tauck tours grandparents grandchildren

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes
• Family Vacations

The Best Trips to Take With Your Grandkids

Baby Boomers are becoming both grandparents and retirees , and their travel — four to five leisure trips this year according to a recent AARP Travel Trends survey — frequently includes grandchildren. The same survey indicates that 57 percent of trips involve spending time with family and friends, including multi-generational travel . For Baby Boomers surveyed, cost is less of an obstacle than for millennials and Gen-X respondents (ages 20-36 and 37-52, respectively). With both the resources and the desire to provide travel experiences for their grandchildren, many are hitting the road together. It’s an opportunity to get to know the grandkids as well as to create memories and strengthen bonds. Just like kids, grandparents come in all shapes and sizes with all kinds of interests and abilities. We’ve put together a list that should help get some vacation ideas going.

Orlando, Florida

Orlando offers extensive hotel options as well as over a dozen theme parks, including Walt Disney World ’s Magic Kingdom and Epcot, and Universal Studios, with new attractions added each year.

San Diego, California

Chelsea Loren/Travel + Leisure

San Diego provides not only perfect weather, but the renowned San Diego Zoo, Safari Park, SeaWorld, Aquatica Waterpark, and Legoland as well as beaches and Balboa Park museums.

Los Angeles, California

L.A. is home to Universal Studios Hollywood, Six Flags Magic Mountain, and nearby Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm. The Long Beach Aquarium, California Science Center with the Space Shuttle Endeavor, miles of beaches , and sunny weather add to the appeal.

Maui, Hawaii

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

Maui’s Grand Wailea Resort boasts a water park, slides, rope swing, and six-level pool for kids as well as activities like lei making, hula lessons, and a chocolate-coconut massage at the spa. The adults-only Hibiscus pool, beach, and ocean activities add something for everyone.

Kiawah Island, South Carolina

Kiawah Island Golf Resort near Charleston, South Carolina offers pools, nature programs, teen games and bonfire night, camps for 3- to 7-year-olds, and adventure activities for 8- to 15-year-olds. There’s also golf, a luxury spa, paddling, kayaking, and motorboat tours plus walking and biking trails.

Yosemite National Park

Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite , with a choice of rooms, suites, or cottages, provides a perfect location in one of the country’s most beautiful national parks, custom bus tours, a spa, indoor and outdoor pools, guided hikes, climbing wall, kids’ adventure course, and five dining venues.

Adventures by Disney offers worldwide destinations and trips ranging from four days to two weeks with activities and experiences for both adults and kids. Their 12-day China trip includes two days in Hong Kong, a stop at the Great Wall, and the thrilling Terracotta Warriors and Horses World Heritage site. A Tai-Chi lesson, giant panda viewing, and visits to Disneyland in both Hong Kong and Shanghai are included.

Thomson Family Adventures specializes in family travel, accommodating various ages and interests on both domestic and international trips. For kids 12 and over, a Tanzania safari would be an exciting adventure. In their private refuge, guests see giraffes, gazelles, wildebeest, and more. The Ngorongoro Crater, a visit to a local school, and legends from a Maasai storyteller are on the itinerary.

Lauren Breedlove/Travel + Leisure

Tauck, voted one of Travel + Leisure ’s top tour operators, plans family trips with destinations that include national parks, safaris, and worldwide cities. Their “ Canada’s Capital Cities plus Niagara Falls ” vacation explores Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Quebec City with stays at luxurious Fairmont Hotels. A cruise on the St. Lawrence River and a visit to Niagara Falls are included.

Laura La Monaca/Travel + Leisure

Classic Journeys will arrange walking, hiking, cultural, culinary adventures, and more in North America and around the world. Trips include activities like mountain biking, zip lining, crafts, games, and time for separate adult-focused activities. Their seven-day tour of Sicily includes visits to Agrigento, Siracusa, and Taormina to see amazing archaeological sites from the ancient Greeks and Romans. A visit to Mt. Etna, Sicily’s active volcano, and a ferry ride to a nearby island are included.

Grand Canyon

REI Adventures takes their guests all over the world, from the Alps to Patagonia and throughout national parks. Active itineraries geared to adults, teens, and younger kids are managed by skilled guides and support staff who keep everyone engaged and delighted. A Grand Canyon trip includes hiking, paddling Lake Powell’s waters among sandstone canyons, and exploring Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley while learning about Arizona’s geological and natural history.

River Rafting

OARS offers adventures ranging from whitewater rafting to hiking, kayaking, fishing, and exploring national parks, rivers, and international destinations. They provide healthy, locally sourced food, trained guides, games and toys for the kids, and excitement for everyone. River rafting trips on the Tuolumne River in California’s gorgeous Yosemite National Park include whitewater thrills, hikes among canyons, and time to explore among waterfalls and wilderness.

European River Cruise

AmaWaterways and Adventures by Disney European river cruises have taken the traditionally adult vacation and reinvented it for younger guests by adding specialized staff, connecting staterooms, and kids-geared food, onboard entertainment, cool excursions, and heated pools. Disney Cruise Line ’s four-ship oceangoing fleet offers family-friendly staterooms, Disney-style entertainment, musicals, fireworks, pools, and Disney characters on board.

Caribbean Cruise

Royal Caribbean has a 25-ship fleet that includes the new Symphony of the Seas, a 16-deck ship with plenty of kid-focused entertainment such as glow-in-the dark laser tag, an ice-skating rink, water slides, rock climbing wall, arcade, surf simulators, and a zip line. No worries – there’s a lot to offer for adults too.

Small Ship Cruise

Lindblad Expeditions partners with National Geographic on its small ship voyages where guests connect with nature while snorkeling, paddling kayaks, or exploring the Galapagos or Alaska along with certified educators and naturalists. Adults and kids alike will enjoy the adventures.

Related Articles

Get Daily Travel Tips & Deals!

By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use .

Tours for grandparents and grandkids traveling together

Molly Feltner

Molly has also written for National Geographic Traveler Magazine and Fodor's Gold Guides . Her photography has been published in The Boston Globe Magazine .

Travel Smarter! Sign up for our free newsletter.

With many seniors relocating to retirement destinations and grandchildren often involved in busy family lives, the best present you may be able to give your grandkids is your time. What better way to share that time and get away from the distractions of home than by going on vacation together?

Several companies offer vacation experiences designed especially for grandparents and grandchildren traveling together. While you can always arrange a trip on your own, tours have the advantage of being preplanned and guided by someone who’s already a pro at multigenerational travel. This makes it easier for both you and your grandkids to relax and enjoy one another’s company while discovering (or rediscovering) a destination.

Here’s a look at three travel organizations that operate grandparent/grandchild tours.

Elderhostel Intergenerational tours

The largest educational travel company for travelers ages 55 and up, Elderhostel also runs more grandparent/grandchild tours than any other organization I could find, with more than 100 different domestic and international itineraries currently scheduled. What’s more, its prices are among the most affordable, with rates starting at $353 per person for a four-night trip in the Poconos.

Programs range in length from a few days to two weeks and may focus on a single city or region or include a full-country tour. Like regular Elderhostel trips, intergenerational programs have some kind of educational component, but with decidedly kid-friendly themes. For example, a trip to Oxford, England ($2,516), explores literary sites associated with popular children’s books, such as those in the Harry Potter and Chronicles of Narnia series. There are also many soft adventure options, including a schooner sailing in Puget Sound ($580) and white-water rafting in the Grand Canyon ($799).

Because trip activities vary in difficulty and interest, programs are tailored for children in specific age groups, with options for kids as young as four and as old as 18. Packages include accommodations, most meals, and transportation during the program, gratuities and taxes, and sightseeing, activities, and educational programming. Rates are based on double occupancy and are the same for all ages. To learn more visit the Elderhostel website .

Grandtravel

Grandtravel is notable for its carefully researched itineraries and upscale inclusions. Each Grandtravel tour balances activities that are fun and educational for both generations with private time and some separate happenings just for the kids. The company offers about 14 different itineraries, with most trips scheduled during the summer, although there are a few options for winter and spring break. Tours are available in the U.S., Europe, Australia, and Africa.

Grandtravel vacations aren’t cheap—prices for 2006 trips range from $2,670 per person for a six-day fossil discovery tour in Colorado to $8,990 per person for a 13-day Australia trip (with small discounts for kids under 12)—but the inclusions are high-end and itineraries are packed with top-notch experiences. For example, a five-night New York holiday program ($4,995) features four shows including the Radio City “Christmas Spectacular” and “The Nutcracker” at Lincoln Center, plus fine dining at restaurants like the Tavern on the Green in Central Park.

Trips are geared for grandkids ages seven to 17, with most trips designated for either seven- to nine-year-olds or 10- to 17-year-olds. Prices include airport transfers, accommodations, most meals, group transportation, the services of a trip leader and activities director, sightseeing, activities, and admission fees. Some tours also include airfare. For more information, visit the Grandtravel website .

Sierra Club

The grassroots environmental organization Sierra Club runs dozens of adventure trips around the globe every year, but it also offers family outdoors trips in the U.S., including a handful of multigenerational and “Just for Grandparents and Grandkids” tours. Prices are affordable, too, with rates starting at $495 per adult and $395 per child under 18 for the five-night “Just for Grandparents and Grandkids Tahoe National Forest” trip in California.

Some trips, like the Lake Tahoe programs, are laid-back and allow you to participate in organized hikes and other activities or plan some of your own outings. Others are more structured and education-focused. For example, the weeklong “Multigenerational Snorkel and Study in Everglades National Park and Florida Keys Marine Sanctuary” features snorkel trips and lab workshops with the Marine Resources Development Foundation. This trip costs $945 per adult and $845 per child.

