Stories

What is it like to switch from Backroads Trip Leader to Backroads guest? Thanks to the trip credit available to Backroads employees—an initiative to make sure everyone in our office understands the magic of what we do—many Backroads Trip Leaders have had the opportunity to experience our trips from…

Outdoor group travel creates meaningful connections through shared adventures, turning hikes, bike rides and new experiences into lasting memories. Whether traveling solo, as a couple or with family, guests often discover that the people they meet become as memorable as the destination itself.

What happens when siblings lead a Backroads trip together? Meet Simone and Roberta Loperoti, who have spent a lifetime learning how to work together. Their sibling bond, shared sense of humor and complementary strengths create a dynamic guest experience that feels equal parts travel, storytelling an…

What happens when a climate awareness ride is disrupted by extreme heat? One Backroads employee shares her experience cycling the Climate Classic in the Netherlands.

Family travel can influence personal growth, cultural identity and relationships across different stages of life. In this personal account, four Backroads trips over 14 years demonstrate how travel fostered wonder, strengthened family connections, deepened cultural roots and provided new perspective…

The Ring of Beara Cycle is one of Ireland's most popular cycling events, bringing thousands of riders to the Beara Peninsula each year. Through the Backroads Give Back Program, Ireland Field Staff volunteered at a support station, helping cyclists stay hydrated and safe during an unexpected heat wav…

For many descendants of Italian immigrants, active travel offers a meaningful way to reconnect with ancestral villages, family history and Italian culture. But the experience rarely remains personal for long—family stories and discoveries often become part of the collective journey, adding meaning f…

When Meg Zucker, author of Born Extraordinary, joined a cycling trip in Mallorca, she wasn't looking for special treatment, just an opportunity to explore. What she found was a welcoming community, supportive Trip Leaders and a powerful reminder that adventure travel can be accessible to everyone.

In honor of World Bicycle Day, we’re celebrating the simple joy of moving through the world on two wheels. This year, that spirit comes to life through our support of the Napa Valley Vine Trail, a project that invites people to slow down, travel safely and experience the journey as something beautif…

In Italy, some of the best things happen senza pensieri—without overthinking them. Water is one of them—you fill your bottle and move on. According to the Italian National Institute of Health, drinking water is tested regularly across the country, with over 99 percent of samples meeting safety stand…