Elizabeth, a mom of three boys from Louisiana, planned an intentional one-on-one 12th birthday trip with her oldest to San Diego in October 2025, staying at the iconic Hotel del Coronado. In this episode, she shares how they spent their days tide-pooling in La Jolla, exploring the San Diego Zoo, and hiking Torrey Pines. She also walks us through how San Diego’s Kids Free October program helped stretch their budget by making most of her son’s entry fees free, and why this trip was such a special way to celebrate turning twelve.

This episode is now 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: [email protected]

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 epsiode:
- Kelsey's COMFRT Hoodie 15% off discount link: https://comfrt.com/KELSEY279
- Hotel del Coronado neighborhoods: The Views, The Victorian, The Cabanas, Beach Club, Shore House
- Hotel del Coronado breakfast at The Veranda, sunsets and drinks at the Sun Deck overlooking Point Loma
- San Diego Zoo, panda exhibit
- Cowboy Star Steak Restaurant
- Sunset Cliffs at Point Loma
- Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve: Guy Fleming Trail, Razor Point Trail to Red Butte
- Birch Aquarium in La Jolla
- Kayak Tour with Everyday California (leopard sharks!)
- Tide-pooling in La Jolla, Viator tour with Snorkel Matt
- Scripps Pier tide pooling
- Village Pizzeria Coronado Island
- Travel Agent: Katherine Boulet

Twinkle lights, mulled wine, and cozy vibes! Genni from @travelingfranklins joins Kelsey to share everything you need to know about visiting Europe’s Christmas Markets. In December 2024, she and her mom explored Berlin, Munich, Salzburg, and Paris at Christmastime. She shares their favorite markets, the best food and drink (glühwein, wurst, pretzels, Kasespatzle), souvenir tips, and what to wear to stay warm. 

Kelsey’s Comfrt Hoodie 15% off discount link: https://comfrt.com/?growi=kelsey279

This episode is now 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: [email protected]

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:
- Genni's Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lazy-budget-travel-tips/id1797989736
- Christkindl Markets
- KLM Airlines
-  AMSTERDAM: Canal Cruise, Hop On Hop Off Tour
- BERLIN: Moxy Airport Hotel, Bolt for taxis, Ku'damm shopping district, Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, H10 Hotel Berlin, Alexanderplatz Christmas Markets, Glühwein, Gendarmenmarkt, Christmas pyramids, Kasespatzle (German mac and cheese), Lebkuchen (German gingerbread cookies), Schmalzkuchen (German donuts)
- MUNICH: Lufthansa Airlines, Munich Airport Christmas Market, Marienplatz Market, Mio by Amano Hotel, The Sendlinger Tor gate, traditional Bavarian restaurant: Der Pschorr, Medieval Christmas Market
- SALZBURG: The Bavarian Pass, Old Town Salzburg, Sound of Music, Christmas Wonderland Bar + Lounge near St. Peter's Church
- Pack bubble wrap
- PARIS: Ladurée Paris at Christmas, The Palais-Royal, Hôtel Thérèse, Tuileries Garden, Galeries Lafayette, Christmas Illuminations Hop On Hop Off Tour

Trip 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, Germany, Austria, 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.

Kelsey talks with Danielle, whose family of four has spent two spring breaks in Whitefish, Montana (and they’re booked for a third because they love it so much). Danielle also visited in summer for a girls’ trip to the Under the Big Sky Music Festival, so she compares Whitefish in winter vs. summer and shares why it’s a repeat favorite for her family!

This episode is now 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: [email protected]

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:
- Danielle's Whitefish, MT Ski Trip VRBO
- Kelsey's COMFRT Hoodies Discount Link (X out all other offer pop-ups to keep link activated)
- Kallispell Montana Airport 
- Under the Big Sky Music Festival
- PA/NY Ski Resorts: Seven Springs, Peak'n Peak, Holiday Valley
- Restaurants: Hell Roaring Saloon, Abruzzo, Jalisco Cantina, Loula's Cafe (for breakfast & Huckleberry Pie), Last Chair Restaurant & Bar
- Glacier National Park: The Going to the Sun Road
- Downtown Whitefish: Vibe Wellness Lounge, Stumptown Art Studio
- Turo

Trip 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.

