Snacks and Suitcases is an Australian Family travel podcast helping parents travel with kids more confidently.
Planning a family holiday should be exciting… but let’s be honest, it can also be overwhelming. From restless kids on long haul flights to finding the perfect family friendly destination, the struggle is real.
That’s where Snacks and Suitcases comes in. Hosted by TV presenter, travel enthusiast, and mum Sally Stanton, this podcast dives into the joys and challenges of travelling with kids. Each episode, Sally chats with travel experts, seasoned parents, industry insiders, and even the occasional celebrity, to bring you practical tips, destination inspiration, and plenty of honest, laugh out loud moments.
Whether you’re dreaming of Japan, a snow trip, cruising or caravanning with kids or even a tropical island escape, Snacks and Suitcases is here to make travelling with kids a little less chaotic and a lot more fun.
So let’s take off, because the world is waiting. And… so are the kids!
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Travelling with Teenagers: Where to Go & What Teens Really Want with 16 year old Em Farrell
Monday, October 26, 2026 • Duration 42:00
Where should you take teenagers on holiday and what will they actually enjoy when you get there?
Sally Stanton goes straight to the source with 16-year-old travel writer and content creator Em Farrell, daughter of Evie Farrell from Mum Pack Travel and Mum Pack Trips. After years of travelling the world with her mum, Em has plentyto say about what makes a great family holiday with teenagers.
From Japan and skiing to America, Paris and cruising, Em shares her favourite destinations and explains why the best holidays include a say in the planning, freedom to explore, plenty of downtime and a very good buffet breakfast.
We also tackle the big question: can teenagers survive without their phones? Her answer might change how you approach screen time on your next family trip.
In this episode: • Where to travel with teenagers: Em’s picks, including Japan, America andParis. • Why involving teens in holiday planning can make everyone’s trip better. • How to balance sightseeing, shopping and downtime. • Phones on holiday: staying connected versus endless scrolling. • Hotel location, atmosphere and the all-important buffet breakfast. • Cruising with teenagers: teen clubs, friendships and independence. • Growing up travelling, returning to school and becoming a travel writer. • How travelling together helped Em and her mum build such a closerelationship.
Whether you’re planning your first holiday with a teenager or approaching the teen years, this conversation offers a fresh perspective from someone who’s actually living them.
Also mentioned: Club Med Tomamu, Royal Caribbean, teamLab and Mum Pack Travel.
Listen to Sally’s earlier conversation with Evie Farrell for the story of their backpacking adventures, beginning when Em was just six.
To take a mum and teen trip or a women only trip with serious fun and adventurebe sure to check out …..https://mumpacktrips.com.au
What does your teenager think makes a great holiday? Tell Sally on Instagram@snacksandsuitcasespodcast.
Follow Snacks and Suitcases on Apple Podcasts or Spotify for more conversations about travelling with kids, from tiny tots to teens.
Share this episode with a parent planning their next family adventure.
Snacks and Suitcases is an independentAustralian family travel podcast packed with practical tips, destination inspiration and real-life stories to make travelling with kids easier and more fun. Please leave a review.
AND
Don't forget your snacks!
Japan With Kids: Updates on Family Travel, Bullet train, Luggage Forwarding & Gluten Free travel (Part 2)
Monday, October 19, 2026 • Duration 45:25
Japan With Kids: Bullet Trains, Luggage Forwarding & Gluten-Free Travel (Part 2)
Our Japan with Kids update continues with Jo from The Tokyo Chapter, sharing practical advice on changes that could affect travelling families and answering the questions she and Sally hear most often.
How do you book the bullet train (Shinkansen)? Where should you sit, and how do you take luggage on board? Or better yet, how exactly does luggage forwarding work? Jo spells it all out, breaking down the little details that make travelling in Japan with kids so much easier.
In this episode:
· How to assess whether a JR Pass suits your itinerary.
· When Jo recommends booking bullet train seats ahead.
· Travelling on the Shinkansen with luggage.
· Hotel-to-hotel luggage forwarding and alternative services discussed by Jo.
