Oregon's Columbia River Gorge

This unique itinerary juxtaposes two of Oregon’s most iconic destinations into one epic adventure. First, the Columbia Gorge, with the earth-moving drama of its landscapes and the stunning roads that traverse them, from Waterfall Alley to the Rowena Loops. Then on to Willamette Valley, Oregon wine country, a pastoral landscape where the volcanic soil lends a special note of flavor to the small-batch wines. Nowhere else can you experience both of these Oregon regions in one spectacular trip.

Not only is Backroads the only active travel company in the region, but we've been leading walking and hiking tours in this corner of the Arizona for nearly 20 years. Experience a world of open skies and red rock vistas, climb Wilson Mountain and explore the sandstone canyons and mesas of Red Rock State Park. Unwind at luxury resorts and spas in artsy Sedona. Sound like a perfect escape? We think so!

Oh for summer in the South of France. We combine the country charm of Provence with the glamour of the Riviera for a tour that is rich in culture, diversity, and sunshine! You'll explore the provincial home of painters Cezanne and Picasso, then head over to the Mediterranean town of Cannes, home of the Cannes International Film Festival. Vineyards and villages lead you to the lights and yachts of Saint-Tropez, giving you an exclusive best-of-both-worlds experience in Southern France.

Other tours may take you through the forests of Acadia, but only Backroads takes you along Penobscot Bay, past 19th century cottages to the historic town of Camden, Maine. Here you will cycle through the countryside to the Owls Head Lighthouse, an icon of Maine's seafaring heritage. You'll visit Camden's quaint shops along the harbor, and then toast to the town as you dine comme les francais at the Inn's famous French restaurant.

Italy is certainly a treasured destination for many travelers, but only Backroads blends two captivating regions, Umbria and Tuscany, into one exquisite trip. You'll journey to five stunning UNESCO World Heritage Sites and be able to immerse yourself in a rich historic tapestry of art, architecture and culture. But don't think this trip is just one active history lesson; there's gorgeous landscapes, endless roads, trails and hill towns to explore, and a regular supply of Umbrian wine—vino rossoto—to accompany the journey.

Three words: mountain bike safari. Bet you never thought that was possible! But it is with Backroads. Not only will you bike to see giraffes and zebras, you'll enjoy superb South African wine and learn about the historic African art and culture. We connect distinct regions via charter flights as we fly you between the countries of South Africa and Botswana. We take care of all the details so you can focus on the thrill of being out amongst the wildlife—like watching elephants graze under the red desert sky.

No one else in Japan combines luxury accommodations with true active travelling quite like Backroads. You'll enjoy all the comforts of superior hotels without sacrificing truly active hiking options through the Japanese woods and countryside. Surround yourself with cherry blossom trees in Yoshino. Breathe the cool air of Chūbu-Sangaku National Park's alpine forest. Trace your hand along the Edo architecture of 'Old Japan'. You'll feel well taken care of as you walk and hike the Land of the Rising Sun.

You’ll find plenty of companies that will take you to see the “Golden Circle” of tourist sites in Iceland, but none that will combine that with a visit to the remote Faroe Islands. These distant volcanic islands are nearly untouched, and our itinerary here includes hiking ancient paths between villages, visiting thousand-foot cliffs that are home to dozens of species of seabirds, and being invited to dinner in a Faroese family’s home. There’s no other trip that juxtaposes the famous sights of Iceland with the undiscovered wilderness of the Faroe Islands—and when you come, you’ll see why it’s so special.

In addition to the popular islands of Positano and Capri, we exclusively visit two lesser known but equally mesmerizing islands off the Amalfi Coast, away from the influx of tourists. Spend two nights on the island of Ischia, a favorite holiday retreat for the local Neapolitans. And, don’t forget your camera as we visit the island of Procida. The brightly colored homes might just make this the most photogenic seaside village in all of Italy.

The great Amazon River and the giant tortoises of the Galapagos may initially draw you to Ecuador, but many of our guests comment that—much to their surprise—seeing the beauty of the Andes Mountains was the favorite part of their trip! The exclusive relationship Backroads has fostered with the Hacienda Zuleta family farm and with the Andes condor sanctuary makes this a truly one-of-a-kind experience during this "three-regions-in–one" journey through Ecuador.