I've Never Been Here Before: Our Family's Year of Budget Travel, Wandering the World, and Finding the Sacred
by Ashley Campbell
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A globetrotting mom of five chronicles her family's life-changing trip to over 20 countries in a year and shares transforming takeaways to inspire readers' own adventures.
"When I step into a culture with people who look and think differently than I do, when I stand on a beach with sand unlike any I've felt before, when I hear songs in languages I do not speak, when I taste food with flavors I've never savored--I'm gaining glimpses into the awe-inspiring creativity of God."--Ashley Campbell
In June 2022, Ashley Campbell and her family embarked on an ambitious, yearlong journey, all on a tight budget. What they experienced was a world filled with wonderful people, interesting places, unique foods, and most important, abundant examples of God's exquisite creation.
As you travel along with the Campbell family to Morocco, Italy, Egypt, Japan, Ecuador, and many more countries, you'll enjoy stunning photographs of exotic locales; learn how to overcome the fear and unease of exploring the unknown; get a taste of different cultures, cuisines, and customs; and discover how you can enjoy your own worldwide adventures for a fraction of the cost.
Let Ashley show you how accessible and welcoming the world can be and open your family's eyes to the beauty and wonder you can only find by "being there."
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Book Details
- ISBN
- 9780736991056
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Authors
- Ashley Campbell
- Publisher
- Ten Peaks Press
- Published Date
- August 5, 2025
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 272
- Physical Info
- 1.01 in H x 9.21 in L x 8.16 in W (2.04 lb)
The book deserves 10 stars. Buy one for yourself and a few for gifts, you’ll think of people as you read who must have their own copy. The book is beautiful - both the written content and photography. Ashley invites the reader along recounting her family’s year abroad. The excerpts from each stay cause you to think and ponder how you view the world. It may be classified as a travel book but teaches so much more. Any classroom, traditional and homeschool, would benefit by adding the book to augment curriculum. I look forward to sharing this book with others.
Ashley is an incredible writer. Within a few sentences, you find yourself walking with her on her adventure.The photography is absolutely beautiful. The color story for each country sweeps you gently along on their journey.She respectfully includes her family in the story - sharing the joyful and the hard - the beautiful of everyday parenting. I read the essays her children wrote with my children. We talked about who was closest in age and how they would feel traveling around the world with a backpack. My children are now scheming about which countries they would like to visit!Nestled in her story are helpful tips for traveling and budgeting to make travel attainable on any budget.I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It is perfect for dreamers, photographers, travelers, and would be a wonderful addition to any homeschool geography curriculum! I encourage you to grab a copy and a cup of coffee, swing in a hammock, and savor every word!
Family of seven, around the world in a year! It’s so fun to relive their adventure from the comfort of the sofa and explore travel locations, some of which are well known and others more off the beaten path. Definitely includes some different and more thoughtful perspectives than from average tourists. Yes, it’s a travel book, but also all of this: parenting, dreaming and goal setting, the most gorgeous photography, art, wisdom and meaningful questions, conversation, Christian living, learning other perspectives, people/community, adventure, world history, connecting with other cultures, education, family and fun!Each family member wrote small essays for the book. I found myself cheating and skipping ahead to read them all before going on. It’s fun to hear their written voice and perspectives. For example, Evann wrote about overcoming fear and learning to try new things and Everett wrote about the power of sports to bring people together and how the sports reflect the values of a culture.Every part of this book is deep with insights and wisdom. This book may be for you if you like a beautiful photography book, a thoughtful gift book, an adventure/travel book with many tips about budget and family travel, or a great book club pick, with deep diving questions throughout. I enjoyed it so much and have been changed by it! Can’t wait for my next adventure!
Ashley has created a master class of family travel in this book! Not logistically, but relationally. This book will open your eyes to the joys of learning about other cultures. It will make you ask questions of yourself, and how you view the world. The layout of the book is great—exploring a new area, followed by insights on what was learned, experiences had, and tips for the readers on how to save money along the way. I love the Wisdom and Wonder sections at the end of each chapter. The pictures are gorgeous! This book is just so colorful and happy! I hope you buy and enjoy it as much as I have.
I’ve followed Ashley Campbell and her family’s adventures on Instagram for years, never missing a story as they traveled the world. When I heard she was writing a book, I couldn’t wait to preorder it, and it did not disappoint.Having taken an online photography class from Ashley years ago, I already knew she had a gift for capturing beauty in both images and words. I’ve Never Been Here Before is filled with vibrant colors, heartfelt stories, and moments that make you want to pack a bag and explore. It’s more than a travel memoir, it’s an invitation to see the world with wonder.Her storytelling transported me to places I’ve never been, and left me feeling deeply inspired. I hope one day I can experience even a fraction of the adventures she shares here. A beautifully written and beautifully lived journey.
