BIKING • HIKING & WALKING • MULTI-ADVENTURE YOUR NEXT GREAT ESCAPE
2026
Front Cover: Switzerland
7 CONTINENTS. 60+ COUNTRIES. ENDLESS WAYS TO EXPLORE.
As seen in
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Portugal’s Madeira
What if 2026 was the year you traveled differently?
With Backroads, every journey is shaped by local expertise and a love of movement—biking, hiking and exploring at your own pace with travelers who share your sense of adventure. Inside these pages, find new corners of the world to discover, exceptional hotels with local flair and fresh ways to experience the joy of active travel. Inspiration starts here, but the adventure begins with you.
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A LETTER FROM TOM & AVERY As we welcome a new year, we’re more energized than ever before about the future of travel and where we’re going in 2026 and beyond. We’re guided by and filled with gratitude for you—our incredible guests whose spirit of adventure continues to shape Backroads. That same spirit of adventure is reflected in what’s ahead: new and expanded trips, from the Canary Islands to Cyprus, more Women’s Adventures, our growing Unplugged collection (acoustic bikes, no electric assist), new 30s & 40s trips and the upcoming debut of our performance e-bike—all inspired by what you’ve told us you value most. Behind the scenes, we’re elevating every part of the Backroads experience. That includes a more detailed breakdown of our hotel options and doing more to highlight some of our ultra-luxe accommodations (coming soon), investing in new technology to make every piece of the guest experience smoother, and digging deeper into guest feedback to uncover fresh ways to raise trip quality even higher. We hope you’ll find inspiration in the pages ahead. Here’s to another year of meaningful travel together. We can’t wait to see you out there! Until then,
Avery Hale Smith Chief Experience Officer
Tom Hale Founder, President & CEO
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Prince of Wales Hotel • Waterton Lakes National Park, Canada
Why Backroads 6 8 10 12 Biking B
The Backroads Difference Your Expert Trip Leaders New for 2026 A World of Adventure
Hiking & Walking H
Multi-Adventure M
Destination Spotlights 14 16 18 20
Italy’s Dolomites Norway Europe Off the Radar Argentina South Africa & Botswana Canada
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Trips for Every Traveler 32 34 36 38 Where to Stay Now 28 30 31 Premiere Hotels Deluxe & Casual Hotels Small Ships
Unplugged Bike Trips Dolce Tempo: Easygoing & Epic Women’s Adventures Trips for 30s & 40s NEW Family Adventures Private Trips
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Get Inspired 46 48 54 56 58 60
Local Legends Traveling Actively, Traveling Well 2026 Travel Trends Snow Days
Your 2026 Summer Kickoff America’s National Parks
Reserving Your Trip 64 66 Trip Index Important Information
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REDEFINING ACTIVE TRAVEL SINCE 1979 EXPERIENCE THE BACKROADS DIFFERENCE
Unbeatable Choice We’re unmatched in our offering of 7,000+ Hiking & Walking, Biking and Multi-Adventure dates. No matter where, when, how and with whom you want to travel, Backroads has the perfect trip. Active for Everyone Take it easy or take it up a notch. It’s always up to you—do as much or as little as you like, even if your traveling companion prefers a different tempo. Multiple Daily Routes Daily activity options invite you to explore your destination at your own pace and comfort level. Navigate with confidence using GPS maps and directions in the Backroads On Trip App, plus Wahoo bike devices for seamless turn-by-turn tracking. Straight Talk From terrain and climate notes to local customs and cultural traditions, we tell it like it is before you book—we want you on the right trip for you.
Extraordinary Hotels Our hand-selected hotels are some of the world’s best, with options to suit every taste and travel style—Premiere for ultimate luxury, Deluxe for chic comfort and Casual for a more relaxed charm. Top-Tier Bikes for Every Rider Enjoy complimentary performance bikes, hybrid e-bikes, and soon, the new performance e-bikes on European and North American bike trips (for an additional fee). Experts at Trip Design Behind each itinerary is a half-century of experience and a trip design team that brings precision, passion and purpose to every detail: 12 Regional Directors and 27 Regional Leads collaborate with 300+ Trip Experts in the field to craft extraordinary active adventures. The Right Group Size Our groups are small enough to explore the world with optimum flexibility and big enough to welcome a variety of fun-loving travel companions.
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Tuscany
The Best Leaders, Bar None With an average guest rating of 9.8/10, our leaders are in a league of their own. Our recruiting, hiring, training, benefits and performance programs are singular in the world of travel, attracting outstanding individuals and developing their talents and skills. They’re not independent contractors, but valued employees with strong ties to the communities where they lead. More Leaders, More Support With more Backroads leaders on every trip, you’ll always have support when you need it. A team of at least three leaders plus two or more support vans gives you the freedom to ride, hike or pause— knowing we’re right there when it counts.* Never Subcontracted We’ve been setting the standard for quality since 1979. We don’t subcontract because we don’t trust others to do the job we’ve promised you we’ll do.
The Right Kind of Together Who you travel with matters just as much as where you go. That’s why we continue to create unique ways to share experiences around the world—like our Family Adventures, Women’s Adventures, Unplugged Trips (no e-bikes) and trips for travelers in their 30s & 40s. Family Travel Perfected We’ve spent years fine-tuning the art of family travel, and we know how to create trips that make everyone happy. Whether you’re traveling with little explorers, independent teens or young adults, no one offers more dates, more destinations or more options for your family than we do. No One Does Private Better Unrivaled in our selection of ready-to-book dates and adventures across the globe, traveling with your crew has never been easier—or more fun. Thousands of expertly planned itineraries to choose from, perks for Private Trip Organizers and dedicated support every step of the way.
