Family Travel Unpacked: Make the Most of Travel With Kids
Published by Melissa Conn
Places & Travel
Society & Culture
Kids & Family
Family Travel Unpacked is a family travel podcast for parents who want to travel with kids more easily, confidently, and joyfully. Hosted by Melissa from The Family Voyage , each episode breaks down real-life family travel strategies, smart planning tips, and destination inspiration so travel with kids actually feels doable. From packing hacks and family vacation planning to hotel tips, points and award travel for families, and travel mistakes to avoid, you’ll laugh, learn, and walk away ready to plan your next stress-free family trip.
Philadelphia Recap: 24 Hours in the City of Brotherly Love
Planning a weekend trip to Philadelphia? We spent 24 hours in the city using points for flights and a free hotel night, hitting Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and some of the best Israeli food in the country. We flew nonstop on American using Alaska Atmos points, stayed at the Hyatt Centric Rittenhouse Square on a free night certificate, and packed in a museum, three restaurants, and a same-day Independence Hall reservation — all in one night. In this episode: Booking nonstop American flights with Alaska Atmos points (9,000 for first class out, 4,500 for economy home) A free night at the Hyatt Centric Rittenhouse Square using a Hyatt credit card certificate The Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History's exhibit on the Jewish merchants who supplied the American Revolution Dinner at Zahav, brunch at Dizengoff, and lunch at Goldie — three spots from chef Michael Solomonov's CookNSolo group Booking a same-day Independence Hall tour through recreation.gov Where past Philly trips with the kids fit in — the Franklin Institute, the Academy of Natural Sciences, and the Museum of the American Revolution Timestamps (estimated — confirm against final recording before publishing) 00:00 — Intro 01:15 — How we booked it: Alaska Atmos points 03:00 — Past Philly trips & who it's for 04:30 — Weitzman Museum exhibit 06:00 — Zahav, Dizengoff, and Goldie 08:00 — Independence Hall in 25 minutes 09:30 — Liberty Bell and Rittenhouse Square 11:00 — Hyatt Centric review + outro Don't miss this inspiring, practical travel with kids podcast hosted by family travel expert Melissa Conn, founder of The Family Voyage, certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, and mom of two who proves family travel is achievable for everyone. Blog The Family Voyage Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel Check out my favorite travel gear and my Etsy shop ! Chase Sapphire credit cards
Boston With Kids Recap: Taking a Bite of Beantown
Boston with kids doesn't have to mean one long trip — after two separate weekend visits in the same year, here's what's worth doing, where to stay on points, and the one expense that caught us off guard. In this episode 50 recap, I compare two Hyatt Regency stays booked on free night certificates, share the Alaska Atmos points trick that got us into first class for less than economy, and break down where to eat, tour, and skip the rideshare surprise that cost us the most. In this episode: Why we're recapping two different Boston trips — one with our daughter last summer, one solo-parent-turned-family-reunion this year — in a single episode Booking first class on American Airlines for just 9,000 Alaska Atmos points each, because airfare spiked and economy award seats disappeared Hyatt Regency Boston vs. Hyatt Regency Boston Harbor: same category 4 free night certificate, two completely different trips Boston Tea Party Museum and a guided Freedom Trail walking tour — why paying for a guide beat doing it ourselves in our 20s The surprise expense Getting around Hyatt Regency Boston Harbor without a car: the shuttle, the $2.40 ferry, and why weekends are trickier than weekdays Who Boston is best for, from toddlers to a no-kids weekend away Boston travel resources Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum Freedom Trail guided tour Duck boat tour Hyatt Place Boston/Seaport Don't miss this inspiring, practical travel with kids podcast hosted by family travel expert Melissa Conn, founder of The Family Voyage, certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, and mom of two who proves family travel is achievable for everyone. Blog The Family Voyage Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel Check out my favorite travel gear and my Etsy shop ! Chase Sapphire credit cards
London vs. Azores Recap: A Kid's Take
