Stories

In my family, our vacations look a little different. Through my childhood and into adulthood, our family get-togethers consisted of biking through the Spanish Pyrenees, across the Croatia/Montenegro border, or hopscotching the mythical Greek isles. By the age of 22, I had been on five Backroads trips all around the world. Each adventure provided me with a challenge and memories I hold with me today. As I reflect on the formative years of my life, at every adolescent milestone, a Backroads trip has been there.

As a CEO, I’m used to leading. I’m used to planning the route, setting the pace and carrying the weight of decisions. But when I travel with Backroads, I get to set all of that down—and it’s one of the healthiest, most soul-refreshing choices I make all year. This spring, I had the joy of taking my sixth Backroads trip: a six-day hiking adventure in Peru, including unforgettable hikes along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Llamas followed us along winding mountain paths, ancient ruins rose around us and every step seemed to carry a deeper lesson—not just about travel, but about life, leadership and creativity.

Avery Hale Smith's take on “wellness” as a holistic experience.

Debra Hurt never saw herself as the adventure-travel type. Between raising two kids and managing the demands of everyday life, an active vacation seemed reserved for those with more time and more interest in sleeping in a sleeping bag. Until one day when she wandered through the immaculate grounds of a five-star hotel and unexpectedly crossed paths with a Backroads group. Suddenly, her perception of adventure travel shifted.

When Regina signed up for a Backroads trip through Utah’s National Parks in 1988, she expected fun rides, beautiful views, and great company. She didn’t expect to meet Bob, or that a single week of riding would turn into a lifetime together.

From Picking Grapes to Sipping Wines: Daniel Rodriguez’s path from working in the vineyards as a migrant farmworker to cycling past them as a Backroads guest.

Guest Raman Pfaff on taking ten trips in one year.

Guests on Backroads trips to Ireland explore their family history and connect with the land and culture. Alison traced her great-great-grandfather's roots in Schull, feeling a deep connection despite finding no physical evidence. Sean, with a name like O'Shea, felt drawn to Ireland, especially after discovering his father's childhood village. Both guests experienced the warmth of Irish hospitality and the beauty of the countryside, creating lasting memories on their ancestral journeys.

We just got back from Mallorca and Menorca, where, as you can see in these photos shot by Liz, I had a smile on my face for the whole week.

When my husband asked me how I’d like to mark my 40th birthday, my answer was to go on an action-packed adventure with him and our three kids. A vacation where there is something for everyone seemed like the ultimate challenge.