· Mount Fuji views and the pressure to book the “right” seat.
· Family carriages and feeling comfortable travelling with babies.
· Credit-card train payments and transit cards such as Suica and Pasmo.
· Babysitting in Japan, including help during a Disneyland visit.
· Gluten-free travel, restaurant research and allergy communication.
· Why supermarkets and a kitchenette can be useful for families.
· Baby equipment Jo would reconsider packing.
· Jo’s Melbourne suggestions, Japanese snack pick and upcoming Okinawa episode.
Travel rules, attraction access, prices and booking systems can change. Check the relevant official information for your travel dates.
Japan With Kids: Updates on Family Travel, Tokyo Disney, Sumo & New Attractions (Part 1)
Monday, October 12, 2026 • Duration 57:26
Planning a trip to Japan with kids? From upcoming visa changes and tourist taxes to credit card hiccups and fines for naughty tourist behaviour, there’s plenty to keep up with. But there’s also a whole lot of fun to discover! This episode covers the family travel updates you need to know now, plus new attractions and experiences to add to your Japan wish list.
Jo McGregor from The Tokyo Chapter returns to Snacks and Suitcases to help families prepare for all the above changes plus she shares new theme park advice, places to stay and explorebeyond the usual attractions.
In Part 1, Sally and Jo discuss Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea planning, Universal Studios Japan, PokePark, familyaccommodation and cultural experiences, including a sumo show where children can participate AND even the opportunity to share a meal with a Japanese family.
Whether it’s your first Japan family holiday or you’re heading back for more, this conversation offers practical ideas for building a trip around your children’s interests.
In this episode: • Tokyo Disney planning: the app, connectivity, ride priorities and Jo’s arrival strategy • Universal Studios Japan booking considerations and Halloween with children • Pokémon attraction entry requirements discussed in the interview • Why carrying cash can help families enjoy smaller shops, stalls and activities • Family apartment hotels in Osaka and longer-stay apartments in Tokyo • Exploring Toyosu, Odaiba and different Tokyo neighbourhoods • Sharing a meal with a Japanese family • An interactive sumo experience for children • Japan travel updates, including tax-free shopping and accommodation taxes
Coming in Part 2: The JR Pass, booking bullet trains, babysitting services in Japan and travelling with allergies.
Travel rules, attraction access, prices and booking systems can change. Check the relevant official information for your travel dates.
Follow Jo on Instagram:
Travelling on Maternity Leave: Europe With a Baby (and a dog!)
Monday, October 5, 2026 • Duration 01:10:30
What if, instead of spending parental leave at home navigating feeds, naps and explosive nappies, you packed up the baby, your partner AND the family dog and headed to Europe?
That’s exactly what Canadian travel writer Riana Ang-Canning from the travel blog, Teaspoon of Adventure, did.
Riana and her husband used parental leave to take their baby daughter and Chihuahua Ellie on an epic nine-month adventure, including an extended stay in London and France’s LoireValley.
In this episode, Sally and Riana talk about what long-term travel with a baby is really like, from flying long haul and maintaining sleep routines to slowing down, lowering expectations and learning that sometimes one activity a day is more than enough.
Riana shares why they chose to buy their baby her own plane seat, the disastrous day in Normandy that completely changed the way they travelled, her favourite family experiences inEurope and why travelling slowly made such a huge difference.
And they tackle that comment travelling parents hear all the time:
“But your baby won’t remember it, so why bother?” Riana has the perfect answer.
In this Episode:
• Taking parental leave to travel with a baby • Long-term travel through Europe with a baby and dog • Flying long haul with an infant • Baby sleep and routines while travelling • Why slow travel works so well with young children • Managing expectations and travel FOMO • Family-friendly experiences in France and London • Why babies not remembering a holiday doesn’t mean it isn’t worth taking
As Riana says, his is yourfirst trip with your baby, not your last.You don’t have to see everything, travel for nine months or go halfway around the world to make incredible family memories.
