Backroads Media Center: Press Releases

August 2018

More Than 120 Departures Now Open to Book for 2019 and 2020 Travel

AmaWaterways and Backroads – who, together, are leaders in the active river cruise travel segment – today announced an exciting lineup of more than 120 Danube, Douro, Rhine and Seine departures in 2019 and 2020, including nine full-ship charters and select sailings onboard AmaWaterways’ innovative new ship, AmaMagna. Marking their fourth year of partnership, the companies are also introducing select “expanded capacity” sailings, which will bring together more than 60 fellow Backroads cycling enthusiasts onboard a single ship, providing for a larger active community and more riding companions.

“We’re excited to introduce new options with Backroads, and to welcome even more active travelers onboard our ships, including the beautiful AmaMagna,” said Kristin Karst, executive vice president and co-owner of AmaWaterways. “2019 is going to be a banner year for AmaWaterways, and we’re excited to continue our valued partnership with Backroads during this very exciting time!”

After a nearly sold-out 2018 season, the two companies have their sights set on expansion in 2019 and 2020. In 2019, Backroads will offer 68 total departures perfect for couples, families and solo travelers – including bike tours along Europe’s Danube, Douro, Rhine and Seine Rivers and walking tours along the Douro River. Continuing the trend for increased capacity, 2020 will welcome 73 total departures with six full-ship departures and additional sailings on the one-of-a-kind AmaMagna. Backroads groups make up a subset of AmaWaterways guests, with the typical group size averaging around 26 guests.

The popular full-ship charter – otherwise known as the Full Ship Celebration River Cruise – will now offer two departures on the Danube and one on the Douro in 2019 (including departures for Families with Older Teens & 20s), and three on the Danube and three on the Douro in 2020. During these cruises, 100 to 150 fellow biking enthusiasts will come together on one of the largest active group tours in the world.

Every Backroads trip features the same quality experience as traditional Backroads adventures, and include four or more expert Trip Leaders on ship and on shore, dedicated and at-the-ready support vans and innovative itineraries with a choice of cycling and walking routes for all abilities. Backroads bike tours also feature custom-designed titanium bikes for all rider types—performance, touring and electric-assist—and include fully loaded GPS routes.

“For almost 40 years Backroads has been taking guests on expertly supported, highly flexible and individualized active vacations across the globe,” said Backroads Founder and President, Tom Hale. “Our active river cruises offer a one-of-a-kind experience where we take guests not only along the rivers but beyond, creating opportunities for a deeper dive into the region’s culture and history with authentic local connections and the freedom to explore at your own pace.”

Backroads will also host several departures onboard the luxurious AmaMagna. Set to debut in May 2019 and measuring nearly twice the width of a traditional European river cruise ship, it allows for added personal space in the larger staterooms and suites (355 sq. ft. and larger); more tempting dining venues, including the Al Fresco Restaurant, Jimmy’s Wine Bar Restaurant and The Chef’s Table Restaurant; and new enticing amenities, such as the expansive Zen Wellness Studio, complete with the newly expanded Wellness Program.

Travelers interested in booking 2019 or 2020 departures will enjoy the comfort and luxury of an AmaWaterways river cruise combined with Backroads’ immersive, expertly designed Biking and Walking & Hiking tours. Onboard, guests will enjoy unique signature twin-balconies in most staterooms, as well as connecting and triple occupancy staterooms that are ideal for the growing multi-generational travel group markets. Additional amenities include a daily “Sip & Sail” complimentary cocktail hour, heated sun deck pools with swim-up bar, hair and massage salons, fitness centers and complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the ships.

About Backroads
Backroads offers luxury biking, walking & hiking, multi-adventure and family vacations around the globe plus active river and ocean cruising. For nearly four decades, Backroads has set the standard for active travel with its innovative leader hiring and training program, unrivaled trip planning and support, flexible daily route options and exceptional hotels and cuisine. All Backroads trips are fully escorted by 3-4 Trip Leaders and two or more support vans while guests travel at their own pace, enjoying a perfect blend of exhilarating activities, cultural encounters, scenery, camaraderie and fun. Backroads hosts thousands of guests each year, 75% of whom are repeat guests or referrals from past guests, and operates trips on six continents and in 58 countries.

Backroads was founded in 1979 by Tom Hale and has been in business for more than 39 years. Backroads is a founding member of the Adventure Collection. For more information, please visit www.backroads.com or call 800-462-2848 daily, 6 am - 6 pm, Pacific time.

About AmaWaterways
A family-owned company celebrating 16 years on the river, AmaWaterways offers unforgettable river cruises with 23 ships in 2019 sailing Europe’s Danube, Rhine, Moselle, Main, Rhone, Seine, Garonne, Dordogne, Dutch and Belgian Waterways and Douro Rivers, Southeast Asia’s Mekong and Africa’s Chobe River. The company is renowned for its innovative stateroom design featuring unique “twin balconies”; its wide choice of included shore excursions featuring biking and hiking options for the active traveler; and its award-winning dining—including The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant as well as complimentary fine wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner. Modern, spacious and tastefully decorated, each ship features onboard amenities such as hair and massage salons and a fitness room, and many have heated outdoor swimming pools with swim-up bars. AmaWaterways leads the river cruise industry in innovation including the 2019 launch of AmaMagna, a new dimension in luxury river cruising at twice the width of traditional river ships, plus a variety of themed sailings and brand relationships, offering group or chartered sailings geared towards active travelers and families.

