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.
Ever wonder what happens when a CEO stops leading for a while?
I breathe deeper.
I laugh harder.
I reconnect with wonder.
And I return to my work—and my life—renewed.
The Power of Color, Craft, and Creativity
One of the first things that struck me in Peru was the color—everywhere, bold and vibrant.
Woven textiles, painted pottery, markets bursting with reds, yellows, greens and blues. It reminded me that color creates emotion—it draws people in, creates joy and makes an experience unforgettable. As someone who works in fashion retail, it was pure inspiration.
One special day, we visited a local weaving community and I handpicked a table runner from a group of beautiful works. I got to meet the weaver—and when she saw that I had chosen her art, her smile was priceless. It was a simple moment, but deeply human: the connection between maker and appreciator, between creation and joy.
The Leadership Lessons of the Trail
Every time I hike, I’m reminded how much hiking feels like leading a company.
There are tough climbs, moments you think you can’t go on, the importance of encouraging each other to take one more step. There’s the discipline to keep moving—and the wisdom to stop and soak in the beauty of the moment. And there are deeper lessons too.
You have to lift your eyes and stay focused on where you’re going—that’s vision.
And yet, you also have to relentlessly focus on the next step—the small, steady progress that actually gets you there.
You learn the importance of pausing to catch your breath, soaking in the beauty around you instead of rushing through it.
In leadership, just like on the trail, rest and reflection aren’t distractions—they’re part of the journey forward.
And maybe most powerfully, hiking reminds me how much encouragement matters.
When the trail gets hard, it’s the encouragement from those around you that fuels you to keep going—and the same is true when you’re building something meaningful back home.
The Gift of True Disconnection
One of the unexpected joys of traveling with Backroads is the simplicity of connection.
When you’re hiking alongside new friends—people who don’t know you as your job title or your LinkedIn profile—conversations feel different. We don’t talk about work or politics. We talk about what’s in front of us: the trail, the mountains, the incredible lunch packed by our guides, the view from the summit.
It’s refreshing.
It’s good for the soul.
When I travel with Backroads, I allow myself to truly forget about work. I relax. I reconnect. And as a result, I allow myself to get inspired again.
Excellence in Every Step
I couldn’t write about this experience without mentioning the incredible hospitality we received—not just at the Belmond Palacio Nazarenas hotel in Cusco but from the Backroads team itself.
All three of our Backroads guides could have written the hospitality playbook.
Every detail, every small touch, every thoughtful gesture—it was all handled with such care and excellence that it inspired me both as a traveler and as a leader in the hospitality industry.
From our daily hikes to every shared meal, Backroads set the bar for what it means to take care of people with intention and heart.
If I were the CEO of Backroads, I would feel incredibly proud of the value being added to people’s lives every day.
Backroads doesn’t just move people physically—it moves them forward emotionally, relationally and creatively.
It’s a brand that builds community, encourages lifelong learning and reminds us of what’s healthy and good.
And for this CEO—it’s the best kind of leadership retreat there is.
