Wonder if you’ll have time to relax during your Backroads active adventure? Absolutely! In fact, sometimes it turns out that the quieter, not-so-active moments of travel are treasured as one of the highlights.
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Italy’s Lake Como & Bellagio Video
Maggiore, Como and Orta could easily steal the title of Great Lakes. Shimmering blue waters set against a stunning alpine backdrop. Majestic palazzos, timeless villas and lovely lakeside towns. And quiet hikes above it all. The views, the flavors, the wines. And every beautiful detail that makes these lakes--great. Check out our Blog Article about…
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Top 5 Places to Travel in September
What do Vermont, Appalachia and Italy have in common? They’re on Backroads’ list of Best Places to Travel in September!
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Puglia to Basilicata Bike Tour Video
Puglia is genuine. Untouched. And there's no better way to experience it than by bike. Cycle past olive trees and seaside towns. Ride through a sunny paradise between the blue waves of the Adriatic and the flawless green of Basilicata. Share a table with the kindest people on the Italian peninsula. Welcome to Italy less traveled. Welcome to Puglia.
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Hiking Lake Como and the Italian Lakes Region
An enchanting landscape of deep, lake-filled valleys was carved across northern Italy by the retreating glaciers of the last Ice Age. Unique micro-climates provide this area with Mediterranean weather that is mild in both the summer and winter, fostering the lush hillside gardens that have attracted the vacationing elite since the days of the Roman…
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Top 5 Places to Travel in April
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. Whether you're taking a spring break vacation or setting off on a tour…
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The Great Rivers in Europe
Long before roads crisscrossed the nations of Europe, it was the great rivers in Europe that served as the superhighways connecting all the diverse and enduring landscapes and cultures of the old world. Flowing from one historic European capital to the next, these picturesque waterways have witnessed the rise and fall of empires across the…
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Hiking in Cinque Terre
Do your friends keep saying that you MUST visit Italy's Cinque Terre...but you're not sure how to start planning your adventure? First off, they're absolutely right--this string of colorful centuries-old seaside villages that cling to the rugged coastline of the Italian Riviera is a true bucket-list destination! As a Backroads Trip Leader, I've been introducing…
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Traveling Gluten-Free in Italy
Dreaming of traveling in Italy, but not sure if you can navigate the land of pizza and pasta with a gluten allergy? Go ahead, book that trip—incredible gluten-free Italian dishes await!
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Piedmont & Portofino: A Perfect Italian Combination
My grandfather, a chef, often said that "cooking is an art, my friend." If so, the Italians are minimalists with the mind of Salvador Dali. How else do you explain prosciutto and melon? Biscotti dipped in vin santo? Or olive oil gelato? I marvel at their creativity, their ability to perfectly pair seemingly disparate food choices that result in the creation of something altogether new and often quite extraordinary. Combining contrasting flavors, common and uncommon, familiar and unfamiliar, leave a lasting impression that transforms the enjoyable but ordinary into an experience both memorable and sublime. In my experience, the pairing of travel destinations can have a similar effect. Italy's Piedmont and Portofino are two distinct destinations that perfectly complement each other.
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