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November 17, 2025 48 mins

On this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Food, Wine & Travel" Show with the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association, travel writer Eileen Cotter Wright, founder of PureWander.com, shares practical tips, honest stories, and encouraging advice for families who want to explore the world together. From juggling toddler meltdowns to embracing kid-led adventures, Eileen talks about the realities of traveling with young children — and why the rewards far outweigh the challenges.

She discusses her journey from traditional journalism to digital travel media, the importance of balancing family-friendly fun with adult experiences, and how exploring history and culture through travel helps children grow. Eileen also highlights favorite kid-friendly destinations like Grand Rapids, Michigan, offers advice on preparing children for flights, and emphasizes why travel insurance is essential for families.

This episode also features some of Eileen’s recent family travel stories across the U.S., the U.K., and Costa Rica, showcasing how accessible, meaningful, and joyful multigenerational adventure can be.

📸 Follow her family travel adventures on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DAgWDj5tmqp/?img_index=1  https://www.instagram.com/p/DO_Ya3zjgAR/?img_index=1  https://www.instagram.com/p/DHZM0lSzENe/  https://www.instagram.com/p/DQCQ04_APrz/ 

✈️ Read her family travel stories: - London, UK – https://purewander.com/lovely-london-with-littles-best-things-by-a-local/  - Nosara, Costa Rica – https://purewander.com/spend-a-oceanside-week-in-nosara-costa-rica/  - Grand Rapids, Michigan – https://purewander.com/add-grand-rapids-michigan-to-your-adventures-a-weekend-itinerary/ 

🌐Explore Eileen’s travel writing at https://purewander.com/  🌐Learn more about IFWTWA: https://www.ifwtwa.org/  🌐Follow this podcast: https://food-wine-travel.podbean.com/ 

🎙️As part of our National Children's Month and Family Stories Month programming, this episode is also featured on Big Blend Radio’s "Vacation Station," "Quality of Life," and "Big Daily Blend" podcast channels. Explore the network:  https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/bigblendradionetwork 

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