Family summer vacations don't have to mean sweltering heat. Discover 5 cool-weather destinations perfect for travel with kids this summer.

In this episode of Family Travel Unpacked, host Melissa shares real experiences from epic family road trips and international adventures where summer temps stay comfortable. From Alaska's midnight sun and bear viewing to Iceland's glaciers, plus drivable trips through Michigan's Upper Peninsula and a NY-Canada loop through Quebec City and Niagara Falls—these destinations deliver adventure without the August misery.

Episode Highlights:

• Alaska: Dog sledding, Lake Clark bear viewing, Kenai Fjords cruise (10+ days)
• Iceland: Private glacier hiking, whale watching in Húsavík (10-11 days)
• NY & Canada: Finger Lakes to Quebec City to Toronto road trip (2 weeks)
• Michigan: Mackinac Island, Pictured Rocks, Tahquamenon Falls (10 days)
• Australia: Great Barrier Reef & Daintree Rainforest in their winter (3-4 weeks)

Plus honest budgeting tips, points & miles strategies, and age recommendations for each destination. Full itineraries and resources at thefamilyvoyage.com.

00:00 Welcome + Why Cool-Weather Summer Trips Are the Move
01:20 Destination #1: Alaska — Epic Wildlife, Long Days & Road Trip Planning
07:02 Destination #2: Iceland — Road Trip Basics, Weather & Who It’s Best For
12:28 Destination #3: New York State + Canada Road Trip Overview
16:42 Destination #4: Michigan Road Trip — Mackinac Island to the U.P.
21:05 Destination #5: Australia — A Winter-in-July Family Adventure Plan
26:30 Wrap-Up: The 5 Cool-Weather Summer Family Vacation Picks

Alaska:
Things to do in Alaska with kids
10 Day Alaska Itinerary
AK Husky Adventures
Kenai Fjords cruise

Iceland
Best Iceland Tours & Activities
Glacier Encounter - 10% off with code THEFAMILYVOYAGE10
Whale watching in Husavik

New York & Canada Road Trip
New York & Canada Road Trip Itinerary

Michigan
Michigan Road Trip Itinerary
Things to do in Munising
Things to do in Houghton

Australia
1-4 Week Australia Itineraries
How to get to Australia on miles

Don't miss this inspiring, practical travel with kids podcast hosted by family travel expert Melissa Conn, founder of The Family Voyage, certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, and mom of two who proves family travel is achievable for everyone.

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Planning a family trip to Banff? Join Melissa as she talks with Celine of Travel Banff Canada about visiting Banff with kids - from best times to visit and where to stay to budgeting tips and must-do activities. Celine, a mom of two living in Canmore, shares insider advice on making the most of your Canadian Rockies family vacation.

Episode highlights:

• Best seasons to visit Banff with kids and which school breaks work best
• Banff vs Canmore - where should families stay?
• Realistic budgets for accommodation, food, and activities
• Must-do activities for families and hidden local gems
• Common mistakes families make when planning Banff trips
• How long to stay and nearby destinations worth adding

Whether you're planning spring break in the Rockies or a summer mountain adventure, this episode covers everything you need to know for an amazing Banff family vacation.

Where to stay in Banff with kids
Castle Mountain Chalets
Johnston Canyon Bungalows
Baker Creek by Basecamp
Pine Bungalows Jasper

00:00 Welcome to Family Travel Unpacked
00:07 Meet Celine
02:16 Best Time to Visit Banff
09:25 Traveling with Young Kids in Banff
11:03 Planning Your Banff Trip
14:54 Accommodation Options in Banff
15:39 Budgeting for Your Banff Trip
18:27 Dining in Banff
20:22 Cost of Activities and Passes
22:09 How Long Should You Stay in Banff?
22:54 Banff Day Trips and Add-Ons
27:30 Must-Do Activities in Banff
35:00 Hidden Gems and Local Tips
37:37 Common Mistakes and Tips for Families
39:40 Guidebooks and Trip Planning Services
41:56 Conclusion and Farewell

Don't miss this inspiring, practical travel with kids podcast hosted by family travel expert Melissa Conn, founder of The Family Voyage, certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, and mom of two who proves family travel is achievable for everyone.

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Planning a family trip to the Dolomites? Learn which hiking spots work best for kids and which ones are too challenging in this practical guide.

