road scholar trips 2022 iceland

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Iceland Tours for Seniors

Explore Iceland with other Seniors. These 135 tours include popular destinations like Reykjavik and Gullfoss.

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135 trips for 'over 50s' in iceland with 4,019 reviews.

• In-depth Cultural

Best of Iceland

it was a great tour i strongly recommend g adventure

• Northern Lights
• Christmas & New Year

5 Day - Snaefellsnes, South Coast and Northern Lights

Nice tour. Highly recommend it! One of the 5 days we had a very nice toyr guide, Sindri Gunnarsson! Was the best day of the tour. He explained to the group history of Iceland, fun facts, taught us a master class in finance and banking of Iceland, but also about the music and entertainment. A complete day! Iceland is a beautiful country and definitely not overrated. Accommodations quite nice. Only improvement would be breakfasts that were included into the price. Quite poor selection in my opinion.

• Coach / Bus

Iceland Express

Good trip, good guide

6 Day - Around Iceland Adventure

My husband and I were on our honeymoon on this trip, and we had an absolutely amazing time! TourRadar did a great job with communicating prior to our trip and answering any questions we had prior to our trip. We were also able to communicate with the tour company via the platform, which was very helpful. We got to visit so many amazing sites all around Iceland and made some amazing memories. The itinerary was well-developed and also allowed for some downtime. Our tour guide, Siggie, from Arctic Adventures also did an incredible job keeping us informed and making sure we had everything we needed. We were able to learn a lot and felt very welcomed.

Iceland Discovery

This was an amazing once in a lifetime trip. Truly fantastic. The small group size meant we got a lot of personalized attention, we got to see a lot of extra sites, and we stayed safe from Covid exposure. Our guide was pleasant, knowledgeable and fantastic to be around; just a great guy. I think everyone else on the tour was a repeat Intrepid/TourRadar customer. If you can, I’d book one day extra in Reykjavík at both the beginning and end of the tour.

8 Days Guided Iceland Circle

Iceland is an incredible country to visit and the time we spent there was priceless. We had a technical problem: due to the weather the flight to Reykjavík was cancelled and postponed to the following day. We announced the travel agency and they provided a taxi in order th catch the tour. Instead to have a transportation from the company we had to pay an additional 300euros regardless was not our fault for the delay. Maybe you should consider such situation in your program. Another observation is about the guide. He was totally disinterested on our existence, totally unprepared to be a guide with knowledge, also a little bit impolite and rude.

Premium Iceland

• Health, Spa & Wellness
• Hiking & Trekking

Wellness Iceland

Great ceo and great trip! Would definitley reccomend!

Iceland Escape

It was a great time. Everything was easily followed and organized well. Only drawback was the weather, and not being able to see the northern lights during our time. All things considered, will definitely be going back to Iceland.

seamless, no glitches, hiccups or issues from booking entirely online...whenever i texted w questions, they got right back....an awesome value for my money... am planning next year already!!!! thank you for wonderful experience

10 day Guided tour | Iceland Complete

Our guide, Louvisa, was extraordinary. Her knowledge of the geography of Iceland and the history of the country was fantastic and added so much to the trip. She also obviously loves her country and her work. She was a delight - happy, helpful and enthusiastic. Top honors for her!

Natural Wonders of Iceland (Classic, 9 Days)

Active and was able to see many sites on the tour. Our guide Lana from insight was amazing.

7 Day - Iceland Ring Road & Snæfellsnes Peninsula Small-Group Tour

This tour of Icelandic highlights was great. A relaxed itinerary made it all that more enjoyable.

6 Day - Iceland Ring Road Small-Group Tour

Great tour and excellent tour guide in Emily. She was knowledgeable, kind and attentive to group needs. Our group was small, making for very comfortable travelling. The scenery was amazing and the tour met our expectations! Breakfasts and stays excellent! Thanks for efficiency and excellent communication from booking to finish. Highly recommend!