*Less than 5 percent of our guests choose trips that are small enough to support with one van and fewer than three leaders.
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YOUR EXPERT TRIP LEADERS
Guides, interpreters, facilitators, cheerleaders and all-around sources of inspiration and goodwill, our Trip Leaders set Backroads apart. This team of pros is rigorously trained, brilliantly resourceful and just plain fun. Their greatest superpower? Making every journey feel personal—and totally unforgettable. See for yourself how the most carefully cultivated global workforce in the world of travel defines the quality of your trip experience.
Meet the team! backroads.com/leaders
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TRIP LEADER PICKS FOR 2026 From hidden corners to beloved classics, these are just a few of the adventures our leaders can’t wait to share with you.
Cinque Terre
DENMARK ISLANDS Quiet bike routes, coastal villages and standout Danish hotels make sharing this place genuinely inspiring. B
Recommended by Janine Opitz
SANTORINI & CRETE From the incredible food and hospitality to the vast history, this trip has it all. It truly is a special place. M
Recommended by Kate Cruickshank
JAPAN This trip has such cultural depth, from peaceful shrines and restorative onsen to Takayama’s preserved Edo-era lanes. H
Recommended by Barry O’Doherty
VIETNAM & CAMBODIA A deep dive into jaw-dropping and welcoming places. It’s colorful chaos and spiritual peace all at once. B
Recommended by Shauna Pugliese
SEDONA Three hundred million years in the making, these ancient rocks are perpetually shifting and changing, but to us steady, frozen in time. H
Recommended by Nathan Ting
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NEW F O R 2026 We’re always dreaming up fresh and exciting ways to experience the world. A new perspective from a volcanic island peak. Local wines at the crossroads of continents. A three-country cycling journey, tracing back roads from Poland to Hungary. Come be one of the first to experience something totally new.
Here are a few standouts from our newest collection!
Canary Islands SHOWN M Cyprus Krakow to Budapest Rocky Mountain National Park Spain’s Camino del Norte B B H
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Get to know all of our new trips at backroads.com/new
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Meet Our All-New Performance E-bike COMING SOON
We introduced e-bikes to Backroads trips back in 2016. Now, we’re raising the bar. Backroads is the only company in the world offering a performance e-bike with an easily removable, replaceable battery that’s seamlessly integrated into the down tube. With help from your leaders, you can quickly swap in a fresh battery mid-ride for longer days on the road, and never worry about range anxiety. Premium carbon wheels, top-tier electronic shifting and the latest Bosch assist system round out the build. Whether you’re climbing, cruising or chasing the front, this is the most responsive and refined e-bike we’ve ever offered. $400 rental fee
NEW! SOLO ROOM SAVINGS We’ve made it even easier to go solo or enjoy your own space on select dates with
private room savings. Go your own way at backroads.com/solo
Look for this tag:
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A WORLD OF
Italy’s Piedmont
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ADVENTURE Wherever you want to go—across continents, through seasons, even back in time across generations—Backroads is ready to take you there. Maybe it’s hiking a bucket-list summit. Riding into a village you’ve only heard about in family stories. Or seeing something familiar in a brand-new light. In 2026, we’re spotlighting a few destinations that stand out. Because when the sky’s the limit, it helps to have a few stars.
WAYS TO GO ACTIVE
Biking B
Hiking & Walking H
Multi-Adventure M
So many places to go. So many ways to explore. Now you can save your favorites at backroads.com and keep track of every trip you’re dreaming about. EXPLORE IT ALL
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ITALY PINK DESTINATION SPOTLIGHT: THE DOLOMITES From gold-medal landscapes to Michelin meals and restorative Alpine spas, the Dolomites deliver on the hype. With Backroads, you’ll also find its quieter magic: summits sans footprints, hut-to-hut hikes through Ladin country and rifugi where the cheese is local and the views are 360. Northern Italy is gearing up for a moment in 2026. Come have yours. Meet your peak at backroads.com/dolomites IN THE
Austrian Alps & Italy’s Dolomites Bavaria, Tyrolean Alps & the Dolomites Brenta Dolomites Home Base Dolomites SHOWN Dolomites to Lake Garda Hut-to-Hut B H M H B H M H B
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Lodge-to-Lodge Snow Adventure
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Available for: Couples, Friends & Solos • Family • Women’s Adventures • Dolce Tempo • 30s & 40s
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Be welcomed like old friends by Walter & Miriam Pisching, the couple behind this family-run lodge, a one-of-a-kind slice of mountain life. Here, hikers, bikers and families converge en route to Fanes- Sennes-Braies Nature Park, warmed by homemade meals and genuine hospitality. Search DMHW on backroads.com RIFUGIO PEDERÜ
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THE CALL OF THE FJORDS DESTINATION SPOTLIGHT: NORWAY
In Norway, friluftsliv —the love of open-air life—is an essential value, learned from childhood. It’s a way of living, in every season and at any age. As simple as picking berries or as grand as hiking through fjords. You’ll even find it reflected in the sustainability ethos of our favorite hotels. Whether you come for cooler summer days
or winter’s northern lights, friluftsliv captures what so many travelers are seeking in 2026. Find your fjord escape at backroads.com/norway
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“The expansive natural beauty of Norway, its quiet sparsely populated farms and fjords, brought me a feeling of peace. The Norwegians themselves, with great humor and welcome, perfectly complemented the majestic serenity of the setting. A perfect balance of place and people.” Susan Matross • San Rafael, CA
Norway & Sweden NEW! Norway’s Ålesund Fjords Norway’s Fjords H M B
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Available for: Couples, Friends & Solos • Family • Women’s Adventures • 30s & 40s Norway’s Lofoten Islands SHOWN NEW! Norway Northern Lights
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EUROPE OFF THE RADAR DESTINATION SPOTLIGHT Across Europe, there are still places that surprise us—regions where the pace slows and local life takes center stage. With our trip designers’ deep connections and insider knowledge, we go beyond the usual routes to share the places we love most. Come see what’s waiting for you.
