Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and we can’t think of a better gift for your significant other than an adventure tour to a romantic destination. Just picture yourselves biking the great outdoors together, exploring a new country and enjoying gourmet dinners and magnificent wines as your reward in the evening.

Here are our top 3 recommendations for a surprise Valentine’s Day vacation with Backroads:

Loire Valley Biking — With its fairytale castles full of towers and turrets at every turn, this is your chance to play princess and knight in shining armor. The Loire Valley in France is a countryside full of castles like the romantic Chateau de Chenonceau built in the 1500s and the home of the king’s mistress Diane de Poitiers and later Queen Catherine de Medici. We’ll also visit Chinon, known for its full-bodied red wines, and Leonardo da Vinci’s last residence, Clos Luce. Join hands as we head to the centuries-old wine cave and enjoy quintessential French cuisine throughout the France bike tour. The trip is 6 days and 5 nights and runs April through October.

Bali Biking – Looking for an exotic Valentine’s getaway to a warm weather locale? Look no farther than Bali! On our Bali bike tour, couples can swim in the famed Blue Lagoon, visit an ancient temple and cycle past lush green landscapes in Bali where romance is sure to bloom. Enjoy the adventure of rafting the Ayung River, cycling up a volcano and relaxing at the spa. The trip is 8 days and 7 nights and runs March-April, October and December.

Wine Country Biking – Closer to home, rekindle the romance on our California Wine Country bike tour. Pedal along rolling hills and endless vineyards and enjoy a picnic under the majestic redwoods. Of course, there’ll be plenty of wine to taste along the way. Our 6-day, 5-night wine country biking tour heads through Sonoma and Napa and along the coast, and includes several Michelin-restaurant starred meals. This is one of our more popular trips and it runs March through December.

When you travel with Backroads, we provide the ultimate in service with three trip leaders and two support vans on every trip to move baggage from hotel to hotel and provide you with anything you need from a snack to a ride to a bike repair. You focus on the romance; we’ll focus on the details J.

Hurry and call us soon at 800-462-2848 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Pacific to surprise your sweetie with a Backroads adventure tour of a lifetime on Valentine’s Day!

You’ve heard about Paris in the springtime, right? Well, that holds for most of Europe, as well! We love traveling Europe in the spring, as the weather is just right for an active tour, and most of the crowds haven’t arrive quite yet. Of course, we like to take the “backroads,” so you’ll mostly avoid the crowds with us anyway!

Some other benefits of taking a European hiking tour or a European bike tour during this time of year include the fact that airfares are often lower in spring (not to mention there are fewer people on the planes) and you have a better chance of meeting more locals. Most Europeans vacation in summer, plus the nice weather has them out and about, allowing you to strike up a conversation as you hike past or hop off your bike.

Where to go? Here are some of Backroads’ top active tours for Europe in the spring:

Loire Valley – Can you picture this magnificent land of castles in all its glory with lush green grasses, gardens in full bloom and migrating birds? That’s the Loire Valley in spring. Take a Loire Valley biking tour with us for the chance to see these beautiful castles in the open air, indulge in top-notch French cuisine, explore vineyards, and if you take our Loire Valley family biking tour, try your hand at fencing! The Loire Valley tours run March through October 2013.

Provence – Ah, Provence, what isn’t there to like? On a spring Provence tour, expect to see the cherry orchards and almond trees blossoming as you hike Provence or bike Provence under a bright sunny sky. Try our new Provence Biking tour, which takes you from the windswept Alpilles to perched Luberon Villages. Pedal past red-tiled roofs, vineyards and 12^th century castles and ruins, and enjoy delectable French cuisine. Other options include our Provence Walking and Hiking Tour, our Provence and Costa Brava Walking and Hiking Tour, which takes you into Spain, and our original Provence Biking Tour through the Cotes du Rhone vineyards, Crillon Le Brave and the Luberon.

