His Year of Magical Travel

As a Backroads Trip Leader, I’m no stranger to meeting Super Fans—those guests who have been on 10, 15, or even 20 trips. So, as I sat by a crackling fire sipping bourbon in Kentucky in September 2023,  I wasn't blown away when guest Raman Pfaff mentioned that this was his fifth trip, until he clarified, “it’s my fifth trip this year. And I’ve got five more to go.”

Before becoming a semi-professional Backroads guest, Raman co-founded an educational technology company and was so busy running it that he barely had time to travel at all. Upon his retirement, he was ready to make up for lost time.

Going for the Record

Raman planned to visit Europe on his own but happened upon a Backroads catalog and decided to see if the trips were as amazing as advertised. “After the first trip, I was hooked,” he said. “Backroads provides an authentic feel for the food, history and lifestyle of a region while avoiding crowds. I love that I don’t have to worry about anything because the leaders are so good.”

On his fourth trip, he began to wonder if he was close to the record for most trips taken in a year. Fortunately, he was on a trip with someone who could get that information: Backroads Executive Vice President Avery Hale. “I thought four was a lot for one year and that I would be close to the record. Avery informed me the record was nine. I've always been a bit competitive about silly things, so I figured it would be a fun challenge to go for it,” he said, “plus I was completely enjoying myself.”

By November, he had completed ten trips: 

• Bordeaux & Dordogne Biking
• Loire Valley Biking
• Champagne & Alsace Biking
• German & Austrian Alps Hiking
• Quebec Multi-Adventure
• Maine Hiking
• Kentucky Biking
• New York’s Finger Lakes Hiking 
• Hudson Valley Biking 
• Charleston & Savannah Multi-Adventure

Looking Back

Raman seemed relieved when I didn’t ask the question that every Backroads leader fears: “Which trip is your favorite?” but rather if any highlights stood out. "Every trip was amazing, but a few favorite moments are listening to bluegrass by the fire in Kentucky, walking through field of yellow and blue wildflowers in the Alps, and sipping wine in a vineyard in Bordeaux,” he said.

He also shared a moment from his Loire Valley trip that he revisits when he needs to relax. “I was biking solo on a beautiful country road. It was spring, the sky was crystal blue, and everything was blooming. I rolled into a café in a tiny village. An old lady was simply sitting there with her cat watching the world go by. I ordered an espresso and sat outside under the shade of a giant swaying tree. I'll never forget sipping that espresso.”

What Now?  

You might think he’d had enough after ten trips in 2023, but it seems he’s just getting started.  “It was an amazing year of memories for me in 2023, so believe it or not, I’ve signed up for 11 trips in 2024,” he said with a smile.