A new take on winter break: family holiday bookings rise nearly 20 percent as more travelers choose adventures across generations

BERKELEY, Calif., Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — This winter, Backroads is inviting kids, parents and grandparents to try something new together, from surfing in Costa Rica and exploring Iceland’s ice caves to ice skating and curling in the Canadian Rockies.

Backroads, the global leader in active travel, reports that family holiday bookings are up nearly 20 percent in 2026 compared to 2025. More families are choosing shared adventure over traditional gifts, bringing generations together outdoors and creating memories that last far beyond the holidays. Early bookings for 2027 also point to strong demand, particularly for Kids & Teens trips, which are seeing significant year-over-year growth.

Trips for Families with Kids & Teens and Families with Teens & 20s bring together families with kids of a similar age. Kids & Teens trips include kid-focused activities led by a dedicated Kids Adventure Leader, giving younger travelers their own adventures while adults enjoy time to explore and connect. Teens & 20s trips offer the classic Backroads experience, with the added benefit of traveling alongside other families with young adults. And like all Backroads trips, every adventure is thoughtfully planned from start to finish, with seamless support that includes activities, transportation, accommodations and meals.

An active family vacation doesn’t require everyone to cover the same distance or reach the highest summit. With daily route options for every ability level and support from Trip Leaders, family members can set out together or choose different levels of challenge, then reunite to trade stories. Grandparents might opt for the longer, all-day hike while teenagers choose the shorter hike and the afternoon hanging out together at the pool. Whatever path they take, they’re still sharing the adventure.

“What I love about a family trip is that you get to see each other a little differently,” said Tom Hale, Founder, President and CEO of Backroads. “You see someone try something they weren’t sure they could do. You laugh about the things that didn’t go quite as planned. Years later, you’re still talking about it. When you give your family a trip, you’re giving them something to look forward to—and something to look back on together.”

Backroads’ Top Seven Holiday Escapes for Active Families

1. Costa Rica

   Whether it’s their first wave or their 50th, surfing gives families a chance to cheer each other on … or laugh together over a wipeout. Families also spot sloths and monkeys, raft the Savegre River and soak in hot springs beneath Arenal Volcano.

2. Argentina’s Patagonia Lake District

   The holiday table looks different when everyone is learning to make empanadas. Winter break falls during Patagonia’s summer, the perfect time for kayaking on mountain lakes, horseback riding through the backcountry and hiking to glacier-fed blue lagoons.

3. Hawaii’s Big Island

   Exploring a lava tube can spark curiosity across generations. Families go deep into the Big Island’s volcanic landscapes and local culture, bike tropical coastlines and take to the water for kayaking and snorkeling.

4. Vietnam

   Far from familiar routines, families have new stories to share as they bike past emerald rice paddies, browse bustling markets and cruise among Halong Bay’s limestone karsts, immersed in the daily rhythms of the Mekong Delta and the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An.

5. Iceland

   In Iceland, winter doesn’t keep families inside. Glacier walks, ice caves and frozen waterfalls bring nature into close view, while the possibility of northern lights gives everyone a reason to keep looking up.

6. Santa Barbara & the Channel Islands

   For a getaway closer to home, families can trade screen time for days outdoors. They kayak around Santa Cruz Island, bike the coast and rolling hills of Los Padres National Forest, then unwind together at family-friendly hotels.

7. Canadian Rockies

   From gliding across the ice at the historic Post Hotel to searching for moose tracks in Kootenay National Park and snowshoeing through snow-covered forests and peaks, families share classic winter experiences while creating new holiday traditions together.

Giving the Gift of Family Travel

For families looking beyond traditional gifts, a trip offers something to anticipate together long before the bags are packed. Backroads Gift Certificates can be purchased in any amount and applied toward the recipient’s choice of a Backroads Biking, Hiking & Walking or Multi-Adventure Trip. With no expiration date, they give families the flexibility to choose the adventure and timing that fit them best, whether that’s winter break, spring break or summer vacation.

For more information about Backroads holiday and winter trips, Gift Certificates and Private Trips, visit www.backroads.com or call 800-462-2848.

About Backroads

Founded in 1979 by Tom Hale, Backroads is the world’s leading luxury active travel company and a pioneer in the adventure travel industry. For nearly five decades, Backroads has been connecting people with the world through unforgettable active experiences, thoughtfully designed to reveal the unique character of each destination. With hundreds of itineraries across more than 60 countries, Backroads offers Biking, Hiking & Walking and Multi-Adventure Tours, along with Private Trips, Women’s Adventures, Dolce Tempo Easygoing Journeys and Family Adventures for distinct age groups. The company’s diverse collection also includes Active Ocean & River Cruises, Unplugged Bike Tours (for riders who prefer no e-assist), Lodge-to-Lodge Hiking, Safari, Culinary and Home Base Trips. For more information, visit backroads.com or call 800-462-2848.

Backroads Media Contact

Liz Einbinder
liz_einbinder@backroads.com
510-292-2753

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SOURCE Backroads