Trip Tales | A Family Travel Podcast

We're heading to Kennebunkport, Maine, for an All-American 4th of July filled with charming coastal towns, sailing, fireworks, and LOTS of lobster!My guests today are Kristi and Jim from Our Life on Vacation, who spent a week exploring the beautiful coast of Maine. They stayed at a charming waterfront hotel, explored the coastline on e-bikes, kayaked the Kennebunk River, sailed aboard a gorgeous schooner, and celebrated the 4th of July with a traditional lobster bake and fireworks over the ocean.And speaking of lobster… these two managed to eat lobster 14 different ways during their trip! From classic lobster rolls to lobster poutine, lobster ravioli, and even lobster fried rice, they're sharing their favorite restaurants and must-try dishes.Plus, an unexpected flight cancellation turned into a bonus night in Portland, Maine, where they discovered even more great food and New England charm!This episode is available to watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kelseygravesIf you’d like to share about your trip on the podcast, email me at: [email protected] Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/kelseygravesFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_gravesFollow me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mskelseygravesJoin us in the Trip Tales Podcast Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1323687329158879Mentioned in this episode:KENNEBUNKPORT, MAINE4th of July in Kennebunkport – fireworks over the ocean, downtown shopping, coastal New England charmThe Boathouse Hotel – waterfront accommodations, rooftop bar, complimentary bikes and kayaksKennebunkport History & Walking Tour – booked through GetYourGuideCoastal Maine Outdoors – e-bike rentals, scenic coastal bikingCape Porpoise – scenic coastal bike routeGoose Rocks Beach – beautiful sandy beachGoose Rocks Dairy – ice cream stopYachtsman Marina – kayaking on the Kennebunk RiverSchooner Eleanor – scenic sailing excursion, bring your own drinks and snacksWalker's Point – Bush family summer homeSt. Ann's Episcopal Church – historic stone churchThe Lodge – 4th of July lobster bake, whole steamed lobster, Maine blueberry pieAlisson's Restaurant – lobster roll trio, lobster poutine friesBatson River Brewing & Distilling – lobster bisque, warm buttered Connecticut-style lobster rollArundel Wharf – lobster ravioli with Parmesan pesto sauce, lobster-stuffed avocadoThe Boathouse Restaurant – lobster spring roll, lobster fried riceChowder House – traditional lobster rollMabel's Lobster Claw – popular restaurant mentioned, but not visitedPORTLAND, MAINEOld Port – waterfront shopping, restaurants, historic downtownHyatt Place Portland-Old Port – hotel stay after flight cancellationThe Highroller Lobster Co. – Lobby Pop (lobster tail on a stick), Cornbread Lobby Pop (lobster corn dog), Surf & Turf BurgerEventide Oyster Co. – green curry lobster stew with sweet potatoes and mushrooms, fresh oystersTRAVEL TIPS & RESOURCESAllegiant Air – flights from Sanford, Florida to Portsmouth, New HampshireSouthwest Airlines – flight cancellation, hotel and meal reimbursementFlighty App – flight tracking and cancellation alertsUber/Lyft – transportation challenges in coastal MaineTrip 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 National Parks like Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons and Yosemite. Listeners get real travel tips, itinerary recommendations, hotel reviews, restaurant recommendations, and inspiration for planning their next vacation, especially when traveling with kids.

I got an official letter saying my driver’s license was going to be suspended over a traffic citation in a state I hadn’t even been to recently. What followed was two of the most bizarre hours of my life - multiple government agencies, a police officer, a mystery car, and a truly one-in-a-million case of mistaken identity. You have to hear this story!Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/kelseygravesFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_gravesFollow me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mskelseygravesJoin us in the Trip Tales Podcast Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1323687329158879Trip 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 National Parks like Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons and Yosemite. Listeners get real travel tips, itinerary recommendations, hotel reviews, restaurant recommendations, and inspiration for planning their next vacation, especially when traveling with kids.

