A friend tells me that her mother still refers to a mother-daughter vacation they took years ago as “the torture trip.” What was intended to be a sweet week of pampering and bonding degraded into petty annoyances, nit-picking and constant bickering in that oh-so-special way that only mothers and daughters have. While they can laugh about it now, and they have successfully vacationed together since then, hearing her experience makes me think carefully when planning special girls trip getaways for my young adult daughter and me.

Planning a family trip to Europe can be both exciting and daunting at the same time. With so many incredible destinations to visit and exciting things to discover, it can be hard to know where to start. And when planning a family-friendly European adventure, considering both the kids’ and the adults’ wants and needs will ensure that everyone has a great vacation!

Nothing comes as close to time travel as cruising. Fall asleep in one location and—abracadabra!—wake up in a new destination. Not just convenient, but it actually does feel a little like magic.

Debra Hurt never saw herself as the adventure-travel type. Between raising two kids and managing the demands of everyday life, an active vacation seemed reserved for those with more time and more interest in sleeping in a sleeping bag. Until one day when she wandered through the immaculate grounds of a five-star hotel and unexpectedly crossed paths with a Backroads group. Suddenly, her perception of adventure travel shifted.

When Regina signed up for a Backroads trip through Utah’s National Parks in 1988, she expected fun rides, beautiful views, and great company. She didn’t expect to meet Bob, or that a single week of riding would turn into a lifetime together.

Tucked away between the gorgeous turquoise waters of the Adriatic Sea and the rest of the Balkans, you’ll find the beautiful little country of Croatia.

With so much packed into such a small place, it’s easy to miss what makes each region truly distinct. That’s where a real local comes in handy. Luckily for us, we’ve got Scotland and UK Regional Expert Keith Emslie to help us unravel this rich tapestry of cultures.

At Backroads, we’ve been exploring Spain for decades. These are what we think are the six best hiking destinations in Spain, suitable for a wide range of activity levels.

January: the perfect month to curl up at home with a book and a cup of hot chocolate, right? Maybe for some people, but for the rest of us, it's is the perfect time to get off the beaten path. At Backroads we believe that the traveling season is year-round, and January is the perfect example. From snowy adventures in the northern hemisphere to jungle or desert treks down south, every traveler can find something to surprise, stimulate and challenge them in January.

Spring is almost here and it's time to hit the road! As winter disappears into memory, flowers are blooming in green spaces around the world and people are getting into the summer mood with festivals and celebrations in the sunny months ahead.