When we first encountered Backroads, it was on an adventure through Puglia, Italy. I’m not sure if it was the burrata, the biking, or a little bit of both, but we were immediately hooked. It was the friends that we made on our journey that made us feel connected to something greater in the universe. It was in the moments of solitude that I felt clarity in my purpose. It was in concurring the gradients of the terrain that I felt empowered. When we heard about their new river cruises, we knew we had to head back to Europe for an epic, active adventure.

Authenticity is an often-used word in travel, but unfortunately, it’s so rarely delivered through a traditional tour. When you’re being shuttled from boat to bus to the nearest wonder of the world, it’s easy to lose track of what makes travel so special in the first place. We miss the chance to immerse ourselves in a culture and to connect with the soul of a place.

Billed as the “World’s #1 Active Travel Company,” Backroads leads adventure trips to 48 countries and territories around the world. Whether you want to go on a multi-sport adventure trip (hiking, biking, rafting) through the National Parks of the United States, cycle through the mountains at the edge of the world in New Zealand, or enjoy a luxurious river cruise on one of Europe’s rivers, Backroads does it all. Everything is refined, tasteful, and completely unpretentious.

• Adventure enthusiasts
• Luxury lovers
• Weekend warriors
• Social butterflies
• Anyone who appreciates unique experiences
• Off the beaten path travelers
• Traveling like a local

This trip, Backroads teamed up with AMAWaterways, winner of Cruise Critic’s illustrious Editors’ Pick Award. Backroads and AMAWaterways curated an unforgettable trip down the Danube River from Prague to Budapest. We were joined by 20 other Backroads people and ~140 AMA Waterways gusts, ready to enjoy the splendors of the Danube from our luxury ship, the AMASonata.

We’re huge fans of river cruising, having cruised the Mekong River, Po River, Douro River, and now the Danube River. Many river cruises tend to skew towards an older, more sedentary crowd, but the AMAWaterways Cruise and the Backroads crowd shattered all stereotypes. Everyone was active, adventurous, and ready to be immersed in the local culture.
In 2017, Backroads will have a total of 71 river cruise departures including trips down the Douro, Rhine, Seine, and Mekong, along with The Danube departure.

While many started in Prague, the actual cycling and cruising commenced in Vilshofen, Germany.  After biking through the Bavarian Forest, we explored a few the wine fields of Wachau Valley in Austria and the home of musical masterpieces in Vienna. After Vienna, we cycled through Bratislava, Slovakia and ended in the beautiful city of Budapest.

When it comes to gastronomy, Backroads never disappoints. Always honoring the local fare, our week was filled with Bavarian feasts and the best beers in the world. From lunches in castles to dinners on the Danube, every meal was completely 5-star. When we were in Puglia, this meant burrata-making classes in a traditional Trulli house in Puglia. When we were in Bavaria, this meant an Oktoberfest kick-off feast complete with live music, Oompah dancers, and Bavarian pils beers (yum!). With Backroads, you experience life as the locals do.

As always, Backroads did not disappoint when it came to our immersive experiences. We kicked off with a wild Oktoberfest filled with oompah music (“oompah…doompah…”), and Bavarian pretzels in the birthplace of Pilsner beer. Scott channeled his German routes and even learned how to dance like a Bavarian. Whips not included.

As we dined in front of floor to ceiling windows at The Chef’s Table, a gourmet restaurant aboard our AMASonata boat, the sun set on beautiful Budapest and the night sky blackened above us. Our captain invited us onto the top deck where we were treated to the most delightful sensory feast of all. With classical music serenading our ears over the loudspeaker, we cruised the Danube with a farewell illumination tour. With the absolute best view of Budapest, we watched the city come alive.  

While we love active escapades and enjoy the pure heart pump of adventure, it’s the people on Backroads that keep us coming back for more. Backroads has fostered a special community of travelers around the world. It’s a group of people who sweat together, ride together, laugh together, and build a community like no other. It’s the hours we spend biking everyday that such a special bond is built. I’ve never met such a great group of genuine, fascinating, smart people.

Our days are spent riding through the most magnificent meadows, admiring the beautiful hillsides, and helping each other on those challenging hills. Our nights were spent together, not because we have to, but because you want to.  There’s nothing better than recapping the day’s ride over dinner with your new best friends.  On and off the road, we formed an unbreakable bond.