Kelsey Unpacked: We Are, In Fact, All-Inclusive People!

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, beautiful pools, and the freedom to say yes without thinking about the bill! I’m also sharing a quick sargassum update from the Dominican Republic, what surprised me about Cap Cana, and our Global Entry success story after flying home internationally with the whole family.  A full Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana Trip Tales recap is coming next, but this is my quick first reaction while it’s all fresh! Join us in the Trip Tales Podcast Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1323687329158879 [https://www.facebook.com/groups/1323687329158879] Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/kelseygraves [https://buymeacoffee.com/kelseygraves] Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_graves [https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_graves] Follow me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mskelseygraves [https://www.tiktok.com/@mskelseygraves]

Lima, Peru - Surf Lessons, Sandboarding, Penguins, Sea Lions & So Much More Than a Stopover

Kelsey sits down with Kelly from @have.kids.will.adventure [https://www.instagram.com/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 with kids. In this episode, Kelly shares why her family skipped Machu Picchu this time and instead spent the week enjoying Lima as a destination all its own. They stayed in Miraflores, took surf lessons, made chocolate at a chocolate-making class, explored the city, watched stunning sunsets, and took a big day trip for penguins, sea lions, dune buggies, and sandboarding. Kelly also shares the real-life travel moments too, including a very long bus day, a VRBO elevator/key mishap, what it was like visiting Lima with kids ages 10, 8, and 5, and why Lima surprised them in the best way. This episode is available to watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kelseygraves [https://www.youtube.com/@kelseygraves] If you’d like to share about your trip on the podcast, email me at: kelsey@triptalespodcast.com [kelsey@triptalespodcast.com] Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/kelseygraves [https://buymeacoffee.com/kelseygraves] Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_graves [https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_graves] Follow me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mskelseygraves [https://www.tiktok.com/@mskelseygraves] Join us in the Trip Tales Podcast Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1323687329158879 [https://www.facebook.com/groups/1323687329158879] Mentioned in this episode: - Ride Safer Carseat Vest: https://amzn.to/49G9Ele [https://amzn.to/49G9Ele] - Machu Picchu - Miraflores - Parque Kennedy - Malecón de Miraflores (6-mile cliff top walking path) - Surfing lessons - ChocoMuseo - Chocolate Making Class - The Ballestas Islands  - The Atacama Desert - Huacachina - Magic Water Circuit of the Reserve Park - Cabify = Uber - Huaca Pucllana Site Museum - Larco Museum - Park of the Legends Zoo

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 it over TSA PreCheck, how the application and interview process worked, and why it may be worth doing before your next international trip. Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/kelseygraves [https://buymeacoffee.com/kelseygraves] Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_graves [https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_graves] Follow me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mskelseygraves [https://www.tiktok.com/@mskelseygraves] Join us in the Trip Tales Podcast Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1323687329158879 [https://www.facebook.com/groups/1323687329158879] Mentioned in this episode: - Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana - Dominican Republic E-Ticket - TSA Pre-Check vs. Global Entry - Credit Cards that cover Global Entry

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 to recap his family of four’s spring break ski trip to Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada in April 2026. They flew into Calgary, stayed in the walkable town of Banff, and skied Canada’s Ski Big 3: Lake Louise, Sunshine Village, and Norquay. Kyle shares tips on planning a late-season ski trip, navigating Ikon Pass options, flying with ski gear, where they stayed, favorite restaurants in Banff, and what it was really like skiing all three mountains. From wide-open bowls and incredible mountain views to poutine, rooftop hot tubs, and the cutest ski town vibes, this episode is packed with helpful logistics for anyone considering a family ski trip to Banff.  This episode is available to watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kelseygraves [https://www.youtube.com/@kelseygraves] If you’d like to share about your trip on the podcast, email me at: kelsey@triptalespodcast.com [kelsey@triptalespodcast.com] Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/kelseygraves [https://buymeacoffee.com/kelseygraves] Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_graves [https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_graves] Follow me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mskelseygraves [https://www.tiktok.com/@mskelseygraves] Join us in the Trip Tales Podcast Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1323687329158879 [https://www.facebook.com/groups/1323687329158879] Mentioned in this episode: - Air Canada - Banff National Park - Trans-Canada Highway - Basecamp Suites Banff - Fairmont Lake Louise - Restaurants in Banff: Hello Sunshine Sushi, Bluebird Woodfired Steakhouse, Banff Ave Brewing Co. - Caesar cocktail and poutine - Banff Sunshine Village Ski & Snowboard Resort: Sunshine Mountain Lodge, Mad Trapper's Saloon Trip Tales is a travel podcast sharing real vacation stories and trip itineraries for family travel, couples getaways, cruises, and all-inclusive resorts. Popular episodes feature destinations like Marco Island Florida, Costa Rica with kids, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Aulani in Hawaii, Beaches Turks & Caicos, Park City ski trips, Aruba, Italy, Ireland, Portugal’s Azores, New York City, Alaska cruises, and U.S. National Parks. Listeners get real travel tips, itinerary recommendations, hotel reviews, restaurant recommendations, and inspiration for planning their next vacation, especially when traveling with kids.

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 of one place, this was a family weekend we’ll never forget. This episode is available to watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kelseygraves [https://www.youtube.com/@kelseygraves] If you’d like to share about your trip on the podcast, email me at: kelsey@triptalespodcast.com [kelsey@triptalespodcast.com] Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/kelseygraves [https://buymeacoffee.com/kelseygraves] Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_graves [https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_graves] Follow me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mskelseygraves [https://www.tiktok.com/@mskelseygraves] Join us in the Trip Tales Podcast Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1323687329158879 [https://www.facebook.com/groups/1323687329158879] Mentioned in this episode: - Milestone Birthday Gift: Your Life in Newspaper Headlines https://go.shopmy.us/p-60822615 [https://go.shopmy.us/p-60822615]