Vacation Mavens Travel Podcast

Slip on your wellies, don your kilt, and grab a Scotch because this week we are chatting with Moon Travel Guides author Sally Coffey about Scotland. Sally fills us in on things to do with kids in Edinburgh, Glasgow, and the Isle of Skye. About our Sponsor Moon Travel Guides If you've traveled the Americas, then you already know Moon Travel Guides are the go-to guidebooks for truly immersive experi...

The Channel Islands is one of the most unique, but also one of the least visit, National Parks in the United States. This week we chat with Travis Timmons of the So How Was Your Trip? podcast about his family's recent trip to Santa Barbara and the Channel Islands. ON THE PODCAST 00:30 - Sponsor 01:14 - Talking with Kim and Tamara 03:28 - Talking with Travis 07:30 - How long to spend 10:10 - Taking...

Now that it is fall, we are turning our attention toward winter getaways. If you have ever dreamed of visiting Santa Claus, taking a reindeer safari, and sleeping under the Northern Lights, tune in to hear about Finnish Lapland. Kevin Wagar from the Wandering Wagars shares his family's experience in Finland during the winter and all the things there are to do in Santa's wonderland. ON THE PODCAST...

Where is the largest amusement park in the Pacific Northwest? Silverwood, just outside of Coeur d'Alene Idaho. Find out more about this lakeside gem and tips for visiting Silverwood as Kim shares her family's experience this summer.  ON THE PODCAST 00:34 - Sponsor 01:40 - Kim's trip to Idaho 10:08 - Tips for Silverwood Theme Park 15:36 - Where to stay 23:06 - Bike trail 25:38 - Winter activities 2...

Have you been to Iceland and want to go back to see something new? Or maybe you would love to see Iceland's natural beauty without the crowds you find in the Golden Circle or the South Coast? Tamara shares how to get off-the-beaten path with Hidden Iceland. Tune in to hear about her girls' trip to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula and the West Fjords. ON THE PODCAST 00:30 - Talking with Tamara about Icel...

Kim recently took a weekend getaway to Victoria, British Columbia on the Victoria Clipper ferry from Seattle. Find out where they stayed, what they did, and tips for taking the ferry. Wait until you hear about the orcas on the whale watch they went on! ON THE PODCAST 00:30 - Talking with Kim about Victoria 04:15 - Traveling on the Victoria Clipper 07:43 - Where to stay in Victoria 10:45 - Things t...

Dreaming about a trip to the Canadian Rockies? Listen in as Tamara shares the highlights from her mother-daughter trip to Kananaskis, Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper. Plus Kim chimes in on what she did in Banff before boarding the Rocky Mountaineer train earlier this year. ON THE PODCAST 01:53 - Talking about Tamara's Mother Daughter Trip 05:45 - Kananaskis 09:52 - Via Ferrata in Banff 12:50 - Driv...

Have you ever thought of planning a girl's trip to Maine? In August, Kim and Tamara headed up to the Northwoods of Maine for a girls' trip filled with hiking and laughs, with a stops in Portland and Freeport along the way. Find out more about their trip and some things you can do with the family too! ON THE PODCAST 02:20 - Where to go in Maine 05:37 - Moosehead Lake Area 10:13 - Moose safari adven...

The Florida Keys is a perfect road trip destination for families, or friends. This week Kim and Tamara talk all about their recent trip to the Florida Keys and Key West , with stops in Key Largo and Key West. ON THE PODCAST 00:30 - Talking with Kim and Tamara about their time in the Florida Keys 02:31 - Getting to and around the Keys 10:45 - Key Largo - Baker's Cay Resort 17:35 - Playa Largo Resor...

Happy summer!! While we have been on a short break, Kim and Tamara have kicked off their summer with some fun travel -- of course! In this episode we tell you all about Tamara's trip to Orlando with teens, Kim's last-minute Alaskan cruise romantic getaway, and Tamara's wine-tasting trip to France with her hubby.  ON THE PODCAST 00:30 - Talking with Tamara about her time in Orlando 04:25 - Dinner a...

Did you know that the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited in the United States? Find out what to do in the park and the surrounding area, including Pigeon Forge, on this week's podcast. We are chatting with Tennessee native Sarah Wilson from The Wandering Rumpus to get her take on visiting the Great Smoky Mountain National Park with kids. ON THE PODCAST 00:30 - Talking with Kim...

Find out why Johnston County, North Carolina makes a great weekend getaway from Raleigh or a perfect place to stop on a road trip down I-95. This week Karen Dawkins from Family Travels on a Budget joins us to share her knowledge and love for this special part of North Carolina tucked between 95 and 40 just outside of Raleigh. ON THE PODCAST 00:30 - Visit JoCo Sponsor introduction 01:14 - Road trip...