After two and a half years of perfect podcast attendance, I finally missed an episode, and I think it was good for me. I’m sharing what pushed me to finally take a break, why I’m letting go of the pressure to always publish an episode, and a few life, travel, book and podcast updates along the way.Mentioned in this episode:The Calamity ClubThe Lost TicketDancing with the Stars30A, FloridaIsle of Palms + Wild DunesSteamboat, ColoradoStrawberry Park Hot SpringsUpcoming Trip Tales AwardsIf you’d like to share about your trip on the podcast, email me at: [email protected] Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/kelseygravesFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_gravesFollow me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mskelseygravesJoin us in the Trip Tales Podcast Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1323687329158879Trip 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 National Parks like Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons and Yosemite. Listeners get real travel tips, itinerary recommendations, hotel reviews, restaurant recommendations, and inspiration for planning their next vacation, especially when traveling with kids.

Donna from New Jersey joins me to share about her family’s first cruise - a 7-night Alaska sailing aboard Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas! Donna traveled with her husband and two teenager kids, ages 13 and 15, plus her sister’s family, including her 18-year-old nephew, for a summer 2026 adventure cruising round-trip from Seattle.We’re talking about what it’s like to cruise Alaska with teenagers, what they loved about Anthem of the Seas, how to pack for unpredictable Alaska weather, and the excursions that made this trip unforgettable — from whale watching in Sitka and riding the White Pass Railroad in Skagway to seeing Dawes Glacier and visiting a summer musher’s camp in Juneau. Plus, Donna shares why, if you can swing it, she believes a balcony is a MUST for an Alaska cruise — especially when the scenery is this spectacular.This episode is available to watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kelseygravesIf you’d like to share about your trip on the podcast, email me at: [email protected] Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/kelseygravesFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_gravesFollow me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mskelseygravesJoin us in the Trip Tales Podcast Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1323687329158879Mentioned in this episode: - Alaska Cruise- Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas: The Key, Port Valet- On ship cruise activities: iFly, ping-pong, pickleball, bumper cars, sushi making, The Solarium, - Seattle Marriott Waterfront- SEATTLE: Puget Sound, Pike Place Market, the original Starbucks, The Great Wheel, Bite Society cookies- How to pack for Alaska- Inside passage vs. outside passage- SITKA: Free shuttle, cute harbor town, shopping, restaurants, Sitka Sound, bald eagles, Sitka National Historical Park, Tongass National Forest, Totem Trail, whale watching tour with Captain Brad, sea lions, - SKAGWAY: Alaska Shore Excursions: White Pass Railroad - Dawes Glacier, Endicott Arm- JUNEAU: Summer Musher’s Camp, - VICTORIATrip 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 National Parks like Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons and Yosemite. Listeners get real travel tips, itinerary recommendations, hotel reviews, restaurant recommendations, and inspiration for planning their next vacation, especially when traveling with kids.

Jenn from the Kids Travel Tales podcast is sharing about a 4-night sailing on the Disney Wish with her husband and two daughters (ages 5 and 7) and the decision to go all in on Concierge Level.They paid about $3,000 more for the Concierge upgrade, but after a dining request hiccup and realizing they weren’t actually using many of the perks, Jenn started wondering: Is Disney Cruise Line Concierge really worth the extra money?We break down exactly what you get with Concierge Level, from early boarding and the private lounge to priority booking and theater seating, plus where Jenn felt the experience fell short. We also chat about dining on the Wish, Castaway Cay vs. Lookout Cay, Disney Cruise Line’s newest itineraries—including the exciting return to sailing out of New York City—and why Jenn still loves Disney cruising even if she might skip Concierge next time.This episode is available to watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kelseygravesIf you’d like to share about your trip on the podcast, email me at: [email protected] Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/kelseygravesFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_gravesFollow me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mskelseygravesJoin us in the Trip Tales Podcast Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1323687329158879Mentioned in this episode: - Jenn from the Kids Travel Tales podcast- Disney Wish Cruise Ship - Concierge Level- Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, Disney Magic, Disney Wonder- Terminal C at MCO (Jet Blue)- Away We Go Transfer- Holiday Inn Express Cocoa Beach- Palo- Castaway Cay vs. Lookout CayTrip 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 National Parks like Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons and Yosemite. Listeners get real travel tips, itinerary recommendations, hotel reviews, restaurant recommendations, and inspiration for planning their next vacation, especially when traveling with kids.

