Taking your kids abroad for the first time can feel like a leap. New cultures, unfamiliar routines, long flights and all the decision-making—it’s no surprise that many families hesitate.
But family travel abroad can be incredibly rewarding and totally worth it. Here’s the secret: it’s much less overwhelming when you’re prepared—and even more enjoyable when you’re supported. Whether you go it alone or with Backroads, these family travel tips will help make your family’s first international adventure not just doable, but unforgettable.
1. Start Small
Tip: Don’t try to do it all in one family vacation. Choose a small region and explore it at a relaxed pace. Places like Tuscany, Switzerland or the Dalmatian Coast offer beautiful scenery, accessible adventures and great food—without too much travel between destinations. Keeping your trip focused is especially important for young children or small kids adjusting to new places and time zones after a long flight.
How Backroads Helps: Backroads Family Trips are intentionally paced with balanced itineraries that are exciting but not overwhelming. With all the travel logistics and the planning process taken care of—from extraordinary meals to family-friendly hotels and exclusive activities—you can focus on sharing travel experiences together instead of worrying about check-ins, transportation or the nearest grocery store for snacks.
2. Get Your Kids Involved
Tip: Build the excitement early by having your kids help choose your destination—the more ownership they feel, the more engaged they’ll be. Look for kid-friendly activities that every family member can enjoy and be sure to let your kids weigh in before booking! Even giving them small jobs—like packing their own iPad or travel pillow—helps them feel like part of the team.
How Backroads Helps: Backroads offers something for everyone—from biking car-free paths to white water rafting—so your family travel adventure fits just right. Once on trip, kids get their own dedicated Kids Adventure Leaders, who are trained in first aid and know how to turn every moment into a fun, safe adventure. Activities like treasure hunts, ropes courses, cooking classes and local crafts keep kids entertained, while parents enjoy a little peace of mind (and maybe an extra ice cream stop).
3. Prioritize Age-Appropriate Adventure
Tip: Avoid overly long museum visits or too many sit-down meals that risk a meltdown. Look for activities that let kids move, play and explore—whether that’s hiking, biking or splashing in the sea. Also know that renting the right high-quality equipment can be a lifesaver when traveling with small children.
How Backroads Helps: All Family Trips are grouped by age—like Families with Kids & Teens and Families with Teens & 20s—to ensure the pace and activities match your family’s needs. Backroads provides kid-sized bikes, trailers, e-bikes and safety gear—so no one gets left behind. And if young children need a break mid-activity? The support van’s always ready. It’s active travel without the stress.
4. Give Parents Guilt-Free Downtime
Tip: Family vacations can be intense. Build in time for yourself—whether it’s a coffee in the piazza, a nap in the hotel room or a scenic road trip detour—so you return home feeling refreshed, not exhausted. Setting boundaries around screen time can help young kids engage more but don’t be afraid to use an iPad or movie when everyone needs a breather.
How Backroads Helps: This is where the Kids Adventure Leader truly shines. While your kids are off doing age-appropriate supervised fun, you can enjoy an adult-only hike, spa visit or uninterrupted dinner—knowing your kids are having a blast and in capable hands. It’s the balance between togetherness and independence that makes Backroads family travel so special.
5. Plan for the Unexpected & Stay Flexible
Tip: Jet lag, surprise weather or even a missed train can happen—and they often become your favorite stories later. If your kids wake up tired, swap the hike for a lazy morning at a café. If it rains, dive into a museum or buy an inflatable ball and play in the hotel courtyard. Flexibility is the key to a stress-free trip.
How Backroads Helps: Flexibility is built into Backroads trips, with activity options that allow families to be as active as they’d like and easily adapt to how everyone’s feeling each day. And if something unexpected happens, Trip Leaders handle all the details and keep the fun going.
6. Find Fun in the Little Things
Tip: Make a big deal out of the small things—a first passport scan, a warm croissant in Paris, an attempt to order in another language. These “celebrations” not only foster fun, they create confidence and curiosity that last long after the trip ends.
How Backroads Helps: Many Backroads leaders are storytellers and cultural guides who make even everyday moments feel special—turning a walk through a vineyard or a ferry ride into fun memories your kids will carry for years.
Great First-Time Trips with Backroads
If you’re considering a guided option for your family’s first trip abroad, here are a few Backroads favorites that are easy to love:
- Tuscany Family Bike Tour – Gentle terrain, iconic food and family-friendly routes.
- Spain’s Mallorca Family Multi-Adventure Tour – Island sunshine and Mediterranean charm.
- Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast Family Multi-Adventure Tour – Kayaking, hiking and history along the Adriatic.
- Switzerland Family Multi-Adventure Tour – Scenic trails, Alpine lakes and lots of chocolate.
- Ireland Family Multi-Adventure Tour – Legends, castles and rolling green hills.
Yes, You Can Do This
You don’t have to be a seasoned traveler or fluent in another language to give your kids a meaningful first family travel experience abroad. With thoughtful preparation, a sense of adventure and the right support, you can create the kind of family vacation memories that last a lifetime.
Whether you go with Backroads or plan it all yourself, remember—it’s not about doing it perfectly. It’s about doing it together.
