When traveling with Backroads, be ready to find yourself in the right place at the right time. Imagine hiking on a sunny day at 6,500 feet of elevation in the Swiss Alps. It’s the second day of a Women’s Adventure trip. After conquering some steep hills in the morning, we have lunch by a lake in Switzerland before crossing the invisible country border back into France. We see the Chamonix Valley in the distance where our beautiful hotel waits for us in the middle of town. We are ready to come down, after a day well spent outdoors.

Family vacations are a chance to disconnect from the everyday and reconnect with one another in incredible places. Backroads designed these outdoor adventures with families in mind, offering active, enriching experiences that bring generations together.

Bonjour! Time to download your favorite language app, because we’re going to France!

Avery Hale Smith's take on “wellness” as a holistic experience.

If you’re looking for smooth riding, sunshine and head-turning scenery for your next cycling holiday in Europe, look no further than Spain. With varied terrain composed of pale grasslands, huge mountains, picturesque beaches and snaking river valleys, you’ll easily find the perfect cycling route for your level. Let’s check out some of Spain’s most epic bike destinations below. Vamos!

Creating an itinerary for a European family vacation that balances adventure, culture and relaxation can be a challenge. At Backroads, we have active travel family vacations that combine all three for families, whether your family includes kids, teens or young adults, so your next family trip can be a hit with everyone.

At Backroads, we believe travel should be active, engaging and unforgettable.

The Rhine, the Danube, the Seine: steeped in history, the names of these major rivers evoke images of fairy-tale castles, small towns with red-tiled roofs and some of the most significant cultural centers in Europe. Taking a Backroads Active River Cruise along one of Europe’s iconic waterways is a wonderful way to discover the Continent’s rich cultures, fascinating history and scenic landscapes.

When your whole family loves being active outdoors, sometimes it’s difficult to find an adventure travel vacation that caters to everyone’s needs, especially if you want to combine multiple types of activities in one trip. Want to not just hike, but bike, kayak and zip-line too? Maybe a little horseback riding or snorkeling? Managing the logistics of organizing with multiple individual tour providers can be challenging if you plan it on your own.

A friend tells me that her mother still refers to a mother-daughter vacation they took years ago as “the torture trip.” What was intended to be a sweet week of pamper