Wondering whether London or the Azores is the better pick for your next family trip? In this episode of Family Travel Unpacked, my 12 year old takes over as our tween travel expert and gives her honest, unfiltered review of both destinations, from Harrods and the West End in London to hiking, hot tubs, and Europe's only tea plantation in São Miguel, the Azores. We just got back from London and the Azores, and this trip felt like two completely different vacations back to back — a huge European capital followed by a small, nature-focused island. Shoshana breaks down what surprised her, her favorite hotel, how gluten-free eating (she has Celiac disease) compared between the two, and which destination won her over in the end. We also booked this entire trip on points, covering flights and hotels for basically nothing out of pocket until we landed. The full breakdown of the 600,000-plus points we used is back in Episode 42, and full-length, in-depth episodes on London and the Azores individually are coming later this summer and into fall. In this episode: What it's really like traveling with a tween through London vs. São Miguel, Azores Hotel reviews: The Standard London vs. DoubleTree by Hilton São Miguel Must-do family activities in London, including the Jellycat store at Harrods and the West End show Hadestown Why São Miguel felt like "the Hawaii of the Atlantic" — hiking, the rooftop and indoor pools, and Europe's only tea plantation Navigating gluten-free and Celiac-friendly eating in London and the Azores, including a splurge-worthy dinner at Niche Gluten Free Shoshana's honest verdict: London or São Miguel, and what she'd do differently next time A reminder that this trip was booked almost entirely on points — full breakdown in Episode 42 Timestamps: 00:00 — Intro & the Episode 42 points recap 01:23 — Bringing in our tween travel expert 02:16 — London highs and lows 04:00 — Azores highs and lows 06:09 — Gluten-free travel: London vs. the Azores 08:04 — Wrapping up Don't miss this inspiring, practical travel with kids podcast hosted by family travel expert Melissa Conn, founder of The Family Voyage, certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, and mom of two who proves family travel is achievable for everyone. Blog The Family Voyage Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel Check out my favorite travel gear and my Etsy shop ! Chase Sapphire credit cards
The Ins and Outs of Unaccompanied Minor Travel
Kids Flying Alone? Everything Parents Need to Know About Unaccompanied Minor Travel Can kids fly alone — and how does it actually work? This episode covers everything parents need to know about domestic unaccompanied minor travel, from airline policies and fees to what really happens at the airport. Melissa shares firsthand experience from multiple solo flights her own kids have taken, breaks down the rules for every major US carrier, and explains how to use points to book UNMR tickets. Jacob and Shoshana also join to share advice directly for kids about to take their first solo flight. In this episode: What unaccompanied minor (UNMR) service is and which ages it applies to Age-based nonstop vs. connecting rules — and why United is the strict outlier Fee structures and policies for American, Delta, United, Southwest, and Alaska How to book UNMR flights with points — and when partner bookings get complicated Credit cards that can offset the $150 UNMR fee (Amex Platinum, Hilton Aspire, Citi Strata Elite, and more) The airport process step by step: two-hour arrival, gate passes, regular security (no PreCheck/CLEAR), waiting until the plane is airborne What to have ready before you get to the check-in counter What to tell your child if the pickup adult isn't there when they land Baggage strategy: backpacks only, ship the big bags for camp trips Keeping in touch: Apple Watch, Apple Cash, Airalo eSIM, FlightAware Jacob and Shoshana's advice for kids taking their first solo flight Timestamps: 01:30 — What UNMR service is 03:45 — Airline policies and fees 09:00 — Accompanying adult age rules 09:45 — Booking with points 12:30 — Credit cards that offset the fee 13:30 — The airport process 21:00 — Preparing your child 25:15 — Jacob and Shoshana's advice Don't miss this inspiring, practical travel with kids podcast hosted by family travel expert Melissa Conn, founder of The Family Voyage, certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, and mom of two who proves family travel is achievable for everyone. Blog The Family Voyage Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel Check out my favorite travel gear and my Etsy shop ! Chase Sapphire credit cards
6 Sneaky Ways We Rack Up Travel Points (No New Cards Required)
Six low-effort habits for earning more travel points and miles as a family - no new credit cards required. In this episode, you'll learn six specific strategies to earn extra points and miles without opening a single new credit card. From shopping portals and smarter everyday spending to a gift card trick that can fund hundreds of thousands of points a year, this episode covers it all, including a couple of strategies most people never think to try. In this episode: How shopping portals and browser extensions stack bonus points on every online purchase Why the Chase Freedom Unlimited beats the Sapphire cards for everyday spending — and how to combine points across cards The office supply store gift card trick that can add tens of thousands of points a year How the Paze digital wallet is currently offering a huge bonus on Chase cards Why watching your email and mailbox for targeted offers can pay off in a big way How Card Pointers Plus automatically finds and activates credit card offers How to ask for retention offers when an annual fee comes due Why referral links are a win-win for you and your friends Timestamps 00:00 — Intro 01:15 — Shopping portals 04:10 — Smarter daily spend cards & gift card strategy 09:17 — Targeted offers 11:08 — Card Pointers Plus 12:35 — Retention