Meet the two-year-old backpacker who has embarked on his first long-haul trip, hostel-hopping around Asia - because his parents want him to grow up "around other cultures, discovering the world."

Louis Bennett, 32, and Kay Chalaris, 34, used to backpack separately before meeting in a Cambodian hostel in November 2018.

But after staying in southeast Asia for five months, the pair had no further savings to travel with - and were forced to stop completely after the covid lockdown in March 2020.

Two years later, Kay fell pregnant with the couple’s son, Aris, now two - and haven’t been able to go on an extended trip since.

After years of saving the family set off on an indefinite trip around Asia on January 16.

The couple plan to take Aris to Thailand, Vietnam, and Siem Reap, Cambodia - where they first met.

Louis, a web designer from Portsmouth, Hampshire, said: “We can’t wait to take Aris to Asia, where we feel the happiest.

“We’ve got the first two months booked and planned - but no idea how long we’re going to stay.

“We knew it was going to be difficult saving money - to be honest, it was hell. But it’s all going to be worth it, when we’re able to spend the trip of a lifetime together.”

The couple met while backpacking in November 2018 - after quitting their jobs to see the world.

Louis was “bored” of working on building sites, while Kay quit her salesperson job after seeing her friends travelling the world.

Kay stayed at the hostel Louis worked at in Siem Reap - and the pair decided to see the rest of Cambodia together.

“I’d lived in Australia for a bit, but when my working visa expired in 2018, my next destination was Asia, where I met Lewis,” Kay said.

“He found me a job in Cambodia, bartending and waitressing. We travelled a bit around Laos and Thailand - before coming back to France for lockdown.”

After March 2020, the couple tried to go on all-inclusive holidays - like Istanbul - but they say it “wasn’t the same.”

In March 2022, Kay found out she was pregnant with Aris - and just three months later, started saving up to go backpacking as a family.

Kay said: “People would ask: ‘Is your plan still to go back to Asia?’

“After Aris was born [on November 19th, 2022], we realised he’s such an easy baby.

“He’s not a crier - as long as he’s with us, he’s fine. He loves trying new food - curries, Japanese food and Mexican food are his favourites.

“On a general basis, he’s always happy and running around.”

Louis, alongside his full-time carpentry job, started working as a freelance carpenter at weekends - leaving him no time to spend with his family.

He says it was “hell” - but is planning to make up for it on the family’s trip away.

“Louis tried to do as many jobs as possible on the side,” Kay added.

“We knew it was going to be difficult.”

Louis said: “I was a carpenter - I worked for a company Monday to Friday, and then extras on the side and at weekends.

“It was hell, to be honest, but we’ll make up for it while we’re away. It’s been nice to give all that up.”

The family have only got their first two months planned and booked - but say they’re hoping to backpack in Asia indefinitely.

Both Kay and Louis are hoping to earn money remotely via blogging and user-generated content [UGC], so they can maximise time spent exploring with Aris.

They’ve saved £8,000 in total - to cover one-way flights, accommodation, food and public transport.

They’re set to jet off on January 16 - and have already packed Aris’ “tiny suitcase.”

“We’ve been trying to explain everything to Aris because he’s only two,” Kay said.

“I’ve shown him where we’re going to see elephants and which beaches we’re going to.

“He’s got his little life jacket packed, as well as his hiking boots and summer outfits.”

The family are hoping to document their travels on littlenomaticfamily.com.