Snacks and Suitcases: Family Travel Podcast

What if, instead of spending parental leave at home navigating feeds, naps and explosive nappies, you packed up the baby, your partner AND the family dog and headed to Europe?That’s exactly what Canadian travel writer Riana Ang-Canning from the travel blog, Teaspoon of Adventure, did.Riana and her husband used parental leave to take their baby daughter and Chihuahua Ellie on an epic nine-month adventure, including an extended stay in London and France’s LoireValley. In this episode, Sally and Riana talk about what long-term travel with a baby is really like, from flying long haul and maintaining sleep routines to slowing down, lowering expectations and learning that sometimes one activity a day is more than enough.Riana shares why they chose to buy their baby her own plane seat, the disastrous day in Normandy that completely changed the way they travelled, her favourite family experiences inEurope and why travelling slowly made such a huge difference.And they tackle that comment travelling parents hear all the time:“But your baby won’t remember it, so why bother?” Riana has the perfect answer.In this Episode:• Taking parental leave to travel with a baby• Long-term travel through Europe with a baby and dog• Flying long haul with an infant• Baby sleep and routines while travelling• Why slow travel works so well with young children• Managing expectations and travel FOMO• Family-friendly experiences in France and London• Why babies not remembering a holiday doesn’t mean it isn’t worth takingAs Riana says, his is your first trip with your baby, not your last.You don’t have to see everything, travel for nine months or go halfway around the world to make incredible family memories.https://teaspoonofadventure.com/Follow Riana on Instagram: @teaspoonofadventureFollow Snacks and Suitcases onInstagram: @snacksandsuitcasespodcastFollow Host, Sally Stanton oninstagram: @sallynanamisIf you enjoyed this episode andwould like to hear more, follow Snacks and Suitcases and leave a rating or review. Snacks and Suitcases is an Australian family travel podcast packed with practical tips, destination inspiration and real-life stories to make travelling with kids easier and morefun.AND Don't forget your snacks!  [email protected]

Catriona Rowntree’s Best Family Travel Tips: Jet Lag, Screen Time & Australia With KidsWhat are the best family holidays in Australia? How do you reduce jet lag, manage screen time and keep children happy while travelling? For the Season 4 premiere of Snacks and Suitcases, Sally Stanton is joined by Getaway host Catriona Rowntree, one of Australia’s most experienced travel presenters and a mum of two teenage boys.After 30 years travelling the world for Getaway, Catriona has collected plenty of practical advice for travelling with babies, children and teenagers. Her number-one family holiday philosophy? Keep the kids “busy, buggered and broke!”In this warm and wonderfully honest conversation, Catriona shares what it was really like balancing motherhood with a television career that regularly took her around the world. She also reveals the travel routine that has helped her avoid jet lag, stay healthy and never take a sick day from Getaway in 30 years! What a woman!In this episode:• Catriona’s “three Bs” rule for successful family holidays• How to keep children and teenagers busy and off their screens• The truth about travelling for work when you have young children• Catriona’s experience travelling with a baby• Flying with babies and helping their ears during take-off and landing• Whether kids’ clubs are right for every child• Her practical formula for reducing jet lag• Packing tips from a professional travel presenter• Why she checks Instagram before packing for a destination• Her favourite Australian family holidays• The best destinations for active children and teenagers• Why travel can strengthen the relationship between parents and childrenCatriona also shares some of her favourite family destinations, including Tasmania, Queenstown, the Gold Coast,Hamilton Island, Port Douglas, Aitutaki in the Cook Islands and an unforgettable True North cruise through the Kimberley.Plus, Sally and Catriona talk about Versailles in winter, travelling through France with children, Catriona’s fridge-magnet collection and why some of the best family memories happen when everyone puts down their screens.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Catriona Roundtree and her travel career02:18 Reflections on the Logies and her TV career04:13 The longevity of travel TV shows and global reach05:45 Catriona's love for travel and her early influences08:55 Pinch me moments and memorable interviews10:23 Adventures and adrenaline stories from her travels11:45 Balancing motherhood and a travel career15:30 Traveling with children:routines, challenges, and tips19:07 Family travel destinations and activity planning21:56 Bucket list destinations: Kimberleys, Alaska, and more22:35 Cultural experiences and local interactions32:23 Favourite travel spots and hidden gems34:20 Educational travel experiences and local tours36:24 Visiting Versailles and other European highlights39:10 Packing, organising, and travel hacks41:12 Jet lag prevention and sleep tips44:26 Follow Catriona on social media and upcoming episodesFollow Catriona Rowntree on Instagram: @catrionarowntreeFollow Snacks and Suitcases on Instagram: @snacksandsuitcasespodcastFollow Host, Sally Stanton: @sallynanamisIf you enjoyed this episode, pretty please follow Snacks and Suitcases and leave a rating or review. Snacks and Suitcases is the Australian family travel podcast packed with practical tips, destination inspiration and real-life stories to make travelling with kids easier and way more fun! AND my last piece of advice is always ... Don't forget your snacks!  [email protected]

