We LOVE Sydney!

In this episode of Snacks and Suitcases, TV presenter and radio favourite Lizzy Lovette joins host Sally Stanton to co-host a deep dive into their hometown of Sydney, Australia. As fellow Sydney Weekender reporters (and mums), they share why Sydney is one of the world’s best family destinations.

From must-see icons like the Opera House and Harbour Bridge to hidden gems only locals know, Lizzy and Sally swap tips on outdoor adventures, cultural hotspots, kid-approved dining, and unique experiences you won’t want to miss. For first-time visitors or locals looking for fresh ideas, this episode is your ultimate family guide to exploring Sydney.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to Sydney: A Family Destination

02:43 Exploring Sydney's Iconic Sites

05:44 Family-Friendly Activities in Sydney

08:34 Hidden Gems and Local Favorites

11:41 Unique Experiences for Kids

14:37 Cultural and Artistic Adventures

17:41 Food and Dining with Kids

20:34 Outdoor and Nature Activities

23:35 Adrenaline-Pumping Adventures

26:21 Relaxing Getaways and Mini-Breaks

29:34 Tips for First-Time Visitors

32:22 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Contact Lizzy Lovette

Instagram

@lizzylovette

Topics we mentioned

Whalebridge Restaurant

Sydney Harbour Bridgeclimb

May Gibbs Nutcote

High N Dry Burgers

The Ark Haberfield

Kids Night Out

Sydney Weekender

Connect

Thank you so much for listening. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or tips of your own via Instagram @snacksandsuitcasespodcast @sallynanamis

Facebook

Email: snacksandsuitcasespodcast@gmail.com

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AND... Don't forget your snacks!

Giveaway Alert:

Follow @Snacksandsuitcasespodcast on Instagram, find the giveaway post and tag a friend for your chance to win a signed copy of Ada's junior fiction series Mia Megastar!

In this episode of Snacks and Suitcases, host Sally Stanton sits down with Ada Nicodemou, Australian actress and Home and Away star, to talk all things family travel, parenting, and cultural connections.

Ada shares her love for visiting her family roots in Greece and Cyprus, along with her favourite family-friendly destinations in Australia like Port Douglas and Palm Beach, the real-life Summer Bay!

From the challenges of travelling with kids to the joys of cruising holidays, Ada gives honest tips and personal stories that will inspire any parent planning their next adventure.

The conversation also explores Ada’s passion for food and Greek cuisine, her treasured reading habits while on the road, and how her experiences on Home and Away have influenced her outlook on travel and life as a working mother.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why cruising is an ideal holiday option for families

• The importance of food and culture in Ada’s travels

• Tips for managing long flights and packing with kids

• Ada’s favourite spots in Sydney for family outings

• How travel deepens family connections and cultural heritage

• Ada’s love of reading and writing as part of her travel journey

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Ada Nicodemou 01:25 Ada's Love for Travel and Family Destinations 06:53 Experiences on Home and Away and Travel Inspirations 09:40 Traveling with Kids: Tips and Challenges 19:36 Cruising Adventures and Family Fun 26:45 Cultural Connections: Cyprus and Greece 32:36 Food Memories and Culinary Adventures 37:47 Reading and Writing: Ada's Literary Journey 51:54 Local Sydney Favorites and Family Activities 56:49 Fast Five: Quick Travel Preferences

What we mentioned

Quicksilver Tours Nth Qld

Grecian Park Hotel

Grecian park Hotel near Konnos Bay in Cyprus - Ada's fave hideway

Ttappis Tavern

Ada's favourite Cheap Eats in Cyrpus

Follow Ada on Instagram @adanicodemou

Connect

Thank you so much for listening. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or tips of your own via Instagram @snacksandsuitcasespodcast @sallynanamis

Facebook

Email: snacksandsuitcasespodcast@gmail.com

Subscribe, rate and share with a fellow parent who's dreaming of Japan!

AND... Don't forget your snacks!

Planning a family trip to Japan? In this episode of Snacks and Suitcases, host Sally Stanton welcomes back Jo McGregor from The Tokyo Chapter to share her best advice for parents traveling with kids.

From booking hotels and navigating public transport to cultural experiences and must-have travel apps, Jo covers everything you need to know before taking your family to Japan. You’ll learn how to plan your trip, avoid common mistakes, and make your travels smoother and more enjoyable.

Whether you’re visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, or exploring beyond, this episode is packed with practical insights to help parents create unforgettable memories with their kids in Japan.

