Top 10 Backroads Tours in Europe for 2026 & 2027: Expert Advice
- Danny Rodriguez-Stahl
- Apr 5
- 6 min read
By Danny Stahl, Certified Travel Advisor | Danny's Adventures | Raleigh, NC Serving travelers across North Carolina, the U.S., and beyond
Why Backroads Is Europe's Premier Active Travel Company
Founded in 1979 and headquartered in Berkeley, California, Backroads is the world's leading active travel company and Europe is where it built its reputation. With over 100 European itineraries spanning biking, hiking, walking, and multi-adventure tours across more than 30 countries, Backroads combines luxury hotels, gourmet regional cuisine, expert Trip Leaders, and multiple daily route options to give every traveler from casual rider to seasoned cyclist a perfectly paced adventure.
Groups are capped at 18 guests, bikes are custom-built titanium or e-bikes included in the price, and every itinerary offers multiple activity levels so you choose how far and how hard you go each day.
Prices range from approximately $4,500–$9,000+ per person for a 6–8 night European tour, with airfare not included.
Want someone to do this math for you for free? Contact Danny for a personalized, all-in price comparison →
Quick Facts: Backroads Europe Tours
Detail | Information |
Founded | 1979, Berkeley, California |
Group Size | Max 18 guests |
Tour Types | Biking, hiking/walking, multi-adventure, e-bike |
Price Range | $4,500–$9,000+ per person (6–8 nights) |
Included | Hotels, meals, bikes, guides, daily routes |
Not Included | Airfare, travel insurance, personal expenses |
New for 2026/2027 | Cyprus bike tour, Iceland & Faroe Islands hiking, Basque Country walking |
Top 10 Backroads Tours in Europe for 2026 & 2027
1. Provence Bike Tour — France
Activity: Biking | Region: Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, southeastern France
Backroads' most beloved European tour. Ride through lavender fields, Roman aqueducts, and sunlit hilltop villages in Provence, the storied region between the Rhône River and the French Alps. The Luberon Natural Regional Park, the ancient city of Avignon (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and the Alpilles limestone range make every day visually spectacular. Multiple route options from 25 to 65 miles daily. Wine and olive oil tastings are woven into the itinerary.
Best for: First-time Backroads travelers; couples; wine lovers.
2. Tuscany Bike Tour — Italy
Activity: Biking | Region: Tuscany, central Italy
Cycle through the Val d'Orcia (UNESCO World Heritage), past cypress-lined roads and medieval hilltowns including Montalcino, Pienza, and Montepulciano in Tuscany's southern wine country. Located between Florence and Rome, this landscape is one of the most photographed in the world and even more beautiful from two wheels. Brunello di Montalcino tastings, truffle hunts, and farm-to-table dinners complete the experience.
Best for: Italy lovers, foodies, photographers, and wine enthusiasts.
3. Croatia Dalmatian Coast Bike & Kayak Tour
Activity: Multi-adventure | Region: Dalmatia, southern Croatia
Bike and kayak along the Dalmatian Coast, Croatia's Adriatic coastline stretching from Split to Dubrovnik between latitudes 42–44°N. Island-hop between Hvar, Korčula, and Brač limestone islands of pine forests and turquoise bays. The walled city of Dubrovnik (UNESCO World Heritage) anchors the southern end of the itinerary. One of Backroads' most adventurous and scenic European options.
Best for: Adventure seekers, water enthusiasts, and island lovers.
4. Dolomites Hiking Tour — Italy
Activity: Hiking | Region: South Tyrol & Trentino, northeastern Italy
Hike among the Dolomites a UNESCO World Heritage mountain range in northeastern Italy rising to over 3,000 meters above the Veneto and South Tyrol regions. Trails pass through the Alta Via high routes, emerald alpine lakes, and flower-filled meadows with views of dramatic vertical rock towers. Charming mountain villages like Ortisei (Santa Ulrich) and Cortina d'Ampezzo offer luxurious alpine hotels and regional cuisine rooted in both Italian and Austrian tradition.
Best for: Serious hikers and mountain lovers seeking Europe's most dramatic scenery.
Not Sure Which Tour Fits You?
Tell me your fitness level, dream destination, and travel dates — I'll match you to the right Backroads Europe itinerary in minutes. Email me at danny.stahl@avoyanetwork.com
5. Portugal Douro Valley Bike Tour
Activity: Biking | Region: Douro Valley, northern Portugal
Cycle through the Douro Valley (UNESCO World Heritage), the ancient wine region carved by the Douro River from Spain's border to Porto, at approximately 41°N in northern Portugal. Terraced vineyards producing Port wine and Vinho Verde climb impossibly steep schist hillsides above the river. Quintas (estate wineries) open exclusively for Backroads guests, and stays in historic manor houses make this one of Europe's most romantic cycling itineraries.
Best for: Wine lovers, couples, and cyclists who prefer gentler gradients with exceptional scenery.