Catriona Rowntree’s Best Family Travel Tips: Jet Lag, Screen Time & Australia With Kids
Monday, September 28, 2026 • Duration 46:29
Catriona Rowntree’s Best Family Travel Tips: Jet Lag, Screen Time & Australia With Kids
What are the best family holidays in Australia? How do you reduce jet lag, manage screen time and keep children happy while travelling?
For the Season 4 premiere of Snacks and Suitcases, Sally Stanton is joined by Getaway host Catriona Rowntree, one of Australia’s most experienced travel presenters and a mum of two teenage boys.
After 30 years travelling the world for Getaway, Catriona has collected plenty of practical advice for travelling with babies, children and teenagers. Her number-one family holiday philosophy? Keep the kids “busy, buggered and broke!”
In this warm and wonderfully honest conversation, Catriona shares what it was really like balancing motherhood with a television career that regularly took her around the world. She also reveals the travel routine that has helped her avoid jet lag, stay healthy and never take a sick day from Getaway in 30 years! What a woman!
In this episode:
• Catriona’s “three Bs” rule for successful family holidays • How to keep children and teenagers busy and off their screens • The truth about travelling for work when you have young children • Catriona’s experience travelling with a baby • Flying with babies and helping their ears during take-off and landing • Whether kids’ clubs are right for every child • Her practical formula for reducing jet lag • Packing tips from a professional travel presenter • Why she checks Instagram before packing for a destination • Her favourite Australian family holidays • The best destinations for active children and teenagers • Why travel can strengthen the relationship between parents and children
Catriona also shares some of her favourite family destinations, including Tasmania, Queenstown, the Gold Coast,Hamilton Island, Port Douglas, Aitutaki in the Cook Islands and an unforgettable True North cruise through the Kimberley.
Plus, Sally and Catriona talk about Versailles in winter, travelling through France with children, Catriona’s fridge-magnet collection and why some of the best family memories happen when everyone puts down their screens.
Carry On Only with 3 Kids? Packing Hacks and General Travel Tips for Every Parent
Season 1
Monday, June 22, 2026 • Duration 59:21
Think packing for a family holiday is stressful? Try doing it with three kids and carry-on luggage only.
Returning guest Bianca from Travel With My 3 Kids is back on Snacks and Suitcases. After sharing her Bali expertise in her first appearance, this time she's revealing the packing hacks, travel tips and mindset shifts that make family travel easier.
We chat about the reality of travelling with kids, why carry-on only can actually reduce stress, and the items Bianca never leaves home without.
Plus, we catch up on the latest from Bali, including the island's waste challenges and how travellers can make a positive difference.
In this episode:
• Why Bianca chooses carry-on only for a family of five • The packing hacks that save time, money and sanity • What she never packs anymore • How to entertain toddlers and kids on flights • Flying with babies, toddlers and neurodivergent children • The travel gear she actually recommends • The surprising item she always packs for hotel rooms • Bali's waste crisis and what tourists need to know • Airport transfer tips that make family travel easier • Budget travel strategies for families • Why low expectations can make travel more enjoyable
05:50 Bali's Waste Crisis: A Tourist's Responsibility
09:10 First Flights with Kids: The Reality
Living in India with Kids: Expat Life & Family Travel Tips
Season 3
Monday, June 15, 2026 • Duration 51:34
What is it really like raising kids in India?
After sharing her flying-with-babies tips in a previous episode, listener favourite Rachel McCallum is back to give us a fascinating glimpse into her family's life as expats in Chennai, India.
Rachel, her British wife Gemma and their two boys have spent the past eight years living in one of the world's most colourful, chaotic and captivating countries. From navigating culture shocks and organised traffic chaos to raising children in a multilingual, multicultural community, Rachel shares the realities of everyday family life in India.
We chat about what surprised her most when she first arrived, why India often gets an unfair reputation, and how her boys are growing up surrounded by languages, cultures and friendships from all over the world.
Thinking of visiting India with kids? Rachel also shares some of her favourite family-friendly destinations, including the iconic Taj Mahal and Kerala's famous houseboats. Plus, we talk food, festivals, school life, expat perks and the unique experiences that make India unlike anywhere else on Earth.
