Experiences

Adventure travel isn’t always about peak performance or picture-perfect moments—it’s about pushing boundaries, embracing discomfort and discovering strength in unexpected places. In this heartfelt personal essay, guest blogger Dani Wiesenthal shares her transformative experience on an all-women’s hiking trip through the Canadian Rockies with Backroads. From sore muscles and self-doubt to breathtaking vistas and connections with the other women travelers, this story captures the raw, real magic of venturing into the wild—especially when shared with someone you love.

They say that the memory of tastes and smells is the strongest and longest-lasting of them all. Well, if I had to describe what my childhood tasted and smelled like, I would say olive oil and warm bread.

When traveling with Backroads, be ready to find yourself in the right place at the right time. Imagine hiking on a sunny day at 6,500 feet of elevation in the Swiss Alps. It’s the second day of a Women’s Adventure trip. After conquering some steep hills in the morning, we have lunch by a lake in Switzerland before crossing the invisible country border back into France. We see the Chamonix Valley in the distance where our beautiful hotel waits for us in the middle of town. We are ready to come down, after a day well spent outdoors.

Want to travel solo but not alone? Choose a Backroads adventure where you can choose how much or how little group time you need. It’s the ultimate freedom!

Did you know that 63% of travelers are women? What about the fact that 85% of solo travelers are female? We here at Backroads are celebrating the women traveling around the world with our brand-new collection of Women’s Adventures!

If you've spent any time traveling internationally you've undoubtedly encountered some form of curry on menus and local tables in just about any region of the world, and especially in South Asia. So what exactly is curry, and why does it seem to be everywhere? With a little bit of knowledge about this delicious culinary tradition, your traveling adventures (and your palate!) will be enriched as you learn to appreciate all that curry has to offer. I'm here to help you out!

In a country as magnificent as France, where class and style are as prevalent as the grapes in the endless vineyards, selecting our favorite Backroads hotels is a nearly impossible task. But we’ve done our best! Here are seven exceptional properties visited on Backroads trips in this remarkable country. To stay at any of these incredible accommodations is to immediately recognize that you’ve arrived somewhere truly special. Whether enjoying a Michelin-starred meal, vistas of imposing mountain peaks or the scent of immaculate gardens, each of these hotels promises a complete sensory tableau.

If you've ever thought a bike tour was just for athletes, or that a walking tour may be too challenging, think again! Our Dolce Tempo trips are a more easygoing version of some of our best-selling active adventures, created for guests looking for a mellower pace and the company of other travelers who also like to savor the journey. These thoughtfully crafted itineraries allow for ultimate flexibility—whether that’s enjoying hand-picked routes over gentle trails, cruising on an e-bike, relaxing spa treatment at the hotel or anything in between.

We all remember our teenage years—some of us more vividly than others. Looking back, I remember I was both unsure of who I was and convinced I knew everything. I was curious, excitable and, above all, impressionable.

If you’re staying within the United States, there’s no shortage of amazing destinations to discover. With so much natural beauty across the country, adventure is closer than you might think. Here are our top ten vacation tours in the US.