✨ What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How to plan and organise your family trip to Japan
• The best times of year to visit Japan with kids
• Why booking hotels in Japan often starts six months ahead
• Tips for navigating public transport with children
• How to handle cash, budgeting, and local customs
• Family-friendly activities, from Disneyland to cultural spots
• The role of apps and pocket Wi-Fi in stress-free travel
• Luggage forwarding services and how they make travel easier
• Answers to real listener questions about Japan family travel

📌 Key Takeaways:

• Japan is safe and family-friendly, but planning makes all the difference
• Public holidays can lead to crowds—plan around them
• Research airport transport before arrival
• Technology like Google Maps and Mama Papa Map are game-changers for parents
• Cultural experiences can be enjoyable for kids with the right pacing

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to Season 2

00:56 Traveling to Japan with Kids

09:55 Planning Your Trip to Japan

16:24 Booking Essentials for Japan

20:00 Disneyland and Family-Friendly Activities

24:01 Cultural Experiences and Local Insights

30:03 Traveling with Kids: Tips and Tricks

37:44 Pre-Travel Preparations

46:03 Cash and Budgeting in Japan

49:33 Technology and Apps for Travelers

55:02 Listener Questions and Answers

Things we mentioned

Ecbo Luggage Storage App

https://cloak.ecbo.io/en

Mama Papa Map App

https://apps.apple.com/au/app/mamapapamap-nursing-room-map/id1117756080

Pokemon Hotel

https://mimaruhotels.com/en/news/stay-pokemonroom/

Strange Robot Dinosaur Hotels

https://group.hennnahotel.com/

What to Pack for Japan with Kids https://www.thetokyochapter.com/packing-for-tokyo-with-kids/

Contact Jo: @thetokyochapter

thetokyochapter.com

Connect

Thank you so much for listening. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or tips of your own via Instagram @snacksandsuitcasespodcast @sallynanamis

Facebook

Email: snacksandsuitcasespodcast@gmail.com

Subscribe, rate and share with a fellow parent who's dreaming of Japan!

AND... Don't forget your snacks!

Snacks and Suitcases: Travelling with Kids Podcast is taking a short break , but we’ll be back soon with fresh family travel tips, advice, and real life stories to make holidays with kids easier (and way more fun!).

Coming up in the next season.

• Japan with kids – from the basics to Osaka and Kyoto

• Disneyland with kids – how to make the magic stress-free

• All-inclusive family holidays – where to go and what to expect

• Travelling with teens – tips for keeping older kids happy on holiday

• Plus, a few Aussie celebrities reveal their favourite family travel secrets!

• We also have a super fun giveaway for the kids!

👉 Make sure you stay subscribed so you don’t miss our upcoming episodes packed with family-friendly travel ideas and expert advice.

Thank you so much for listening! 💗I'd love to hear from you, please share your questions, tips, or travel stories with me: 📸 Instagram: @snacksandsuitcasespodcast | @sallynanamis 📘 Facebook Snacks and Suitcases

or email a voice memo to 📧 Email: snacksandsuitcasespodcast@gmail.com

💙 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the podcast with a fellow parent who’s dreaming of travel! And of course… don’t forget your snacks!

In this episode of Snacks and Suitcases, host Sally Stanton reflects on the best moments from the season, answering listener questions and sharing valuable travel tips for families. From skiing adventures in Australia to exploring the vibrant streets of Tokyo. Sally discusses practical advice for keeping kids entertained during long journeys, preventing meltdowns and travel with teens. The episode concludes with delightful travel stories shared by kids, highlighting the magic of family adventures.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to Snacks and Suitcases

00:55 Community and Connection in Travel

01:53 Skiing Tips for Families

06:06 Exploring Tokyo with Kids

10:05 Cruising: A Family-Friendly Adventure

12:23 Disney and Family Travel Memories

14:38 The Impact of Travel on Children

16:26 Traveling Around Australia: A Family Journey

18:21 Embracing the Chaos of Family Travel

19:43 Keeping Kids Entertained on the Go

23:52 Preventing Meltdowns While Traveling

26:15 Engaging Teenagers in Travel

28:58 Cruise Ships and Family Fun

30:25 Kids Share Their Travel Highlights

Topics we mentioned

Montessori Travel Bag

Travel Tray

Bolt Sea Coaster

Spotto Books

Connect

Thank you so much for listening. Please feel free to reach out with questions or tips of your own via Instagram

@snacksandsuitcasespodcast @sallynanamis

Facebook Snacks And Suitcases

Email: snacksandsuitcasespodcast@gmail.com

Subscribe, review and share with a fellow parent who's dreaming of travel!

AND... Don't forget your snacks!

Podcast Alert!! There's a Dad on the podcast! A first for Snacks and Suitcases!

Sally is joined by Aussie TV favourite Luke Jacobz, who has an impressive list of credits to his name. From his iconic role as Angelo Rosetta on Home and Away, and Patrick Brewer on McLeod’s Daughters to hosting The X Factor and winning Dancing with the Stars not once but twice! Luke has also appeared on I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! and most recently as a presenter on Sydney Weekender. But these days, Luke’s playing his most important and heartwarming role yet: dad.

