Trip Tales | A Family Travel Podcast

I’m recapping my quick mother-son getaway to Puerto Rico with Parker over Labor Day Weekend 2026! We spent just two nights at the newly renovated Wyndham Grand Rio Mar, which recently completed a $65 million renovation, and I was so pleasantly surprised by how easy and beautiful this trip was.

Puerto Rico gives you that true Caribbean vacation feeling - without needing a passport! I’m sharing my honest thoughts on the resort, the pools, water slides, beach, food, family-friendly amenities, and why I think this is such a great option for an easy, quick getaway.

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Mentioned in this episode: 
- Dolly All The Time book: https://amzlink.to/az0XxOaskRMCA
- Earle Meets World
- Dancing with the Stars
- GSI Airport Transfer: https://www.gsipuertorico.com/
- Wyndham Grand Rio Mar
- Club Wyndham: Margaritaville Vacation Club
- Restaurants: Roots Coastal Kitchen, It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere

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 National Parks like Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons and Yosemite. Listeners get real travel tips, itinerary recommendations, hotel reviews, restaurant recommendations, and inspiration for planning their next vacation, especially when traveling with kids.

Jacki (@trips.and.dips_) is back on Trip Tales! After first joining us to share about her girls’ trip to Puerto Rico, she’s returning to take us along on a very special 10-day trip through Italy to celebrate her mom’s 70th birthday.

In May 2026, Jacki and her mom kicked things off in Venice before making their way to Rome, where Jacki’s brother joined the fun, and then finished along the gorgeous Italian coast with Sorrento as their home base. We’re talking gondola rides, food tours, iconic Roman sights, Aperol Spritzes, boat days to Capri and along the Amalfi Coast, incredible meals, and beautiful hotels!

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

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:

• Follow Jackie on Instagram @trips.and.dips_ (https://www.instagram.com/trips.and.dips_/)
• VENICE: Ca' Sagredo Hotel (Hilton Small Luxury hotel), Bacaro Food Tour, St. Mark's Square, St. Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace, Harry’s Bar (birthplace of the Bellini), Gondola rice, Rialto Bridge, Cannarigio neighborhood for dinner
• ROME: Free Now (Uber equivalent), Hotel Babuino 181 (Hilton Small Luxury hotel), Spanish Steps, Ristorante Maccheroni, The Pantheon, Aperol Spritz, Palatine Hill, The Colosseum, Roman Forum, Trattoria Luzzi, Ristorante al 34, The Vatican, St. Paul’s Basilica, Trevi Fountain, Trastevere vibrant fun neighborhood,
• SORRENTO: Hilton Sorrento Palace, Capri, lunch at Hotel Syrene Capri, Ristorante Vela Bianca, Amalfi, Positano, Ischia island, Acqua Marina Seaside Restaurant at Hotel Admiral

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 National Parks like Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons and Yosemite. Listeners get real travel tips, itinerary recommendations, hotel reviews, restaurant recommendations, and inspiration for planning their next vacation, especially when traveling with kids.

We will always love you, Dolly! 🦋

In this special Kelsey Unpacked episode, I’m paying tribute to Dolly Parton by sharing everything I know about one of the most special places she created, Dollywood!

If you’re thinking about visiting Dollywood soon, maybe even in Dolly’s memory, this is your Dollywood 101 guide. I’m sharing where to stay, DreamMore vs. HeartSong, the best rides for kids and thrill seekers, favorite foods, seasonal festivals, the Dolly Parton Experience, parking tips, what’s new at the park, and more.

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Mentioned in this episode:
- Dollywood
- Splash Country
- Seasonal Festivals: I Will Always Love You Festival, Flower & Food Festival, Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration, Harvest Festival, Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival
- The Great Pumpkin LUMInights
- Harvey’s Boo Bash!
- Dollywood DreamMore Resort: whimsical, colorful, country-chic, Dolly vibes
- Dollywood HeartSong Resort: rustic, lodgey, 
- TimeSaver Passes
- Wildwood Grove: Big Bear Mountain, Dragonflier, Hidden Hollow (indoor playground), NightFlight Expedition
- Country Fair
- The Dollywood Express
- Big Coasters: Lightening Rod, Thunderhead, Tennessee Tornado, Wild Eagle
- Food at Dollywood: Grist Mill Cinnamon Bread, Hickory House BBQ, Aunt Granny’s, The Front Porch Cafe, Red’s Drive-In
- The Dolly Parton Experience

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 National Parks like Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons and Yosemite. Listeners get real travel tips, itinerary recommendations, hotel reviews, restaurant recommendations, and inspiration for planning their next vacation, especially when traveling with kids.

Kyle is back for his fourth Trip Tales episode! After sharing about skiing in Quebec, Austria and Banff, he’s trading the slopes for the Grand Canyon. In May/June 2026, Kyle and his family of four spent eight days rafting through the Grand Canyon on a motorized rafting trip with Grand Canyon Expeditions.