Tuscany – Travel Tuscany in March and look forward to blooming azaleas and camellias to add to the overwhelming beauty already offered by the Italian countryside. Whether you like to walk, bike or cook, Backroads has a Tuscany tour for you! Our new Tuscany Cooking and Walking tour lets you cook with Italian nonne (grandmas), sample honey made by monks, tour a working cheese farm and work off all the calories as you hike to your next destination.

Spain – Can you smell the orange trees in bloom, yet? You will when you arrive in Spain in spring! The almond trees, as in France, cherry trees and camellias are also blooming. There’s also a host of religious and secular festivals that happen in spring, so as you walk or bike past a small town or village, you just might come across a wonderful local celebration. Backroads offers many Spain tours like Andalucia Biking, Mallorca Biking, Pyrenees to Costa Brava Biking and Spain Hiking. Which will you choose?

Greece – Our Greece Biking Tour takes you to the gorgeous island of Crete, where spring means lots and lots of wildflowers. What better way to see them than pedaling past and smelling their sweet scent? On our Crete biking tour, you can ride coast to coast, relax at the beach, see ancient ruins and sample olive oil. Departures begin in March.

What do you bring to mind when you think of Europe in the springtime? If you’ve never experienced it, please join us on a European biking tour or a European walking tour and enjoy this wonderful time of year to travel across the pond. For more information on booking an active European vacation in the spring, give us a call 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Pacific at 800-462-2848. See you beside the blooming f

Sicily often gets ignored besides some of the more popular Italian tour destinations, like Tuscany, Rome and Venice. But this jewel of an island, sitting off the Italian coast, is a draw all its own and that’s why we added a Sicily biking tour for families to our 2013 active travel line-up.

The Italian bike tour, which runs March through June, lets parents enjoy an active European family vacation while keeping the kids plenty occupied and learning a lot without even realizing it!

On the Sicily family tour, groups will bike past Mount Etna (Did you know it’s Europe’s largest volcano? Shh, don’t tell the kids they learned something J!), taste freshly-made olive oil, stroll through a local fish market and tour Siracusa’s old city, Ortygia.

Sound too boring for kids? Just wait! They’ll have a chance to paint pottery in Caltagirone, inhabited since the Bronze Age, where we’ll also race them to climb 142 stairs; dance to local folk music; hit the countryside in Jeeps; bake biscotti; and try to eat their gelato before it melts! There’s even a scavenger hunt just for the kids in the town of Ragusa Ibla, and your family will get to visit two World Heritage sites. Oh, and they get to eat pizza with French fries on top. That’ll make a great story to tell their friends when they return home!

Spring break is a great time of year to travel to Sicily, especially for those from cooler climes who are looking for a warm weather getaway. The flowers are in bloom from the blossoming almond trees to fragrant citrus trees and wild rosemary. It’s a wonderful time to be out in the open air on your bike so you can take in the wonderful smells all around you.

Plus, you don’t have to worry about the kids plopped on the couch playing video games all spring break. They’ll be out in the sun, getting exercise, expanding their mind and learning a wealth of new things no textbook could teach them.

There now, have we convinced you that your family should come biking in Sicily with us this spring? Good, now call us to book it right away before you change your mind! Call us 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Pacific at 800-462-2848 and start counting down the days till spring break. Ciao!

We know a handful of celebrities who’ve made Italian lakes into national news. George Clooney would be one! These lakes are definitely hot spots among the elite due to their beautiful landscape and scenery.

You can pretend to be a star yourself when you join Backroads for our Italian Lakes Hiking Tour. This walking and hiking tour takes you along Italy’s “great” lakes: Maggiore, Como (Clooney’s favorite), Lugano and Orta.

Start your Italian hiking trip at Lake Orta (in Italian lago d’Orta) and explore the medieval hamlet town of Orta San Giulio. This area inspired the likes of Flaubert and Tchaikovsky and you’ll see why! Enjoy dinner and accommodations at Villa Crespi, built in 1879 and known for its Mediterranean cuisine.

