Europe

In the land of azulejos, pastel de nata and Port wine, it’s easy to forget that—outside of the stunning seaside cities of Porto and Lisbon—there’s world-class hiking. Portugal is home to some truly incredible hikes that you don’t want to miss! So come with us as we explore some of the best hikes Portugal has to offer.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy, pivotal moments when allied forces liberated occupied France and ultimately brought an end to World War II. As a Backroads Trip Leader in Brittany & Normandy, I’ve witnessed first hand the profound impact of revisiting this history and the sense of pride and hope it instills.

Home to over 100,000 miles of hiking trails, choosing the “best” among these natural wonders is no easy task, but here we share with you our top five hiking trails in France. From coastal strolls to rugged mountain ascents, each of these trails offers a unique journey into France’s breathtaking wilderness

We’ve been leading Backroads guided bike tours in France for nearly four decades. From historic routes in Normandy to the sunny villages of Provence, here are what we think are the best cycling destinations in France.

Turkey is known as the place where East meets West. It’s where Christianity meets Islam, where Byzantine meets Ottoman and where Europe meets Asia. Some of our favorite places to hike in Turkey are ones that are off the typical tourist path (this is Backroads, after all!) Here are some places we consider to be must-see locations on your next trip to Turkey.

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. 

Thundering. Powerful. Majestic. Just a few ways to describe the natural phenomenon that is a waterfall. As you gradually approach one on a hike or bike ride, there’s nothing quite like starting to hear the pounding of a cascade before its dramatic reveal. From Iceland to Oregon, join us on an unforgettable adventure to witness first hand one of these incomparable wonders.

When you think of England, you might instantly picture London, the country’s capital, brimming with culture and life. But just four hours west of London lies Cornwall, a traditional Celtic region designated as one of England’s Areas of Outstanding National Beauty. There’s a reason this stunning landscape is one of the most popular getaways in the UK, and why Brits look forward to holidaying here in the summer. While the narrow coves boast white-sand beaches edged with blooming wildflowers, they also whisper the legends and secrets of King Arthur.

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.

As a single parent of a teenager, I was hoping to get an exciting, carefree and fun experience to share with my daughter. But our Backroads trip to Iceland left us with so much more. Our adventure In Iceland will inspire my daughter and me for years to come, and it was exponentially more valuable due to the remarkable people who shared the adventure with us.