Your 30s and 40s are a great time of life to travel, but they’re an even better time to travel with Backroads. We take care of the logistics so you can make the most of every precious vacation day. And while you may be happily beyond your hostel-dorm era, you’ll never outgrow the need to share experiences with the like-minded travelers you’ll find on Backroads 30s & 40s trips.
“A lot of companies I looked at were geared toward families or older people. I was searching for something that felt like me — active, adventurous and with people in my life stage. That’s what tipped me to Backroads.”
— Eric, Spain & Portugal Walking
Best Backroads Trips for 30s & 40s Travelers
Ready to give us a try, but don’t know where to start? In your 30s and looking for group travel, or ready to travel the world in your 40s and want exceptional small-group adventures? Here are ten of our favorite destinations—each one a perfect fit for travelers in their prime.
Italy: Hut-to-Hut in the Dolomites
Picture yourself: Fresh mountain air in your lungs, you follow a mountain trail that wends, ribbonlike, through an Alpine meadow blanketed in wildflowers. Rounding a bend, you’re greeted by the dramatic spires of the Dolomites. As the day wanes, you arrive at a cozy Alpine hut—a family-run rifugio perched high on a mountain—where a steaming plate of hearty Tyrolean dumplings awaits, along with wine, laughter and a sky full of stars.
Why Backroads: The magic of the Dolomites is in its mix of raw Alpine beauty and warm hospitality. Led by expert guides, hike kaleidoscopic fields of wildflowers, cozy up in vista-to-table rifugios and, along the way on this small-group adventure, meet locals eager to share South Tyrolean history, culture and of course, cuisine—get ready to tuck into Alpine cheeses and apple strudel.
Why now: Because this is your Alpine awakening. Whether you’re a solo traveler looking to adventure alongside future friends or a couple finding new joys together, you’re not just taking a vacation—you’re stepping into a living tapestry of towering peaks, emerald meadows and Alpine villages. Each hike is both a physical thrill and a gentle invitation to recharge. Here, time unfolds at the pace of the trail, but within that rhythm, everything you need is present: delight, challenge, serenity—and a mountain glow that stays with you long after you’ve descended.
Learn more about Backroads’ Dolomites Hut-to-Hut Hiking Tour
Costa Rica: Cloud Forest to Coast
Picture yourself: Sitting on the edge of a loaded river raft, paddle in hand, howling with adrenaline and laughter as you and a boatful of new friends zoom down a chute of white water and land with a satisfying splash!
Why Backroads: Costa Rica is an embarrassment of natural riches. We can help you choose how to spend the ideal six days. Hint: this group travel adventure includes hot springs, coffee plantations, tortilla- and mojito-making classes and, of course, beach time.
Why now: Because you deserve a vacation that engrosses you completely. One that lights you up with a thrill a minute but also leaves you feeling completely recharged. You’d be surprised just how relaxing a day of adventures can be when they take place in the silky air of the tropics and end on the teakwood deck of a languid eco-resort.
Learn more about Backroads’ Costa Rica Multi-Adventure Tour
Switzerland: Hiking and Healing Waters
Picture yourself: Hiking poles in hand, hopping onto a gondola that whisks you above emerald pastures speckled with grazing cows. At the top, you’re greeted by a trail flanked by glacier-topped peaks and cascading waterfalls. By day’s end, you’re sinking into the steamy thermal waters of a charming Alpine hotel known equally for its views and its library of regional wines.
Why Backroads: Because it blends exhilarating Alpine terrain with Swiss efficiency—and total relaxation. On this trip, we leave the support vans behind and embark on an adventure of hikes through forests, meadows and mountain passes supported by rail and gondolas. Days end with soothing soaks in thermal springs and festive dinners.
Why now: The combination of elevation and climbs make this a physically demanding trip. Hiking is one of those sports that keeps people young and endlessly inspired. Make your 30s and 40s a time of strength and endurance—there’s no more rewarding way to put all this resilience to work than on an Alpine adventure.
