Photo Credit: Parris Kitt

At Backroads, we believe in offering a great experience for your entire family. So, we’ve spent the last 32 years putting together amazing adventure vacations for families and groups with an emphasis on making sure everyone has an incredible time. We have the basics covered – and much more. Here are a few answers to our FAQs about our family adventure trips.

How old can my child be and go on a Backroads adventure?

Some adventure activities (ie: rafting, canyoneering) on our trips may have specific age restrictions and we also have listed recommended ages for the overall trip. When we set this recommendation, we consider the number of age-restricted activities and alternate activities; whether the terrain is well-suited for Burleys and Piccolos; and the sophistication level of the hotels, dinner venues, even the cultural content (e.g., World War II content on our France bike trip in Brittany/Normandy).

If your child is younger than the recommended minimum age for your trip, then your child and one adult parent/guardian will need to refrain from any age-restricted activity and we will do our best to suggest alternatives. Ask your Trip Consultant for minimum age recommendations by trip or see the Family Trips section.

We’re also happy to share the ages of the other kids booked on a trip. That way you’ll know if your kids will have a potential like-aged playmate!

What does it cost to bring my child?

Backroads offers youth rates. Please check our website for a specific tour or ask your Trip Consultant for more information, as the discounts range from 10% to 75% and are based on the age of the child and the number of children traveling with your group. The discounts also depend on the type of trip you are taking.

Is childcare provided?

Our trip leaders will provide appropriate supervision specific activities for kids during the trip; however, leaders cannot provide general childcare. Trip Leaders can provide parents with contact information for childcare providers at destinations, where available. However, Backroads cannot guarantee availability or make childcare arrangements outside of planned group activities.

How do you promote safety?

Safety is our top priority for all ages. Each day, one of the Trip Leaders will be the designated “Kid Coordinator”and lead the children in the day’s activities, including a daily safety talk! (Children must be 5 or older to participate without their parent.)

What if my child is not athletic?

We monitor every family to find out what their daily needs are. And just like our other trips, we provide a support van to keep traveling families – and those with a range of athletic abilities — happy.

Do children dine with parents?

We know you will want your family to spend quality time together, but also understand there may be times when children may feel more comfortable dining in a relaxed environment and leaving the seven-course meal to the adults. On many inn trips, Backroads arranges for adults and children to dine separately on two evenings. Trip Leaders will organize and supervise these children’s meals. Parents are welcome to join, if they prefer, or you are welcome to dine as a family at a separate establishment if you choose.

Got other questions? Post a comment and ask! We’ll get right back to you.

For more information about our Family Adventure Vacations, please visit our website at http://www.backroads.com/family-trips or call one of our tour professionals at 800-462-2848 daily between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., Pacific time.

Photo Credit: Jere Carroll

Imagine being able tell your friends and family that you biked the Tour de France. Pretty impressive, right? By taking the latest bike tour in France offered by Backroads, you’ll be able to do just that—well, at least some of the Tour de France.

We’ve arranged a Tour de France Lite through our World’s Greatest Bike Race trip so avid cyclists can experience some of the Tour de France routes but avoid the breakneck speeds and resulting crashes. It follows the real Tour de France race live July 9-14. And Backroads travelers will cycle through France on some of the same routes as the pros, but at a more relaxed pace and not at the same time.

For the last two days of our trip, however, you’ll be able to claim a roadside spot and cheer as the Tour de France cyclists speed past. Pretty exciting, oui?

What else does this 6-day, 5-night trip include, besides bragging rights? The starting line for this Backroads bike trip is in Grenoble, France. During the first leg of the trip, you’ll work your way up to the mountaintop resort Les Deux Alpes and then spend two days biking the Alps. Beautiful scenery? Check. Hairpin turns? Check. Alpe d’Huez? Check. The next leg of the biking adventure through France includes cycling up the Col de la Madeleine. You’ll actually warm up this trail for the pros, who will bike this route the day after you do!