Sure we love to travel with our kids, but sometimes parents need to get away too! This week we share our suggestions and tips for planning a couples romantic getaway, and some of our favorite trips with our respective partners. ON THE PODCAST 00:30 - Kim and Tamara talking about couples vacations 03:33 - Kim's upcoming trip 05:16 - Tamara's upcoming trip 08:40 - Thoughts behind their trips 13:47 -...

This week we cover everything from luxury train rides to flying budget airlines. Join us as we chat with Hilarye Fuller from Dotting the Map as she and Tamara dig into the pros and cons of budget airlines. Kim also shares her experience aboard the Rocky Mountaineer train. ON THE PODCAST 00:30 - Talking with Kim about her time on the Rocky Mountaineer train 17:20 - Talking with Hilarye Fuller 20:40...

If has been a while since Tamara and Kim traveled with toddlers, so this week we check in with Lydia Blanchard of My Adventure Gang to learn her best tips for traveling with toddlers. Also hear all about Tamara's recent trip on Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas and her visit to the brand new "Perfect Day at CocoCay." ON THE PODCAST 00:30 - Talking Tamara's trip on Royal Caribbean's Navigator...

If you are planning a trip to Paris with kids, why not get tips from someone who has gone half a dozen times in the last few years! This week we are chatting with Michelle Millett, a Francophile and experienced family travelers about visiting Paris with (and without) kids. ON THE PODCAST 00:30 - Talking with Kim and Tamara 05:40 - Talking with Michelle 10:38 - How long to spend 12:03 - Where to st...

Kim and Tamara are back from 10 days in Ireland and giving listeners the 411 on their trip. Tune in to hear about their adventures in Dublin, County Wicklow, Waterford, Kilkenny, Belfast, Derry, and the Coastal Causeway. Plus, Game of Thrones fans will love to hear about some of the filming destinations and experiences in Northern Ireland. ON THE PODCAST 00:30 - Talking with Kim and Tamara about a...

Let us whisk you away to the land of chocolate, cheese, and gorgeous mountain trails! This week we chat with Claudia Laroye, from The Travelling Mom, who has visited Switzerland over two dozen times. She shares her love of all things Swiss and best tips for planning a trip to Switzerland. ON THE PODCAST 00:30 - What Tamara Learned from the Switzerland Tourism Board 13:26 - Talking with Claudia 17:...

Happy Easter, Passover, and Spring to all our listeners! This week Kim is giving us the low down on her massive road trip from Seattle to Disneyland, including stops along the California Coast. If you have ever thought of taking an epic California coast road trip, don't miss this episode! ON THE PODCAST 00:30 - Thank you Listeners!! 01:18 - Talking with Kim about her road trip 01:50 - Itinerary 07...

We are back from our spring breaks and this week, Tamara is telling us all about her family trip to Morocco. Tune in for tips on visiting Morocco with kids and what you need to plan your own trip. ON THE PODCAST 00:30 - Talking with Kim about her ski trip 13:55 - Talking about Tamara's trip to Morocco 14:30 - Weather in Morocco 16:36 - How long to spend 18:28 - Travel to and from Morocco 19:40 - I...

Today is World Autism Awareness Day and we wanted to share some tips and strategies for traveling with kids on the Autism spectrum. Nicole Thibault shares her personal story and learnings to encourage families that feel that travel isn't possible or is just too hard. Learn about some of the resorts, theme parks, and brands that have been certified to support guests on the Autism spectrum. ON THE P...

Happy anniversary to us!! Thank you to all of our listeners who have been with us all along our three year journey and those who have joined in along the way. This week we are celebrating our third anniversary by recapping our top 10 most popular episodes of all time. ON THE PODCAST 00:30 - 3 years, top ten episodes 01:57 - New York City 05:36 - Summer Travel 08:36 - Norwegian Bliss Cruise Ship 10...

Does the winter weather have you down? It is time to start thinking about spring break and summer vacations. This week we are talking about another warm-weather destination, the Florida Keys. Bryanna Royal from Crazy Family Adventure has spent a month in the Florida Keys and shares her tips for visiting the Florida Keys with Kids. ON THE PODCAST 00:32 - Talking with Kim and Tamara about Florida 06...

Puerto Rico has come a long way in its recovery from the hurricanes in 2017 and is waiting for you! Seriously, you can help in the recovery by spending your vacation dollars here. And why not, between beautiful beaches, a rainforest, history, and culture, there is so much to show the kids -- and you don't even need a passport. This week we chat with Jessica van Dop DeJesus from The Dining Traveler...

It is Black History Month and the perfect time to honor the Civil Rights heroes by planning a trip through the South. Today we talk to Mia Henry from Freedom Lifted about which civil rights sites to visit, how to plan a trip, and what to expect along the way. If this type of trip isn't on your radar, be sure to listen to hear why it should be and the powerful impact it can have on you and your kid...