Land of the Northern Lights - 5 days

Wir hatten mit „Andi“ so einen tollen Guide, der uns mit so viel Witz und Passion Island näher gebracht hat. Ein so wundervolles Land, von dem man gar nicht genug bekommen kann. Bei unserer Reise hat einfach alles gestimmt! Wir hatten jeden Tag strahlenden Sonnenschein, jede Nacht konnten wir die Nordlichter sehen, einfach unglaublich! Die Tage wurden perfekt durchgeplant, man kam gar nicht mehr aus dem Staunen heraus. Ich kann diese Reise absolut weiterempfehlen! Das Hotel Cabin(Tag 1&4) ist sehr einfach gehalten (Zimmer schon sehr klein) aber das Stracta Hotel (Tag 2&3) bietet einem alles was man sich nur wünschen kann, super schön und einladend! Wir saßen einen Abend in einer der Hottubs und haben die Nordlichter bestaunt, ein unvergesslicher Moment! Ich bin alleine nach Island gereist (erste Soloreise) und habe mein absolutes Lieblingsland kennengelernt und auch ganz tolle Menschen! Also auch für Solo-Reisende, man fühlt sich sehr sicher und wunderbar aufgehoben. Das war eine unvergessliche Reise mit so tollen Momenten und ich bin ganz sicher; Island wird mich wiedersehen!

What people love about Iceland Tours for Seniors

I can't say enough good things about our Best of Iceland Tour. Gisli Anton Bjarnason was the best tour guide we've ever experienced! We thoroughly enjoyed our week!

Overall the guides and drivers were excellent - in their knowledge, driving safety, preparing the group for activities that were next on the list. The only down time during the day was some of the distances between stops. But not an issue as we were well aware of that before hand. A good value for the cost!!

It was very informative. The sites spectacular.

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The 8 most spectacular road trips in Iceland

Mar 4, 2024 • 10 min read

Head out on four wheels to explore Iceland's incredible landscapes © janiecbros / Getty Images

Driving in Iceland is a dreamy experience, and having your own set of wheels offers the freedom to explore the country at your own pace.

Picture the scene: you’re gliding along a road curling around a snowy hillside. On your right, a steep, rocky slope, the top shrouded in fog. On your left, the surf beats against vertical cliffs, with sea birds circling overhead. Before you, the crystal blue waters of yet another fjord stretch out to the horizon. 

There’s no better feeling than heading out and seeing where the road takes you. But, should you require a little more structure to your overland odyssey, we’ve selected eight unforgettable Iceland road trips to get you started.

1. Hit the road on the Blue Diamond tourist route

Best road trip for volcanic activity Keflavík International Airport  –  Keflavík International Airport; 75 – 115km (50 – 70 miles); 1 day

From Keflavík International Airport, the Blue Diamond tourist route loops around the otherworldly lava landscapes of Reykjanes Peninsula , through quiet seaside villages and the wondrous Reykjanes Geopark, recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2015.

Nowhere else are the borders between the American and Eurasian tectonic plates as visible. All around are signs of geothermal and volcanic activity: the milky blue waters of the  Blue Lagoon steam into the sky, while  Geldingadalir (which erupted in 2021 and again in August 2022, but is now inactive) continues to wow visitors. Check safety alerts before you visit. 

There are many more discoveries to be made on the route, including the windswept shore by Reykjanes lighthouse and Kleifarvatn Lake (home, according to legend, to a wormlike monster the size of a whale), and there are myriad hiking trails.

Planning tip: You can do a round trip in less than a day, but it’s worth staying for a few days to fully explore the region.

2. Take Road 435 as an alternative to the Golden Circle

Best road trip in summer Reykjavík – Reykjavík; approx 225km (140 miles), 1 day

For a different take on the Golden Circle – Iceland’s most popular day tour – try Nesjavallaleið (Road 435), which is open in the summer. It slings through moss-covered lava landscapes and up and down steep hills, with a breathtaking view of Þingvallavatn Lake in the distance. Along the road are quite a few marked hiking trails, beckoning road trippers to temporarily ditch the car and get up close and personal with the stunning landscape.