Amanda and her family of four flew halfway around the world in December 2024 to spend Christmas with her in-laws on the island of Java, relaxed in Bali at the Hyatt Regency Bali (booked with points!) and ended the trip by exploring the kid-friendly side of Singapore!

This episode is now 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: [email protected]

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:
- Earn 125,000 points with Sapphire Reserve or 75,000 points with Sapphire Preferred -> Chase Sapphire & Ink Business Credit Card Referral Link
- BubbleBum Inflatable Booster Seat, Kids Airplane Seat Extender, Double-Zip Compression Packing Cubes
- San Francisco: SFO Airport, Grand Hyatt SFO, Fisherman's Wharf, Boudin Bakery, Golden Gate Bridge, Ghirardelli Square
- Java: Becak ride
- Bali: Denpasar airport, Hyatt Regency Bali, pools, spa, beach, kids club
- Singapore: Singapore Flyer, Marina Bay, Gardens of the Bay

Trip 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.

NOTE TO PARENTS: We’re keeping the magic alive in this episode, so it’s completely safe to listen with little ears! I did have a few grown-up questions that I asked my guest offline—if you’re curious too, head over to our Trip Tales Podcast Community Facebook group, where I’ve shared all the behind-the-scenes answers about how the magic really unfolded.

This week on the Trip Tales Podcast, we’re heading north—way north—to Lapland, Finland! My guest Amy packed up her family of four and flew to the snowy Arctic Circle in December 2024 to experience the most magical Christmas trip imaginable.

They joined a guided tour with Canterbury Travel, met Santa in his very own home, went dog sledding with huskies, fed reindeer, played with elves, and sipped warm Finnish berry juice under twinkling lights and endless snow!

You can now watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kelseygraves

If you’d like to share about your trip on the podcast, email me at: [email protected]

Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/kelseygraves

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_graves

Mentioned in this episode:
- Canterbury Travel Tours out of the UK
- Lapland, Finland
- Father Christmas
- Kuusamo, Finland
- Rukka Valley Ski Area
- Gatwick Airport

Trip 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.

In this episode, Kelsey sits down with Kyle from Virginia, whose family of four loved Club Med Québec-Charlevoix so much, they returned two years in a row — first over New Year’s 2024 and again in January 2025.

It’s an all-inclusive ski resort where lessons, lift tickets, food, and drinks are all included! Kyle was a first-time skier when he visited in 2023, and it’s where he learned to ski — now his whole family can’t get enough.

Tune in to hear why this resort just outside Québec City, Canada, has become their go-to winter destination, what to expect from the ski-in/ski-out experience, how the kids’ club works, what the food’s really like, and why this might just be the easiest ski trip you’ll ever plan.

Mentioned in this episode:
- Club Med Québec-Charlevoix
- Superior Family Room Review
- Ski Lessons and Kids Club
- Quebec City: Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, 1884 Toboggan Slide, Poutine!
- Baie-Saint-Paul: La Reine et le Millionnaire Dog Sledding

This episode is now 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: [email protected]

Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/kelseygraves

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_graves

Trip 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.

Trip Tales regular Ryan is back! But this time he’s joined by his wife Heather for a fun couples getaway to Las Vegas in July 2025. In this episode, they share all the details from their 3-night trip, including Heather’s lifelong love of the Backstreet Boys and how Ryan scored tickets to see them at The Sphere. 

They also ventured out for a Red Rock Canyon scooter tour, found great food around the Strip, and enjoyed some much-needed couple time away from their busy life with four kids back home. 

This episode is now 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: [email protected]

Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/kelseygraves

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_graves

Mentioned in this episode:
- Capital One Venture X Lounge in Dallas
- The Paris Hotel
- The Bellagio
- The Bedford, Martha Stewart's Restaurant
- Red Rock Canyon Tour
- In-N-Out Vegas
- Gonzalez y Gonzalez restaurant in the New York, New York hotel
- Mad Apple by Cirque du Soleil
- Alexxa's brunch (NOTE: In the episode Heather calls this restaurant Amelia's and raves about the breakfast. It's actually Alexxa's.)
- Back Street Boys Immersive Experience
- Sushi Samba Vegas

Trip 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.