Discover 200+ ways to see Europe at backroads.com/europe
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“We’re always chasing the good stuff. Those tucked-away spots our local friends swear by. A secret trail, a tiny wine bar run by a local history buff, a beach with no name. That’s the Europe we love to share.” Stefan Teichert • Regional Director
Baltics Greece’s Peloponnese SHOWN Ireland’s Connemara Sicily & the Aeolian Islands Slovenia B H H B B H M
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Available for: Couples, Friends & Solos • Family • Women’s Adventures • Dolce Tempo
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DESTINATION SPOTLIGHT: ARGENTINA
UNDER SOUTHERN STARS With jagged peaks, glacier-fed lakes, open steppe and a wine region that rivals the best of Europe, Argentina delivers big on adventure. It’s no wonder these trips are trending for 2026, pairing raw natural beauty with rare access: coveted park permits, exclusive hotels and every remote transfer totally dialed. We visit the full sweep of this South American jewel, from the faraway feel of gaucho country to the sunlit calm of Uco Valley vineyards.
Let’s tango at backroads.com/argentina
Argentina’s Mendoza Wine Country & Andes Argentina’s Patagonia SHOWN Argentina’s Patagonia Lake District H H M M
Available for: Couples, Friends & Solos • Family • Women’s Adventures • Dolce Tempo
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Spark your senses in Mendoza’s rich wine country. Just two years ago, we opened this new chapter of our Argentine recipe book, and it’s already become wildly popular. Search AGMM on backroads.com PROVECHO, SALUD AND ¡BUEN VIAJE!
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THE ACTIVE SAFARI DESTINATION SPOTLIGHT: SOUTH AFRICA & BOTSWANA A Backroads safari is more than just a game drive. It’s a chance to move with the land—hiking the Cederberg, biking ancient elephant paths, tracing tracks of the Big Five alongside expert guides. With your feet on the ground, feel your place in the wild. Gaze up at a giraffe from the seat of your bike. Then unwind at eco-luxury lodges that harmonize with all the nature that surrounds you. This is safari, reimagined. Search SABM on backroads.com For more active safaris, visit backroads.com/safari
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BOTSWANA
Mashatu Game Reserve
Sabi Sands
Hazyview
Johannesburg
Bushmans Kloof
SOUTH AFRICA
Cape Town
LONDOLOZI PRIVATE GAME RESERVE Established in 1926 and still family-run, this legendary lodge—once praised as “a model of nature preservation” by Nelson Mandela—celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. Your stay here is a fitting highlight on a journey defined by the extraordinary.
MICHELIN KEYS
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NORTHERN SIGHTS DESTINATION SPOTLIGHT: CANADA
From the mossy rain forests of Vancouver Island to Old Québec’s cobblestones and café corners, we’re tipping our toques to this extraordinary country—and to the incredible Canadian crew who make our adventures here shine. With roots in nearly every province and a rock-solid logistics hub in Canmore, Alberta, our team of more than 150 Canadians knows every scenic byway, secret trail and post-ride snack stop worth sharing. In 2026, adventure is closer than you think. Explore coast to coast on backroads.com/canada
Canadian Rockies Gulf Islands SHOWN Newfoundland Nova Scotia Quebec H H H M B B
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Available for: Couples, Friends & Solos • Family • Women’s Adventures • Dolce Tempo • 30s & 40s
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Framed by soaring peaks, this iconic “Castle in the Rockies” holds a freshly minted Michelin Key and sets the standard for mountain luxury. Under summer skies or winter snow, your royal treatment awaits. Search Banff Springs on backroads.com FAIRMONT BANFF SPRINGS
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Château de la Treyne • Toulouse to Bordeaux Search BDLB on backroads.com
MICHELIN KEY
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WHERE TO STAY NOW
CHECK-IN TIME When we choose hotels, be it a luxury retreat or a laid- back hideaway, we’re looking for more than a place to rest. We’re after a feeling—something that captures the spirit of a destination. Comfort and elegance matter, always, but what we really love are the details that tell a story: local design, a warm welcome and a sense of place you can feel the moment you arrive. Premiere, Deluxe & Casual Hotels • Small Ships
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PREMIERE HOTELS THE A-LIST
On Newfoundland’s rugged edge, the Fogo Island Inn rises where land meets sea as a masterpiece of modern design and a meditation on sustainable luxury. It’s a fitting emblem of everything we seek in our top-tier Premiere Hotels: places that combine refined comforts with immersive experiences and soulful hospitality.