Melissa shares honest insights from her Northern Italy trip with her 11 and 14-year-old kids, comparing family-friendly experiences like Seceda and Alpe di Siusi with more challenging hikes like Tre Cime di Lavaredo. Discover where to stay in the Dolomites with kids, driving tips for mountain roads, how to handle timed entry reservations, and whether this Instagram-famous region lives up to the hype for families.

Episode highlights:

• Best family-friendly spots: Seceda and Alpe di Siusi
• Why Tre Cime di Lavaredo is YMMV
• Essential GPS tip for navigating mountain roads
• Timed reservation requirements

Italy travel info:

• Dolomites With Kids: The World’s Most Family-Friendly Hiking
• 7 Dolomites Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Trip
• Summer Northern Italy Itinerary + Recap
• 4 Ideas to Avoid the Crowds in Venice, Italy
• Rome With Kids: Tips To Love The Eternal City
• 23 Must-Know Italy Travel Tips to Plan Your Dream Trip
• Renting a Car in Italy: La Dolce Vita on Four Wheels
• Italy Travel Apps That Will Make Your Trip Smoother
• How to Travel to Italy on a Budget

Don't miss this inspiring, practical travel with kids podcast hosted by family travel expert Melissa Conn, founder of The Family Voyage, certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, and mom of two who proves family travel is achievable for everyone.

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Planning a family trip to Italy? Learn how to create the perfect Italy with kids itinerary from a mom who's done it three times at different ages. Discover how to choose your bases, navigate transportation (trains vs rental cars), avoid tourist crowds, and find family-friendly accommodations. Plus, essential tips for managing Celiac disease in Italy, staying safe from pickpockets, and making the most of your time with practical packing advice and money-saving strategies.

Episode highlights:

• How to choose 2-3 base locations and use day trips for variety
• Trains vs rental cars: when to use each (and the ZTL zones to avoid!)
• 5 must-show-your-kids experiences: Colosseum, Venice canals, working farms, Pompeii, and the Dolomites
• Why Italy is one of the BEST countries for traveling with Celiac disease
• Pickpocket prevention strategies that actually work
• Money tips: which credit cards work best and when you actually need cash
• How the Italy experience changes from toddlers to teens

Italy travel essentials:

• Anti-theft daypack
• Portable phone charger
• Baby/toddler carrier
• Folding car seats
• Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card
• Capital One Venture X credit card

Italy travel info:

• Rome With Kids: Tips To Love The Eternal City
• Dolomites With Kids: The World’s Most Family-Friendly Hiking
• 7 Dolomites Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Trip
• Summer Northern Italy Itinerary + Recap
• 4 Ideas to Avoid the Crowds in Venice, Italy
• 23 Must-Know Italy Travel Tips to Plan Your Dream Trip
• Renting a Car in Italy: La Dolce Vita on Four Wheels
• Italy Travel Apps That Will Make Your Trip Smoother
• How to Travel to Italy on a Budget

Don't miss this inspiring, practical travel with kids podcast hosted by family travel expert Melissa Conn, founder of The Family Voyage, certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, and mom of two who proves family travel is achievable for everyone.

Blog The Family Voyage

Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel

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Celiac travel tips for families: Learn how to safely travel internationally with food allergies. Melissa shares practical strategies for keeping your child safe while exploring the world - from choosing gluten-free friendly destinations like Costa Rica and Italy to using translation cards and leveraging cruise ships as a stress-free base. Discover why cruises work brilliantly for Celiac families, how to research hidden gluten in local cuisines, and which Facebook groups provide invaluable destination-specific advice. Plus, tips for navigating restaurants without dedicated gluten-free kitchens and using technology to decode ingredient labels abroad.

Episode Highlights:

• Why cruises are surprisingly perfect for food allergy travel
• Best destinations for Celiac families (Costa Rica, Italy, Hawaii)
• EqualEats translation cards and Google Translate camera features
• Facebook groups: Celiac Travel, Gluten Free Italy, Celiac Beach All-Inclusive Reviews
• How to order strategically in restaurants abroad
• Research tips for hidden gluten (especially barley)

EqualEats Celiac Disease translation cards

Don't miss this inspiring, practical travel with kids podcast hosted by family travel expert Melissa Conn, founder of The Family Voyage, certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, and mom of two who proves family travel is achievable for everyone.

Blog The Family Voyage

Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel

Check out my favorite travel gear and my Etsy shop!

