Family Travel Unpacked: Make the Most of Travel With Kids

Melissa Conn
  • 4.7 (14)
  • Places & Travel

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.

  1. 1d ago

    Planning Hawaii with Kids: Islands, Rental Scams, Luaus & More with Marcie Cheung

    Planning a Hawaii vacation with kids and not sure which island to pick, where to stay, or what to book ahead? In part one of my conversation with Hawaii expert Marcie Cheung of Hawaii Travel With Kids, we cover choosing the best Hawaiian island for your family, island hopping, hotels vs. vacation rentals, planning mistakes, the best luau for families, and visiting Lahaina and Kauai right now. Marcie Cheung is a Hawaii travel consultant for families, host of the Hawaii Travel Made Easy podcast, and one of my closest travel buddies. With 40+ trips and a hula background, she's the Hawaii vacation planner every family wishes they had on speed dial. In this episode: Oahu vs. Maui vs. Kauai vs. the Big Island: which island fits your familyHawaii with babies, toddlers, and older kidsIsland hopping: how many days you need per islandVacation rental scams, condos vs. hotels, and rental car break-insTop mistakes first-timers and repeat visitors makeThe most authentic luau in Hawaii, and learning Hawaiian history before you goPearl Harbor with kids, plus visiting Lahaina and Kauai nowTimestamps 00:00 — Meet Marcie Cheung04:00 — How Hawaii has changed07:44 — Choosing an island10:57 — Hawaii with kids by age16:49 — Island hopping20:29 — Rentals, scams and car theft32:22 — Planning mistakes35:09 — Authentic Hawaii and luaus41:47 — History and Pearl Harbor47:56 — Lahaina, Kauai and wrap-upPart two drops next Friday! Marcie Cheung Hawaii Travel With KidsHawaii Travel Made Easy podcastBook a consultation with MarcieIsland hopping guideMaui guideOahu guideRelated Hawaii With Kids: Five Questions People Ask MeBest Hawaiian island for kidsVisiting Pearl Harbor with kidsRenting a car in HawaiiMentioned Toa LuauOld Lahaina LuauHaleakala guided tourMolokini snorkel tourWhat Was Pearl Harbor?Squaremouth travel insuranceSouthwest Companion Pass trickDon'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

  2. Nov 6

    Miami with Kids: Food, Hotels, and Hacks

    What is there to do in Miami with kids besides the beach? In this episode, I share where families should stay in Miami, how we fly there on points, the four tours I'd book on any Miami trip, and our favorite family-friendly restaurants from Little Havana to Wynwood to Coral Gables. My daughter and I just got back from her fall break long weekend in Miami — yet again — visiting friends, checking out new things, and eating very well. After more Miami trips than I can count, here's everything I'd tell a family planning a visit, from culture and street art to the Everglades, Biscayne Bay, and the best family beaches. In this episode: Flying to Miami on points: Southwest Companion Pass into Fort Lauderdale, and American flights out of Miami for just 7,500 Alaska Atmos points each wayWhy it pays to compare Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach airportsWhere to stay in Miami with kids: Hyatt Regency Coral Gables (best with a rental car), Andaz Miami Beach in Mid-Beach (great location, but small rooms and thin walls), and Hyatt Regency Miami for short stays or pre-cruiseBooking Miami Hyatts with Chase, Bilt, or Amex, and the 4:3 Hyatt transfer ratios to watchFour must-do tours: Little Havana food and culture, Wynwood street art by golf cart, the Everglades Shark Valley tram (plus an optional airboat), and a small-group Biscayne Bay sailMore things to do: Frost Science Museum, Superblue, Pérez Art Museum, Fairchild, Pinecrest Gardens, and Biscayne National ParkThe best family beaches in Miami and where to eat with kids, including Celiac-friendly picksTimestamps 00:00 — Welcome back00:45 — Why Miami with kids02:50 — Flights on points05:45 — Where to stay09:18 — Booking hotels on points12:31 — Four must-do tours20:38 — More things to do23:46 — Best family beaches25:23 — Where to eat28:57 — Wrap-upRelated Episodes S2 Ep. 7 — Repeat Trips with Kids: When Going Back Is the Smarter MoveS2 Ep. 4 — The Sapphire Saga: Why I'm Not Sorry for Spending $800 on a Credit Card Annual FeeMiami & Florida Guides Things to do in Miami with kids4 must-do tours in MiamiThings to do in Orlando with tweensHow to get discounts on car rentalsWhere to Stay Hyatt Regency Coral GablesAndaz Miami BeachHyatt Regency MiamiTours Little Havana food & cultural tourWynwood street art golf cart tourWynwood street art walking tourWynwood Walls ticketsShark Valley tram tourEverglades airboat rideRoyal Palm ranger-led programsFlamingo kayak & canoe rentalsFlamingo backcountry boat tourBiscayne Bay small-group sailing tripPrivate boat rental (up to 8 guests)Things to Do Frost Science Museum ticketsSuperblue ticketsBiscayne National Park Institute toursWhere to Eat Cafe La Trova reservationsCafe La Trova premium seatingInKind — $25 off your next mealPoints & Miles Southwest Companion Pass trickAlaska Atmos Ascent cardChase Sapphire Preferred / ReserveAmex PlatinumBest credit cards for family travelDon'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

