Backroads

Nova Scotia biking trip June 2024. Excellent service, food and cycling. 11 guests, 3 guides. Guests were mid-40s to early 70s. Half used E-bikes (which were great.) Plenty of options for routes and distances that fit the person and the weather. Nice hotels, fantastic private dining experiences, plenty of snacks. Guides were attentive to details, customer service and fun.

I recently finished a multisport patagonia lakes district trip. Disappointingly, it did not meet my expectations in activities, quality of hotels nor food offerings. They claim to offer less strenuous biking options and fail to mention the route is gravel. No electric bike option available either, although there were plenty of them being riden on our routes. Bottled water was not a standard offering and tap water was what was made available. Unfortunately, a few guests, including myself got "food poisening" symptoms, which we believed to have been due to the tap water. My feedback on limited food selections (how many days in a row can you expect guests to be satisfied eatting the same fish offering)? and tired properties were answered by their rep with statements saying these were luxury tier and would make note in my file I might prefer "comfort" properties instead. Rather than acknowledging my feedback of nonworking spa equipment and + 30 year old bathrooms you wouldn't dare walk barefoot in, my feedback was dismissed and the BR standard line given. Lastly, I did not rate my guides as excellent, I rated them in the top 25% but their rep wanted to know specifically why I had not given them a 10, as she claimed they would form a remedial plan of improvement for them. I am convinced Backroads pushes back on anything that's not a 5* ratings and discounts any feedback that might be contrary to that. I'd suggest BR start with listening to clients concerns and NOT correcting them as to why a client's feedback is not an accurate description of their experience. I have over +40 adventure travel vacations under my belt and BR is in the lower tier of my experiences.

A Dream on Two Wheels: Biking Through Provence with Backroads My recent bike trip through Provence with Backroads was great. From start to finish, the experience struck a perfect balance between adventure, culture, and comfort. If you’re looking to explore France in a way that connects you to the landscape, the people, and the rhythm of local life, this is it. The journey wove through the stunning countryside. Every day brought a new highlight: The Backroads team was phenomenal. Our trip leaders, Simon, Adrian and Marc were knowledgeable, organized, and genuinely passionate about the region. They handled everything with ease — from bike maintenance to gourmet picnics — and brought a warm, upbeat energy to the group. Their local insights added so much depth to the experience. Navigating the route was easy on the supplied Wahoo. Backroads rates all their trips on a level of difficulty. The riding itself was thoughtfully designed for a variety of fitness levels. With e-bike options available, everyone could enjoy the climbs without worry. The routes gave us flexibility — you could challenge yourself with a longer loop or take it easy and arrive early to relax at the next inn. As someone who does a fair amount of riding at home, I used to travel with my own road bike on these trips. But now, with Backroads' high-quality titanium frame road bikes, I no longer feel the need. I just bring my pedals and shoes. And speaking of the inns… each one was charming and luxurious in that understated French way. Think of stone courtyards, vineyard views, and swimming pools perfect for a late-afternoon dip. The food and wine were, of course, extraordinary. One night we dined at a Michelin-starred restaurant, another night it was a rustic Provençal feast under the stars. Each meal was a celebration. A couple of quick tips: First, this was my sixth European Backroads trip, and once again, they exceeded expectations. Their consistency in service, route planning, and local experiences keeps me coming back. Second, be prepared for heat — Provence in summer can get very hot, especially in July and August. Temperatures often hit the 90s (Fahrenheit), so hydration, sun protection, and early morning starts are essential. If you prefer cooler temps, spring or fall is a great alternative. What I loved most was how immersive the whole experience felt. We weren’t just tourists passing through — we were part of Provence, if only for a week. Backroads struck the perfect note between independence and support, comfort and authenticity. Thank you to our team leaders Adrian, Simon & Marc. I can’t wait to take another Backroads trip — and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Provence to anyone looking for beauty, culture, and a bit of cycling bliss.

Great bike touring company. Had a wonderful time cycling from Prague to Vienna. I’m 47 and I was the youngest person on the trip and one of only 3 singles. Most people were over 60 and used e-bikes. Ideally more people would have been on regular bikes and in my age group. Not much Backroads can do about that but it is something to be aware of when considering booking with them.

Wow, what an experience! It was incredible. My family had a fantastic time. Great for kids. Super flexible. We did the Brittany/Normandy trip

Just returned from my fourth Backroads trip, a bike trip to Burgundy. My compliments to the company for delivering consistently great experiences. We rode through beautiful countryside, past famous vineyards and historic chateaus. Our accommodations were deluxe, and the food was wonderful. Our guides were knowledgeable, and professional.

I have done about 6 BR trips. And I have to say they have all been enjoyable. The guides are amazing all from varied backgrounds and experiences. When we do the family adventures my kids hang out with the other kids and it allows me to have grown up time. Before BR vacations I was doing the items as home- finding the hotels, figuring out the excursions and restaurants. So nice to not have to do that. Plus, they find experiences/restaurants I would have NOT found on my own. You would think after 6 experiences I would run into one guide that wasn’t helpful or friendly. I have to say I haven’t. This is actually surprising because everyone can have a bad day. If the guides have a bad day, they hide it well. I save for BR trips because they are worth every penny.

