Trip Tales | A Family Travel Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode, Kelsey sits down with Nikki from @PackinPoints to hear all about her family of 6's (4 kids ages 9 - 18) epic adventure across Italy and Switzerland in June 2024 — much of it paid for with points and miles! Nikki shares how they fell in love with the rolling hills of Tuscany, gives a hot take on Florence, and describes rock-jumping into crystal-clear waters in Cinque Terre. Plus, they explore a breathtaking Swiss village with literally 72 waterfalls.

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Mentioned in this episode:
- Travel Rewards University
- Delta partners: KLM & Air France
- Point.me & PointsYeah.com
- Trip Tales Episode 50: The Chase-to-Hyatt Credit Card Strategy That's Blowing My Mind & Unlocking Free Vacations
- Rental car through Capital One Venture Card
- Train from Milan to Lucerne, Switzerland
- ROME: The Tribune Hyatt Hotel, Borghese Gardens, Trevi Fountain, The Colosseum, Roman Forum, Vatican, Sistine Chapel, Spanish Steps, Rick Steve's Audio Tours, RESTAURANTS: Pastificio, Allegrío
- TUSCANY: Monteleone d'Orvieto village, Restaurant: Al Baciamano, Tuscan Airbnb
- FLORENCE: Lego Store, Duomo, Edoardo Gelato (best of trip!)
- CINQUE TERRE: Riomaggiore, Monterosso al Mare, The Blue Path hike, Rock jumping in Manarola
- LAKE COMO: The village of Ossuccio, Isola Comacina
- LUCERNE: Chapel Bridge, Half Fare Card, Swiss Tasty, Mount Pilatus, Golden Pass Ticket, Grindelwald, Gimmelwald
- LAUTERBRUNNEN: The village of 72 waterfalls
- Bern, Zurich: Hyatt Place The Circle, Boston: Freedom Trail

Kelsey is joined by longtime St. John visitor Christy, who has been traveling to this Caribbean gem for years with her family of four and often with a full crew of extended relatives. From the timeshare villas at The Westin to iconic beach bars like the Soggy Dollar, Christy shares her go-to beaches, can't-miss restaurants, and the boat day tradition that always steals the show. Plus, hear about the floating pizza boat you have to try and the surprising moment Kelsey wonders… is it even legal to eat shark?!

Mentioned in this episode:
- The Westin St. John Resort Villas
- Grande Bay Resort
- Crown Bay to Cruz Bay Ferry
- Facebook Group: St. John Travel & Life
- Restaurants & Bars: High Tide, Beach Bar, North Shore Deli, Morgan's Mango, Longboard, Banana Deck, Las Tapas, Woody's (for Shark Bites!)
- Painkillers
- Cruz Bay
- Beaches: Trunk Bay, Cinnamon Bay, Maho Beach
- Excursions: Catamaran snorkeling, Pizza Pi Boat, British Virgin Islands, Sunshine Daydream Boat Charters, Soggy Dollar Bar, Jost Van Dyke, Willy T's
- Shopping: Mongoose Junction, famous St. John hook bracelet 

BUY ME A COFFEE to show your support for the Trip Tales podcast! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kelseygraves
FOLLOW: Kelsey on Instagram & TikTok
SHOP: Kelsey's Travel Favorites from her Amazon storefront.
SHARE: About your trip on the Trip Tales podcast: triptalespodcast@gmail.com

Trip Tales is a travel podcast that highlights a guest's trip itinerary for family and couples travel. Popular episodes include: Marco Island Florida, Costa Rica with Kids, Disney Cruise, Disney Aulani in Hawaii, Beaches Turks & Caicos and a Park City Ski Trip.

Kelsey's Chase Sapphire Preferred Referral Link

In this episode, I’m sharing exactly how I’ve been booking incredible vacations for my family without spending a dime on hotels. It all comes down to: transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Hyatt.

I’ll walk you through the step-by-step process, explain why Hyatt is the best transfer partner, and show you how to maximize your points for free stays at high-end resorts. 

