Hi there! My name is Colleen Lanin and I am obsessed with travel.
When I launched Travel Mamas in 2009, the focus was on helping parents travel with kids…and stay sane! To expand our audience’s travel horizons, we’ve added Grownup Getaways for adventurous adults aged 18 to 88.
Read on to learn about my experience as a travel blogger, TV and radio personality, journalist, speaker, and book author. Also, learn why I was invited to the White House as a travel expert…twice!
Travel for All Ages and Stages
Together, Travel Mamas and Grownup Getaways offer destination guides, packing lists, and travel tips to inspire exploring the world at any age or life stage. We bring the world to you, from the best hotels and cruise ships to thrilling theme parks, delicious vacation cuisine, and mind-bending travel trivia.
Both brands share guidance for living a global lifestyle at home, proving the adventure doesn’t have to end once the bags are unpacked.
Travel Mamas
Our mission at Travel Mamas is to help parents and caregivers connect with their children and the world around them through travel. We make family travel easier and more fun with babies, toddlers, preschoolers, grade school kids, tweens, and teens.
Grownup Getaways
Our mission at Grownup Getaways is to help adults of any age explore the globe through adventures, large and small. Grownup Getaways proves the best time to travel is now, with advice on romantic retreats, girlfriend trips, solo travel, and beyond.
Brand Partnerships
Over the years, I have partnered with many wonderful brands. Travel Mamas and Grownup Getaways enjoy working with many names you know and love from exciting destinations and reputable hotels to the best cruise lines, trusted products, and thrilling theme parks.
Sample Collaborations
- Experience Scottsdale
- Coastal Mississippi
- Visit Buena Park
- Visit Burbank
- Princess Cruise Lines
- Royal Caribbean Cruises
- Hawks Cay Resort
- Embassy Suites Hotels
- Mall of America
- Rosetta Stone
- Disney on Ice
- Expedia
To see partnership results, read what our clients think, and learn about partnering with us, please look at opportunities for travel campaigns.
My Love of Travel
As a young teen, I spent a few weeks traveling through multiple European countries with my family of origin, à la the Griswolds. I then flew alone for two more weeks with my friend’s big fat Greek family in Greece. That monumental trip hooked me on travel and I’ve been exploring the globe ever since.
As a young adult, I studied abroad in Montpellier, France for a year in college before earning a degree in French and a Certificate in International Business. I worked a variety of jobs from cocktail waitress to marketing manager before earning an MBA. Thankfully, my passions for travel, photography, and writing led me to launch my career as a travel writer.
Now, I travel as much as I can. Sometimes people ask me what type of travel I prefer, and the honest answer is that I like it all. Road trips, nature vacations, city escapes, and cruises all float my boat!
Travel Expert Colleen Lanin
During my career as a blogger, journalist, and influencer — numerous print and online publications have interviewed me as a travel expert. I have also given tips on many platforms, including television and radio.
Select Print Publications Featured In
- The New York Times: 12 Ways to Save on Family Travel
- Good Morning America and ABCNews.com: Should parents clean up after kids on planes?
- Men’s Health Magazine: Survive the Worst Part of Air Travel
- U.S. News & World Report: 7 Tips for Planning a Budget-Friendly Family Trip this Fall
- MSNBC.com: For Young Travelers, Playing Knows No Borders
- U.S. News & World Report: When to Splurge and When to Save on a Family Vacation
- Lonely Planet: U.S. Family Travel Experts Share their Favorite Trips
- Business Insider: Travel Influencers Share 11 Things Kids Learn from Traveling
- Real Simple Magazine: Cash-Saving Hacks for Every Vacation
TV and Radio Appearances
Over the years, I have appeared on nearly local TV news programs. I have also been featured as a travel expert on The Daily Buzz, a morning television program (broadcast in 170 markets throughout the U.S.) and Better TV, a nationally syndicated show (broadcast in 140 markets). I even starred with my family in three national commercials promoting tourism to Park City, Utah.
Also, I’ve been interviewed on 36 radio programs, including WCCO Radio Minnesota, CJAD 800 Montreal Radio, WNEW Radio FM Washington, and WBNR Radio AM New York.
Travel Journalist
As a travel writer, my stories have appeared in the “Today” show’s travel section on NBCNews.com, Parenting Magazine, the Chicago Tribune, Expedia, and many other outlets. What I’m most proud of, though, are my blog posts written right here on Travel Mamas.
Some of My Travel Articles
- TODAY Travel/NBCNews.com: Regular Contributor (14 months)
- Tree.com: Travel Blog Editor (6 months)
- CheapOair Blog: Regular Contributor (8 months)
- 101 Things To Do San Diego Magazine: Regular Contributor (11 months)
- Parenting Magazine (online) and Babytalk Magazine cover story (in print): 18 Tips for Traveling with a Baby
- Working Mother Magazine: 10 Tips for Traveling with Babies and Toddlers
- The Orlando Sentinel and The Chicago Tribune: Walt Disney World vs. Disneyland
- Starter Story: How I Started a $15K/Month Family Travel Blog
Writing Instructor and Travel Speaker
I developed the curriculum for The Art and Business of Blogging, which I taught for five years at the University of San Diego Extension and San Diego Writers, Ink. I also led a session at the well-respected Travel Bloggers Exchange Conference (TBEX).
Additionally, I have given presentations about traveling with kids to parenting organizations like Chicago North Shore Moms (formerly Bump Club and Beyond).
Travel Book Author
I wrote a book, too. It’s called The Travel Mamas’ Guide, and it helps parents travel with babies and young children…and stay sane! Working Mother Magazine and lots of other fantastic outlets recommend my book.
My book even won an award. I have the proof sitting on my neatly organized home office desk. (Did I mention I’m a Virgo?)
Invited to the White House…Twice!
As one of the 100 most influential travel bloggers and media outlets, the White House invited me to a summit on global exchange.
I was one of 10 select attendees recognized for our influence in spreading the word about the importance of studying abroad. Subsequently, I was invited to return to the White House for a private tour of the West Wing and Oval Office the following year.
Best of all, I was able to bring my American history-obsessed dad along. Being a travel influencer definitely has its perks!
Where to Find Me
I have lived in California, Minnesota, and Southern France. Nowadays, when I’m not floating in a hotel pool, riding (mellow) roller coasters, or asking too many questions on a group tour — you’ll find me in sunny Scottsdale, Arizona. I live with my husband, our two teenage kids, and our rescue dogs, Pongo and Mickey.
Want to say hello? Contact Travel Mamas or connect with me via Instagram and Facebook.
