Every effort made to provide a wonderful experience.

I've done many Backroads adventures. They NEVER disappoint. The leaders Ale and Ania were dedicated to insuring we all had a top-notch experience and consistently anticipated our needs, e.g. dietary restrictions and hike intensity (some in my travel group preferred intense and others less so...) They both represent the Backroads BRAND of a personalized active vacation. Strongly recommend.

Our trip with BR was amazing. Wonderful, thoughtful and knowledgeable leaders, challenging hikes with wonderful views and stops at castles, villas and historical sites. The food was terrific and the accommodations were lovely. I highly recommend this trip!

The Backroads team created an unforgettable experience for my family. The trip was planned with lots of details and we always felt like we had multiple options to choose from.

Backroads is the guide one needs to see the world in my opinion. With their reputation we felt welcomed in the towns we visited. Their extraordinary staff people (leaders) go above and beyond to ensure our experiences were meaningful.

This trip was amazing. The leaders are excellent. The hotels you stay at are beautiful. Backroads perfectly blends activity with leisure. They've got it down. Highly, highly recommend.

Starting from the minute our trip began, the expertise, enthusiasm and responsiveness of our Backroads leaders made the Italian Lakes trip the BEST yet! Of course, the beauty of the environment, the luxurious hotels and the knock-out cuisine was also pretty great. We loved the variety of activities from hiking, wine-tasting, touring beautiful gardens and villas, snacking, learning the rich history of the area, enjoying a sunset with an aperitivo, connecting with the local people and traditions, hunting for truffles, stopping for a gelato, sharing experiences with congenial fellow travelers and savoring every delectable meal. Our FANTASTIC Backroads leaders combined with these stimulating activities made this trip one we will savor and keep in our hearts forever.

While our trip is fresh in my mind, I want to take a moment to express our appreciation for the Backroads trip to the Italian Lakes region, and most especially, for the extraordinary young women who conducted it: Livia, Katrina and Madeleine. This is our third Backroads trip and the primary reason we have chosen Backroads is the caliber of staff that Backroads employs. (Well, the food and accommodations are first class, too!) Liv, Kat and Maddy went far and above the required minimum to ensure that the trip was all that it purported to be. We learned about the area we toured, but also about Italian history and culture, about plants and animals, about food, and about our guides. And we had such fun doing it, thanks to them. We also sweated, thanks to them. What guide would paint a watercolor of the area to illustrate the walking route we would be taking that day? Or would invent a diorama of the area with rocks and blue peanut M&Ms and a flaming tower? Our language skills are much improved thanks to Liv's careful instruction, especially her tutorial on Italian hand gestures! I can say that I now speak fluent Italian, thanks to her. Liv kept things lively with her dramatic narration. And while Maddy was often in the background, assuring our food and comfort and safety, it is clear that she is also a smart woman with goals and drive. And fun and sweet, as well. I am confident that the world is in good hands with young women as talented and smart and caring as these three. Kudos to Backroads for hiring them and many kisses to them from Sandy and me. What a memorable trip we had!

Leaders were warm caring knowledgeable all the time. Location and activities were excellent. Trip was run like clockwork with as much personal time as you choose.

The hikes and views were breathtaking, the cultural experiences and tours were fascinating and informative, the group makeup and size were perfect, and the accommodations were outstanding. But the key to blowing my expectations out of the water were the guides. They are the reason I wouldn't bother exploring any other company for similar trips. Our Backroads leaders were absolutely delightful individuals in addition to being skilled experts.