Because We’re Pretty Serious About the Whole Slow Down to See the World Thing
(And after 50 years, we’d like to think we’ve got it down to an art)
Active Doesn't Have to Mean "Athlete"
Our trips are adventures, not athletic contests. We’re not professional athletes looking to beat personal bests; we’re wanderers and bon vivants who have come to learn that biking and walking are the best ways to get a true sense of a region.
We offer a whole range of activity levels, allowing you to choose the one that fits you best, and then set your own pace. And whichever level you choose, on a B&R trip you’ll always have options—add an extra few kilometres one day, take a shorter loop back the next, or just spend the day by the pool catching up with a good book.
Plus, “Active” Can Mean Different Things to Different People.
We know that even among partners and spouses, one person’s “active” is another person’s “too much.” That’s why we offer at least two different routes each day, allowing couples to move together sometimes, and then split up to enjoy different activities (or a lack thereof) at others. Whichever option you choose, the pace is entirely up to you. You’re welcome—and encouraged!—to find your own perfect pace.
Not into "Group Travel"? Neither are we.
Flexibility
B&R doesn’t do tours—we run trips that bring together like-minded travellers who enjoy doing their own thing. We don’t travel en masse, we don’t play follow the flag through the crowd, and we don’t make you do anything you don’t want to do. We believe that our trip format is just the envelope for the experience, and rather than restricting you, it should liberate you to focus on the things that really matter. We plan your day—meticulously—but never chain you to it. Dine with the group, or wander off in search of adventure and that out-of-the-way bistro that caught your eye. We know that the most memorable moments happen when the best-laid plans reinvent themselves.
Fellow Travellers
B&R travellers are some of the nicest, coolest, smartest, most fun-loving people that you’ll ever meet, and we’re willing to bet that you won’t be able to tear yourself away from them by the end of your trip. People who choose to spend their precious vacation time biking or walking with B&R tend to share our outlook on life and travel; they want an active vacation, sure, but one that stimulates the mind and palate too. As a result, our trips are packed with people who share a sense of wanderlust, an appreciation for travelling in style and, often, their contact info—because they have so much fun together, they plan to do it again soon.
Time On Your Own
While we love breaking bread with new friends, we also appreciate that some meals are best spent in private company. That’s why each of our trips offers the opportunity to spend some time on your own. Looking for a romantic dinner for two this evening? We can point out our favourite spots. Feel like hitting the spa this afternoon? We’ll catch up with you later tonight. Want to chat more with that dentist from Austin you rode with yesterday? Invite him to join you for lunch tomorrow—we’ve got plenty of recommendations in town.
DAY IN THE LIFE: Active Travel
7:43 am
The only things fresher than the fruit on this plate are the beans that were ground for this espresso. Why can’t all mornings start like this?
8:18 am
Some of the group is ready to ride, but I’m ready to dig into the International New York Times. Our guide says she’ll swing by to pick me up later so I can meet them at the next leg of the ride. Chaise lounge, here I come.
10:34 am
Rendezvousing with the group, I’m well informed (thanks to the paper) and well energized (thanks to the extra espresso). Time to ride.
12:42 pm
Perfect timing—the morning’s ride ends in the centre of town, just as I hear my stomach start to growl. I think I’ll try that little trattoria the guides told me about…
2:05 pm
That may have been the best pasta I’ve ever had in my life. I make a note to thank the guide for the suggestion and decide to do the long option this afternoon—might as well, after the carbo load.
5:09 pm
Riding back up to the hotel I see a few members of the group relaxing by the pool. Smart bunch. Time to swap this lycra for a bathing suit.
6:45 pm
Word of great pasta travels fast. Chatting with the dentist from Austin and her husband over drinks, we make plans to ride through town tomorrow so I can point out the spot I stopped at today.
8:36 pm
Dinner under the stars is perfect. I debate a late night appertivo but decide against it; I want to tackle the long option tomorrow. After all, more pasta awaits at lunch!
B&R Value: The Best Bang For Your Buck Guaranteed!
Incomparable Service
We didn’t get voted the world’s best tour operator because we never make mistakes; we were voted number one because on those rare occasions when things don’t go as planned, we go to exceptional lengths to fix them.
Taking a trip with B&R means entering B&R’s world, and in B&R’s world, there are no people more important than our travellers. We have an entire team of travel professionals dedicated to making sure that every detail is covered—even their contingency plans have contingency plans! Our operations team is on call 24/7 to help our (rather amazing) guides handle any emergencies that should arise on trip. At B&R we’ll never say, “You should call so-and-so.” We’ve already got so-and-so’s number, and we’re calling them now on your behalf. Read more about our service here.
Relentless Research
No one knows our regions better than our team of world-class trip designers, route workers and guides. We spend months planning every detail, from the fundamental (like our biking or walking routes) to the minute (“Are these pillows fluffy enough?”). Then, a few days before you arrive, we dispatch our guides for a dress rehearsal of the trip to make sure everything is still up to snuff. That way, by the time you arrive on trip, you can rest assured that we’ve dotted every i, crossed every t and taken care of everything.
And did we mention our guides?
They’re an exceptional group: consummate hosts, mind readers and raconteurs, among many other things. They’ve lived all over the world. They speak a gazillion languages. And they’re entirely devoted to making each trip the best one you’ve ever taken. Meet a few of them here.
ACCOLADES
B&R provides 'perfect' trips—great guides, delightful locales, hotels, meals, programming, equipment—and they are flexible and meet every need. Life doesn't get better than this. No other company is so consistent in providing 'perfect' holidays!
– Betty HessA trip of a lifetime? Definitely! We expected an amazing trip because of the research and referrals of the B&R brand. However, to our surprise, it was the people of B&R who instilled the everlasting memories of a lifetime! My wife and I opened our eyes to the true meaning of life and all it has to offer. Thank you B&R!!!!!!
– Bill GurzendaWe loved every moment, from the little interactions at our van stops to our formal wine dinners. We loved our guides and all of the other guests so much that the goodbye dinner was very sad—except that we all planned a reunion trip for next year! I would say it was a trip of a lifetime, but we hope only the first of many trips of a lifetime with Butterfield & Robinson!!!
– Deborah MoneyI have been on two B&R trips and both were amazing. I refer the company all the time to anyone who will listen. The experiences you create are superlative in every way. I can't speak highly enough of your itineraries, or your guides. Thank you for creating moments and memories that will last a lifetime!
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