Photo by Jamie Plain
Sara is an occupational therapist with Ohio County Healthcare by day and one of the Founding Partners of Palm and Parke Travel by night—which really just means that she never stops talking about travel!
To start, tell us a little about you and your family. Who’s in your crew?
My husband, Kyle Aud, is the President and CEO of Cornerstone Community Bank, and he somehow keeps all of us grounded while I’m dreaming up our next adventure.
We have four beautiful kiddos: Emelia (who would have been turning 13 this August), Ellington (11), Holden (10), and Brooks (8). After Emelia passed away, it changed Kyle and I in a lot of ways – as you can imagine. Our babes are truly at the center of everything that we do—and the reason we’ve built a life that leans hard into time together, memory-making, and saying “yes” as often as we can to the moments that matter the most.
When did your love of travel begin, and how has becoming a mom shaped the way you travel?
I think I’ve loved to “go” for as long as I can remember. My dad never flew—he always said “if God wanted him to fly, He would have given him wings”—which never quite made sense to me since he loved driving anything with wheels and God didn’t give him those either. But I digress! So while we didn’t travel to far off and exotic lands as a family when I was little, my parents were incredibly generous in supporting opportunities when they came along. I took my first international trip in 4th grade with close family friends, and I was absolutely hooked from that point forward!
Becoming parents didn’t slow us down—but it definitely reshaped how we travel. We always wanted our kids to feel comfortable in airports, to experience different cultures, and to see the world beyond our backyard. What changed was the intention behind it. We became more thoughtful planners, more strategic packers, and more flexible humans. The little details—snacks, timing, downtime—became the big things. And we learned quickly that “perfect” trips aren’t the goal—connected, memory-filled ones are.
What inspired you to turn your passion for travel into a career?
A few years after my dad passed away, my mom decided she wanted to take our entire family on a big trip. So, 15 of us—eight kids included—headed to Europe together. I planned every detail from start to finish, and somewhere between coordinating flights, navigating logistics, and watching it all come together, I realized I had found my creative outlet.
But the real moment was at the airport—watching my family arrive excited and carefree, not stressed about the details because I had taken care of them. That feeling stuck with me. The memories from that trip are priceless, and now I get to help other families—whether they’re seasoned travelers or just starting out—experience places they once felt were out of reach. That’s truly the dream.
What are some of your favorite travel experiences as a family?
It’s almost impossible to choose, but a few really stand out.
Our Disney trips are always at the top—there’s just something so special about seeing your kids fully immersed in that kind of magic. It really is what everyone says it is – “the happiest place on earth.”
We also took a trip out west to Glacier, Yellowstone, and the Grand Tetons, and seeing my husband so completely in his element made that one unforgettable. And then Europe—watching our kids explore France, Italy, Malta, and Spain, try new foods, learn different cultures, and handle jet lag like pros—I was one proud (and slightly emotional!) mama. But I certainly cannot forget our most frequented spot – Rosemary Beach, Florida – it’s still my kiddos’ favorite place on earth and it just might be mine too.
For families who feel overwhelmed by traveling with kids, what advice would you give?
Give me a call—kidding… but also not!
In all honesty, the hardest part of travel is usually just figuring out where to begin. Once you have a plan, everything feels so much more manageable. My biggest advice is to keep it simple and set realistic expectations. Build in downtime, don’t overschedule, and remember—kids don’t need perfection, they need presence.
As my Disney and European clients will tell you, my motto is “firm but flexible.” When we get too rigid with a schedule, we often miss out on the very best, unexpected moments.
A little preparation goes a long way, too. Snacks, entertainment, and a positive mindset can solve most travel hiccups. And don’t be afraid to start small—a quick trip can build confidence for bigger adventures later!
How can families bring a sense of adventure into summer, even close to home?
We live in such a beautiful part of the country, and it’s easy to forget how much there is to explore right in our backyard. I always suggest creating a local “summer bucket list” as a family.
Things like hiking at Jeffrey’s Cliffs, taking a day trip to Mammoth Cave, heading out for a fishing day at Kentucky Lake, or even something as simple as laying in the backyard and watching the stars.
Adventure doesn’t have to mean far away—it just means being intentional and a little curious!
What’s your go-to travel hack for families?
A few simple things go a long way: pack snacks (always more than you think you’ll need), bring a change of clothes in your carry-on (not negotiable), and download movies or shows ahead of time. Those three things alone can truly save the day!
But my favorite “hack” is actually more of a tradition—we take each of our kids on a one-on-one trip for their 10th birthday. They get to choose the destination, and while they’ve dreamed up some pretty incredible places, I truly think it’s the one-on-one time with Kyle and me that means the most.
The beauty of it is that it can be as simple or as big as you want—a day trip to the movies or a once-in-a-lifetime adventure to the other side of the world. It’s such a special way to connect with each child individually, and those trips have become some of our most meaningful memories.
What’s your dream family trip someday?
There are so many! Paris is high on my list—I love it so, so much and I can’t wait to experience it with our babes. I’d also love to take them back to Maui, where Kyle and I honeymooned, and relive that chapter with them.
But if we’re dreaming big… an African safari would be at the very top. That’s one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences I would love for all of us to share!