They say that the memory of tastes and smells is the strongest and longest-lasting of them all. Well, if I had to describe what my childhood tasted and smelled like, I would say olive oil and warm bread.

When traveling with Backroads, be ready to find yourself in the right place at the right time. Imagine hiking on a sunny day at 6,500 feet of elevation in the Swiss Alps. It’s the second day of a Women’s Adventure trip. After conquering some steep hills in the morning, we have lunch by a lake in Switzerland before crossing the invisible country border back into France. We see the Chamonix Valley in the distance where our beautiful hotel waits for us in the middle of town. We are ready to come down, after a day well spent outdoors.

Lauran and I met on a school bus. She was wearing a propeller hat and fake glasses with tape on the bridge and rainbow suspenders to hold the outfit together. It was love at first sight. Ok, not really, but we did meet on the school bus during the Backroads California Staff Ride in 2010 and the theme was "Back to School."

Family vacations are a chance to disconnect from the everyday and reconnect with one another in incredible places. Backroads designed these outdoor adventures with families in mind, offering active, enriching experiences that bring generations together.

Bonjour! Time to download your favorite language app, because we’re going to France! More accurately, we’re going to the island of Corsica, France’s Mediterranean jewel.

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

If you’re looking for smooth riding, sunshine and head-turning scenery for your next cycling holiday in Europe, look no further than Spain. With varied terrain composed of pale grasslands, huge mountains, picturesque beaches and snaking river valleys, you’ll easily find the perfect cycling route for your level. Let’s check out some of Spain’s most epic bike destinations below. Vamos!

Creating an itinerary for a European family vacation that balances adventure, culture and relaxation can be a challenge. At Backroads, we have active travel family vacations that combine all three for families, whether your family includes kids, teens or young adults, so your next family trip can be a hit with everyone.

Want to travel solo but not alone? Choose a Backroads adventure where you can choose how much or how little group time you need. It’s the ultimate freedom!

Did you know that 63% of travelers are women? What about the fact that 85% of solo travelers are female? We here at Backroads are celebrating the women traveling around the world with our brand-new collection of Women’s Adventures!