Kelsey sits down with Joy Smith from Franklin, TN, creator of Savvy Travel Mamas (Instagram + podcast), to share the ultimate Harry Potter-inspired trip for a 12-year-old. After Joy’s son finished all seven books, she promised to take him to iconic filming locations and bring the magic to life and in summer 2025, they did exactly that!

From London highlights and a special Harry Potter afternoon tea to the must-do Warner Bros. Studio Tour, Joy breaks down what to book early and how to plan a perfect kid-approved itinerary. Then it’s off to Scotland for jaw-dropping scenery and real-life “Hogwarts” moments, including spotting the Jacobite Steam Train (the “Hogwarts Express”) crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct and visiting the dreamy cloisters at the University of Glasgow. Tune in for practical tips, favorite moments, and the kind of trip your Harry Potter fan will never forget!

This episode is available to watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kelseygraves

If you’d like to share about your trip on the podcast, email me at: kelsey@triptalespodcast.com

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Mentioned in this episode:
- Vessi Waterproof Travel Sneaker: https://go.shopmy.us/p-44154365
- Go City Passes: https://prf.hn/click/camref:1110l7UuS
- MINNEAPOLIS: Hyatt Regency Minneapolis, Mall of America
- Air France Minneapolis to London on points
- LONDON: Holiday Inn Express Victoria, Pimlico Subway Station, The Georgian Hotel, Harry Potter Warner Brothers Studio Tour, Harry Potter Tea, Butterbeer, Tower of London, Crown Jewels, St. Paul's Catherdral, Thames River Cruise, London Eye, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, London Lego Store, Piccadilly Circus, Bread Ahead, London City Airport
- SCOTLAND: Glasgow, The Highlands, Fort William, Hogwarts Express, Jacobite Steam Train, Glenfinnan Viaduct, The Garrison Hotel, Ben Nevis Mountain, Mallaig, Fort Augustus, Loch Ness Monster (Nessie), the Cloisters at the University of Glasgow, Glasgow Airport, Scotland Rail
- WEST KILBRIDE: Joy visits her family castle, Clan Hunter Home, Hunterston Castle, William Wallace tree from Braveheart
- DUBLIN: Hyatt Centric Dublin, Go City Pass, St. Patrick's Cathedral, City Bus Tour, Guinness Tour, Marsha's Library, Aer Lingus

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 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.

Joe joins the pod and together we talk about how the concept of Fair Play by Eve Rodsky quite literally changed our marriage. From dividing and conquering everyday life, to clearly divvying up household tasks, to even splitting responsibilities when it comes to travel planning, packing, and unpacking - this episode is for anyone who’s tired of carrying the entire mental load.

We break down what Fair Play is, how we started using it, what surprised us the most, and how it’s made our marriage feel lighter (and our trips smoother).

Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/kelseygraves

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Follow me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mskelseygraves

Join us in the Trip Tales Podcast Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1323687329158879

Mentioned in this episode:
- Fair Play book by Eve Rodsky: https://amzlink.to/az0a5TP2LgJgt
- Fair Play card game: https://amzlink.to/az0zgy43Ugqno
- Skylight Calendar
- Splitting up bedtime routine
- Travel roles & responsibilities
- Skylight Max 27-inch Calendar: https://amzlink.to/az0RVZS4AExZf

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/@kelseygraves

If you’d like to share about your trip on the podcast, email me at: kelsey@triptalespodcast.com

Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/kelseygraves

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_graves

Follow me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mskelseygraves

Join us in the Trip Tales Podcast Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1323687329158879

Mentioned 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/kelseygraves

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_graves

Follow me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mskelseygraves

Join us in the Trip Tales Podcast Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1323687329158879

Mentioned 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/@kelseygraves

If you’d like to share about your trip on the podcast, email me at: kelsey@triptalespodcast.com

Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/kelseygraves

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_graves

Follow me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mskelseygraves

Join us in the Trip Tales Podcast Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1323687329158879

Mentioned 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 Dame

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 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/3811327

SHOP my makeup products on Amazon: https://amzlink.to/az0Evn5fZIpOy

Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/kelseygraves

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_graves

Follow me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mskelseygraves

Join us in the Trip Tales Podcast Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1323687329158879

Mentioned 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/@kelseygraves

If you’d like to share about your trip on the podcast, email me at: kelsey@triptalespodcast.com

Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/kelseygraves

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_graves

Follow me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mskelseygraves

Join us in the Trip Tales Podcast Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1323687329158879

Mentioned 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, Japan

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 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.

On today’s episode of Kelsey Unpacked, we’re talking Skincare in the Air, aka my fun travel tradition with my daughter. If we’re on an early morning flight, we pull out our toiletry bag and do our skincare right there in our seats.

I’m sharing the tools and products that are actually making a difference for my skin in my 40s, plus my must-haves that make it into my toiletry bag. Also sharing the few things I genuinely can’t live without.

Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/kelseygraves

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_graves

Follow me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mskelseygraves

Join us in the Trip Tales Podcast Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1323687329158879

Mentioned in this episode:
- SHOP skincare products on my ShopMy page: https://shopmy.us/collections/public/3657421
- SHOP skincare products on Amazon: https://amzlink.to/az0C7y0tGgjIk
- Megelin LED Red Light Therapy Face Mask
- Medicube Kojic Acid Tumeric Glycolic Acid Pads
- Therabody Theraface Depuffing Wand
- Maskiss 24K Gold Eye Masks
- Cetaphil Gentle Face Cleanser
- La Roche-Posay Thermal Water Spray
- Tula 'Spresso Energizing Eye Balm
- Uncommon Beauty Glutathione Serum
- Pacifica Glow Baby Serum
- Youth the the People: Triple Peptide Hyaluronic Acid & Retinal and Niacinamide
- Olay Pro Advanced Regenerist
- La Roche-Posay Tinted Mineral Sunscreen
- Hydrafacial
- Dysport