New booking data from Backroads shows rising demand for trips from September to November as travellers increasingly look beyond peak summer vacations.
The shoulder-season period has been steadily gaining in popularity with autumn now one of Backroads’ fastest-growing times of year for travel. Fall reservations have increased more than 30% since 2023, prompting the company to expand its lineup of biking, hiking/walking and multi-adventure trips for fall 2026 and 2027.
For active travellers, spring and autumn often bring the conditions they value most: milder weather, fewer visitors, easier access to iconic sites and better opportunities to interact with local communities. In many destinations, shoulder season can also offer favourable pricing and a chance to experience a place at a more relaxed pace.
“I’m a big fan of fall travel,” said Tom Hale, founder, president and CEO of Backroads.
“The landscapes are changing, communities settling back into their routines and the milder weather is ideal for biking and hiking. It’s a season that reminds me what makes travel so special no matter where you’re going.”
Many of Backroads’ top-selling fall adventures feature hotels in destinations such as Croatia, Italy and Portugal. These trips pair properties with active exploration of the local culture and natural landscapes during a less crowded time of year.
Examples are the Regent Porto Montenegro, featured on the Croatia to Montenegro Multi-Adventure Tour, Quinta da Comporta, featured on Portugal’s Algarve & Alentejo Multi-Adventure Tour, and Il San Corrado di Noto, featured on the Sicily Bike Tour.
For many travellers, the arrival of fall is more than a change in seasons, it’s a reason to travel. In the US and Canada, the Northeast, Carolinas and Quebec offer standout fall foliage, local harvest traditions and classic autumn scenery. Some of the best Backroads trips for fall foliage include: Acadia National Park Glamping Multi-Adventure Tour in Maine, The Carolinas Bike Tour, Vermont Hiking & Walking Tour and Vermont to Quebec Bike Tour.
In Northern Europe, the season brings cool nights, dramatic landscapes and comfortable conditions for outdoor activities, along with the chance to see the northern lights in Backroads destinations like Finland, Norway, Sweden and Iceland. Backroads offers Northern Lights Hiking & Walking Tours for couples, friends and solos, families with teens and 20s as well as in its women’s adventures collection.
November Down Under is springtime; an ideal time to explore Australia and New Zealand, with everything from alpine hikes in crisp mountain air to beach walks along rugged coastlines and explorations of the Southern Hemisphere’s wild landscapes. Backroads trips to New Zealand’s South Island and Australia’s Tasmania are among its most popular during the month.
Fall is one of the best times to explore Europe with family and friends, thanks to milder weather, fewer crowds and a wide range of private trip options. Travellers can make any Backroads itinerary exclusive to their group and choose from dozens of departures in Greece, Italy and Spain, along with other regions this season. For groups with fewer than 12 guests, Backroads Small Group Savings offer added value, with fall departures still available for booking, as well as 2027 trips.
