Tom Hale has always loved traveling the back roads. So much so that at one point he decided to make it his life's work and Backroads has existed ever since. Backroads is a travel company that gives customers the opportunity to experience incredible places, and is the world's most successful active travel company thanks to lots of passion and a smart business plan. Hale's dream of Backroads started when he was working as an Environmental Planner in Las Vegas. Late one night he had a vision of starting a bike touring company that would provide people with an escape from their everyday lives while satisfying their intense need to reconnect with Mother Nature. Hale worked day and night (he left his Environmental Planning career behind) to develop itineraries, maintain equipment, lead trips, and produce a catalog. That was 27 years ago. Today, Backroads plays host to more than 10,000 biking, walking, and multisport travelers around the world every year, and boasts more than 200 different trip itineraries that offer the finest lodging, dining, and cultural events in 37 countries across the globe. In total, they offer the most destinations, itineraries, and annual departures of all travel companies in the active vacation industry. Backroads is able to generate tons of positive word of mouth advertising thanks to publications like Travel + Leisure who frequently rate them as one of the world's top ten touring companies. They have many guests who repeatedly use their services, and estimate that 45% of their business each year is repeat, and that 30% of their guests are referred to Backroads by past guests.

If you're not sure that such an adventurous outing is right for you, Backroads works to put you at ease by supplying a van that doubles as a mobile refreshment center, bike repair shop, and secondary transportation unit for travelers who need a break. There's also a trailer that hauls all necessary luggage and gear, allowing you to enjoy the trip without having to worry about where your stuff is. And if roughing it doesn't sound like your cup of tea but you still want an amazing vacation experience, check out Backroads' Premiere Inn Trips that feature five star hotels and world class dining. You can also choose to participate in their Casual Inn Trips that offer three star lodging and family run diners. If you're more drawn to the wild outdoors, you might look into Backroads' Deluxe Camping Trips that feature stays at campgrounds that include homemade meals by Backroads leaders.

By providing out of the ordinary trips that nurture the mind as well as the body, Backroads has proven that many of us just want to return to the simpler things in life. Backroads approach to destination vacationing coupled with Tom Hale's story of success is one that reinforces the importance of pursuing the vision you believe in. Time spent with Backroads is truly time well spent.