Trip Tales | A Family Travel Podcast

Kelsey Graves

Trip Tales is the podcast where real people share their real trip stories - detailing where they went, how they got there, where they stayed, what they ate, the activities they loved, and what they’d do differently next time. Each week features a new guest and a new destination to inspire your next vacation. Hosted by Kelsey Graves - mom of 3 and travel content creator.

  1. 3D AGO

    London & Paris w/ Kids - Ted Lasso Pub, Macaron Baking Class, Eiffel Tower Magic + Disneyland Paris

    Amanda is back (she previously joined to share about her family’s trip to Bali and Singapore) and this time she’s taking us along on her family of four’s Thanksgiving week adventure to London and Paris. Amanda (@thetravelingbixlers) traveled in November 2025 with her husband and two kids, ages 7 and 6, for a magical European trip packed with iconic sights, kid-friendly fun, and a little Disney magic.  This episode is available to watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kelseygraves If you’d like to share about your trip on the podcast, email me at: kelsey@triptalespodcast.com Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/kelseygraves Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_graves Follow me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mskelseygraves Join us in the Trip Tales Podcast Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1323687329158879 Mentioned in this episode:- Amanda @thetravelingbixlers https://www.instagram.com/thetravelingbixlers/- Air France- Amazon Travel Backpack https://amzlink.to/az0rcM72FkyB1- Kids Bluetooth headphones with audio jack https://amzlink.to/az0UtaFmc6Twm- Bluetooth audio jack transmitter for AirPods on airplane https://amzlink.to/az0jeYIoy4EYa- The Tube and London public transportation - Premier Inn London hotel- LONDON: Borough Market, Picadilly Circus, Dishoom restaurant, Westminster Abbey, Lego Store, Kings Cross Station, Jubliee Market, London Eye, Natural History Museum- RICHMOND: Ted Lasso Pub (The Prince's Head)- Eurostsar- DISNEYLAND PARIS: The Dreams Hotel, The Lion King Show, Avengers Campus, Spiderman Web Slingers, Frozen Show- PARIS: Hyatt Regency Paris Étoile, going up in the Eiffel Tower, Galeries Lafayette, Sainte-Chapelle, Notre Dame, Relais de l’Entrecôte (steak frites restaurant), Musée d'Orsay (Orsay museum), Montmartre neighborhood, Sacré-Cœur basilica, Breizh for crepes- Macaron Baking Class: https://www.viator.com/tours/Paris/Fun-Pastry-class-for-kids-and-family-in-center-of-Paris-must-do/d479-6159P29- The Foldie foldable travel bag https://amzlink.to/az0BzJ39ktSEo

    1h 44m
  2. Kelsey Unpacked: 7 ChatGPT Prompts That Will Change How You Plan Travel

