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!

On earlier posts, we’ve talked about our Backroads bike fleet for adults, as well as options for traveling with kids. Today, we’ll focus on the gear we provide for our biking trips:

Helmets — All riders are required to wear bicycle helmets for Backroads biking and multisport trips. You’re welcome to bring your own, or you can use one of our high-quality helmets. Three adult sizes are available, all fitted with an easily adjustable retention system.

Navigation – We provide riders with self-navigable directions and improved elevation profiles, as well as cyclometers and downloadable GPS directions in Europe and North America.

Storage — When you’re on the bike, you’ll need places to stash sunscreen, a camera, maybe a little cash, etc. Our titanium and tandem bikes include handlebar and/or rear rack bags. For Roubaix/Ruby riders, there are no bags on the bike, so you may want to bring a lightweight pack to use when your jersey pockets aren’t quite enough.

Extras — All of our bikes are equipped with a safety triangle, two water bottles and for those who want it: a combination lock, hand pump, inner tube, tire levers or patch kit for use on your trip. For those who don’t, see below.

Service and convenience – In addition to all the great equipment and handy gadgets we offer, Backroads also prides itself on its great trip leaders, who offer each rider service and convenience. On the very first day of your trip, your leaders will show you how to ride safely and efficiently. Beginners need not worry, as they’ll offer plenty of tips on shifting, braking and they’ll check your bike daily to make adjustments needed. Plus, if you have a flat tire, they’ll fix it for you! How’s that for service?

Pit crew — Our trip leaders are like a traveling pit crew. They have everything they need to operate a mobile bike shop, including spare chains, tubes, derailleurs, stems, risers, spacers and cranks.

So when it comes to bike gear here at Outfitters, it’s safe to say we’ve got you covered so you can focus on the beauty that surrounds you!

Photo Credit: David Epperson

If you’ve ever been on an extended road trip with kids, you’ve probably heard this question a “few” times: “Are we there yet?” You know why, don’t you? Because kids have a lot of energy and they like to be active. They don’t really want to spend endless hours in the backseat of a car. So when you’re planning your next family vacation, get out of the car and get into the open air with a Backroads Family Trip.

Backroads offers adventure travel in locations around the world (Italy, France, Europe at large), as well as here in the U.S. that are planned exclusively for families with kid-sized routes and activities and family-friendly pricing. Our trips include hiking, walking, biking and more, and include just the right amount of activity to keep your kiddos amused and amazed. In fact, we bet the kids will be asking you to hurry up each morning so the daily adventure can begin.

We have several kids’ bikes in our bike fleet, as well as a bike that attaches to an adult bike (Burley Piccolo), and a carrier (Burley D’Lite) that attaches to an adult bike. For safety reasons, children under 7 may not ride their own bikes and are required to ride on a Piccolo or in a Burley. For certain destinations, children must be 9 or older to ride their own bikes.

Is there an age limit on our family travel? Yes. For inn accommodations, Backroads requires children be at least 1 year of age. For camping trips, Backroads requires children be at least 2 years of age. Backroads also recommends certain ages for certain trips. For example, the following chart shows the recommended minimum age for the trip and the required age to ride his/her own bike.

Our new family trips for 2012 include:

• Holland & Belgium: Family Biking From the Dutch Countryside to Beautiful Bruges
• Canadian Rockies: Hiking, Biking & Rafting in Banff & Yoho National Parks
• Galápagos & Andes: Hiking, Biking, Snorkeling & Kayaking in Ecuador’s Islands & Highlands
• Iceland: History, Culture & Adventure at the Edge of the Arctic Circle

If you’d like more information – or if you’re ready to book your family adventure – please visit Backroads’ website. We have trip planners ready to answer any question you may have and to help recommend the best Family Trip for you!