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Family travel with kids gets easier when picky eaters become adventurous! Learn 8 strategies to help your children try new foods while traveling.

Struggling with picky eaters on family trips? You're not alone. In this episode of Family Travel Unpacked, Melissa shares practical strategies for encouraging kids to try new foods while traveling - without the mealtime battles.

From choosing the right timing to starting with local sweets, these proven techniques have helped countless families transform their travel dining experiences. Whether you're heading to Costa Rica, Japan, or just planning your next family vacation, these tips will help you navigate unfamiliar cuisines with confidence when you travel with kids.

Episode Highlights:

• Why timing matters when introducing exotic foods to kids
• The "sweets first" approach that actually works
• How cooking classes create adventurous eaters
• Strategic accommodations that respect kids' boundaries
• How to prevent mealtime power struggles

Perfect for parents planning family travel with young kids, tweens, or teens. Real stories, honest advice, and actionable strategies from 13+ years of family travel experience.

Don't miss this inspiring, practical travel with kids podcast hosted by family travel expert Melissa Conn, founder of The Family Voyage, certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, and mom of two who proves family travel is achievable for everyone.

Blog The Family Voyage

Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel

Check out my favorite travel gear and my Etsy shop!

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Icon of the Seas from a kid's perspective! 11-year-old Shoshana shares her honest review of cruising with kids, from soft serve to Celiac dining.

What does an 11-year-old really think about Icon of the Seas? In this Quick Tip Tuesday episode, I interview my daughter Shoshana about her week on the world's largest cruise ship. She shares unfiltered opinions on everything from the shows and food to why she skipped kids club. Plus, her advice for other tweens considering a cruise!

Episode Highlights:

• Why the 3-minute Sprinkles soft serve run became her favorite thing
• Honest take on Adventure Ocean from a tween who didn't go
• Cruising with Celiac disease - real kid perspective on gluten-free dining
• Her favorite port (spoiler: it might surprise you!)
• What she'd tell other 11-year-olds about Icon of the Seas

Perfect for families wondering if Icon of the Seas works for tweens and kids with dietary restrictions!

More tips for cruisers:

• 6 Cruise Cabin Hacks to Make Your Stateroom More Livable
• Smooth Sailing: 6 Must-Do Tasks Before Your Cruise
• 5 Reasons You Might Hate Cruising (+ 7 Reasons You Might Love It)

Don't miss this inspiring, practical travel with kids podcast hosted by family travel expert Melissa Conn, founder of The Family Voyage, certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, and mom of two who proves family travel is achievable for everyone.

Blog The Family Voyage

Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel

Check out my favorite travel gear and my Etsy shop!

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Icon of the Seas review: honest multigenerational cruise tips for 12 travelers ages 4-78. Western Caribbean ports, dining, shows & staterooms.

We're just back from a week on Icon of the Seas with our crew of twelve! I'm sharing what worked (and what didn't) for our multigenerational cruise over New Years. From our perfect Deck 8 balcony setup to managing the water slide crowds, this comprehensive Icon of the Seas review covers everything families need to know.

Episode Highlights:

• Why Icon of the Seas neighborhoods make crowds manageable with 7600+ passengers
• Our connected balcony hack for multigenerational travel
• Reality check on Category 6 water slides and timing strategy
• Honest take on kids club age groupings (the weakest part of Icon)
• Western Caribbean ports: Costa Maya, Roatan, Cozumel & CocoCay
• Dining variety from Main Dining Room to Izumi Sushi lunch deal
• Entertainment winners: Lou's Jazz n Blues, The Passing Zone, Aqua Action
• Critical arcade spending limit tip (our biggest mistake!)
• Mobility solutions for grandparents on cruises

More tips for cruisers:

• 6 Cruise Cabin Hacks to Make Your Stateroom More Livable
• Smooth Sailing: 6 Must-Do Tasks Before Your Cruise
• 5 Reasons You Might Hate Cruising (+ 7 Reasons You Might Love It)

Don't miss this inspiring, practical travel with kids podcast hosted by family travel expert Melissa Conn, founder of The Family Voyage, certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, and mom of two who proves family travel is achievable for everyone.

Blog The Family Voyage

Get your free ebook The Busy Mom's Guide to Free Travel

Check out my favorite travel gear and my Etsy shop!

Chase Sapphire credit cards