PODCAST · society
Trip Tales | A Family Travel Podcast
by Kelsey Graves
Trip Tales is the podcast where real people share their real trip stories - detailing where they went, how they got there, where they stayed, what they ate, the activities they loved, and what they’d do differently next time. Each week features a new guest and a new destination to inspire your next vacation. Hosted by Kelsey Graves - mom of 3 and travel content creator.
Episodes
-
Disney Wish - Is Concierge Level Worth the Extra $3,000?
Jenn from the Kids Travel Tales podcast is sharing about a 4-night sailing on the Disney Wish with her husband and two daughters (ages 5 and 7) and the decision to go all in on Concierge Level. They paid about $3,000 more for the Concierge upgrade, but after a dining request hiccup and realizing...
-
Kelsey Unpacked: Puerto Rico Without a Passport?! Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Mother-Son Trip
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....
-
Italy - Venice, Rome, Sorrento & Capri for a Mother-Daughter 70th Birthday Trip
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…
more -
Kelsey Unpacked: A Tribute to Dolly 🦋 + My Dollywood Guide
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...
-
Grand Canyon - 8 Days Rafting Through the Canyon, Sleeping Under the Stars & Surprisingly Gourmet Food
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...
-
Kelsey Unpacked: Social Media Growth, Making Money & Getting Paid to Travel
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...
-
New Zealand - Bungee Jumping, Hobbit Houses & Breathtaking Beauty That Keeps This Family Coming Back
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…
more -
Kelsey Unpacked: CONFESSIONS - I Love McDonald’s, Don't Love the Beach & Other Things I Probably Shouldn’t Admit
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! Buy Me A Coffee:...
-
Paris, Switzerland & Milan - Disneyland Paris, Dreamy Swiss Alps Playgrounds & European Magic 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...
-
Kelsey Unpacked: Thoughts on Back to School, Motherhood, and the Lindsay Clancy Trial
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...
-
Chicago - Kelsey's Attraction-Packed 3-Day Family Getaway: Lollapalooza, American Girl, TILT & More!
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…
more -
Kelsey Unpacked: Earn Points by SAVING Instead of Spending Money with Symphony?!
What if you could earn travel points by saving money instead of spending it? In this episode of Kelsey Unpacked, I’m joined by Symphony co-founder James Berry and COO Jennifer Styles to talk about the groundbreaking new app that is completely flipping the traditional points game on its head.…
more -
Amsterdam - TikTok Said It Was Toddler-Friendly… So She Took Her 2-Year-Old to Find Out!
TikTok told Laura that Amsterdam was one of the most toddler-friendly cities in Europe, so she decided to find out for herself! In August 2025, Laura and her husband traveled from New Brunswick, Canada, to Amsterdam with their 2.5-year-old daughter for a full week of family adventures. And they...
-
Kelsey Unpacked: The List Technique That's Saving My Life + Theo of Golden Is Giving Me Life
I’m sharing the simple list technique that’s helping me feel more accomplished and less overwhelmed: separating what I truly have to do each day from the non-priorities. Plus, I’m talking about Theo of Golden—the sweetest, most heartwarming book everyone is loving! Mentioned in this episode: -...
-
South Africa - They Saw the Big Five! Cape Town, Wine Country and How a Safari Actually Works
Alaina (@molars.and.miles) is an Ohio mom of three, dentist, and expert trip planner who takes an annual couples trip with her husband and another couple. After traveling to 10 countries together, their latest adventure took them all the way to South Africa in April 2025—and this may have been...
-
Kelsey Unpacked: How I Grew from 19K to 66K Followers - Filming, Editing and Posting Viral Travel Reels
I’m sharing the filming, editing and posting strategies that helped me grow from 19K to 66K followers after leaning into travel content. From iPhone settings and CapCut tips to hooks, captions and calls to action, these are the simple things that have helped my travel Reels reach more people. Buy...
-
France - You, Me & Chablis: One Magical Night in Paris and Three Days in Wine Country + Joe Joins!
Kelsey and Joe are back from their couples trip to France - and Joe is joining at the end for the rapid fire questions! Hear about their magical night in Paris, watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle, exploring Montmartre, and squeezing as much as possible into less than 24 hours before heading into…
more -
Kelsey Unpacked: Trip Anxiety, Mom Guilt & My First Airport Lounge - I'm Ruined
The night before our France trip, unexpected travel anxiety and mom guilt hit me hard - and then our flight was canceled! I’m unpacking what it felt like to leave the kids during a very busy week, plus the much happier story of my first airport lounge experience. Spoiler: I’m officially ruined.…
more -
Yosemite & Lake Tahoe - National Park Magic, Biking, Hiking, Lake Swims & Bear Sightings!