On Day 2, you’ll hike 4000 feet above Lakes Ort and Maggiore and visit the towns of Stresa and Isola Bella, famous for its fountains and art. The next couple of days let you stroll past chapels and bridges on this Lago Maggiore walk, enjoy a wine tasting, see huge villas and castle ruins and take a ferry to Bellagio, “the pearl of the lake.”  There, you’ll get some cooking tips from a local chef.

On your final two days, head to Villa Melzi, one of Lake Como’s grand estates (sorry, it’s not George Clooney’s J), visit a farm known for its cheeses, milk and yogurt for a local lunch, and explore an 18^th century villa.

During your hike of the Italian lakes, you’ll get to spend your evenings at lovely villas and hotels, including the Grand Hotel des lles Borromees, the setting for part of Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms; and the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni, built in 1872 as a retreat for an aristocratic family and featuring Murano chandeliers.

Which lake do you think will be your favorite? It’s pretty difficult to choose, we have to warn you!

Call us at 800-462-2848 7 a.m.- 5 p.m. Pacific to reserve your spot on this Italy hiking tour. Departures run throughout May, June, August, September and October of 2013. Let us know if you spot George Clooney out on his yacht!

While it’s an incredible experience to take a Backroads bike tour, it may be an even more incredible experience to work for Backroads! Every year, the lucky team at Backroads – Trip Leaders and staff – get to journey together on one of our bike tours for the annual Staff Ride.

Sure, it’s an amazing perk of working for a great company, but it’s also a way to give everyone at Backroads firsthand experience on our many different walking tours and biking tours around the world, which helps us help you better decide what trip to take and answer any questions you may have.

This year, our staff headed to Crete in Greece to participate in our Greece Biking Tour, which goes all along the coast of the beautiful island of Crete, offering some jaw-dropping views. More than 150 employees from all around the globe joined in on this magnificent ride.

We started our Greece bike tour in the seaside town of Rethymno followed by a relaxing ride to the Aegean Sea. On day 2, we did a coast to coast ride between the two mountain ranges on the island, going past spring-fed waterfalls and the ancient ruins of Argiroupolis. After an 18-kilometer hike down the Samaria gorge, the longest gorge in Europe, we arrived in the village of Loutro in south Crete. During the trip, we also enjoyed amazing views of the Venetian port in Chania and sampled olive oil at a family owned farm.

On the last full day of the Staff Ride, 150 of us hiked from the sleepy Greek village of Loutro, accessible only by boat, to Hora Sfakion for a final ride!

Sound like a fun time? It was! While you can’t experience it with 150 others (unless you come to work for Backroads, of course J), you can experience the same Greece bike tour on your own. Call our Trip Consultants at 800-462-2848 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Pacific for more details or to get it on your calendar today! The Crete bike tour starts back up in March. Stay tuned to find out where we’ll be going on our Staff Ride for 2013!

Sunny beaches, flamenco dancing and bullrings are all things that come to mind when you think of Spain. Backroads offers a number of bike tours of Spain from the island of Mallorca to the plunging cliffs and white sand beaches of Costa Brava.

New to our adventure vacations for 2013 is our Andalucia Biking Tour where you pedal from Seville to Granada, taking in ancient architecture, whitewashed villages and rolling hills. You’ll also enjoy wonderful Spanish cuisine, like tapas, gazpacho and the best-of-the-best olive oil! End your Spain bike tour at the jaw-dropping 150-million-year-old limestone rock formations at the National Park Los Torcales. Departures begin March 10, 2013 and run throughout the year until Nov. 17, 2013. There are also two Andalucia Singles Tours available in 2013.

In the mood for a sunny seaside getaway with some biking thrown in? You need to book our bike tour to Mallorca! Picture in your mind the endless turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea, lush lavender and citrus groves, and picturesque windmills. These are all images you’ll see up close and personal on your Mallorca bike tour. We’ll also challenge you to ride the road to Sa Calobra, a thrilling roller-coaster of hairpin turns plunging 3000 feet into the sea. Will you dare? Departures for Mallorca are available through Nov. 4 for 2012 and start again March 17 for 2013.

