With seeing more of the U.S. as a top travel trend this year, National Parks are taking the stage, yet again as a prime destination for family vacations. In this episode of Theme Parks & Passports, host Melissa Sanchez dives into the rise of U.S. guided touring with Denise Fraind of Globus, exploring why traveling your backyard can be just as exciting as Europe or Asia. From Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon to Alaska, Hawaii, and beyond, Denise breaks down how guided tours offer easier logistics, insider access, flexible pacing, and small-group options that make seeing America’s most iconic destinations simpler and more immersive. Whether you’re a first-time tour traveler, planning a multigenerational trip, or looking for a smarter way to experience U.S. National Parks, this episode covers everything you need to know about touring America, without the hassle.
Key Takeaways
Guided U.S. National Park tours remove the biggest travel pain points. Touring with Globus eliminates driving long distances, navigating park reservations, and worrying about logistics—allowing travelers to see more of America’s National Parks with less stress and better access.
U.S. touring is no longer one-size-fits-all Today’s U.S. guided tours offer small-group options, flexible excursions, and off-season “escape” itineraries, making National Park travel ideal for families, solo travelers, and multigenerational groups planning trips in 2026 and beyond.
America’s National Parks are a top domestic travel trend for 2026 From Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon to Alaska and Hawaii, U.S. National Park tours continue to surge as travelers prioritize bucket-list destinations, immersive experiences, and smarter ways to explore the United States.
Resources:
Globus Family of Brands
Globus - https://www.globusjourneys.com
Cosmos - https://www.cosmos.com
Avalon River Cruising - https://www.avalonwaterways.com
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/globustravel/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/globus
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/Globusfamily
Connect with Hosts:
This podcast! https://themeparksandpassports.com/
Melissa’s company, Spellbound Vacations, LLC: https://spellboundvacations.com/
Heidi’s company, House of Mackey Travel: https://houseofmackeytravel.com/
Melissa on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spellbound_vacationsllc/
Heidi on Instagram: http://instagram.com/houseofmackeytravel
Key Episode Timestamps:
[00:00:00] Welcome to Theme Parks and Passports
[00:01:24] Introduction to the episode guest, Denise Fraind, Business Development Manager of the Globus Family of Brands
[00:03:22] Why U.S. National Park tours are a major travel trend
[00:04:00] Differences between Globus and Cosmos touring styles
[00:05:20] How guided tours compare to driving National Parks yourself
[00:06:47] Small group tours, flexibility, and free time on U.S. itineraries
[00:10:43] Travel trends for 2026: solo, multigenerational, and families
[00:13:22] Canyon Country Adventure Tour recap: Grand Canyon, Zion & Bryce
[00:16:25] Most popular U.S. National Park tours, including Yellowstone & Alaska
[00:20:27] History and music-focused U.S. tours you may not expect
[00:24:00] Special event tours and off-season “Escape” itineraries explained
Music is Homesick by Luke Bergs & Waesto and Ukulele Trip Version 60s