travel enthusiast took the opportunity to write a book about large family holidays.

Rebecca Mason, a mum of six who owns Mr Chocolate’s Travel, decided to put to use her 20-plus years of experience booking holidays for her family of eight and other big Aussie families during the travel pause.

The result is Holiday Dreaming: The Expert’s Guide to Large Family Travel, a must-read book for big families who want practical advice about how, when and where to travel, as well as a few laughs as Mason shares all the spills and thrills of travelling with six kids.

Among the tips and tricks in the book are detailed packing lists, the best budget travel meals, choosing a suitable holiday location, when and how to nab a deal, how to navigate airports and survive road trips, and which museums, parks and zoos are worth the queues.

“Just as Lonely Planet became a travel bible for backpackers, Holiday Dreaming is the must-have book for Aussie families who want to make their dream holiday a reality,” said Mason, who is one of Disney’s top sellers in Australia.

“After taking my six kids on dozens of trips over the past 20 years, I’ve learned a lot of ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’ and I wanted to share all my hacks and systems with other big Aussie families so that they can experience the magic of a family holiday and make the same ‘forever memories’ that we have.

“Holidays shouldn’t be an infrequent luxury – they are part of the very fabric that knits families together and keeps them connected.

“As a mum of six, I know that undertaking anything with a big family isn’t easy, but that doesn’t mean we should miss out – especially on family holidays.

“Holidays have always been my favourite time with the kids, and that’s why I worked so hard and did so much research to find every possible shortcut and save every possible penny to make sure we could go anywhere we wanted, including the ultimate family holiday – Disneyland, five times and counting.”

To order a copy of Holiday Dreaming, go HERE.

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