The Rhine, the Danube, the Seine: steeped in history, the names of these major rivers evoke images of fairy-tale castles, small towns with red-tiled roofs and some of the most significant cultural centers in Europe. Taking a Backroads Active River Cruise along one of Europe’s iconic waterways is a w…

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 horse…

A friend tells me that her mother still refers to a mother-daughter vacation they took years ago as “the torture trip.” What was intended to be a sweet week of pampering and bonding degraded into petty annoyances, nit-picking and constant bickering in that oh-so-special way that only mothers and dau…

Hike atop seaside cliffs in France, walk through historic Spartan battlegrounds in Greece or trek among the world-famous Dolomites in Italy. For outdoor enthusiasts, Europe beckons. Lace up your boots and get ready for some of the world’s most iconic trails.

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…

Family travel doesn’t have to end when children grow up. One family’s active adventure reveals how exploring the world together can create deeper connections, new perspectives and lasting memories with adult kids.

We’ve been leading Backroads guided bike tours in France for nearly four decades. From historic routes in Normandy to the sunny villages of Provence, here are what we think are the best cycling destinations in France.

Debra Hurt never saw herself as the adventure-travel type. Between raising two kids and managing the demands of everyday life, an active vacation seemed reserved for those with more time and more interest in sleeping in a sleeping bag. Until one day when she wandered through the immaculate grounds o…

Home to a culture that grew separate from foreign influence, Japan is true to itself and has a distinct character from almost any other place on Earth. Beyond its culture, the land feels undiscovered and is beautiful in its own right. You’ll be up close and personal with this unique culture and stun…

Home to over 100,000 miles of hiking trails, choosing the “best” among these natural wonders is no easy task, but here we share with you our top five hiking trails in France. From coastal strolls to rugged mountain ascents, each of these trails offers a unique journey into France’s breathtaking wild…