Learn more about Backroads’ Switzerland Hiking & Walking Tour
Greece: An Aegean Journey in Santorini & Crete
Picture yourself: Pedaling through sun-soaked olive groves and quiet coastal lanes in Crete, a view of the sea glinting off in the distance. You leap aboard a sailboat, slicing across turquoise Aegean waters—diving in for a refreshing swim mid-voyage. Then, you trace winding, whitewashed paths in Santorini, where blue-domed rooftops and volcanic cliffs glow in the setting sun. This is the adventure holiday you were born to take.
Why Backroads: Because few places mix myth and motion quite like this. This is not just an itinerary—it’s your heart beating to the rhythms of the history and present of Greek land and sea. In Crete, hike roads hugged by ancient olive trees and wander ancient ruins. Sail the Aegean, savor Santorini’s cliffside village views and along the way, sip and savor local flavors.
Why now: Because this is your epic Greek island immersion. Days melt seamlessly from active exploration to sensory indulgence: salty skin, stunning views, fresh-caught seafood and starlit toasts. It’s six days that lift you—bodily, culturally, spiritually—while filling your soul with myth, movement and Mediterranean magic.
Learn more about Backroads’ Santorini & Crete Multi-Adventure Tour
Alaska: Last Frontier Adventures
Picture yourself: Arriving at the top of a steep hike up green heath-covered slopes only to suddenly behold the Harding Icefield, a plain of glacial ice stretching 700 square miles from one mountain range to the next.
Why Backroads: Alaska is big. Very, very big. You could do it as a solo trip, but why not let us connect the dots between highlights, from a sea-level ski town near Anchorage to the 6,000-foot mountains of the Kenai Peninsula and some of the country’s best-but-least-visited national parks? Besides, we know the best places to cycle, hike and kayak along the way. If you were to plan this trip yourself, you’d have thousands and thousands of miles of beautiful backcountry to choose from. With us, it’s just miles and miles to enjoy.
Why now: Even if you’re a consummate traveler, the Last Frontier is so far from the rest of the United States that you might not have knocked it off your bucket list in your 30s. And that’s okay. But we’re giving you a reminder poke to make sure you get here while in your most active years. Alaska’s views make jaws drop at any age, but the demanding trails of this big landscape bring big rewards.
Learn more about Backroads’ Alaska Glaciers & Coast Multi-Adventure Tour
California: Wine Country Bliss
Picture yourself: Biking on Sonoma County’s Bohemian Highway in the mossy shade of towering redwood trees, when suddenly the forest opens up to a bright patchwork of vineyards. The Backroads leaders signal you to turn off the road through old oak gates, where an ivy-covered building waits on a hill. Tasting, anyone?
Why Backroads: We’re based in Berkeley, so this is our backyard. There are many ways to see this world-famous region; we’re here to show you why cycling is the best one. Along the way we’ll give you a taste of the mighty rivers, oak woodlands, sea cliffs, blossoming orchards and yes, redwoods—which have us convinced that the West Coast is the best coast.
Why now: Your 30s and 40s are a time to go from appreciating wine to developing a taste for it. Going to the mecca of the craft is a fascinating master class. And if you haven’t done Napa and Sonoma yet, you’ll soon see that it’s a cliché for a reason. Even with all the money and hype, the friendly rural undertones of this region make a visit here just a whole lot of fun.
Learn more Backroads’ California Wine Country Bike Tour
Peru: Machu Picchu and Beyond
Picture yourself: Hiking a jungle trail through the pass of the Sun Gate and suddenly beholding the citadel of Machu Picchu surrounded by clouds and precipices far below you.
Why Backroads: Our connections in Peru are unparalleled. Be invited into a remote Inca weaving village, sit down for lunch at the home of farm-to-table pioneers and take every step accompanied by our local guide—a legal requirement to visit certain sites such as the Inca Trail, but in our case, after many years working together, just another part of the Backroads family. Bonus? It’s one less thing you’d need to try to organize on your own.
Why now: Peru is a blast of zany culture shock. You’ll be approached by friendly but insistent vendors. You will have to haggle. And from Cusco’s bohemian bars to Sacred Valley microbreweries, there’s a hopping backpacker scene. At this age, your social battery is still fully charged… or at least fully rechargeable!