6. Scottish Highlands Hiking Tour — Scotland
Activity: Hiking | Region: Scottish Highlands, northern Scotland
Hike through the Scottish Highlands — one of Europe's last great wildernesses, covering the northern third of Scotland above the Highland Boundary Fault. Routes traverse Glen Coe, the Cairngorms National Park (the UK's largest national park at 4,528 km²), and the otherworldly Isle of Skye with its dramatic Cuillin ridge and Fairy Pools. Whisky distillery visits and stays in historic Highland lodges round out the experience.
Best for: Nature lovers, hikers, and travelers drawn to raw, dramatic landscapes.
7. Amalfi Coast & Cilento Walking Tour — Italy
Activity: Walking/Hiking | Region: Campania, southern Italy
Walk the cliffside paths above the Amalfi Coast (UNESCO World Heritage), the 50-kilometer stretch of the Sorrentine Peninsula in Campania. The famous Path of the Gods (Sentiero degli Dei) connects Positano and Praiano with views over Capri and the Tyrrhenian Sea. Backroads extends into the quieter Cilento National Park to the south far fewer crowds, equally stunning terrain, and some of Italy's finest buffalo mozzarella and Greco di Tufo wine.
Best for: Walkers who want dramatic scenery, culture, and extraordinary Italian cuisine.
8. Iceland Multi-Adventure Tour (New for 2026/2027)
Activity: Multi-adventure | Region: Iceland (new itinerary)
Backroads' newest European marquee itinerary: hike, bike, and ice-walk across Iceland's volcanic landscapes at the edge of the Arctic Circle. Experience the Golden Circle (Þingvellir National Park, Geysir, Gullfoss waterfall), black-sand beaches on the South Coast, and the otherworldly Snæfellsjökull glacier on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Backroads leverages Iceland's long summer daylight for maximum time outdoors.
Best for: Adventure-first travelers wanting Europe's most dramatic and unique landscape.
9. Basque Country Walking Tour — Spain/France (New for 2026/2027)
Activity: Hiking/Walking | Region: Basque Country, northern Spain & southwestern France
Walk the dramatic coastline and mountains of the Basque Country, straddling the border of northern Spain and southwestern France along the Bay of Biscay. San Sebastián (Donostia) —regularly ranked among the world's greatest food cities with more Michelin stars per capita than almost anywhere on Earth anchors the Spanish side. The French Basque town of Biarritz and the pilgrimage village of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, gateway to the Camino de Santiago, add cultural depth.
Best for: Food lovers, cultural travelers, and walkers who want to combine French and Spanish Basque experiences.
10. Burgundy & Champagne Bike Tour — France
Activity: Biking | Region: Burgundy & Champagne, eastern France
Cycle the Route des Grands Crus through Burgundy's legendary wine villages Gevrey-Chambertin, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Beaune then continue north into Champagne, home to the great houses of Épernay and Reims. Located in eastern France, this itinerary combines two of the world's greatest wine regions with rolling vineyard roads, Romanesque abbeys, and cellar visits unavailable to independent travelers. The city of Reims anchors the north, its Gothic cathedral (Notre-Dame de Reims) a UNESCO World Heritage Site where 25 French kings were crowned.
Best for: Wine connoisseurs and cyclists who want to explore France beyond Provence.
What's Included on Every Backroads Europe Tour
All accommodations (Deluxe or Premiere hotels)
All breakfasts and most dinners; select lunches
Custom-built titanium bikes or e-bikes
Expert Trip Leaders (typically 2–3 per group)
Multiple daily route options at varying distances and difficulty
Luggage transfers between hotels
Support van following every ride
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need to be an experienced cyclist for a Backroads bike tour? No. Every Backroads trip offers multiple daily route options shorter, flatter routes for casual riders and longer, more challenging options for experienced cyclists. E-bikes are available on most tours.
Q: What is the best Backroads Europe tour for first-timers? Provence and Tuscany are the two most popular entry points scenic, well-paced, and exceptional for food and wine. Both are manageable for riders of all levels.
Q: How much do Backroads Europe tours cost? Most 6–8 night European tours range from $4,500 to $9,000+ per person, depending on destination, hotel tier, and season. Airfare is not included.
Q: Are Backroads tours good for solo travelers? Yes. Backroads offers reduced single supplement fees on select departures, and the small group dynamic (max 18 guests) makes solo travel comfortable and social.
Why Book Your Backroads Tour Through Me
Backroads prices are the same wherever you book but working with a specialist means you get:
The right itinerary matched to your fitness level, travel style, and dates with 100+ European options, the choice is genuinely complex. I help narrow it down fast.
Insider knowledge on the best departure months — Provence in June vs. September, Croatia timing for the best Adriatic weather, Iceland's optimal summer window.
Seamless trip planning — flights, pre/post extensions, travel insurance, and packing advice all coordinated in one place.
Ready to Book With Confidence?
No sales pressure. No hidden agenda. Just expert guidance from someone who does this every day.
Hours: Monday–Friday 8am–6pm ET | Saturday 8am–11am ET
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