As always, a range of mileage options are available and you’ll take each day at your own pace. Still, you could pedal between 143 miles to 203 miles during the course of the tour. Pas mal! A minimum of two support vans are available along the routes to support riders and move luggage from location to location. We also provide highly-skilled and trained trip leaders who are paired with local guides to give you the best experience.

Don’t forget that part of the Backroads experience is authentic lodging and delicious local cuisine. We’ve lined up great places to stay and eat so you can fuel up and rest up to prepare for the next day’s adventure. While you may not be able to enjoy the winner’s champagne-filled championship celebration, you’ll certainly be able to raise a toast to what you’ve accomplished on this adventure in France and see some gorgeous sites along the way to boot.

For more details and pricing, please visit our website at www.backroads.com or call one of our tour professionals at 800-462-2848 daily between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., Pacific time.

Photo Credit: Warren Zelman

Why just sit back and watch the 2012 summer Olympics on TV, when you can engage in an “Olympic” adventure Backroads style? You don’t have to be one of the world’s best athletes to enjoy active vacations. Imagine fencing in the Loire Valley on a France cycling tour, scoring a soccer goal on a walking, kayaking and Croatia biking tour, or biking an Ironman course on a hiking and biking Hawaii tour. It’s the stuff of dreams and we can make it come true for you here at Backroads.

Backroads has planned several family friendly adventure vacations that will challenge your inner athlete and appease your need to relax. Plus, where else can you receive a “gold medal” just for vacationing? Customers who book any of our “Olympic” journeys below for travel during July and August 2012 and mention the Olympics will receive a Backroads virtual “gold medal” as a souvenir of the journey.

Backroads specializes in active travel with the most destinations, itineraries and annual departures in active travel. Here are out Olympics, Backroads-style adventures, from which you can choose:

Fencing in the Loire Valley of France – On this six day, five night biking trip, your family will do everything from visit castles and take a fencing lesson, to pedal across the French countryside and sample some of the world’s best chocolate. Oh, and did we mention you’ll get to explore Leonardo da Vinci’s home? C’est magnifique!

Kayak & Play Soccer in Croatia – This multisport trip will have you biking and hiking along the dazzling Damation Coast, island hopping on the Adriatic Sea to swim in sapphire-colored coves, and experiencing history, culture with a healthy dose of medieval architecture. And the “kicker” is that kids can play soccer in nearby Blato followed by a festive pizza dinner.

Cycle the Kona Ironman Triathlon Course in Hawaii – If your family considers itself an “active” family, this particular trip will certainly challenge your inner athlete. Take a surf lesson, hike a 600-foot lava tube and bike along the Big Island’s magnificent coastline, including the famous 30-mile Kona triathlon course along the Kohala coast.

To begin your Olympic journey, please visit www.backroads.com or call us at 800-462-2848, Pacific time. Goal!

It’s so easy for families to get disconnected these days and planning a summer family trip can help bring everyone back together. But we’re not talking about family travel to a theme park where you overindulge on overpriced boxed foods and the only quality time you spend together is waiting in long lines to ride roller coasters. And we’re not talking about another trip to the beach with little activity and few new experiences. In fact, what we suggest is something enlightening. Something memorable. And something your family does together.

Backroads has created family vacations where you can see and touch some of nature’s most amazing wonders. Imagine marveling at how Old Faithful goes off like clockwork and never noticing that your cell phone hasn’t gone off all day. Revel in the camaraderie that forms between you and your children as you’re white water rafting down Snake River or kayaking into a sea cave. And we’re going to bet dog sledding in Alaska is an experience your family will never forget!

Backroads creates family adventure vacations where kids can learn without being “taught” in the traditional sense and families can do things they enjoy in an environment that brings everyone together. They’ll learn more experiencing these marvels firsthand on walking tours, biking tours and multisport adventures than they would in any textbook. Consider it a summer science lesson!

