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Family Travel Unpacked: Make the Most of Travel With Kids
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.
Episodes
37 episodes
Portugal with Kids: Itinerary, Tips and My Honest Take
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 — wha...
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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....
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 hil...
Alaska With Kids - Cruise Edition (Part 2)
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...
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 fai...
Alaska With Kids - Road Trip Edition (Part 1)
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...
Hawaii vs Costa Rica: Showdown in Paradise
Hawaii vs Costa Rica for families: a real comparison of cost, activities, logistics and accessibility — plus which one we chose for our winter break.If you've been going back and forth between Hawaii and Costa Rica for your family...
Portugal on Points: A Case Study
Award travel case study: how our family is booking Portugal flights and hotels for 4 people using points — and spending under $1,000 out of pocket.Ever wonder what it actually looks like to build a trip from scratch using points a...
LA with Kids: A Mom's Insider Guide
If you're planning a trip to Los Angeles with kids, this episode is your insider playbook. Melissa lived in LA for 20 years, raised her kids there, and still visits multiple times a year — including just last week, when she visited two attracti...
9 Common Family Travel Planning Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
Avoid these 9 common family travel mistakes! From booking too late to overpacking, learn how to plan better trips with kids and save money with points & miles along the way.Planning family travel doesn't have to be overwhelming. In t...
Cool Summer Family Vacations: Alaska, Iceland, Michigan & Beyond | Travel With Kids
Family summer vacations don't have to mean sweltering heat. Discover 5 cool-weather destinations perfect for travel with kids this summer.In this episode of Family Travel Unpacked, host Melissa shares real experiences from epic family ro...
Banff with Kids with Celine Brewer of Travel Banff Canada
Planning a family trip to Banff? Join Melissa as she talks with Celine of Travel Banff Canada about visiting Banff with kids - from best times to visit and where to stay to budgeting tips and must-do activities. Celine, a mom of two living in C...
Dolomites with Kids: What Families Need to Know
Planning a family trip to the Dolomites? Learn which hiking spots work best for kids and which ones are too challenging in this practical guide.Melissa shares honest insights from her Northern Italy trip with her 11 and 14-year-old kids,...
Your Italy with Kids Game Plan
Planning a family trip to Italy? Learn how to create the perfect Italy with kids itinerary from a mom who's done it three times at different ages. Discover how to choose your bases, navigate transportation (trains vs rental cars), avoid tourist...
Celiac Travel Tips for Families
Celiac travel tips for families: Learn how to safely travel internationally with food allergies. Melissa shares practical strategies for keeping your child safe while exploring the world - from choosing gluten-free friendly destinations like Co...
Travel With Kids: Picky Eater Edition
Family travel with kids gets easier when picky eaters become adventurous! Learn 8 strategies to help your children try new foods while traveling.Struggling with picky eaters on family trips? You're not alone. In this episode of Fa...
Icon of the Seas: A Kid's Take
Icon of the Seas from a kid's perspective! 11-year-old Shoshana shares her honest review of cruising with kids, from soft serve to Celiac dining.What does an 11-year-old really think about Icon of the Seas? In this Quick Tip Tuesd...
All About Icon of the Seas: Review, Pros, Cons and Everything In Between
Icon of the Seas review: honest multigenerational cruise tips for 12 travelers ages 4-78. Western Caribbean ports, dining, shows & staterooms.We're just back from a week on Icon of the Seas with our crew of twelve! I'm sharing...
Visiting Hiroshima with Kids: An Honest Guide
Visiting Hiroshima with kids: Should families tour the A-bomb sites? Melissa shares honest advice on navigating Japan with kids, including age-appropriate preparation strategies and what to expect at the Peace Memorial Museum. Learn which books...
Japan with Kids: Planning Tips & What to Expect
Planning a family trip to Japan? In this episode, Melissa shares honest insights from her family's 10-day Japan adventure with kids ages 8 and 11. She covers what worked, what didn't, and why Japan became one of their most memorable trips despi...
Southwest Companion Pass 2026: My Secret to Budget Travel with Kids
Southwest Companion Pass 2026 lets you fly your kids for $5.60 on every flight! Learn how to earn 135,000 points fast with credit card bonuses.Melissa breaks down everything you need to know about earning the Southwest Companion Pass in ...
Family Travel Plans for 2026: A Sneak Peek at What’s Next
Travel with kids in 2026: Get a sneak peek at our family travel plans! From Portugal to London, cruises to beach weekends, see how one family balances school schedules, sleepaway camps, and award travel to plan an incredible year of fami...
Travel With Kids: Looking Back on Our 2025 Family Adventures
Join us for a special 2025 year-end review including travel with kids to 10+ destinations! Family travel expert Melissa shares her year-in-review adventures including Maui family vacation tips, Italy with teenagers, Costa Rica with kids, and bu...
Hacking Hotels (Family Edition)
Travel rewards and credit card points strategies to save thousands on family hotels! Learn unconventional booking hacks from a family travel expert.Maximize your credit card points and travel rewards with four game-changing hotel ...
Hawaii with Kids: Five Questions People Ask Me All The Time
Planning a family trip to Hawaii with kids? Melissa shares 20+ years of Hawaii experience, answering the top 5 questions about which island to choose, how to make Hawaii affordable with points & miles, hotel vs condo decisions, trip length,...