offers 15:01 — Referral bonuses 17:04 — Wrap-up Links & Resources Shopping Portals & Cash Back Rakuten (sign up and get a $50 bonus) TopCashback (sign up and get a $10 bonus) Doctor of Credit (for gift card deals) - Staples and Office Depot Paze merchant directory Tools Card Pointers Plus Credit Cards Mentioned Chase Sapphire Preferred / Reserve Chase Freedom Unlimited Chase Ink Business cards United credit cards Related Reading Chase Sapphire Preferred: What's Changing and What You Should Do About It The Southwest Companion Pass Trick Free ebook: The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel Don't miss this inspiring, practical travel with kids podcast hosted by family travel expert Melissa Conn, founder of The Family Voyage, certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, and mom of two who proves family travel is achievable for everyone. Blog The Family Voyage Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel Check out my favorite travel gear and my Etsy shop ! Chase Sapphire credit cards
What to Pack for Alaska (BONUS EPISODE)
Packing for Alaska? There are a few items that most people overlook — and after three trips, Melissa knows exactly what they are. In this bonus episode, she shares the five things she never travels to Alaska without, including one she loves so much she packed a spare pair for a friend. In this episode: Why rain pants belong on every Alaska packing list (even if it doesn't rain) The collapsible lunch containers that save Alaska days The bug protection hack that doesn't touch your liquid allowance What to actually look for in waterproof hiking shoes for families Why binoculars are non-negotiable in Alaska What to pack: Rain pants: women's in multiple lengths | kids Insect repellant shirt Silicone collapsible lunch containers Waterproof hiking shoes: Columbia men's | Columbia women's | Adidas teen | kids Binoculars Alaska travel planning resources: Full Alaska packing list Alaska itinerary eBook All Alaska resources Don't miss this inspiring, practical travel with kids podcast hosted by family travel expert Melissa Conn, founder of The Family Voyage, certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, and mom of two who proves family travel is achievable for everyone. Blog The Family Voyage Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel Check out my favorite travel gear and my Etsy shop ! Chase Sapphire credit cards
Alaska With Kids: Anchorage Edition with My Teen (Part 3)
Thinking about visiting Alaska with teens? My 14-year-old son joins me for a mother-son Alaska recap — and spoiler: he caught a king salmon just 12 hours after landing and hasn't stopped talking about it since. We cover four days of adventures based entirely out of Anchorage, and I break down how we pulled off the whole trip on points without paying for flights or hotels out of pocket and highlight our favorite things to do in Anchorage and on day trips. In this episode: • King salmon fishing on the Knik River (yes, we both caught one) • Biking the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail — 25 miles, multiple moose, and a very dramatic race back to the bike shop • The Phillips Cruises 26 Glacier Cruise out of Whittier, including calving glaciers and a whole lot of sea otters • Driving the Turnagain Arm: eagles at Bird Point and wildlife at Beluga Point • A scenic float into the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge • The Alaska Native Heritage Center — surprisingly not just educational • Where to eat in Anchorage (the halibut and chips at 49th State Brewing deserve their own billing) • How we booked this entire trip in five weeks on Alaska miles, Southwest points, and Hyatt points Timestamps: 00:00 — Intro 01:44 — King salmon fishing near Anchorage 06:07 — Biking the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail 10:39 — Phillips 26 Glacier Cruise from Whittier 17:29 — Alaska Native Heritage Center + Eagle River Nature Center 20:16 — Kenai River float into the National Wildlife Refuge 23:00 — Where to eat in Anchorage 25:47 — Alaska with a teen wrap up 28:50 — Flights, hotel, and rental car logistics 36:21 — Wrapping up Resources: Alaska travel planning hub Anchorage guide Day trips from Anchorage Renting a car in Alaska Alaska packing list Rental car savings Alaska itinerary eBook Award travel: How to travel free with kids Best credit cards for family travel Southwest Companion Pass guide Related episodes: • Ep. 17 — Southwest Companion Pass basics • Ep. 32 — Alaska by land • Ep. 41 — Companion Pass + World of Hyatt Activities mentioned: Knik River fishing charter Phillips Cruises 26 Glacier Cruise Alaska Native Heritage Center Kenai Rever float trip, Cooper Landing Don't miss this inspiring, practical travel with kids podcast hosted by family travel expert Melissa Conn, founder of The Family Voyage, certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, and mom of two who proves family travel is achievable for everyone. Blog The Family Voyage Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel Check out my favorite travel gear and my Etsy shop ! Chase Sapphire credit cards
Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Recap & Mini Review