TikTok told Laura that Amsterdam was one of the most toddler-friendly cities in Europe, so she decided to find out for herself!In August 2025, Laura and her husband traveled from New Brunswick, Canada, to Amsterdam with their 2.5-year-old daughter for a full week of family adventures. And they were pleasantly surprised by just how much the city offered for little kids!Laura shares how they created a toddler-friendly rhythm with morning activities, afternoon naps and plenty of time for parks, playgrounds and snacks. From the zoo and NEMO Science Museum to biking through Vondelpark, exploring kid-friendly museums, cruising the canals and tasting their way through local markets, this trip proves that Amsterdam can be an incredible European destination - even with a toddler in tow! This episode is available to watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kelseygravesIf you’d like to share about your trip on the podcast, email me at: [email protected] Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/kelseygravesFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_gravesFollow me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mskelseygravesJoin us in the Trip Tales Podcast Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1323687329158879Mentioned in this episode:- My dog's favorite cheese bones https://amzlink.to/az0E1x241YPSw- Laura's favorite travel stroller https://amzlink.to/az0PlFvKKApuj- Halifax Airport - "Welcome Pickups" Transfer Company- The Concert Hotel- Vondelpark- Attractions included in the iAmsterdam City Card/Pass: ARTIS Amsterdam Zoo, Moco Museum (modern art), NEMO Science Museum, STRAAT (Street Art Museum), Rijksmuseum, National Maritime Museum, Bike Rental- Restaurants/Food: Cobra Cafe, Groot Melkhuis, Bakers & Roasters, Fabel Friet for Dutch fries - Pizza Canal Cruise- Albert Heijn grocery stores- DAY TRIPS: Zaanse Schans, Leiden (Paco Ciao speakeasy-type restaurant), Delft- NDSM Wharf & Ferry (free)- Pancake Boat Tour- Sarphatipark- parkrun- Max Euwe Centre Chess Museum - De Pijp neighborhood: Albert Cuyp Markt for Stroopwafels from Rudy's and Kibbeling fish bitesTrip 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.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 National Parks like Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons and Yosemite. Listeners get real travel tips, itinerary recommendations, hotel reviews, restaurant recommendations, and inspiration for planning their next vacation, especially when traveling with kids.

Alaina (@molars.and.miles) is an Ohio mom of three, dentist, and expert trip planner who takes an annual couples trip with her husband and another couple. After traveling to 10 countries together, their latest adventure took them all the way to South Africa in April 2025—and this may have been their most unforgettable trip yet!In just eight days, they experienced three completely different sides of South Africa: vibey Cape Town with its incredible restaurants and breathtaking scenery, a dreamy night in the Franschhoek wine country, and a thrilling luxury safari where they saw the Big Five.Alaina shares how the safari experience actually works—from early-morning game drives and animals roaming just feet away to sunset happy hours in the bush, cozy lodge dinners, and the excitement of tracking lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffalo. Add in beautiful hotels, unforgettable meals, a wine tram, and plenty of spontaneous travel magic, and this trip was truly a foodie and adventure lover’s dream.This episode is available to watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kelseygravesIf you’d like to share about your trip on the podcast, email me at: [email protected] Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/kelseygravesFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_gravesFollow me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mskelseygravesJoin us in the Trip Tales Podcast Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1323687329158879Link to Trip Tales podcast on Apple: Mentioned in this episode:- Alaina's Instagram: www.instagram.com/molars.and.miles and website: www.molarsandmiles.com- CAPETOWN: Cape Grace Hotel, Table Mountain, Time Out Market, Chapman's Peak drive, Boulders Beach, Simon's Town, "Just Mich" Tour Guide, Groot Constantia Wine Farm, Chef's Warehouse, Marble- FRANSCHHOEK: Babylonstoren (Cape Dutch Farm), Leeu Estates, Wine Tram- SAFARI: Hoedspruit Airport, Greater Kruger National Park, Kapama Private Game Lodge, Safari Game Drives, the Big FiveTrip 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.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 National Parks like Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons and Yosemite. Listeners get real travel tips, itinerary recommendations, hotel reviews, restaurant recommendations, and inspiration for planning their next vacation, especially when traveling with kids.