We talk about what it’s like to live completely off the grid for eight days, sleep under the stars beside the Colorado River, tackle rapids, hike to waterfalls and swimming holes, and cool off in the unbelievably turquoise Little Colorado River. Kyle also shares the logistics of packing, camping and bathroom breaks — plus the surprisingly gourmet meals, from Eggs Benedict to filet mignon, that made this rugged adventure a whole lot more luxurious than expected.

Even Kyle, who admits he’s not much of a camper, came home saying he’d do the entire trip again in a heartbeat!

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

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:
- Grand Canyon Expeditions
- Arizona Rafting Adventures
- Start at Lee’s Ferry and end at Pierce Ferry
- Little Colorado River
- Deer Creek Falls and The Patio
- Havasu Creek
- Pumpkin Spring
- Elves Chasm
- Redwall Cavern
- Las Vegas Bellagio Seafood Buffet

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 National Parks like Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons and Yosemite. 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 of Kelsey Unpacked, I’m sharing the exciting and sometimes surprisingly uncomfortable side of growing an audience.

I'm talking about turning content creation into a real business and realizing that brands are actually willing to PAY you to do this.

I’m taking you behind the scenes of an upcoming paid brand trip to Puerto Rico, including what the partnership covers, why saying yes felt a little scary, and why this opportunity feels like such a big milestone for me.

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

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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:
- To join KELSEY LIVE on Monday August 31st at 11AM CST: email [email protected] and Venmo $39 to @Kelsey-Graves-1
- FAIR PLAY Book: https://amzlink.to/az0a5TP2LgJgt
- FAIR PLAY Card Game: https://amzlink.to/az0zgy43Ugqno 
- Instagram and TikTok follower growth and monetization
- Growing with Instagram Trial Reels

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 National Parks like Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons and Yosemite. Listeners get real travel tips, itinerary recommendations, hotel reviews, restaurant recommendations, and inspiration for planning their next vacation, especially when traveling with kids.

Heather joins Trip Tales from Westchester, New York, to share her family’s love for New Zealand - a place they’ve visited several times and love so much that they now have residency, with dreams of someday making it home.

Most recently, Heather traveled to New Zealand in March 2026 with her husband and their two kids for an adventure-packed family trip through both the South and North Islands. We talk about breathtaking Queenstown and Wanaka, bungee jumping and canyon swings, Mount Cook, geothermal adventures, Hobbiton and those iconic Hobbit houses, beautiful beaches, playgrounds, hikes and so much more.

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

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:

• New Zealand Residency
• Sky Couch on Air New Zealand
• North Island vs South Island
• Auckland Airport - VIP Assistance through airport
• Queenstown: Waterfront & Shopping District, Patagonia Chocolates & Ice Cream, TSS Earnslaw boat to Walter Peak Farm Tour (sheep, highland cows, etc), Shotover Jet, AJ Hackett Company (Kawarau Bridge Bungy: the original bungee jump), Kawarau Bungy Swing, Bathhouse Playground, Skyline Gondola and Luge, Fergburger, Cookie Time, Remarkables Park - Joe’s Garage restaurant
• Wanaka: Dinosaur Playground, Wild Wire Wanaka Via Feratta, the cinema, Rippon Winery, Roy’s Peak hike, Scroggin for coffee or brunch, Big Fig for lunch, Lake Bar, Black Peak gelato, 
• Omarama Clay Cliffs
• Open Hotel Alert: https://openhotelalert.com/
• Mount Cook: Mount Cook Lodge, Hermitage Hotel (brunch buffet), hiking (Hooker Valley Track), stargazing
• Lake Tekapo: Mount John Homestead, playground, feed the animals, farm tour
• Sumner Beach: Beach town outside of Christchurch, Cave Rock, Fire & Slice pizza restaurant
• Rotorua: Hell’s Gate, Geo-thermal area, mineral pools, hot springs, Redwood Forest Tree Walk
• Hobbiton: Hobbiton Movie Set Tour, Green Dragon Pub
• The Coromandel Peninsula: Hahei, Cathedral Cove, Hot Water Beach, Walnut Cottage Airbnb
• Matakana: Farmer’s Market, Action Ninja World
• Milford Sound

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 National Parks like Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons and Yosemite. Listeners get real travel tips, itinerary recommendations, hotel reviews, restaurant recommendations, and inspiration for planning their next vacation, especially when traveling with kids.

This week, I’m sharing a few CONFESSIONS! Some questionable habits, some unpopular opinions, and a few things I probably shouldn’t admit out loud. 😂 From my love of McDonald’s and hatred of the beach, to outsourcing my laundry, my true crime obsession, and more!

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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 National Parks like Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons and Yosemite. Listeners get real travel tips, itinerary recommendations, hotel reviews, restaurant recommendations, and inspiration for planning their next vacation, especially when traveling with kids.