Mentioned in this episode:
- The Trip Tales website: www.triptalespodcast.com
- Omni Grove Park Inn - Asheville, NC
- The Cape - A Thompson Hotel in Cabo, Mexico
- Holiday Inn Grand Canyon
- Hyatt Place Page / Lake Powell
- Grand Hyatt Scottsdale

If you’d like to share about your trip on the podcast, email me at: triptalespodcast@gmail.com

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.

Kelsey sits down with Erika to chat about her family of five’s December 2024 ski trip to Copper Mountain, just outside of Denver, CO. Having skied at many of the top U.S. ski resorts, Erika shares why Copper Mountain stood out as a hidden gem. From its family-friendly vibe, fun restaurants, and wide-open slopes with no lift lines, to unique activities like ice skating on a real pond under Edison lights and experiencing the best snow tubing they’ve ever done, Erika explains why Copper was the perfect winter escape for her family.

Mentioned in this episode:
- Snowshoe Mountain Ski Resort in West Virginia
- EPIC Pass vs. IKON Pass
- How to combat altitude sickness
- Turo rental cars
- Frisco, CO, & Vail Ski Resort, Four Seasons Vail Village
- Copper Mountain Lodging: East Village (beginner ski terrain) vs. Center Village (intermediate ski terrain, half pipe, base village) vs. West Village (advanced ski terrain)
- Copper Mountain Activities: Ice skating on a real pond under Edison lights, snow tubing, sledding hill, snow maze
- Copper Mountain Restaurants: Down Hill Dukes, Forage & Feast, Aerie, Sauce on Copper, Uptown on Main (in Frisco)

BUY ME A COFFEE to show your support for the Trip Tales podcast! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kelseygraves
FOLLOW: Kelsey on Instagram & TikTok
SHOP: Kelsey's Travel Favorites from her Amazon storefront.
SHARE: About your trip on the Trip Tales podcast: triptalespodcast@gmail.com

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.

In this Trip Fails Minisodes episode, we’re diving into three mini Trip Fails stories that didn’t quite go as planned.

First, Katie shares her experience at The Kingsley in Bloomfield Hills, MI in November 2024 - a hotel that gives off swanky boutique vibes but, surprise… it’s actually a DoubleTree by Hilton in disguise. Spoiler: the experience didn’t match the luxury look.

Next, Tali recounts how she got stuck in a timeshare scam at Westgate Orlando Lakes in 2018, learning the hard way why those "free gifts" aren’t always worth it.

And finally, Laura shares why Great Wolf Lodge Poconos Mountains left her family underwhelmed in August 2021. But don’t worry—we’re also giving you two alternative indoor waterparks that actually live up to the hype!

Mentioned in this episode:
- The Kingsley Bloomfield Hills - a DoubleTree by Hilton
- Detroit, Royal Oaks, Troy, Birmingham, & Bloomfield Hills areas of Michigan
- Courtyard by Marriott - Courtyard Detroit Troy, Michigan
- Westgate Lakes Orlando
- 2012 documentary The Queen of Versailles about David & Jackie Siegel (owners of Westgate Resorts) attempt to build the largest single family home in the U.S
- Great Wolf Lodge Poconos Mountains
- Soundwaves Waterpark at Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville, TN
- Hershey Lodge in Hershey, PA

BUY ME A COFFEE to show your support for the Trip Tales podcast! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kelseygraves
FOLLOW: Kelsey on Instagram & TikTok
SHOP: Kelsey's Travel Favorites from her Amazon storefront.
SHARE: About your trip on the Trip Tales podcast: triptalespodcast@gmail.com

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Kelsey sits down with Faith, a seasoned Turks & Caicos traveler who has visited three times (May 2019, May 2022, and May 2023) - and loved Seven Stars Resort so much, she’s returned twice. Faith shares why this boutique-style resort stands out, from its swanky yet serene atmosphere to its top-tier hospitality, family-friendly vibe, and unbeatable location on Grace Bay Beach. Plus, she dives into the best restaurants (including a Kardashian fav!) and must-do excursions across the island, giving you everything you need to plan the ultimate Turks & Caicos getaway!