220+ ways to stay Premiere at backroads.com/premiere
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Fogo Island Inn • Newfoundland Hiking & Walking Tour Search NFLW on backroads.com
MICHELIN KEYS
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Vila Planinka • Italy & Slovenia Hiking & Walking Tour Search SVIW on backroads.com
DELUXE & CASUAL HOTELS ADVENTURE READY Luxury takes many forms. At our Deluxe and Casual Hotels, it
appears in subtler ways, like ready access to nature and a genuine connection to local culture. Vila Planinka, tucked in a green valley in Slovenia’s Kamnik-Savinja Alps, embodies this spirit. Every detail, from the warm wood interiors to mountain-foraged teas, reflects a deep harmony with the land. 100+ ways to stay Casual at backroads.com/casual
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SMALL SHIPS EXQUISITE
PASSAGE
Silver Sea Silver Origin • Galápagos Ocean Cruise Multi-Adventure Tour Search ECGM on backroads.com
Unpack once and cover more distance on small ship journeys that pair our insider route design and signature support with the timeless elegance of ocean and river travel. In the Galápagos, the all-suite Silver Origin sets the standard for luxury at sea. Five-star comfort, personalized service and unparalleled access to the world’s most extraordinary coastlines.
Step aboard at backroads.com/cruise
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UNPLUGGED BIKE TRIPS DESIGNED FOR A COMMUNITY OF CYCLISTS
For cyclists who prefer to keep it acoustic on bikes without electric assist. 50+ ways to ride acoustic: backroads.com/unplugged
Croatia
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Featuring our custom Backroads Performance Bike
A NOTE FROM TOM It’s been an incredible year for Unplugged, and members of the Backroads Executive Team (myself included) had a blast hitting the road with guests on some of the first departures. When I joined guests in California’s Wine Country last spring, I saw firsthand the camaraderie and enthusiasm this new offering has sparked. That same spirit has carried through rides around the world, reminding us what makes this original Backroads experience so special. As we look toward 2026, we’re expanding Unplugged with even more trips and dates—and plenty more miles of pure pedal power ahead. See you out there!
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We’re big believers in JOMO: the “joy of missing out.” Exploring with intention, not a checklist long enough to trip over. Meander a trail through a Swiss Alpine meadow. Linger over a lager in a Bavarian beer hall. Take your time soaking in a view (or a hot tub). Join us to roam in larger-than-life destinations at a slower pace. And Dolce that Tempo. DOLCE TEMPO EASYGOING & EPIC
60+ ways to go Dolce: backroads.com/dolce-tempo
ROSEWOOD SCHLOSS FUSCHL On Salzburg’s Lake Fuschl, this restored castle offers luxury with the grace of a Mozart melody. And with Dolce Tempo, there’s even more time to unwind and experience its rich heritage and serene beauty.
Search MU1W on backroads.com
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HIGHLIGHTS 2026
NEW! Dolomites SHOWN NEW! French Alps German & Austrian Alps Peru Spanish Pyrenees to Costa Brava Switzerland Yosemite M B H M H H H H H B
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WOMEN’S ADVENTURES SOLE SISTERS
Sicily
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Kinsterna Hotel • Greece’s Peloponnese Search GRPW on backroads.com
Just three years in, our Women’s Adventures keep gaining ground. Each season, even more women choose to travel actively on our small group journeys around the world. Some come solo, others with friends or family, all drawn to the same sense of ease and belonging that comes from exploring with a community of women. In 2026, we’re adding even more ways to join in—and because of you, the story keeps getting better.
Join the ultimate girls’ trip at backroads.com/women
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TRIPS FOR 30s & 40s DISCOVER THE WORLD. SHARE THE JOURNEY. New for 2026 and already sparking lots of excitement, these trips are made for travelers in their 30s & 40s who are curious, active and ready for something that feels like them. All the expert planning, handpicked hotels and legendary leaders we’re known for—with a group that just clicks.
Switzerland
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These five trips are topping the charts with our guests. Consider it your inspiration short list.
Dolomites Hut-to-Hut
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Portugal’s Algarve & Alentejo
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Santorini & Crete
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Berlin to Prague
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A Taste of Camino de Santiago
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Explore the full collection at backroads.com/30s-40s
“Great food, rich culture, history—and off-the-beaten-path places. That’s where the magic happens. I wanted something active, adventurous and with people in my life stage. That’s what tipped me to Backroads.”
Eric, Age 44 • Fort Worth, TX Booked to bike Madrid to Porto
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THIS YEAR’S FAMILY VACATION
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Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula
You’ve got enough to plan—let us make this part easy. It could be the year you spot otters from a kayak in Alaska or ride horseback in the Cascades. The summer you dive from a sailboat into the warm Adriatic or that holiday season you make Vietnamese spring rolls with a local chef. We’ve spent decades perfecting Family Adventures like these—immersive, active fun with every detail handled by the experts. Let’s make some memories!
Your family’s next adventure awaits! backroads.com/family
FOR FAMILIES WITH...
