Points & Miles
Why a United Credit Card Should Be a Staple in Your Wallet
I flew business class from Houston to Munich for 72,000 miles — here's the exact United card benefit that made it possible.
September 6, 2026 · 3 min read
more adventures, more memories
Luxury family travelwithout the luxury price tag
Having kids hasn't stopped us from traveling. Four years in, it's far less intimidating than it looks — and we visit the same resorts other families do for a fraction of what they pay.
Every stay here is one we paid for ourselves — and if that ever changes, it will say so at the top of the post.
Hi, I'm Melissa
A mom of two small children who is passionate about traveling and making memories with my family. I am proof that family travel doesn't have to feel impossible.
I've traveled to 45 countries and counting, and I've learned a lot along the way. This website is where I share it all — my family travel tips, favorite destinations, and the ways I make traveling with kids more affordable.
I'm here to inspire you to turn ‘someday’ into a booked trip
Whether this is your first family trip or your tenth, I hope this site gives you the confidence — and the tools — to actually book it. Look around, find the tips that fit your next trip, and let's get you there.
— Melissa
Latest From Us
trips, activities & the points breakdown
Trip Report
The Free Card That Covers Your Gondolas, Trains, and Museums in Brixen, South Tyrol
The Mt. Plose gondola is free during part of the year in the Dolomites — here's how to time your visit so you don't miss it.
September 4, 2026 · 2 min read
Trip Report
AKI Family Resort Plose Review: The Family Hotel That Redefined 'Relaxing Vacation' for Me
After a stress-free family stay in the Dolomites, I'm breaking down the flights, points, and amenities that made AKI Family Resort Plose the most relaxing vacation I've had since having kids.
August 17, 2026 · 11 min read
Hotel & Resort Tours
Adler Dolomiti Spa & Resort: A Beautiful Hotel in Ortisei
The grand South Tyrol spa resort — home of the AKI Kids Club — walked through top to bottom.
ADLER Spa Resort Dolomiti
Hotel & Resort Tours
Cavallino Bianco: A tour of the best family-friendly resort in the world
The property that tops the family-resort rankings year after year — what it's actually like inside.
Cavallino Bianco Family Spa Grand Hotel
Hotel & Resort Tours
First Impressions of the Hyatt Ziva Cancun
An all-inclusive that actually works with young kids — and one of the best Hyatt point redemptions in the Caribbean.
Hyatt Ziva Cancun
The part everyone asks about
How We Actually Pay For It
We use everyday spending to earn points on credit cards, take advantage of big welcome bonuses when we sign up for new ones, transfer those points over to airline and hotel programs, and use them to book flights and hotels for a fraction of the cost — sometimes completely free.
Our Travel Essentials
The gear that makes traveling with kids easier — from the compact car seat that survives gate-checking to the stroller that fits in an overhead bin. These are the things I never travel without.
For the complete list of my travel and lifestyle recommendations, check out my Amazon storefront and ShopMy.
Where We've Been
A few more places we've loved along the way