Get the quick highs and lows in this Grand Hyatt Scottsdale review + recap episode, all in less time that it takes to drink your morning coffee! Find out if this could be the right resort for your trip to Scottsdale with kids - and what might be the biggest drawback for many families. Check prices at Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Amex Platinum Card for The Hotel Collection bookings: $300 statement credit, $100 property credit, breakfast for 2, guarantee 4pm late checkout, room upgrade Arizona with kids resources: Things to do in Phoenix and Scottsdale with kids Best Scottsdale Resorts For Families Best Scottsdale Family-Friendly Rentals For An Amazing Stay Royal Palms Resort & Spa Review: Is It the Best Romantic Getaway In Phoenix? How to Spend the Perfect Weekend in Scottsdale (Without the Kids!) 8 Great Things to do in Arizona with Kids Your essential Arizona packing list Saguaro National Park visitors guide 7 Fun Things To Do In Tucson With Kids 3 Exciting Ways to Do a Day Trip to Sedona from Phoenix Fun things to do in Flagstaff with kids Where to stay in Flagstaff with kids Don't miss this inspiring, practical travel with kids podcast hosted by family travel expert Melissa Conn, founder of The Family Voyage, certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, and mom of two who proves family travel is achievable for everyone. Blog The Family Voyage Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel Check out my favorite travel gear and my Etsy shop ! Chase Sapphire credit cards
What's in My Carry-On? Travel Essentials for Your Next Trip
My carry-on has evolved over years of family travel - and at this point, it's pretty dialed in. This episode breaks down exactly what's in my bag, from the backpack I choose to the credit cards I pack and why. A few of these might surprise you! In this episode: How I choose the right backpack for every trip The power adapter I use every single day — at home and abroad Why I think carefully about which credit cards to pack (and make a list) What I bring to actually get some sleep on overnight flights The carry-on essential I'm still experimenting with Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome and summer travel updates 01:25 Choosing the right carry-on backpack 03:00 Power adapter and plane outlet hack 04:13 Cables and battery packs 05:23 Laptop and camera gear 06:32 Sunglasses and the beach rule 07:19 Snack strategy 08:06 Picking the right travel credit cards 10:38 Water bottle and hydration 11:30 Plane comfort essentials 12:41 Sleep tips and wrap-up Resources: Backpacks: Travelon anti-theft backpack REI Flash 22 REI Trail 25 Tech & Power: TESSAN 100W multi-country USB/plug adapter Clip on portable phone/watch charger iWalk portable battery Camera set: Olympus OM-D E-M10 body Olympus M.Zuiko 14-150 mm F4-5.6 II Lens Olympus spare battery Sunglasses: Knockaround sunglasses Goodr sunglasses Earbuds: Anker SoundCore X20 noise-canceling earbuds Water: Half-liter insulated water bottle CamelBak hydration bladder Don't miss this inspiring, practical travel with kids podcast hosted by family travel expert Melissa Conn, founder of The Family Voyage, certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, and mom of two who proves family travel is achievable for everyone. Blog The Family Voyage Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel Check out my favorite travel gear and my Etsy shop ! Chase Sapphire credit cards
How We Planned London & Azores on Points
This summer our family is heading to London and the Azores — and before we go, I'm walking you through exactly how we're paying for it with points and miles. From 32,500 AA miles per person to a $1 flight (yes, really), this episode breaks down every flight and every hotel booking and shows you what this trip would have cost in cash versus what we're actually paying out of pocket. If you've ever wondered whether the points and miles game is worth it for a family, this one's for you. IN THIS EPISODE Why we paired London and the Azores together — and why we couldn't squeeze in a second island How booking nine months out locked us into an ideal one-stop itinerary at 32,500 AA miles per person The one-dollar flight from London to São Miguel — and why departure taxes matter more than you think How we'll get home from the Azores with United miles and a cardholder deal Finding a four-person hotel room in London (harder than it sounds) How we used Amex points — a currency we were flush with but not using enough — to cover our Azores hotel stay The full cash value of this trip vs. what we're actually paying TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Welcome and Points Preview 01:32 Trip Setup and Constraints 03:22 Flights to London with AA Miles 06:36 Avios Deal and UK Departure Taxes 08:04 Flying Home from the Azores 10:36 London Hotel: The Standard with Hyatt Points 13:23 Azores Hotel: DoubleTree with Amex and Hilton Points 15:16 Total Costs and Takeaways 16:46 Wrapping Up Credit Cards Chase Sapphire Preferred Chase Sapphire Reserve Capital One Venture X Amex Gold Card Amex Platinum Card Award Search Tools PointsYeah AwardTool More Resources Best Credit Cards for Family Travel How to Travel Free with Kids Episode 30 – Portugal on Points Episode 14 – Hacking Hotels Episode 7 - Travel with kids for FREE? Yes please! Don't miss this inspiring, practical travel with kids podcast hosted by family travel expert Melissa Conn, founder of The Family Voyage, certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, and mom of two who proves family travel is achievable for everyone. Blog The Family Voyage Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel Check out my favorite travel gear and my Etsy shop ! Chase Sapphire credit cards