With the highest-rated ships in Europe according to the third edition of Berlitz: River Cruising in Europe & the USA, AmaWaterways has received countless honors and accolades including Town & Country’s River Cruise Awards as “Best Overall,” “Best for Food,” “Best for Onboard Activities” and “Best for On-Shore Activities,” as well as 2017 AFAR and Recommend magazine Reader’s Choice Awards for “Best River Cruise Line.” For more information or to book an AmaWaterways river cruise, contact your preferred travel professional, visit AmaWaterways.com or call 800-626-0126.

March 2018

Backroads Continues to be a Trailblazer with New Hut-to-Hut, Luxury, Easy, Challenging and Unique Trekking Trips

Berkeley, CA (March 27, 2018) – Backroads, the World’s Leading Active Travel company, today announced growth in its walking and hiking trip segment with new tours ranging from easy to challenging – including new Hut-to-Hut, family and unique trips – across the globe. The company broadens its offerings in already popular destinations tying two countries together in one trip, and in the case of the new Italian, French & Swiss Alps Walking & Hiking Trip, it’s three-in-one! Backroads has seen its walking and hiking segment more than triple in size over the last five years and expects numbers to continue to rise with new trips.

Backroads launched walking and hiking tours in 1992 with departures in England, and added trips to California the following year. The company now offers more than 100 diverse walking and hiking itineraries across 35 countries and throughout the United States, including national parks.

The company’s walking and hiking trips immerse guests in the culture and natural beauty of a destination. From traditional Andean villages to rain forest trails and beyond, travelers with Backroads report feeling deeply connected with a region after experiencing its everyday life on foot, observing details that typical tourists miss and enjoying spontaneous encounters along the way. Exploring on foot offers a chance to feel the sand dunes shift beneath your feet, to follow the tracks of elephants, walk over hills and literally through the woods. Backroads guests go at their own pace, fully supported, stopping when the mood strikes just to take it all in.

“We believe that there is something very special about exploring a region on foot and our guests believe this to be true too,” said Backroads Founder and President, Tom Hale. “They have been asking for more hiking and walking trips, bigger challenges, and special lodging options like staying in old castles, lodges, or the unique opportunity to sleep in classic but upscale European hiking huts. In 2018, Backroads is rolling out a great new selection of walking and hiking trips for every kind of traveler.”

Outlined below are new Backroads trips launching in 2018, along with the company’s most challenging walking and hiking departures, most leisurely, unique trips, national park staples, most popular and family favorites.

Backroads New Walking & Hiking Trips in 2018 include:

Most Challenging Walking & Hiking Trips

Backroads More Leisurely Walking & Hiking Trips

Backroads Unique Walking & Hiking Trips

Trips for Every Type of Hiker/Walker

US National Parks Walking & Hiking Trips

Backroads Most Popular Walking & Hiking Trips

Family Favorite Walking & Hiking Trips

Backroads trips are designed to be incredibly flexible, a feat made possible in part thanks to Backroads’ industry-setting leader-to-guest ratio. Combined with our three or four Trip Leaders, two vans and multiple route options, guests have the freedom to explore at their own pace, without being forced to hike slower or faster than they want.

About Backroads
Backroads was founded in 1979 by Tom Hale and has been in business for more than 39 years. The company hosts thousands of guests each year, 75% of whom are repeat guests or referrals from past guests, in hundreds of locations across the globe. Backroads is a founding member of the Adventure Collection. For more information, please visit backroads.com or call 800-462-2848 daily, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Pacific time.

January 2018

For the Love of Travel—Backroads Announces Top Ten Romantic Trips

Berkeley, CA (January 31, 2018) Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Backroads, the World’s Leading Active Travel company, today announced the Top 10 Trips for Romance. For almost 40 years, Backroads has been taking guests on active vacations in destinations across the globe. Since the company’s inception, guests have celebrated romantic milestones with Backroads. In 2017, Backroads guests enjoyed a Tuscan honeymoon private trip, an anniversary on the Danube Active River Cruise Full Ship Celebration and a mountaintop proposal in the California Wine Country, just to name a few.

Whether it’s a celebratory kiss on a mountain summit or a post-ride barefoot walk along a white sand beach, these 10 trips are sure to spark a flame of romance:

“I love hearing from Backroads guests that they met their spouse on one of our trips, or celebrated an anniversary while traveling with us,” said Backroads Founder and President Tom Hale. "Sharing the passion of adventure with a loved one is very special and something that we enjoy helping to facilitate.”

The Ultimate Wedding Gift

Because love and travel go hand in hand, Backroads offers a wedding registry. Couples can easily create accounts with the Backroads Honeymoon Registry and wedding guests can give the gift of adventure by contributing financially to a wedding gift and experience they’ll never forget. Contributors to the Backroads Honeymoon Registry receive a gift card to present to the wedding couple. To set up a Honeymoon Registry, please contact 800-462-2848.

More of Backroads’ Most Romantic Trips include:

France

Italy

Africa, Asia & the Pacific

Latin America & Caribbean

Patagonia Walking & Hiking

United States & Canada