Amy and her husband celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary by taking their two girls, ages 8 and 4, on an almost two-week adventure through Paris, Switzerland and Milan in May 2026!Their family of four explored Paris, went to the top of the Eiffel Tower, spent a day at Disneyland Paris, then traveled by train to the Swiss Alps—where some of the most incredible mountaintop playgrounds became a highlight of the entire trip. They finished their European adventure in Milan with pasta making, iconic sights and, naturally, a few more playgrounds.Check out the Symphony app using my link: https://join.symphony.io/kelseyThis episode is available to watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kelseygravesIf you’d like to share about your trip on the podcast, email me at: [email protected] Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/kelseygravesFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_gravesFollow me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mskelseygravesJoin us in the Trip Tales Podcast Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1323687329158879Mentioned in this episode:
- Yoto Mini Kids Audio Book Players: https://amzlink.to/az0LxjyOTNNw5- PARIS, FRANCE

• Air France – direct flight from Orlando to Paris
• Montmartre
• Sacré-Cœur Basilica
• Eiffel Tower
• Trocadéro – great Eiffel Tower photo spot
• Luxembourg Gardens: playground,carousel, and sailboat rentals
• Notre-Dame Cathedral
• Musée de l'Orangerie – Monet’s Water Lilies + children’s area
• Tuileries Gardens + playground

- DISNEYLAND PARIS

• Sleeping Beauty Castle
• A Million Splashes of Colour Parade
• Disney Adventure World – World of Frozen
• Toy Story Land
• Rapunzel Tangled Spin

- LAUTERBRUNNEN + SWISS ALPS, SWITZERLAND

• SBB Mobile App – helpful for navigating trains and transportation throughout Switzerland
• Lauterbrunnen Valley – bike rentals + biking through the valley
• Coop grocery store
• Imboden Bike Rentals
• Staubbach Falls
• Trümmelbach Falls – underground waterfalls
• Wengen – mountain village + seasonal marble runs
• Männlichen – Alpine Herdsman “Cow Playground”
• Holenstein – Treetop Playground + Alpine Horns
• Alpins in the Alps – helpful Switzerland travel resource
• Mürren – Intersport coffee shop + playground and trampoline
• Allmendhubel – Flower Playground + Flower Hike
• Gimmelwald – playground + Mountain Hostel
• Grindelwald Pfingstegg – playground, mountain coaster + Fly Line
• Bort Alpine Playground – snowplow-themed playground

- MILAN, ITALY

• The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci
• Sforza Castle: Michelangelo’s Rondanini Pietà
• Pasta + gelato-making class
• OTTO – Chinatown restaurant
• Parco Sempione
• Duomo di Milano + rooftop
• Ratana – final dinner in Milan

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 National Parks like Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons and Yosemite. Listeners get real travel tips, itinerary recommendations, hotel reviews, restaurant recommendations, and inspiration for planning their next vacation, especially when traveling with kids.

Not for little ears. This episode is not intended for children.

In this Kelsey Unpacked, I’m sharing some thoughts on getting back into the school-year routine, reflecting on the intensity of early motherhood, and unpacking my thoughts on the Lindsay Clancy trial. A short, personal episode about motherhood, mental load, and a case I haven’t been able to stop thinking about.

Check out the Symphony app using my link: https://join.symphony.io/kelsey

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

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 National Parks like Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons and Yosemite. 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 recapping her family of five’s attraction-packed summer getaway to Chicago with kids in July 2026!In just three nights, they squeezed in SO much from Lollapalooza and a Cubs game at Wrigley Field to the American Girl Store, Millennium Park and The Bean, TILT at 360 CHICAGO, the Museum of Illusions, Navy Pier and Flyover Chicago.But this trip was about more than checking off Chicago attractions. Kelsey and Joe lived in Chicago for 10 years after college, so bringing their three kids back to explore their old neighborhoods, favorite spots and some of their sweetest memories made this quick summer getaway extra special.Kelsey's link to download the Symphony savings app: https://join.symphony.io/kelseyThis episode is available to watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kelseygravesIf you’d like to share about your trip on the podcast, email me at: [email protected] Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/kelseygravesFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_gravesFollow me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mskelseygravesJoin us in the Trip Tales Podcast Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1323687329158879Mentioned in this episode:
- Lollapalooza Chicago
- American Girl Store Chicago
- Hyatt House West Loop
- Piccolo Sogno
- Millenium Park: The Bean (Cloud Gate), Maggie Daley Park
- Nancy's Pizza (West Loop)
- Chicago Cubs
- Stolen Saddle in Wrigleyville
- Original Pancake House Chicago
- Museum of Illusions
- Top of the Hancock Building for Chicago 360 and TILT
- Navy Pier: Flyover Chicago ride

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 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 National Parks like Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons and Yosemite. Listeners get real travel tips, itinerary recommendations, hotel reviews, restaurant recommendations, and inspiration for planning their next vacation, especially when traveling with kids.