AmaWaterways and Backroads double active river offerings in 2017

[HostDave]

AmaWaterways and Backroads expanded their active river cruise programs to more than 100 in 2017. This is double the current offer, and the sailings include adventure biking, walking and hiking tours.

'Our work with Backroads has been a resounding success so far, enhancing the experience of our guests, while attracting a new category of travelers to the rapidly expanding river cruise market,' said Kristin Karst, evp and co-owner of AmaWaterways.

AmaWaterways and Backroads have developed biking, walking and hiking cruises for solo travelers, couples and families. This year the two companies debuted the only river cruise biking trips on the Rhine, Seine and Portugal’s Douro rivers, providing travelers with an interest in history and culture the opportunity to cycle between the beaches of D-Day and small, charming villages.

In addition, the companies debuted the ‘Danube Full Ship Celebration River Cruise Bike Tour’ aboard the new AmaViola, giving the chance to bike in the Wachau Valley, join local cyclists on the world-famous Donauradweg and sample regional delicacies in Germany in the company of 150 fellow biking enthusiasts.

With many of the 2016 Backroads sailings booked, the company will launch a new walking tour on the Douro in 2017, making it the only river cruise with a comprehensive active trip in Spain and Portugal. Cruisers will see the gorges and vineyards of northern Portugal and western Spain, while exploring the Douro River Valley, Madrid, Porto and Lisbon.

Backroads programs include multiple expert trip leaders, custom titanium or electric bikes, support vans and innovative itineraries with a range of cycling, walking and hiking routes for all abilities.