I LOVE Backroads. What’s to love? The company layers its active adventures, primarily cycling, on top of cruises, both ocean and river. That layering provides the perfect adventure: You spend your days being active, exploring Europe the way many Europeans do, straddling a saddle. Your floating hotel is your oasis for rest and replenishment.

In 2016, I had what turned out to be one of the best trips I’ve had on the rivers, cycling with my son while cruising on AmaWaterways. Check out Backroads Bike Trips & River Boating: A Winning Combination For Active Travelers. Rinse and repeat. In 2019, we cruised Ponant and pedaled Croatia, a wonderful trip that I summed up in Bicycling Croatia with Backroads & Ponant.

Now it’s your turn. In 2022 and 2023, Backroads will offer a handful of active river cruises. At least two of these will be full-ship adventures, meaning that everyone on the cruise will be a Backroads enthusiast. No need to feel intimidated if you’re not a cycling diehard. Backroads does an excellent job at catering to riders of all skill levels. What will happen, however, is that you too will fall in love with Backroads.

Backroads Offerings In 2022/2023 Include …

Danube River Cruise Full Ship Celebration Bike Tour
Prague to Budapest with 100+ Backroads Friends
9/4/22 and 9/23/22 – classic and 20’s & Beyond departures
www.backroads.com/trips/BDFS/danube-river-cruise-full-ship-celebration-bike-tour

Rhine River Cruise Full Ship Celebration Bike Tour
Basel to Amsterdam with 100+ Backroads Friends
9/14/22 classic and 20’s & Beyond
www.backroads.com/trips/BRFS/rhine-river-cruise-full-ship-celebration-bike-tour

Dutch & Belgium Waterways River Cruise Bike Tour
Tulip Time in the Netherlands & Belgium
www.backroads.com/trips/BNBS/dutch-belgian-waterways-river-cruise-bike-tour
April 2023

Bordeaux River Cruise Bike Tour
Vineyards & Chateaus of Garonne, Dordogne & Gironde
www.backroads.com/trips/BGBS/bordeaux-river-cruise-bike-tour
June & September 2023

There’s more. Check out a complete listing of Backroads Active Ocean & River Cruise Adventures