Backroads

My cycling friends and i have never had such horrible, disorganized, inept guides, and cheap, cycling trip anywhere in the world, and we have been everywhere, with all international companies, The complete lack of competent, trained guides was incredible in the New Zealand trip last year, How can a former «male escort», and a trip leader who has mental issues and incompetence issues for clients safety, qualify as professional guides,???There were mutliple accidents from not checking equiptment, complete lack of care of clients, who they were not ’ sucking up to ’ because they perceived, only a select few male clients to be potential good «tippers».Accidents and equiptment failures due to not checking equiptment, every morning prior to the days ride, and in general, total lack of concern for clients safety and enjoyment of this trip, Not taking care of several clients «medical» needs, which had been prior arranged and promised by the company to be cared for, which endangered clients health, and ignoring those clients, especially, female clients, the team leader and guide perceived not worth their time to care about,
Miserable trip, worst ever, and then, the company president, and company staff, ignored the unflattering comments of those of us who bore the brunt of these guides rudeness, incompetence and ignorance,
Backroads should learn how to hire qualified and genuinely intelligent and caring «guides» when clients travel around the world to put themselves in these peoples care for an expensive cycling trip, everything was «on the cheap»!!!

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!

Amazing company! Did a cycling trip in the Dolomites with Backroads in 2014. Fabulous experience all around! Just returned from another trip with the company Abercrombie and Kent (A&K) in August 2015. Significantly poorer experience all around. If I take another trip in the near future, it will definitely be with Backroads! Accommodations, customer service, clientele, itinerary… All close to perfection! I never write comments online, but Backroads deserves special commendations!

Mid-​September 2015, my wife and I (age 61 and 70 respectively) took our first Backroads trip as we biked through «Brittany and Normandy» in France for six days and five nights with eleven other guests (now friends — many Backroads veterans) and two trip leaders and another trip support person. All first-​rate. We visited St-​Malo, Mt. St-​Michel, three D Day beaches and sites, and many country towns as we traveled backroads. This company has 36 years experience and their trip leaders, bikes, vans and planning all come together in a symphony that exceeded our already high expectations. Food, wine, Omaha Beach tour, nice (classic) lodges, and flexibility to ride a little or a lot — we clocked 156 miles on our GPS. We are eager to take our next trip with Backroads. They aren’t cheap, but the trip was worth every cent.

Dave 5 of our Backroads Bicycle Tour through Brittany and Normandy, France and my husband and I are already contemplating our next excursion with Backroads. This has been the trip of a lifetime and while there is a good deal of cycling, it’s broken up with fantastic and informative excursions so for those of you like me, who might be nervous about the athletic requirements, don’t let that dissuade you. The bikes are easy to use, each day has longer or shorter options, and every detail is considered from snacks to luxury accommodations. I made all the trips with ease. Worth every cent (or should I say Euro)! Special thanks to our stellar team: Jonathan, Julian, and Xavier who treated us like royalty. Really, so much fun and a nice mix of people, including one couple who had been on 16 trips to date and have already signed up for their next. I think that tells you how great and thoughtful the planning is. Merci beaucoup!

My wife and I recently completed a 5 ½ day bike tour in the Bordeaux wine country with Backroads. The hotels were unique, very clean, well appointed and all served great food (5 star). The rides were spectacular. Some of the rides were challenging, but they were all doable. There were interesting and fun side excursions every day from prehistoric cave drawings to Bordeaux wine tastings and lectures. The whole trip was exceptional. It was extremely well planned, managed and manned. The three tour guides were hard working, helpful, polite, friendly and well trained. The result was one of the best experiences of a lifetime. Performance like this should be recognized and rewarded with repeat business, and I can’t wait to go on another Backroads tour.

My partner and I have just returned from a week’s trip to Yosemite with Backroads and cannot begin to say how marvelous it was. This was a trip in small vans with stays at excellent hotels and only minor walking involved. Not really a true hiking trip but a great introduction to Yosemite. The leaders, Mary, Max and Matteo, were beyond marvelous and were a delight to travel with. Our group consisted of 19 travelers and we all got along very well. This trip far exceeded our expectations in every way. We cannot recommend this outfitter enough. Do not hesitate – sign up for a trip now and have a fabulous time!

OK, it looks like most of the photos on the Unilocal/​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 (
) 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…
. 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.

This was my 5^th Backroads trip and it was as wonderful as the first four. Seriously, every Backroads trip I have taken has been as good as it gets. I have traveled with other active tour companies, and I have liked them — BUT, Backroads really goes the extra mile (pun intended); they really do what they do very, very well.
Great destinations, beautiful hotels, opportunities to meet interesting locals, and delicious food — from stunning picnics, to local organic eateries, to outstanding restaurants (not too mention all the snacks!). Their leaders are incredible, such attention to detail, and attention to each client and their needs.
On our most recent trip we went hiking in Panama. Each day was different, interesting, informative and FUN. One day we cruised on a 90′ yacht past the mouth of the Panama Canal and over to an island where we hiked and had lunch (and were able to jump off the boat for a swim after lunch). Another day we were able to visit a local orchid farm near the beginning of our hike.
We took an internal flight, so we were able to see a little more of the country then just Panama City and the amazing canal (complete with a private tour). Hiking in the mountains in the west gave us a more comprehensive feel of this beautiful and very diverse country (complete with spotting a few quetzals). And, on days when we felt like we really wanted to do even more hiking our leaders were able to find ways to lengthen the route for those that wanted to keep going.
I would also add that the groups we have been a part of on Backroads trips have always been fun and interesting people, and we have made new friends along the way.

