Can you imagine going from never having changed a bike tire to leading a group of 60 on a bike tour to one of the country’s most popular regions? Meet Backroads Trip Leader Matt Sulkis! It’s not a challenge he shied away from!

In fact, Matt came to Backroads as a bit of a surprise. “I was not a cyclist, did not know how to change a tire and had never planned on traveling or guiding for a living,” says Matt. But he heard about Backroads’ adventure tours through a friend while he was still working for an environmental consulting firm in Vancouver. He decided to give it a go.

Fast forward three years and Matt is now leading Backroads’ annual Bikefest bike trip through Wine Country. On this sojourn, which we like to describe as deluxe camping, singles and solos bike through the rolling hills of northern California, sip wines from myriad wineries and enjoy rollicking campfires and live music every evening. It is a “fest” indeed!

Now, says Matt, “I now own a quiver of bikes and have been moving all over the world nonstop for three years. It has been quite a gift.”

“I think that seeing the world by bicycle is unique,” says Matt. “You are engaging so many of your senses, have complete control over where you go and what you see, and are being green in the process. I love that our guests choose to see the  world this way.”

If we haven’t convinced you to travel with Matt yet, well, then check out his tent set-up skills in this quick, fun video below. On a Backroads deluxe camping adventure tour, our Trip Leaders set up camp for you, so all you have to do is show up, relax and lay your head on the pillow. Take a look:

Interested in our Singles Bikefest? We’ve added a second date for 2013 due to its popularity last year. Party with us in either July or September. [Read our blog on Bikefest for more information] or call us at 800-462-2848 7 a.m.-5 p.m. daily to save your spot!

From India and Peru to Bhutan and Morocco, you submitted some fantastic photos of your Backroads journeys for our annual Backroads Photo Contest! You covered walking tours, biking tours, multisport tours, family adventure tours and more, and we must say, your photography skills aren’t too shabby!

Every year, Backroads invites our travelers to submit their best photos from their Backroads trip for a chance at a credit toward their next adventure tour with us! First place receives a $3000 trip credit; second place receives a $2000 trip credit; and third place receives a $1000 trip credit.

We’ve picked the best of the best from all of your submissions and have now opened voting. Anyone is welcome to vote for their favorite picture, and by voting, you’ll be entered to win a $200 Patagonia gift card. Not a bad prize for viewing some jaw-dropping photos!

Here’s just a sampling of the 2012 best Backroads adventure tour photo submissions:

Taken by C. Jennings on our Dalmatian Coast Family Multisport Tour:

Taken by C. Michel on our Bhutan Walking Tour:

Taken by K. Mills on our Loire Valley Biking Tour:

Taken by M. Sloane on our Canadian Rockies Multisport Tour:

Taken by D. Patton on our Death Valley Walking Tour:

This is just a handful of the beautiful and creative photos you submitted to Backroads for 2012! Take a look at all the adventure travel photos from our tours here and vote for your favorite.

Are you inspired yet? We are! We’re ready to strap on our hiking boots, oil up our bike and head to the nearest airport to experience a Backroads adventure.

If we can help you schedule your next Backroads tour please give us a call 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Pacific daily at 800-462-2848. And don’t forget your camera to enter the 2013 photo contest!

Dreaming of an adventure to New Zealand full of dramatic waterfalls, lush valleys and breathtaking vistas at every turn? If you travel to New Zealand with Backroads, the legendary Paul Smith just might be one of your Trip Leaders.

A history major and a former minor league baseball player, Paul recently celebrated leading his 300^th trip to New Zealand and is a true expert on this gorgeous country. With 22 years as a Backroads leader who’s led more adventure tours in Backroads’ history, it’s safe to say he’s seen it all.

Paul didn’t start his Backroads journey in New Zealand, however. His first start was a bit of a rough initiation with a camping trip on the Russian River. He and his co-leader (now his wife and mother of his two sons) forgot their sleeping bags and slept wrapped in tablecloths in their van while it rained outside. He hasn’t forgotten his sleeping bag since!