Join Kelsey and her bestie Danae (a Trip Tales fan fav!) as they share all the details from Danae’s family of four's dreamy 9-day New England summer adventure in August 2025. This trip was packed with coastal vibes and bucket-list stops — from three days on Block Island, a charming and approachable alternative to Nantucket, to a stop in Ogunquit, Maine for a private sailboat ride, to the show-stopping Bar Harbor Inn right at the edge of Acadia National Park.

Danae gives us the scoop on ferries, family-friendly hikes, unforgettable seafood (lobster rolls, chowder, and fresh steamers!), and why Acadia’s Great Head hike and Sand Beach were the highlight of the entire trip. You’ll also hear why the Bar Harbor Inn blew her away with unexpected touches like homemade cookies, s’mores by the fire, and an infinity pool overlooking the ocean.

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: [email protected]

Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/kelseygraves

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_graves

Mentioned in this episode:
- Providence, Rhode Island
- Point Judith Terminal | Block Island Ferry
- Block Island AirBNB Rental: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/52534528
- Block Island hikes: Mohegan Bluffs, Rodman's Hollow
- Block Island beaches: Andy's Way, Crescent Beach
- Block Island restaurants: The Oar, The National, The Spring House Hotel
- Block Island official drink: The Mudslide
- Ogunquit: Anchorage by the Sea Hotel, Marginal Way, Barnacle Billy's
- Boston and Newburyport, MA
- Bar Harbor: The Bar Harbor Inn, Lunch (sandwich shop), Geddy's, Galyn's, Land Bridge Hike
- 4th Grade National Park Pass
- Acadia National Park: Sunrise at Cadillac Mountain. Hikes: Great Head, Sand Beach, Jordan River Pond, Bubble Rock, Little Hunters Beach

Trip 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.

Kelsey is joined by Kellie from @frompointstoplaces on Instagram to share her family’s Spring Break 2025 trip to the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point in Bonita Springs, Florida. Kellie, her husband, and their two daughters (ages 5 and 8) booked their stay entirely with Chase Ultimate Rewards points and spent their days enjoying multiple pools, waterslides, a lazy river, and the resort’s private island beach.

They also ventured out to nearby spots, including Marco Island for a shelling tour, Naples, and Wonder Gardens.

This episode is now 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: [email protected]

Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/kelseygraves

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_graves

Mentioned in this episode:
- Hyatt Regency Coconut Point in Bonita Springs, FL
- Trip Tales episode: The Chase to Hyatt Transfer Strategy That is Blowing My Mind
- My Chase Sapphire Preferred Referral Link
- RSW Fort Myers Airport
- Southwest Companion Pass
- Tanglewood Restaurant
- Iguana Mia Mexican Restaurant in Bonita Springs
- Royal Scoop Ice Cream
- Marco Island Wildlife Sightseeing & Shelling Tour
- Stan's Idle Hour Goodland, FL
- Wonder Gardens in Bonita Springs
- The Emerald Coast

Trip 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.

Kelsey and her sister spent 3 nights in August 2025 at one of Cancun’s newest all-inclusives — Ava Resort — and are spilling all the details you need to know before you go. From its 17 restaurants and bars to the endless lineup of kids activities, this resort is designed for families, couples, and friend getaways alike. But the real show-stopper? A stunning 2.8-acre salt-water lagoon unlike anything else in Cancun. Plus, hear how their trip took an unforgettable turn when they ended up dancing the night away with Bachelor winner Juliana Pasquarosa!

Mentioned in this episode:
- Ava Resort All-Inclusive
- Ava Resort Airport Transfer
- 2.8 acre salt water lagoon
- Global Entry

This episode is now 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: [email protected]

Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/kelseygraves

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_graves

Trip 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.