  3. Oct 17

    Repeat Trips with Kids: When Going Back Is the Smarter Move

    Is it worth taking your kids back to a vacation destination you've already visited? In this episode, I share why repeat family trips are often the smarter move, especially for multigenerational travel, plus the honest downsides and how to make a return trip to Costa Rica, Hawaii, Italy, Alaska, Puerto Rico, or Amsterdam feel brand new. Every family trip we have planned for the next six months is a repeat destination: Miami, New York, Costa Rica, a mystery state, and Amsterdam and Paris. In this episode, I explain why that's not a rut. Going back lets you scout logistics for a big group, explore new regions, see a place through older kids' eyes, and travel with a lot less planning stress. In this episode: Why I scout destinations with just the four of us before planning winter break for our extended family of about 13Lessons from Riviera Maya, Hawaii, and Costa Rica: group transportation, restaurant reservations, accessible hotels, pacing, drive times, and car-sickness routesGoing deeper on a return visit: Rome versus the Dolomites in Italy, three very different Alaska trips, and two Puerto Rico trips that felt like different destinationsAmsterdam with a newborn and a toddler versus Amsterdam with two teensHow familiarity makes family travel easier, including knowing where to find Celiac-safe, gluten-free foodThe downsides of repeat vacations: less novelty, limited school breaks, changed expectations, and why Celiac would make a return trip to Japan harderQuestions to ask before choosing a new destination or a return tripSimple ways to make a repeat trip feel freshTimestamps 00:00 — Every trip is a repeat02:00 — Why go back?02:36 — Scouting for big groups07:48 — Going deeper11:56 — Same place, older kids14:44 — The comfort of familiarity16:47 — The downsides21:02 — New or return?21:55 — Making it feel fresh23:59 — Wrap-upRelated Episodes S1 Ep. 45 — Alaska With Kids: Anchorage Edition with My TeenS1 Ep. 35 — From Tot to Teen: How Travel With Kids Changes Through the StagesS1 Ep. 37 — Portugal with Kids: Itinerary, Tips and My Honest TakeS2 Ep. 2 — London with KidsS2 Ep. 5 — Azores with Kids: The Full São Miguel GuideHawaii vs Costa Rica: Showdown in ParadiseDolomites With Kids: What Families Need to KnowMaking Multi-Generational Travel Work for EveryoneCeliac Travel Tips for FamiliesDestination Guides Costa Rica travel planningHawaii travel planningWhere to stay on OahuBest resorts in Riviera Maya for familiesSummer Northern Italy itinerary + recapAlaska travel planning hubPuerto Rico with kidsThings to do in Miami with kidsNYC attractions for kidsPoints & Miles Best credit cards for family travelDon'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

