Ottawa & Montreal - A 40th Birthday Bucket List Trip to Skate the Rideau Canal

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]

Italy with Kids - Rome, Sorrento, The Colosseum, Gladiator School, Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast & the Famous Chair Lift in Capri!

Kelsey sits down with Kirsten (@pointstravel.md [https://www.instagram.com/pointstravel.md/]), a Pediatric ER doctor from upstate New York, to recap her family of five’s incredible trip to Italy in April 2025. They spent time in both Rome and Sorrento, with day trips to Pompeii and Orvieto, plus unforgettable adventures along the Amalfi Coast and out to Capri. In this episode, Kirsten shares what it was really like visiting Italy with kids, including touring the Colosseum, attending Gladiator School (a family favorite!) seeing the Pantheon, taking a pizza-making class, boating to Capri, exploring Pompeii, and soaking in all the pizza, gelato, history, and beautiful Italian scenery along the 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: - @pointstravel.md on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/pointstravel.md/ [https://www.instagram.com/pointstravel.md/] - TripIt App - Rome AirBNB: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/963857416949581312 [https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/963857416949581312] - ROME: The Colosseum, Golf Cart Tour, The Pantheon, Tiramisu & Pizza Making Class (through Eat Walk Italy), Mama Loves Rome for scavenger hunt printables, Gladiator School (by Gruppo Storico Romano), Mizio (street food, best sandwiches) - Orvieto, Italy: Duomo, Orvieto Underground, Etruscan Museum -  Trenitalia App for train tickets - Sorrento AirBNB: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/36904867 [https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/36904867] - SORRENTO: Campania Express vs. Circumvesuviana train, Holy Week, Tavern Allegra (nice Italian restaurant), Amalfi Coast Tour with Rainbow Limos to Postiano, Ravello and Amalfi, Pizzeria da Franco, Capri, Monte Solaro Chair Lift in Anacapri - Pompeii: Family tour with Alex Tour Pompeii - Capri: Iconic Faraglioni rock formations, Blue Grotto, Anacapri, Monte Solaro Chair Lift 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: What’s Saving My Life Right Now

In the midst of May-cember chaos, I’m sharing 10 things that are saving my life right now — from new favorite beverages, clothing pieces I'm loving, and a summer dinner hack that's making life easier.  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: 1. Bloom Energy Drinks https://amzlink.to/az0oJChLJL0Ju [https://amzlink.to/az0oJChLJL0Ju]  2. Protein Pop Sparking Water https://amzlink.to/az0L0wI1Ido7N [https://amzlink.to/az0L0wI1Ido7N]  3. Maldon Flaky Salt https://amzlink.to/az0BR1oZmg1W3 [https://amzlink.to/az0BR1oZmg1W3]And container https://amzlink.to/az0fkUBeoM6eB [https://amzlink.to/az0fkUBeoM6eB]  4. Cold Dinners (chicken caesar salad wraps, chicken pasta salad, chicken salad on Hawaiian rolls 5. AE Dreamy Drape Wide Leg Pants https://go.shopmy.us/p-54593907 [https://go.shopmy.us/p-54593907]  6. Aerie Jet Setter Sweat Set https://community.aerie.com/a/kelsey [https://community.aerie.com/a/kelsey]  7. Boxy Flowy Amazon Ts https://amzlink.to/az0tMXSSlICst [https://amzlink.to/az0tMXSSlICst]  8. New Adidas Shoes https://go.shopmy.us/p-59298726 [https://go.shopmy.us/p-59298726]  9. Cozy Earth Sheets https://go.shopmy.us/p-59270130 [https://go.shopmy.us/p-59270130]  10. Voice Memos