Visiting Hiroshima with kids: Should families tour the A-bomb sites? Melissa shares honest advice on navigating Japan with kids, including age-appropriate preparation strategies and what to expect at the Peace Memorial Museum. Learn which books helped her family prepare, how her 8 and 10-year-old handled the experience, and practical tips for making the right choices for your children.

In this episode:

• Best books to prepare kids for visiting Hiroshima
• What to see at Peace Memorial Park (outdoor memorials vs. museum)
• How to handle the intense Peace Memorial Museum with different ages
• Real experience: How an 8-year-old and 10-year-old navigated the sites
• Alternative options for younger children
• Practical admission and planning tips
  
  

00:00 Introduction to Family Travel Unpacked

00:14 Discussing Hiroshima with Kids

00:55 Preparing for the Visit

01:24 Exploring Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

02:08 Navigating the Peace Memorial Museum

04:01 Practical Tips and Final Thoughts

04:52 Conclusion and Additional Resources

Japan travel planning resources for families

• Visiting the A-Bomb Sites in Hiroshima with Kids
• 10 Japan Cultural Activities & Attractions For Your Bucket List
• How to Choose a Family-Friendly Ryokan in Japan
• Essential Japan Itinerary: 10 Days of Family-Friendly Travel
• Best Things to do in Japan With Kids: A Kid’s Take
• 9 Tips for Japan Travel You Can’t Afford To Miss
• Things to do in Tokyo With Kids: Itinerary for 4 Days of Old and New
• The Best Hotels in Tokyo for Families (and How to Choose Yours)
• Visiting Kyoto With Kids: 2+ Day Itinerary + Must-Read Travel Tips
• Best Family Hotels in Kyoto
• What to Pack for Japan in Spring (and What to Leave at Home)

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

Planning a family trip to Japan? In this episode, Melissa shares honest insights from her family's 10-day Japan adventure with kids ages 8 and 11. She covers what worked, what didn't, and why Japan became one of their most memorable trips despite being the hardest to plan.

In this episode:

• Why you need to plan early
• Transportation strategy
• Kid-approved Japan activities
• Real talk about jet lag, language barriers, and managing expectations
• Why you can't see everything in one trip (and why that's okay)

Whether you're dreaming about Japan with kids or actively planning your itinerary, this episode gives you the realistic, practical guidance you need.

Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome to Family Travel Unpacked
02:31 Challenges of Planning a Japan Trip
08:46 Must-Try Activities and Experiences
13:00 Japanese Cuisine: A Culinary Adventure
15:02 The Realities of Traveling in Japan
20:12 Final Thoughts and Resources

Activities:

• Buy your Japan Rail Pass
• Tokyo cooking class
• teamLab Planets
• Tea ceremony

Japan planning resources:

• 9 Tips for Japan Travel You Can’t Afford To Miss
• Essential Japan Itinerary: 10 Days of Family-Friendly Travel (Plus Optional Extension)
• Best Things to do in Japan With Kids: A Kid’s Take
• What to Pack for Japan in Spring
• Things to do in Tokyo With Kids: Itinerary for 4 Days of Old and New
• The Best Hotels in Tokyo for Families
• Visiting Kyoto With Kids: 2+ Day Itinerary + Must-Read Travel Tips
• Best Family Hotels in Kyoto
• Pokemon Things to do in Japan

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

Southwest Companion Pass 2026 lets you fly your kids for $5.60 on every flight! Learn how to earn 135,000 points fast with credit card bonuses.

Melissa breaks down everything you need to know about earning the Southwest Companion Pass in 2026 - the ultimate family travel hack that lets you bring a companion on every Southwest flight for just $5.60 in taxes. Despite Southwest's recent changes, the Companion Pass remains one of the best travel rewards for families who want to travel more without breaking the budget.

In this Quick Tip Tuesday episode, you'll learn exactly how to earn your Companion Pass using two Southwest credit cards, why January 2026 is the perfect time to start, and how this travel hack has enabled our family of four to take trips to Hawaii, Costa Rica, and countless weekend getaways we couldn't otherwise afford.

