Stories

Connection is at the heart of every adventure. We bring travelers together and forge meaningful bonds with the communities we visit. Dive into the stories that make us who we are—from our incredible Trip Leaders to our inspiring guests and more.

Family fun on a glacier in Alaska.
September 10, 2026

Why Group Travel Feels Different in the Outdoors

Outdoor group travel creates meaningful connections through shared adventures, turning hikes, bike rides and new experiences into lasting memories. Whether traveling solo, as a couple or with family, guests often discover that the people they meet become as memorable as the destination itself.

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September 8, 2026

Brother. Sister. Co-Leaders.

What happens when siblings lead a Backroads trip together? Meet Simone and Roberta Loperoti, who have spent a lifetime learning how to work together. Their sibling bond, shared sense of humor and complementary strengths create a dynamic guest experience that feels equal parts travel, storytelling an…

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Two women in Backroads t-shirts look out over a canal in the Netherlands, surrounded by bicycles.
September 3, 2026

Participating in the Climate Classic

What happens when a climate awareness ride is disrupted by extreme heat? One Backroads employee shares her experience cycling the Climate Classic in the Netherlands.

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September 2, 2026

Growing Up with Backroads

Family travel can influence personal growth, cultural identity and relationships across different stages of life. In this personal account, four Backroads trips over 14 years demonstrate how travel fostered wonder, strengthened family connections, deepened cultural roots and provided new perspective…

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The Backroads team, ready to support riders at their rest stop.
August 18, 2026

Keeping Riders Rolling: Supporting the Ring of Beara

The Ring of Beara Cycle is one of Ireland's most popular cycling events, bringing thousands of riders to the Beara Peninsula each year. Through the Backroads Give Back Program, Ireland Field Staff volunteered at a support station, helping cyclists stay hydrated and safe during an unexpected heat wav…

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August 11, 2026

The Journey Back to Italy

For many descendants of Italian immigrants, active travel offers a meaningful way to reconnect with ancestral villages, family history and Italian culture. But the experience rarely remains personal for long—family stories and discoveries often become part of the collective journey, adding meaning f…

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Meg Zucker on trip
July 7, 2026

“What You Think of Me Is None of My Business”: Riding Mallorca on Her Own Terms

When Meg Zucker, author of Born Extraordinary, joined a cycling trip in Mallorca, she wasn't looking for special treatment, just an opportunity to explore. What she found was a welcoming community, supportive Trip Leaders and a powerful reminder that adventure travel can be accessible to everyone.

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Four guests walking amidst a vineyard.
June 4, 2026

Supporting the Napa Valley Vine Trail

In honor of World Bicycle Day, we’re celebrating the simple joy of moving through the world on two wheels. This year, that spirit comes to life through our support of the Napa Valley Vine Trail, a project that invites people to slow down, travel safely and experience the journey as something beautif…

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Woman touching water from a stone water fountain
May 26, 2026

Italy’s Hidden Luxury: Water You Can Trust

In Italy, some of the best things happen senza pensieri—without overthinking them. Water is one of them—you fill your bottle and move on. According to the Italian National Institute of Health, drinking water is tested regularly across the country, with over 99 percent of samples meeting safety stand…

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Man and woman with their arms open in front of a waterfall
May 5, 2026

Travel Through the Years with My Son

“Did you ever think,” I said to my son, halfway through a Backroads trip to Argentina’s Lake District, “that one day you’d be sipping champagne on a private boat in the middle of a lake in Patagonia?” “This is epic,” came his response. It wasn’t the only epic moment on that trip. There was the snowc…

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