Think packing for a family holiday is stressful? Try doing it with three kids and carry-on luggage only.Returning guest Bianca from Travel With My 3 Kids is back on Snacks and Suitcases. After sharing her Bali expertise in her first appearance, this time she's revealing the packing hacks, travel tips and mindset shifts that make family travel easier.We chat about the reality of travelling with kids, why carry-on only can actually reduce stress, and the items Bianca never leaves home without.Plus, we catch up on the latest from Bali, including the island's waste challenges and how travellers can make a positive difference.In this episode:• Why Bianca chooses carry-on only for a family of five• The packing hacks that save time, money and sanity• What she never packs anymore• How to entertain toddlers and kids on flights• Flying with babies, toddlers and neurodivergent children• The travel gear she actually recommends• The surprising item she always packs for hotel rooms• Bali's waste crisis and what tourists need to know• Airport transfer tips that make family travel easier• Budget travel strategies for families• Why low expectations can make travel more enjoyableFollow Bianca at https://www.travelwithmy3kids.com/https://www.instagram.com/travel.with.my.3.kids/Chapters00:00 Packing for Family Travel: The Challenge02:59 Traveling with Kids: Real-Life Experiences05:50 Bali's Waste Crisis: A Tourist's Responsibility09:10 First Flights with Kids: The Reality11:56 Surviving Long Flights: Tips and Tricks15:02 The Art of Carry-On Only Packing18:01 Non-Negotiables for Family Travel20:56 Entertainment Strategies for Kids on Flights24:08 Adapting to Travel with Young Children31:30 Engaging Kids During Travel36:39 Managing Expectations on Travel Days37:26 Health and Safety Essentials for Kids40:08 Packing Strategies for Family Travel46:09 Handling Airport Challenges51:21 Travel Hacks for Parents57:33 Final Thoughts and ReflectionsConnectThank you so much for listening.Please feel free to reach out with any questions via@snacksandsuitcasespodcast@sallynanamisSnacks and Suitcases Facebook PageEmail: [email protected] If you’re loving the show, make sure you’re following so you never miss an episode especially if you’ve got a family trip or road trip coming up.AND... Don't forget the snacks. 