Kids & Teens Best for ages 7-17 (kids 4+ welcome)
Teens & 20s For ages 16+ (siblings 14+ welcome)
20s & Beyond For ages 20+ (siblings 17+ welcome)
S UP TO
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EVERY FAMILY
SPRING
SUMMER Sardinia & Corsica SHOWN Yellowstone & Tetons M M
California’s Palm Springs & Joshua Tree Hawaii’s Big Island SHOWN M
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From grade school to grad school and desert blooms to snowy wonders, every season brings a new way to explore together at any age. Check out these guest favorites and choose your next adventure before the family calendar fills up! EVERY SEASON
FALL
WINTER
Costa Rica: Rain Forest & Pacific SHOWN Santa Barbara & the Channel Islands M
Belize Thailand SHOWN M
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JUST YOU & YOUR CREW PRIVATE TRIPS Backroads Private Trips are the ultimate way to explore the world with the ones who matter most. Whether it’s a family reunion, a milestone celebration with friends or just because, we’ll handle every detail—from seamless logistics to unforgettable activities and extraordinary hotels. Choose from hundreds of ready-to-book adventures in beautiful places around the globe that match your group’s ideal travel style. You bring your people. We’ll bring the magic. backroads.com/private
“The planning by Backroads allows our private group the luxury to really enjoy our friendships, the marvelous scenery, challenge and thrills of rides and the chance to deeply experience a locale.” Toni Breck • Ross, CA
Croatia
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LOCAL LEGENDS
Peru
Costa Rica
SAÚL MASÍA & HENRY ENRÍQUEZ Saúl and Henry aren’t just trekking guides—they’re cultural interpreters. Sharing their knowledge of the Quechua language, village traditions and plant mythology, they make hiking ancient Inca trails an immersive storytelling experience.
DOÑA EDITH In Costa Rica’s lush jungle, Doña Edith greets our guests with open arms, golden patacones and a heart as wide as the rain forest. For nearly two decades, her gentle hospitality has made every meal in her home feel effortlessly warm and welcoming. Search CRAM on backroads.com to enjoy Doña Edith’s home cooking in Costa Rica
Search PELW on backroads.com to hike with Saúl & Henry in Peru
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For decades, we’ve built lasting relationships with the people who invite us into their communities. From guides to families who welcome Backroads guests with open arms, these friendships let us show you each destination through the eyes of those who know it best. Here are a few of their stories.
Sardinia
Vietnam
TELEMACO MURGIA Telemaco has raced 500-kilometer endurance events, pioneered mountain biking in Sardinia and (literally) wrote the book on kayaking its coast. Paddle with him and you’ll hear tales of pirates, shipwrecks and hidden coves. Come meet the island’s living folklore.
NGHIA XUAN NGUYEN (“DRAGON”) For over 20 years, Dragon has helped Backroads guests navigate Vietnam’s beauty and buzz— sharing stories, steering toward the best banh mi and sparking karaoke nights. Kind, funny and full of heart, he’s Backroads family in every sense.
Search SRCM on backroads.com to kayak with Telemaco in Sardinia
Search VCAB on backroads.com and fall for Dragon in Vietnam
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ACTIVE BY NATURE
Wellness at Backroads isn’t about escape; it’s about engagement. For nearly 50 years, we’ve believed that well-being is rooted in movement, connection and awe. No trends, no tricks—just you, your curiosity and the transformative power of discovering the world under your own power.
Yosemite National Park
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TRAVELING ACTIVELY, TRAVELING WELL “Unlike a piece of technology or a screen, the real world is imperfect, unpredictable and full of surprises. Experiencing it firsthand—powered by your own movement, with fellow travelers by your side—makes you feel more alive. That, to me, is true wellness.” Read more from Backroads Chief Experience Officer Avery Hale Smith at backroads.com/wellness
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COLD PLUNGE. SAUNA. REPEAT.
From a post-hike Nordic sauna and cold plunge to a lingering soak in a Japanese onsen after a great day’s ride, wellness is steeped in tradition and a sense of place. The formulas are ancient and local. The feeling of bliss is universal.
Dive in at backroads.com/thermal
Norway’s Lofoten Islands
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Oregon’s Cascades & Crater Lake
UNDER CANOPY THE
Bali
Some call it forest bathing; we call it time well spent. Whether you’re hiking or biking through tropical ferns or towering conifers, each step and pedal stroke is a reminder that calm can be active too. Studies show being among trees can lower stress, steady the heart and lift the mood. Out here, it just feels natural.
Go green at backroads.com/green
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THE SWEET SPA
New experiences don’t stop where the ride ends. With custom Clarins blends inspired by Champagne vineyards. Aerial yoga or hot stones by a Bavarian lake. Roman baths and hammams in the heart of the Luberon. When the day winds down, these world-class spas are exactly where you’ll want to be.
Champagne & Alsace Germany to Austria’s Alps Pyrenees to Costa Brava Provence Luberon to Lavender Country B B B B
Your spa day awaits at backroads.com/spas
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La Cheneaudière • Champagne & Alsace Bike Tour Search ASCB on backroads.com
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TRAVEL
TRENDS
Portugal’s Madeira
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2026 LOOKS LIKE... Exciting twists on faraway favorites, hands-on culinary journeys and stylish glamping retreats set on the doorstep of adventure—these are just a few ways we’re going active in 2026. Cookie-cutter vacations? Not our style. Backroads continues to set the pace for original, experience-driven travel.
