When people hear that you work for Backroads, the first question they ask is “Do you get to go on trips?” The answer is an enthusiastic “Yes!” Travel perks are just one of the special things about working here and deciding where to go is half the fun. So we asked: with literally hundreds of trips to choose from, where did Backroads employees go in 2025? Here’s what they said.
Raechel Becerra, Payroll Lead based in California, went on the Sardinia & Corsica Multi-Adventure Tour with her sister
"I LOVE working at Backroads, but don’t have much experience on a bike. In fact, I remember falling off my bike when I was about 13 just crossing a street, and my friends made fun of me for how uncoordinated I was! So I was really nervous to go on an active travel trip and bike 15+ miles for multiple days in a row. I was wildly surprised and proud of myself for being able to complete the rides each day and really enjoyed my time on the bike! It reminded me that I can do hard things, and it was nice to challenge myself. I feel so lucky to be a part of Backroads and for my job to give me the opportunity to experience the world."
Luca Costamagna, European Leadership Development Manager based in Pernes, France, went on the Ireland’s County Cork & Kerry Bike Tour with fellow Backroads employee Agostina Adams
"We chose this trip as we were looking for a culturally rich destination, a cooler climate (Southern Europe is REALLY hot in June) and great riding.
An amazing combination of different factors made this trip unique. It was nice and sunny for the whole week (unexpected in Ireland!), but the rains of the previous weeks had made the hills more alive and greener than ever. I also truly appreciated the cultural activities: getting in touch with locals in the pubs, with live music, hearty food and a pint of Guinness."
Tom Coyston, Yield Operations Lead based in Berkeley, went on Hawaii's Big Island Multi-Adventure Trip with his wife, Scarlett
"I had never been to Hawaii OR on a Backroads trip. We chose Hawaii because we wanted to stay domestic yet feel like it was different from anywhere else we've been. Scarlett is not as big of a cyclist as I am, so the Multi-Adventure seemed like the perfect blend of activities that we'd both enjoy.
The first day of the trip we had a great start: a cultural tour, a picnic and a visit to a lava tunnel. We were getting to know our Trip Leaders (Paige, Ryan and Allison) and getting an idea of what to expect for the week as we were shuttling around and talking with the other guests. As we pulled into the car park of the Kilauea Lodge, which was our first stay, Paige called out that Ryan had been monitoring the live stream of the volcano, and it was starting to erupt. They made the decision to drop our bags at the hotel and then immediately shuttle us all to the park to watch the eruption. Witnessing this in person was an amazing experience and one that my wife and I won't ever forget, and it was all due to the willingness and ability of the leaders to pivot on a moment's notice. That evening after dinner, the leaders offered to take everyone back to the park to see the lava flow in the dark. This was truly one of the best trips either of us has ever taken."
Amy Darling, Travel Specialist based in Salt Lake City, went on the Spanish Pyrenees Lodge-to-Lodge Hiking Trip with her husband, Carson, and fellow Backroads employee Ashley Cracroft and her husband, Danny
"We chose this trip because of the higher activity level and adventure. We love that it was in the mountains, and we had ample opportunities to add our own adventures onto a couple of days—including a via ferrata with a fun pendulum chain swing!
I will always remember the gorgeous scenery! And the great company and leaders. But also, I was SO impressed by the guests on this trip! Some of these hikes were tough, and they were crushers!"
Quinnen Donahue, Senior Manager of Talent Development based in Berkeley, went on the Baltics Bike Trip with husband (and fellow Backroads employee) Martin Tonner
"Despite so much personal travel and living and working around the world as a Trip Leader, this was an area that I knew very little about. It is one of our newer trips and I really wanted to experience the area. I was also 6.5 months pregnant and wanted a biking trip that was going to be relatively flat with a lot of options to learn about a new culture, engage with locals—and have spa opportunities.
I loved the people—both the guests and the locals. The other guests on this trip were incredibly interesting, and the locals shared so openly and candidly about the ongoing struggles in the region. We had stimulating, deep conversations about freedom and cultural identities. Also—the food! I didn't know what to expect and I was pleasantly surprised by how delicious it was.
I have been an active cyclist (and slightly competitive) most of my life. On this trip I learned to embrace full vacation mode and slow down. I got an e-bike, gel seat and cruised at my own pace. I rode each day, but not always the long option and really enjoyed my down time at the hotels and spas."