With an almost two-year-old daughter and baby boy on the way, Luke shares his dad life adventures and what it’s really like to travel with tiny humans. From lost teddies and long-haul flights to car snacks and Disneyland!

Plus, Luke and Sally take a fun trip down memory lane, reminiscing about their days on kids’ TV, and Luke lifts the lid on behind-the-scenes moments from Home and Away, The X Factor, and more.

We chat about:

• Travelling with a toddler (and why it’s never as easy as you think) • The unexpected joys (and chaos) of theme parks with little ones • His favourite dad hacks for road trips and flights • The importance of backup bunnies • Why California is the perfect kid-friendly destination • And yes, what’s really under the car seat...

Plus:

• Luke’s dream destinations • The snack he always packs • And whether he’s a backpack or suitcase kind of guy

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Family Travel with Luke Jacobs 01:52 Navigating Parenting and Travel 09:27 Life Changes with Parenthood 13:01 Traveling with a Toddler 20:05 California: A Family-Friendly Destination 25:14 Experiencing Disney with Kids 31:34 Lessons Learned from Travel Mistakes 38:49 Travel Tips for Parents 42:31 Future Travel Plans and Aspirations

Instagram

@LukeJacobz

Sydney Weekender

Connect

Thank you so much for listening. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or tips of your own via Instagram

@snacksandsuitcasespodcast

@sallynanamis

Facebook

Email: snacksandsuitcasespodcast@gmail.com

Follow, review and share with a fellow parent who's dreaming of travel.

AND... Don't forget your snacks!

The Big Lap : Family Road Trip Around Australia

In this episode of Snacks and Suitcases, host Sally Stanton speaks with Simone Skinner Smith about her family's adventurous journey around Australia in a caravan. They discuss the preparation and planning involved, the challenges of van life, and the incredible experiences they've had along the way, including swimming with whale sharks and meeting unique characters like Cat Man! Simone shares insights on the importance of the caravanning community, the realities of living off-grid, and the lessons learned during their travels. The conversation highlights the joys and struggles of family travel, making it a relatable and inspiring listen for anyone considering a similar adventure.

Chapters

00:00 The Big Lap Around Australia

02:48 Preparing for the Journey

05:57 The Spark of Adventure

08:45 The Reality of Van Life

11:48 Building Community on the Road

14:47 Wild Encounters and Nature

17:45 The Kids' Experience

20:47 Living Off-Grid

23:50 Memorable Highlights

26:45 Unexpected Adventures

29:47 Lessons Learned

32:44 Family Dynamics on the Road

35:41 Final Thoughts and Advice

Contact Simone

Instagram

@biglappers

Topics we mentioned

Ku-rin-gai Chase National Park

Off The Grid Caravan Hire

Beau and Bunny's Adventures

Strange Catman of the Nullarbor

@catman6701

Connect

Thank you so much for listening. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or tips of your own via Instagram @snacksandsuitcasespodcast @sallynanamis

Facebook

Email: snacksandsuitcasespodcast@gmail.com

Follow, review and share with a fellow parent who's dreaming of a Big Lap!

AND... Don't forget your snacks!

Multimedia journalist and host of the Onboard with Cruise Passenger Podcast Rose Kelly joins Sally Stanton for a fun, and myth busting chat about what it’s really like to take your kids on a cruise.

From surf simulators and skydiving tubes to bunk-bed cabins, organic and fresh food dining, to sneaky tips for boarding with kids this is your ultimate guide to cruising as a family, a big family! Yep they also cover why cruising is the perfect solution to traveling with grandparents and more!

Rose is not just a cruise pro, she’s also a mum of two girls, and she shares real-life experiences, clever hacks, and her top picks for kid friendly cruise lines. Whether you're already cruise curious or completely unsure, this episode will make you block out the noise pack your bags and set sail.

Contact Rose

– Writer forcruisepassenger.com.au – Instagram/Facebook:@RoseKellyOfficial

In this episode, we cover:

• Why cruises aren’t just for retirees • What’s really on board: kids clubs with dodgems, mini golf, laser tag & surf simulators • Cabin tips: adjoining rooms, bunks for kids & must-request extras • What to pack (and what to leave at home) when cruising with babies and toddlers • Healthy food onboard – yes, your kids can still get their veggie sticks • What you didn’t know you’d love about cruising (spoiler: it's the crew) • Seasickness, safety, strollers, snacks and surprising perks • How to fast-track boarding with little ones • The truth about cruise ship jails (yep, they exist!) • The joy of unpacking once and visiting multiple destinations • Why cruising might be the most affordable family holiday you’ve never considered

Connect

Thank you so much for listening. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or tips of your own

Instagram @snacksandsuitcasespodcast @sallynanamis

Facebook

Email: snacksandsuitcasespodcast@gmail.com

Subscribe, rate and share with a fellow parent who's dreaming of a cruise!

AND... Don't forget your snacks!