Southwest Companion Pass + World of Hyatt points = endless family travel possibilities. Here's how to make them work together. What happens when you combine the Southwest Companion Pass with World of Hyatt points? You get one of the most versatile family travel strategies out there — whether you're looking for an easy long weekend at a Texas resort, a ski trip in Colorado, an eco-adventure in Costa Rica, or an all-inclusive in Jamaica. In this episode I'm breaking down how these two programs work together, walking through some of my favorite properties across several trip types, and sharing honest real-world experience from stays I've actually done with my family. In this episode: How the Southwest Companion Pass works — and why having two in one household is a game-changer The best tip for saving even more on Southwest fares after you book How Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer to World of Hyatt at 1:1 — and why that matters Three ways to earn a Category 1-4 free night certificate from the Chase World of Hyatt card What Hyatt's new five-tier award chart means for families (and the silver lining for cert holders) Easy long weekend getaways: Florida, Texas, New Mexico, California Family adventure trips: Costa Rica, Joshua Tree, skiing, Hawaii and why Anchorage is suddenly on the table All-inclusives: the properties, AND the important caveats families need to know before booking Timestamps 00:00 — Welcome 01:42 — Earning the Southwest Companion Pass and Saving More After You Book 05:20 — Chase, Hyatt Points and Free Night Certificates 07:36 — Understanding Hyatt's New Award Chart 09:12 — Easy Long Weekend Getaways 18:31 — Family Adventure Trips 28:19 — All-Inclusive Resorts 32:27 — Wrap-Up Resources Southwest Southwest credit cards How to earn the Southwest companion pass Episode 17 — Southwest Companion Pass deep dive Chase / Hyatt Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card World of Hyatt award chart Hotel Reviews on The Family Voyage Andaz Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Hyatt Regency Waikiki Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Don't miss this inspiring, practical travel with kids podcast hosted by family travel expert Melissa Conn, founder of The Family Voyage, certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, and mom of two who proves family travel is achievable for everyone. Blog The Family Voyage Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel Check out my favorite travel gear and my Etsy shop ! Chase Sapphire credit cards
Clash of the (Sort of) Ninety-Five Dollar Travel Credit Cards
Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Capital One Venture X — which travel credit card is right for your family? Melissa breaks down annual fees, earning rates, transfer partners, lounge access, and real-world redemptions to help you decide. Spoiler: you'll probably want both. In this episode: Why the Venture X's $395 annual fee is effectively comparable to the Sapphire Preferred's $95 — and how the math works The Capital One travel portal price match trick that actually works Current welcome bonuses How the Chase Freedom Unlimited pairs with the Sapphire Preferred to maximize everyday earning Transfer partners: why Chase and Capital One complement each other rather than compete What's changing with World of Hyatt's award chart and what it means for your redemptions Capital One Offers: the underrated feature that scored Melissa's family 10k bonus points on an Expedia booking and 5k on StubHub — plus a jaw-dropping theme park ticket offer Lounge access: what the recent guest policy changes mean for families The Chase 5/24 rule, Capital One's inquiry sensitivity, and the right order to open these cards How to freeze a credit bureau before applying to improve your Capital One approval odds How Ronnie and Melissa divide the cards in their household — and how she uses his Venture X at Target, the grocery store and all around town Timestamps 00:00 Welcome 02:18 Why Compare the Capital One Venture X vs Chase Sapphire Preferred? 03:37 Annual Fee Math Explained 07:01 Bonuses and Real Examples 08:22 Earning Rates and Strategy 11:45 Portals vs Transfer Partners 16:41 CapitalOne Offers Hack 18:34 Premium Perks 21:44 Application Tips 24:11 Final Recommendations Credit Cards Chase Sapphire Preferred Chase Freedom Unlimited Chase Ink Business Preferred Capital One Venture X (Personal) Capital One Venture X Business Award Search Tools PointsYeah AwardTool Articles Free travel resources Best Credit Cards for Family Travel Get your free ebook Don't miss this inspiring, practical travel with kids podcast hosted by family travel expert Melissa Conn, founder of The Family Voyage, certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, and mom of two who proves family travel is achievable for everyone. Blog The Family Voyage Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel Check out my favorite travel gear and my Etsy shop ! Chase Sapphire credit cards