«This was my sixth trip on Backroads, the trips are awesome and only get better. How is that possible? I have been home less than 24 hours and I have already told my friends about Backroads. Thank you for being an awesome travel company. I will be back!»

We did a family trip (three adults, two in their 60’s, one in her 50’s, and two daughters in their 20’s) to the South Island of New Zealand starting December 26, 1014. It was one of the most fun trips of our lives, and we have traveled a LOT. It was our first bike trip, and our first Backroads trip. Our three guides were GREAT. Biking is a great way to see New Zealand. What made it great? The scenery, the food, the guides, and also the other people on the trip. The bike equipment was absolutely top notch, as was the food, and we stayed in the nicest places that the towns we visited had to offer. Clearly if you do a trip like this the other people on the trip are going to be like minded individuals, which they were – most had brought their adult children in their late teens and early 20’s with them on the trip. I highly recommend Backroads, and I highly recommend this Backroads trip. One caveat of traveling to the South Island of New Zealand — expect to be rained on at some point, and expect there to be overcast conditions – but that is out of the hands of Backroads.

We have done three trips with Backroads: Wine Country biking, Vermont/​Quebec biking, and Costa Rica multisport. And, I’m sure we will do another. Backroads hires well, and the quality of their guides is beyond expectation. If you want everything taken care of, assurances of great activities, and you are someone who can afford all that comes with these services, you will enjoy a Backroads experience.

this is the absolute worst company I have ever been with. I went on a bike trip, with guides at a cost of $ 800.00 a day. I was a slow rider, but it was not a race!!! I got up all the hills but slowly. The guides were no where to be found. They left me behind. Thay are supposed to be responsible for the welfare of the group. They expect you to be able to fix a flat tire by yourself!!! It was just the worst experience. I have been on many bike trips. They had wanted me to leave the group after 2 days. The guides were the worst. Do not ever go on a trip with this company. If i would have fallen off my bike I probably would still be there. Please save your money. Go with Butterfield and Robinson.

Just came back from the San Juan Islands biking trip with Backroads. All I can say is, «wow»!. Every little detail was attended to: lodging, logistics, meals… and the bikes were new and in great mechanical working order. They were able to accommodate everyone, from the hard core biker to the casual pedaler who preferred to hop in the van after a few miles. The guides were friendly and knowledgeable. I will most definitely travel with Backroads again.
I have read a couple of unkind reviews; to those who suffered unforeseen consequences, it is unfortunate. I strongly encourage ANYONE, regardless of age, to purchase trip insurance when you book with any travel company, unless you want to eat the cost. Personal illness, death in the family, physical injury that would preclude an active vacation… all can happen and are not the responsibility of the company. Including Backroads, which is a bit on the higher end side.

Count me in as a huge fan.
I have used several travel companies to explore Asia, Africa, Central America and South America, and even Europe.
But when It came to hiking up to 15,000 feet through the Andes I put my trust with Backroads… and they came through in stellar manner.
You pay a premium for using the services of Backroads but everything is taken care of. Meals, Snacks, Hotels, etc. They have great contingency plans in case of accidents or emergencies.
The food is amazing. The snacks were great. The side trips were great as well. Nice touch with the humungo bag of coca leaves for the tired traveler… zzzzzzzz
Our Tour guide Kimberly J was awesome: Just an amazing, warm, fun person. The other local guides were equally fantastic Raul, Carla, and Jose aka pedro.
The group was limited to 12 and all of my fellow travelers were amazing people… it was a really fun bunch of people. I could not have asked for a better group.
The tour I took I would highly recommend for anyone wanting to push their limits and see some of the most amazing sites: Cuzco, Machu Picchu, Salkantay Mountain, Sacred Valley, etc etc

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 recently had the most amazing experience on the Backroads Singles-​Solos Wine Country to San Francisco Biking trip. I’m not a biker but everyone was supportive of each other. The routes took us through some of the most beautiful roads in the Bay Area. My favorite part was the food as there were freshly-​prepared meals three times a day. A+.

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.

My husband and I were booked for a 14 day trip through Spain and France that included a 6 day tour with Backroads. We chose Backroads on the recommendation of my parents, who enjoyed an active multi sport trip in Alaska last summer. We were scheduled to leave Jun11, 2013. On June 7^th, my mother came down with a fever. By June 8^th, she had gotten significantly worse and passed away that afternoon. To say we were in shock would be an understatement. She was 65 yrs old, active, and in excellent health.
In the days that followed, my husband contacted the numerous hotels, trains, tours and airlines to cancel our reservations. In EACH case we were greeted with kindness and comfort as a major airline and a 5 star hotel in Barcelona made significant exceptions to their non-​refundable policies given the circumstances. We did not immediately hear back from Backroads, but instead played phone tag with them for 3 days. When my husband did finally speak with the Backroads service manager he explained that while he was sorry for our loss, he was only willing to provide us with ½ credit for the trip and if we wanted to travel with Backroads again in the future, we would need to pay another $ 3,700 to purchase a second ticket. We were in shock that a company that prides itself on personalized service would treat us this way. We certainly didn’t expect a full refund, though other vendors did provide just that, but I did hope we would receive a full credit so we could enjoy the trip in the future.
As a business person, I understand the economics of last minute cancellations. We did not purchase the trip insurance, and we understand that it was available. However, as a company that prides itself on service, i was dissapointed Backroads did not see the big picture. We are a young couple and have every intention of enjoying future trips, just as I know my mom would want us to do. It’s a shame Backroads put their short term financial bottom line ahead of their long term reputation, and missed out on an opportunity to earn loyal customers for life.
As Tom Hale, founder of Backroads, states on the website, «travel is all about creating memorable experiences.» I can say that this «experience» has certainly been memorable, but for all the wrong reasons.

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.