In this episode of Trip Tales, Kelsey chats with Kayla, a mom of three from the Atlanta area, about her family of five’s June 2025 adventure to Yosemite National Park and Lake Tahoe. With kids ages 12, 10, and 7, Kayla and her husband used points, miles, and Southwest Companion Passes to make…
more -
Kelsey Unpacked: What Your Enneagram Type Says About Your Travel Style
I love the Enneagram, I love travel, and today we’re combining the two just for fun! In this episode, I’m breaking down all nine Enneagram types and how each one shows up on vacation! From the planners and peacekeepers to the dreamers, helpers, adventurers, and everyone in between. Buy Me A…
more -
Kelsey Unpacked: We Planned a Romantic Trip to France… Then Europe Hit 103°
What happens when your dreamy, romantic France trip suddenly turns into a European heat wave survival mission? In this episode of Kelsey Unpacked, I’m sharing the real-time pivots we’re making before our kid-free getaway to Paris and Chablis — from confirming air conditioning at our tiny French...
-
Southwest Road Trip with Kids - Arches National Park, the Grand Canyon, and Scottsdale
Amy from Colorado joins me to share all about her family of five’s multigenerational Southwest road trip with her husband, their three kids (ages 3, 7 and 9), and her parents. They started in Northern Colorado and made their way to Moab, Utah to explore Arches National Park, then continued on to...
-
Kelsey Unpacked: I Took My 8-Year-Old on a Work Trip to Clearwater Beach… and She’s Joining the Pod
I took my 8-year-old daughter, Elle, on a two-night work trip to Clearwater Beach, and it turned into the sweetest little mother-daughter getaway. I’m sharing all about our stay at the Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach, the bunk bed room, pool days, gorgeous beach, sunset dinners, and what it was…
more -
Hilton Head - Why This Family of 5 Loved It Enough to Return Two Spring Breaks in a Row!
Angela (@angelashellhaas) from Columbus, Ohio joins Trip Tales to share about how her family of five road-tripped to Hilton Head for Spring Break in 2025 and 2026 — and why it has become one of their favorite easy family beach getaways. In this episode, Angela shares what made Hilton Head worth...
-
Kelsey Unpacked: We Are, In Fact, All-Inclusive People!
In this quick Kelsey Unpacked episode, I’m reporting back from our very first family all-inclusive vacation - and I’m happy to say that we are, in fact, all-inclusive people!!! We may not be cruise people, but this trip gave us: space to spread out, endless food and drinks, fun activities,...
-
Lima, Peru - Surf Lessons, Sandboarding, Penguins, Sea Lions & So Much More Than a Stopover
Kelsey sits down with Kelly from @have.kids.will.adventure to talk about her family of 5’s week-long trip to Lima, Peru in February 2026. Looking for somewhere with warmer ocean water than New England in the winter, Kelly booked Lima on points without realizing just how much there would be to do...
-
Kelsey Unpacked: Exactly How We Got Global Entry for Our Family of Five for $0
In this episode of Kelsey Unpacked, I’m sharing the unglamorous side of travel -forms, passports, government websites, and all the behind-the-scenes admin that happens before a family trip. I’m also breaking down exactly how we got Global Entry for our entire family of five for $0, why we chose…
more -
Banff - Skiing Canada’s Ski Big 3: Lake Louise, Sunshine Village & Norquay
Kyle is back on Trip Tales! After previously sharing about his all-inclusive ski trip to Club Med in Quebec and his epic trip skiing in Austria while visiting the German Christmas markets, Kyle returns to share another incredible family ski adventure. In this episode, Kelsey sits down with Kyle…
more -
Kelsey Unpacked: My Dad’s 70th Birthday at the Indy 500 - A Wild, Rainy, Unforgettable Family Race Day!
This week on Kelsey Unpacked, I’m recapping our wild, rainy, unforgettable weekend at the Indy 500 to celebrate my dad’s 70th birthday! From race day traditions and checkered outfits to suite snacks, Black Hawk flyovers, the Snake Pit, a photo finish, and the chaos of getting 350,000 people out…
more -
Italy with Kids - Rome, Sorrento, The Colosseum, Gladiator School, Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast & the Famous Chair Lift in Capri!
