Photo Credit: Martha Ginsberg

We’re sure you won’t want to forget a single thing about your once-in-a-lifetime Backroads biking, multisport or hiking adventures, so why not keep a travel journal?

A travel journal is the perfect place to record your daily activities on your Backroads trip and to help you capture your most amazing experiences and memories along the way. We promise your trip will not only be an active vacation; it will be one that inspires.

For example, you’ll want to record moments like this one from our Myanmar Biking Tour where in Yangong, you’ll take part in a candle-lighting tradition at the Shwedagon Pagoda. You’ll soak up the powerful ambience of this sacred Buddhist site. Better to write down your thoughts about the ceremony before your mind moves on to the next adventure.

You’ll also want to remember visiting a hummingbird sanctuary during your Costa Rica adventure where you may feed these amazing (and fast) birds by hand!

Surely you will want to record your awe-inspiring routes on our New Zealand Bike Tour where you’ll ride the TranzAlpine Train over Arthur’s Pass and then pedal to ocean “geysers” in Punakaiki.

Here are a few tips on how to create a travel journal for your Backroads adventure:

• Before your trip, purchase a notebook or journal and some nice pens, a few pencils and even some crayons (more on that later). You may also want to purchase a small notepad and pencil to stash in a pocket so you can jot down notes while you’re out and about. (A pencil works great because if it gets wet, it won’t run.) You can use the notes on the small notepad as inspiration for a more detailed journal entry after your adventurous day or simply rip out the pages from your notebook and affix them in your journal.
• When you write, don’t forget to record the date and your location. However, don’t worry about writing everything in exact chronological order. The point of the journal is to get the information and inspiration down on paper when it’s fresh (or at the very least, when you remember it!).
• Keep in mind, a journal doesn’t have to be “just words.” It also can be a great place to collect postcards, a story from the local newspaper, a menu, a sketch, a label from a great beer or even a pressed flower.
• Consider asking one of the local people you meet to write in your journal a sentence or two about their country or town. You might also consider bringing along some crayons and asking a local child to draw a picture in your journal.

The places Backroads takes you are off the beaten path, truly “back roads travel.” We pride ourselves on offering you a unique experience and encourage you to record the events of your trip so you can look back and remember.

Need help booking your adventure vacation? Visit our website to peruse our latest trips, including winter escapes! Or call one of our trip consultants 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Pacific time at 800-462-2848

Now is the time to makes plans for a one-of-a-kind Iceland family adventure, as we’ve recently released our 2013 summer travel dates to this magnificent “land of extremes.”

Our Iceland tour, recently named a National Geographic Traveler Tour of a Lifetime, explores the dramatic beauty of this country from its diverse and often contrasting features. They include: glaciers atop volcanoes, stark white icebergs washed up on black sand beaches, and gray lava flats amid white ice fields. It’s truly something to behold on this Iceland bike tour.

Based on this diversity, we’ve created a great family multisport trip in Southern Iceland for you and your family to explore the region’s natural wonders. Get ready to do lots of family biking and hiking, as well as riding on Zodiacs, planes, rafts, horses and even a “super jeep”!

A few highlights include a visit to Skaftafell National Park to view out-of-this-world ice formations, water caldrons, crevasses and a breathtaking icefall; and setting out in a “super jeep” to explore the creeks and rivers near simmering Hekla volcano.

We’ve picked out a selection of Casual and Premiere Inns for this trip, including a comfortable lodge, a countryside resort and a peaceful hotel. Additionally, the Fludir region of Iceland is famous for its organic produce, which you will certainly enjoy at Hotel Fludir, a peaceful hotel in a quiet organic farming community. In addition to its amazing views (rolling hills and ice-capped mountains), you’ll be able to its restaurant menu which includes slowly cooked cod served with potato mousse, vegetables and soy sauce-infused butter; and Icelandic garlic-roasted langoustines with garlic bread and salad. Yum!

This Iceland family trip is the perfect mix of history, culture and adventure and will introduce your family to the wonder of this magical land.

Ready to book or just have questions? We’re available every day 7 a.m.-5 p.m. (Pacific time) at 800-462-2848. You can also visit www.backroads.com.

You know how people joke around that “camping” for them is staying in a hotel? We know a few people who say that and we firmly believe that if they ever took a Backroads Deluxe Camping Trip, they’d: A.) Love it. B.) Wish they were camping with Backroads the next time they had to stay in a hotel.