In this episode we cover:
• What it's really like living as an expat family in Chennai • Culture shocks and misconceptions about India • Raising kids in a multilingual and multicultural community • Family-friendly destinations in India • Visiting the Taj Mahal with children • Kerala houseboats and why everyone loves Kerala • Indian food, festivals and local traditions • International schools and expat life • Why kids are so celebrated in Indian culture • The realities of travelling India as a family
Whether you're considering an overseas teaching position, planning a family trip to India or simply curious about expat life abroad, this episode offers a fascinating insider perspective on one of the world's most unforgettable destinations.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Expat Life in India
Caravanning around Australia with Kids | Passenger Princess Author Simone Skinner Smith
Season 3
Monday, June 8, 2026 • Duration 47:00
What is it really like to pack up your life, pull the kids out of school and spend a year caravanning around Australia?
This week on Snacks and Suitcases, Sally Stanton welcomes back Big Lapper and now author Simone Skinner-Smith to chat about her brand new book, Passenger Princess: Underprepared and Overcaffeinated for the Big Lap.
Last time Simone joined the podcast, her family were still on the road travelling Australia in a caravan with two young boys. Now she’s back home in Sydney, reflecting on the adventure that changed her family forever.
In this funny, heartfelt and honest conversation, Sally and Simone chat about:
the reality of van life and caravanning around Australia with kids
coming home after a year on the road
family travel challenges and unexpected moments
the emotional side of the Big Lap
unforgettable characters they met around Australia
parenting, resilience and raising adventurous kids
caravan park life, road trip hacks and travel tips
self-publishing a book
why social media only shows half the story
Simone also shares:
her favourite destinations around Australia
the truth about living in a caravan full-time
funny travel disasters
Big Lap packing mistakes
caravan park hacks
family travel advice for parents dreaming of doing a lap around Australia
Plus, Simone’s son Louis joins the conversation to answer the Kid’s Corner questions!
This episode also includes a short discussion relating to mental health and the Blue Tree Project in Australia. Please take care while listening with young children. (at approx 23.26 mark) and open your heart and mind to those needing an old fashioned chat 💙
Mid Season Break: Family Travel Podcast back next week
Monday, June 1, 2026 • Duration 01:44
This week on Snacks and Suitcases, Sally is popping into your feed with a quick little update while the podcast takes a short mid-season breather. But no worries as she’ll be back next week with a brand new episode!
In the meantime, now’s the perfect chance to catch up on any episodes you may have missed…. like road trips around New Zealand, All Inclusive Travel, Cruising with Kids plus loads more family travel ideas and tips.
Thanks so much for all your support of Snacks and Suitcases.
Follow @snacksandsuitcasespodcast for more family travel inspiration, travel hacks and destination ideas for parents travelling with kids.
Hosted by Sally Stanton.
Click for more episodes
Mid season break: The Best Family Travel Episodes to Catch Up On + Season Teaser
Tuesday, May 26, 2026 • Duration 02:53
Snacks and Suitcases will be back very soon with more family travel tips, travelling with kids advice and celebrity travel stories.
In this quick update episode, Sally Stanton shares some of the best episodes to binge while the podcast is on pause, including chats with Hamish Blake, Ada Nicodemou, Emma Watkins (Emma Memma), Sophie Falkiner and Luke Jacobz.
Planning a family holiday? Catch up on popular episodes covering Japan with kids, Bali with kids, snow holidays in Australia, Japan ski resorts, Livigno in Italy, eco-friendly tiny cabin escapes and more.
Plus, Sally teases an upcoming episode with Simone Skinner-Smith, returning to the podcast to chat about her new travel memoir Passenger Princess: Underprepared and Over Caffeinated for the big lap, inspired by her family’s caravan trip around Australia.
Whether you’re dreaming of a big lap around Australia, a white Christmas ski holiday or your next family getaway, there’s plenty to inspire your next adventure.
