Travis Wardell
Travis Wardell

Tourism has fueled Travis’ desire to discover the world ever since graduating from South Carolina’s College of Charleston. He's managed a hostel in Queenstown, New Zealand, led multi-day treks in the Andes of Bolivia and guided tours in Paris. Food, friends and mountains are usually the deciding factors in where he’d like to go next, but when Travis isn’t traveling, all he needs is a good book and a cozy chair.

Articles Written

Domaine Hauts de Loire
January 29, 2025

Seven Must-Stay Backroads Hotels in France

In a country as magnificent as France, where class and style are as prevalent as the grapes in the endless vineyards, selecting our favorite Backroads hotels is a nearly impossible task. But we’ve done our best! Here are seven exceptional properties visited on Backroads trips in this remarkable coun…

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Marqués De Riscal
July 24, 2018

6 Must-Stay Backroads Hotels in Spain

With its proximity to the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, Spain today is the culmination of thousands of years of trade, exploration and exposure to cultures from around the globe. Beyond its seemingly endless coastline, Spain boasts epic mountain ranges, world class cities, incredibly friendl…

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Hiking in Scotland
April 27, 2018

Hiking in Scotland: Scottish Highlands to the Isle of Skye

Upon setting foot in Scotland you can’t help but feel its storied past around every corner. In a land where each vista has the power to still the heart, the remnants of a forgotten time persist. At any given moment you may discover the crumbling remains of a castle that speaks to the power of those…

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Glacier and wildflowers in Alaska
February 9, 2018

Glaciers - Where to See Them Before They're Gone

Glaciers, massive conglomerations of ice, snow and rock, are among the world's greatest wonders. But they're also slowly disappearing. These natural phenomena, which have come and gone throughout Earth's long geological history, appear to be in the process of documenting another chapter in our plane…

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Lan Ha Bay, Vietnam, UNESCO site
December 6, 2017

What Are UNESCO World Heritage Sites?

If you've done much traveling, you've likely encountered a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The term may spark immediate interest but what exactly does it mean? While UNESCO is best known for identifying its famous World Heritage Sites, it's an incredibly nuanced intercontinental coalition with enormous…

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Backroads Danube River Cruise bike tour
May 11, 2017

Top Ten Biking Friendly Regions in the World

With National Bike to Work Day in May, it's not really about the route, it's about the notion: Who needs a car anyway? Whether you do it every day or once a year, pedaling to work is worth celebrating. If your commute isn't scenic, then allow your mind to drift to one of our Top ten friendliest bike…

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