Learn more about Backroads’ Peru Lodge-to-Lodge Trekking Tour
Vietnam & Cambodia: Modern and Ancient Wonders
Picture yourself: Pedaling through tranquil rice paddies and tiny villages in Vietnam—morning light dancing off Mekong waterways, the air rich with the scent of tropical blooms and street-side coffee. You pause to explore the imperial grandeur of Huế’s Royal Citadel and wander Hoi An’s lantern-lit alleys, where every corner tells a story. Across the border in Cambodia, you cycle pre-dawn paths through jungle-framed villages to Angkor’s monumental temples, arriving in time to see their ancient stone faces aglow in first light.
Why Backroads: Because few journeys blend cultural immersion, history and motion as seamlessly. In eight unforgettable days, you’ll pedal alongside rice paddies and ox carts, wander World Heritage cities, participate in a water-blessing ritual and see the marvels of Angkor Wat at sunrise—before the crowds. Along the way, stay in beautiful hotels, spend warm afternoons poolside and immerse yourself in local culture with a cooking class.
Learn more about Backroads’ Vietnam & Cambodia Bike Tour
Cuba: Cultural Connections on Two Wheels
Picture yourself: Pedaling along dusty paths between mottled mogotes and tobacco fields in Viñales, the sun-drenched air rich with the scent of freshly plowed earth. Later, you’re breezing down quiet, rural lanes toward a pristine stretch of white-sand beach. Before long, you’re swept into the vibrant energy of Havana—biking past pastel buildings, sharing stories with locals and closing the night dancing to live music.
Why Backroads: It’s six days of curiosity, connection and cultural spark—tender, real and unforgettable. Few journeys embody both active immersion and deep cultural connection like this one. You’ll hike and bike your way through Cuba, meet farmers and local cyclists, bask in the warm waters of Cayo Jutías and stroll Havana’s markets.
Why now: Because this is the Cuba you weren’t expecting. This trip doesn’t just show you Cuba—it invites you in with open doors. Mornings begin on two wheels or two feet, chasing views and stories; afternoons flow into farm lunches or seaside stops; nights glow with candlelit conversations in guest homes and music in the streets.
Learn more about Backroads’ Cuba Multi-Adventure Tour
As a solo traveler in my 30s or 40s, why should I consider small-group active travel?
In your 30s and 40s, you’re in the prime of your travel life. And while you could certainly travel independently as a solo traveler, there’s a lot to be gained by joining an active small-group tour. You’ll surround yourself with like-minded travelers, making new friends and traveling with experts who will bring a destination to life. You’ll simplify the planning and the transportation, be in good company on hikes and rides and gain access to activities and sights you wouldn’t be able to access as an independent traveler.
Are Backroads 30s & 40s trips a good fit for couples over 40?
Yes! Our 30s & 40s trips are a good fit for couples, friend groups and solo travelers. Unlike traditional tour groups, which trend younger or older, these trips are geared to the interests and fitness levels of travelers at this stage of life. And by offering different levels of activity each day, you and your travel companion—whether it’s a life partner or a friend—can each find the best version of your active vacation. On biking trips, each guest chooses their just-right bike, which might be a custom-made titanium performance bike or a pedal-assist e-bike.
This would be my first time on a group tour. What are the benefits?
If you’re considering group travel for the first time, welcome! In creating small-group trips for travelers in their 30s and 40s, we thought a lot about people like you who want to use the group travel format to simplify planning, gain greater access to local experiences and travel with like-minded travelers.
Why are Backroads 30s & 40s collection good tours for 40-year-olds?
We created our 30s & 40s collection of trips to cater to travelers at a stage in life that can sometimes feel too busy to carve out time for adventure. As a traveler in your 40s, you’re the perfect age for an active-travel vacation that gets you off the beaten track and shows you the true character of a place while also making sure you’ve got comfortable accommodations and great food—there’s no roughing it here.
Explore All Trips For 30s & 40s