Looking for a fresh take on adventure travel? Ranch holidays could be your perfect escape. Imagine the exhilarating highs of horse riding and cattle drives set against the stunning backdrop of North America's great outdoors. It's a unique way to experience the continent, far removed from the typical theme parks and bustling cities.
Arizona
White Stallion Ranch, Tuscon
Only two hours from Phoenix Airport, this characterful property offers horse riding, rock climbing, and archery, plus amazing family facilities, including a games room. This all-inclusive stay has a brilliant Adventure Package embracing the activities mentioned plus meals, available on a four-night minimum stay. Rooms have private patios with views of the cactus gardens, mountains, or corrals, and many have patio fireplaces, making them the perfect place to recharge after a day in the wild.
Tanque Verde Ranch, Tuscon
With plenty of horse riding and trekking on the agenda, this place is halfway between a ranch and a resort, with more comfortable and spacious accommodation than some options, all designed with traditional Santa Fe-style architecture. It has a full kids’ activity programme, with fun things to do for all ages, from grooming horses to desert discovery trips and guided fishing. Meanwhile, you can sneak off and enjoy some time in the spa and book in for a rejuvenating treatment.
Grand Canyon Western Ranch, Meadview
This is another very accessible option only two hours from Las Vegas and just 16km from the Western Rim of the Grand Canyon. It’s a particularly good choice with younger children, with cowboy musicians singing by campfires and lots of activities to keep them entertained. Once owned by a notorious 19th-century gunfighter, this Old West-style resort occupying a secluded cattle ranch has cowboy-themed decor and pine cabins with porches and fireplaces or wood-burning stoves.
Utah
Sorrel River Ranch, Moab
This adventure playground is upmarket and offers a more luxurious take on ranch life. It has an on-site activities coordinator, which makes it easy to plan exciting activities for the whole family. One popular activity is where kids can learn to be a wrangler – feeding and watering, collecting eggs from the chickens, and caring for the horses, ponies, and other farm animals. It’s a great experience to get them closer to nature and learning essential ranch skills in a fun way.
Montana
320 Guest Ranch, Gallatin Gateway
Close to Yellowstone and Big Sky, this is perfect for those wanting a classic ranch experience suited to a less flexible budget, as you only pay for the activities you specifically want to do. It also has a selection of log cabins to choose from and changing programmes for the different seasons. Think horse riding and fly fishing, plus made-from-scratch, innovative food at McGill’s Restaurant and Saloon.
Wyoming
Spring Creek Ranch, Jackson Hole
Great for multigenerational families, who can book private horse rides together, this popular property has mountain villas with up to five bedrooms – and you might even see a moose in your backyard! It’s also very handy for the natural delights of the Grand Teton National Park. Visit during the winter and you can take part in activities such as skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and ice-skating.
To book your epic ranch holiday in the USA or Canada, call your Travel Counsellor today.
Winter sun doesn't have to mean the same destinations year after year. Whether you're dreaming of tropical islands, unforgettable wildlife encounters, bustling cities, or beaches that stretch for miles, there are plenty of destinations that come into their own during winter. If you're already thinking about your next escape, here are five winter sun destinations worth adding to your travel wish list.
When most people think of Thailand, they picture the dry, busy months - the packed beaches, the long queues at temples, the peak-season prices. But, outside of these peak months, Thailand’s green season reveals a softer, more atmospheric side of the country. The landscapes deepen in colour, the pace eases, and familiar places begin to feel more spacious, from temple courtyards and hillside trails to palm-fringed beaches.
Choosing where to stay can completely change the feel of an Algarve holiday. Beyond the region’s larger resorts, there are whitewashed villas overlooking the Atlantic, converted village houses in the countryside, intimate design hotels, and peaceful coastal retreats. From the fishing village of Salema to the quieter landscapes around Vila do Bispo and Lagos, these four stays each offer their own take on southern Portugal, whether you want the freedom of a villa, easy access to the beach, or somewhere small and characterful to come back to after a day exploring.