LODGE-TO-LODGE HIKING Point-to-point treks between cozy mountain retreats from Peru to the Pyrenees—hiking enthusiasts: these trips are for you. Find your trail at backroads.com/hut-to-hut
FAR-FLUNG ADVENTURE Trekking permits and edge-of-the-earth hotels. Scenic shuttles and private flights. Tahiti. Tasmania. Tierra del Fuego. It’s never been easier to get far, far away. Go the distance at backroads.com/far-flung
GLAMPING Experience national parks with a touch of luxury, exploring iconic landscapes by day and snuggling into cozy glamping comforts under starry skies. Join the glamp squad at backroads.com/glamping
EUROPEAN ISLANDS Sparkling seas and sun-warmed landscapes—we’re in love. Islands like Madeira and Mallorca could be the ones that let you get away. Island time awaits at backroads.com/islands
THE UNITED KINGDOM Events and exhibits honoring what would have been Queen Elizabeth II’s 100th birthday make 2026 an inspiring time to experience the region’s timeless traditions and captivating landscapes. Keep calm & adventure on at backroads.com/united-kingdom
CULINARY ADVENTURES From garden-fresh flavors to hands-on cooking and just the right pour, discover favorite foodie
destinations in the most delicious way. Taste more at backroads.com/gourmet
For even more inspiration, visit backroads.com/travel-inspo
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SN W DAYS Lift lines and lodge fires have their charm, but for us, winter’s best moments happen in motion: snowshoeing through powdery forests, ice walking across glaciers, chasing the shimmer of the northern lights. When it comes to adventure, we’ve got serious snow-how.
Antarctica Ocean Cruise Banff to Lake Louise Dolomites Finland & Sweden SHOWN M M M
Iceland Northern Lights NEW! Norway’s Tromso to Alta Yellowstone & Tetons M M
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NORTHERN LIGHTS RANCH Step into a real-life snow globe at this
otherworldly lodge in Finnish Lapland, where reindeer roam past glass-walled cabins and Scandi design meets winter skies set to peak with aurora activity in 2026. Search LPD on backroads.com
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This summer, as top national teams get their game faces on across North America’s cities for the World Cup, Europe’s public spaces will hum with gathering football fans. Cheers spilling from English pubs, “Allez les Bleus!” erupting from Loire Valley guinguettes and that singsong classic “olé!” echoing through Portuguese botecos and Spanish tapas bars. As the competition rages on a world stage, there’s nothing quite like feeling the local excitement— even if you never watch a match. YOUR 2 26 SUMMER KICKOFF
Hike, bike and celebrate like a local this June and July.
Basque Country Bordeaux & Dordogne England’s Cornwall Portugal Southern Spain’s Andalusia B M H H
B
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Provence to the French Riviera
59 Call us at 877.462.2848
WONDERS OF THE WILD AMERICA’S NATIONAL PARKS
No matter how many times we explore this country’s national parks, they still stop us in our tracks with their beauty and history. We love sharing these spectacular landscapes with you, whether hiking through a maze of hoodoos in Bryce or cycling Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier. As the US celebrates its 250th anniversary in 2026, we’re ready for more miles and more moments that take our breath away from coast to coast. Let’s go!
Find your park at backroads.com/national-parks
Grand Teton National Park
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Arches National Park
Kenai Fjords National Park
PROTECTING PUBLIC LANDS Reducing our impact and protecting the wild places we explore are part of who we are. That’s why we’re proud to support the Trust for Public Land, an organization working to create and preserve public green spaces for everyone to enjoy. Learn more about our commitment to responsible travel at backroads.com/responsible
61 Call us at 877.462.2848
You may be thinking about what you want to prioritize in 2026, whether you call it making resolutions, setting intentions or simply taking a new perspective. A Backroads adventure might be the perfect place to start. READY FOR A YEAR OF ADVENTURE?
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Croatia
START EXPLORING Discover trips for every traveler. Hundreds of itineraries. Thousands of dates. Where will the journey take you?
