Experiences

Part company meeting, part bike tour, part rave, Staff Ride is Backroads’ annual company gathering. Each fall, hundreds of Backroads staff (600+ this year) descend on some corner of the world—India, Croatia, Italy and this year, Valencia, Spain, for a week of cycling, reconnecting and unapologetic joy.

When women travel together, something amazing happens. Cheering each other on up the big climbs, waving to local kids and lingering at roadside markets.

As world travelers, you surely have flown out of the country by plane. Maybe you’ve gone north and shown your passport to a Canadian officer who asked, “Good day, eh?” Perhaps you have used the high-speed trains of Europe to whisk you from place to place.

What do you know about puffins? They're smaller than penguins, they live in Iceland, and they're cute. Great! Unfortunately, they're also elusive little creatures, with unique and specific migratory patterns and a habit of nesting in remote hundred-meter cliffs. Like the Northern Lights, puffins are unpredictable, but here are a few suggestions of where and when you're more likely to spot them.

June is a time of festivals, of family time, of exotic adventures and challenging yourself to try something new. Here are our top destinations for the month.

A few years ago, electric-assist bikes were known only to cycling enthusiasts. Today, the demand for these nifty cruisers has skyrocketed worldwide for people of all ages and cycling preferences.

When I first joined Backroads, I never imagined how far this adventure would take me—literally and metaphorically. From cycling and hiking the far corners of Europe, trekking the jungles of Central America to guiding guests in the vibrant cultures of Asia, I’ve been privileged to learn, grow and share in some of the world’s most extraordinary places. But nothing has felt quite as much like coming home as leading trips in Tanzania.

In a world where travel is more accessible than ever, many travelers now seek deeper, more meaningful experiences that go beyond simply visiting a destination—they want to truly connect with it. Backroads shares this philosophy, believing that travel isn’t just about seeing new sights; it’s about immersing yourself in the culture, tasting the local flavors and understanding a place through the eyes of the people who live there.

When we launched our new Women’s Adventures at Backroads, we figured there’d be interest. We had high expectations the first few departures would fill, but we didn’t expect just how fast it would all take off. Within weeks, the response came pouring in—and just like that, we were working overtime to keep up. I’ll be honest, I was surprised at first. But when I really sit with it, maybe I shouldn’t have been.

Nothing puts a spring in your step like a landscape of wildflowers. On the first day of the season, we've compiled the top ten Backroads trips for flower lovers.