If vibrant city life is more your style, you’ll want to consider our Pyrenees to Costa Brava Biking tour which starts in Barcelona, a city pulsating with life. After you experience the upbeat Barcelona by bike, you’ll pedal north into the mountains and tour the Pyrenees foothills and then enjoy the Catalonia, which inspired artist Salvador Dalí. Finally, end your bike adventure at the beautiful Mediterranean with its white-sand beaches and hidden bays. This Spain biking tour departs beginning in 2013 on May 12 all the way through to Oct. 13, 2013.

How would you dream of seeing Spain by bike? Beaches, mountains, ancient formations? Call our travel planners at 800-462-2848 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Pacific to decide which Spanish journey will be yours. Viva España!

Cycling past fragrant lavender fields in France… Pedaling the challenging inclines of the Dolomites… Enjoying views of the beautiful Dalmatian coast in Croatia and smelling the salty sea air…. These and more are all bicycle tours to Europe offered by Backroads, experiences that can be yours.

European destinations are some of our most popular routes here at Backroads, and the way we travel lets you see Europe in an entirely different way. Forget bus tours and car trips and get out into the fresh air. We promise you there’s no better way to see this ancient part of the world than pedaling under the blue skies.

Simply being outdoors as you journey from destination to destination awakens the senses and open doors you would have missed inside the tour bus. By bike, you can stop at that delicious-looking café whose sweet smells are wafting into the air, or stop and have a chat with a local selling produce by the side of the road. Enjoy both the sights and the sounds of each unique town and country.

Traveling Europe by bike lets you become a part of the culture, and not just remain an outsider looking in. Plus, our wonderful trip leaders will guide you every step of the way, sharing with you the history and eccentricities of each locale.

With Backroads, all you have to worry about is the journey. Our team is there to handle any issues with your bike, provide you with a snack when you need a little more fuel for the ride or even if you need to take a moment to relax and want to head back to the hotel. Maybe you’re inspired to take a longer journey and our trip leaders will give you an alternate route so you can pedal to your heart’s content.

Plus, we have the trip planned out in all its details from the wonderful restaurants where you’ll dine to the hotels and inns where you’ll rest your head at night.

What’s your dream place to bicycle Europe?

Need more information? Request a catalog or call us from 7 a.m.- 5 p.m. Pacific at 800-462-2848. Start dreaming of your bike tour to Europe today!

Hello, travelers and foodies. Do we have an adventure for you!

On our new Tuscany culinary tour, available in 2013, you’ll not only see the sights and sounds of an amazing region of Italy, but also taste some of the best food that will ever grace your palate. And to top it all off, you’ll also learn how to make authentic Italian cuisine from some of the best cooks in the country.

Backroads’ new Tuscany Walking and Cooking Trip begins in Florence, where you’ll ease into the experience by meandering through vineyards and hiking through hill towns as you make your way to Vescine. There, you’ll take your first cooking lesson with the undisputed masters of Italian cooking … Italian grandmothers!

After cooking with Nonna, you’ll continue on your trip to Chianti, where you’ll take in the beautiful scenery and dine alfresco among the grapevines. Other highlights include a stop at the villa of some of our longtime local friends where you’ll learn the art of making Italian desserts. Tiramisu anyone?

Next, you’ll follow the white roads of southern Tuscany, visit a cheese farm and work with members of your group to prepare traditional Tuscan dishes for a farewell feast.

When it comes to lodging, the places we’ve chosen will make your mouth water, too: A 13^th-century hamlet on the Tuscan countryside; a 13^th-century castle on a hill in Chianti (with watchtowers and an arched stone doorway to boot); and finally, a 15^th-century convent that has been converted into a breathtaking hotel.

