We recognize that throwing a bunch of children of all ages together isn’t necessarily the best way to travel with your family. That’s why we’ve developed three specific types of family trips. Keep reading to see the differences between them and find out which one is right for your family.
One of the things we hear most often from parents on our trips is that they love traveling with us because it’s one of the only times in their busy lives when all they have to do is show up and have fun.
You meet us on day one, and we take care of the rest. A truly carefree vacation!
Discover the diverse attractions of France, catering to history buffs, wine enthusiasts, foodies, art lovers, adventure seekers, and sun worshippers alike. Dive into the unique charms of Brittany & Normandy, the exquisite tastes of Champagne & Alsace, and the breathtaking beauty from Provence to the French Riviera.
I just returned from a biking trip through Brittany and Normandy and hiking trip in the Alps with extended family and was once again reminded of the ways a vacation like this brings families together.
Backroads has been offering family trips since before I had kids (and my oldest is now 22). Why did we start them? Well, Backroads is just such a naturally positive, amazing environment for families to have a great time together that it didn’t take us being rocket scientists to see their potential. Once my wife, Liz, and I had our own kids, the beauty of designated family trips became even more obvious.
Backroads Family Adventures are fun, stimulating trips designed to captivate the whole gang. Whether you're biking to castles or spotting wildlife from a kayak, you'll connect with your kids and do things they enjoy in an environment that positively transforms family interaction. Each itinerary balances quality time together and apart, with opportunities for everyone to take a break and recharge--something that's virtually impossible to achieve when you vacation on your own.
Read a first-hand account of one family's experience on a Backroads family tour down the Danube River.
When you were a teenager, did you want to go on vacation with your parents? I certainly didn't! In fact, once I reached the age where I didn't have to go on vacation with my parents... I simply refused to go! You see, when I reached my twenties, my parents visited me and I visited them for holidays and special events but we never considered taking a vacation together as adults. There simply wasn't a vacation option out there that equally appealed to every one of us.
My love affair with the national parks began when I was 9 years old. I learned at that young age that the best family memories are the ones where we shared an adventure, where we set off and explored something new and exciting together. Those are the memories of my childhood and of my parents that I still carry with me today.
Imagine your kids with smiles across their faces while you enjoy a fun-filled week for the entire family. All the while, connect with like-minded families with kids of similar ages. Here are some adventure tours with plenty of activities that will keep both kids and parents happy.
Cycling through Europe offers a unique opportunity to traverse beautiful landscapes, ride through historic towns and explore new cultures while traveling under your own power. Whether you're exploring sunny Mediterranean coastlines, biking through picturesque wine countries, conquering mountain passes or enjoying it all from a river cruise ship, there's something for every family to enjoy.
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.
Planning a family trip to Europe can be both exciting and daunting at the same time. With so many incredible destinations to visit and exciting things to discover, it can be hard to know where to start. And when planning a family-friendly European adventure, considering both the kids’ and the adults’ wants and needs will ensure that everyone has a great vacation!
Is there anything better than hearing your teenager tell you that you made a great decision (words you likely don't often hear)? Better yet is hearing that they had the best vacation ever and it was with you—wow! The key is to get everyone involved and make most of the decisions before you go, so the choices you do make on your trip are as simple as what to eat off the menu.
I raised my children in a blur. I was in my early twenties when they were born and divorced before they started school. I completed college, launched a career and elbowed my way up the career ladder--rung by rung--as a single mother. Needless to say, transferring values was the last thing on my mind, followed closely by teachable moments. Survival was the order of the day.
Over the holidays, I lead Backroads family trips in Costa Rica. Since schools are on break during this time, it makes for a great chance to take a family vacation. And a trip together is the perfect occasion to strengthen family bonds, make memories that last a lifetime and even create new traditions.
Nothing beats traveling with your family—experiencing new things through the fresh eyes of your kids, while instilling in them a sense of adventure and new perspectives. Europe is full of ideal family trip destinations that are close enough to be accessible, yet far enough away to be new and exciting.
If the power of an engine can be measured by how fast it goes from 0 to 60, then a relationship with a Backroads co-leader runs at lightning speed. Meeting your co-leaders isn’t like meeting your average stranger. That first handshake says, “We are now friends, family, coworkers, confidants and sounding boards, and I have your back no matter what.” This is the best friend you just met.
Here are our top picks for some of the best family adventures this summer!
It has all the makings of a fairy tale. Storybook castles. Towers, flying buttresses and flawless gardens. Fertile fields, graceful rivers and idyllic biking routes. Exquisite treats at patisseries and gourmet meals. The Loire Valley—a family getaway that ends with "happily ever after."
Backroads offers the only multisport tour on the Kenai Peninsula that ties together all of the spots your family will want to see, including Homer and Kachemak Bay, as well as Seward and Kenai Fjord National Park. And we do it by deftly balancing the two best ways to explore: biking spectacular wilderness routes to the very end of the North American road system; and kayaking in the most biologically diverse waters in Alaska, with incredible wildlife spotting everywhere.
Croatia's Dalmatian Coast is one of the premiere family adventure destinations in Europe.
Get to know our Dalmatian Coast Family Multi-Adventure Tour with this short video by a Backroads leader and videographer!
We were 19 strangers meeting for the first time at the airport in Heraklion, Crete. We all had a common passion for cycling, hiking, seeing the world, and eating great food. Our easily identifiable Backroads jerseys came in handy while we were waiting for each other's arrivals.
Among the Mayan gems hidden in the jungles of Central America, the crown jewel is Tikal, a must-see archaeological site that lives up to all those Hollywood stereotypes of the Lost City. (It actually had a cameo in the first Star Wars movie.) Many active travel itineraries in Belize opt for less dramatic sites or squeeze in a rushed one-day visit. We spend two nights at Francis Ford Coppola's nearby rainforest retreat, giving you and your family plenty of time to explore Tikal properly.
When my husband asked me how I’d like to mark my 40th birthday, my answer was to go on an action-packed adventure with him and our three kids. A vacation where there is something for everyone seemed like the ultimate challenge.
