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Family Travel Unpacked: Make the Most of Travel With Kids
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.
Episodes
57 episodes
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 hon...
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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...
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...
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 tripWe just spent five days in London with the kids, and rather than walk you through a stop-by-stop itinerary (that's w...
19 Perfect Fall Break Destinations for Families (Region by Region)
Episode DescriptionMy most popular article of the year — now an episode. A region-by-region fall break guide for families, plus four spots that didn't make the original article.East Coast Fall Break Escapes: New York City ...
Travel with kids for FREE? Yes please! (Replay)
Our Trip Fell Apart (But Our Points Didn't) — Plus How to Travel for Free with KidsA Southwest delay killed our Charleston beach trip — but because it was booked on points, we walked away without losing a dime. Here's exactly ...
Philadelphia Recap: 24 Hours in the City of Brotherly Love
Planning a weekend trip to Philadelphia? We spent 24 hours in the city using points for flights and a free hotel night, hitting Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and some of the best Israeli food in the country.We flew nonstop on Amer...
Boston With Kids Recap: Taking a Bite of Beantown
Boston with kids doesn't have to mean one long trip — after two separate weekend visits in the same year, here's what's worth doing, where to stay on points, and the one expense that caught us off guard. In this episode 50 recap, I compare two ...
London vs. Azores Recap: A Kid's Take
Wondering whether London or the Azores is the better pick for your next family trip? In this episode of Family Travel Unpacked, my 12 year old takes over as our tween travel expert and gives her honest, unfiltered review of both destinations, f...
The Ins and Outs of Unaccompanied Minor Travel
Kids Flying Alone? Everything Parents Need to Know About Unaccompanied Minor TravelCan kids fly alone — and how does it actually work? This episode covers everything parents need to know about domestic unaccompanied minor travel, ...
6 Sneaky Ways We Rack Up Travel Points (No New Cards Required)
Six low-effort habits for earning more travel points and miles as a family - no new credit cards required.In this episode, you'll learn six specific strategies to earn extra points and miles without opening a single new credit car...
What to Pack for Alaska (BONUS EPISODE)
Packing for Alaska? There are a few items that most people overlook — and after three trips, Melissa knows exactly what they are. In this bonus episode, she shares the five things she never travels to Alaska without, including one she loves so ...
Alaska With Kids: Anchorage Edition with My Teen (Part 3)
Thinking about visiting Alaska with teens? My 14-year-old son joins me for a mother-son Alaska recap — and spoiler: he caught a king salmon just 12 hours after landing and hasn't stopped talking about it since. We cover four days of a...
Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Recap & Mini Review
Get the quick highs and lows in this Grand Hyatt Scottsdale review + recap episode, all in less time that it takes to drink your morning coffee! Find out if this could be the right resort for your trip to Scottsdale with kids - and what might b...
What's in My Carry-On? Travel Essentials for Your Next Trip
My carry-on has evolved over years of family travel - and at this point, it's pretty dialed in. This episode breaks down exactly what's in my bag, from the backpack I choose to the credit cards I pack and why. A few of these might surprise you!...
How We Planned London & Azores on Points
This summer our family is heading to London and the Azores — and before we go, I'm walking you through exactly how we're paying for it with points and miles. From 32,500 AA miles per person to a $1 flight (yes, really), this episode breaks down...
The Magic Combo: Southwest Companion Pass + World of Hyatt Points
Southwest Companion Pass + World of Hyatt points = endless family travel possibilities. Here's how to make them work together.What happens when you combine the Southwest Companion Pass with World of Hyatt points? You get one of th...
Clash of the (Sort of) Ninety-Five Dollar Travel Credit Cards
Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Capital One Venture X — which travel credit card is right for your family? Melissa breaks down annual fees, earning rates, transfer partners, lounge access, and real-world redemptions to help you decide. Spoiler: you...
Europe with Kids: A Beginners Guide
Planning a family trip to Europe but not sure where to start? In this episode Melissa breaks down everything you need to know to plan your first family trip to Europe — from choosing the right destination for your family to getting around on...
Road Trip with Kids: How to Plan, Pack & Actually Enjoy the Drive
With summer airfare through the roof, road trips are having a major moment — and honestly, they deserve it. In this episode, Melissa shares her best family road trip tips from two cross-country drives and multiple thousand-mile trips with her k...
Portugal with Kids: Itinerary, Tips and My Honest Take
Family travel to Portugal with kids: honest recap of our spring break family trip to Portugal covering Lisbon, Sintra, Cascais and Porto.We just got back from nine nights in Portugal with our kids and this episode covers everything — wha...
Five Travel Tips for Savvy Travelers in 2026
Airfare is up, Hyatt's award chart is changing, TSA lines are about to get longer, and your passport might expire sooner than you think. Here are five things savvy travelers are doing right now — and why each one matters for your family....
From Tot to Teen: How Travel With Kids Changes Through the Stages
Travel with kids changes as you go - from gear and sleep schedules to school calendars and hotel choices. Listen up to find out what 15 years has taught us.From baby's first lap infant flight to a teen texting friends from Portuguese hil...
Alaska With Kids - Cruise Edition (Part 2)
Alaska cruise planning for families: what it costs, which cruise line to pick, best ports, shore excursions, and more with expert Kim Tate.Expert guest Kim Tate of Stuffed Suitcase has been on roughly 10 Alaska cruises and just published...
Surprise! When Flights Go Wrong (and How to Protect Yourself)
Flight cancelled abroad? Here's what to do when travel disruptions hit. I'm sharing 3 mistakes I made on our Portugal spring break plus one backup flight trick every traveler needs to know.Two cancelled flights, two mechanical fai...