From Tot to Teen: How Travel With Kids Changes Through the Stages

From Tot to Teen: How Travel With Kids Changes Through the Stages

Author: Melissa Conn April 14, 2026 Duration: 23:16
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 hilltops, family travel looks completely different at every stage. Melissa gets personal in this one, sharing real stories from nearly 15 years on the road with her two kids, why she hates beach trips with babies, a two-year full-time travel adventure, the trip ...

Ever feel like the idea of traveling with your family is more exhausting than the actual trip? Family Travel Unpacked: Make the Most of Travel With Kids is here to change that. Melissa Conn, the voice behind The Family Voyage, hosts this conversation, turning overwhelming itineraries into manageable adventures. Instead of generic advice, you’ll hear honest breakdowns of what works and what doesn’t, drawn from real experiences on the road. The focus is on practical, actionable ideas that build confidence, whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a months-long journey. Episodes delve into the nitty-gritty, from mastering the art of packing a single carry-on for multiple kids to navigating hotel stays that actually feel restful. Melissa explores how to leverage points and award travel to make bigger trips financially possible, and she doesn’t shy away from discussing common travel mistakes so you can avoid them. This podcast serves as a reliable resource for transforming anxiety into anticipation, helping you create trips filled with genuine connection and joy. It’s about moving beyond survival mode to discover the unique rewards that come from exploring the world together. Tune in for a dose of inspiration and the grounded strategies you need to make family travel not just doable, but deeply rewarding.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

Family Travel Unpacked: Make the Most of Travel With Kids
Podcast Episodes
Alaska With Kids - Cruise Edition (Part 2) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:28
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…
Surprise! When Flights Go Wrong (and How to Protect Yourself) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:32
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 mec…
Alaska With Kids - Road Trip Edition (Part 1) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:52
Planning a road trip to Alaska with kids this summer? Don't miss this episode for the highlights (and lowlights) of visiting The Last Frontier on a family trip. Find out why Alaska is worth the effort, who it’s best for,…
Hawaii vs Costa Rica: Showdown in Paradise [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:06
Hawaii vs Costa Rica for families: a real comparison of cost, activities, logistics and accessibility — plus which one we chose for our winter break. If you've been going back and forth between Hawaii and Costa Rica for…
Portugal on Points: A Case Study [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:51
Award travel case study: how our family is booking Portugal flights and hotels for 4 people using points — and spending under $1,000 out of pocket. Ever wonder what it actually looks like to build a trip from scratch usi…
LA with Kids: A Mom's Insider Guide [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:13
If you're planning a trip to Los Angeles with kids, this episode is your insider playbook. Melissa lived in LA for 20 years, raised her kids there, and still visits multiple times a year — including just last week, when…
9 Common Family Travel Planning Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:48
Avoid these 9 common family travel mistakes! From booking too late to overpacking, learn how to plan better trips with kids and save money with points & miles along the way. Planning family travel doesn't have to be over…
Banff with Kids with Celine Brewer of Travel Banff Canada [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:26
Planning a family trip to Banff? Join Melissa as she talks with Celine of Travel Banff Canada about visiting Banff with kids - from best times to visit and where to stay to budgeting tips and must-do activities. Celine,…
Dolomites with Kids: What Families Need to Know [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:09
Planning a family trip to the Dolomites? Learn which hiking spots work best for kids and which ones are too challenging in this practical guide. Melissa shares honest insights from her Northern Italy trip with her 11 and…