This Tuscany hiking tour is the perfect combination of sight-seeing, experiential learning, and food and drink. Did we have you at “Hello?” Visit our website for more info on this trip, or call us at 800-462-2848, 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Pacific, to book your Tuscany vacation today.

What’s your travel style? Do you prefer luxurious accommodations and fine dining? Then you’ll love Backroads’ luxury trips designed for a day of adventure followed by relaxation at premiere inns and refueling in gourmet restaurants.

Here’s a little “taste” of what you can experience on a Backroads adventure when you select a Premiere Inn trip.

Our Provence Biking Trip, for example, includes two nights at Crillon le Brave, a “relaxed and informal refuge” that’s also a Relais & Châteaux member. This hotel is located about 25 miles northeast of Avignon at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail mountains and Mont Ventoux. Crillon le Brave is a collection of beautiful lodges that once served as a presbytery, stables and a school. With 24 rooms and 8 suites, this charming and historic hotel offers stunning views from each room. Bedrooms feature crisp Italian linens by Frette and luxurious bathrooms, as well as Bose Wave systems with iPod connectors. Conde Nast Traveler says this is “easily the best hotel we’ve ever stayed in.”

Crillon le Brave offers two restaurants, each serving high quality, locally-sourced fresh ingredients prepared and served by a team of experts who work together to ensure your food and wine is paired perfectly.

A heated outdoor pool makes a wonderful place to relax after a day on the bike. Other amenities and services include a mini-spa for full body, hot stone massages and facials, a boules court, laptops for loan with complimentary high speed Internet access and a selection of English daily newspapers. They also offer a babysitting service and a special menu for children. What more could you ask for?

We believe all of our Premiere Inn Trips offer the perfect blend of gracious hospitality and authentic regional flair. In addition to hotels that members of Relais & Châteaux, we also frequent Small Luxury Hotels of the World, and accommodations that have won acclaim from the likes of Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report, Condé Nast Traveler and Travel+Leisure.

When it comes to distinguished dining, all of the Premiere Inns we frequent work hard to ensure you enjoy authentic and memorable meals. These establishments are regularly featured in Gourmet and Wine Country magazines, and often boast Michelin stars.

Explore our Premiere Inn Trips in all corners of the world to get a sample of true luxury travel. If you have any questions or want to book a trip, please call us at 800-462-2848 7 a.m.-5p.m. Pacific time.

Credit: Gord Sonnenberg

Kids have been listening to stories and seeing movies about princes and princesses living in and defending castles since they were little. Show them a real castle and share with them a little history by embarking on one of our amazing European family adventure tours or Europe bike tour.

The Loire Valley Family Biking Trip is one option for castle-dreaming kids. This France bike trip includes castles straight out of fairy tales like the Château de Cheverny and Château de Chenonceau, where you and your children will be transported back in time.

Château de Cheverny, built between 1604 and 1635, is still owned by descendents of the original builders, the Hurault family, and has retained an intimate charm. Furnishings and period costumes are on display, and the gardens are enormous and immaculate.

Château de Chenonceau was built around 1513 and is completely surrounded by water. Your kids will love the moat, though we can’t promise any dragons or trolls J. This castle is magnificent because of its original design, the richness of its collections, its furniture and its decorations.

Our Czech Republic and Austria Family Biking Trip is another fantasy land filled with storybook castles. Adults will enjoy the France walking tour of the town Český Krumlov, which was built around a 13^th-century castle and is complete with twisting lanes and buildings with red tile roofs. The town is described as an outstanding example of a central European small town dating from the Middle Ages. It owes the structure and buildings of its historic core to the town’s economic importance and relatively undisturbed organic development over some five centuries.

Later in the trip while in Austria, kids will get to experience a Renaissance castle. They’ll have a day of fun at the castle and get to watch a falconry demonstration that is straight out of the middle-ages.

What is your child’s favorite fairytale featuring a castle? Let us know if we can make those dreams come true! Call us between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Pacific time at 800-462-2848 to start your journey.