Europe

We know how to say eyjafjallajökull! This action-packed Iceland Multisport Adventure - which begins with a private charter flight to get you quickly to the trailhead - is backed by our deep local knowledge and the strong relationships we've built with the country's best hotels and restaurants. In the land of fire and ice, experience the full diversity of Iceland's wild landscape while Backroads takes care of the rest.

"Praha" is Czech for "threshold": a reference to medieval trade taxes, but in many ways still an apt name today. My favorite city in Europe sits on the threshold between East and West, past and future.

It's said that long ago in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland, there were two monasteries at the top of the world. One, on a peak called the Jungfrau (the virgin), is where the women would stay. The other, called the Eiger (the ogre), housed the men. In the middle stood the most formidable of the three peaks, called the Mönch (the monk), to keep the sexes apart. These mountains tower over the village of Grindelwald. The Eiger in particular, with its steep exposed north face, has long been a test piece for serious mountaineers. Last fall another Backroads leader and I hiked in the shadow of the Eiger--and you can too!

This captivating region offers much more than canals and windmills... not that you won't see plenty of both as you bike flat, quiet roads through landscapes straight out of masterpieces by Cuyp or van Ruisdael. After riding in the Netherlands and Belgium for more than 20 years, we know both countries intimately and can share our insiders' take on everything from the best places to try a great beer or a chunk of Gouda (or both) to contemporary cultural attractions that provide an interesting counterpoint to the classic must-see sights.

The routes and scenery on our Czech Republic and Austria bike tour are magnificent, but what truly sets this Backroads trip apart are our local connections. At the farm of Dagmar Havlova, enjoy a private farm-to-table dinner that's more authentic than any on the tourist track. Dive into the country's fascinating history with Helena, our local guide and longtime friend. In the fortress city of Český Krumlov (which our Trip Expert calls home), our friend Alois welcomes you to U Dobraka, a traditional restaurant that was a retreat for free-thinkers during the Communist era and remains a well-kept secret. Then top it off with a private wine estate tour and tasting of famous rieslings and grüner veltliners.

Backroads pioneered the active river trip, partnering with AmaWaterways, the leader in river cruising, to create a new kind of travel experience featuring biking and walking explorations from an elegant floating hotel. Our Danube River Cruise Bike Tour takes you through the heart of this culturally diverse region from Prague to Passau, Vienna to Bratislava and on to Budapest. Pedal through the Bavarian forest, stroll among baroque architecture, sample local beers and discover tucked-away hamlets. Then luxuriate on board the ship as it carries you to your next adventure.

On our Dalmatian Coast Family Multisport Tour, you're are invited to walk the plank! After a day of biking by the sparkling waters of the Adriatic, at some point you and your family will likely want to plunge in. We recommend waiting until you're back on board our private trabakul, the double-masted sailing coaster unique to this region, as the crew will drop anchor and suggest that you walk the plank - in a good way. And once you've enjoyed a refreshing swim in the sea, it's time to relax on deck with a cold drink and watch the coastline slip by.

In Israel is kosher the norm, not the exception. Therefore, traditional Middle Eastern dishes such as falafel, shawarma and shakshuka are uniquely spiced up with rich culture and historical depth.

As the plane begins its final descent, I lean my forehead against the Plexiglas and try to catch my first glimpse of the island. For a moment, the outside world is nothing more than a blur of white before we break through the clouds and the harsh scenery opens up below me. A blackened lava bed consumes the skyline, filling my field of vision with sharp edges and a wild landscape belching thick grey pillars of steam.

The punctually repetitious ezan (Islamic call to prayer) will forever ring distinctly in my ears--that shrill wailing cry echoing from loudspeakers perched on minarets towering above nearly every town throughout Turkey. And never will I forget the hospitality that I experienced during my six weeks of cycling from the rocky eastern Black Sea coast, through the historic hills and caves of central Anatolia, and along the rugged sun-drenched Mediterranean coast before eventually turning north to Istanbul--the geopolitical gateway between Europe and Asia.