Paul’s attention to detail, witty humor, knowledge of the local haunts and an uncanny ability to discern the needs of each guest is well-known and celebrated. During his 22 years with Backroads, Paul has fallen in love with Chinese culture and the joy of riding a bike through its sometimes crazy countryside; learned about world religions by leading Bhutan walking tours and Bali bike tours, where he became fascinated with prayer wheels and Hindu gods; and lived each summer in the San Juan islands, knowing the way the light looks on the water at all hours of the day, from all viewpoints, like a local knows it.

Plus, Paul can add to his list of credentials that he’s done more laps around the South Island of New Zealand than anyone in Backroads history! “All it takes is a single visit to fall in love with New Zealand’s extraordinary scenery and down-to-earth welcoming people,” says Paul. “And if you’re like me, you’ll find it’s a destination you dream of returning to again and again.”

Interested in taking a New Zealand walking tour or New Zealand bike tour with Paul? Give us a call at 800-462-2848 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Pacific.

Have you taken a Backroads walking trip or Backroads bike trip with Paul? Give us some firsthand insight to this wonderful Backroads Trip Leader! Here’s to another 300 trips!

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 may have heard of the Italian Lake District, but did you know Argentina has one, as well? This Argentina bike trip, which was new for us in 2012, lets you do everything from seeing 300-year-old trees to learning the tango!

Our Argentina Bike Tour takes you through what is called the “Seven Lakes” area in the Patagonia region of the country and through three of Argentina’s national parks. You’ll pedal past beautiful mountain vistas, quiet scenic roads and shimmering lakes. Also in on the Argentina biking tour, you’ll see glaciers, arrayan trees and ride along the Continental Divide.

Love adventure? Take a tango lesson on this bike tour, ride the single-track trail on the Quetrihue Peninsula and kayak and fish at a lodge set along Lago (Lake) Nahual Huapi.

Love food? We got you covered! Sip yerba mate, enjoy homemade empanadas and sample acclaimed wines just like the locals.

Here’s how several of our riders described their bike tour to Argentina with Backroads:

“What a beautiful part of the world this is. Rich in culture, nature, outdoor activities, great food and amazing people!”

“Overall, this trip definitely ranks among my very favorite Backroads trips ever (of six so far). The leaders, the accommodations, the biking, the scenery, the weather – everything was fantastic! And the rafting on this trip was SO much fun. The local guides were great and made navigating the exhilarating rapids the most fun rafting experience I’ve ever had.”

The bike trip is 7 days and 6 nights of amazing scenery and adventure and is a great winter weather escape. Enjoy Argentina’s Lake District Biking January through March and in December of 2013. Call us to book your spot at 800-462-2848 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Pacific daily.

Walking tours, whether you’re hiking the Alps or walking through sunflower fields in Tuscany, are wonderful ways to get outdoors, burn some calories and experience the beauty of the world. But if your feet start to hurt or you run out of water to drink, your fun may dissipate in a hurry.

As a leader in active travel, Backroads takes guests on hundreds of walking trips every year and our Trip Leaders make sure everyone enjoys their walking trip the fullest. Here are 10 tips from our Trip Leaders to make sure you have the best walking tour:

1. Strengthen abdominal muscles before your adventure trip to prevent lower back pain.
2. Train by time, not by miles. You’ll be spending most of your day hiking on a Backroads trip. Get comfortable going slower for longer periods of time.
3. Eat and drink small amounts often.
4. Consider using a personal hydration system (such as a CamelBak); if you’ve never tried one, use it before leaving home since some people find them uncomfortable for the neck and shoulders.
5. Dress in layers: a breathable synthetic layer (never cotton, which stays wet once you’ve begun to sweat) next to your skin; a light insulating layer or vest; a windproof/waterproof layer on top. If you’re comfortable for the first 10 minutes of activity, you’re overdressed!
6. Use high-quality socks. Your feet will thank you for wrapping them in padded, insulated, breathable materials such as Capilene or Smart Wool.
7. Think about resting the leg that is not active. While hiking, this means relaxing your foot as you swing it forward to the next step.
8. When you start feeling tired or sore, change your pack position while hiking.
9. Loosen your shoe laces at the first sign of foot discomfort; feet swell after prolonged physical activity.