Let’s start with, I’ve done 14 trips in three years with these guys because it is always so amazing! In the US and Europe, the guides are always top-notch, the accommodations are off the charts, and the food is incredible. Oh also, since it is actually a biking and hiking tour company I will say that, the routes are always great, they will take you places you might never find on your own plus they provide options and assistance that makes you feel like anything is possible. I highly recommend Backroads for your adventure travel

An Unforgettable Backroads Experience: Croatia To Montenegro Multi-Adventure 2025 If you want to travel to several different amazing countries and cities in several days, have fun to the nth degree, partake in adventures that ore safe but push your limits, absorb the local history and culture, be pampered in great accommodations, experience wonderful camaraderie, take away great memories, be guided by incredible leaders that anticipate your needs and make your wishes come true, eat healthy and delicious food while gaining muscle but not weight, then this Backroads adventurous trip is for you. First and foremost, our trip leaders (Martinho, Solana, snd Stefan) and guides (Biljana in Kotor, Paula in Seask Kuca, and Josip in Dubrovnik) were everything you could want and more. The state of the art E-Bicycles made the spectacularly scenic rides well within your reach while allowing you to titrate your effort to your mind and body's content. The cities were all extremely interesting and unique in different ways. The times were chosen to minimize the crowds in the larger ones that accommodated cruise ships. The bicycle routes through scenic vineyards, beautiful mountains, and along spectacular coast lines were meticulously planned and so well chosen!! So many memorable experiences to choose from but a few highlights: the trailside super-delicious homemade tapas in the mountains above Kotor made with love and skill by Biljana and the countryside lunch in the beautiful taverna style restaurant, Cilipi. I could go on and on but no words can evoke the actual smells, tastes, sounds, images, thrills, emotions, feelings, moods, and thoughts delightfully provoked by this amazing feast of experiences. I would like to say this amazing trip is a once in a lifetime experience, but I will not as I know I will return for many more Backroads adventures ... and in my next life as perhaps one of the wonderful guides

I do not recommend it, and it was a mixed experience. In January 2024, my wife and I took a Backroads trip to Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands, and it was a frustrating and miserable trip for me; in particular, my wife had a slightly better experience than I did. First, this was a lesson learned as I now understand that group tours are not for me. My wife and I have traveled worldwide on active trips (30+ years), from high-end to budget-level travel experiences, so we are experienced travelers. Backroads is overpriced, bottom line. I also found that the Backroad travel guides, although "friendly" and helpful for the most part, had the group doing activities that were inappropriate for the altitude and the lack of time to acclimatize to the highlands of Ecuador. The first day, the group hiked 6 to 8 miles at around 11,000ft. which everyone found challenging (And it's important to note that your fitness level has no bearing on the body's ability to acclimate to a new altitude). The schedule was compressed, which I understand, but I think it was too much to accomplish in a short amount of time in my opinion. I didn't care for the group dynamics because a large family comprised most of the group and constantly took over or asserted themselves. While I certainly don't envy the travel guides; however, one of them in particular was continually capitulating to this family group. There were some great and fun activities during the trip, but I could have done them on my own or with another travel company with much less hassle and frustration. If I had been traveling alone and not with my wife, I would have ended the trip early and headed back home or just gone off on my own to avoid all the annoyances. My wife didn't have the same negative experience I did; however, she stated she would not recommend or travel with Backroads again. If you want a group tour, do it with another company that understands the terrain and area.

Backroads used to be our go-to active travel company until we found out that if someone on your trip takes a disliking to you and reports you to the trip leader(s), whether true or not, they will not investigate the situation or interview any witnesses who may verify or dispute the report. The trip leaders will just forward the complaint, unverified, to their Corporate HQ who can (and did in our case) separate you from the rest of the people, forbid you from participating in any subsequent activities, meals or transportation, and even want you to change hotels. What friends we had made on the trip no doubt now think we are some sort of criminals, since we doubt they were given any reason why all of a sudden we are gone, which is embarrassing, humiliating, and maybe even illegal. It certainly caused us to never book with Backroads again and to want to caution others to be very careful what you say, do, ask, or question, because anyone can "turn you in," and you will most likely suffer from it. We had also been told by Backroads on a previous trip with them that they keep information, essentially a dossier, on you, which they say helps make other trips more enjoyable, but beware, it can also be used against you to amplify future detrimental decisions.

It took a bit longer than would have seemed necessary, but the issue with bike sizing for a small adult was resolved. Backroads says they will update their procedures to better identify and address the potential issue, and our frustration and disappointment was recognized and appropriately compensated. We will consider another trip with them, but given my wife's physical size it would not include cycling.

