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.
However, when you travel with Backroads, we’ve got small group, active family travel vacations planned for your next getaway with the variety and quality that your family deserves. No need to gamble with a whole list of vacation guides to figure out your activities. Let our travel experts handle all the planning—just show up and take a family vacation with us!
Of course, if you’re already looking at our family trips, you’ve probably seen that we have a lot of choices—whether it be biking, hiking or rafting in national parks close to home or trekking and visiting natural wonders in locations as far flung as Thailand or South Africa. Here are some of our best multi-adventure tours that we recommend you take with the whole family!
1. Croatia to Montenegro Family Multi-Adventure Tour
Everyone has been talking about Croatia recently and for good reason. Croatia and Montenegro are European paradises with crystal clear waters, delicious foods, and some of the best biking routes that I’ve ridden in my entire life.
On this multi-adventure tour, you and your family will bike along the Adriatic past coastline, forest, vineyards and villages. You’ll also hike, kayak and of course, swim, as you make your way down from Split to Kotor. Drink in breathtaking panoramic views, walk through ancient cities, and enjoy some of the freshest food the Mediterranean has to offer.
2. Iceland's Glaciers & Coast Family Multi-Adventure Tour
Iceland is a land of adventure—pure and unbridled. From lava fields to glaciers to waterfalls and ice lagoons—and don’t forget those hot springs—Iceland is a place like no other.
On this multi-adventure family tour, ride in an Icelandic Super Jeep, raft the Hvítá River, hike through a preserve known to be a puffin habitat, and explore dramatic lava flows. Iceland is an unforgettable family adventure.
3. Hawaii's Big Island Family Multi-Adventure Tour
Ever thought about hiking through a volcanic caldera? Well, if you haven’t, add it to your bucket list, and cross it off on our multi-adventure tour on the Big Island of Hawaii! On this family trip you’ll also bike a portion of the Iron Man route, kayak and snorkel over coral reefs, and explore fascinating Hawaiian cultural sites.
4. Canadian Rockies Family Multi-Adventure Tour
The Canadian Rockies are one of the most naturally stunning places in the world. With high alpine peaks, glaciers, meadows, dense forests, and star-filled skies, Canada is a feast for the eyes. You will get to enjoy all of this great scenery as you walk, bike, hike, and raft throughout this exciting family adventure.
5. Basque Country Family Multi-Adventure Tour
Basque Country? Basque Country. It’s one of my favorite places in the world, and I think you’ll love it too. With stunning beaches perfect for surfing, world-class gastronomy, and historical trails to explore, there isn’t anything to not love about this tour. Special kid-friendly activities include exploring a cave, visiting a Forest Adventure Park, and taking a surf lesson.
If hiking, biking, and kayaking the Basque coast sounds like fun to you, then make sure to check out this tour today!
6. Yellowstone, Tetons & Big Sky Family Multi-Adventure Tour
Working our way from Bozeman to Jackson, this multi-adventure tour will take your family through some of the best parts of Big Sky Country on foot, bike, horseback, or raft. Along the way we’ll stop at Old Faithful, the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, Gallatin River and more.
7. Santorini & Crete Family Multi-Adventure Tour
Starting in Crete and ending in Santorini, this multi-adventure family trip is destined for success before we even get started.
Enjoy the turquoise waters of the Aegean sea as you hike and bike panoramic routes with some of the best sea views this side of the Mediterranean. You and your family will enjoy our local guides who tell us the mythical stories behind Greek archaeological sites. Kayak these stunning waters, relax on the beach, and learn how to cook Greek food—some of the best the Mediterranean has to offer.
8. Scotland & England Family Multi-Adventure Tour
Aye ya wee lads and lasses - wondering if you should take a trip to Scotland and England? Well let me tell you why you should.
Traveling from Edinburgh to York as this trip progresses, we’ll see medieval castles, country estates and ancient Roman fortifications. Of course, that’s not all we’ll see as we bike and hike our way through these lands. We’ll keep our eyes peeled for puffins, seals, and falcons; and we’ll listen to traditional Scottish bagpipes.
9. Maine Family Multi-Adventure Tour
Explore Acadia National Park and Penobscot Bay on this multi-adventure family tour. Hike and bike through Maine’s woodlands and kayak on Rockland Harbor. Kids can give rock climbing a try. End the day enjoying some delicious local grub - lobsta and chowda - what’s more New England than that?
10. Oregon's Cascades & Crater Lake Family Multi-Adventure Tour
Your whole family will love our Bend and Crater Lake multi-adventure tour. Hike through Smith Rock State Park, a climbers paradise; bike up to Mount Bachelor, and have lunch on its slopes; hike around (and jump into!) Crater Lake; go white water rafting on the Deschutes River. This whole trip is an adventure you and your family will not forget.
There is so much more that Backroads has to offer. Zip-lining in Costa Rica, seeing wildlife in the Galapagos Islands, hiking along the fjords of Norway—whatever outdoors adventures your family is craving, we’ve got it covered.
Check out all our family adventure vacations.