Tour inclusions vary, but typically cover accommodations, most meals, activities, and trip leaders. Trips have a minimum-age requirement in order to participate and all trip participants age 18 or older must be Sierra Club members. You can join online for the senior rate of $25. Go to the Sierra Club website to learn more about its family trips .

We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

Top Fares From

Don't see a fare you like? View all flight deals from your city.

Today's top travel deals.

Brought to you by ShermansTravel

9-Nt Dublin, Cork, Killarney & Galway...

Railbookers

Luxe, 7-Night Caribbean & Mexico Cruise...

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Ohio: Daily Car Rentals from Cincinnati

Trending on SmarterTravel

Emergency Banner Component

Family River and Small Ship Cruises

Family river cruises and small-ship cruises give your loved ones the opportunity to delight together in all-inclusive vacations with exciting shore excursions, onboard activities and exclusive, family-friendly experiences designed with every generation in mind.

• ITINERARIES
• FEATURED TOURS

Welcome to Tauck Bridges Family Cruises

Our family cruises include the Danube, Rhine, Rhône, Seine and Douro Rivers. Dock in medieval villages and centuries-old cities to see hidden treasures and architectural highlights... sail aboard an expeditionary small ship to the Galápagos Islands to see wildlife found nowhere else in the world...  All custom-made for fun, ease and comfort.

Bicycling with your family ashore, a family cycling excursion through the countryside on your tauck family river cruise.

Whether you're cruising the Rhine, Danube, Rhône or Seine, you can stretch everyone's legs a bit with a leisurely family bicycle ride through the countryside on your Tauck family river cruise. It's a perfect way to experience the centuries-old castles, lush vineyards and other unique landscapes along the river you're cruising. Our river cruises offer numerous opportunities for cycling along Europe's rivers; every Tauck riverboats has bicycles aboard for use by guests ashore.

Scavenger hunt at Musée du Louvre

Musée du louvre.

In Paris, Tauck Bridges families explore, learn and have fun during an art-filled scavenger hunt in Musée du Louvre. See Mona Lisa smile, fall in love with Venus de Milo, meet Bernini's sleeping beauty, mingle with Monets, Michelangelos, Rembrandts and Renoirs...

Shipboard Fun for Kids

Onboard fun for everyone on your tauck family river cruise.

There's always something fun for kids of all ages to do onboard a Tauck riverboat, and it's the best place to socialize! Meet local dancers, musicians, and artists who come aboard to demonstrate their talents. Make local treats with chefs and savor tastings, from crêpes in France to pastries in Austria. Enjoy the putting green, hot tub or plunge pool on the Sun Deck, or the fitness center. Language lessons, song and dance fests, and group games fill your evenings with family fun and new friendships.

A "rock safari" at Museu do Côa

Discover paleolithic rock art at museu do côa.

Your time in Portugal brings you and your family on an exciting "rock safari" at Museum of Art and Archaeology of the Côa Valley. During excavations for a dam on the Côa River in the 1990s, thousands of engraved prehistoric rock drawings were discovered along the river in Vila Nova de Foz Côa. Archaeologists determined that these petroglyphs – originally created in the open air – dated to the Paleolithic era, between 10,000 to 22,000 years BC! The dam was eventually canceled, and 23 Côa Valley rock art sites became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998. Accessible only by 4x4 vehicles, hop aboard and get ready to learn all about this remarkable art on a visit to the high-tech Museu do Côa, rising over the valley.

Journey Collection

Experience Tauck's Family Cruises

Search Again

{{ title }}

{{shortDescription}}

{{longDescription}}

{{priceFrom}}

From Price, Per Person

Price shown is the lowest price per person, double, on most journeys.

No Tours Match Your Room Configuration

Itinerary Related Content

Take a look below for other tours

Please enter a valid search term

No results found for “ ”.

Make sure your words are spelled correctly or use less or different words.

We can't find any itineraries that match your departure date. Try broadening your search by choosing a different year or month.

The keyword's results do not contain the selected date. Please reset the date filter or choose a different date.

Featured River, Small Ship and Land Journeys

Inspired by the destination.

For 90+ years, the Tauck family has had a passion for sailing — aboard small ships and yachts at sea, riverboats along great inland waterways, and at home on the rivers and lakes of Connecticut and New York. When we began blending our land experience with our strong passion for cruising in our first European river cruise back in 1992, we knew that no "ordinary" river cruise experience would do for our guests. We wanted them to travel Europe's rivers in the same beyond-the-ordinary Tauck style they experienced on our land trips. With that in mind, we searched to find a company to partner with that would share our values and our commitment to "do the right thing" by our guests... and found it in another family-owned company, Scylla. Together, we crafted a river cruise experience that was ahead of its time and inspired by the destinations we explore.

Small is Big... onboard and ashore

Smaller ships mean bigger experiences. Our small ships are big on individualized service, special touches and comfort, making you feel like a welcomed guest the moment you come aboard. Intimate spaces invite conversation or quiet contemplation as you like. Whether you're inside your cabin or out on your deck, ocean views beckon with adventures yet to come.

Because of the size of our ships, we're not restricted to commercial routes or large ports. We're free to follow the fish, not the fleets. We dock in places where you can get lost in the moment and not in a crowd. We delight in sharing spontaneous moments, up-close discoveries, personal connections and unforgettable treasures, making each moment memorable and uniquely yours. At Tauck, small is big... and the best way to make your cruise so much more than you ever expected.

Guest Favorites in the Canadian Rockies

"The interesting thing about heli-exploring is that our guests can have an emotional experience instead of a sightseeing one. It is the emotion of being able to do something they never believed they would have the opportunity to do. It appeals to their spirit rather than their age and is a most satisfying trip." Arthur Tauck Jr.

Canadian rockies, whistler & victoria, best of the canadian rockies, grand canadian rockies, traveling with tauck, never settle for ordinary.

Travel Experiences that are as memorable as the places...

Leave Your Worries At Home

Tauck takes on all of details of travel – all of the planning, all of the logistics...

One Upfront Price

Get what you pay for and then some; no hidden costs, no options sold...

Travel In Good Company

Our Tauck Directors are the best in the industry, making every moment of your journey count...

Book Today... And Travel Dreams Begin

Discover The World

Call us, or call your travel advisor, to book your preferred departure date today – and explore our beautiful brochures to find your inspiration for your next journey.

• Destinations
• Antarctica & the Arctic
• Australia & New Zealand
• Israel & Jordan
• Latin America
• United States
• Tours & Cruises
• Exclusive Partnership
• Family Journeys
• Guest Favorites
• River Cruises
• Small Groups
• Small Ship Cruises
• Awards and Accolades
• Our History
• Tauck Impact
• The Tauck Difference
• The Taucker Blog
• About Tauck
• Media Center
• Tutorial Video
• Agent Connect
• Register Your Agency
• General Information
• Travel Protection
• Newsletter Sign Up
• Order an eGift Card
• Request a Brochure
• Tauck Forums
• Travel and Health
• Travel Updates

Sign Up to Subscribe to Our Emails

Take a Road Trip With Your Grandkids

'Grand travel' creates memories of a lifetime for both generations.

• Newsletter sign up Newsletter

Kay and John Nelson have a family tradition that's far from ordinary. When each of their nine grandchildren turns 10, the couple, both 70 and from Huntley, Ill., take the grandkid on a special weeklong trip. "It's changed our relationships for the better," Kay says. "We don't indulge them enormously, except for this special week."

The Nelsons took one grandson to the Grand Canyon, and they have taken one granddaughter to Prince Edward Island, Canada, for a tour based on L.M. Montgomery's book Anne of Green Gables. Another granddaughter visited the Virginia historic sites in Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown, and a third granddaughter experienced backstage tours, including visits to the costume and prop rooms, as part of a Broadway trip. "They learned so much—not only about the places we went, but we also learned a lot about each other," says Kay, a retired schoolteacher.

The Nelsons are among a growing number of grandparents who are discovering the joys of seeing the world through their grandkids' eyes. Multigenerational travel is an increasing segment of the travel industry, especially trips designed for grandparents and grandchildren—leaving the middle generation at home. "Grandparents have the time, the money and the physical health, and they want to spend special time with their grandchildren to mark a birthday or a milestone such as a bar or bat mitzvah," says Jim Kackley, general manager of Thomson Family Adventures ( www.familyadventures.com ), in Watertown, Mass., which specializes in family vacations to such destinations as Costa Rica, Thailand and China. Kackley says the number of clients who are 65 and older has doubled since 2010.

Subscribe to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance

Be a smarter, better informed investor.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters

Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.

Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.

Most “grand travel" trips are offered during the summer, with a few during winter and spring breaks. If you go with a travel agency tour, you can find a specialized group, such as Custom Safaris, which arranges customized multigenerational trips to Africa. Or you can use an outfit such as Road Scholar, which offers a broad range of prepackaged tours.

Linda Friedman, 66, chief executive officer of Custom Safaris ( www.customsafaris.com ), in Bethesda, Md., arranges about 25 bespoke multigenerational trips a year. Typically each family has its own guide. One popular two-week itinerary includes flying to Nairobi and viewing the elephants and other game in Amboseli National Park, facing Mount Kilimanjaro.

Every summer since 2006, Friedman and her husband have taken their two grandsons, now 12 and 14, on safaris. The boys share a tent. "I'm giving them memories for a lifetime," she says.

This summer, they visited the Samburu reserve. On the banks of the Uaso Nyiro River, where herds of elephants, buffalo and zebra roam, they saw a pack of wild dogs and viewed leopards three nights. They watched baby elephants running into their stalls at the elephant orphanage, a rescue charity in Nairobi. They also visited the prison where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated on Robben Island in Cape Town, South Africa. "Every day is an adventure. You don't know what you are going to see. Tomorrow is always better than today," Friedman says.

