Travel with kids doesn't have to wait. Join host Melissa as she shares how her family travels MORE now than before having children—from Hawaii at 3 months old to a 2-year family gap year backpacking the world.

In this debut episode of Family Travel Unpacked, Melissa introduces her 8-year journey running The Family Voyage and reveals the surprising truth: family travel became intentional, frequent, and affordable after kids arrived. Learn how maternity leave trips evolved into full-time travel, why kids make you better travelers, and how strategic use of points and miles makes it all possible.

In this episode:

• How we took each kid on their first international trip at 3 months old
• Why leaving a stressful finance job led to 2 years of full-time family travel
• Our philosophy: travel doesn't have to be expensive, kids are more capable than you think, and travel is the best education
• Balancing challenging adventures with resort relaxation
• What to expect from this podcast: destination guides, points & miles strategies, and real family travel advice

00:00 Welcome to Family Travel Unpacked

01:17 Our Early Travel Experiences

02:23 Traveling with a Newborn

03:46 Expanding Our Horizons

05:03 The Big Leap: Full-Time Travel

08:26 Core Principles of Family Travel

11:09 What to Expect from This Podcast

12:15 Conclusion and Next Steps

Hosted by Melissa Conn, founder of The Family Voyage, certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, and mom of two who proves family travel is achievable for everyone.

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