Destinations

We love watching Hollywood make fantastical worlds out of some of our favorite travel destinations, but there’s nothing quite like experiencing them in real life.

Yellowstone became the world’s first national park in 1872, when President Ulysses S. Grant set the land apart “as a public park or pleasuring ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people.” This vast natural space of over 2 million acres has served exactly that purpose for over 150 years now.

If sipping a glass of Pinot while overlooking vineyard-draped hills is your idea of bliss, you’re not alone. But why stop at Napa or Bordeaux when the world is bursting with wine regions just waiting to be explored? Whether you're a casual enthusiast or a full-blown oenophile, these regions offer the perfect pairing: epic landscapes, rich culture and of course, outstanding wine. Pack your palate and your passport—this is your ticket to a global wine adventure, tailor-made for travelers who crave a taste of something different.

I used to call it “the end of the world,” but I was corrected by the locals who rightfully refer to it as “the beginning of the world.” After spending a few weeks in Patagonia, I now understand why. This faraway land straddling Chile and Argentina is larger than life, raw and multifaceted. Despite the long journey to get there, everyone who gets to visit this land leaves it feeling lucky, like they were made privy to a well-kept secret.

It’s been several summers since the pandemic, but it seems like Europe’s wave of “quarantine revenge travel” is still cresting. Whether it’s on Croatia’s photogenic Adriatic isles, in Prague’s fairy-tale lanes or along Venice’s canals, Europeans (and Europe-lovers) will tell you without any doubt: we’re feeling the pressure of eager tourist crowds.

Rugged, radiant and steeped in stories, the American Southwest is more than a destination—it’s a journey through layered landscapes and layered histories. From the sandstone arches of Utah to the red rock canyons of Arizona, the cliff dwellings of New Mexico to the alpine mesas of Southern Colorado, this region invites adventure travelers to explore on foot and by bike, tracing the footsteps of Ancestral Puebloans, Spanish explorers and the Indigenous communities that still call this land home. Wherever you're trekking or riding in the Southwest, each trail tells a tale—etched in stone, sun and spirit.

Scotland. A land known for its misty mountains and distilleries with history hiding behind every corner. But beyond the castles and bagpipes there’s a whole world to be explored–by bike!

My first time in Andalusia, I arrived in the enchanting city of Granada in the evening. I walked on narrow streets snaking through ancient neighborhoods and cramped bazaars on my way to my lodging for the night. Up on the hill, overlooking the city, was the citadel of La Alhambra. It was glowing reddish-orange, outlined by the thick black of the night sky. It was powerful and majestic, a historic stronghold whose presence was an artful backdrop to a vibrant city. Granada was fully on display. So began my love of Southern Spain.

Thundering. Powerful. Majestic. Just a few ways to describe the natural phenomenon that is a waterfall. As you gradually approach one on a hike or bike ride, there’s nothing quite like starting to hear the pounding of a cascade before its dramatic reveal. From Iceland to Oregon, join us on an unforgettable adventure to witness first hand one of these incomparable wonders.

Backroads Leaders in Central Oregon reveal six insider reasons why you should visit the city of Bend as soon as possible!