Planning a family trip to Europe but not sure where to start? In this episode Melissa breaks down everything you need to know to plan your first family trip to Europe — from choosing the right destination for your family to getting around once you're there without losing your mind. With nine trips to Europe across more than a decade of family travel, Melissa has done it every way imaginable: road trips, trains, ferries, budget flights, and everything in between. She shares which countries work best for first-timers and why, what to expect logistically, and how to use points and miles to bring the cost of a family trip to Europe within reach. In this episode: The single most important mindset shift for a first Europe trip with kids What you need to know about passports and travel authorizations before you book A destination-by-destination breakdown of the best countries for first-time Europe families - including Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Greece, France, and Iceland How to get around Europe with kids How to use points and miles to significantly reduce your costs Practical on-the-ground tips: adapters, eSIMs, travel insurance, and more 00:00 Welcome 02:11 Big picture planning 05:35 Best destinations for a first family trip to Europe 17:57 Getting around Europe with kids 22:30 Europe on a budget 24:27 Logistical tips for your family trip to Europe 26:08 Do you need travel insurance? 27:11 Final thoughts and where to go from here Articles Europe with Kids — Complete Destination Hub Should you bring your car seat to Europe? Ireland with Kids Travel Guide Where to Go in Italy with Kids Spring Portugal with Kids Itinerary, Recap and (Slight) Regrets Greece with Kids: Where Should You Go? Athens with Kids in One Day (or Two) Naxos with Kids Visiting Crete with Kids Paris with Kids Best Iceland Tours Travel Insurance & Gear Squaremouth (compare insurance plans) Universal travel power adapter Airalo eSIM (use code MELISS0517) Don't miss this inspiring, practical travel with kids podcast hosted by family travel expert Melissa Conn, founder of The Family Voyage, certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, and mom of two who proves family travel is achievable for everyone. Blog The Family Voyage Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel Check out my favorite travel gear and my Etsy shop ! Chase Sapphire credit cards
Road Trip with Kids: How to Plan, Pack & Actually Enjoy the Drive
With summer airfare through the roof, road trips are having a major moment — and honestly, they deserve it. In this episode, Melissa shares her best family road trip tips from two cross-country drives and multiple thousand-mile trips with her kids: how to plan your route, pack the car smart, keep everyone happy on long driving days, and use points, miles, and credit card perks to save big on hotels and gas. Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro & why road trips make sense this summer 01:41 – Route planning: apps, mindset & building in buffer 06:04 – Packing the car: comfort, gear & staying organized 13:55 – Food & entertainment on the road 19:53 – Saving money: gas, tolls, hotels & park passes Credit cards mentioned: Chase Sapphire Preferred Capital One Venture X United Explorer Card Gear mentioned in this episode: Cigarette lighter USB power strip Inflatable footrest Mini cutting board & knife Portable jump starter & battery pack Yoto Mini Toniebox USB mini vacuum Apps & tools: Roadtrippers Wanderlog GasBuddy CardPointers Road trip guides on The Family Voyage: Michigan Road Trip Itinerary New York & Canada Road Trip Road Trip Tips with Kids Have a question or a topic you'd like covered? Reach out at melissa@thefamilyvoyage.com or find me on Facebook/Instagram at @thefamilyvoyage. If this episode was helpful, share it with a family who's figuring out their summer plans — and don't forget to leave a five-star review wherever you listen. It helps other families find the show! Don't miss this inspiring, practical travel with kids podcast hosted by family travel expert Melissa Conn, founder of The Family Voyage, certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, and mom of two who proves family travel is achievable for everyone. Blog The Family Voyage Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel Check out my favorite travel gear and my Etsy shop ! Chase Sapphire credit cards
