Family Travel Unpacked: Make the Most of Travel With Kids

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 failures, a sprint through Dulles, and a late-night Lyft from DC to Baltimore - that's how our Portugal spring break ended. I'm sharing what went wrong,...

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, and how to book flights using points and miles. Host Melissa outlines top regions and stops along with highlights like dog sledding, a Kenai Fjords boat tour, Lake Clark bear...

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 your family's next trip, this episode is for you. I've taken my family to both destinations.  After an embarrassing amount of research comparing both destinations fo...

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 using points and miles? In this episode, I walk you through exactly how I planned our family's upcoming spring break trip to Portugal — flights, hotels, layovers, and all the cre...

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 she visited two attractions for the very first time. From navigating LAX to booking hotels on points to finding the best things to do in LA with kids across the Westside, Down...

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 overwhelming. In this episode of Family Travel Unpacked, Melissa shares the 9 biggest mistakes families make when planning trips with kids—and exactly how to avoid them. Drawi...

Family summer vacations don't have to mean sweltering heat. Discover 5 cool-weather destinations perfect for travel with kids this summer. In this episode of Family Travel Unpacked, host Melissa shares real experiences from epic family road trips and international adventures where summer temps stay comfortable. From Alaska's midnight sun and bear viewing to Iceland's glaciers, plus...

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, a mom of two living in Canmore, shares insider advice on making the most of your Canadian Rockies family vacation. Episode highlights: Best seasons to visit Banff with kids and whi...

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 14-year-old kids, comparing family-friendly experiences like Seceda and Alpe di Siusi with more challenging hikes like Tre Cime di Lavaredo. Discover where to stay in the Dolomite...

Planning a family trip to Italy? Learn how to create the perfect Italy with kids itinerary from a mom who's done it three times at different ages. Discover how to choose your bases, navigate transportation (trains vs rental cars), avoid tourist crowds, and find family-friendly accommodations. Plus, essential tips for managing Celiac disease in Italy, staying safe from pickpockets, and making...

Celiac travel tips for families: Learn how to safely travel internationally with food allergies. Melissa shares practical strategies for keeping your child safe while exploring the world - from choosing gluten-free friendly destinations like Costa Rica and Italy to using translation cards and leveraging cruise ships as a stress-free base. Discover why cruises work brilliantly for Celiac families,...

Family travel with kids gets easier when picky eaters become adventurous! Learn 8 strategies to help your children try new foods while traveling. Struggling with picky eaters on family trips? You're not alone. In this episode of Family Travel Unpacked, Melissa shares practical strategies for encouraging kids to try new foods while traveling - without the mealtime battles. From choosing the ri...

Icon of the Seas from a kid's perspective! 11-year-old Shoshana shares her honest review of cruising with kids, from soft serve to Celiac dining. What does an 11-year-old really think about Icon of the Seas? In this Quick Tip Tuesday episode, I interview my daughter Shoshana about her week on the world's largest cruise ship. She shares unfiltered opinions on everything from the shows and...

Icon of the Seas review: honest multigenerational cruise tips for 12 travelers ages 4-78. Western Caribbean ports, dining, shows & staterooms. We're just back from a week on Icon of the Seas with our crew of twelve! I'm sharing what worked (and what didn't) for our multigenerational cruise over New Years. From our perfect Deck 8 balcony setup to managing the water slide crowds,...

Visiting Hiroshima with kids: Should families tour the A-bomb sites? Melissa shares honest advice on navigating Japan with kids, including age-appropriate preparation strategies and what to expect at the Peace Memorial Museum. Learn which books helped her family prepare, how her 8 and 10-year-old handled the experience, and practical tips for making the right choices for your children. In this epi...

Planning a family trip to Japan? In this episode, Melissa shares honest insights from her family's 10-day Japan adventure with kids ages 8 and 11. She covers what worked, what didn't, and why Japan became one of their most memorable trips despite being the hardest to plan. In this episode: Why you need to plan early Transportation strategy Kid-approved Japan activities Real talk about je...

Southwest Companion Pass 2026 lets you fly your kids for $5.60 on every flight! Learn how to earn 135,000 points fast with credit card bonuses. Melissa breaks down everything you need to know about earning the Southwest Companion Pass in 2026 - the ultimate family travel hack that lets you bring a companion on every Southwest flight for just $5.60 in taxes. Despite Southwest's recent changes,...

Travel with kids in 2026: Get a sneak peek at our family travel plans! From Portugal to London, cruises to beach weekends, see how one family balances school schedules, sleepaway camps, and award travel to plan an incredible year of family travel adventures across Europe, the US, and beyond. Join Melissa from Family Travel Unpacked as she reveals her 2026 travel lineup, including: First-time visit...

Join us for a special 2025 year-end review including travel with kids to 10+ destinations! Family travel expert Melissa shares her year-in-review adventures including Maui family vacation tips, Italy with teenagers, Costa Rica with kids, and budget-friendly family trips using points. Discover family travel planning strategies, traveling with kids who have Celiac disease, multi-generational family...

Travel rewards and credit card points strategies to save thousands on family hotels! Learn unconventional booking hacks from a family travel expert. Maximize your credit card points and travel rewards with four game-changing hotel strategies. Melissa reveals how her family uses points transfer bonuses, hotel credits, and smart booking tactics to slash accommodation costs on trips to the Azores, Po...

Planning a family trip to Hawaii with kids? Melissa shares 20+ years of Hawaii experience, answering the top 5 questions about which island to choose, how to make Hawaii affordable with points & miles, hotel vs condo decisions, trip length, and handling jet lag. Episode Highlights: Why Oahu (not Waikiki) is best for first-timers How we flew to Hawaii for $11.20 using points Hotel vs condo: whi...

Travel packing hack alert! Vacuum storage bags can save massive space when packing winter gear for ski trips and cold destinations like Iceland. Host Melissa shares how her family packed carry-on only for Iceland in July using vacuum compression bags for puffy jackets, rain gear, and cold weather essentials. Learn the difference between roll-up bags and electric pump versions, plus a genius bonus...

Skiing with kids doesn't have to be stressful! Learn how to plan the perfect family ski trip with expert Jessica Averett of SkiingKids.com. From choosing the right resort to handling different ability levels, ski school decisions, and packing essentials—get all the tips you need for an amazing winter vacation. In this episode: Best ski resorts for families and first-timers Ski school vs. teac...

Planning multi-generational travel? Learn why booking 10-12 months ahead makes family reunion travel easier and more affordable. Melissa shares real examples from traveling with grandparents including Mexico resorts, cruises, and Hawaii trips. Discover the ideal timeline for coordinating flights, hotels, and activities when multiple families travel together. What You'll Learn: Why early booki...

Multi-generational travel tips for planning successful family reunion vacations with grandparents, grandchildren, and everyone in between. Learn destination selection strategies, hotel vs. vacation rental pros/cons, activity planning for different ages and abilities, navigating money conversations, and managing group dynamics on trips spanning toddlers to seniors. Episode Highlights: Choosing dest...