That’s a bold statement, but if you’re familiar with Backroads, you probably know that we do a lot of planning and organizing and that we do a lot of the work so you can really relax and enjoy your experience. Here’s the secret to our Deluxe Camping Trips: We apply these same principles to the campground. While some call our camping style, glamping, we prefer to stick to the term “deluxe.”

After a great day of biking, hiking and sightseeing, when you arrive at the camp site, you’ll find that the trip leaders, camp chef and camp assistant have already taken care of setting up a spacious dome tent and put your luggage inside. They’ve also put down an extra-thick sleeping pad and rolled out your plush sleeping bag. Next they’ll prepare the meal, including kid-friendly fare!

No wrestling with the tent, the sleeping bag or trying to set up an area to cook, much less figuring out WHAT to cook. We do it all for you. What’s for dinner? It depends on where we are, but the chef will whip up anything from broiled salmon and roast chicken to fresh salads and rich desserts. What’s for breakfast? How does sourdough French toast, fresh melon and eggs cooked-to-order sound?

Backroads offers Deluxe Camping Trips in North America and we pick the best camp sites we can find. Previous guests have said the Deluxe Camping Trips were “superb” and that our guides “worked together like synchronized swimmers, seamlessly executing a daily dance that made every element of the camping experience an effortless joy for everyone.”

That may not sound like any camping trip you’ve ever heard of, and that’s OK. Backroads is here to offer you an experience of a lifetime seeing the world on the back roads … and to change your perspective on camping. We don’t call it Deluxe Camping for nothing!

For more information, visit Backroads’ website or call one of our trip consultants today between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Pacific time at 1-800-462-2848.

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.

Do you love beer? Well, you’re in luck because Backroads offers several trips that incorporate world-famous brews into the itinerary.

You don’t have to sample the libations if you don’t want to, of course, but we noticed our travelers really enjoy savoring the food and drink from the countries we visit, so we decided to add a beer sampling during a couple of our trips as much for the taste as for the history and craft behind the brew.

Our brand new Ireland biking trip includes plenty of time to stop and enjoy a pint or two at local pubs. After all, according to some reports, the Irish consume an average of 35 gallons of beer a year, so it’s definitely a part of the culture! Step into a pub and step back in time. Irish beers range from strong, rich and full-bodied for sipping to light and crisp to quench the thirst. We also offer an Ireland walking tour that includes gorgeous scenery, history and culture and plenty o’ pub time, if you wish.

Backroads’ new Holland and Belgium biking trip is another great adventure for beer enthusiasts. The focus on your favorite frothy beverage comes during the second half of the trip, where we scoot over the border from Holland into Belgium. There we enjoy the country’s “national treasure.” Belgium’s beer offerings come from numerous historic breweries as well as unique ones, including a couple of Trappist breweries!

Yet another Backroads adventure is our Czech Republic and Austria biking tour. In the Baroque city of Český Krumlov, you can meander down cobblestone streets and enjoy a pint of locally brewed beer. Czech beer is world famous, and perhaps the best known Czech beer is the original Pils beer, Pilsner Urquell. You’ll find it’s served almost everywhere on our Prague adventure, even in breakfast cafés! Wine lovers needn’t worry; this trip has a little something for them, too in Austria, where you can savor acclaimed Riesling and grüner Veltliner wines.

Are you a beer aficionado? Is there a place you’ve always dreamed of sipping a cold one? Let us know!

Responsible travel is important to Backroads. We’ve said it many times: Traveling on two feet or two wheels is the ultimate minimal-impact approach to traveling. Still, we recognize that any travel has an impact. So, in addition to creating wonderful walking trips, hiking tours and biking adventures, we also find ways to support the communities in which we travel to offset a little of the small footprint we leave behind.

Here are some of our favorite ways to travel responsibly. We hope you adopt these principles when you’re on a Backroads tour, as well as when you set out on your own vacation adventures, and even during daily life when your next vacation is just in the planning stages:

-          Buy locally grown products and donate leftover foods to charities.

-          Shop at local retail stores.

-          Recycle where recycling exists.

-          One of the easiest things to do is remember the motto: Leave No Trace. This especially applies to camping. If you pack it in, be sure to pack it out.

Here are a few of the organizations Backroads supports. In recent years, we’ve donated more than $1 million to causes or organizations like these:

National Parks Conservation Association

This group has been around since 1919 and sparked a nationwide effort to preserve our national parks. Chances are, if you’ve visited a scenic vista, a vast landscape or even historic sites, the National Parks Conservation Association has had something to do with preserving the integrity of that area. Backroads is proud to offer active national park vacations, including Wrangell-St. Elias, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Glacier, Maine’s Acadia and Alaska’s Glacier Bay. For more information about NPCA, call 800-628-7275 or visit www.npca.org.