Puffs of steam are the telltale sign that you’re approaching Nesjavallavirkjum Power Plant and the exclusive ION Adventure Hotel . The road continues along placid lakes, including Úlfljótsvatn with a lonely church on its banks. You drive through a summer house region – where city dwellers go for weekend breaks – and then onto the main road past the perfectly circular Kerið crater lake, one of the obligatory Golden Circle stops.

After gawking at Gullfoss waterfall and spying Geysir (from which all other geysers take their name), you can drive back via Þingvellir National Park with a quick visit to the curious cave houses of Laugarvatnshellar.

Local tip: Bookworms should also consider making a stop at Gljúfrasteinn Laxness Museum in Mosfellsdalur. The museum is the former home of prominent Icelandic writer Halldór Laxness, who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1955.

3. Drive through the remote East Fjords

Best road trip to explore Iceland's maritime heritage Egilsstaðir – Egilsstaðir; approx 820km (510 miles), 5 days

Set up camp in Egilsstaðir and you’ll be in prime position to uncover the magical East Fjords. First, visit the village of Vopnafjörður, home to Selárlaug, a swimming pool on the banks of a salmon-filled river, which is also popular for fishing. In summer, you could cross the spectacular mountain pass Hellisheiði eystri (Road 917) to get here – but with its narrow and steep gravel road, it’s not for the faint-hearted.

Regardless, take the easy way back (Road 85 and Road 1) to Borgarfjörður eystri, and recharge at the village of Bakkagerði with a hotel and spa, puffin-watching house and popular music festival Bræðslan, held in July. It’s also a good base for hiking in the stunning surroundings, with the trek to Stórurð, a turquoise lake enclaved by massive boulders, a particularly popular route.

You must return to Egilsstaðir before moving on to the next fjords on the route: Eskifjörður and Neskaupstaður. Here, the maritime heritage of this region is honored in elegantly renovated historic houses: Randulfssjóhús in Eskifjörður and Beituskúrinn in Neskaupstaður, both of which now function as excellent, atmospheric restaurants. Drive back through Fáskrúðsfjörður to Stöðvarfjörður, where Petra’s Stone Collection museum amazes, showcasing the sheer variety of minerals that can be found in the mountains in the country’s east. From here, it’s a straight run back to Egilsstaðir for the last time – remember to watch out for reindeer!

4. See the Westfjords by road and ferry

Best scenic road trip Reykjavík – Reykjavík; approx 765km (475 miles)

On the way to the Westfjord from Reykjavík , you’ll drive through the rural region of Dalir. Here, dairy farm Erpsstaðir makes for a great first pitstop on the journey, where you can learn about traditional farming life and sample the homemade cheeses and other treats. There are also a number of historical sites nearby, including Eiríksstaðir, a living museum about life in the Viking era, and Guðrúnarlaug , the replica of the pool where the beautiful heroine of Laxdæla saga (one of the famous medieval Icelandic sagas) used to bathe.

Leaving Dalir in the rearview mirror, the first Westfjordian town you’ll reach is Reykhólar, home to Sjávarböðin, a spa specializing in seaweed baths (said to have all manner of healing properties). From here, the drive along the peninsula’s southern coast on steep gravel roads is both awe-inspiring and borderline scary, but your reward is a stroll on red-sand beach Rauðasandur and the view from Látrabjarg, Iceland’s westernmost point. Látrabjarg is also a haven for birdlife, with thousands of seabirds, including puffins, razorbills and guillemots, nesting in the cliffs.

You can take the ferry from Brjánslækur back, via Flatey , an idyllic island that seems to be frozen in time. It used to be the bustling center of the Breiðafjörður islands, but today, only seven people live there year-round. From here, the ferry takes you onwards to Stykkishólmur on Snæfellsnes , entering via a beautiful harbor overlooked by a distant lighthouse. It’s a view that might tempt you to stay a while.