Backroads has created itineraries that balance quality time together and apart. Backroads even offers recommended reading for travel to help children and parents become familiar and excited about their upcoming adventure.

Some of Backroads’ family adventures, all of which are suggested for children 6 and older, during the summer of 2012 include:

• Yellowstone & Tetons Multisport – Where the west is still wild! Families bike through Yellowstone, see the alpine meadows on foot, kayak across Yellowstone Lake, explore Grand Teton National Park and white water raft through Snake River. Prices start at $2,898/person.
• San Juan Islands Multisport – Spend this family vacation exploring San Juan by water and land. Your days are filled with whale watching, kayaking, biking and hiking to Mount Constitution for beautiful 360-degree views of the islands. Prices start at $2,598/person.
• Hawaii’s Big Island Multisport – Hike the world’s most active volcano, kayak to Akaka Falls and into sea caves, snorkel, take a surfing lesson – and much more! Prices start at $2,998/person.
• Bryce, Zion & Grand Canyon Multisport – Hike, bike, mule ride and rock climb the slot canyons and don’t miss the sun set at the gorge’s rim. Prices start at $2,498/person.
• Montana Glacier Family Multisport – For the ultimate in history lessons, bike around Lake McDonald which was formed 10,000 years ago by retreating glaciers! Breathtaking waterfalls, horseback riding on mountain trails, cookouts under the stars and whitewater rafting make this trip a family’s dream vacation. Prices start at $2,698/person.
• Yosemite Multisport –Yosemite invites you to stand among the giant sequoias, rock climb, hike through ancient trees, take a mule ride; and for the parents, the spa is waiting. Prices start at $3,098/person.
• Maine Multisport – Families cycle along Maine’s coastline, kayak across a lake, let the kids pull a lobster trap out of the ocean and be on the look out for bald eagles soaring through the skies. Prices start at $2,898/person.
• Alaska Family Multisport – When will you and your family ever be able to ride a dog sled through the Alaskan forest or hike up a glacier again? Watch the unbelievable feat salmon accomplish as they leap up a waterfall! Alaska is a natural wonder at every turn. Prices start at $2,698/person.

Let the kids have a hand in picking which adventure you choose to embark upon and start dreaming of your summer getaway today. Give us at call at 800-462-2848 with questions or to book your trip. Have a great summer!

Photo Credit: Erin Clement

If you’ve been dreaming of going on a trip with your entire family, a big group of friends or even the crew from the office, Backroads can help plan a private adventure trip exactly to your specifications. All you have to do is select the date, the destination and invite your guests, and we’ll take care of the rest!

Where to go?

Since the first Backroads trip in 1979, we’ve spent a lot of time creating trips that offer the best experiences (scenery, people, food, lodging, culture) we can find. If you’re not sure what type of trip to take (hiking tour, bike tour or multi-sport adventure tour) or what destination (U.S., Europe and beyond!), we’ve created a few trip ideas for you peruse, including food and wine, art, history, wildlife, scenery and more!

Guests

When thinking about who you’d like to invite on the trip, the average group size ranges from 10-16 so it works great for an extended family vacation or two families who want to travel family adventure tour together. Gather together your friends whether couples or singles – you’ll be in for one of the best bike tours or walking adventures of a lifetime.

Our private trips also work wonders as corporate retreats. We can’t imagine a better place to encourage brainstorming and creativity than the summit of a mountaintop or overlooking sweeping views of the sea.

After you’ve made your list of who’ll be traveling, we’ll help you send out invitations. We have three different sample letters for your custom or private adventure that will help entice your gang to join the adventure of a lifetime. Even though we don’t think it will be that hard to persuade them J.

Plan in advance

We recommend you begin planning about 9-12 months ahead of your departure date. This will make help sure you get the best selection. It also gives you plenty of time to recruit your travel companions, the opportunity to take advantage of booking the most convenient flights and the ability to use frequent flier miles.