  4. Oct 2

    Travel Tools I Use for Every Trip

    What apps and websites make planning a family trip with points and miles easier? In this episode, I walk through the exact tools I use for every trip, from finding award seats and nonstop routes to organizing the itinerary and getting through travel day with kids. It started with a mistake. This morning I discovered I'd booked a return flight a full month too late, and a tool I've had for almost 20 years would have caught it. So here's my whole toolkit, in the order I use it, including the ones I should be using more. In this episode: Why Thrifty Traveler Premium's deal alerts and credit card benefit tracker are worth the subscriptionMy backwards search trick on FlightsFrom to find nonstop gateways from any destinationHow I use PointsYeah, PointsPath Pro, and seats.aero to find award seats, plus the programs PointsYeah is missingWhy you should always confirm award space with the airline before transferring pointsThe Google Sheets layout I use to build every itinerary, plus the shared doc that stores all our loyalty numbersHow TripIt keeps confirmations in one place (and how it would have caught my mistake)Where AI fits in my planning, and where it doesn'tThe United, Hilton, and Avis app features that make travel days easierThe Allyz app from our annual Allianz policy, and when to compare policies on SquaremouthEarning extra on tours, rental cars, and cash hotel stays with shopping portals and CardPointersDeal Alerts & Card Benefits Thrifty Traveler Premium (save $20 with code THEFAMILYVOYAGE)Route Finding FlightsFromFlightConnectionsAward Search PointsYeahPointsPath seats.aero Trip Organizing TripIt Travel Insurance Squaremouth (compare travel insurance policies)Shopping Portals & Card Offers RakutenTopCashbackCapital One ShoppingCardPointers (lifetime plan discount)From The Family Voyage Fall Break Destinations for FamiliesBest credit cards for family travelDon'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

  5. Sep 25

    Azores with Kids: The Full São Miguel Guide

    How many days do you actually need in the Azores with kids, and is São Miguel worth the trip? This is the full São Miguel guide — flights and points, renting a car, where to stay, the best hot springs and waterfalls, whale watching, and the honest story of how our four days actually went, weather included. We paired this trip with a stop in London (full recap in Season 2, Episode 2), and if you want the complete points and miles breakdown for the whole ten-day trip, that's back in Season 1, Episode 42. This episode is just about São Miguel: what it's like, what to do, where to stay, and what we'd change next time. In this episode: Why the Azores feel nothing like mainland Portugal, even though they're technically part of itHow long you actually need on São Miguel (we had four days — here's why that wasn't quite enough)Best time of year to visit and how the island's microclimates can wreck a tight itineraryThe points and miles breakdown for getting to and from São Miguel, plus why renting a car is non-negotiableWhere to stay: the DoubleTree by Hilton in Lagoa on points, plus Pedras do Mar and Senhora da Rosa for cash bookingsScenic lookouts, waterfalls, hot springs (including the one that's nearly impossible to book), whale and dolphin watching, and a pineapple farmOur actual day-by-day itinerary, weather setbacks and allA split family verdict: how Jacob, Shoshana, Ronnie, and Melissa each felt about the island differentlyTimestamps 00:00 — Intro & Recap of the Trip00:52 — Why the Azores Aren't Mainland Portugal04:03 — How Long You Actually Need06:07 — Best Time of Year to Visit07:16 — Flights, Points & Renting a Car10:50 — Where to Stay on São Miguel13:18 — Best Things to Do20:04 — Our Actual Day-by-Day Itinerary22:39 — Family Verdict & What We'd ChangeLinks The Full Guide São Miguel, Azores Travel Guide — full write-up with the map, packing list, and activity details mentioned in this episodeRelated Episodes S1 Ep. 42 — How We Planned London & Azores on PointsS1 Ep. 49 — London vs. Azores Recap: A Kid's TakeS2 Ep. 2 — London with Kids: What We Loved, What Surprised Us, and What We'll Do Differently Next TimeWhere We Stayed DoubleTree by Hilton Lagoa — booked on points, full Hilton transfer math in the guidePedras do Mar Resort & Spa — splurgier north coast pickSenhora da Rosa — cash booking, pool table and a pineapple-greenhouse hot tubThings to Do Poça da Dona Beija hot springsCaldeira Velha tickets — book the moment your dates are set, slots go fastWhale & dolphin watching tourSpotAzores live weather cams (São Miguel)Car Rental Discover Cars — São Miguel local rental optionsFlight Deals SAVE $20 on Thrifty Traveler Premium 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. Sep 18