Local tip:  If you have time to explore Stykkishólmur, check out the Library of Water , a modern art museum, and sample the locally sourced seafood on offer at Sjávarpakkhúsið .

5. Cruise around the otherworldly Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Best road trip for varied landscapes Start/end – Reykjavík; approx 440km (275 miles)

In clear weather, you can see the alluring ice cap Snæfellsjökull from Reykjavík. The drive there is an adventure with ever-changing landscapes. You’ll find sand and pebble beaches, volcanoes, a glacier and rhyolite mountains, lava fields and grassy terrain, caves, bird-filled cliffs and waterfalls.

The peninsula’s southern side is graced by the white-sand beach Löngufjörur, a hot spot for horseback riding, the otherworldly lava landscape around Búðir and the many wonders of Snæfellsjökull National Park .

On the northern side, there are charming fishing villages and Kirkjufell , one of Iceland’s most photographed mountains – particularly popular when the northern lights are out . Although it’s possible to do a whirlwind tour of Snæfellsnes in a day, you can easily spend a few: hiking, bird watching, sailing or simply taking in the views of the immense glacier.

6. Drive beyond the Ring Road on the ancient Kjölur route

Best road trip for Iceland's interior  Reykjavík – Reykjavík; approx 1378km (856 miles), at least a week

Spice up your Ring Road (Route 1) adventure by cutting through the barren interior of the country. Road 35, which splinters off from Route 1 past Gullfoss waterfall , continues along the ancient Kjölur route between glaciers Langjökull and Hofsjökull. It’s an F-road, so it requires a 4WD vehicle and is only open in the summer, but it is not as difficult as some of the other highland routes (for example, there are no river crossings.)

Around the halfway point is Hveravellir , an oasis of sorts in the snowy desert landscape, with a lodge, a natural pool for bathing and a multicolor geothermal area with marked hiking trails, including to Kerlingarfjöll mountains. You enter the Ring Road again about an hour’s drive from Akureyri , the “capital” of the north, which is great for catching up on some culture, visiting galleries or having a night on the town (with at least three bars to choose from!).

The Ring Road will take you from fjord to fjord, past eerie mountains and into quiet seaside villages. Fáskrúðsfjörður is known for a museum that honors the legacy of French sailors, located inside the beautifully renovated French hospital. In Breiðdalsvík drop by microbrewery Beljandi (named after a waterfall by the same name) and in Djúpivogur take a look at the granite egg sculptures in Gleðivík by renowned artist Sigurður Guðmundsson.

7. Explore local legends on the Diamond Circle

Best road trip of north Iceland Húsavík – Húsavík; approx 250km (155 miles), 2 days

North Iceland’s answer to the Golden Circle is the Diamond Circle . Make your base in the whale-watching town of Húsavík and head east to Ásbyrgi at the northern realms of Vatnajökull National Park . The horseshoe-shaped canyon is characterized by vertical cliffs – walk to the top of Eyjan for an amazing view of the sand beaches to the north and the North Atlantic. This is gyrfalcon territory, the largest falcon in the world, so keep an eye out for the majestic raptors.

With its lovely lake, lava fields, steaming fumaroles and bubbling hot springs, the Mývatn area is an obligatory stop on the drive back to Húsavík. Take time to marvel at the mighty Goðafoss waterfall in Skjálfandafljót. It’s called the “waterfall of the gods” because legend has it that the lawspeaker (a role in ancient Scandinavian society where someone is entrusted to recite the law) Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði threw his pagan sculptures in the falls after deciding that Icelanders should convert to Christianity in 1000 CE. Further upstream is Aldeyjarfoss, another spectacular waterfall surrounded by columnar basalt.

