Trip Tales | A Family Travel Podcast
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
Kristen from Massachusetts is back on Trip Tales! She previously shared all about her family’s catamaran trip through the British Virgin Islands, and this time she’s taking us to Mont Tremblant, Quebec.
Kristen, a mom of two, traveled with her family of four, including her 10-year-old daughter and 9-year-old son, plus a few other families, for a Presidents Day weekend ski trip in February 2026. Mont Tremblant is just north of Montre...
If you’ve ever traveled for a soccer tournament, dance competition, or any youth sports weekend, you know these trips are never quite what you think they’ll be. In this episode, Kelsey unpacks the good, the bad, and the ugly of youth sports travel. She also talks about the mindset shift that changed everything for her and shares practical tips to help make youth sports travel smoother, less stressful, and a lot more enjoyable. Plus...
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 shares why these were some of the best parades she has ever been to, the super fun “catches” her kids loved like beads, stuffed animals, glow w...
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 finds for your upcoming trips!
My "Shop My" Shelves: https://shopmy.us/kelseygraves/shelves
Pink Lily, Cupshe, Quince, Walmart, Old Navy,...
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 lines, traffic, and even BEARS, this Smoky Mountains getaway turned into a full-on Trip Fail. You have to hear this one!
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 episode is all about the books that have felt immersive and entertaining.
Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/kelseygraves
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 children, how they afford it, and why this reset has been so meaningful for their family.
We zoom in on two of their home bases: 28 days in Chia...
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 personal health update from our family about our recent journey to get to the bottom of my teenage daughter’s dizzy spells, near-fainting episode...
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 restaurant, this trip was full of fun and memorable moments.
In this episode, Jacki shares what made Puerto Rico such a great destination for ...
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.
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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 Boise, hot springs, what made Tamarack stand out, and why this ended up feeling like such a memorable family ski getaway with a slightly bou...
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 premium pistachios. As a family of 5 flying with points, Companion Passes, and multiple reservation numbers, I’ve learned that these changes can...
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 pontoon boat on Jackson Lake, and a hot take on Yellowstone vs. Grand Teton!
This episode is available to watch on YouTube: https://www.you...
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 full of great recommendations.
Get 50% off your first month of Rent the Runway with code: RTRXKGRAVES
https://www.renttherunway.com/?utm_so...
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 Germany and Austria.
Their adventure included exploring Munich, visiting charming small Bavarian towns, wandering Christmas markets, and sk...
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: https://buymeacoffee.com/kelseygraves
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_graves
Follow me on TikTok: https://www.ti...
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 the most epic spa day ever. They stayed at sister Hyatt hotels: Hotel La Compañía Casco Antigua in the Old City and Hotel La Compañía El...
All I wanted for my birthday was to host a Color Analysis party with my friends. We each found out our season: Summer, Spring, Winter, or Fall. And, it’s officially pushing me out of my neutral sweat set era! I’m sharing what I learned about the colors that suit me best for clothing, makeup, jewelry, and even hair and how surprisingly helpful this is when you’re shopping or getting ready for a trip.
Kelsey sits down with Joy Smith from Franklin, TN, creator of Savvy Travel Mamas (Instagram + podcast), to share the ultimate Harry Potter-inspired trip for a 12-year-old. After Joy’s son finished all seven books, she promised to take him to iconic filming locations and bring the magic to life and in summer 2025, they did exactly that!
From London highlights and a special Harry Potter afternoon tea to the must-do Warner Bros. Studio...
Joe joins the pod and together we talk about how the concept of Fair Play by Eve Rodsky quite literally changed our marriage. From dividing and conquering everyday life, to clearly divvying up household tasks, to even splitting responsibilities when it comes to travel planning, packing, and unpacking - this episode is for anyone who’s tired of carrying the entire mental load.
We break down what Fair Play is, how we started using it,...
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