The Beauty of Backroads — and Why You Should Use a Backroads Travel Agent to Book Your Next Adventure

Image courtesy of Backroads

Here’s our ideal day on vacation: a challenging morning hike or bike ride that leaves us huffing and puffing, a picnic lunch on a family farm, an afternoon lounging by the pool at a five-star hotel and an exquisite dinner (locally sourced, of course). The best part of this day? All the planning is taken care of.

This is the magic of Backroads, one of Fora’s favorite adventure-travel partners. Backroads combines active travel and luxury travel — think world-class hotels in stunning locales, impeccable gastronomy and expert-vetted biking, hiking and walking routes. (Craving more adventure travel inspiration? Check out our guide to the best adventure resorts.)

Backroads has itineraries for bucket-list-worthy trips on every continent (yes, even Antarctica). Whether you’re a foodie or wine lover, a seasoned cyclist or exercise novice, there’s a Backroads trip for everyone (more on that below).

But how to choose? That’s where a Backroads travel agent (aka Fora Advisor) comes in. Our advisors know the ins and outs of the Backroads experience, and can help you decide the perfect trip based on your intended pace, activity level, destination and travel style. But wherever you ultimately end up, we’d wager it won’t be your last Backroads trip. Once you start, it’s hard to stop.

Ready to travel? Connect with Fora to plan and book your dream Backroads adventure today.

What are the benefits of using a Backroads travel agent?

There is so much to choose from (hotel style, destination, culinary experiences), and it can be difficult to know where to start. Enlisting the help of an advisor who really gets you will save you time and energy, while ensuring you get the most out of your trip.

Below, we provide an idea of what to expect on a Backroads vacation (spoiler alert: an unforgettable experience) and lay out how a Fora Backroads travel agent can help make your immersive getaway even more special.

Psst: also learn about the benefits of booking with a cruise travel agent. Our Fora Advisors have your back there, too.

First things first: what kinds of trips does Backroads offer?

Fora's editorial associate Matigan King with her sibs on a Greece Backroads trip

Backroads’ bread and butter has been bike tours, but the company offers so much more in the realm of adventure travel. They have walking & hiking tours, multi-adventure tours (a combination of biking, hiking and, depending on the destination, yoga, kayaking and river rafting), small-ship cruises and dolce tempo trips, which have a slower pace than their traditional counterparts.

Backroads trips are also categorized by traveler type. There are itineraries designed for couples, friends and solo travelers, as well for families. (You can even choose a family vacation based on the age of the kids: teens, older teens & 20s and 20s and beyond.) 

Although most Backroads trips consist of small groups, private trips are available, too, but require a minimum amount of travelers. A Fora Advisor can handle all the logistics, and is an invaluable resource for deciding which trip category is best for you and your entourage.

If you're craving more family time, also check out our guide to the best Utah family resorts.

How much physical activity are we talking?

Image courtesy of Jenn King, a Backroads traveler

The short answer: as much or as little as you’d like. That’s the beauty. On any day, there are several routes to choose from, ranging in difficulty. Top-notch tour leaders never lead you astray, and ensure you are comfortable (or uncomfortable, if that’s what you’re after!). Plus, there’s always a support van (complete with snacks and refreshments) should you change your mind half way up that hill. (This is vacation, after all.)

A walking & hiking tour will generally be a bit more accessible than an all-biking tour. Backroads also recently launched a new trip category called dolce tempo, where you’ll still enjoy active exploration, but at a more leisurely pace. But again, this is where Fora's Backroads travel agents come in: they’ll help you navigate all the itinerary options to determine which trip will be more your style.

Where do you stay on a Backroads trip? And what do you eat?

Backroads takes its accommodations and gastronomy very seriously. They rigorously select and vet properties in unbeatable locations: regal châteaux in Provence, hilltop villas in Italy, a wilderness getaway in New Zealand... From Relais & Châteaux members to family-owned hidden gems, wherever you stay on a Backroads trip, you’re in for a special experience.

Food is top of mind, too. Travelers will get a taste of everything, and can expect a mix of farm-to-table picnics, elevated dining (including dinners at many Michelin-Starred haunts), lively meals at local gems and even home-cooked dinners at locals’ homes.

Wine enthusiast? (We are.) There are trips that explore vineyards (hello, Portugal and Argentina) and include many a wine tasting. Aspiring chef? (Always.) Perhaps one of Backroads’ active culinary trips would be ideal for you.

Options vary by destination, but the food is always local, nourishing and delicious. A Backroads travel agent (aka Fora Advisor) will be able to suggest different itineraries based on the type of dining experience you’re after.

Ready to travel? Connect with Fora and we'll help you plan and book your dream Backroads adventure today.