Family travel to Portugal with kids: honest recap of our spring break family trip to Portugal covering Lisbon, Sintra, Cascais and Porto. We just got back from nine nights in Portugal with our kids and this episode covers everything — what worked, what surprised us, and what you need to know before you go. We share our full itinerary across Lisbon and Porto, a night in Cascais after a Sintra day trip, our honest take on navigating Celiac disease in Portugal, why our whole family liked Porto better than Lisbon, a private Douro Valley day trip, and a few things we'd do differently. Links to all tours, hotels, and resources mentioned are below. TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Introduction 4:00 Lisbon with kids 17:30 Sintra and Cascais 21:00 Jewish history tour and Day 5 in Lisbon 23:30 Porto with kids 27:00 Douro Valley day trip 28:30 Wrapping up LINKS Tours & Experiences 2-hour Lisbon tuk tuk tour Lisbon food tour Quake Lisbon Oceanário de Lisboa Private Sintra day trip Pena Palace Park and/or Interior Moorish Castle in Sintra Jewish Lisbon tour Daytrip – Douro Valley private day trip Tile painting workshop in Porto Livraria Lello in Porto Where to Stay Hyatt Regency Lisbon Hotel Baia, Cascais Líbere Porto Laranjais Resources Portugal With Kids Itinerary Best Things to Do in Lisbon With Kids Where to Stay in Lisbon With Kids Where to Stay in Porto With Kids Books The Girl with the Secret Name Rick Steves Portugal Don't miss this inspiring, practical travel with kids podcast hosted by family travel expert Melissa Conn, founder of The Family Voyage, certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, and mom of two who proves family travel is achievable for everyone. Blog The Family Voyage Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel Check out my favorite travel gear and my Etsy shop ! Chase Sapphire credit cards
Five Travel Tips for Savvy Travelers in 2026
Airfare is up, Hyatt's award chart is changing, TSA lines are about to get longer, and your passport might expire sooner than you think. Here are five things savvy travelers are doing right now — and why each one matters for your family. These travel tips cover a mix of time-sensitive moves and things you've probably been meaning to do. Some apply to everyone; at least one is pretty niche (I'll tell you upfront if it's probably not for you). But if even two or three of these strike a chord, this episode is worth your time. In this episode: Why World of Hyatt members should book award stays before May 20th — and what the award chart changes actually mean How to book flights right now without locking yourself into a bad deal What credit card protections, travel insurance, and EU261 can do for you when things go wrong — and what happened when I had none of the above (episode 33) Why summer 2026 airport lines are going to be brutal — and how TSA Precheck, Global Entry, and CLEAR can get you through faster How to audit your family's passports and set smart calendar reminders so you're never caught off guard Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome 00:49 #1 Lock in Hyatt Stays 06:04 #2 Book Flexible Flights 08:36 #3 Protect Yourself 13:11 #4 Beat Summer Security Lines 20:19 #5 Audit Your Passports 23:00 Quick Recap & Farewell Family-friendly Hyatt stays to book now Andaz Papagayo Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Booking flexible flights Four Reasons I LOVE Award Travel (Other Than Free Stuff) United Explorer card Alaska Atmos Ascent card Travel insurance Compare options here Skipping security lines Discounted CLEAR+ membership IHG Premier card (cheapest TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credit) Amex Platinum card (CLEAR+ credit) Don't miss this inspiring, practical travel with kids podcast hosted by family travel expert Melissa Conn, founder of The Family Voyage, certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, and mom of two who proves family travel is achievable for everyone. Blog The Family Voyage Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel Check out my favorite travel gear and my Etsy shop ! Chase Sapphire credit cards
From Tot to Teen: How Travel With Kids Changes Through the Stages
Travel with kids changes as you go - from gear and sleep schedules to school calendars and hotel choices. Listen up to find out what 15 years has taught us. From baby's first lap infant flight to a teen texting friends from Portuguese hilltops, family travel looks completely different at every stage. Melissa gets personal in this one, sharing real stories from nearly 15 years on the road with her two kids, why she hates beach trips with babies, a two-year full-time travel adventure, the trip that turned into a COVID quarantine nightmare, and what it's actually like to travel with tweens and teens today. Whether you're just getting started with a baby or trying to hold onto the family travel years before your kid heads to high school, this episode will meet you where you are. In this episode: Why condo resorts and vacation rentals are perfect for babies and toddlers (and when to switch to hotels) The stroller and gear setup that worked for traveling with two young kids How the full-time travel years shaped the way the family travels today Why you should use your school schedule flexibility window while you have it How to build trips around your tween's actual interests — food tours, local sports, craft workshops What shifts when you're traveling with a teenager Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome 01:31 Travel with a baby 06:58 Travel with a toddler 08:21 Travel with school age kids 14:01 Travel with tweens 17:45 Travel with teens 20:33 Wrapping up How to travel with car seats Expert tips for flying with a baby Useful travel gifts for families Don't miss this inspiring, practical travel with kids podcast hosted by family travel expert Melissa Conn, founder of The Family Voyage, certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, and mom of two who proves family travel is achievable for everyone. Blog The Family Voyage Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel Check out my favorite travel gear and my Etsy shop ! Chase Sapphire credit cards
