In Vietnam, our Trip Leaders combine deep local expertise with a firm grasp of North American expectations around quality of service. By the same token, we pair experienced Backroads leaders with local guides who know how to cater to your needs while cracking open the culture or natural history in ways that are meaningful, memorable and often magical. On this trip, enjoy exclusive access to an ancient Hanoi temple rarely visited by foreign travelers. And leave the tourists behind, pedaling past bucolic settlements and vibrant green rice paddies on wonderfully quiet roads.

We always think of traveling as a way to discover the world and to learn about different cultures. For me, travelling is also about returning to my roots and rediscovering who I am. Leading the Active Gourmet trip in Tuscany is a chance to see my homeland through the eyes of our guests and to learn new things about myself. After all, food and wine are just catalysts. In Italy it's all about sharing. And talking. Very loudly!

Eating on Backroads trips is not only fun, it's necessary! With great activity comes great responsibility to fuel the body, and fuel the body properly. You may not know this, but Backroads leaders compete with each other to create the best snack table possible...

There's nothing quite like hiking in the Swiss Alps. Over the years, I've thought about what makes hiking in Switzerland unique and I've come to the conclusion that it's not merely the perfect signage. Here are a few of the elements that make the land of cheese and chocolate an exceptional place to hike.

Now this is camping! Imagine pedaling or hiking up to a campsite to find your family's roomy dome tents set up, your luggage stowed inside and your plush sleeping bag unrolled on a raised cot--with a comfortable Therm-a-Rest mattress for extra padding. This is life on a Backroads Deluxe Camping Trip: experiencing the great outdoors in style while your multitalented Trip Leaders, Camp Chef and Camp Assistant look after all the details--like making sure there's always a crackling fire to enjoy as the sun sinks below the treetops.

You might think of coffee as just a hot beverage you drink from a paper cup in the car on the way to work. Here in Italy, coffee is not simply a drink, it's a key aspect of the culture. It's a social event and a tradition that Italians proudly preserve. If you find yourself looking for a pick-me-up in Italy, here are some helpful tips on what--and when--to order.

The Incas weren't keen on crowds and neither are we. In nearly two decades of exploring Peru, we've seen more and more people making the pilgrimage to Cusco and Machu Picchu. We get it - but we also need a little space to take in this otherworldly place among the peaks and contemplate its spiritual past. Fortunately, with our local connections we can get you clear of the tourist trek, hiking off the beaten path and immersing you in the culture of remote communities in the Sacred Valley.

We're proud to announce that our very own leader Kelsey Tonner has made the short list for the Wanderlust World Guide Award, the only global award for tour leaders and guides. Wanderlust is a British travel magazine that focuses on intelligent and inspirational travel, and Kelsey helps provide just that. We caught up with Kelsey to learn more about him and the award.

Waffles in Belgium have a distinct connection to the city or town in which they were developed, and many families and regions guard their recipes as precious secrets. When my Belgian grandma made waffles, drafts of warm air would billow out of the kitchen, filling the house with a delicious smell.

We've been bringing guests on Multisport Adventures in Costa Rica for 20 years. Our Regional Expert has lived here for more than half that time, raising her own family near Manuel Antonio National Park. We've found the best hiking and biking routes, and built relationships with the most accomplished local guides, all so we can take you off the beaten path to discover the real Costa Rica. And we offer more active trips over peak holiday periods than any other company.