Backroads Leaders in Central Oregon reveal six insider reasons why you should visit the city of Bend as soon as possible!

Welcome, one and all, to the land of shamrocks, Guinness, Riverdance and U2. You guessed it–we’re talking about Ireland! And while we all can enjoy a pint of that refreshing stout and debate the country’s best musical export, we’re here to venture beyond pop culture and talk about hiking.

In a world where travel is more accessible than ever, many travelers now seek deeper, more meaningful experiences that go beyond simply visiting a destination—they want to truly connect with it. Backroads shares this philosophy, believing that travel isn’t just about seeing new sights; it’s about immersing yourself in the culture, tasting the local flavors and understanding a place through the eyes of the people who live there.

Battered Mars bars, newspaper-wrapped fish-and-chips and haggis is what Scottish food is all about, right? Well, this may have once been the case, but the modern food scene in Scotland has transitioned from beige fried food to innovative menus exploding with local farm produce and twists on traditional dishes. Given the abundance of rich green fields with a water source every 200 meters, it’s no surprise Scotland is rapidly blossoming into one of the most impressive culinary destinations in the world.

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.

Not only does Spain’s Mallorca have incredible natural beauty, history and culture, but it also boasts an incredible number of hotels that take hospitality and service to the next level. After a long day of biking or hiking, there’s nothing better than a dip in the pool, a well-crafted cocktail or a trip to the sauna at a one-of-a-kind property.

Imagine the sound of your kids laughing as they go white water rafting. Imagine the joy on their faces as they zip-line over rain forests or spot a sloth for the first time. Better yet, imagine the fun you’re going to have when you’re doing these things too!

When we launched our new Women’s Adventures at Backroads, we figured there’d be interest. We had high expectations the first few departures would fill, but we didn’t expect just how fast it would all take off. Within weeks, the response came pouring in—and just like that, we were working overtime to keep up. I’ll be honest, I was surprised at first. But when I really sit with it, maybe I shouldn’t have been.

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.

Guest Raman Pfaff on taking ten trips in one year.