Tailored for Both Generations

Road Scholar ( www.roadscholar.org ), a division of Elderhostel, arranges grand travel for about 7,000 people a year to international and domestic destinations. (The Nelsons took their granddaughters on Road Scholar tours.) Grand travel business has increased by about 15% in the past ten years, says JoAnn Bell, vice-president of programming.

The average age of Road Scholar grandparents is 70. One popular itinerary is seven days in Paris, starting at $2,499 per person, which includes a scavenger hunt at the Louvre and a chef teaching how to bake croissants and brioche. Also on the top of the list is nine days in Costa Rica, with rafting, hiking, zip-lining and rainforest activities, for $2,394 per person. (Prices do not include airfare.)

Another large operator of intergenerational trips is Tauck's Bridges family-travel program ( www.tauck.com ), which the tour company started in 2003. Sharon Bell (no relation to Road Scholar's JoAnn Bell), brand manager for Bridges, says the program offers 18 family trips a year to classic destinations such as Italy, London, Paris and U.S. national parks. These trips are open to families of all kinds, but Bell says about one-third of travelers are grandchildren and grandparents only.

Tauck's tour operators tailor activities to both generations, says Bell. "A good tour provider thinks about what an 8-year-old can do versus a 78-year-old," she says. For example, she says, a family could decide on a rock-climbing trip where the older generation sits and watches from the bottom, or they could choose a hike on flat terrain with rest stops.

For its grand travel, Road Scholar describes the activity level for each trip. On its Grand Canyon river-rafting trip, for example, it notes that participants will need to walk "up to one mile on uneven and sloped terrain, sometimes in hot conditions."

Road Scholar also categorizes each trip by suitable age level, such as 14 to 17, or 9 to 11, to increase compatibility among tour participants. "It is so nice for the kids to meet their own age-appropriate peers from across the country," says Pat Zelkowitz, 77, a retired doctor from Fort Myers, Fla., who has taken her granddaughters, ages 12 and 17, on several trips including to Paris, New York City, and Oxford, England.

Before you plan a grand travel adventure, you should consult the parents first. They may have safety concerns. Nelson says her daughter-in-law vetoed one trip that involved a helicopter outing. Zelkowitz says her daughter prefers group trips such as Road Scholar in case a medical problem arises for Grandma. To ease a parent's anxiety, you could suggest that the child call home every night to check in.

Grandparents also should involve the grandchildren in the planning. That will build anticipation and help them learn about various destinations. "I give three choices and let them pick," Zelkowitz says. Consider whether you want to fly, the distance you want to travel and whether you want to stick to an English-speaking country. Share reading materials, maps, photos and movies about the destination.

Although your grandkids may object, agree ahead of time to restrictions on the use of electronic devices. Tablets and smart phones are great for taking photos and for staying occupied on long plane rides. Otherwise, grandparents might prefer if they are used only for private downtime in the hotel room. Be sure to take a notarized letter signed by both parents that states you have permission to travel with the child and to make medical decisions for the child.

The trip doesn't have to end when you get home. "You have a shared experience that you can refer to for the rest of your life," Road Scholar's Bell says. To preserve memories, Nelson makes a photo album of the trip for each grandchild. Grand travel has proved so successful that Road Scholar is expanding its market in 2015 to include trips designed for college-age grandchildren.

Haven't yet filed for Social Security? Create a personalized strategy to maximize your lifetime income from Social Security. Order Kiplinger’s Social Security Solutions today.

To continue reading this article please register for free

This is different from signing in to your print subscription

Why am I seeing this? Find out more here

The main indexes closed higher Monday after a bull call on Micron boosted several large-cap chipmakers.

By Karee Venema Published 6 May 24

A new Gallup poll shows Americans are still concerned about having enough money for retirement, but there are some changes from last year.

By Alexandra Svokos Last updated 6 May 24

inheritance Leaving these assets to your loved ones may be more trouble than it’s worth. Here's how to avoid adding to their grief after you're gone.

By David Rodeck Published 3 May 24

retirement plans Teachers and nonprofit workers can contribute more to a 403(b) retirement plan in 2024 than they could in 2023.

By Jackie Stewart Published 18 January 24

SEP IRA A good option for small business owners, SEP IRAs allow individual annual contributions of as much as $69,000 a year.

By Jackie Stewart Published 17 January 24

Roth IRAs Roth IRA contribution limits have gone up for 2024. Here's what you need to know.

By Jackie Stewart Published 13 January 24

simple IRA The maximum amount workers at small businesses can contribute to a SIMPLE IRA increased by $500 for 2024.

By Jackie Stewart Published 12 January 24

retirement plans State and local government workers can contribute more to their 457 plans in 2024 than in 2023.

By Jackie Stewart Published 11 January 24

retirement plans The Roth 401(k) contribution limit for 2024 is increasing, and workers who are 50 and older can save even more.

By Jackie Stewart Published 10 January 24

Medicare Advantage plans can provide additional benefits beneficiaries can't get through original Medicare for no or a low monthly premium. But there are downsides to this insurance too.

By Jackie Stewart Published 27 October 23

• Contact Future's experts
• Terms and Conditions
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Policy
• Advertise with us

Kiplinger is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site . © Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Skip-Gen Travel Trends: The 8 Best Grandparent-Grandchild Getaways

Betty and John Knupp of Davidsonville, Maryland shared a love of travel long before their children or grandchildren were born. So when their first granddaughter, Maya, then 10, expressed an interest in wildlife, they invited her to join them on a trip to Yellowstone National Park. The trip was offered through Road Scholar , a nonprofit organization that sponsors more than 150 specialized grandparent travel programs.

The 7 Best Starter Travel Credit Cards

According to a 2019 AARP Travel Trend Survey, 32% of grandparents have taken their grandkids on "skip-generation" (skip-gen) trips — defined as grandparent-grandchild trips that leave the parents at home. More than 77% of boomer grandparents do most of the trip planning, and the majority (76%) pay, too.

Tour operators like Maple Leaf Adventures , a boutique expedition cruise company based in Victoria, British Columbia, has noticed a spike in skip-gen bookings.

"Grandparents have the time and money to take longer, educational trips and want to share the experience with their grandchildren," said Maureen Gordon, co-owner of the company.

The choice of trip, of course, should take into account the ages and interests of the children involved, as well as the grandparents' energy, mobility and budget. Most experts agree that when grandchildren are actively involved in choosing the type of trip and helping plan it, they will be more engaged during the trip .

"At a time when over half of grandparents have a grandchild who lives 200 miles or more away, skip-generation travel is an opportunity to close the distance and create new memories," said Patty David, AARP's director of consumer insights.

The possibilities for grandparent-grandchildren getaways are infinite, but here are some of our favorites.

Visit a National Park

Best For: Children ages 8 to 18.

National parks across the US and Canada offer endless opportunities to experience and learn about nature.

The 18 National Park Adventures sponsored by Road Scholar (like the one at Yellowstone taken by Maya and her grandparents) are among the most popular of their grandparent programs. Think: surfing waves, learning about Pearl Harbor and exploring lava caves in Hawaii Volcanoes National Parks, or learning about raptors and birds of prey at Teton Raptor Center.

Families can plan trips to national parks on their own, but those organized by tour operators tend to be designed and led by naturalists and other experts. They also offer the advantage of enabling young people to make new friends with peers traveling in their group.

Learn to Sail

Best For: Children 10 and up.

The Maine Windjammer Association operates eight tall ships that explore the coast of Maine and the hundreds of surrounding islands. All of the vessels, including themed cruises, welcome skip-gen travelers. But two of the windjammers, Angelique and Schooner Heritage, operate special grandparent-grandchildren sailings (often in collaboration with Road Scholar).

Both novice and experienced sailors can learn the basics of sailing, including how to hoist the sails, steer, tie knots, coil lines and drop anchor. After days on the water, the vessels dock at picturesque harbors where participants can beachcomb, kayak, visit historic villages or learn how to paddleboard. These activities can be family adventures, or allow grandparents time to relax aboard the ship.

Visit a Theme Park

Best For: Travelers of all ages.

Theme parks are popular with everyone from tots to teens, as well as older relatives. If very young grandchildren haven't spent much time away from their parents, a day trip to a local theme park might be a good choice. However, for those who can travel farther, the Orlando area is a mecca for skip-gen travel with at least nine major theme parks (including Walt Disney World , Universal Studios , LEGOLAND and Discovery Cove) and a host of smaller ones, too.

Related: The Best Credit Cards for Entertainment Expenses

Orlando has more than 120,000 hotel rooms and 20,000 vacation home rentals, so there is an accommodation to fit every need. Many grandparents choose a resort located on the theme park's grounds. Some even offer kid-themed fantasy suites: For example, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Orlando Resort offers two-room Despicable Me suites that allow grandparents to have a private bedroom while the kids can play in their own themed bedroom. Other families opt for apartment or villa stays because kitchen facilities can be more convenient and economical than always eating out.

Tour a European City

Visiting an iconic European capital — especially one that appears on television and in movies — with a grandparent can be an unforgettable experience for young travelers. One distinct advantage of using a tour operator is that all the planning, logistics and hassles of airport transfers; getting from one destination to the next; arranging activities; and finding restaurants and accommodations are handled by someone else.

For example, the eight-day Tauck itinerary, Italia Bella: Rome to Venice , showcases three of Italy's most popular cities: Rome , Florence and Venice . Participants visit the Colosseum, the Leaning Tower of Pisa and St. Peter's Basilica, where they enjoy special access (read: skip the lines or visit after-hours). Tauck also arranges private experiences geared to the interests of younger visitors. By arriving a day or two early, skip-gen travelers buy more time to adjust to changes in sleep schedules.