Bob Greeneisen, Director of Operations based in Salt Lake City, took the Basque Country Multi-Adventure Trip with his partner, Malia
"I visited this area during my college backpacking days and wanted to return. Great hotels, food, beautiful area and culture! Plus, my girlfriend is from Hawaii, so the surfing activity was a bonus for her!
In Saint Jean-de-Luz, we stopped for lunch—a delicious spread of local specialties—at a family-run tavern. You could tell little had changed in many years; it was like stepping back in time. It really felt like a spot well off the beaten path and one that I would have never found myself."
Nick McConnell, Travel Advisor Account Manager based in Berkeley, went on the Tuscany Bike Tour with his father
"I wanted to do a trip in Italy because my father is half Italian and grew up with his 100 percent Italian grandmother and mother; they showed him so much of the culture when he was young, yet he had never been to Italy before! I knew that it would be a special and significant trip for both him and me, and it was fantastic to offer that experience to him as a perk of my job.
We had a wine tasting where we learned about how wine was made in the region hundreds of years ago all the way through to the present. I am not much of a wine connoisseur, so it was tough for me to find the “nicest” bottle in the tasting, but my dad is very into wine and had a great time tasting the different varieties. Plus, the food was delicious all around. My dad has celiac disease and was worried about not being able to try everything, but the leaders made sure my dad had a gluten-free version of almost everything that everyone else was having. He even joked that he was able to eat more food there than back home! It was great seeing my dad experience Italian culture firsthand and was truly a memorable experience for the both of us."
Lee Micheaux, Marketing Director based in Berkeley, went on the Bali Multi-Adventure Trip with her daughter, Mariella
"Bali has been on my list ever since I started working at Backroads; when I saw that the recent redesign of it included an Aman property, I was thrilled!
On our last (half) day of biking, we headed out early in the morning when there was still a chill in the air. After some climbing, we warmed up and needed to lose an outer layer. Wayan Narta (our national guide who was with us every day of the trip and was biking with us that morning) suggested we pull over in front of a school to pack our jackets away. The kids were out on the schoolyard; Wayan talked to the teachers and they invited us in! It was just Mariella, one other guest and me. We sang “Head, Shoulder, Knees and Toes” a few times with the kids and it was SUCH a special moment to take part in their daily life."
Shari Rasmussen, Scheduling Lead based in Salt Lake City, went on the Vermont Hiking & Walking Tour with her wife, Heather
"We chose this trip because of the fall foliage, and because we love spending time outside and hiking. Plus, Heather had never been to the East Coast, so it was a perfect fit!
The thing we loved most about this trip were the hiking trails. A lot of the land where we hiked was on preserves. I was really impressed that Vermont has prioritized setting aside green space for access to nature. Also, the Field Staff set up the most incredible picnics in such scenic areas—true farm-to-table experiences."
Kerry Tiedeman, Regional Field Lead based in Pernes, France, went on the Brittany & Normandy Premiere Biking Tour with fellow Backroads employee Miguel Angel Soto
"We chose this trip because neither of us had ever been to Brittany or Normandy and we were interested in the history and beautiful coastline. I had always heard that the north may be cold, but that the people make up for it with their warm hearts. It did not disappoint! And the seafood is incredible: mussels, clams, fresh oysters on the beach. In St-Malo, we even swam in the natural swimming pool created by the extreme tides.
An added plus is that the hotels on this trip are in town, and we had ample time to explore, go for after dinner drinks and meet the locals."
Brittany Tomasko, Trip Consultant based in Berkeley, went solo on the Norway's Lofoten Islands Hiking Tour
"This trip sparked my interest because of the challenging hiking. I couldn't wait to hike above the Arctic Circle, to go from the ocean to the top of a mountain. The Lofoten archipelago is jaw-droppingly spectacular from start to finish. From flying in over the islands to experiencing the magic of the midnight sun, every moment felt unforgettable. I was in awe of the shimmering turquoise waters and the endless, sweeping views in every direction. Our hikes led us along well-maintained trails, though the terrain was often rugged—featuring granite steps, ladders, chains and boulder hopping. This adventure tested both strength and spirit and rewarded us with breathtaking beauty at every turn."
