Trip Tales | A Family Travel Podcast

Sarah and her husband took the coziest Christmas-time babymoon to Asheville, NC in December 2025. After driving over from Durham, NC, they loved shopping and dining in downtown Asheville followed by a stay and spa time at the Omni Grove Park Inn. Sarah also shares about their luxe stay at The Inn on Biltmore Estate, plus the magic of the Biltmore Christmas Candlelight Tour. They squeezed in a little fresh air too with a hike in the Blue Ridge Mountains. This trip was cozy, romantic and full of foodie moments!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:- Downtown Asheville North Carolina: Red Ginger Dim Sum & Tapas, Bebettes (New Orleans Coffeehouse for beignets), Asheville Community Theater (Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer), Woolworth Walk Art Gallery, The Grove Arcade- Omni Grover Park Inn: Gingerbread House Bar, Gingerbread House Decorating Contest, Vanderbilt Wing vs. Sammons Wing, Saturday Prime Rib Buffet, Elaine's Dueling Piano Bar, Spa- Jettie Ray's Oyster House and Dripolator Coffee House in Asheville- Pisgah National Forest in the Blue Ridge Mountains: Rattlesnake Lodge Trail- Biltmore: The Inn on Biltmore Estate, Candlelight Christmas Tour, Biltmore Village and Winery, Village Hotel, Legacy Museum- George Vanderbilt

In today’s Kelsey Unpacked, I’m opening up my wallet and sharing the 5 credit cards I’m carrying right now and why. I'm talking points, miles, and the travel perks that make trips cheaper, plus how I decide which card to use for everyday spending. 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/1323687329158879Mentioned in this episode:- Points and Miles Resources: The Points Guy, 10X Travel, Wonderland on Points podcast, Katie's Travel Tricks and the Points for Normal People podcast, @letstraveltalk on Instagram and the Travel Reward University course- My Chase Sapphire Preferred® Referral Link:https://www.referyourchasecard.com/19u/R8JPUYZV1R- My Southwest Rapid Rewards Silver or Performance Business Referral Link:https://www.referyourchasecard.com/226f/720P5CNEZR- My American Express Gold Card Referral Link:  https://americanexpress.com/en-us/referral/gold-card?ref=KELSEGm84o&xl=cp15- My Capital One Venture X Referral Link: https://i.capitalone.com/JcrIKYWpz

Kelsey chats with Heather, a mom of two from Buffalo, NY, about her girls trip through Northern Italy with a big group of friends. The trip was organized by the owners of Alchemy Wine Bar in Hamburg, NY through their Winederlust wine-centered group trips and experiences.They start in Sirmione on Lake Garda, head to storybook Verona, and make their way through Trento before spending time in the Dolomites with stops in Brixen and Selva for hiking. Along the way it’s nonstop wine tastings, fabulous Italian meals, and a pasta making class. They wrap it up in Venice, then end with a final stop in Paris. 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:- Three Girls Cafe in Boston, NY https://www.facebook.com/3girlscafe/- Alchemy Wine Bar - Hamburg, NY with Winederlust wine-centered travel experiences and group trips https://alchemybuffalo.com/- Milan, Italy- SIRMIONE: Lake Garda, Hotel Flaminia, Ca dei Frati Winery, Anselmi Winery- VERONA: Juliet's Balcony, Osteria Sgarzarie for veggie lasagna, Nicolis Winery, pasta making class booked through Cesarine.com- TRENTO: Hotel America, J. Hofstatter Winery- BRIXEN: My Arbor Spa Resort, Dolomites hike: Hiked the Tre Cime Loop and started at the Rifugio Lavaredo, Lago di Braies- SELVA: Linder Cycling Hotel, electric mountain biking tour, Le Contesse Prosecco- VENICE: The NH Collection Hotel in Murano, San Marco Square- PARIS: Hotel Dusquesne Eiffel, Eiffel Tower, Notre DameTrip 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.

We all have drawers full of makeup, but only a few favorites earn a spot in our travel makeup bags. In this episode of Kelsey Unpacked, I’m sharing my top 10 makeup products that always travel with me!SHOP all my makeup products: https://shopmy.us/shop/collections/3811327SHOP my makeup products on Amazon: https://amzlink.to/az0Evn5fZIpOyBuy 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:- Lumify eye drops- MERIT Minimalist Complexion Stick- La Roche-Posay Anthelios Tinted Sunscreen (Shade: Light)- IT Cosmetics CC+ Nude Glow (Shades: Light and Light Medium mixed)- SAIE Sun Melt (Shade: Light Bronze)- MERIT Bronze Balm Stick (Shade: Leo)- MERIT Flush Balm Cream Blush (Shade: Beverly Hills)- Urban Decay Mini Naked Eyeshadow Palette (Shade: Sin)- NYX Retractable Eyeliner - e.l.f. Lash 'N Roll mascara- YSL Lash Clash mascara- Maybelline Express Brow Sculpt (Shade: Medium Brown)- Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder (Shade: Medium)- Charlotte Tillbury Lip Cheat lip liner (Shade: Iconic Nude) - Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Plump (Shade: Cherry Blossom)- MERIT Signature Lipstick (Shade: Baby and Bespoke)

Kelsey chats with Joey from Plano, Texas, and host of the Travel Bros Podcast, about his month long Asia adventure in May 2025 with his wife, their 6 year old daughter, and his mother-in-law (who grew up in Korea). They recap two stops: Seoul, South Korea and Taipei, Taiwan, mixing luxury stays at Park Hyatt Seoul and Mandarin Oriental Taipei with real life family travel with a kiddo in tow. They talk everything from kid-friendly highlights like Lotte World (the largest indoor amusement park) to Korean baseball to fabulous food!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:- Travel Bros Pod YouTube video of the Park Hyatt Seoul room setup: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2G-KLcpFekk- Planning around monsoon season- DMZ Tours in South Korea- SEOUL: Ganghnam District, Gimpo Airport, Park Hyatt Seoul, Starfield Library, McDonald's in Korea, Lotte World, Toys R Us, Kidzania, Lotte World Tower, Seoul Sky, Everland, Korean Baseball - Kiwoom Heroes, Gocheok Sky Dome, Vaunce Trampoline Park, Korean Kid Cafes, Korean fried chicken at Kkanbu Chicken, Bibimbap- TAIPEI: Mandarin Oriental, Dragon Boat Festival, Maokong Gondola, Mountain Tea House, Taipei Zoo, Raohe Night Market, Michelin-rated Fuzhou Black Pepper Bun, Rainbow Bridge, Gua Bao, Taipei 101, Gira Pizza, But We Love Butter- Okinawa, JapanTrip 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.