Backroads

It's a slower pace of life here in southern France. Amid the limestone Alpilles, where olive trees glisten in the breeze. And in the sunny Luberon, whose villages tempt you to relax over a pastis or a local rosé. With Mont Ventoux standing tall above it all. Pedal leisurely to medieval towns. Soak up views of vineyards and windswept countryside. Slow down and find bliss on your bike in Provence.

Pedal through a beautiful landscape of hilltop villages, green vineyards and fragrant orchards

Savor classic Provençal specialties: goat cheese, olives, lavender sachets and herbes de Provence

Discover the vibrant artist community of St-Rémy and admire the landscape that inspired van Gogh

Experience Provençal life in renowned Gordes, ocher-hued Roussillon and beautiful Venasque

From Parma to Verona, passion is everywhere. In the air. In the water. In the art. Food is prepared with it. Wine is produced with it. The culture is steeped in it. Even the people themselves are famously passionate—look at Romeo and Juliet. And when you experience this place for yourself, you'll be passionate too.

Ride on peaceful one-lane roads while meandering through the winding northern Italian countryside

Cook fresh tortelli alle erbette and learn the secrets of Italian cuisine in a private chef-led cooking class

Explore fascinating World Heritage towns like Sabbioneta, Mantua and Verona—immortalized by Shakespeare

Taste wonderful regional wines—including Amarone, Bardolino and Valpolicella—right in their places of origin

La natura pu√≤ pi√π dell'arte: Nature is beyond all teaching—or so the Italian proverb goes. Here, in Tuscany's Maremma, nature abounds. Countryside, vineyards and farms. The clear waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The untouched Orbetello Lagoon. Like fine wine, Tuscany can be described in great detail. But to be learned, it must be experienced.

Travel on two wheels from the verdant hills of the storied Tuscan countryside to the crystalline waters of the Silver Coast

Bask on a luxurious private beach and dock for swimming and sunning at the elegant Hotel Il Pellicano

Admire stunning views of the sea and a blue-green lagoon from the spectacular promontory of Monte Argentario

Celebrate with Super Tuscan wines at state-of-the-art Le Mortelle winery in Castiglione della Pescaia

In the Netherlands, there are more bicycles than people. And in Belgium, passion for le vélo is legendary. Hop on the saddle and you too will be smitten. As you explore the flat-as-a-pannekoek landscape, amid the flower fields and silent canals. And in the bustling cities and storybook villages. Come bike with us in the Netherlands and Belgium and feel the love.

Ride through scenery straight out of a Dutch masterpiece—windmills, canals, pitch-roofed farmhouses and vast skies

Luxuriate in hotels reminiscent of the 17th-century Golden Age, with their old-world opulence and white-glove traditions

Feast on Belgium's national treasures—world-class beer, chocolate and waffles—as well as plenty of Dutch cheese along the way

Explore picturesque Amsterdam and medieval Bruges, two captivating gateway cities in two unique countries

Japan's dramatic coast. Perfected over eons and just waiting to be discovered by bike. On scenic rides, explore the Noto Peninsula's "hidden shore," lined with fishing villages, terraced rice fields and rocky limestone formations. Exquisite Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines that stand the test of time, all waiting to be explored.

Bike the Noto Peninsula's breathtaking coast amid plunging cliffs, old-world fishing villages, hidden coves and terraced rice fields

Discover the diverse facets of Japanese culture like taiko drumming, traditional tea rituals, kaiseki-style fare and modern art

Rejuvenate at Japan's top ryokans, replete with open-air hot tubs, superb cuisine and panoramic views over the shimmering sea

Explore Kyoto, where each street is filled with hidden gems and geishas come to learn the timeless trade

It's easy to find inspiration in Bali. You'll see it among terraced rice fields and exotic temples. In bustling market towns and on beautiful black-sand beaches. And among some of the most welcoming people you'll ever have the pleasure of meeting. Come explore Bali with Backroads in a way that few travelers experience.

Enliven your senses in Bali, a world of striking natural beauty, captivating culture and exotic flavors
Connect with the bustling local life as you bike on peaceful roads through friendly rural communities
Snorkel among parrotfish and discover a historic shipwreck teeming with bright coral and reef fish
Relax at tropical beachside retreats, where you can take in the scene or soak up the rays, as you wish

Cherry orchards that come to life in the breeze. The flavor of the wines and the scent of lavender. The breathtaking clifftop villages of Gordes, Lacoste and Bonnieux. And the brilliant red colors of Roussillon. Indulging in local specialties at outdoor markets. A classic journey through Provence will make this your new list of favorite things.

Cycle through perched villages, seas of vineyards and orchards—then opt to test your mettle climbing Mont Ventoux

Partake in private wine tastings of the celebrated local vintages—the full-bodied reds, whites and ros√©s of Ch√¢teauneuf-du-Pape

Experience Provençal life in Gordes and Roussillon, whose stalls teem with local wares and produce on market day

Relax at elegant hotels including Crillon le Brave, which serves up delicious Provençal meals and views of Mont Ventoux

Consider some of the best days of your life—and include this week in Costa Rica. You'll bike amid enchanting scenery. Soak in hot springs, hike in a tropical dry forest, bliss out on a beach and marvel at that majestic volcano. Love those papaya batidos. Be greeted by howler monkeys! Six incredible days that will never be forgotten.

Bike past thriving rain forests, breathtaking waterfalls, captivating villages and farming hamlets

Ride in the shadow of imposing Arenal Volcano after a boat ride across its beautiful sister lake

Rejuvenate in hot springs in a jungle oasis full of lush palms, colorful bromeliads and verdant ferns

Experience Costa Rica from a bird's-eye view by zip line or suspended bridges in the rain forest

Start your journey in cosmopolitan Oslo, set on a royal-blue fjord. On two wheels, explore ancient Viking lands, 16th-century Fredrikstad and colorful harbor villages. And discover peaceful roads amid holiday homes on Sweden's stunning coast. Along the way, rejuvenate at our glorious spa hotels and savor fresh-caught seafood. You'll have nothing but superlatives to describe your time here. Everything about this Scandinavian adventure is legendary. 

Pamper yourself at our magnificent spa hotels, sleek waterfront properties with cozy lounges and views of the sapphire Oslofjord 

Pedal easygoing routes along quiet country roads and dedicated bike paths amid tidy farms, tufts of forest and charming summer cabins 

Dine on Scandinavian specialties prepared with fresh-caught seafood and locally sourced ingredients, and sample the ubiquitous aquavit 

Connect with complex history and dynamic culture, from beautifully preserved 16th-century Fredrikstad to cosmopolitan Oslo

These places will make an impression on you. From D-Day beaches to bountiful orchards, windswept plateaus and storybook villages. Iconic settings will stir your emotions, while the sheer beauty of your surroundings will spark your joie de vivre. Brittany and Normandy are a rare blend of history and natural splendor.

Travel from Normandy's castles and C√¥te Fleurie to Brittany's apple orchards and Emerald Coast 

Pause for reflection at World War II battle sites and join a local historian at the American Military Cemetery 

Bike rolling rural roads along legendary beaches and to the beautiful walled maritime city of St-Malo

Marvel at the dreamlike island monastery and cathedral of Mont St-Michel, a World Heritage site