The International Ecotourism Society (TIES)

This organization aims to make tourism a viable tool for conservation and sustainable development. It works with outdoor travel entrepreneurs, researchers and conservationists. Every year, the International Ecotourism Society picks an ecotourism issue and works with its network to not just raise awareness, but bring about change.

Costa Rica and Ecuador’s Galápagos Islands - two favorite Backroads destinations – are just two areas benefiting from TIES attention. For more information about TIES, call 202-347-9203 or visit www.ecotourism.org.

Leave No Trace

What we love about traveling the back roads is that there is so much beauty. Sure, we travel in and to a few big cities, but we always try to take the road less traveled. We have a number of trips that involve camping and it’s the Leave No Trace motto that we make sure everyone in the group understands. This motto was developed in the late 1970s and is a cooperative effort among the U.S National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service and dozens of other private partners such as Backroads.

“Leave No Trace” principles include:

• Camping and traveling on durable surfaces: On our walking, hiking and mountain biking trips, we avoid and discourage cutting switchbacks, creating new trails or adding new trail markers. Minimal impact on the trails and surrounding areas is key.

• Pack it in, pack it out: While we aren’t doing any backpacking on our trips, we are very conscientious about picking up all our food and trash items when we are picnicking, camping or stopping for refreshments.

• Leaving what you find behind: We discourage the urge to take away even a small souvenir piece of lava or coral or wildflowers. We need to leave things the way they were when we found them, so others can enjoy the same beauty we did. For more information about Leave No Trace, call 800-332-4100 or visit www.Lnt.org.

So enjoy your adventure tour with Backroads but be mindful of your environment and the impact you leave behind.

Getting ready for your Backroads adventure tour is really exciting. We know! We have so many wonderful walking trips and biking trips for you to choose from. And as you know, we take care of all the “heavy lifting” when it comes to planning so you can simply pick the place and enjoy your Backroads vacation.

However, there are a couple really important things you’ll need to take care of if you’re traveling internationally: your passport and visa. When you book your trip, Backroads will send you a Travel Planner that details the documentation you’ll need for your trip and if you don’t already have a valid passport, you’ll need to contact the appropriate consulate – and in enough time.

A few things to think about:

Some countries require that your passport be valid 6 months beyond your departure date. That means you can’t wait until the last minute to apply for your documentation. There are some expedited options, however, if you’re in a big hurry and willing to pay a little extra.

If you already have a passport, you’ll need to check the expiration date as well as the physical condition. Passports with fraying edges or torn pages are not accepted. You’ll also need to make sure you check the document requirements if you plan to travel to other countries not outlined in your Backroads Travel Planner.

And if you think you don’t need a passport for the country you’re traveling to, double check. As of Jan. 31, 2008, a valid passport is required for all U.S. citizens (including infants and children) traveling by air, land or sea to and from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, Bermuda and the Caribbean (excluding Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands).

We can’t say this enough: Don’t wait until the last minute. Due to a high volume, passport processing times have increased and can take up to 12 weeks from the date you apply! The U.S State Department Passport Services does offer online passport application and renewal information for U.S. citizens.

Alright, so, what if you completely forgot all about your passport or visa and you need it “yesterday.” It’s not a good situation, but it happens. We know this firsthand! If you are in this bind, we recommend using Zierer Visa Service. They’ve been in business for 50 years and specialize in fast, dependable overnight and same day passport and visa services.

And if you tell them Backroads sent you (and mention code 73013), they’ll even give you a discount. Order online or call 866-788-1100 Mon.-Fri. from 7:30 a.m.–7 p.m. Central time.

You’ve chosen your Backroads bike trip and we’ve planned an unforgettable experience for you. Now let’s make sure you’re going to be properly dressed for the occasion. Comfortable bike clothing is a must for a comfortable ride and bike adventure of a lifetime. Here are some tips:

Cycling Jerseys – Show the world you’re on our team by wearing a Backroads jersey! The tailored fit is flattering and with three rear pockets, there’s a place for items like your phone, wallet and even a few snacks when you need an energy boost during your bicycle tour. It’s made of a quick-drying fabric and is form-fitting to reduce flapping when riding. More features to consider when buying a bike jersey are a longer cut in the back for ample coverage and wide-cut shoulders for comfort when leaning forward.

Bike Shorts – Finding the perfect pair of bike shorts is determined by your typical seat position while riding, a comfortable padded crotch liner and the overall fit of the shorts. Like all clothing, no two brands are cut the same so be prepared to try on a few pair until you find just the right fit.