A few more details

You can find a few more details, including deposit fees, reservation forms and more in the Private Trips Kit on our website. To speak to our Private Trips Manager, please call 800-462-2848.

Here are a few comments from previous guests who took a private trip with Backroads. We look forward to seeing you on the Backroads!

When Backroads put this new Panama multi-sport trip together, we wanted to offer an amazing trip that would evoke “oohs” and “ahs” from even the most seasoned traveler. We think we did it, but most importantly, we want to know what you think! J

This 6-day, 5-night adventure tour gives you plenty of incredible biking and hiking with highlights that include seeing the epic Panama Canal. You’ll get a special look at the canal from your seat in a motorized dug-out canoe as you cruise up the Chagres River, the chief source of water for the Canal.

You’ll also venture into the jungle, where you’ll see some magnificent wildlife (green iguanas and capuchin monkeys, anyone?). You’ll hike in the realm of the tallest mountain in Panama, Volcan Baru, a dormant, but potentially active volcano. In addition to the hiking and biking, we’ve also thrown in a little snorkeling on the second largest coral reef in the Pacific Ocean that’s sure to cool you off after your jungle walk.

The dining options on this trip, of course, make the most of local cuisine and culture. For example, on our first night, you’ll enjoy dinner overlooking the Panama Canal, where you’ll likely see the busy locks in action. You’ll also visit a lush coffee plantation, where you’ll tour and taste, and savor gourmet cuisine at the Panamonte Inn & Spa.

The lodging we’ve lined up ensures you’ll be able to rest, relax and recharge. First stop is the Gamboa Rainforest Resort (formerly the residence of the Panama Canal’s administrators), Panamonte Inn & Spa (highly rated by Condé Nast) and Cala Mia Boutique Hotel, an incredible eco lodge located on secluded Boca Brava Island.

For more information on this and other Backroads trips, please visit our website or call one of our representatives at 800-462-2848 to request a catalog.

You’ve chosen your Backroads bike trip and we’ve planned an unforgettable experience for you. Now let’s make sure you’re going to be properly dressed for the occasion. Comfortable bike clothing is a must for a comfortable ride and bike adventure of a lifetime. Here are some tips:

Cycling Jerseys – Show the world you’re on our team by wearing a Backroads jersey! The tailored fit is flattering and with three rear pockets, there’s a place for items like your phone, wallet and even a few snacks when you need an energy boost during your bicycle tour. It’s made of a quick-drying fabric and is form-fitting to reduce flapping when riding. More features to consider when buying a bike jersey are a longer cut in the back for ample coverage and wide-cut shoulders for comfort when leaning forward.

Bike Shorts – Finding the perfect pair of bike shorts is determined by your typical seat position while riding, a comfortable padded crotch liner and the overall fit of the shorts. Like all clothing, no two brands are cut the same so be prepared to try on a few pair until you find just the right fit.

Look for the following in bike shorts for your bike tour:

• The more panels your shorts contain, generally, the better they will fit.
• For a happy ride tomorrow, padded liners are a must today! A padded liner reduces friction, and moisture.
• Longer-length legs reduce chafing and leg grippers prevent the legs from riding up.
• Tights can be worn instead of bike shorts or over bike shorts when the temperatures drop.
• For mountain bike shorts, look for those with a loose outer short and a spandex chamois liner.

Jackets – Remember, your blood will start pumping and you’ll warm up fast when riding so it’s all about layers! For chilly or rainy weather, a water-resistant, breathable jacket is best. These jackets are easy to fold and store if they aren’t needed. Many brands offer jackets with removable sleeves so it can be worn as a vest.

Shoes and socks – Cycling shoes are designed with stiff soles to protect and support your feet and provide more efficient energy transfer. Cycling socks should be thin so they don’t interfere with your shoes and warm enough for biking in cooler temperatures. The socks should also fit securely above and below the heels so they stay in place.

Backroads has compiled a list of bike clothing, gadgets and accessory retailers for your convenience. Check it out and let us know if you have questions!