Planning tip: Don’t forget to reserve some time for Húsavík itself, a bustling town with interesting museums and fabulous seafood restaurants. Geosea Geothermal Sea Baths are perched up on Húsavíurhöfði next to a yellow lighthouse with an unobstructed view of the whale-watching boats on Skjálfandi Bay.

8. Take a leisurely drive along the Arctic Coast Way

Best coastal road trip for taking your sweet time Hvammstangi – Bakkafjörður; approx 900km (560 miles), 2 weeks

Designed for slow travel, the Arctic Coast Way slings along Iceland’s northern coastline, encompassing sleepy villages, six islands and amazing natural sites few people get to see. The route starts at the seal-watching town Hvammstangi in northwest Iceland and ends in windblown Bakkafjörður in the northeast. Along the way, drivers will encounter dramatic views, lonely lighthouses and some interesting stories.

At Þrístapar, you can learn about the gruesome fate of Agnes Magnúsdóttir, the heroine of Hannah Kent’s Burial Rites who was the last woman executed in Iceland. At Brimslóð in Blönduós, there’s the option to go foraging for your dinner, and in Skagaströnd have your fortune told at the Museum of Þórdís the Prophetess. In summer, the midnight sun bounces off the ocean surface, and in winter, the northern lights dance across the night sky in between blinking stars – far from light pollution.

Other interesting stops include Hvítserkur sea stack, the massive Arctic Henge in Raufarhöfn, an ancient stone monument inspired by Norse mythology, and the gannet colony at Stóri Karl on Langanes.

Planning tip: Take your time to explore on foot, and book whale-watching, kayaking or diving tours for a different perspective of this wild coastal region.

This article was first published October 2020 and updated March 2024

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Any Opinions on this Road Scholar Tour? - Iceland Forum

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I would like to hear any opinions and experiences related to the program below. Thanks a bunch.

https://www.roadscholar.org/find-an-adventure/3342/The-Best-of-Iceland-A-Country-of-Beautiful-Contrasts

Thanks to all of you for your comments. I will keep them in mind.

mathlady; Thanks a lot, I will look into "Artic Adventures", there could be a better way to do what we want.

jxxx - Your description of the RS program is the best anyone could offer. Yes, we are seniors and interested very interested on history, culture, and traditions. So RS could be our way to go.

I will keep looking, and perhaps I will come back to you with other questions. Also, I hope I get to hear from a recent participant.

Thanks again.

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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I would like to hear any opinions and experiences related to the program below. Thanks a bunch.

https://www.roadscholar.org/find-an-adventure/3342/The-Best-of-Iceland-A-Country-of-Beautiful-Contrasts

You are skipping the stunning south coast totally

Days 3, 7, 9, and 11 seem pretty empty

I clicked on your link. The first thing I see is RS asking for a donation to get back on the road. I would run as fast as I could from this company.

RS is a very legit organization.. You can click away from that solicitation (they are a non-profit) and read the itinerary.

They do some great trips. This is not one of them.

Local Company?. Do you have experience or opinions about one of those?

Road Scholar seems to have been around for a long time. I believe it has a good reputation. As mentioned before, you do not have to donate if you dont want.

Of course I don't need to donate. Just find it odd the the first pop up is a solicitation.

Compare with Troll or Arctic Adventures. But I do know that many people like RS for the "lectures" that they include and not many Icelandic companies offer this "extra".

It is a nonprofit. Lots of nonprofits offer donation options early. Especially ones that were hit hard by Covid shutdowns.

Like already mentioned it spends a lot of time on specific cultural and historic sites and museums, some of which are not well known in the general mass tourism market and may mostly be of interest if you already have some background knowledge. As a result of that it also skips some of the most visited and spectacular nature areas of Iceland, such as the south coast. Not that it skips all scenic areas, far from it, but there are some pretty obvious omissions if this is supposed to be a general 10-12 day intinerary.

So I guess it is a trade off between covering the most poular areas and covering history and culture in more detail.

Also note that the map that accompanies the detailed description of each day of the itinerary is highly misleading when it comes to the days in the north. They are incorrectly placed in west Iceland for some reason.