Look for the following in bike shorts for your bike tour:

• The more panels your shorts contain, generally, the better they will fit.
• For a happy ride tomorrow, padded liners are a must today! A padded liner reduces friction, and moisture.
• Longer-length legs reduce chafing and leg grippers prevent the legs from riding up.
• Tights can be worn instead of bike shorts or over bike shorts when the temperatures drop.
• For mountain bike shorts, look for those with a loose outer short and a spandex chamois liner.

Jackets – Remember, your blood will start pumping and you’ll warm up fast when riding so it’s all about layers! For chilly or rainy weather, a water-resistant, breathable jacket is best. These jackets are easy to fold and store if they aren’t needed. Many brands offer jackets with removable sleeves so it can be worn as a vest.

Shoes and socks – Cycling shoes are designed with stiff soles to protect and support your feet and provide more efficient energy transfer. Cycling socks should be thin so they don’t interfere with your shoes and warm enough for biking in cooler temperatures. The socks should also fit securely above and below the heels so they stay in place.

Backroads has compiled a list of bike clothing, gadgets and accessory retailers for your convenience. Check it out and let us know if you have questions!

On earlier posts, we’ve talked about our Backroads bike fleet for adults, as well as options for traveling with kids. Today, we’ll focus on the gear we provide for our biking trips:

Helmets — All riders are required to wear bicycle helmets for Backroads biking and multisport trips. You’re welcome to bring your own, or you can use one of our high-quality helmets. Three adult sizes are available, all fitted with an easily adjustable retention system.

Navigation – We provide riders with self-navigable directions and improved elevation profiles, as well as cyclometers and downloadable GPS directions in Europe and North America.

Storage — When you’re on the bike, you’ll need places to stash sunscreen, a camera, maybe a little cash, etc. Our titanium and tandem bikes include handlebar and/or rear rack bags. For Roubaix/Ruby riders, there are no bags on the bike, so you may want to bring a lightweight pack to use when your jersey pockets aren’t quite enough.

Extras — All of our bikes are equipped with a safety triangle, two water bottles and for those who want it: a combination lock, hand pump, inner tube, tire levers or patch kit for use on your trip. For those who don’t, see below.

Service and convenience – In addition to all the great equipment and handy gadgets we offer, Backroads also prides itself on its great trip leaders, who offer each rider service and convenience. On the very first day of your trip, your leaders will show you how to ride safely and efficiently. Beginners need not worry, as they’ll offer plenty of tips on shifting, braking and they’ll check your bike daily to make adjustments needed. Plus, if you have a flat tire, they’ll fix it for you! How’s that for service?

Pit crew — Our trip leaders are like a traveling pit crew. They have everything they need to operate a mobile bike shop, including spare chains, tubes, derailleurs, stems, risers, spacers and cranks.

So when it comes to bike gear here at Outfitters, it’s safe to say we’ve got you covered so you can focus on the beauty that surrounds you!

Photo Credit: Robert Houser

Backroads offers an awards program for return adventure travelers. Signing up for the BEST Club, which stands for Backroads Extra Special Travelers Club, is free and rewards begin immediately.

Simply become a member of My Backroads, login and apply. You must be at least 18 years old and have already traveled at least once with Backroads.

So, what do you get? Benefits of membership include travel rewards, such as:

Trip Credit for Your Referrals

When a friend, family member or acquaintance books their first Backroads trip on your referral, you’ll get Trip Credits. You can earn up to $200 in Trip Credits that you can apply toward a trip of your own! Referral Trip Credit may accumulate, and there is no limit to how much Trip Credit you can apply to one reservation. See full terms and conditions; some restrictions may apply.

Awards for Milestone Trips

As a Backroads Extra Special Traveler, you receive exclusive gifts for your milestone trips: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40. How many Backroads trips have you already taken?

Priority Wait Lists

If you’d like to go on a trip that’s already full, you’ll be put on the waiting list. However, if a space becomes available, BEST Club members on the wait list will be the first called.

Monthly Desktop Calendar

Each month Backroads will email BEST Club members a dream destination calendar for your computer desktop. The calendar features a beautiful image that’s made for day dreaming, as well as a handy calendar to help you plan your month and… your next Backroads trip.

If you’re interested in receiving more information on the BEST Club, please visit our Member Benefits page. Or, if you’re ready to sign up, please click here. You also can give us a call at 800-GO-ACTIVE (800-462-2848).

Now start making a list of people who would enjoy a Backroads trip and share this link with them so they can start dreaming of their first hiking, biking or family adventure!