Episode Highlights:

• What the Southwest Companion Pass is and how it works
• Step-by-step credit card strategy to earn 136,000+ qualifying points
• Real examples: Hawaii, Costa Rica and more family trips for just taxes
• Southwest's 2025 changes
• Perfect combination of Southwest credit cards
• Total cost analysis: $400 in fees for $1500+ in travel value

00:00 Welcome to Quick Tip Tuesday
00:26 Introducing the Southwest Companion Pass
01:02 What is the Southwest Companion Pass?
02:29 How to Earn the Companion Pass
02:52 Credit Card Strategies for Earning Points
05:10 Why Now is the Best Time to Get the Companion Pass
06:54 Conclusion and Additional Resources

Compare Southwest credit cards here*

Complete Companion Pass Guide

Free Travel Resources & Ebook

*This is a referral link. When you apply for a credit card through this link, I may earn a commission or bonus at no cost to you. This helps support the free content on this site. I only recommend products and services I personally use and believe will benefit families traveling with kids.

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

Travel with kids in 2026: Get a sneak peek at our family travel plans! From Portugal to London, cruises to beach weekends, see how one family balances school schedules, sleepaway camps, and award travel to plan an incredible year of family travel adventures across Europe, the US, and beyond.

Join Melissa from Family Travel Unpacked as she reveals her 2026 travel lineup, including:

• First-time visits to Portugal (Lisbon & Porto) and the Azores
• London with kids and East Coast summer camp logistics
• Budget-friendly tips for family cruise vacations
• Balancing resort relaxation with outdoor adventures
• Planning around school calendars and extracurriculars

Whether you're looking for inspiration or practical strategies for travel with kids, this quick episode shows how real families make adventure happen!

Episode Highlights:

• January Caribbean cruise with extended family
• March Portugal debut (Lisbon & Porto)
• June birthday weekend in Scottsdale + London & Azores trip
• Creative July camp pickup travel hack
• Mysterious late-fall adventure in the works

00:00 Welcome to Family Travel Unpacked

00:14 Sneak Peek at 2026 Travel Plans

00:33 January: Caribbean Cruise

00:53 February: Back to LA

01:06 March: Exploring Portugal

01:32 June: Scottsdale and London Adventures

02:48 July: Creative Summer Plans

03:15 August: Relaxing Beach Getaway

03:28 Fall: Busy Weekends and Special Plans

03:54 Conclusion: Looking Forward to 2026

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

Join us for a special 2025 year-end review including travel with kids to 10+ destinations! Family travel expert Melissa shares her year-in-review adventures including Maui family vacation tips, Italy with teenagers, Costa Rica with kids, and budget-friendly family trips using points. Discover family travel planning strategies, traveling with kids who have Celiac disease, multi-generational family vacation ideas, and underrated destinations for families. Learn how to balance adventure travel with kids and resort relaxation for the perfect family getaway!

Episode Highlights:

• Family travel to Maui: Andaz Wailea resort review & sea turtle snorkeling with kids
• Travel with kids to Costa Rica: Best Celiac-friendly family destination
• Italy family travel: Rome with teenagers & Dolomites hiking with kids
• Budget family travel tips: Miami, St. Louis & Colonial Williamsburg with kids
• Family vacation planning: Balancing adventure and relaxation when traveling with children
• Multi-generational family travel
  
  

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

00:25 Reflecting on a Year of Travel

00:49 Winter in Maui

02:13 A Weekend in Miami

03:30 Spring Break in Costa Rica

04:19 Summer in Wisconsin and St. Louis

05:46 Italian Adventures

07:13 Quick Trips to Chicago and Boston

08:00 Colonial Williamsburg and Virginia

08:47 Family Time in Los Angeles

10:25 Year-End Reflections and Future Plans

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

Travel rewards and credit card points strategies to save thousands on family hotels! Learn unconventional booking hacks from a family travel expert.

Maximize your credit card points and travel rewards with four game-changing hotel strategies. Melissa reveals how her family uses points transfer bonuses, hotel credits, and smart booking tactics to slash accommodation costs on trips to the Azores, Porto, and beyond.