Mentioned in this episode:

- Beaches Turks & Caicos
- Travel Agent Rachel Lackey with Vacations Booked
- Book Seven Stars Resort on Black Friday or Cyber Monday
- Marriott Credit Card & Marriott Points
- The Palms Turks & Caicos Spa
- Seven Stars restaurants: Seven, The Deck, The Farm
- Off property restaurants: Infiniti Restaurant & Raw Bar at Grace Bay Club, Magnolia Restaurant & Wine Bar, Coco Bistro, Da Conch Shack (a Kardashian fav), local Turks & Caicos Fish Fry, Mr. Grouper's, Omar's Beach Hut
- Excursion companies: Caicos Dreams (private boat tour), Big Blue Collective (Kayaking Mangrove Eco Tour spotting turtles and iguanas), Island Vibes Tours (popular half-day tours from resorts with snorkeling, Iguana Island, and rum punch!)
- Fun Facts With Faith: Jojo the Dolphin

BUY ME A COFFEE to show your support for the Trip Tales podcast! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kelseygraves
FOLLOW: Kelsey on Instagram & TikTok
SHOP: Kelsey's Travel Favorites from her Amazon storefront.
SHARE: About your trip on the Trip Tales podcast: triptalespodcast@gmail.com

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.

Kelsey chats with Jessica from the Sugar Daddy Podcast about her family's Christmas trip to Panama! Jessica, her husband, and their two kids spent a week in December 2024 exploring the country's beaches, rainforest, and vibrant Old Town Panama City. From spotting monkeys and sloths in the wild to soaking up the local culture, they fell in love with Panama—and they're already talking about a return trip!

Mentioned in this episode:
- Copa Airlines
- Westin Playa Bonita - Executive Club Level
- Gamboa Rainforest Reserve: Aerial Tram, Panama Canal Boat Tour, Sloth Sanctuary, Butterfly Garden, Capybaras
- The W Panama
- Global Entry
- Sabroso Panama - dinner and a show
- Super Gourmet Restaurant Cafe - coffee shop, empanadas
- Casco Viejo, Old Town historic district of Panama City
- Raspado - shaved ice in Panama
- Mola Museum
- Fine Hotels + Resorts with American Express
- Taboga Island
- Biomuseo
- Cinta Costera - roadway bridge & pedestrian bridge
- Historic Sofitel Legend Hotel, Casco Viejo Panama City
- Monkey Island
- Panama Canal Museum

BUY ME A COFFEE to show your support for the Trip Tales podcast! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kelseygraves
FOLLOW: Kelsey on Instagram & TikTok
SHOP: Kelsey's Travel Favorites from her Amazon storefront.
SHARE: About your trip on the Trip Tales podcast: triptalespodcast@gmail.com

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.

Kelsey chats with Genni from @travelingfranklins on Instagram, the Traveling Franklins blog, and the popular Lazy Budget Travel Tips Facebook Group. Genni shares the story of how she treated her mom to an unforgettable retirement trip to Spain, using points and miles, in May 2024.

They flew business class, and visited Madrid, Seville, and Barcelona. From the delicious food to Spain's rich culture and spectacular architecture, this trip was one for the books. Tune in to hear all about their adventures, Genni’s tips for using points and miles to make travel more affordable, and why Spain is the perfect destination for a celebratory getaway.