Best For: Children ages 7 and up.

Cycling trips organized by companies like Duvine , Backroads and VBT Bicycling & Walking Vacations are wooing active, skip-gen families by offering a range of interesting trips geared to different levels of cycling. (For safety reasons, most companies do not allow children younger than 7 to ride their own bicycle.) The trips typically couple stunning scenery with stays at small towns and villages.

For example, the 10-day VBT Ireland: Galway & Connemara Coast bicycle tour appeals to families who want to retrace their Irish heritage and roots. Perfect for teenagers or adult grandchildren, the cycling is rated easy-to-moderate. Less energetic cyclists can decrease their daily mileage or hop on the accompanying support van. Some of the tour highlights include visiting Galway Bay and viewing the oldest Benedictine abbey in Ireland.

Take a Safari

Best For: Children mature enough to understand the risks of the wild.

Safaris are a bucket list item for most grandparents and a dream trip for grandchildren; they offer unparalleled opportunities to see wildlife while learning about different cultures and conservation from local guides.

One itinerary — among many in Africa and India offered by tour operator Micato Safaris — is the 15-day Micato Grand Safari in Kenya and Tanzania. Guests get to visit a conservancy to learn about rhino conservation; meet local Maasai; and visit Ngorongoro Crater (one of the world's largest watering holes). There's also horseback riding, camel treks, hot air balloon rides and game drives. In addition to luxury tented camps, the itinerary includes a stay at the Four Seasons Serengeti Safari Lodge that has a world-class kids' club.

Many grandparents are eager to promote the values of voluntourism and cross-cultural understanding. Through AmericaShare, Micato puts one child through school for every safari sold. Its one-day "Lend a Helping Hand on Safari" add-on enables both generations to interact with local children living in Nairobi.

Relax at an All-Inclusive

All-inclusive resorts make vacationing easy, and grandparents don't have to constantly put their hands in their pockets to pay for extra snacks and sodas.

Many all-inclusives are family-focused with supervised kids' camps and teen clubs so grandparents have some time off, too. For example, Grand Velas Riviera Maya is set on 206 acres of jungle and sandy beach. The resort's spacious Family Suites (more than 2,000-square-feet) accommodate up to two adults and three kids. With private plunge pools, three swimming pools, water sports, eight different restaurants, two fitness centers and an expansive 90,000 square foot spa, there's no chance for boredom to set in.

In addition to the supervised Kids' Club, a "baby concierge' is available to arrange cribs, toys, baby floats, gentle bath products and organic foods. Teens' Clubs for travelers ages 13 to 18 feature video games, disco, karaoke, and teen-friendly drinks and snacks. Together, grandparents and grandchildren can bond over shared activities like cooking classes, lessons in food photography, eco-cycling tours and off-site adventures.

Sail Away on a Cruise

Best For: Children ages 3 and up.

Although most cruise ships allow infants six months and older to board, the sweet spot for a child to be old enough is probably older. On most vacations, but cruises especially, there are few opportunities to turn back.

The Best Credit Cards for Booking Cruises

Cruises are great in general because you only have to unpack and pack once, and even if the kids go off to activities, mealtimes allow everyone to reconvene to discuss the day and share experiences.

Princess Cruises is just one example of a great line for skip-gen travel. There are family suites that allow grandparents and grandchildren to have separate bedrooms with two bathrooms connected by a spacious living room. There are also onboard children and teen centers with age-appropriate programs and activities geared to children ages of 3 to 17. Princess' relatively new OceanMedallion (worn by everyone on the ship) allows grandparents and grandkids to keep track of each other's whereabouts at the touch of a button.

Interest in river cruises has increased exponentially in recent years, and they may be a better option for grandparents with teenage or millennial grandchildren. After all, they are a convenient way to experience different cultures, cuisine, and sometimes even different languages. Even adult-centric Viking River Cruises reports an increase in guests traveling with adult children, especially on Christmas Market cruises during the holiday season.

Irene S. Levine covers over-50 travel for The Points Guy, is a regular contributor to Forbes.com , and publishes MoreTimeToTravel.com and GettingOnTravel.com — two blogs for over-50 luxury travelers.

• 1 800 970 7299
• Live Chat (Online) Live Chat (Offline)
• My Wishlist
• Find a Trip

Your browser 'Internet Explorer' is out of date. Update your browser for more security, comfort and the best experience on this site.

Grandparent Travel & Tours

• Grandparent Travel & Tours

Having fun on holiday with your grandkids is child’s play on a trip that’s designed especially for you.

We've developed a new kind of family travel where young and young-at-heart travellers come together to enjoy the trip of a lifetime. Bed down for the night on a boat in Halong Bay, explore the unusual shapes and tastes of fruits at a bustling marketplace in Thailand or watch young orangutans learning to climb on a trip that swaps screen time for real time exploration. Let us take care of the logistics so all you have to worry about is creating special memories with your grandkids as they learn about the world outside their backyard.

Our Grandparent holidays

Vietnam family holiday, 13 days from 1834.

Experience the Asia of old on a family adventure that captures the spirit of Vietnam....

Vietnam Family Holiday Comfort

13 days from 1854.

Experience Vietnamese customs and charms on a 13-day family adventure from Hanoi to Ho...

South Africa Family Safari with Teenagers

12 days from 2214.

Enjoy this Teenage Family Adventure, while hiking, canoeing, snorkeling, rafting,...

Borneo Family Holiday

9 days from 1611.

Travel to Borneo to visit orangutan sanctuaries and explore lush jungles. See the best...

Morocco Family Holiday Comfort

10 days from 1260.

Take your family on a Moroccan adventure through Casablanca, Fes, Midelt, Merzouga, Ait...

Tailor-Made trips

Take four or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary

Morocco Family Holiday

8 days from 685.

Travel to Morocco and embark on a family adventure. Take a tour of Marrakech, relax on...

Vietnam Family Holiday with Teenagers

9 days from 1215.

Get the most out of your family getaway by cycling, kayaking, walking and cruising...

Sri Lanka Family Holiday

12 days from 1788.

Discover Sri Lanka on an 11-day tour that will captivate kids and adults alike, with...

Best of Morocco Family Holiday

12 days from 1002.

Looking for the best Moroccan family holiday? This trip has everything from Fes, Meknes...

Botswana Family Safari with Teenagers

10 days from 1934.

Take your family to Victoria Falls, Okavango River and Chobe National Park on this teen...

Costa Rica Family Holiday

10 days from 1904.

This family-style trip through Costa Rica begins and ends in San Jose, taking in the...

Japan Family Holiday

12 days from 5194.

Discover Japan on this 12-day family tour. Sample fresh sushi in Tokyo, soak in onsen...

Egypt Family Holiday

8 days from 1743.

Decode the secrets of the Great Sphinx and more during this family adventure through...

Turkey Family Holiday

10 days from 2450.

Discover Turkey on this family adventure through Istanbul, Goreme, Selcuk, Pamukkale...

Tanzania Family Safari

8 days from 2160.

Experience the people, culture and wildlife of Kenya and Tanzania on a small group...

Peru Family Holiday

9 days from 2615.

Visit Peru on this Family Adventure, travelling through Lima, Cusco and Aguas Calientes...

Northern India Family Holiday

10 days from 1036.

Take an action-packed family tour of India, following tiger trails, visiting Delhi and...

Mexico Family Holiday

7 days from 1420.

Travel the Yucatan from Playa del Carmen through Tulum, Izamal and Merida on a 7-day...

South Korea Family Holiday

8 days from 2260.

Take an eye-opening family holiday to South Korea, and discover temples, monks, hotpot,...

Bali Family Holiday with Teenagers

8 days from 1359.

Ricepaddles, rapids, bikes and beaches – find it all as you travel to Ubud, Candi Dasa,...

Kakadu, Katherine & Litchfield Family Adventure

4 days from 1024.

Set out on a camping safari through captivating Kakadu National Park. Experience the...

Summer Pyrenees Family Holiday with teenagers

8 days from 1067.

Walk, ride and raft on this European adventure into the heart of the Pyrenees. Unleash...

Egypt Family Holiday Comfort

8 days from 2320.

Step back in time on an 8-day family Egyptian adventure through Cairo, Aswan and Luxor....

Best of Costa Rica Family Holiday

14 days from 3328.

Take a family adventure to the wilds of Costa Rica, starting in San Jose and visiting...

Uluru & Kings Canyon Family Adventure

4 days from 960.

Discover the best of Australia's Red Centre on a four-day family adventure with...

Egypt and Jordan Family Holiday

15 days from 3612, yellowstone and grand teton family holiday, 6 days from 3076.

Take the family on a 6-day adventure in Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks....

Borneo Family Holiday Comfort

10 days from 2130.

Discover the best that Borneo has to offer on this unforgettable family adventure...

China Family Holiday

12 days from 2899.

Travel to the Land of the Dragon and explore Beijing, Xi'an, Yangshuo, Chengdu and Hong...

Cambodia Family Holiday with Teenagers

8 days from 969.

Encounter Cambodia's complex history and welcoming culture on a small-group family...

Kenya Family Safari

8 days from 2547.

Track your way across the plains of Kenya on this thrilling safari, covering Nairobi,...

Jordan Family Holiday

8 days from 1648.

Discover lost cities on a family adventure in Jordan. From the capital Amman to the...

Thailand Family Holiday

12 days from 1811.

Enjoy the sights, culture and history of Thailand on a fun family trip. Eat yummy food,...