I think a 12 day program that skips the South Coast is not worth it.

I've done several RS tours and quite like them. They are a legit organization who caters to older travelers who are curious about the countries they travel to - no shopping tours, but included lectures. I'm an introvert, and to my extreme surprise, my favorite parts of these trips has always been the people, followed by the lectures/information we learn about the area. (FWIW, "older" is 45+ though the average age traveler seems to be more like 65.)

Honestly, there is no "perfect" Iceland itinerary. No matter what you do, you'll miss something spectacular.

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The Scoop: What to Know About Road Scholar

This nonprofit tour company has an inspiring educational focus..

The Scoop: What to Know About Trafalgar Tours

Part of what we do here at TourScoop is use our (human) travel expertise to vet tour companies so you have an easy way to get a bunch of trustworthy information all in one place. Today we’re digging into Road Scholar, a popular tour company that’s been around for nearly 50 years. Read on to find everything you need to know to confidently make the decision about whether it’s a good fit for you.

Road Scholar (previously known as Elderhostel) is a tour company with a difference: Since 1975 the company has been run as a nonprofit organization with an educational mission as its primary focus. That means a few things: since it’s a nonprofit, Road Scholar offers excellent value (tours aren’t priced for profit). I also like that it’s unusual among tour companies because it offers both financial aid and caregiver grants. And since it’s education-driven, the tour operator attracts a particularly curious and educated group of travelers, including many retired educators. 

Road Scholar’s 4,000 offerings include small group tours, grandparent-grandchild trips, cruises, private jet adventures, and tours focused on passions including birding, food and drink, and history.

TourScoop Takeaways: Road Scholar

• Continents Covered: 7
• Tour Size Average: Road Scholar’s small group programs max out at 24 travelers, but the company also runs larger programs with hundreds of participants who are then broken into small groups for activities. 
• Tour Types: Coach, ship, plane, train

How to Book

Road Scholar tours can be booked directly through Road Scholar ; here are all the ways you can contact the organization for information about trips.

Credibility Check

Road Scholar is a BBB accredited charity that meets the standards for charity accountability, and has a low complaint number and a high response-to-issues ratio. It has a rating of 4.2 out of 5 on Facebook . Tour-focused online travel agency TourStride past guests gives Road Scholar a 4.4 out of 5.

Tour Destinations

Road Scholar operates tours on seven continents and to nearly 100 countries. In the U.S., it offers itineraries to most states, and internationally, its most popular destinations include Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, and Italy. 

Road Scholar offers hundreds of programs on a variety of topics, with thousands of departures annually. Since it’s a nonprofit organization with an educational mission, everything it does is about learning, and it weaves in educational visits, lectures, and events into every trip.

On the website, you can filter trips by hobbies or what you want to learn about, from Military History to Native American Studies, Birding, Pickleball, or another topic. You can also filter the course catalog by activity level, from “Easy Going” to  “Outdoor: Challenging.”

Road Scholar also offers Adventures Afloat (cruises), skip-gen programs geared to grandparents and grandchildren traveling together, and virtual tours that range from one-hour lectures to multi-day online adventures. 

Tour Guides

As an education-focused tour organization, Road Scholar refers to its group leaders and instructors as faculty . Faculty members–many of whom have been working with Road Scholar for a decade or more–are local experts with years of experience in travel and academics. Group leaders receive initial training and receive yearly professional development to ensure they’re at the top of their game. 

In addition to faculty, tour participants meet a broad range of experts on tour, experts that range from shrimp boat captains to award-winning authors. 

Inclusions/Extras

Road Scholar programs are all-inclusive and have no optional extras or hidden expenses. The price of a tour includes: 

• Accommodations, 
• Experienced Group Leader
• Expert-led lectures and field trips
• Most meals (some meals during free time not included)
• Gratuities throughout the program, including group leader gratuities
• Road Scholar Assurance Plan   (24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during a program and insurance for emergency medical evacuation)

Flights to and from the tour are not included in base program prices, but Road Scholar will book flights for participants traveling internationally. Flights booked through Road Scholar also include complimentary airport transfers.