What are your best tips for preparing for and getting the most from a hiking tour? Be sure to browse our vast selection of hiking trips like our popular Vietnam and Cambodia Walking and Hiking Tour or our New Tuscany Cooking and Walking Tour. Call us at 800-462-2848 today with your questions or to book a hiking tour. Happy travels!

Backroads is known for our amazing Trip Leaders, with all of our guests consistently rating them a 9.7 out of 10 on post-trip surveys. We work hard to find leaders who are passionate and knowledgeable about the regions where they are leading tours and who love nothing better than to share that part of the world with you.

This week, meet Namgay Tshering, who leads our Bhutan Walking Trip and our Multisport Bhutan Biking Tour.

A longtime friend of Backroads, Namgay truly knows Bhutan as a former member of Bhutanese parliament and is able to open doors to you which are normally closed to foreigners. He serves not only as a trip leader but as host to his country and he’s excited to show you its abundant mountains, forests, plants and birds.

As a resident of his country, Namgay gives you the true flavor of what it’s like to live there and can answer any question you throw his way. When you travel on our active Bhutan tour, you get to participate in the daily Bhutanese life led by Namgay.

For example, you’ll receive a blessing at a 15^th century temple and hang traditional prayer flags. That’s just what Backroads is all about – getting you outside the car and into the world to meet locals, smell the scents and see the sights as you cycle or hike past.

We love Namgay’s spirit of giving in his community. He’s very involved, overseeing many programs to help disadvantaged children with their education and to improve their living conditions.

Want to travel with Namgay? Call Backroads today at 800-462-2848 to get scheduled on an upcoming Bhutan adventure tour.

In this special series of blog posts, we’re going to give you the opportunity meet some of our amazing Trip Leaders. If you’ve been on one of our walking trips or bike trips, then you know the important role these folks play in making your trip one to remember. They are each unique and different, but all wonderfully special and full of enthusiasm and knowledge about the destination they’ll be guiding you through.

Melissa Sher is originally from St. Louis, Mo., but has lived across the country. Before joining us as a Backroads Trip Leader, she was a raft guide on Oregon rivers. At Backroads, she leads adventure tours in Death Valley, Hawaii and Yellowstone & the Tetons.

“I love Backroads trips because, inevitably, at least one person, every day, will accomplish something that they haven’t before,” says Melissa. “If I can witness that, my day is made.”

In 2013, Melissa will help to kick off our brand-new Winter Fit trip in California. It’s designed for active individuals and gives you the opportunity to experience cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and yoga while traveling from the Sierras to wine country and San Francisco.

Have you taken a tour with Melissa? If so, give her a shout out!

For more information about these trips or to book your adventure getaway, call us 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Pacific time daily at 800-462-2848.

Here at Backroads, we think a good book can make a perfect adventure vacation even better. Maybe you want to read up on the area before you arrive. Perhaps you want to take a novel based on the region to read under a sun-filled sky during your bike tour. Or you may be so inspired by the destination after your walking tour that you want to read everything you can get your hands on when you return home. We’ve seen it all!

That’s why for each of our hiking tours, biking tours and walking tours to incredible locales around the world we’ve given you some of our favorite reading to go alongside — all with help from our friends at Longitude Books.

For example, on our Tuscany biking tour, Longitude provides you with a host of delectable reads. Selections include: Too Much Tuscan Sun, Confessions of a Chianti Tour Guide; Tuscan Country: A Photographer’s Journey; and A Culinary Traveller In Tuscany among others.

Or on our Napa Valley bike tours, we recommend perusing A Tale of Two Valleys, a travel narrative of Napa and Sonoma, Napa: The Story of an American Eden or Great Wine Made Simple: Straight Talk From a Master Sommelier. Often, if you buy the entire recommended set, Longitude will provide them at a discount.