Japan Highlights Family Holiday

8 days from 3247.

Take a fun family adventure to Japan and visit Tokyo, Kawane, Kyoto and Osaka. Travel...

Turkey Family Holiday with Teenagers

8 days from 1360.

Exploring Turkey’s coast with your teenagers, visiting ruins in Xanthos, hiking...

Italy Family Holiday

8 days from 2516.

From the ruins of Rome, to the ancient city of Pompeii and the seaside delights of...

Why choose Intrepid

Just for families

The clue’s in the title. These trips are for families only (including any aunts, uncles or cousins who’d like to come along, of course). As long as you’re travelling with a child under the age of 18, you’re a family in our eyes. Plus, unlike other travel companies, children aged 17 years and younger receive a 10% discount off the price of their trip.

Travel with other families

Travelling the Intrepid way is a bit like travelling with a group of friends. These trips are made up of 3–5 like-minded families, and the kids tend to hit it off straight away, allowing you to enjoy some well-earned R&R. We often find the whole family ends up making friendships with people from all over the world, staying in touch long after the adventure ends.

Small group sizes

Intrepid’s family group sizes are small enough to avoid the crowds and reach some out-of-the-way places, but big enough for a good social mix. Our average group size of 10 allows us to hop aboard local boats, buses or trains, eat at friendly, family-run restaurants and kick back in traditional accommodation and homestays.

Action packed

We know the biggest challenge on a family trip is keeping the kids entertained. So we’ve planned in advance. Nearly all of our hotels feature pools, and each day has a great mix of action-packed adventure and flexible free time. Your local leader can also suggest activities based on your kid’s hobbies or school curriculum.

Safety first

Our leaders are specially trained to run family adventures, so you’re well taken care of. You can also rest easy knowing we conduct safety assessments on all our activities to meet local standards as well as our own comprehensive safety policy. 

Sustainable travel

We strive to use travel as a force for good. That’s why we choose to give back to the communities we visit, carbon offset all our trips and take our social and environmental responsibilities seriously. We’ve been officially certified as the world’s largest travel B Corp, which means when you choose Intrepid Travel, you can rest assured you’re travelling to improve the planet.

Grandparent favourites

Halong Bay, Vietnam

Halong Bay is more than an amazing and unique natural wonder – it's a proper escape from the world around you. Sleep under the stars on a comfortable cruise boat and enjoy a sumptuous lunch and dinner on board.

Chiang Mai, Thailand

The activities in Chiang Mai are both fun and educational. One minute you’ll be walking with rescued elephants, the next you're strolling through the sacred foothills of Chiang Dao learning about natural medicines.

Sepilok, Borneo

Head to Sepilok in Borneo for a day of monkey business with some of the region's famous orangutans. Watching young orangutans learning to climb for the first time at the Sepilok Sanctuary is a highlight.

Where we stay

We take a lot of care choosing your accommodation and try to avoid the big chain hotels. Your accommodation could be a locally run hotel in Europe, a jungle lodge in Latin America, or a small, family friendly hotel. No matter where you stay, it will be of good quality and most rooms will feature ensuites and air conditioning as standard. We also prefer hotels that provide triple or quad rooms, and always try to offer adjoining rooms for grandparents and kids when they are available.

Learn more about accommodation

Browse by type

Teenage Family Holidays

Wildlife Family Holidays

Active Family Holidays

School Holidays

Looking for a tailor-made holiday.

If you like the sound of our style of travel but would rather holiday with just your family and friends, we can help. Most of our trips are also available as private departures and come with all the excitement and inclusions of a regular departure, but we can tweak and adjust the details until they fit just right.

Get in touch with our team , who will work with you to provide the best family travel experience for you and your family. 

Read our Family FAQs

Read more about family travel, responsible travel.

Little travellers like to ask the big questions. That’s where we come in. With so much for kids (and big kids) to learn from around the world – we believe in doing our bit to bring up the next generation of responsible travellers. This means educating the travel community in low-impact, sustainable travel practices and sharing ways in which we can all travel responsibly.

Learn how to travel responsibly as a family

Emergency Banner Component

Where do you want to go?

{{ title }}

Celebration of Roses

• New Orleans and Mississippi River Country
• Spain and Portugal Tours

New for 2024: Smaller Group journeys!

Thanks to feedback from our guests, we're pleased to introduce Smaller Group departures averaging 15 guests. Limited space still available.

View Smaller Group Journeys

Behind the Scenes

A Closer Look At Tauck

Travel with the "world's best", named to the travel + leisure® "world's best awards" list for 26 consecutive years.

In each of the last 26 years, Tauck has been honored in the Travel + Leisure "World's Best Awards," celebrating the very best in luxury tours, river cruises, hotels and more. Over nearly a century, as a family-owned travel company, our values and vision have remained true to our founding tenets – and we're extremely grateful for the recognition our guests and the industry have awarded us.

Awards & Accolades

A Celebration of Roses

We could think of no better way to launch our 100th anniversary year than by bringing back A Celebration of Roses, combining small group sightseeing tracks by day with exclusive private gala evening events held in premier venues. You'll view the iconic 2025 Pasadena Tournament of Roses® Rose Parade, with an opportunity to attend the 111th annual Rose Bowl Game (at additional cost).

Best-Selling Journey in North America

America's Canyonlands

You'll experience three amazing national parks – Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, and Grand Canyon National Park – including a private yacht dinner cruise on Lake Powell and a night at a wilderness lodge on the south rim of the Grand Canyon.

View America's Canyonlands

Canadian Rockies & Glacier National Park

Guided exploration in Banff, Jasper, Kootenay, Waterton Lakes and Glacier national parks, with a wild west welcome dinner, a mountain photography lesson at Lake Louise, a private lake cruise, a ride aboard a vintage "Jammer" bus, and insider stories about the parks in filmed vignettes by Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan.

Land Tours & Cruises

Explore The Possibilities

{{whitepanel.eyebrow}}

{{whitepanel.title}}

{{whitepanel.copy}}

{{whitepanel.subtitle}}

{{whitepanel.numberoftours.landjourneys}}

LAND JOURNEYS

{{whitepanel.numberoftours.rivercruises}}

RIVER CRUISES

{{whitepanel.numberoftours.familytours}}

FAMILY TOURS

{{whitepanel.numberoftours.smallshipcruises}}

SMALL SHIP CRUISES

{{whitepanel.numberoftours.taucksevents}}

TAUCKS EVENTS

What's Trending

Canada's capitals and niagara falls.

Explore four distinctly different cities – Toronto, Ottaway, Montreal and Quebec City – with a local perspective.

Attend the 136th Rose Parade from premier seating and enjoy exclusive gala evening events throughout.

Northern Spain, Rioja Valley and Madrid

The perfect blend of art and architecture, natural beauty, historic treasures and delectable cuisine.

Spain and Portugal

Uncover the rich cultural legacies within the Iberian Peninsula that span centuries and borders.

Book Today... And Travel Dreams Begin

Discover The World

Call us, or call your travel advisor, to book your preferred departure date today – and explore our beautiful brochures to find your inspiration for your next journey.

• Destinations
• Antarctica & the Arctic
• Australia & New Zealand
• Israel & Jordan
• Latin America
• United States
• Tours & Cruises
• Exclusive Partnership
• Family Journeys
• Guest Favorites
• River Cruises
• Small Groups
• Small Ship Cruises
• Awards and Accolades
• Our History
• Tauck Impact
• The Tauck Difference
• The Taucker Blog
• About Tauck
• Media Center
• Tutorial Video
• Agent Connect
• Register Your Agency
• General Information
• Travel Protection
• Newsletter Sign Up
• Order an eGift Card
• Request a Brochure
• Tauck Forums
• Travel and Health
• Travel Updates

Sign Up to Subscribe to Our Emails

Tours That Are Surprisingly Great for Teens and Their Families

These guided tours hit the sweet spot when it comes to traveling with teens..

The Scoop: What to Know About Trafalgar Tours

Spending time together is a defining feature of a family vacation. However, if you’re the parent of a teen, you probably know that hanging out with parents is not always atop their   wish list. When my now young adult children were teens, they vacillated between wanting me to read them bedtime stories one minute to minding my own business the next. The push-pull towards independence is a delicate dance; acknowledging this as you plan your vacation can benefit the entire family. 

While there’s no magic wand when it comes to traveling with teens, guided group vacations can hit the sweet spot, and some teen-friendly tours stand out among the choices. With other teens likely to be on the trip, there’s built-in peer companionship. Tour leaders not only handle tedious details,  they’re  the ones who tell teens what time to be ready each morning and when to have supper, potentially alleviating at least some of the conflict that can arise when parents tell autonomy-craving teens what to do. 

OUR TOP PICKS: 15 Best Tour Companies

While teens are as diverse as any age group, action-packed adventures and scenery worthy of posting on social media are often at a premium, something the following trips all provide. Read on for seven hassle-free itineraries that should excite even tough-to-please teens. These teen-friendly tours have all the ingredients for a great family trip.

Intrepid’s Morocco Family Holiday

Riding camels over sweeping sand dunes and camping under the Sahara’s starry skies may sound like scenes lifted from an action movie but it’s a reality on the Intrepid tour   Morocco Family Holiday . This small group trip dives into the sights and sounds of this beautiful North African country. There’s variety woven into each day, from exploring cities like Marrakech, Fes, and Casablanca to soaking in stunning natural features, from the Atlas Mountains to the Sahara Desert. 