My wife and I recently took the Duoro River, Portugal combination river cruise and bike trip. As respects the biking, very disappointed in lack of safety, attention to detail, and personalization by the staff. There was little, if any. To make matters worse, our discussions with Customer Service after we completed their survey were patronizing and non responsive. Although our last 4 trips were terrific, this is not the BackRoads of old. This is our last trip and will look else where. Oh well.... Jay S.

After this review told me to contact the company to discuss, I did. Again. They delayed a decision for a few weeks, but then said that they wouldn't change their policy about refunding single supplements. If you are traveling alone, you will be penalized twice by them--once for the single supplement and then for not getting that back in full if you need to cancel. Anyone else who cancelled would lose a percentage of their trip cost, but not the single supplement. So my penalty was differential. I've shared this with my friends who also enjoy traveling without their partners from time to time. We're used to paying single supplements, but as the name implies, it's "supplemental" to the trip.

Generally trips very well run. Occasionally the make up of a group will dictate whether group comports with schedule and how active trip is. Ona recent trip since one group which made up half of the overall tour participants wanted to shop and were less interested in active fitness , we were mostly doing self guided tours when we had paid an arm and a leg and saved for a guided tour. The firm has expanded so rapidly there is clearly brand dilution, and backroads no longer stands for active travel.

Never Again. I booked an overpriced hiking trip to Joshua Tree, including a multi day stay at the Rancho Mirage Ritz Carlton. Because the first day starts at 8:30 am, we needed an extra day added to our reservation the night before. The Rancho Mirage Ritz will not add to a Backroads reservation, and the national Ritz reservation system cannot access group reservations. Backroads, who charges about double what the Ritz charges them for the room, flatly refused to help in any way or make a single call. It is unreasonable to require customers on this expensive tour to stay in a different hotel simply because the reservation is set up in a way that makes adding a day impossible. Unbelievable that Backroads would not assist in any way or even make a call or provide the necessary booking number.

They WERE the top tier. Several more experienced users have commented they are NOT what they used to be. This will be my 3rd trip. BR will dictate if this is my last. You call with a question and ask, "how are you". They respond, "OK"...don't care how I, their customer is doing. Getting a response to a e-mail enquiry - not good at all. Hope this is the California front office problem and not the in country guides. Lots of options for bike rides. - Backroads may take the back seat for my next cycling excursion.

My parents-in-law booked a tour, but right before the tour, my mother-in-law tested positive covid, she has a serious lung issue that doctor does not suggest her to travel, we are calling to discuss alternative plan to make up over $10,000 trip expense, but the company agency has no flexibility since they do not buy travel insurance. They seems not care about the health condition of the customers, we will keep following up and hope there is a solution.

Customer service sucks. When you're dealing with people who pay thousands to go on these trips you'd think they'd have better customer service skills and knowledgeable employees. They were rude and had no idea what their policies are. Ive done 4 trips with them and will never do another one after the experience I had last week. Train your employees.

I love Backroads. My family and I took a trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. The guides were great. The night before leaving my son tore a groin muscle. He couldnt walk, sit or lay on his side and had to be carried to the room. The guides spoke the hotel owner and said the ED didn't have crutches or probably didnt have a xray machine. 18 hr before leaving we had a choice stay in Galapagos go to the ED, miss our flight back to Ecuador and have to pay for another hotel stay and new flights for 4 people. We decided to go back to Quito and go home to get medical care. We had planed to spend additional days in Quito, so we had to change our flights etc. The post vacation was insured. My problem is with the insurance. The insurance company said we were not covered because we didnt go the ED. I told the company that we were in an area that didnt have sufficient facilities and by coming back with BR we saved more money. They didnt want to hear it. Insurance basically was like "Well, if he didnt go to the ED, it wasnt that bad. Also, you have to go to the ED" I hate companies that rubber stamp everything. Although the insurance of the BR site is optional, I think having it on the site is an endorsement. Therefore, if someone has an emergency in a foreign country (where medical care may not be available), your claim shouldnt be automatically denied. BR tried to help initially, but then the woman who was helping me disappeared. The company should take down the insurance company or list multiple companies.

just finished Backroads Andalusia trip, like all Backroads' experiences it was a great trip. Tour leaders did their jobs well. very attentive, friendly, knowledgeable and dedicate. that's what they're paid to do. almost exactly 24 hours after end of trip we received letter from tour leader asking if we had forgotten to provide gratuities to tour team. Tom Hall has been playing this game for years, "suggesting that gratuities are optional." talk to any BR tour leader and they will tell you they are overworked and under payed. They rely on their tips to make ends meet. BR trips are not cheap, but tour leaders are doing what they are paid to do, otherwise they would be gone. I like BR trips, but having to subsidize Hall's payroll leads me to question his business ethics. increase your prices, your clients are all affluent and do away with your coercion that gratuities are optional.