    The Sapphire Saga: Why I'm Not Sorry for Spending $800 on a Credit Card Annual Fee

    Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve still worth its $795 annual fee after the 2025 overhaul — and what does the Chase Sapphire Preferred's new 4:3 Hyatt transfer ratio mean for your points? This episode breaks down every change to both Sapphire cards this year, why Melissa upgraded back to the Reserve with no welcome bonus, and exactly how she used Chase's "The Edit" hotel program to book two rooms for four nights in Amsterdam for 100,000 points and fifty dollars. In this episode: What the Chase Sapphire Reserve looked like in 2016 vs. what it costs and covers nowWhy Melissa and her husband downgraded to Freedom Unlimited in 2023 — and why that trick doesn't work anymoreThe Chase Sapphire Preferred's June 2026 overhaul: the Hyatt transfer ratio drop, the doubled hotel credit, and what's grandfathered until OctoberThree reasons Melissa upgraded to the $795 Reserve without a welcome bonusA full breakdown of The Edit: split reservations, price-matching, and stacking Points Boost to book Amsterdam's Kimpton De Witt for next to nothingWhy Melissa isn't sure she'll keep chasing Hyatt Globalist status, and what that means for her hotel strategy going forwardTimestamps: 00:00 Welcome 03:15 Chase Sapphire Reserve Refresh 04:51 Chase Sapphire Preferred Refresh 09:08 Why I Upgraded Again 13:16 Chase Travel's The Edit (My Booking Hacks) 18:13 More Resources and Wrap Up Resources: Chase Sapphire Preferred: What's Changing and What You Should Do About It3 Reasons I Upgraded to the Chase Sapphire Reserve (Even Without a Bonus)Case Study: The Edit Shines in AmsterdamCards mentioned Chase Sapphire Reserve / PreferredChase Ink Business Preferred / Sapphire Reserve for BusinessChase Freedom UnlimitedGeneral resources Best Credit Cards for Family TravelFree Travel resource pageDon'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

  7. Sep 4

    Reflecting on Full-Time Family Travel, Nine Years Later

    Nine years ago this month, Melissa's family packed up the car and set off on what was supposed to be a one-year adventure — and turned into almost two. In this reflective episode, she looks back at what actually stuck: the deep family bond that full-time travel built, why "owning your happiness" became a lasting family value, and how those lessons still shape the way they travel. In this episode: The 2017 family trip that turned into two years on the roadThe two biggest takeaways from full-time travel — and why neither one is really about travel at allHow those lessons still show up in how the family plans trips today, even short onesWhy this isn't a "quit your job" pitch, and small, realistic ways to build in a pause without upending your lifeDon'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

  8. Aug 28

    London with Kids: What We Loved, What Surprised Us, and What We'll Do Differently Next Time

    Family travel to London with kids: what we loved, what surprised us, and what we'd do differently on our next trip We just spent five days in London with the kids, and rather than walk you through a stop-by-stop itinerary (that's what the blog article is for), this episode is the honest debrief: each of our four favorite things from the trip, where we ate, what caught us off guard about the city, and what's already on the list for next time. IN THIS EPISODE Where we stayed near King's Cross and why the location mattered more than the room sizeEach of our four top picks: Harrods, the Tower of London and Changing of the Guard, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour, and two West End/Globe showsWhere we ate - afternoon tea at the Ampersand, Hobson's Fish & Chips, a 100% gluten-free splurge at Niche, and Mango IndianWhat surprised us about London, good and badWhat we'd do differently on our next visitTimestamps 00:00 — Introduction02:11 — Getting There & Getting Around04:34 — Where We Stayed07:00 — The Highlights: Our Four Favorite Things15:32 — Food Highlights12:36 — What Surprised Me16:02 — What We'd Do Differently Next TimeResources Our 5 Day London With Kid ItineraryWhere to Stay in London with Kids on Points (by Program)Changing of the Guard guided tourTower of London ticketsEpisode 42 — How We Planned London & Azores on Points Episode 49 — London + Azores: A Kid's TakeBest Credit Cards for Family Travel  Join the newsletterComing Soon on the Blog Warner Bros. Studio Tour London: Tips & TricksDon'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

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4.7
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

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.

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