Kelsey sits down with Kirsten (@pointstravel.md), a Pediatric ER doctor from upstate New York, to recap her family of five’s incredible trip to Italy in April 2025. They spent time in both Rome and Sorrento, with day trips to Pompeii and Orvieto, plus unforgettable adventures along the Amalfi…
more -
Kelsey Unpacked: What’s Saving My Life Right Now
In the midst of May-cember chaos, I’m sharing 10 things that are saving my life right now — from new favorite beverages, clothing pieces I'm loving, and a summer dinner hack that's making life easier. This episode is available to watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kelseygraves If you’d…
more -
Disney World + Disney Treasure Cruise - The Ultimate 12-Day Disney Adventure
Kelsey sits down with Nina from New Jersey to discuss her family of 4's epic 12-day Disney adventure in August 2025. They started their trip at Walt Disney World, staying at the new Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Resort and visiting all four parks: EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom…
more -
Kelsey Unpacked: Family Games We’re Loving Right Now
I’m sharing the family games we’re loving right now! The ones we love so much, they actually come on trips with us! From ski condo game nights to beach house fun, these are the games that keep our family laughing and playing together. In this episode, I’m breaking down our favorite family games…
more -
London & Paris w/ Kids - Ted Lasso Pub, Macaron Baking Class, Eiffel Tower Magic + Disneyland Paris
Amanda is back (she previously joined to share about her family’s trip to Bali and Singapore) and this time she’s taking us along on her family of four’s Thanksgiving week adventure to London and Paris. Amanda (@thetravelingbixlers) traveled in November 2025 with her husband and two kids, ages 7...
-
Kelsey Unpacked: 7 ChatGPT Prompts That Will Change How You Plan Travel
I’m not scared of AI - I’m here for it! In this episode, I’m sharing 7 ChatGPT prompts that will change how you plan travel. From finding family-friendly hotels that actually sleep everyone, to building smarter itineraries, choosing restaurants, decoding wine lists, finding off-the-beaten-path…
more -
New Orleans - Mardi Gras with Kids! Family-Friendly Parades, Café Du Monde, the Zoo + Aquarium
Kelsey chats with Paige (@packwithpaige on Instagram) from Huntsville, AL about her February 2026 trip to New Orleans for Mardi Gras with her mom and two little ones, ages 4 and 2. She was pleasantly surprised to discover such a fun, family-friendly side of Mardi Gras. In this episode, Paige…
more -
Kelsey Unpacked: Where I’m Shopping for Summer Trips, Swimsuits and Resortwear
I’m sharing my favorite online spots to shop for resortwear, easy rompers, swimsuits, cover-ups, shoes, and more. These are the places I keep going back to when I want pieces that feel cute, easy, and vacation-ready. I’ve linked everything for you in the show notes so you can browse my favorite...
-
TRIP FAIL: Gatlinburg, TN - Crowds, Chaos, Urgent Care + BEARS! You won't believe this episode!
You won’t believe this episode! Kelsey chats with Maggie (@the_traveling_tinsleys on Instagram) from Chicago about her family of 4’s trip to Gatlinburg in October 2025, and truly, everything that could go wrong did go wrong. From car troubles and a cancelled flight to urgent care, crowds, long...
-
Kelsey Unpacked: In-Flight Entertainment - Books I’ve Loved Lately
Kelsey is sharing the books she’s loved lately and realizing that her favorite type of read is definitely a destination-based book with a strong setting. From longtime favorite author Elin Hilderbrand and her Nantucket-filled drama, to a few other recent reads that completely pulled her in, this...
-
Thailand & Laos - A Family Gap Year: 28 Days in Chiang Mai + Vang Vieng (Slow Travel w/ Kids)
Kelsey chats with Anna Haakenson (@wanderlust.haaks on Instagram) about her family’s decision to leave their jobs as physician assistants and hit the road for over a year of full-time, slow travel with two little kids (now 6 and 3). Anna shares what slow travel actually looks like with young...
-
Kelsey Unpacked: When Sickness Strikes on a Trip + A Family Health Update
For how much we all travel, someone is bound to get sick on a trip. In this episode of Kelsey Unpacked, I’m sharing my top tips for navigating travel when sickness strikes - from what meds I actually pack, to how I mentally prepare when things don’t go according to plan. I’m also sharing a…
more -
Puerto Rico - 40th Birthday Girls Trip: Piña Coladas, Pool Days, Catamaran Fun + Bad Bunny’s Restaurant
Jacki from Massachusetts (@trips.and.dips_ on Instagram) joins Kelsey to share about her girls’ trip to Puerto Rico with 8 friends celebrating their 40th birthdays in January 2026. From pool days and piña coladas to snorkeling off a catamaran, exploring Old San Juan, and dinner at Bad Bunny’s...