I would steer clear of Backroads until Covid is over. We were on the Costa Rica tour when a fellow traveler tested positive. The guides refused to require that all travelers and staff wear masks or be tested. They kept repeating that they were following CDC guidelines, but this was not the case. CDC guidelines state that after an exposure, one should wear a tight fitting mask for 10 days when interacting with anyone and should be tested starting 5 days after exposure. Our group of six was appalled by their policy and left the tour returning to the US. Also be aware that their biking equipment was very substandard. We were riding in the rain with bikes that were difficult to stop on steep slopes, as they were not equipped with disc brakes. They also were not equipped with mirrors or lights. The front derailleurs were also very poorly adjusted as most of the riders threw their chains during the ride. Meals and the hotel were very good. Here are CDC protocols https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/quarantine-isolation.html Two calls to Backroads have not been returned.

I would've given them a three star review being that it wasn't the caliber of service I would expect for the price however, they didn't allow me to do that on their website they chose not to post the review from four months ago but they've posted others from two months ago. I don't think it's right that they don't post your fair review of them they only want to post their five star maybe four star reviews so mine others don't get included. That is the type of company we are dealing with here that says a lot I don't think I need to say anymore.

We were very disappointed !! On the Costa Rica tour when a fellow traveler tested positive, the guides refused to require that all travelers and staff wear masks or be tested. CDC guidelines state that after an exposure, one must wear a tight fitting mask for 10 days when interacting with anyone and should be tested daily starting 5 days after exposure. We were shocked with their policy and returned to the US. Also be aware that their biking equipment was very substandard. We were riding in the rain with bikes not equipped with disc brakes. The front derailleurs were also very poorly adjusted as most of the riders threw their chains during the first ride. Meals and the hotel were very good, but did not make up for the high price of the tour. Calls to Backroads have not been returned. They do not seem to value customer feedback.

The leaders-Marco , Guido, and Otilia were fantastic and made our trip biking in Tuscany. These people are logicians, bikers, mechanics and psychologists. The booking routes were stunning. My only comment is that the first accomodations were mediocre with small rooms (Terme) and that the air conditioning at our third hotel was non-existent in 95 degree Tuscan weather. Still, I would give our trip leaders 6 stars and the accommodations 3 stars , with an overall 5 star rating.

Extremely disappointing. Go elsewhere! Very little value for the thousands of dollars it costs. It's clear most of the budget is spent on marketing. My mailbox is overflowing despite repeated requests to stop sending me mail. Customer service is absent, lots of unprofessionalism. I receive a lot of lip service when I call or email. Their website is broken, has multiple bugs and missing features that were never repaired. I have had much better experiences with other tour companies at higher quality, lower cost, and with much more diversity and investment in the local community. Very disappointing with the management and the way the company is run. Not worth the giant price tag. I've made several complaints to the CA State Department of Consumer Affairs due to complete lack of remediation. Buyer beware!

I purchased a trip through Backroads in March to visit South Africa/Botswana in December. I was notified in late July that the trip was cancelled and that I would get $200 credit toward a trip with them for my trouble. Really? I have to scramble to set up a safari during peak season and the places I really wanted to see are now booked up. The communication was horrible, and mishandled at every step. The 200 bucks is insulting.

I have a disability and cannot ride an upright bike. Backroads was very clear right up front that they would not accomodate outside special needs bikes. I offered to ship my bike and have it assembled and ready for tour. I also explained that I was proficient in it's maintenance and repair and that if it became unrideable that would be a risk I would take. They very clearly said they would not support the storage/transportation of my tadpole bike. I may not understand, but I did appreciate their upfront clarity. The good news is that I found Duvine Cycling Tours, a very highly rated company that was really wonderful. They have worked to understand my challenges and then to figure out how to work and accomodate them. Really excited to be going on our first tour with Duvine!

My husband and I have been on 15 Backroads trips in the last ten years and have loved exploring different corners of the world with them. Backroads always delivers a great active vacation and provides outstanding rides/hikes, meals, and experiences in some pretty remote destinations. We do a fair amount of travel without Backroads, so we fully appreciate the time and effort it takes to plan the perfect week of vacation. And Backroads also has back-up plans in case of terrible weather etc. We look forward to including Backroads in our future world travels.

Our family had never traveled with a group before, and had our doubts about whether Backroads would be a good fit for us. We found that the trip was one of the best we have ever taken, in no small part because of our wonderful guides, Paul and John. They went above and beyond what one would expect of a tour guide. In addition to providing invaluable logistical guidance and insightful commentary about each location -- its history, physical surroundings, and people -- they also infused the tour with joy and camaraderie that made the trip an unforgettable experience. We have, in fact, kept in touch with our fellow travelers and are planning a reunion Backroads tour next year, preferably with John and Paul as our tour guides!