63 Call us at 877.462.2848
TRIPS IN THIS CATALOG
HIKING & WALKING
MULTI- ADVENTURE
HIKING & WALKING
MULTI- ADVENTURE
BIKING
BIKING
Trip Leader Picks p. 8 Denmark Islands
Argentina p. 20 Argentina’s Patagonia Lake District
DSDB
ARLW ARLM
Argentina’s Patagonia
Japan
ARPW
JPNW JP1W
also available as Dolce Tempo
Mendoza Wine Country & Andes
AGMM
Santorini & Crete
GRCM
South Africa & Botswana p. 22 South Africa & Botswana Active Safari
Sedona 4-Day Getaway
AZSW
SABM
Vietnam & Cambodia
VCAB
Canada p. 24 Banff to Jasper National Park
New Trips p. 10 Canary Islands
CNJB
CISM
Banff to Yoho
CNOW CN2W
Cyprus
CPRB
also available as Dolce Tempo
Krakow to Budapest
Canadian Rockies
POBB
CNOM
Rocky Mountain National Park
Canadian Rockies Autumn
CDRW
CNFW
Gulf Islands
Spain’s Camino del Norte
BCGM
STNW
Dolomites p. 14 Austrian Alps & Italy’s Dolomites
Newfoundland
NFLW
Nova Scotia
MUVB
NSAB NSAW NS1B NS1W
also available as Dolce Tempo
Bavaria, Tyrolean Alps & Dolomites
MUDM
Vancouver & Gulf Islands
BCGB
Brenta Dolomites Home Base
DMBW
Quebec
QBCB QBCW QBCM
Dolomites
DMSB DMSW DMTM
QB1W QB1M
also available as Dolce Tempo
DM1W DM1M
also available as Dolce Tempo
Check-in Time p. 26 Toulouse to Bordeaux
Dolomites Hut-to-Hut
DMHW
BDLB
Dolomites Lodge-to-Lodge
DMHW
Premiere Hotels Spotlight p. 28 Newfoundland
Dolomites Snow Adventure
DMWM
NFLW
Dolomites to Lake Garda
DMLB DMLW DMLM
Deluxe & Casual Hotels Spotlight p. 30 Italy & Slovenia
Norway p. 16 Norway & Sweden
SVIW
NWSB
Small Ships Spotlight p. 31 Galápagos Ocean Cruise
Norway’s Ålesund Fjords
NWDM
ECGM
Norway’s Fjords
NWYW NWYM
Dolce Tempo p. 34 Dolomites
Norway’s Lofoton Islands
NWAW
DM1W DM1M
French Alps
Norway Northern Lights
FI1W FI1M
NWLW
German & Austrian Alps
MU2B MU1W
Europe Off the Radar p. 18 Baltics
Peru
PE1W
BALB
Spanish Pyrenees to Costa Brava
CA1B
Croatia & Slovenia
SVCM
Switzerland
SW1B SW1W SW1M
Croatia & Slovenia’s Alps
SVCB
Yosemite
YO1W
Italy & Slovenia
SVIW
30s & 40s p. 38 Berlin to Prague
Ireland’s Connemara
IRCB IRCW
BEPB
Greece’s Peloponnese
GRPW GRPM
Dolomites Hut-to-Hut
DMHW
GR2M
also available as Dolce Tempo
Sicily & the Aeolian Islands
SIAW
Portugal’s Algarve & Alentejo
PGLM
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o \ To view full itineraries and book a trip, search backroads.com using the four-letter codes below.
HIKING & WALKING
MULTI- ADVENTURE
BIKING
Santorini & Crete
GRCM
A Taste of Camino de Santiago
STGW
Family Adventures p. 40 Belize
BZEM
Costa Rica
CRAM
Hawaii’s Big Island
HWBM
Palm Springs & Joshua Tree
PJTM
Santa Barbara & Channel Islands
SBCM
Sardinia & Corsica
SRCM
Thailand
THDM
Yellowstone, Tetons & Big Sky
YTBM
Local Legends p. 46 Costa Rica
GET INSPIRED Follow us on social media for inspiration and exclusive behind-the-scenes content from our guests and leaders. Share your adventure #MyBackroadsTrip or @backroadstravel
CRAM
Peru
PELW PE1W
also available as Dolce Tempo
Sardinia & Corsica
SRCM
Vietnam
VCAB
The Sweet Spa p. 52 Champagne & Alsace
ASCB
Germany to Austria’s Alps
MUSB MU2B PRSB CATB CA1B
also available as Dolce Tempo
Provence Luberon to Lavender Country
Pyrenees to Costa Brava
also available as Dolce Tempo
Snow Days p. 56 Antarctica Ocean Cruise
AAAM
Banff to Lake Louise
CNYM
Dolomites
DMWM
Finland Northern Lights
LPDW LP1W
also available as Dolce Tempo Finland & Sweden Northern Lights
LPDM
Iceland Northern Lights
ICLM
Norway’s Tromso to Alta
NWLM
Yellowstone & Tetons
YTSM
Summer 2026 Kick Off p. 58 Basque Country
BQYM
© 2026 Backroads | Use of Backroads in this catalog refers to both “Backroads” & “Backroads, Inc.” | Mailing Address: 801 Cedar Street, Berkeley, CA 94710-1800 | Telephone: 877-GO-ACTIVE (462-2848) or 510-527-1555 | Fax: 510-527-1444 | Web: backroads.com | Email: goactive@backroads.com | Marketing: Anne Ashbey, Lee Micheaux | Production Coordination: Molly Stack, Natalie Manning, Steve Fleming | Design & Production: Andreina Prado, John Ledda, Katja Vuksanovic, Matt Orendorff | Copywriting: Anna Tipton, Benjamin Lilly, Christine Sarkis, Corinne Keer, Kimberly Defanti Hoernig, Lee Schwartz, Shelley Guerra | Proofreading: Lee Anne Rosenstein
Bordeaux & Dordogne
BDBB
England’s Cornwall
ELLW
Portugal
PGLW PG1W
also available as Dolce Tempo Southern Spain’s Andalusia
ANDB
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READY TO TRAVEL WITH US? Reserve your trip anytime online at backroads.com or call 877-GO-ACTIVE (462-2848) to speak with one of our Trip Consultants. TRIP PRICE Prices are per person based on double occupancy and quoted in US dollars. Prices are valid at time of publishing and are subject to change at any time. Please see the web or call us for date-specific prices. Trip prices include accommodations, most meals, bikes and other equipment for trip activities, baggage transfers, porterage, all ground and air transportation during your trip, port fees on Active Cruises, and the expertise and services of our exceptional Trip Leaders. Airfare and other forms of travel and accommodation to/from the trip start/end are your responsibility. Additional local taxes may apply in select destinations. Single occupancy and room upgrades incur a supplemental fee. Please see the trip web page for more specifics on all items included in the trip price. Trip Hold Policy: Complimentary three-day holds are available on most trips, allowing time to research travel plans before booking. Holds are subject to availability and cannot be extended. Limited to one active hold per guest. See web for details.