Mentioned in this episode:
- Traveling Franklins blog post: How to Claim Back VAT Tax in Spain
- Business Class on Iberia Airlines to Madrid
- MADRID: Plaza de Espana, Prado Museum (Museo Nacional del Prado), artist Francisco Goya, Puerta del Sol, shopping at Casa de Diego, Los Angeles restaurant, Hyatt Centric Madrid (Hyatt Centric Gran Via Madrid), Camper shoe store, San Gines chocolate and churros (Chocolateria San Gines), Valor Chocolate (Chocolateria Valor)
- SEVILLE: Sevilla, Andalusia region, Petit Palace Puerta de Triana, Flamenco dancing, Teatro Flamenco Sevilla, Royal Alcazar Palace, Cathedral of Seville, Game of Thrones filming location, remains of Christopher Columbus, La Brunilda Tapas
- BARCELONA: Hotel HCC Montblanc, Gothic Quarter, Caganer: The Pooper Store, Barceloneta Beach, Gaudi, Basilica de Sagrada Familia, Casa Batllo, Palau de la Musica Catalan, Ohla Barcelona restaurant, paella

BUY ME A COFFEE to show your support for the Trip Tales podcast! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kelseygraves
FOLLOW: Kelsey on Instagram & TikTok
SHOP: Kelsey's Travel Favorites from her Amazon storefront.
SHARE: About your trip on the Trip Tales podcast: triptalespodcast@gmail.com

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.

Kelsey sits down with Joy Smith from @savvytravelmamas to hear all about her mother-son adventure in July 2024. Joy shares how this trip led them to some of the most stunning natural landscapes and colors she’s ever seen! From the Grand Canyon and Horseshoe Bend to the striking Vermilion Cliffs and the Coral Pink Sand Dunes, every stop had breathtaking views. They also explored nostalgic Route 66 and wrapped up their journey in Las Vegas. 

Mentioned in this episode:

• Joy's Points Travel Academy
• 4th Grade National Park Pass
• Valley of Fire State Park
• Coral Pink Sand State Park
• IHG and Holiday Inn on points
• North Rim (Jacob Lake Inn cookies!) and South Rim of the Grand Canyon with kids
• Horseshoe Bend, Vermillion Cliffs, Cliff Dwellers
• Pink Jeep Tour in Grand Canyon
• Sedona, AZ: McDonald's with blue arches, Chapel of the Holy Cross
• Route 66: Inspiration for Disney movie Cars, Williams and Seligman, Arizona, Poozeum
• New York, New York hotel in Las Vegas with kids

BUY ME A COFFEE to show your support for the Trip Tales podcast! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kelseygraves
FOLLOW: Kelsey on Instagram & TikTok
SHOP: Kelsey's Travel Favorites from her Amazon storefront.
SHARE: About your trip on the Trip Tales podcast: triptalespodcast@gmail.com

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.

In this episode of Trip Tales, Kelsey shares all the details from her family’s  winter getaway to Park City, Utah! Tune in as she recaps why skiing on The Canyons side of Park City Mountain Resort is their favorite.

But it wasn’t all smooth skiing! Kelsey dives into how they navigated the unexpected Ski Patrol Strike and what it meant for their time on the slopes. Plus, she shares their go-to restaurants and how they rang in the New Year in Park City.

Mentioned in this episode:

• My ski outfit: Amazon White Ski Bibs, Tipsy Elves Retro Ski Jacket, ThermaJane Long Johns, Hestra Mittens (Size 8), White Ski Helmet (Size L), BlackStrap Ski Mask, Ski Goggles
• Favorite family games: It's In The Bag, Flip 7
• Restaurants mentioned: Red Tail Grill, Drafts Burger Bar, Billy Blanco's, Lookout Cabin, Pine Cone Ridge, Park City Roadhouse Grill, Main St. Pizza & Noodle, Edge Steakhouse
• Hotels in the Canyons Village: Westgate Resort, Hyatt Centric, The Summit, The Sundial, The Pendry, Yotel Pad
• Westgate Presidential Suite booked through StayLuxe Park City
• Bootworks bootfitters in Park City, shin bang, Lange ski boots

BUY ME A COFFEE to show your support for the Trip Tales podcast! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kelseygraves
FOLLOW: Kelsey on Instagram & TikTok
SHOP: Kelsey's Travel Favorites from her Amazon storefront.
SHARE: About your trip on the Trip Tales podcast: triptalespodcast@gmail.com

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.