Blending gracious hospitality and authentic regional flair, our Premiere Inns are members of distinguished alliances such as Relais & Châteaux and Small Luxury Hotels (SLH) of the World, and have earned praise from the likes of Andrew Harper's Hideaway Report and other discerning critics. Backroads stays at more lodgings acclaimed by these respected sources than any other active travel company. From luxurious Heure Bleue Palais in Essaouira, with its traditional Moroccan courtyard garden framed by date palm and banana trees, to Hostellerie de Plaissance, a beautifully renovated former monastery in Saint-Emilion with wonderful views of the Bordeaux vineyards—these are places you'll want to savor.

Premiere Inn Trips naturally include great culinary experiences. At L'Auberge de l'Ill in Alsace, discover the fine French cuisine honored with three prestigious Michelin starts since 1967. Or follow those stars to California's Wine Country, where Madrona Manor blends a farm-to-table philosophy with great Sonoma vintages.

While our Casual Inn Trips are by definition comfortably informal, they meet a rigorous set of criteria from the demanding Backroads team. After exploring by bike or on foot, they're the perfect places to relax and absorb the spirit of a region—whether that means a lodge with glacier views in Alaska or a 16th-century Tuscan villa set among the Chianti vineyards. Each is in tune with its environment and ideally positioned for enjoying spectacular natural beauty or immersing yourself in local culture.

Casual Inn Trips offer the same authenticity in a less formal style. In the Cinque Terre and Tuscany, revel in every delicious moment at the table where savory risottos, aromatic pesto and melt-in-our mouth bruschetta are sure to tempt you. Or sit down to a meal of delicious regional specialties at the stately 17th-century Hacienda Cusin in Ecuador. A great meal after your active day—it's an essential Backroads ingredient.

Whether you're a first-time camper or a seasoned veteran, our Camping Trips immerse you in North America at its natural best. With no chores to worry about, you can just focus on enjoying the adventure and appreciate the simpler rhythm of days spent far from the city.

At the end of a great active day, imagine arriving at a camp set amid peaceful woods, rushing rivers or magnificent mountains—many overlooking the finest national parks in the U.S. and Canada. One of the five members of your Backroads team greets you with a cold drink. And under the trees, your roomy domed tent is already set up with your luggage inside and your plush sleeping bag unrolled on an extra-thick pad.

Dinner is a classic Backroads gourmet camping meal—maybe steak fajitas or grilled chicken or broiled salmon, plus fresh salads and tempting desserts (you've earned it). Later, chat for a while around the campfire or maybe take a moonlight stroll. Then ease into sleep, listening to the sounds of the night beneath a vast, star-filled sky. And in the morning, wake to freshly brewed coffee and perhaps some sourdough French toast as eggs and sausages sizzle on the grill.