FAVES FOR FAMILIES: Best Tour Companies for Families

It’s a sensory immersion as you sip fresh mint tea, eat lunch in a mudbrick Kasbah, and bargain at a bazaar. Participant Eli Gruen, age 17, said “This trip was such a cool way to explore such a fascinating part of the world. From the medinas to the Roman ruins, I experienced so many great moments and had lots of laughs with the others in our group. One highlight for me was playing soccer in the streets of Meknes at dusk with our tour guide’s family!”

• Average group size:  Maximum of 16 participants
• Starting price : $1,134
• Length:  10 days, 9 nights
• What’s included:  nightly accommodations, daily breakfast, four dinners, two lunches, all scheduled activities, airport transfers, transportation within Morocco
• What’s not included:  Airfare to Morocco, meals not on the itinerary, add on activities, tips for your guide

Costa Rica Family Experience with G Adventures

Curated in conjunction with   National Geographic,  Costa Rica Family Experience   with G Adventures   immerses nature-lovers in this country’s lush flora and fauna for an educational experience that can’t be found in a classroom.

THE SCOOP: What to Know About G Adventures

Though children as young as six may participate in this kid friendly guided trip, the many active-as-you-want-to-make-them options makes it a particularly good tour for teens.  Experienced guides, known as CEOs, which stands for chief experience officers, are with you throughout. CEO Grace Guerrero says “This trip is a great balance between adventure, nature, and cultural connections. Teens will have a chance to experience horseback riding through the forest and end up at a spectacular waterfall for a swim, plus zipline across canyons. They will also have the opportunity to volunteer at Monteverde Institute and be part of the reforestation program.”

Get hands-on as you learn to make tortillas for a meal at the home of a local family. And as part of this travel program, you’ll also get plenty of chances to view wildlife, from iguanas to monkeys. There’s lots of free time built in to this itinerary, so teens who crave a moment to kick-back, perhaps at a gorgeous beach, will be satisfied.

• Average group size:  18-20, with a max of 22
• Starting price : $2,699 
• Length:  9 days, 8 nights
• What’s included:  8 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners, nightly accommodations, transportation between destinations, many activities
• What’s not included:  Airfare to Costa Rica, any meals not listed on the itinerary, a few optional activities

Canadian Rockies with Adventures by Disney

If you think Adventures by Disney guided tours are all about costumed characters and amusement rides, you’d be mistaken. The selling point is being in the skilled hands of Disney, a company that understands how to have vacation fun like no other. If you’re traveling with an energetic teen, I can speak from personal experience that the  Canadian Rockies  trip won’t disappoint. 

My son Alec and I took this trip when he was 17. Starting in Calgary, we biked, hiked, and paddled our way across majestic mountain landscapes. Standout experiences included stepping over the edge of a glass-bottom platform on the Glacier Skywalk Excursion, visiting the largest body of ice in North America at the Columbia Icefield, canoeing on the emerald-colored waters of Lake Louise, and a float trip down the Bow River. 

EXPERT STORYTELLERS: The Secret to Adventures by Disney’s Magic

Alec says “I loved everything about this trip, including snow in June! We stayed at historic hotels, like the Fairmont Banff Springs, where the breakfast buffet even had Asian options.” 

• Average group size:  30-40 guests
• Starting price : $6,349 per adult, $6,009 per child age 11 and under
• Length:  7 days, 6 nights
• What’s included:  6 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 4 dinners, upscale nightly accommodations, transportation during the trip, arrival and departure transfers, activities
• What’s not included:  Airfare, alcoholic beverages, gratuities for your guides

Teenagers in Paris: The City of Lights with Road Scholar

Skip-gen travel—grandparents traveling alone with their grandchildren—is trending. And educational non-profit Road Scholar helped pioneer this style of family travel years ago when they created Grandparent-Grandkid group adventures.

Teenagers in Paris: The City of Lights with Your Grandchild  is crafted for teens age 14-17. You’ll travel with a small group of grandparents and their teenage grandchildren, hitting bucket-list Parisian destinations such as the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe. Board a motor-coach one morning for the two-hour ride to visit Impressionist painter Claude Monet’s house and garden in Giverny. There are experiential components perfect for teen travel: I’m thinking of examples like a hands-on chocolate making class and a French language lesson with artists in Montmartre. 

Past participant Chloe Knittel, age 17, says “I had such a great time. My group and I had such a strong bond by the end of the trip. My leaders were amazing. This trip was very educational and informative, while also being very fun!”

• Average group size:  13-24 participants.
• Starting price:  $3999 per adult and $3099 per child
• Length:  9 days, 8 nights
• What’s included:  Accommodations, 17 meals, gratuities, scheduled activities 
• What’s not included:  Additional meals, trip cancellation insurance, flights

Trafalgar’s   National Parks and Native Trails of the Dakotas

For a family tour with teens who want to learn more about North America’s Indigenous Peoples, the Trafalgar itinerary  National Parks and Native Trails of the Dakotas  is a standout choice. 

You’ll visit Pine Ridge, Rosebud, and Standing Rock reservations and meet members of these Tribal Nations, who share their personal stories. This unfiltered tour doesn’t sugarcoat the history or reality of contemporary life on the reservation, where poverty, unemployment, and addiction are widespread. Teens will have a window into the traditions of the Tribal Nations through DIY experiences such as learning to make tea from wild herbs.

READ OUR REVIEW OF THIS TOUR: Trafalgar’s National Parks and Native Trails of the Dakotas

For the teens who were on my tour last summer, a morning spent with local teens who frequent the Lakota Youth Development program was a highlight. They performed an original play that amplified the intergenerational trauma they face and spoke frankly about their struggles, hopes, and dreams. 

Stops at national parks including Badlands, Mount Rushmore, and Theodore Roosevelt, make for a well-rounded itinerary. 

• Average group size:  45
• Starting price:  $3,072 with a 10% discount for guests under 18.
• What’s included:  Daily breakfast and many additional meals, including several on reservations, activities, overnight accommodations, motor-coach transportation
• What’s not included:  Flights, gratuities for your guide and driver

Tauck’s Red Rocks & Painted Canyons Tour

America’s national parks are a treasure chest. Share the wonders of nature’s handiwork in the western United States with your teens on Tauck Tours ‘ spring and summer  Red Rocks & Painted Canyons tour . 

Starting in Phoenix, you’ll journey to the Grand Canyon, Bryce, and Zion National Parks, where you’ll sample activities from horseback riding to a float trip on the Colorado River. A flightseeing adventure over Lake Powell and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is fun for adventurous teens. The trip ends in Las Vegas, where bright lights and bling will be abundant. 

AWE CLOSER TO HOME: Best U.S. Tours This Year

Genifer Katz took the trip with her family and says “Riding mules in Bryce Canyon was so much fun! I loved watching my oldest son laughing up the mountain with his Grandma. Sunrise at the Grand Canyon, steps from our hotel was just an unforgettable experience! We saw two big horn sheep and watched them playing right in front of us as the sun came up—it was truly incredible.”

• Average guided tour group size:  35
• Starting price:  $4,990
• Length:  8 days, 7 nights
• What’s included:  Gratuities, sightseeing and admissions, most meals, airport and luggage transfer, taxes
• What’s not included:  Airfare, alcoholic beverages

Norway’s Arctic Circle Region: Myths and Marvels in Helgeland Journey with Up Norway

Not every teen wants to travel with a group of strangers. If your family group prefers to vacation without a group but with logistical assistance, consider an independent tour with plenty of teen-appeal. Your family will have the assurance of round-the-clock, on-the-ground assistance combined with the flexibility and freedom that are hard to get with group travel.

Inspired by Norwegian folklore, the  Norway’s Arctic Circle Region: Myths and Marvels in Helgeland Journey   will have you cruising along pristine fjords and learning about the indigenous Sami People. Over-scheduled teens will get a taste of life in rural Norway, where slow living takes precedence. 

Torunn Tronsvang, founder of tour operator Up Norway, says “Based on the Helgeland Myth, this journey offers family adventures like fishing, hiking, snorkeling, arctic surfing, kayaking, and climbing. Teens gain insight into sustainable lifestyles, exemplified by experiences like cruising on an electric boat and enjoying farm-to-table meals.”

• Average group size:  This trip is independent
• Starting price : $5,021 
• Length:  12 days, 11 nights
• What’s included:  Many meals, accommodations, transportation within Norway, all planned activities
• What’s not included:  Airfare to Norway

More from TourScoop:

• How Much Should You Tip on a Guided Tour?
• Great Tours for People Who Hate Bus Tours
• How to Pack Your Airplane Personal Item

Road Scholar Debuts Special Trips for Retired Teachers

New Vacation Trend: European River Cruise Companies Are Now Targeting Family Travelers

New Year Tour Sales: They’re Big and They’re Limited Time

What’s tourscoop.

Tour Scoop’s team of travel experts brings you in-depth tour company overviews, tour itinerary reviews, the latest tour news, and travel tips and advice written just for guided tour travelers like you.

More about us

Tour Review: Lindblad Expeditions’ Baja California: Among the Great Whales

Whale watching is only the beginning.

Whale Photography Tips from an Expedition Cruise Photo Instructor

Taking great pics of whales is no easy task. Here are tips.

The Scoop: What to Know About G Adventures

Award-winning small-group adventure-travel tours are the G Adventures specialty.

The Scoop: What to Know About Intrepid Travel

Local experts, a focus on sustainability, and immersive small group experiences help set Intrepid Travel apart from other tour operators.

Emergency Banner Component

Alaska: Call of the Wild

Select Year

Select a Year

Select the year you would like to travel.

