Backroads in the News: Media Mentions of Note
Backroads is regularly featured in local and national publications. Here are some of our favorite articles:
California Homes magazine, December 2011
L'Alsace en famille: Three Generations Enjoy A Relaxed–And Nostalgic–Bicycle Ride In France
“The lower Rhine River Valley separating the Black Forest on the German side and the Vosges Mountains of Alsace on the French side is one of the most stunningly beautiful places on earth. Yet, it is relatively unknown to many venturesome travelers, even those native to the two widely-traveled countries.”
Virtuoso Life magazine, July 2011
Top 10 Trips: Italy - Piedmont by Pedal
“Backroads' new six-day tour of this quiet northwestern region south of Turin, famed for it's pungent cheese, aromatic truffles, and earthy wines, is all about savoring the roadside attractions—especially of the culinary variety.”
National Geographic Travelver magazine, April 2011
10 Great Tour Guides
“Roberto Strippoli: A native of Puglia, Strippoli is a font of Italian history. In the off-season, he focuses on his culinary and sommelier studies. He is a multisport guide for Backroads.”
Men's Journal, February 2011
The Lake District Patagonia
“Northwest Patagonia in February is like Lake Tahoe in June: clear, warm days, snowcapped peaks, and a tourqouise alpine lake around every bend. A seven-day trip on two knobby wheels is just the kind of time and transport you need to sample the best of this region.”
NationalGeographic.com, September 2010
Play Hide-and-Seek Deep in the U.S. Southwest
“Backroads' multisport loop through Bryce, Grand Canyon, and Zion National Parks is the ideal family primer to the American Southwest. The all-hike-and-bike itineraries quickly get you into the high-desert landscape beneath hoodoos and rock spires—and except for a few shuttle points, you're on your own power the whole way.”
Fifty Places to Hike Before You Die, September 2010
Fifty Places to Hike Before You Die
In this latest offering in the bestselling Fifty Places series, author Chris Santella—along with top expedition leaders, naturalists, and adventure travel experts—explores the world's greatest walking adventures, including Backroads' Basque Country and Amalfi Coast trips. With commentaries from experienced trekkers and insider tips that lead the reader off the beaten path, this book captures the special characteristics that make these must-visit destinations...and forty color photographs bring these venues to life.
Forbes.com, July 2009
How to Get Fit on Vacation
“This summer the Berkeley, Calif., travel company Backroads will send about 100 cycling enthusiasts on a 260-mile trek through southern Oregon's wilderness. Over five days, they'll slowly climb high-desert mountains for a cumulative elevation gain of 19,000 feet. The participants aren't extreme or professional athletes...and the mileage and elevation gain can be adjusted for those who want a less ambitious trip.”
Los Angeles Times, July 2009
A Bicycle Trip through Thailand Becomes a Tribute
A moving article by a loyal Backroads guest: “Four months after her husband died of a heart attack, she pedals through a land full of guardian spirits. It seemed natural that his spirit would follow her there.”
City Life, April-May 2009
Pedals of Incomparable Adventure
“With physical activity and eco-awareness on the rise, people are seeking new routes with it comes to the ultimate getaway. It's a trend that's picking up speed, as travellers combine bicycling with voyages to distant lands, provided by first-rate tour companies.”
National Geographic Adventure Magazine recognizes Backroads as Number One
Backroads has been ranked as the top adventure travel company in the Biking category in the prestigious 2009 National Geographic Adventure magazine's “The Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth” survey. “Backroads was evaluated in five key categories - quality of service, spirit of adventure, education, sustainability and client satisfaction - and we're proud to have received our highest total score ever” says Tom Hale, Backroads President and Founder.
Amalfi Coast Walking - Take a hike this summer to celebrate the milestones
“Busy parents don't have to plan every detail. It makes it so easy--you sign up, you give them your credit card and you show up. It's hard to beat that.”
Distributed by Tribune Media Services. Published in the following: South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Allentown Morning Call, Ventura County Star, Connecticut Post, Conejo Valley Star, Simi Valley Star, CNN.com, SmarterTraveler.com, June-July 2008
Bhutan Walking - A spiritual awakening
“We walked through the whiplashing flags in silence, powerless witnesses to these swirling masses of cloth that held the remembrances, wishes and dreams from days and decades past.”