Follow Snacks and Suitcases for more family travel inspiration, travel hacks and destination ideas for parents travelling with kids.
Follow Snacks and Suitcases on Instagram: @snacksandsuitcasespodcast
Follow Host, Sally Stanton on Instagram:
@sallynanamis
Enjoyed the episode?
Follow the podcast and leave a rating or review to help other families discover Snacks and Suitcases.
Snacks and Suitcases is an independentAustralian family travel podcast packed with practical tips, destination inspiration and real-life stories to make travelling with kids easier and more fun.
Follow Snacks and Suitcases onInstagram: @snacksandsuitcasespodcast
Follow Host, Sally Stantonon Instagram:
@sallynanamis
Enjoyed the episode? Follow the podcast and leave a rating or review to help other families discover Snacks and Suitcases.
Snacks and Suitcases is an independent Australian family travel podcast packed with practical tips, destinationinspiration and real-life stories to make travelling with kids easier and more fun.
AND
Don't forget your snacks!
snacksandsuitcasespodcast@gmail.com
Follow Riana on Instagram: @teaspoonofadventure
Follow Snacks and Suitcases onInstagram: @snacksandsuitcasespodcast
If you enjoyed this episode andwould like to hear more, follow Snacks and Suitcases and leave a rating or review.
Snacks and Suitcases is an Australian family travel podcast packed with practical tips, destination inspiration and real-life stories to make travelling with kids easier and morefun.
AND
Don't forget your snacks!
snacksandsuitcasespodcast@gmail.com
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Catriona Roundtree and her travel career
02:18 Reflections on the Logies and her TV career
04:13 The longevity of travel TV shows and global reach
05:45 Catriona's love for travel and her early influences
08:55 Pinch me moments and memorable interviews
10:23 Adventures and adrenaline stories from her travels
11:45 Balancing motherhood and a travel career
15:30 Traveling with children:routines, challenges, and tips
19:07 Family travel destinations and activity planning
21:56 Bucket list destinations: Kimberleys, Alaska, and more
22:35 Cultural experiences and local interactions
32:23 Favourite travel spots and hidden gems
34:20 Educational travel experiences and local tours
36:24 Visiting Versailles and other European highlights
39:10 Packing, organising, and travel hacks
41:12 Jet lag prevention and sleep tips
44:26 Follow Catriona on social media and upcoming episodes
Follow Catriona Rowntree on Instagram: @catrionarowntree
Follow Snacks and Suitcases on Instagram: @snacksandsuitcasespodcast
Follow Host, Sally Stanton: @sallynanamis
If you enjoyed this episode, pretty please follow Snacks and Suitcases and leave a rating or review.
Snacks and Suitcases is the Australian family travel podcast packed with practical tips, destination inspiration and real-life stories to make travelling with kids easier and way more fun!
AND my last piece of advice is always ...
Don't forget your snacks!
snacksandsuitcasespodcast@gmail.com
11:56 Surviving Long Flights: Tips and Tricks
15:02 The Art of Carry-On Only Packing
18:01 Non-Negotiables for Family Travel
20:56 Entertainment Strategies for Kids on Flights
24:08 Adapting to Travel with Young Children
31:30 Engaging Kids During Travel
36:39 Managing Expectations on Travel Days
37:26 Health and Safety Essentials for Kids
40:08 Packing Strategies for Family Travel
46:09 Handling Airport Challenges
51:21 Travel Hacks for Parents
57:33 Final Thoughts and Reflections
Connect
Thank you so much for listening.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions via
If you’re loving the show, make sure you’re following so you never miss an episode especially if you’ve got a family trip or road trip coming up.
AND... Don't forget the snacks.
LINKS
Follow Simone: @biglappers or @simoneskinnersmith Book: Passenger Princess: Underprepared and Overcaffeinated for the Big Lap available on Amazon and Kindle.
If you’re loving the show, make sure you’re following so you never miss an episode especially if you’ve got a family trip or road trip coming up.
And if this episode made you smile, share it with another parent who may need that gentle nudge to set off on a big lap. Because if not now, then when?