• 2024 Classic
• 2025 Classic

Accommodations

• Pricing & Availability
• Important Info

Uniquely Tauck

Flightsee over the soaring peaks of Denali National Park

TAUCK VALUE INCLUDES

Gratuities to Tauck Director, drivers, and local guides

Go on a geocaching treasure hunt

Kayaking, river rafting and hiking on the Kenai Peninsula, known as "Alaska's Playground"  

Meet sled dogs in training

SEE WHAT YOUR JOURNEY INCLUDES

Active components such as hiking, bicycling and walking longer distances may be included, and hills and/or uneven terrain may be encountered on several days. Guests should be able to walk two to three miles and stand for long periods of time with no difficulty.

Often robust – may include long days, active sightseeing, early starts, evening activities, significant travel times.

World Travel. Family Discovery.

Alaskan family fun sunrise to sunset... meet champion Iditarod sled dogs… take a flightseeing tour over Denali National Park… go jet boating, wilderness hiking, kayaking... take a rail trip... spot Alaska's magnificent wildlife…. learn about native Alaskans and their rich cultural heritage…

Meet the iditarod sled dogs, flightseeing over denali national park, wilderness scavenger hunt in talkeetna, pan for gold at crow creek gold mine.

Download, Print Or Share

Take The Details With You

Download day-by-day details.

All the information you need for this journey at your fingertips – day-by-day details, map, hotel descriptions, key highlights and more.

Where you stay is an important part of your journey – with Tauck, accommodations have been handpicked and carefully selected for their location and ambiance, enhancing the destinations you explore. Download accommodation details and your travel plans begin!

Tour Planner

Download the details to make planning your trip easier - including an itinerary overview, pricing based on your selected departure date and accommodations, plus protection plan costs.

Request A Tour Planner

Overnight Accommodations

Extend your stay

Arrive Early

The hotel captain cook.

Anchorage, Alaska

Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge

Talkeetna, Alaska

Seward Windsong Lodge

Seward, Alaska

The Hotel Alyeska

Girdwood, Alaska

Your Journey

Pricing & Availability

Pricing & Dates are not available yet. Please check back soon.

No departures found.

Try using less filters or select a different year.

Want More Detailed Information?

Request a Tour Planner

Call 800-788-7885

About Booking This Tour

Travel Documents

Real ID Act - Effective May 7, 2025

Beginning in May 2025, some state IDs will no longer permit you to board a domestic flight. Currently, some states are compliant, some have received extensions, and some are not compliant.  Click here  to see the status of your state. If your state license is not compliant, you can use a passport in lieu of a valid state ID. 

Please Note:  The federal government has extended the deadline to May 7, 2025 for domestic airline passengers to secure a Real ID driver's license for use as identification at the airport. Travelers without a verified license or ID card will also have the option of showing other identity documents, such as a passport or military ID to board a plane.

If you are traveling by land or sea to join and depart from this tour within the U.S., you will need to consult with your Tauck Reservations Sales Consultant or your travel agent to determine what travel documentation, if any, is required.

If you are a frequent traveler to the U.S. from Canada, you may benefit from the NEXUS program, as mentioned above, which is a joint initiative between the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency and the Canada Border Services Agency that allows pre-screened and approved travelers faster processing at designated highway lanes in high-volume border crossing locations, at a NEXUS kiosk at international airports, and at certain marine reporting locations in the Great Lakes and Seattle regions. For further information, you may log on to the Nexus Internet website by clicking here.

If you are not a U.S. citizen, you should contact an embassy or consulate of the U.S. to determine what travel documentation is necessary. You may also log on to the U.S. State Department's Internet site by clicking  here.

We strongly recommend that your passport be valid for six months beyond the completion of your tour. We also recommend that you make at least two photocopies of all the travel documents that you bring with you. Include copies of the photo page of your passport that contains the date of issuance, the date of expiration and your citizenship. Secure one set of copies in the safe in your room while traveling and leave one set behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your documents or cards are misplaced, lost or stolen.

To facilitate Travel Requirements, destinations are increasingly utilizing online forms that require digital proof that you've successfully completed your submission (via an email, QR code, etc.) To ensure smooth travels and peace of mind, we strongly recommend all guests carry a personal smart phone and sign up for international data plans before traveling overseas.

Note: For activities marked with an asterisk (*) in day-by-day descriptions, participation is at your own risk; a signed liability waiver will be required.

TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN AS A GUARDIAN: If you are traveling as the guardian of a child/children, we strongly suggest that you carry a letter from both parents of the child authorizing emergency treatment in the event of illness or accident. For travel abroad, many foreign countries have specific entry requirements for children under 21 who are traveling internationally without BOTH parents. (These requirements are in response to the increased incidence of children being abducted and taken abroad.) PLEASE NOTE THAT TAUCK IS NOT RESPONSIBLE for the disruption of travel caused by improper documentation for children traveling without both parents.

How to Book a Tour

See your travel advisor, or call Tauck at 800-468-2825 to make a reservation.

At the time of booking, please have the following information ready for all members of your party:

• Tour Name and Departure Date
• Traveler's Name: First and last names as they appear on your passport or driver's license
• Traveler's Address(es)
• Email Address*
• Traveler's Phone Number(s)*
• Emergency Contact Information: Please provide the name and phone number  of a relative or friend (not travelling with you) whom we could contact during the tour in the unlikely event of an emergency
• Interest in purchasing a travel protection plan (US and Canada)
• Interest in extending your trip by staying in a Tauck recommended hotel before your trip begins or after it ends
• Interest in our specially negotiated airfares

* Required Fields

Deposit & Final Payment

The deposit and the fees for the optional Protection Plan or Cancel Fee Waiver [CFW] coverage are due at time of booking.

The deposit amount is $350 per person

Final Payment:

Final Payment is due to Tauck 60 days before departure for lands trips, and 120 days before departure for cruises and rail journeys. If your deposit was made by credit card, final payment will be automatic unless you opted out at time of booking. Bookings without full payment at this time may be subject to cancellation without notice. Failure to make payment will be a considered a cancellation by the guest and all applicable cancellation fees will apply.

Final Payment is due to Tauck 90 days before departure for lands trips, and 120 days before departure for cruises and rail journeys. If your deposit was made by credit card, final payment will be automatic unless you opted out at time of booking. Bookings without full payment at this time may be subject to cancellation without notice. Failure to make payment will be a considered a cancellation by the guest and all applicable cancellation fees will apply.

Travel Protection Plan

Effective for plans purchased as of July 1, 2021:

Cancellation Waiver – Provided by Tauck:

Under Tauck's Cancellation Fee Waiver you can cancel your tour for ANY REASON up to the day before departure and receive a money-back refund (except in Extreme Circumstances*) on the land tour cost, based on your original method of payment.

*Extreme Circumstances:  In the event of an act of God, war (whether declared or undeclared), terrorism, accident, natural disaster, outbreak of disease, or other event or circumstance beyond our control that contributes to or results in cancellation rates above our historical cancellation rates in the absence of such event or occurrence, Tauck reserves the right to issue a credit to you in lieu of a money-back refund, applicable to a future Tauck journey.

Travel Insurance Benefits – Underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company.

• Trip Cancellation –  If you must cancel your tour due to a covered reason, the plan provides coverage for the amount you paid for your travel arrangements. Since the non-insurance cancellation waiver takes care of the land package cancellation fees already, this benefit reimburses the airfare cancellation charges up to the value of your original airfare purchase.
• Trip Interruption –  If you have to interrupt your tour for covered reasons, the plan provides reimbursement for up to $5,000 to catch up to your tour or return home.
• Travel Delay –  Provides reimbursement for missed, prepaid travel arrangements if you are delayed by a common carrier, natural disaster, unannounced strike, or other reasons as cited in the plan.
• Medical Expense –  Reimburses covered medical expenses incurred in the event you become injured or sick during your trip. 
• Baggage / Personal Effects Protection –  Provides reimbursement in the event your luggage or personal effects are, lost, stolen, damaged or delayed during your trip.

Worldwide Emergency Assistance Services –  Provided by Carefree Travel Assistance; 24-hour emergency telephone assistance hotline for medical and travel related problems.

The cost of Tauck's Guest Protection is: $329

This protection provides insurance coverage that applies only during the covered trip. You may have coverage from other sources that provides you with similar benefits but may be subject to different restrictions depending upon your other coverages. You may wish to compare the terms of this policy with your existing life, health, home and automobile policies. If you have any questions about your current coverage, call your insurer, insurance agent or broker.

This optional Guest Protection must be requested at time of booking and fee must be included with initial payment. Fees are based on costs as of July 2021, and are subject to change. Details will be provided with written confirmation of your tour reservation. Guest Protection does not protect travel agent commissions. Reimbursements will be made according to original method of payment. The amount of any refund shall be reduced by any recoveries obtained by you from any third parties.

The Guest Protection plan waives cancellation fees outlined below, provided we are notified of cancellation before your tour departs. Tour cancellation fees are waived regardless of reason, without written notice, and Tauck will refund land tour cost.

To obtain your state-specific Certificate of Insurance that contains the complete terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the certificate, visit  affinitytravelcert.com/docs/TACGPPDOM .

If You Have To Cancel

If you cancel within 10 days of initial deposit Within the first 10 days after you place your initial deposit, you may cancel your reservation for any reason with no cancellation fees. If you cancel more than 10 days after initial deposit Regardless of reason, cancellations result in costly charges from our travel and hotel providers covering penalties and fees incurred by canceling confirmed bookings. These fees vary from tour to tour. Therefore, the following fees apply.

Cancellation Fees with Tauck's Guest Protection Plan:

Loss of Guest Protection fee, per person

Cancellation Fees without Tauck's Guest Protection Plan :

90 days or more before departure = $350 per person

89-8 days before departure = $600 per person

7-1 days before departure = $900 per person

Time of cancellation  will be when notice is received in our Wilton Woods, CT office.

