Family Travel Tips for Dietary Restrictions Travel with Allergies: Why Early Planning Wins While my own family doesn’t have dietary restrictions, I’ve planned trips for families who do—and I’ve learned one thing: early communication is everything. One of my favorite examples was a family with a pretty restrictive diet headed to Disneyland. Disney is usually […]
Traveling across time zones with kids can feel intimidating. Jet lag isn’t just a “grown-up problem”—little ones feel it too. Over the years, we’ve learned a few tricks that make the difference between a cranky, sleepless first few days and a smooth adjustment. When we travel from the West Coast to the East Coast, we […]
Every family has their “can’t leave home without it” travel essentials. For us, these items are the difference between smooth adventures and total meltdowns. Here’s a peek into what actually works for us—no gimmicks, just tested, mom-approved gear. 🔋 1. Portable Chargers My #1 essential. Between tablets, phones, and random toy batteries, having power on […]
Listen, even travel planners make mistakes. The good news? Every “oops” moment turns into a better strategy next time. Here are a few of my personal family travel mishaps that will (hopefully) make you smile and help you avoid them on your next trip. 🎒 1. Overpacking Like We Were Moving Abroad I used to […]
If you’ve ever wondered if traveling with points and miles really works… I’m living proof it does. Since we started using points and miles, my family has flown to Hawaii, NYC, Argentina, and the Cayman Islands—often in business class, often for free. Here’s a peek at what we’ve booked with points: Business class flights to […]
If you’ve never been to Oʻahu, Hawaii—it can be overwhelming to know where to start. Honolulu, the North Shore, Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head… how do you fit it all in? This 4-day itinerary is based on the exact one I built for a real client and polished with personal recommendations. 🏝️ Day 1: Arrival + […]
Costco Travel is a big name—and sometimes, their cruise prices are great. But here’s what they don’t give you: personalized service. I recently helped a family compare their Alaska Royal Caribbean cruise options between Costco and me. The price? Identical. The experience? Totally different. What You Get with Costco: A good rate Maybe a Costco […]
Planning your dream trip and wondering if you should book a tour—or try to piece it all together yourself? Let’s be honest: DIY travel sounds adventurous. But when it comes to destinations like Europe, Southeast Asia, or multi-stop itineraries… it can quickly spiral into stress, confusion, and unexpected costs. As a family travel designer, I’ve […]
I get this question all the time: “Is it really safe to travel these days?” Here’s my honest answer: yes, but smartly. We live in a complex world, and not every destination is right for every traveler. But with thoughtful planning and wise choices, you can still travel safely, joyfully, and meaningfully. My best advice: […]
We have new readers, so time for an introduction post! I’m Melissa, and I’m a family travel designer, but more importantly, I’m a mom who believes that travel is one of the best gifts we can give our kids. My love for travel started in 8th grade when I got to go to Paris with […]