Contra Costa Times, Oakland Tribune, Hayward Daily Review, Fremont Argus, Tri-Valley Herald, San Mateo Times, July 20, 2008
Outside, April 2008
Argentina mountain biking among Outside's Trips of the Year
“Among the highlights: a screaming descent from an 11,000-foot mountain pass, overnights in restored haciendas, and the chance to feast on empanadas, chorizo and roast llama.”
Travel+Leisure, March 2008
Insider Trips take guests deep into a region
“With art scholar Marie-Charlotte Bouton as your guide, tour St.-Paul-de-Mausole, the hospital where Van Gogh painted 140 works.”
St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008
Tackling the Tuscan Hills
“This trip seemed just right, enough biking to enjoy the countryside, but not too much to interfere with other explorations
or the chance to sip wine or meander in one of the hamlets along the way”
Eugene Register-Guard, October 16, 2007
King of the Back Road
“Tom Hale is to adventure travel what (Nike's) Phil Knight is to sports apparel: A pacesetter.”
San Francisco Chronicle Magazine, September 2, 2007
Bright Ideas: Tom Hale's seat-of-the-pants bike touring idea just keeps growing
“The first trip was to Death Valley. I wasn't 100 percent sure anybody would show up. We'll do over $50 million in sales this year.”
Robb Report, August 2007
R&R in Costa Rica
“As if on cue, four white-faced monkeys appear, jumping from vine to vine of the thick-rooted ficus trees found here in Manuel Antonio National Park.”
USA Today, August 10, 2007
Adventure travel for families snowballs
“Being with other kids and hip young guides is so much more motivating.”
Wall Street Journal, July 2007
Adventure Tours Lighten Up
“The company is responding to customers who have said they enjoy the four-star hotels, Michelin-star restaurants and gourmet picnics set up by Backroads staffers but are either unable to or uninterested in burning off the calories along the way.”
Culturevulture.net, February 2007
Fun in Funen: Cycling in Denmark
“With its modern design aesthetic, quiet charm, welcoming populace and unspoiled countryside, Denmark is a wonderful travel destination, especially for biking.”
Honolulu Star Bulletin, December 2006
Adventure on the Back Road
“It's difficult to say what was most intriguing about the Backroads family multisport camping trip my children and I took to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks...”
Chicago Sun-Times, November 2006
Family Fun in Yosemite
How, on a Backroads Family Trip, an urban kid meets the challenges of camping adventures and shines.
National Geographic Adventure Magazine, November 2006
Hungary, Slovakia, Poland: Castles in the Sky
Backroads' new Eastern Europe biking trip is selected as one of the 25 best new outfitted trips.
NYMetro Parents, September 2006
Pedaling the Dolomites
A Backroads trip gives families the perfect combination of alone time, family time and adult- or kid-only time.
Marin Magazine, September 2006
An Andes Adventure
An incredible week of hiking, biking and cultural exploration in the timeless landscape of Peru's Sacred Valley.
Travel+Leisure, August 2006
The World's Best Awards
Travel+Leisure readers are asked to pick the cream of the crop around the globe: the top hotels, cities, islands, cruise lines, outfitters ...Yet again, Backroads makes the list.
San Diego Union Tribune, June 2006
A Pasta a Day
A Backroads biking trip through Puglia leads to tasty rewards.
SKI Magazine, June/July 2006
Going the Distance
Glaciers and mountains and bears, oh my! One writer enlists bike, raft and crampon to experience the grandeur and diversity of the Canadian Rockies.
Home & Away, May/June 2006
A Step In Maritime
Stroll along rugged coastlines, through picturesque gardens and in historical towns on a Nova Scotia walk with Backroads.
Outside, March 2006
The Wanderlist: Best Trips 2006
On Backroads' eight-day biking trip in Bali, you'll get the full-immersion tour, riding 12 to 47 miles a day and sleeping in garden and seaside spa resorts at night.
Bicycling, January/February 2006
The Must Rides
California's neighboring Sonoma and Napa Valleys have become synonymous with good riding. And they're not just local favorites, they're legitimate international must-rides.