Typical Travelers

If you don’t count kids in the mix on the Grandparent and Family programs, the average age of a Road Scholar participant is 72. But trips generally include a wide range of older travelers from people in their 50s through 90s. About 30% of participants are solo travelers, and of that 30% about 85% are women traveling on their own. Road Scholar trips are generally reported to be very welcoming to solo travelers. 

Communication 

Once you’ve booked a tour with Road Scholar, the company sends regular emails leading up to trip departures. You can also access your trip information online: once you’re enrolled in a program, all trip information is accessible via your online account.

Road Scholar’s U.S.-based contact center (800-454-5768) is open 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (ET), Monday through Friday. Monday is the contact center’s busiest day, so to avoid long wait times, call midweek or at the end of the week if you can). Road Scholar has callback feature, which allows you to save your place in the queue without having to wait on the phone–a representative calls you back as soon as it’s your turn in line.

Loyalty Program

Because Road Scholar is a nonprofit organization, discounts are not offered, including for repeat travelers. But the company is dedicated to making travel affordable for more travelers, and offers financial aid and caregiver grants . 

Private Options

Groups made up of between 18 and 24 people can reserve private departures of existing itineraries with Road Scholar. If you organize a group of 20 or more, you can take advantage of group discounts or free travel for one person. 

Sustainability Efforts

Road Scholar offsets some of the carbon emissions created through travel on its programs. It invests in projects including rainforest preservation in Brazil, methane gas recapture in Florida, and reforestation in Kenya. The company also tries to use sustainability certified hotels, locally owned services, and restaurants that serve locally sourced meals whenever possible.  

Health and Safety Practices

Road Scholar has partners on the ground worldwide who monitor all areas visited by the company. If concerns arise, Road Scholar will find replacement content or cancel the program, depending on the severity and location of the issue.

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TravelAwaits

Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list.

Embark On Grandparent & Family Adventures With This Company’s Educational Trips

• News and Tips
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It’s no secret that international travel is on the rise. What may be surprising, however, is that the number of grandparents traveling internationally with their grandkids is also surging.

Indeed, Road Scholar, which offers educational trips for adults, notes that enrollment in its 2023 international Grandparent Adventure programs has nearly rebounded to pre-pandemic levels. On the other hand, enrollment in its 2023 domestic Grandparent Adventure programs lags behind, at just over half of the company’s pre-pandemic numbers.

“The appetite for global exploration is stronger than ever,” Maeve Hartney, Road Scholar’s chief program officer, told TravelAwaits in a statement. “Our participants have shown us that they’re really ready to get out there and explore the world again this year, and their grandkids are just as eager to travel abroad with them.”

To accommodate that demand, Road Scholar has announced it’s adding more international trips to its 2024 Grandparent and Family programs.

That includes grandparent and grandkid trips to Germany, Copenhagen, and the Amalfi Coast. Grandparent and Family Programs for grandparents, their kids, and their grandkids include trips to Alaska and the Barrier Islands. Both Grandparent and Family Programs will soon be offered in Panama as well.

For 2023, Road Scholar expanded its program by adding Grandparent and Family Adventures to Japan, Australia, Greece, Idaho Whitewater Rafting, Hawaii, Virginia’s Chincoteague Bay, New Hampshire, Minnesota, Sailing the Maine Coast, Puerto Rico, San Juan Islands, San Diego, and STEM Kansas to its offerings.

How The Program Works

Road Scholar has been offering a program for grandparents and their grandkids — or families of grandparents, their kids, and their grandkids — to travel together since 1985.

“Looking for a special way to spend time with your grandchild?” Road Scholar asks .