-
Kelsey Unpacked: In-Flight Entertainment - My Favorite TV Shows to Watch with Joe, the Kids + Alone
From the shows I watch with Joe, to the family shows we ALL love, to my favorite guilty pleasures, I’m sharing them all in this episode! If you’re looking for a new show to watch on a flight or this Friday night, this might give you a few ideas. Buy Me A Coffee:...
-
Idaho - Tamarack Ski Resort: Kelsey's Approachable Family Ski Trip with a Bougie Vibe + Hot Springs & Boise
Kelsey recaps her family of 5’s March 2026 trip to Idaho. She shares all about Tamarack Ski Resort, the cutest newer ski resort in Idaho, with a happening base village, great restaurants, beautiful modern lodging, and family-friendly skiing that felt approachable and fun. She also talks through...
-
Kelsey Unpacked: What I’ve Learned Navigating Southwest’s New Changes (+ the Coveted Premium Pistachios!)
Southwest’s new changes are here, and after several recent flights, I have thoughts. In this Kelsey Unpacked episode, I’m sharing my real-life experience navigating Southwest’s new world of seat assignments, boarding groups, overhead luggage crackdowns, baggage quirks, and yes… the coveted…
more -
The Tetons - Jackson, Bozeman + Grand Teton National Park with Kids (Plus a Hot Take on Yellowstone!)
Kelsey is thrilled to sit down with Andrea from @BNACheapFlights on Instagram and NashvilleCheapFlights.com to chat about her family of 5’s summer 2025 trip to Grand Teton National Park. From affordable Allegiant flights and an epic Airbnb with sweeping mountain views to family-friendly hikes, a...
-
Kelsey Unpacked: In-Flight Entertainment – My Favorite Podcasts Right Now
I keep my podcast feed pretty curated, and these are the shows I’m actually listening to right now. From travel and celebrity interviews to beauty and wellness, I’m sharing the podcasts I love. If you’re looking for something new to listen to on your next flight, walk, or drive, this episode is...
-
Germany & Austria - Christmas Markets + Skiing the Alps with Kids (It's Easier & Cheaper Than You Think!)
Kyle is back on Trip Tales! You may remember him from a previous episode where he shared about his family’s all-inclusive ski trip to Club Med Charlevoix outside Quebec City. This time, Kyle, his wife, and their two boys (ages 9 and 14) from Charlottesville, Virginia traveled in December 2025 to...
-
Kelsey Unpacked: Travel FOMO & Jealousy - 3 Mindset Shifts That Help Me
We all have felt it: you see your friend on an amazing trip and immediately feel that travel FOMO (and jealousy) creep in. In this episode of Kelsey Unpacked, I’m sharing 3 mindset shifts that help me get out of the comparison spiral and back into feeling content and grounded. Buy Me A Coffee:...
-
Panama - Couples Getaway to Panama City's Vibrant Old Town + The Most Epic Spa Ever!
Kelsey chats with husband and wife travel creators Dan & Alex from Ft. Lauderdale (@travelwith.dna on Instagram) about their couples trip to Panama. Starting in Panama City’s historic Old Town (Casco Antigua) for vibrant culture, cocktails, and local eats, then heading to El Valle de Antón for…
more
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
Trip Tales is the podcast where real people share their real trip stories - detailing where they went, how they got there, where they stayed, what they ate, the activities they loved, and what they’d do differently next time. Each week features a new guest and a new destination to inspire your next vacation. Hosted by Kelsey Graves - mom of 3 and travel content creator.
HOSTED BY
Kelsey Graves
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Trip Tales | A Family Travel Podcast have?
Trip Tales | A Family Travel Podcast currently has 168 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Trip Tales | A Family Travel Podcast about?
Trip Tales is the podcast where real people share their real trip stories - detailing where they went, how they got there, where they stayed, what they ate, the activities they loved, and what they’d do differently next time. Each week features a new guest and a new destination to inspire your next...
How often does Trip Tales | A Family Travel Podcast release new episodes?
Trip Tales | A Family Travel Podcast publishes regularly with 168 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Trip Tales | A Family Travel Podcast?
You can listen to Trip Tales | A Family Travel Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Trip Tales | A Family Travel Podcast?
Trip Tales | A Family Travel Podcast is created and hosted by Kelsey Graves.
URL copied to clipboard!