Alaska cruise planning for families: what it costs, which cruise line to pick, best ports, shore excursions, and more with expert Kim Tate. Expert guest Kim Tate of Stuffed Suitcase has been on roughly 10 Alaska cruises and just published a book on the subject. She joins host Melissa Conn to break down everything families need to know about planning an Alaska cruise with kids — from choosing the right ship to managing excursion logistics to setting realistic expectations about wildlife and weather. In this episode: Cruise vs. land: what each format does better for families Roundtrip vs. one-way Alaska itineraries — and the Gulf of Alaska crossing Glacier Bay vs. other glacier experiences: is it worth planning around? Best Alaska cruise lines for kids programming What a realistic Alaska cruise actually costs for a family Shore excursions: cruise line vs. independent booking, and one third-party resource Kim trusts Seattle vs. Vancouver embarkation - including the two Seattle piers most families don't know about How to use companion passes to offset flight costs Lightning round: Kim's favorite SEA lounge, best Alaska wildlife sighting, what she always eats and more! Already explored Alaska by land? Melissa has too — listen to Episode 32 for the land trip breakdown, then come back to this one for the cruise deep dive. 00:00 Welcome and Meet Kim Tate 04:14 Alaska Cruise Planning Preliminaries 06:01 Cruise vs Land Experiences 07:03 Alaska Cruise Itineraries 11:36 What's the Best Alaska Cruise for Families and Kids? 15:24 Weather and Cancellations 18:55 Realistic Alaska Cruise Trip Costs 22:26 Choosing Your Ideal Alaska Cruise 30:37 Alaska Shore Excursions 37:14 Embarkation: Seattle vs Vancouver 39:54 Why Use a Travel Advisor 42:39 Lightning Round 48:17 Wrap Up How to work with Kim Connect via Stuffed Suitcase , Facebook or Instagram Alaska Cruises - The Ultimate Guide Plan your Alaska trip All my Alaska resources Anchorage & Kenai Peninsula Itinerary eBook Shore Excursions Group Entry-level binoculars Upgraded binoculars Don't miss this inspiring, practical travel with kids podcast hosted by family travel expert Melissa Conn, founder of The Family Voyage, certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, and mom of two who proves family travel is achievable for everyone. Blog The Family Voyage Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel Check out my favorite travel gear and my Etsy shop ! Chase Sapphire credit cards
Surprise! When Flights Go Wrong (and How to Protect Yourself)
Flight cancelled abroad? Here's what to do when travel disruptions hit. I'm sharing 3 mistakes I made on our Portugal spring break plus one backup flight trick every traveler needs to know. Two cancelled flights, two mechanical failures, a sprint through Dulles, and a late-night Lyft from DC to Baltimore - that's how our Portugal spring break ended. I'm sharing what went wrong, three planning mistakes I made, and one backup flight trick that saved us. 00:00 Welcome and Updates 01:11 Portugal Trip Plan 02:28 United Rebooking Chaos Begins 03:51 Stranded in Lisbon 05:05 Fighting for a Better Route 08:04 Backup Flight Trick 10:55 My Travel Mistakes 14:06 EU261 Claims and Wrap Up Resources Chase Sapphire Preferred Capital One Venture X Travel insurance comparison CardPointers+ Don't miss this inspiring, practical travel with kids podcast hosted by family travel expert Melissa Conn, founder of The Family Voyage, certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, and mom of two who proves family travel is achievable for everyone. Blog The Family Voyage Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel Check out my favorite travel gear and my Etsy shop ! Chase Sapphire credit cards
Planning a road trip to Alaska with kids this summer? Don't miss this episode for the highlights (and lowlights) of visiting The Last Frontier on a family trip. Find out why Alaska is worth the effort, who it’s best for, and how to book flights using points and miles. Host Melissa outlines top regions and stops along with highlights like dog sledding, a Kenai Fjords boat tour, Lake Clark bear viewing, Byron Glacier, Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, and the Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage. 00:00 Welcome and Alaska Preview 01:16 Why Alaska for Families 02:32 Booking your Alaska family trip 05:56 Road Trip Tips 08:02 Anchorage Essentials 10:09 Girdwood 12:01 Kenai Peninsula Highlights 14:30 Anchorage Day Trips 18:24 Top Experiences to Prioritize 19:54 Final Planning and Packing Tips 21:59 Wrap Up and Next Episode Links 10-day Alaska itinerary Alaska with kids Anchorage travel guide Day trips from Anchorage Renting a car in Alaska Alaska travel tips Don't miss this inspiring, practical travel with kids podcast hosted by family travel expert Melissa Conn, founder of The Family Voyage, certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, and mom of two who proves family travel is achievable for everyone. Blog The Family Voyage Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel Check out my favorite travel gear and my Etsy shop ! Chase Sapphire credit cards