Bringing kids along with you? There’s no better way to get them excited for their upcoming family adventure vacation than a good book. How about the Kids Italian Picture Dictionary or Starry Messenger, an homage to Galileo, or The Diary of Melanie Martin: How I Survived Matt the Brat, Michelangelo and the Leaning Tower of Pizza for your Italian walking tour? We promise they’ll be raring to go explore the “back roads” after a book or two.

Whether a child or an adult, nothing beats a good book … except maybe a really good vacation! Combine the two and you’ve got a winning combination.

What’s the best travel-related book you’ve read? Is there a book that inspired you to visit a specific place?

For more reading recommendations or questions about Backroads tours, please visit Backroads.com or call us 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Pacific time at 1-800-462-2848.

Photo Credit: Warren Zelman

When you come along on a Backroads trip, your focus should be your destination and the local experience. We don’t want you to have to worry about anything else! That’s why here at Backroads we have focused on making our service unparalleled in the active travel industry. When you join one of our Backroads adventures, you can rest assured you’ll be taken care of like royalty! Here are just a few examples:

Three Exceptional Trip Leaders

When you travel with Backroads, we provide you with the most experienced trip leaders, who can create a truly life-changing experience for you. We give our trip leaders the most training and the most resources to guide their travelers toward an unforgettable vacation. Never ranking lower than a 9 out of 10 on our guest satisfaction surveys, they are often cited as what truly sets Backroads apart from other active travel companies.

On our Family Adventures, we also provide a dedicated Kid Coordinator, whose sole job is to make sure your children are entertained and having fun. Don’t you wish you could take them home?!

On most trips, we also provide you with three trip leaders to make sure they have ample time to be with all guests on a bike tour or walking tour. Most other bike tour or walking tour companies provide no more than two per departure and often they are subcontracted locals.

Here’s just one of many amazing comments about our trip leaders: “The quality of your guides never ceases to amaze me. They are friendly, have a great sense of humor, roll with the punches and are resourceful and delightful. Thanks for hiring such fantastic people.” — Suellen White – Stockholm, Sweden

Read more comments about our trip leaders.

Two Vans Are Better Than One

On almost all Backroads trips, we provide our guests with two vans to ensure the highest-quality service. The vans ride along the route, whether you’re walking or biking, to help you with anything you might need.

Perhaps you need a snack or your bike needs a tune up. The van is there to help! Or you may have decided you’re ready to hop off the bike and head back to the hotel. No problem. One van can take you back while the other stays with the route. Is your spouse a speed demon while you prefer to take it slow? One van can stay with the faster walkers/riders, while the other stays with the slower group.

Having two vans allows us to be truly flexible and cater to all of our guests. We promise you’ll notice the difference over other companies who send only one van per trip!

Our Guests Agree

Sure, we can talk all day long about our great service, but can we back it up? You bet! HALF of our guests have traveled with us before and choose to travel with us again. AND 30% of people who travel with us have been referred by a past guest. We think that speaks volumes.

Here are a few more comments from some of our guests about our service:

“Over the last 30+ years, I’ve taken 96 biking trips all over the world. Anyone can print a brochure or put up a website promising a great active travel experience. Only Backroads delivers exceptional performance—not just promises—every time.” — Richard Seltzer – Wynnewood, Penn.

“Taking a Backroads trip is like enjoying the sweetest part of the watermelon, the planners and trip leaders trim away everything but the sweetest core of the trip. They worry about the logistics, the problem solving, so that as a guest, the most you worry about is what to order at dinner and how far to go on each daily option.” — Jeff Tanji – Davis, Calif.

“I am so impressed with Backroads – your company is the most customer friendly and supportive travel company I have ever had the opportunity to interact with. You deserve off the chart marks on all levels of your service from calling to sign up to the actual trip quality and quality of leaders…” — Patsy Gleason – Green Valley, AZ

Come try a Backroads vacation and experience our service for yourself. Call us 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Pacific time for more information or to book your next adventure trip. You can also request a catalog from us so you begin dreaming of your getaway.