What is it really like raising kids in India?After sharing her flying-with-babies tips in a previous episode, listener favourite Rachel McCallum is back to give us a fascinating glimpse into her family's life as expats in Chennai, India.Rachel, her British wife Gemma and their two boys have spent the past eight years living in one of the world's most colourful, chaotic and captivating countries. From navigating culture shocks and organised traffic chaos to raising children in a multilingual, multicultural community, Rachel shares the realities of everyday family life in India.We chat about what surprised her most when she first arrived, why India often gets an unfair reputation, and how her boys are growing up surrounded by languages, cultures and friendships from all over the world.Thinking of visiting India with kids? Rachel also shares some of her favourite family-friendly destinations, including the iconic Taj Mahal and Kerala's famous houseboats. Plus, we talk food, festivals, school life, expat perks and the unique experiences that make India unlike anywhere else on Earth.In this episode we cover:• What it's really like living as an expat family in Chennai• Culture shocks and misconceptions about India• Raising kids in a multilingual and multicultural community• Family-friendly destinations in India• Visiting the Taj Mahal with children• Kerala houseboats and why everyone loves Kerala• Indian food, festivals and local traditions• International schools and expat life• Why kids are so celebrated in Indian culture• The realities of travelling India as a familyWhether you're considering an overseas teaching position, planning a family trip to India or simply curious about expat life abroad, this episode offers a fascinating insider perspective on one of the world's most unforgettable destinations.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Expat Life in India01:59 Cultural Insights and Realities of Chennai04:21 Family Life and Kid-Friendly Activities06:32 Health and Safety Concerns09:51 Navigating the Medical System11:20 The Role of Domestic Help15:12 Raising a Family as a Same-Sex Couple16:12 Multilingual Kids and Cultural Exposure18:37 Education System in India20:08 Identity and Cultural Integration25:00 Traveling in India with Kids26:46 Exploring the Taj Mahal: A Family Experience29:15 Traveling in India: Tips for Families32:49 Must-Visit Destinations in India34:40 Cultural Experiences: Markets and Street Food38:28 Understanding India's Diverse Festivals42:10 School Lunches and Dietary Considerations in India48:23 Navigating Allergies and Food Options in IndiaConnectThank you so much for listening.Please feel free to reach out with any questions via@snacksandsuitcasespodcast@sallynanamisSnacks and Suitcases Facebook PageEmail: [email protected] If you’re loving the show, make sure you’re following so you never miss an episode especially if you’ve got a family trip or road trip coming up.AND... Don't forget the snacks. 

What is it really like to pack up your life, pull the kids out of school and spend a year caravanning around Australia?This week on Snacks and Suitcases, Sally Stanton welcomes back Big Lapper and now author Simone Skinner-Smith to chat about her brand new book, Passenger Princess: Underprepared and Overcaffeinated for the Big Lap.Last time Simone joined the podcast, her family were still on the road travelling Australia in a caravan with two young boys. Now she’s back home in Sydney, reflecting on the adventure that changed her family forever.In this funny, heartfelt and honest conversation, Sally and Simone chat about:the reality of van life and caravanning around Australia with kidscoming home after a year on the roadfamily travel challenges and unexpected momentsthe emotional side of the Big Lapunforgettable characters they met around Australiaparenting, resilience and raising adventurous kidscaravan park life, road trip hacks and travel tipsself-publishing a bookwhy social media only shows half the storySimone also shares:her favourite destinations around Australiathe truth about living in a caravan full-timefunny travel disastersBig Lap packing mistakescaravan park hacksfamily travel advice for parents dreaming of doing a lap around AustraliaPlus, Simone’s son Louis joins the conversation to answer the Kid’s Corner questions!This episode also includes a short discussion relating to mental health and the Blue Tree Project in Australia. Please take care while listening with young children.  (at approx 23.26 mark) and open your heart and mind to those needing an old fashioned chat 💙LINKSFollow Simone: @biglappers or @simoneskinnersmithBook: Passenger Princess: Underprepared and Overcaffeinated for the Big Lap available on Amazon and Kindle.https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/1923680129Big Lap: Family Road Trip Around Australia (first episode full of tips) https://pod.link/1819621151/episode/c2FsbHlzdGFudG9uLnBvZGJlYW4uY29tLzE4ZjdiZDkzLTg4NWEtM2I3NS1iZTIyLWU1MTIzZjFmYTg3ZAConnectThank you so much for listening.Please feel free to reach out with any questions via@snacksandsuitcasespodcast@sallynanamisSnacks and Suitcases Facebook PageEmail: [email protected]  If you’re loving the show, make sure you’re following so you never miss an episode especially if you’ve got a family trip or road trip coming up.And if this episode made you smile, share it with another parent who may need that gentle nudge to set off on a big lap. Because if not now, then when?AND... Don't forget the snacks. Hosted by Sally Stanton.