US-Based Adventures with Euro Vibes
For many of us, thinking of a trip to Italy—or anywhere in Europe for that matter—brings to mind excellent food and wine, immersive culture, and maybe a chance for bike rides and hikes on winding mountain trails or along village streets.
Perhaps, like me, you were holding out hope for Europe to reopen soon but now you find yourself in need of summer plans, like… yesterday?
If so, you’ll appreciate this week’s post. I took a slight detour away from my focus on Italy to help you get your European groove on with a getaway you can book with confidence this summer, right here in our own backyard.
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Below I feature several Euro-inspired foodie/adventure itineraries from Backroads, a luxury active travel company.
Why Backroads? Because as a former Backroads employee, I know from first-hand experience how amazing these luxury, active travel group trips can be, no matter your level of physical fitness.
And I can personally vouch for the high quality of their itineraries.
While US travel may have a very different feel than the castles and cobblestones of Italy and Europe, these trips still allow you to enjoy socially distanced hiking or biking, spectacular hotels, stunning scenery, and unforgettable experiences.
Develop a new appreciation for the wonder of the outdoors and the culinary and wine-filled offerings right here in the ol’ US of A.
These trips are particularly well suited to couples, families, small groups of friends, and teens. Small group travel is perfectly suited for solo travelers, too.
Put these culinary and wine-filled offerings on your radar and start your summer or autumn adventure, pronto!
2 Adventures for Food & Wine Lovers
California Wine Country
For wine lovers, this region is a no-brainer, but it has so much more to offer than just its fantastic vintages.
Peddle your way through ancient redwood forests full of 1,000-year-old trees, relish in the views of small towns like Bodega Bay on the Sonoma coast, and savor gourmet meals…paired, of course, with only the best Californian wines.
A great region for solo travelers, couples, or families with older teens and 20-somethings, the food, wine, and scenery will all remind you of Tuscany and Italy’s celebrated wine regions, and Backroads has plenty of options for tours of different cycling abilities, including e-bike itineraries and short weekend trips.
What past guests have said about this trip:
We had an amazing time on our California Wine Country Bike Tour. Our leaders were awesome! They made us feel so taken care of. We loved the picnic lunches and all the winery stops. The hotels were great and gave us time to relax and enjoy great dinners.
Between the awesome accommodations, the great food, the support for your safety and health, as well as making sure you are enjoying yourself the entire time with wine tasting, shopping, enjoying the scenery, I can't imagine a better trip.
Santa Barbara and Ojai Cycling
This region may not be the first to come to mind when you think “European,” but an itinerary in Santa Barbara and peaceful Ojai definitely showcases some of the best food and wine on offer in the United States.
It is also an incredibly family-friendly destination, with fabulous hotels that welcome children and surfing lessons to delight those of all ages.
In fact, many prefer Santa Barbara for surfing over even Hawaii, made all the better by the convenience of skipping out on the long-haul flight.
Ojai is an artist’s community, something you’ll be able to appreciate if you’ve ever wandered through artist stalls at European markets, feeling swept up in the beautiful artisanal crafts and textiles.
You’ll find a lot of Cal-Ital and European influences in the wonderful food and wine scene here, which pairs really well with the pinot noir and syrah wines of Southern California.
Plus, the idea of visiting the spa after cycling the rolling hills and stopping in at a few wineries seems nothing short of heavenly.
What past guests have said about this trip:
Everything about this trip is top notch! The amazing trip leaders (Jackie and Jason) and support (Cam) as well as the incredible riding and resorts make this one of our favorite vacations to date!! The bike routes are well planned for every cycling level and the scenery is stunning. The perfect way to start 2021!Three enthusiastic and incredibly helpful leaders. Three great inns. Perfect weather. Wonderful food at every meal. The right level of bicycling challenge - distance and elevation. Interesting scenery (vineyards, farmland, mountains, ocean) and towns to visit.
2 Journeys for Summer Adventure, Pronto!
California’s Palm Springs & Joshua Tree Hiking & Walking Getaway
I know. This landscape is about as far from Europe as you can get.
But if your summer plans are evaporating quickly, this trip works incredibly well for last-minute bookings.
It’s not a huge time commitment, only four days, and yet it’s the perfect way to give the whole family a new perspective, just as you’d hope a European trip would.
On this adventure, you’ll stop to look longer at cactuses, find yourself dwarfed by giant boulders, learn a canyon inside and out, and reconsider your point of view as you stare out at spiky Joshua trees and palm oases.
Hike a section of the iconic Pacific Crest Trail and take in unforgettable views of the San Gorgonio Mountain. You’ll be surprised by wildlife like roadrunners and desert bighorn sheep, and even architecture buffs will find something to love with mid-century structures and the old Hollywood glamour of the Las Palmas neighborhood in Palm Springs.
Even if you’ve ventured to the desert before, this guided journey will help you to see the sands through a new lens and with an open mind.
What past guests have said about this trip:
“Palm Springs was a beautiful experience. The hikes are incredibly stunning and diverse. In the morning we hiked the dessert, in the afternoon an alpine forest! The guides are extremely knowledgeable and gave personal attention to everyone. As always, we enjoyed wonderful restaurants, hotels, picnic lunches, and extra added local attractions. I could not be more pleased. I am looking forward to another Backroads adventure!”
We loved every minute of this trip. The hiking routes were different each day and a real surprise: the other-worldly high desert terrain of Joshua Tree, a lush palm oasis and waterfall, snow-capped mountains and wide vistas. The accommodations could not have been nicer and the meals — oh the meals! - we're beyond delicious. I'll feast on the happy memories of this trip for years to come. Thank you, Backroads!
Utah & Arizona National Park Family Exploration
While the whimsical red rock formations and views tinged with orange and yellow may not bring Europe to mind, hiking as a family in the astounding National Parks of Utah and Arizona can bring the same togetherness as hiking the Dolomites or climbing the trails of Cinque Terre in Italy.
Availability in the National Parks always goes early in the year, but a small group trip may be about the best way to get you and your family a last-minute spot.
Slot canyons and pinnacles provide the perfect chance to get your family on their bicycles, in their hiking boots, or even on the back of a mule or in a rock-climbing harness, primed for adventure.
Marvel at canyons carved by rivers over the millennia, bike past desert wildflowers and scurrying wildlife, and hike in some of the country’s best-known parks.
The memories you’ll form will be as long-lasting as the rock formations and canyons through which you’ll traverse.
What past guests have said about this trip:
Amazing experience for the whole family that exceeded already high expectations. Loved that we could do some activities together and others to accommodate our own levels of comfort. Could not have asked for better leaders, and food selection was amazing (I eat primarily vegan and was happy with availability at lodges and Backroads prepared meals. Also loved healthy snacks...nuts, dried fruit, Kind and Lara bars). Every day was a great adventure with breathtaking hikes and bike rides to accommodate all skill levels.
While these are some US-based Backroads trips with current availability, there are plenty more where those came from, so get in touch for more information on these journeys or others.
Just keep in mind that availability for US trips is limited because planning travel outside the US is so uncertain right now.
Remember: there’s no planning fee to book your Backroads trip. I’ll serve as your single point of contact, answer all your travel questions, and help you navigate all the covid testing and documentation requirements (all Backroads trips require a negative PCR test or proof of vaccination). Plus you never have to wait on hold!
So why not let me help you make the most of your summer plans right here in the United States, without sacrificing those European vibes we’re all hungry for?