    APR 29

    Kelsey Unpacked: 7 ChatGPT Prompts That Will Change How You Plan Travel

    I’m not scared of AI - I’m here for it! In this episode, I’m sharing 7 ChatGPT prompts that will change how you plan travel. From finding family-friendly hotels that actually sleep everyone, to building smarter itineraries, choosing restaurants, decoding wine lists, finding off-the-beaten-path road trip stops, creating your own self-guided tours, and even building a realistic packing list — these are the exact ways I use AI to make travel planning easier. Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_graves Join us in the Trip Tales Podcast Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1323687329158879 Mentioned in this episode:- ChatCPT vs. Claude- Good Pictures, Bad Pictures book https://amzlink.to/az0N6Ccop6uZb- ChatGPT prompts to copy and paste: 1. Use AI to find your next trip destination or hotel I’m planning a family trip and need help narrowing down destination and hotel ideas. We are a family of [number] with kids ages [ages], flying from [home airport]. We want a trip that feels [relaxing/adventurous/beachy/luxury/budget-friendly]. We need hotels that sleep [number] in one room, with features like [waterslide, beachfront, kids club, kitchen, points-friendly]. Give me 10 ideas with specific hotels and why each would work. 2. Use AI to build a starter itinerary We are visiting [destination] for [number] days and staying at [hotel/neighborhood]. Create a starter itinerary that groups attractions by location so we’re not wasting time. We want to include [attractions, restaurants, tours, museums, parks, shows]. Organize each day by area, suggest the best order, and note when we need reservations or tickets. 3. Use AI to find restaurants with a specific vibe I’m looking for restaurants in [destination/neighborhood] near [landmark or hotel]. I want something that feels [bougie/vibey/romantic/fun/local/kid-friendly], serves [type of food], and is within [walking distance/short Uber]. Give me 8 options, explain the vibe, include what to order if known, and tell me which one you’d pick. 4. Use AI to decode wine lists and menus I’m going to upload a restaurant menu. Help me find the can’t-miss items. I like [preferences], I don’t love [things to avoid], and we are ordering for [adults/kids/family/date night]. Tell me what you’d order, what seems special, and what I can skip. 5. Use AI to find off-the-beaten-path stops on a road trip We are driving from [Point A] to [Point B] with [kids/adults/teens]. Help me find the best stops to break up the drive. We are interested in [restaurants, scenic stops, short hikes, roadside attractions, coffee shops, playgrounds]. Organize by where they fall along the drive, how far they are from the route, and which are most worth it. 6. Use AI to create your own self-guided tour Create a self-guided [food/walking/history/photo/family-friendly] tour of [city/neighborhood]. We will start at [starting point] and want it to last about [amount of time]. Include [coffee, snacks, landmarks, shops, historic stops, photo spots, local favorites]. Put everything in walking order with a short explanation of each stop, and make it easy to copy into my Notes app. 7. Use AI to create a packing list I’m packing for a trip to [destination] from [dates] with [who is going/kids’ ages]. Our itinerary includes [activities, restaurants, excursions, beach days, theme parks, hiking, skiing, nicer dinners]. Create a realistic packing list organized by person and category. Include clothing, shoes, toiletries, travel day items, activity-specific items, and things people often forget.

    44 min
  3. APR 27

    Mont Tremblant (Quebec) - The European-Style Ski Trip That’s Easier, Closer and More Affordable

    Kristen from Massachusetts is back on Trip Tales! She previously shared all about her family’s catamaran trip through the British Virgin Islands, and this time she’s taking us to Mont Tremblant, Quebec. Kristen, a mom of two, traveled with her family of four, including her 10-year-old daughter and 9-year-old son, plus a few other families, for a Presidents Day weekend ski trip in February 2026. Mont Tremblant is just north of Montreal, and Kristen shares why it felt like a European ski vacation without actually flying to Europe. From the cozy European-style base village to hearing French spoken all around them, eating crepes, skiing as a family, and soaking up the charming winter vibes, this trip felt special, memorable, and surprisingly attainable. This episode is available to watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kelseygraves If you’d like to share about your trip on the podcast, email me at: kelsey@triptalespodcast.com Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/kelseygraves Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_graves Follow me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mskelseygraves Join us in the Trip Tales Podcast Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1323687329158879 Mentioned in this episode:- Kristen's previous BVIs by Catamaran episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/british-virgin-islands-chartering-a-catamaran-with/id1731455602?i=1000704284005- Heated Vest Link: https://go.shopmy.us/p-54614828- Mont Tremblant VRBO: https://www.vrbo.com/3645640- MONT TREMBLANT: South side (village side) vs. North side, Navigation recommendation: When you get off the shuttle bus, do not go to the first gondola (which heads to a casino). INSTEAD - go through a tunnel toward ski school and get on the Flying Mile Quad chairlift. - Mont Tremblant restaurants: La Pizzateria, Lucille's, Le Refuge du Trappeur (Trapper's Cabin on the mountain), La Rustique, Le Sushi Shack, Mogouyan (ramen), La Maison de Crepes- Ice climbing excursion- Scandinave Spa Mont Tremblant- MONTREAL: Old Montreal, AC Marriott, La Grande Roue de Montreal, Maggie Oakes restaurant in the Hotel Willam Gray, Creperie Maison Bagatelle, Sammi & Soupe Dumpling- Marriott Bonvoy credit card