In this episode:

• Save 50%+ booking multiple rooms with travel rewards vs. expensive suites
• Master credit card points transfers like Amex to Hilton 1:2 and Citi to iPrefer 1:4
• Stack hotel credits from Chase, Amex, Citi, United, and Capital One cards
• Access luxury perks using credit card points through Fine Hotels & Resorts and more

Perfect for families wanting to maximize travel rewards, stretch credit card points further, and unlock insider hotel booking strategies.

00:00 Welcome to Family Travel Unpacked
00:13 Unconventional Hotel Savings Strategies
00:35 Strategy 1: Book Multiple Rooms
01:41 Strategy 2: Optimize Points Transfer Ratios
04:11 Strategy 3: Maximize Hotel Credits
06:16 Strategy 4: Luxury Hotel Booking Programs
09:29 Conclusion and Additional Resources

Free travel resources for families

Amex Platinum personal - Hilton status, FHR credits
Amex Platinum business - Hilton status and quarterly credits, FHR credits
Chase Sapphire Preferred - $50 annual hotel credit
Chase Sapphire Reserve - $300 annual travel credit, The Edit hotel credits
Capital One Venture X - $300 annual travel credit, Premier Collection hotels
United Explorer & Business - two $50 hotel credits per year

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

Planning a family trip to Hawaii with kids? Melissa shares 20+ years of Hawaii experience, answering the top 5 questions about which island to choose, how to make Hawaii affordable with points & miles, hotel vs condo decisions, trip length, and handling jet lag.

Episode Highlights:

• Why Oahu (not Waikiki) is best for first-timers
• How we flew to Hawaii for $11.20 using points
• Hotel vs condo: which saves money and sanity
• Skip island-hopping on your first trip (here's why)
• Jet lag survival tips for East Coast families

Melissa has visited every Hawaiian island with her kids, including a 5-week Oahu stay and two Maui trips in 2024 alone. Get her honest, tested advice on planning an unforgettable Hawaii vacation without breaking the bank.

00:00 Welcome to Family Travel Unpacked

00:17 Why Hawaii?

01:12 Choosing the Right Island

06:12 Making Hawaii Affordable

17:16 Hotel vs. Condo: Which is Best?

21:31 Trip Length and Island Hopping

27:07 Handling Jet Lag with Kids

31:59 Conclusion and Resources

Articles Mentioned/Related:

• What's the Best Hawaiian Island for Families?
• Visiting Hawaii on a Budget: All the Tricks and Tips You Need to Know
• Is It Worth Visiting Hawaii with a Baby?
• 10+ Can't-Miss Things to Do on Oahu with Kids
• Family Activities in Maui We Absolutely Love
• Hawaii Travel Planning Resources

Affiliate Links & Resources:

Credit Cards for Earning Points:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred - All-around best credit card to save on family travel
• Capital One Venture X - Great for flexible travel points
• Amex Platinum card - Perfect for Hilton stays in Hawaii
• Southwest Rapid Rewards Card - How Melissa flew to Hawaii for $11.20

Discount Cards:

• Shaka Gold Card - $37 for discounts on Maui tours
• Go Oahu Card - Save on Oahu attractions

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

Travel packing hack alert! Vacuum storage bags can save massive space when packing winter gear for ski trips and cold destinations like Iceland.

Host Melissa shares how her family packed carry-on only for Iceland in July using vacuum compression bags for puffy jackets, rain gear, and cold weather essentials. Learn the difference between roll-up bags and electric pump versions, plus a genius bonus tip for using them as laundry bags on any trip to make room for souvenirs.

Episode Highlights:

• How to pack winter gear in carry-ons using vacuum bags
• Electric pump vs. roll-up compression bags comparison
• What items work best (and worst) in vacuum bags
• Bonus tip: Using vacuum bags for dirty laundry and souvenirs
• Critical weight warning for discount airlines

Perfect companion to our family ski trip planning episode. Pick up your vacuum bags and digital scale to get started!

00:00 Welcome to Family Travel Unpacked
00:20 The Challenge of Winter Travel
00:36 Introducing Vacuum Storage Bags
00:51 Real-Life Examples and Tips
01:42 Types of Vacuum Bags
02:28 Bonus Uses for Vacuum Bags
03:16 Important Warnings and Final Tips
04:17 Conclusion and Next Steps

Learn to Ski Resources

Best Family Ski Resorts in Colorado

Packing for Alaska

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