I have been a big fan for years but the way they are treating customers during this difficult time is horrendous . I have an upcoming trip and can't even get a call back to understand my options. A great company does the right thing in difficult times. Be careful in booking with them as they are not customer responsive and far from customer centric. I did get a message and it was a different response than I received via email (40% vs30% cancellation penalty- both are outrageous given current emergency)so I returned that call with 3 very clear questions and have not heard a reply. How you treat customers during difficult times stays with you long into the future. Update- Backroads like many others is overwhelmed right now but ultimately handled the situation very well. I'm very satisfied that they are managing the situation in as positive a way as possible consistent with their brand.

I have been on over 10 Backroads trips spanning a decade. On the positive side, one gets a packaged vacation with a lot of physical activity and incredible visages, decent to superb accommodations, with readymade travel companions who have similar interests to you, and usually pretty seasoned guides. You don't have to think; you just book the trip and airfare. The sales folks are helpful in figuring out which trip works for you. For some trips that are complex, eg Croatia, that works. However, the travel outfit has deteriorated in customer service over time and is no longer "special.". The negatives are as follows 1. After a few trips, the routine is banal. You wake up, have breakfast, bike or hike to a pretty spot, have lunch, hike or bike, have dinner and go to sleep 2. The itinerary has become streamlined with fewer options in order to reduce costs. Eg you have to book 1 of 3 options for lunch or dinner most times. The food in some areas becomes boring. How often can one eat the same lamb and fish? Profit maximization is clear 3. There is no accommodating for deviations. If you have to leave early from Iceland for an emergency, good luck in finding a driver and bring your own luggage down 3 flights of stairs. If you miss a flight, sorry. If you are gluten free and/or have limited food tastes, that is your problem. I couldn't even get the diet ice tea i crave 4. There is no tolerance for complaints or arguments. a you are on board and abiding by their thresholds for decorum, or you are a problem. I complained to hotel that my room was 81 degrees because A/C broke and the. was placed in one with no windows ( picture attached). The guides chastised me. I was also accused by the same hotel staff for moving furniture loudly, which was a complete lie, but Backroads still assumed I was wrong. I travel extensively for work, am global service for United and top Marriott/Hyatt rewards person. Backroads has the worst customer service I have ever encountered. Bradyn, their senior customer services agent will never believe your side; she lambasted me, a 50+ yo highly successful and well liked executive, with two well adjusted boys, as someone with a "pattern." A 28 yo guide tried to teach me right from wrong for being a bit too loud in an Icelandic hotel with paper thin walls. They will never bend and once there is one instance, you are labeled. The customer is always wrong. 5. Some trips are just useless or "not worth it.". Obviously a Napa Valley bike ride can be easily designed yourself. My friends did fabulous trips for several of my trips by themselves with little work. Incidentally one can copy their or others' itinerary, and then add stuff to suit your needs. 6. They have gotten rid of trips for solo travelers. There are better ones for that eg Solo Escapes. 7. The trips are very expensive. My Argentina trip was $6500 per person plus airfare plus travel insurance ( they will charge you every penny if you have emergency) plus some meals and extra accommodations ( eg you pay for hotel on night prior to start of trip even though it is necessary. You even have to book the hotel yourself) 8. They are not sophisticated in some areas and that can prove to be dangerous. There was a Costa Rica trip in 12/17 where a Nature Air flight crashed and killed two Backroads' families and a guide. The risks of a single engine plane in Latin America were not properly conveyed, as suggested in this article. https://www.foxnews.com/travel/deadly-costa-rica-crash-highlights-dangers-of-non-commercial-tourism-flights-aviation-experts-say 9. Competitive outfits are plenty now and worth looking into So, my guess is your Backroads trip will be just fine as long as there are no deviations. However, they will become trite over time, are expensive , and seem to be riding on their historic coattails as a pioneer in active travel in regards to Tom H's comment, note the following: 1. The allegations of "disruptive behavior" on last trip were only made by one vendor, the hotel operator who put me in the premier room you see. They lied to protect themselves. That the guides, customer service, and Tom H took their word for it, despite logical counterpoints including fact I do not speak language of the vendor, tells you more about BR than about me. They made no attempt at getting to the truth. If vendor said I loved furniture loudly, then I must have, even if I never moved a single item 2. I told BR i was no longer interested in their trips first. Note how Mr Hale twisted the story 3. My other points reflect 11 Backroads trips and are balanced; there is some good about BR and some bad. Mr Hale does not dispute them; rather he instead tries to make the readers believe they were made out of spite. The issues are real and there are better outfits for most of your travel needs

We went on a two backroad trips and the first one to the grand Tetons was amazing. The second was to Iceland -we are a gay family and although we felt the tour guides were accepting - the other travelers actively excluded us. We wrote to backroads twice and never heard back Has anyone one else had a similar experience ?