Mark Vashro, Rooming Operation Manager based in Berkeley, went on the Madrid to Porto Biking Tour with fellow Backroads employee Matt Orendorff
"I had not taken a vacation for myself in many years. Working as a leader and creating vacations for others was a lifestyle, so when I started working in the Berkeley office I needed to get used to taking time off and enjoying the world around me.
When I jumped into the Douro River after a long day of biking, the crisp October water sent a shocking reminder through my body of how I need to make more space in my life for play and relaxation without expectation. So much of my life is about planning what comes next, so when my head popped out of that clear, flowing water I laid back and just looked at the sky. With my ears insulated by the water from the world around me, I was able to drop into my own mind and sense of peacefulness. Then I got out and ate some incredible jamon!"
Sebastien Veau, European Bike Shop Manager based in Pernes, France, went on the Santorini & Crete Multi-Adventure Tour with fellow Backroads employee Isabelle Opper
"I choose this trip because of the ancient history of Crete and Greece and for the culinary aspect of these Mediterranean Islands. Plus, both Premiere Hotels look fantastic!!!
The afternoon of Day 2, after a great lunch at a local eatery, we went on a traditional sailboat for a small cruise and enjoyed the warm and clear water for a swim in the middle of this fantastic landscape. It was one of those magical moments when you're so happy to work for Backroads and be able to go on a trip as a benefit!"
Sarah Walker, Regional Lead, Dolomites & Italian Lakes, went on the Cotswolds Women's Walking Tour with her aunt
"I brought my aunt, Catherine, along for her first Backroads trip. My aunt has always been the most active and outdoorsy of the whole family and she introduced me to hiking in the Cascade mountains as a teenager. She also got me riding a road bike and “clipping in” to pedals. Catherine long served as the General Counsel of REI and was very familiar (and involved) with REI Adventures. We haven't had much time to travel together since I was in college, so this was a special chance to do that again. I can’t wait to take her on another Backroads trip in the future.
I had always taken Bike Trips with Backroads but this year I decided to do a Hiking & Walking Trip; we also liked the idea of doing a Women's Adventure (most of which are Hiking & Walking). We chose the Cotswolds because I had never spent time in England and was really keen to see the landscapes, historic buildings and just take it easy. It delivered all that and more.
I had always heard negative stereotypes about British food, even from the Brits! But I was absolutely blown away by how great the meals were on this trip. We had plenty of variety and, while some of it wasn't traditional English fare, it represented the openness, sophistication and evolution of their culture. As a Regional Leader in Italy, I sometimes struggle to get dinners quicker and simpler for guests, as well as accommodate all the dietary restrictions. I can safely say that these hotels and restaurants nailed it. I also have never had such incredible gluten-free desserts anywhere in the world. That was a huge treat."
Melissa Williard from Trip Development in Berkeley went on the South Dakota Family Multi-Adventure Trip with her eight-year-old son
"I chose this trip for the combo of national park, national monument and state park—Badlands, Mt. Rushmore and the Black Hills. I had not been there before, so I was excited to see a new place; how beautiful the Black Hills were!
The Kids’ Trip Leaders were a big hit—they orchestrated a hiking scavenger hunt for the kids, and they played a game where they had to balance Oreos on their face and try to get them into their mouths.
Riding with my son was a bit out of my comfort zone, letting go and trusting his biking ability—it was a little uneasy at the time, but in the end, it was a very memorable part of the trip."
Lilly Young, Supplier Op Coordinator based in Berkeley, went on Utah’s Bryce & Zion Bike Tour with her partner, Maeve
"We chose this trip because we wanted to challenge ourselves and see what we’re capable of when it came to biking. I also had never been to Bryce or Zion, so it felt like the perfect excuse to finally check out this part of the world!
What I will always remember is the amazing group of people I was lucky enough to share first experiences with, like biking through Zion—protected by Backroads vans, so we had the road all to ourselves—or hiking through the Hoodoos of Bryce Canyon, illuminated by the oranges and reds of the rocks. At our farewell dinner, every person gushed over how special our group was because we were all there for the same reason: to be in the moment and enjoy the outdoors in a unique way we never had before—by bike! By the end of the trip, Maeve and I had a network of new friends all over the world, which we will cherish forever."