In the event of an unforeseen circumstance beyond our control,  Tauck reserves the right to amend the cancellation terms outlined herein.

Note:  All Guests, regardless of residency, who book a Tauck journey have the option of purchasing the Cancellation Fee Waiver provided by Tauck in the event they need to cancel their trip after making their reservations. Tauck's Guest Protection, which includes both the Cancellation Fee Waiver and the Travel Insurance Benefits and Assistance Services described above, is not available to residents of Puerto Rico.

Travel Terms and Conditions

Click here  to find Tauck's Travel Terms & Conditions.

Travel Requirements For This Tour

Air Information and Luggage Restrictions

AIRFARE: Airfare to and from this destination is not included in the journey cost. If purchasing your air elsewhere, it is very important to provide us with your confirmed arriving and departing flight information no later than 3 weeks before your arrival date. Flight information can be submitted to Tauck (or verified, if you've already provided it) in the My Account section of Tauck.com. TAUCK AIRPORT TRANSFERS  are included at the start and end of the journey between the airport and the Tauck hotel. Airport transfers are available for any pre tour or post tour hotel stays immediately consecutive to the tour, providing flight information is received in the Tauck office no later than three weeks in advance. Details on locating your transfer upon arrival to the tour start city will be included in your final documents. AIRLINES and CHECKED LUGGAGE: Due to space limitations during your Tauck journey, we ask that you please limit your checked luggage to one average-size suitcase per person. Besides complying with the Tauck restriction noted above, you should also be sure to research and comply with all airline baggage restrictions relating to your flights to and from your Tauck journey. Airlines have become much more strict in enforcing size and weight limits in recent years, and are free to revise luggage policies without notice. Researching and complying with airline luggage restrictions is the responsibility of the guest, and Tauck cannot be held responsible for any costs or disruptions to travel caused by the failure to research and comply with airline policies. PLEASE NOTE that if you are booked on a tour that includes on-tour flights, the checked luggage weight restrictions for these flights may be lower than the weight restrictions for your international flights.

Due to space restrictions, we ask that you please limit your checked luggage to one suitcase per person weighing no more than 50 pounds (23 kg) and with overall dimensions (length + width + height) not exceeding 62 inches (158 cm).

Besides complying with the Tauck restriction noted above, you should also be sure to research and comply with all airline baggage restrictions relating to your flights to and from your Tauck journey. Airlines have become much more strict in enforcing size and weight limits in recent years, and luggage exceeding airline standards for size or weight may result in expensive overage fees or other consequences.

Airlines are free to revise luggage policies without notice, and certain airlines have different baggage allowances for different classes of service. Researching and complying with airline luggage restrictions is the responsibility of the guest, and Tauck cannot be held responsible for any costs or disruptions to travel caused by the failure to research and comply with airline policies.

Tauck luggage tags will be provided by your Tauck Director on Day 1 of your itinerary. Please do not attach a Tauck luggage tag to any carry-on items, as the Tauck tags designate luggage that is to be handled and transferred by ground operators and hotel staff during your journey.

Carry-on Luggage - General 

Although oversize bags and wheeled, carry-on luggage are popular for airline travel, they are often not convenient or appropriate for motor coach travel or for many on-tour flights. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc. 

For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and that you bring only those items you need handy during the day such as make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or on the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may be inaccessible during daytime travel.

Health, Safety and Mobility

Please check with your health insurance provider to determine whether you are covered while traveling. If you will not be covered under your current policy, we strongly suggest that you arrange for adequate coverage while on tour.

Please advise your Tauck Director on tour if you or the children traveling with you have any serious allergies. You may want to bring along children's aspirin or medicines as a precaution, as access to these may be limited.

If you have a medical condition that might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify us as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly.

Please check with your health insurance provider to determine whether you are covered while traveling. If you will not be covered under your current policy, we strongly suggest that you arrange for adequate coverage while on tour

If you are a resident of another country traveling to or within the U.S.,  no vaccinations are currently required for travel to the U.S. For complete vaccination and inoculation information, contact your physician, the public health service in your area, or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. The Travelers' Health Section of the CDC operates a 24-hour "Travelers' Health Hotline" at 800-232-4636 (toll-free in the U.S.). You may also log on to the CDC website by clicking  here .

This is a very active journey. You should be in good health and able to walk reasonable distances over uneven terrain, as some of the most memorable sightseeing can only be accomplished on foot. However, for the most part, the amount of walking you do at the various sites and towns is at your discretion.

Some of the excursions on this tour are:

• A two-hour jet boat ride on the Susitna River
• A flightseeing journey over the foothills of Denali
• A glacier adventure cruise on Prince William Sound
• A train ride on the Alaska Railroad to Whittier
• A float trip on a raft

The wilderness lodges are spread out and they require significant walking to maneuver around the various facilities.

We regret that we're unable to provide individual assistance to guests with walking difficulties or other personal needs.  The responsibility of the Tauck Director who accompanies your trip is to ensure that the larger group enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing individual assistance to any one guest.  Guests requiring such individualized assistance must be accompanied by an able-bodied companion who can provide it.

The restaurants, hotels, caterers and numerous other partners we work with all do their best to accommodate special dietary requests from Tauck guests. However, given the diverse nature of those food providers (from small wineries to grand hotels to world-famous restaurants in more than 70 countries worldwide), some of our partners are better able than others to accommodate such requests. We therefore cannot guarantee that all dietary requests can be accommodated at every meal. Also, please note that where dietary requests can be accommodated, choices will frequently be limited.

Reading List

We have compiled a reading list of recommended books to give you more information about the destinations you will be traveling to on your upcoming journey!

You can view the reading list  here .

Weather will be varied and unpredictable in Alaska. Average high temperatures range from 60 to 70°F (16 to 21°C) during the summer months; average low temperatures range from 40 to 50°F (4 to 10°C). An extremely warm day can reach 90°F (32°C). Rainfall is moderate in Anchorage where the rainiest months are August through September. The rainy months in Denali NP are June through August. Southeastern Alaska has the most rainfall, although it occurs mostly during the fall and winter months.

What To Pack

Bringing the right clothing for your trip is important – we've partnered with Necessary Gear who provide an "easy-to-use, one-stop shop" for your Tauck travel needs, specifically selected for this trip.  Click here to visit their site .

Dress for comfort and convenience with a wardrobe that is flexible and allows for layering. Casual, cotton clothing is recommended. A sweatshirt and rain-resistant jacket should be enough protection against the morning and evening chill. Although the weather is mild in the summer months, be prepared for a wide range of temperatures. The maritime weather of the Kenai Peninsula is often overcast and damp. Most importantly, bring comfortable yet sturdy walking shoes that have already been broken-in. 

The Hotel Alyeska and Hotel Captain Cook provide valet laundry services. The Talkeetna Alaska Lodge and Kenai Princess have coin-operated laundry facilities. 

We recommend that you pack an adequate supply of your prescription medication in its original container to last through your entire journey, together with a copy of your doctor's prescription (or a letter from your health-care provider on office stationery explaining that the medication has been prescribed for you), a list of the generic names of your medication, your travel documents and a change of clothing in your carry-on bag to avoid any inconvenience in the event that your flight or luggage is delayed. 

Following is a list of recommended items to pack for your journey in Alaska: 

• Comfortable yet sturdy walking shoes that have already been broken-in (very important!)

• Rain gear - Raincoat, rain hat and umbrella

• Shorts and long pants or jeans

• Short and long-sleeved cotton shirts

• Tee shirts

• Light sweater

• Light-weight jacket

• Fleece jacket or warm sweatshirt

• Warm hat, gloves and socks

• Windbreaker for the raft trip

• Swimwear

• Sunglasses, sunscreen and sun hat

• Insect repellent

• Camera, lenses, batteries, memory cards and chargers

• Telephoto lens

• Binoculars

• Bridges Backpack and/or fanny-pack

• Copies of your travel documents that should be secured in the safe in your room while traveling 

Each child 17 and under will be sent a complimentary backpack from Tauck Bridges! If the child resides in the continental United States, the backpack will be sent to his or her home approximately two weeks prior to the tour departure date (please note backpacks cannot be sent to P.O. boxes). If the child resides outside of the continental U.S., including Hawaii and Alaska, the backpack will be waiting on arrival at the first hotel on your itinerary.

The Tauck Experience

Never Settle For Ordinary

One upfront price, tauck directors – simply the best, leave your worries at home.

• {{ forumDate }} {{ forumTopic }} ({{ totalForumComments }})

From the Forum

Book Today... And Travel Dreams Begin

Discover The World

Call us, or call your travel advisor, to book your preferred departure date today – and explore our beautiful brochures to find your inspiration for your next journey.

Related Journeys

Other Journeys You May Enjoy

Galapagos: wildlife wonderland.

From $7,590

Tauck Bridges Family Travel

Wonders of the Canadian Rockies

From $5,890

Grand Alaska

From $7,570

Land Journey

• Destinations
• Antarctica & the Arctic
• Australia & New Zealand
• Israel & Jordan
• Latin America
• United States
• Tours & Cruises
• Exclusive Partnership
• Family Journeys
• Guest Favorites
• River Cruises
• Small Groups
• Small Ship Cruises
• Awards and Accolades
• Our History
• Tauck Impact
• The Tauck Difference
• The Taucker Blog
• About Tauck
• Media Center
• Tutorial Video
• Agent Connect
• Register Your Agency
• General Information
• Travel Protection
• Newsletter Sign Up
• Order an eGift Card
• Request a Brochure
• Tauck Forums
• Travel and Health
• Travel Updates

Sign Up to Subscribe to Our Emails