OK, it looks like most of the photos on the Yelp/Backroads page are pro photos from Backroads... so here are some genuine pix from someone who just returned from 6 days in the Dolomites. Our Trip Leaders, Lara... Federica (and Petra joined us as well)... amazing. These upbeat, charming and efficient women MADE this trip. Babysitters, cheerleaders, psychologists, organizers, expediters... amazing. So... my wife did some minor arm-twisting to get me to go on an organized tour. My misconceptions revolved around the image of 30 people following a tour guide with a red umbrella around the Colosseum and being forced to eat dinner with people you had nothing in common with. How wrong I was. We lucked out and everyone on the trip was cool, the places we stayed were between "good" and "fantastic"... and you never felt like you were following the red umbrella. But here is what I think are the two best parts: -The "extras" that Backroads is able to provide... a private room for the tour group at one place that was preceded by an amuse bouche and my introduction to a Hugo Cocktail (http://saltandwind.com/recipes/472-the-hugo-cocktail-recipe) before dinner, a private Grappa tasting in the hotel's wine cellar (this could have SO easily have felt forced and contrived and staged... but did not), a sampling of assorted strudels in yet another charming, dark-but-candlelit room in this hotel with a labyrinth of passages. (Not crazy Davinci Code type passages but just enough to feel the history of the building.) - The complete coddling... we would walk into a small refugio (or restaurant or public transportation) and Federica and Lara would greet half the staff like old friends and charm the ones that they did not know... did you ever ever see this scene in Goodfellas?... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJEEVtqXdK8. That's what it's like to walk into a place with Lara and Federica. (OK, you would be the Lorraine Bracco character who is amazed by how effortlessly Ray Liotta (Federica/Lara) acquire table, food and drink in mere seconds after bringing you through some cool kitchen entrance) They do it on buses, in restaurants, on gondolas and chair lifts. Does it insulate you from your own interaction in a country? Yes. Does is actually stop you from learning a language and learning how to read a map of the area you are in? Yes. Stop you from learning for yourself how the public transportation works? Yes. But it's so nice. You can always take the trip where you have to figure out for yourself what time the bus leaves, carry your own luggage and interpret your own menu, wonder if you are being pushed toward the less-than room or the "tourist special". And you will get better at it and learn the ropes... but you will never be as smooth as Lara and Federica. And, as a result of that, my wife and I have never gotten along better on a vacation. Traveling can be a challenge and when you have to stumble through connections and accommodations and getting food and "how did we not know that breakfast was not included??"... conflict happens. But all of those difficult and frustrating parts were removed. OK... a few minor things... as long as we are paying top dollar, getting top service and having to be up at 5 or 530 in the morning to pack, dress, meet for breakfast and be walking/hiking/bussing by 830... it seemed like there was a lack of early morning coffee for a country that is home of espresso... or maybe I didn't look hard enough... not sure. Also, of the three hotels/inns we stayed at, the last one (Rosapetra Hotel and Spa),while a very nice place with a nice gym, a cool little bar, nice staff, etc. felt like a step down room-wise. In looking at their website, I see they have some really stellar rooms... but ours was not one of them. When you have a group of sixteen people, it's not always possible to get everyone a great room every night. (Total first-world problem... sorry to whine.) Finally, you should know that if you take one of these trips, it's about activity, not about sleeping in or taking it easy or staying in one place for more than two nights... it's a lot of packing and unpacking and rushing to get to breakfast on time. You can always take it easy once the day's walking/hiking starts by taking less challenging routes (and we did) but you have to get a move on every morning.

Have used Backroads for many trips in the past, however I will never again and do not recommend anyone to use them. The way they treat customers is completely unprofessional. We were not able to go on our trip due to our flight being cancelled because of COVID last March, and Backroads would only refund a portion on the trip in credits because we did not purchase trip insurance. Backroads pocketed the additional $3k+ in our money claiming the hotels they book with wouldn't refund them. The management staff who responded to my inquiry was extremely rude, demeaning, and unprofessional. I agree with other reviews 100% in saying Backroads has no tolerance for complains or arguments from paying customers. If you don't abide by their extremely strict, summer camp like rules or act the way they want you to act you're a problem.

Until Covid clears, I would steer clear of Backroads. We were partially through their June 2020 Costa Rica tour when a guest tested Covid positive. She and her husband were isolated. The rest of the group were offered wimpy masks. Nobody was offered Covid testing daily and masks were not required of the guests or staff. The guides kept repeating "not in the CDC guidelines." CDC guidelines state that the exposed individual MUST wear a tight fitting mask when interacting with anyone, and be tested starting day 5. Our group of six decided that the Backroads response was inadequate so returned home mid-excursion. The hotel and food was excellent, but the provided bikes were inadequate without disc brakes on steep terrain in the rain. The front derailleurs were poorly adjusted, and most of the riders had the chains come off during the first ride. Hikes or bike rides were conducted in downpours. Disappointed as Backroads charges such a premium price.

Backroads came through with a refund for a canceled trip due to the coronavirus outbreak. Thank you Backroads for your customer service and doing the right thing!

