Backroads is the world's #1 active travel company, with the most destinations, departures, itineraries and guests in the industry. The idea for Backroads came to founder Tom Hale, an avid cyclist and outdoor enthusiast, late one night a quarter century ago.

From the beginning, Hale believed that the world is best appreciated up close, under one's own power and at one's own pace. His passion for offering world-class travel experiences is apparent in Backroads collection of personalized adventures featuring the finest each of its destinations has to offer.

Initially, Hale personally took cyclists through the western United States, including Death Valley, Bryce and Zion National Parks, the Colorado Rockies, Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks and California's wine country.

Today, the company's accomplished Trip Leaders number 300 and are regularly rated "off the charts" by Backroads guests. And trip destinations ring the world.

Active travelers can select from nearly 230 biking, walking, hiking, and multisport vacations in 37 countries. From pedaling through the wine regions of France and Northern California, to walking to a 14th century temple in Bhutan and rafting down a Costa Rican river.

Backroads offers the largest choice of trips designed exclusively for families in the active travel industry, and offers an equally comprehensive selection designed for the solo traveler.

Want to plan a private trip? No problem. The company's vacations have always been designed to accommodate travelers of varying fitness levels. Every Backroads trip offers a range of activity levels (from Easy to Epic), so travelers can decide each day what and how much they want to do.

Lodging options include luxurious Premiere Inns, laid-back Casual Inns and Deluxe Camping. Consistently recognized as one of the world's top tour companies by Travel+Leisure magazine readers, Backroads enjoys a high rate of repeat guests, some 45 percent annually.