BOOK EARLY—as soon as you reserve your Backroads Trip, your price is guaranteed. TRAVELING SOLO Backroads prices are based on double occupancy. If you are traveling solo and prefer to share a room, we will do our best to find you a roommate of the same gender. If we are not able to pair you with a roommate, you will be responsible for the single occupancy charge. The earlier you book, the more likely we can find you a roommate. TRAVEL PROTECTION PLAN We strongly encourage you to consider the Arch RoamRight Travel Protection Plan, or any other travel protection plan you prefer, to help protect against financial loss due to unforeseen circumstances before and/or during your trip (injury, illness, etc.), making it easier to change your plans when things come up. If you choose Arch, adding Backroads’ Flexible Cancellation Plan (FCP) can further protect your travel investment. Visit backroads.com/travel-insurance for detailed plan summaries and more information. TRIP FORMS & RELEASE OF LIABILITY Guests are required to complete and sign our Release, Assumption of All Risks, and Binding Arbitration Agreement and Personal Information Form . For your convenience, signable copies are available in your Backroads Account. All forms must be completed prior to final payment. We’re unable to allow guests to participate in any aspect of a Backroads trip without a signed release form. GUEST TRANSFER & CANCELLATION POLICY Exceptions to our cancellation policy cannot be made for any reason, including but not limited to weather, terrorism, civil unrest, pandemics, personal, family or medical emergencies. There is no refund for arriving late or leaving a trip early. Private rooms and staterooms are considered part of the total trip price and are subject to cancellation fees. Percentage cancellation fees are calculated on your total trip price. Transfer requests after Final Payment are considered a cancellation and re-booking, and are subject to the terms of our Cancellation Policy. We reserve the right to cancel departures in cases of force majeure, weather or the failure of third parties— such as hotels or ships—to honor their reservations. In these cases, you will be refunded your trip price. Backroads is not responsible for expenses incurred in preparation for any canceled trips, such as airline tickets or accommodations, or for costs that are incurred due to travel delays, flight cancellations or illness. BOOKING AFTER THE FINAL PAYMENT DATE For reservations made after the final payment due date, full payment is due upon confirmation (see the Cancellation Fees schedule online). If hotel rooms are not in our allotment no payment will be taken, but a valid credit card must be provided to initiate the request. Hotel confirmations typically take three to five days, but may take up to seven days. If your rooms are confirmed within seven days, your card will automatically be charged for the full trip cost. If you cancel at this point, standard cancellation fees will apply. If Backroads is unable to confirm the requested room(s) within seven days, you may cancel your booking request with no financial commitment. If your request remains pending within the first seven days and you choose to cancel, you will be charged the deposit amount (see the Deposits schedule online). If the confirmed rooms differ from your original request, we will contact you before processing payment. You will not be charged unless we confirm what you need. DIRECT MAIL PREFERENCES Our catalogs and mailings are designed to offer travel inspiration, and many of our guests find them a useful way to help choose the right trip. We print on FSC-certified paper and our mail is recyclable. If you’d like to reduce mailings or opt out of all Backroads direct mail, just let us know by visiting us at backroads.com/mailings. All policies are subject to change without prior notice. See backroads.com/terms-and-conditions for full Terms & Conditions.
BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE Your deposit is FULLY REFUNDABLE † for 14 days on Scheduled Trips & for 21 days on Private Trips Your deposit is FULLY TRANSFERABLE † on Scheduled Trips YOUR TRIP WILL RUN ¤ at any group size If your trip only has one party, we may contact you at any time prior to Final Payment to ask if you’d prefer to travel with more guests. If you choose to transfer to a fuller trip, you’ll receive a $400 credit, per guest. If instead you prefer to travel with only your party, an additional $1,000 per guest guarantees your trip will run. If just one more party signs up, we’ll refund your $1,000.
† Please visit our website for details
¤ Applies to Scheduled Trips only. Does not apply to Private Trips, Cruises, Special Departures, Asia, Latin America, Middle East, New Zealand, Dalmatian Coast, Amalfi Coast Premiere, Iceland & Finland’s Northern Lights, Newfoundland, Martha’s Vineyard & Nantucket, Yellowstone & Tetons Snow Adventure, trips with Internal Air and possibly others as noted on our website.
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REQUEST YOUR FREE CATALOG Specialty catalogs for: Families • Active Cruises • Dolce Tempo • Women’s Adventures
877-GO-ACTIVE • backroads.com/catalogrequest You can always choose to view electronic versions of our latest catalogs in lieu of mailed paper copies
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PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID BACKROADS
801 Cedar Street Berkeley, California 94710 United States
BACKROADS.COM 877-GO-ACTIVE (462-2848) T: 510-527-1555 F: 510-527-1444 Or call your professional travel advisor
Open 7-5 Mon–Fri, 7-3 weekends PT
BIKING • HIKING & WALKING • MULTI-ADVENTURE YOUR NEXT GREAT ESCAPE
2026
K851 CST#1013629-10
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