We just took the Danube trip on AMA boat. It was magnificent. All of it. All the food included and lots of drinks as well. Our guides, Karim, Kevin, Kai, and Matt are awesome people. They worked so hard to make this a special time -and it was. It was a once in a lifetime trip for us and I will never forget it. The AMA folks were awesome too. The boat exceeded our wildest dreams. Yay Backroads! You Rock!

Went on my first Backroads trip this year with two of my family members (my parents). We did the Multi-Sport Trip in Croatia, along the Dalmatian Coast. I really felt like the leaders cared about us having fun and enjoying ourselves. It rained a few times during the trip but the logistics and preparedness of our leaders made it so the rain didn't affect our level of enjoyment. The variety was also terrific - I loved all the different things we did. The hotels and meals were superb! Gave us great exposure to the local area. I didn't feel like I was part of a big touring group or cruise ship. I felt like I was on something something unique. Lastly I can't stress enough how great the logistics were - the Backroads team thought of everything and executed in such a way where it appeared seamless. I recommend this touring outfit for anyone looking to explore a new area in an active way. It is great for someone who doesn't want to think about logistics but at the same time wants to do something unique and one-of-a-kind.

The competence of the trip leaders varies from dismissive and disinterested to excellent. Unfortunately my experience all 3 types on one trip has me writing this review. We also had bike issues, with brakes failing on hills and tires flat when just leaving for a ride. The medical equipment is not adequate for the potential illnesses and injuries that can occur with a very active vacation. One individual in our group became ill and fellow guests had to care for him. The positive: The food on my trip was excellent and I made many new friends.

The worst. If the trip goes as planned, fine. If not, they have no ability to change course, or think about options. At the end they are awfully eager to malke sure they get you on record saying the problems werent CAUSED by backroads. Not helped either!

Had a great experience with Backroads on their Alaska hiking trip. Just an all around great adventure with caring and professional guides, on the spot logistics, superb choice of trails and overall exceptional execution. I would love to go on an adventure trip with them every year but it's too rich for me so I'm saving to go in 3 years for my birthday. Chile - I'm coming for you!

Went to Alexander Valley for the 3 day weekend trip I've been on 5 Backroads trips. All were consistently great. Rebecca and Ethan were our guides and they were top notch -- give them a raise. Keely was our driver and she was great too! They all had great personalities, were organized, made great food in the middle of nowhere, were knowledgeable about biking and the region, and so so nice. I think Backroads is great at selecting great trip leaders, much more than other similar active travel companies I've experienced. The group also got along great. Trying to decide where to go next!!

I have taken 14 trips with Backroads so far and am scheduled to do my 15th next month, so I am obviously a fan. To be honest, this is about more than just a vacation. Backroads keeps me motivated at the gym, pushing myself to get ready for the next trip when I would really rather go home and relax on the couch! The fellow guests are generally a pleasure, the trip itineraries and hotels are carefully planned, and the activities themselves are always far better than anything I might have selected on my own. It is true that occasionally you get a leader who is not up to standard, but most of the leaders are truly fabulous people -- kind, encouraging, knowledgeable, and very, very good at what they do. I recently tried to talk a friend into joining me on a trip, and she refused because she kept pointing out that we could go to the same area for less with another company. She's right, but you get what you pay for. Backroads is more than worth the extra cost!

A travel expert at Amazing Adventures Travel recommended Backroads for a hiking trip to Bhutan. Our family went and had an incredible time. Everything was so well coordinated, the guides were fantastic and we would definitely travel with Backroads again.

My BFF and I took their hiking trip in Glacier National Park. Awesome experience. Breathtakingly beautiful. Unfortunately, there was a heat wave the week we were there (100 degrees, no sh*t), but even then we had a good time. Backroads costs a bit more than some of their competitors in the outdoor adventure travel business, probably because there are two guides per group, and they do their best to stay attentive to everyone's needs. If someone is feeling ambitious and wants to hike 12 miles, the leaders can split the group and take the hard core hikers in one direction and the more laid back hikers in another. There was one fellow who was affiliated with their group who was a bit of a smart-ass, but I don't want to ding their entire company for that. So Five stars it is.

I have been on a tour from Italy to Slovenia and it was absolutely amazing so I recommended that my boyfriend and I go on a tour this year however the customer service has been painful and no one from backroads seems to really care this time. As we signed up for the trip we knew a general location but had many questions about the flight in and out and train departures to and from the city. There were days/weeks before the emails were sent to me answering my questions and each time that I would call and speak to someone there was such a sense of urgency to sign up as soon as possible because prices were going up and tours were booking. I just had to keep repeating myself that if these questions would be answered then we could make a decision. After speaking with not one but 3 people on 3 different days we FINALLY got and email which answered my questions. Meanwhile as soon as we booked I got an email that a tour of 25 people would be on our trip. Um, I mean , what a goat rodeo ?! It was not weeks but months and that have gone by and we have not heard or received any of the jerseys or travel information for our trip. Its extremely frustrating when I have been bragging about the experience to my boyfriend and this time has been awful. If we didn't spend over $10, 000 on the trip which is nonrefundable and another $5,000 on hotel train and flight there and back I would cancel the trip. The customer experience so far has been awful and hopefully it is not a sign of what is to come for our trip.

