Experiences

Discover the world your way—powered by you. Savor fresh olive oil in Chianti. Tap your toe to bluegrass in Kentucky. Embark on a multi-country adventure with your kids, creating memories that last a lifetime. Travel is about so much more than the destination.

Four bikers on a road full of leaves and surrounded by forest
January 4, 2024

Top Ten Travel Trends for 2024: Unique Outdoor Experiences Are Trending

Camino de Santiago, Scandinavia and Women’s Adventures Top the List of our top ten active travel trends in 2024 to help inspire your next grand adventure.

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Woman playing a traditional instrument while wearing a traditional outfit
March 21, 2023

The Best Trips for Music Fans

From the infectious rhythms of Cuba’s iconic salsa music to the down-home pluckiness of Bluegrass by-the-fire in Kentucky, the live music on the trips below strikes just the right chord. 

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Tom Hale - President of Backroads Travel
May 28, 2020

A Message from Tom Hale: Inspiration in the Outdoors

When I first decided more than 40 years ago that I was going to start an active travel company leading bike tours around the country, a lot of people thought I was crazy. But I knew that something special happens when you combine physical activity with exploring new and inspiring places.

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Backroads Hiking Trips in Iceland
February 6, 2020

Why "Journey" Should Be Your Word of the Year

According to U.S. News & World Report, about 80% of New Year's resolutioners will lose their resolve by mid-February.

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January 7, 2020

The Three Types of Family Trips

We recognize that throwing a bunch of children of all ages together isn’t necessarily the best way to travel with your family. That’s why we’ve developed three specific types of family trips. Keep reading to see the differences between them and find out which one is right for your family.

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Dogsled Race in Alaska
January 7, 2020

Alaska's Iditarod: "The Last Great Race"

The Iditarod is one of the most epic dogsledding races in the world, but outside of Alaska, few even know what it is. How long is it? Why is it known as "the last great race"? And do they really race with dogs? As a man who has mushed a few teams myself, I like to start with a brief history, dispel some common misconceptions, and then relate some of my favorite facts about the race.

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Pool Relaxing in Germany with Backroads
June 19, 2019

The Relaxing Side of Backroads Trips

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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Land Sailing in France
October 11, 2018

Ten Adventurous Family Vacation Ideas in Europe

Nothing beats traveling with your family—experiencing new things through the fresh eyes of your kids, while instilling in them a sense of adventure and new perspectives. Europe is full of ideal family trip destinations that are close enough to be accessible, yet far enough away to be new and exciting.

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Santiago Pilgrimage
September 14, 2018

Walking the Camino de Santiago

To truly understand the significance of the Camino, you have to travel at least a part of it yourself. I did, and what I discovered is that at the heart of this storied path of quaint villages, picturesque landscapes and historical relics lies a deep spiritual journey—one that began with Roman-era Christians but now includes people from many different walks of life.

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Sunset in Hawaii
May 11, 2018

Our Hawaii Big Island Biking & Hiking Adventure

Martin surprised me with a six-day cycling trip to Hawaii's Big Island for my 60th birthday. What a great way to start a new decade —riding a bicycle in paradise!

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