    1h 16m
  4. APR 20

    New Orleans - Mardi Gras with Kids! Family-Friendly Parades, Café Du Monde, the Zoo + Aquarium

    Kelsey chats with Paige (@packwithpaige on Instagram) from Huntsville, AL about her February 2026 trip to New Orleans for Mardi Gras with her mom and two little ones, ages 4 and 2. She was pleasantly surprised to discover such a fun, family-friendly side of Mardi Gras. In this episode, Paige shares why these were some of the best parades she has ever been to, the super fun “catches” her kids loved like beads, stuffed animals, glow wands, toys, and more, plus the delicious food and kind locals that made the trip so memorable.  This episode is available to watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kelseygraves If you’d like to share about your trip on the podcast, email me at: kelsey@triptalespodcast.com Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/kelseygraves Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_graves Follow me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mskelseygraves Join us in the Trip Tales Podcast Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1323687329158879 Mentioned in this episode:- @packwithpaige: https://www.instagram.com/packwithpaige/- Uptown New Orleans- Princess Tiana and The Princess and the Frog- PARADES: Krewe of Hermes (illuminated floats & amazing throws), Krewe of Iris (all female parade, girly), Krewe of Thoth (cartoon themed), Krewe of Endymion (exceptionally long scenic floats), Krewe of Okeanos (mid-sized family-friendly parade), Krewe of Mid City (daytime Mardi Gras parade featuring bright tinfoil-covered floats and children-focused themes), Krewe of Bacchus (nighttime parade with massive animated super floats)- La Boulangerie French Bakery (sandwiches and pastries)- Pita Paradise Mediterranean Grill- PotBelly Nola (Cajun)- Cafe du Monde- Haydel's Bakery (King Cakes)- Magazine Street- Bourbon Street- French Quarter- Mardi Gras World museum- Audubon Park (zoo and aquarium)- Tiana themed birthday party- Laurel, MS: Ben and Erin Napier from the HGTV shot Home Town, Laurel Mercantile Co., Scent Library

    54 min
  5. APR 13

    TRIP FAIL: Gatlinburg, TN - Crowds, Chaos, Urgent Care + BEARS! You won't believe this episode!

    You won’t believe this episode! Kelsey chats with Maggie (@the_traveling_tinsleys on Instagram) from Chicago about her family of 4’s trip to Gatlinburg in October 2025, and truly, everything that could go wrong did go wrong. From car troubles and a cancelled flight to urgent care, crowds, long lines, traffic, and even BEARS, this Smoky Mountains getaway turned into a full-on Trip Fail. You have to hear this one! This episode is available to watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kelseygraves If you’d like to share about your trip on the podcast, email me at: kelsey@triptalespodcast.com Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/kelseygraves Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_graves Follow me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mskelseygraves Join us in the Trip Tales Podcast Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1323687329158879 Mentioned in this episode:- Midway Airport in Chicago- Allegiant Airlines- Avis Rental Car- Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Cades Cove & Laurel Falls- Gatlinburg vs. Pigeon Forge vs. Sevierville Tennessee- Baht Thai Restaurant- IHG hotels- Anakeesta: The Ridge Rambler & Astra Lumina light show- Titanic MuseumTrip Tales is a travel podcast sharing real vacation stories and trip itineraries for family travel, couples getaways, cruises, and all-inclusive resorts. Popular episodes feature destinations like Marco Island Florida, Costa Rica with kids, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Aulani in Hawaii, Beaches Turks & Caicos, Park City ski trips, Aruba, Italy, Ireland, Portugal’s Azores, New York City, Alaska cruises, and U.S. National Parks. Listeners get real travel tips, itinerary recommendations, hotel reviews, restaurant recommendations, and inspiration for planning their next vacation, especially when traveling with kids.

    46 min
4.9
out of 5
84 Ratings

About

Trip Tales is the podcast where real people share their real trip stories - detailing where they went, how they got there, where they stayed, what they ate, the activities they loved, and what they’d do differently next time. Each week features a new guest and a new destination to inspire your next vacation. Hosted by Kelsey Graves - mom of 3 and travel content creator.

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