Simply the best in the business! We went on their southern Spain biking trip last year and it was a total blast! Great itinerary and routes, top of the line equipment, food, and hotels, and their guides were professional but friendly and really made the trip! They were all fun and knowledgeable and went the extra mile to ensure we were having a good time. Before the trip, I would call their office and an attentive phone representative was there talk talk about particulars and answer specific questions. And, if they didn't know the answer, (and they usually do which is always amazing considering how many trips they have), they'll contact someone on the ground in the area to find the right answer for me.. We'll definitely be going on another trip with them once my legs recover from the big Spanish hills!

Worst company ever!!! They leave you out there on the roads by yourself. The roads are not safe......worst experience ever!!!!

Been on several with BR and will do more. ONLY possible improvement would be less Yanks and more other nationalities in the groups - but it is an American company after all. Only one trip had only American guides overseas, and that lack of a local was missed. All the other such trips with Backroads had local leaders who - like every single guide they put out, were flawless.

Trips are good, but God help you if you have to cancel! Their "trip insurance" is costly and an absolute nightmare to deal with. The person who was set to watch our kids had her cancer come out of remission and ultimately passed away. Obviously, we could no longer take the trip. Not only did Backroads show nary an ounce of sympathy, but just pawned us off to the insurance company once we cancelled and acted like we were not their problem anymore. The insurance company did their best to figure out how not to pay. We went back-and-forth for 3-4 months trying to get our claim paid...had to go through appeals, etc. The people on the phone would only tell you the status of the claim; not any reasoning behind it and wouldn't let us speak with anyone else through the entire grueling process. Again, can't fault the trips, but make certain nothing within or beyond your control happens to get in the way of showing up. :)

My wife and I just completed the Vietnam/Cambodia Bike trip and it was great. Over the years I have done 3 trips with BR's, 2 in the USA and this one in Asia. I have learned they are a sure bet for a good experience and the competence of their trip leaders. If in doubt you should use them I would not hesitate to say yes. Also I would say their descriptions are very accurate for the trips and experience.

Was disappointed in how a last minute medical emergency was handled. Ended up enjoying a backroads trip a few years later. Fun time, but for the cost, just not my thing. Its very scheduled - i.e. 6:30am wake up to 9pm filled with activities. It just felt too much like summer camp to me. It is great for dealing with all of the travel details - no need to worry about lugging your bags onto ferries or trains.

I can't say enough good things about this company or the trip we took, which was six days of biking in Utah- Bryce and Zion National Parks. The weather was pretty bad the second and third day, though nothing could be done about it. The trip leaders were great about coming up with alternatives to biking in pouring rain, which none of us wanted to do, especially since the canyon would be fogged in so we couldn't see it anyway. Trip leaders were fun, energetic, knowledgeable, helpful, flexible, and hardworking. I love that all we had to do was show up, think about how far we wanted to ride that day, and get on the bikes. Food was good (not great, but we are talking about lodges in the national parks), scenery and rides were amazing. You could go as far as you wanted. Change your mind and want to bail on the ride? No problem. There were 22 strangers at the beginning of the trip, and 22 friends at the end. Finances permitting, will definitely go on another backroads adventure!

My husband and I went on their Alexander Valley premiere weekend biking trip and we had soo much fun even though we were late and missed a leg of the trip. Trip leaders Tim and Alina took very good care of us. We had the flexibility to push ourselves as hard as we wanted to or to bike 20 miles in the morning and lazy the rest of the day.

We love Backroads. I first went with my then 8-year old son to Yellowstone in 2008, and it was amazing. I was quite nervous not knowing anyone and it was our first organized tour, but the guides were fantastic--they really love being with kids, are incredibly upbeat and seem to genuinely love their jobs. This was a camping trip, but camping is a pretty loose term (although it sounds good when we tell our friends)--the guides took care of everything--set up, take down, air mattresses, etc. And the food was over the top--and I'm sure much better than anything we could have eaten at the National Park lodges or local diners. We had such a great time, we went back in 2009 to the Canadian Rockies multisport camping--just as fantastic. The Yellowstone trip only had one other family, and the Rockies trip had 25-30 other people and honestly, they were both just as much fun. I could not have asked for a better experience for my son. We have done family travel with Thompson Family Travel (also very good) and Adventures by Disney (surprisingly disappointing), so we have some basis for comparison. This year we are going on our first Europe trip (Dolomites) and first lodging trip. Again, a bit nervous doing this overseas, but trust Backroads. I'll post afterwards.

I would never book another trip with Backroads. They gave us the shaft three months after we had booked our trip with them and purchased our airfare. We were left in the lurch, and had to scramble for other options. Apparently this outfit would rather cancel a trip than stand by their word. Never again with Backroads, you can't count on them.