“Share the best of the great outdoors with them as you snorkel in coral reefs, go whitewater rafting, or learn about animals at a zoo. You can even share their love for STEM projects as you learn about robots or even rockets!” Road Scholar continues. “Each learning adventure is created with your grandchild’s age and learning level in mind, allowing you both to have fun, learn, and make new friends. Together, you’ll make memories that will last a lifetime!”

You can choose from several adventures tailored to suit grandkids’ ages, or by interest, such as STEM, animals and wildlife, city discoveries, active outdoor adventures, and nature and environment.

Another approach is to choose a trip based on destination, including those in France, Florida, North America, national parks, and locations around the world.

What Grandparents Think Of The Program

Cindy and Jim Horner took their two grandsons on an African safari with Road Scholar in 2022, and this year, they traveled to Iceland with their two granddaughters.

“We have chosen to take our grandchildren on international trips to expose them to different geographical settings, cultures, and standards of living,” Cindy Horner said, according to Road Scholar. “It’s our hope that they return with a broadened understanding of the world.”

Meanwhile, Jean McMillan has taken three of her grandchildren on Road Scholar adventures. Her grandkids chose international trips, with her encouragement.

“I would have taken them on any of the trips,” McMillan said, according to Road Scholar. “I encouraged them to dream big so we could share memories of big adventures we had together.”

For more about traveling with grandkids, or kids and grandkids, be sure to read our Family Vacations content, including:

• Our Writers’ 8 Favorite Places To Travel With Their Grandkids In The U.S.
• 10 Perfect Multigenerational Trips To Experience This Summer
• 17 Tips For Planning The Perfect Multigenerational Trip

Jim Fulcher has been a writer and editor his entire career. In addition to writing, he also enjoys traveling--particularly in an RV. Over the course of numerous trips, Jim has driven an RV through West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming. His favorite national park is Yellowstone, which he has visited three times.

Road Scholar

Explore Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

• Ride the ferry to Madeline Island (the only inhabited island in the chain) to explore Big Bay State Park with its pristine barrier beach and boardwalk
• Delve into the history of shipwrecks near the Apostle Island in an expert presentation by the retired director of the Lake Superior Maritime Visitors Center
• Hear some great tales of how the locals survived in the early years in this beautiful but sometimes harsh environment

50 plus, Education / Learning

On the Home Front in Vicksburg, Key to the Confederacy

• In Jackson, learn how “Chimneyville” was burned four times by Federal troops in the 1860s, and visit the old capitol and The Oaks, two of only a few buildings to survive the fires
• Discuss the Vicksburg military campaign in antebellum Cedar Grove, built in 1840 and home to original furnishings and remnants of the siege, including a Union cannon ball embedded in the wall
• Explore the Vicksburg National Military Park, one of the largest such parks in the nation, highlighted by a field trip to the U

Independent Venice: Power and Beauty

Venetian Lagoon, Venice

• An exceptional opportunity to visit St
• Mark’s Basilica at night, when its beauty can be experienced without crowds
• Cristina Gregorin, author of “Venice Master Artisans,” gives you a fascinating look at traditional Venetian crafts including Carnival masks
• Revel in a Vivaldi concert performed on prestigious original instruments by the chamber music ensemble Interpreti Veneziani

50 plus, Cultural, Education / Learning

Italian Extravaganza: Rome, Florence and Venice at their Finest

Borghese Gallery, Colosseum, Forum, Rome, Sistine Chapel, Venice

• Enjoy two hour private visit to the Sistine Chapel and an evening concert in Venice
• Reserved entrance times to major museums: the Colosseum, the Borghese Gallery, the Uffizi and Galleria dell’Accademia, home to Michelangelo’s David, the Doge’s Palace in Venice and more
• Savor a vineyard lunch in Chianti in the Tuscan countryside

Spring Training Baseball with the Boston Red Sox

• Attend up to four practice games with a chance to see your favorite Red Sox players
• Meet with baseball experts, retired players and umpires as you discuss the rules, regulations, heroes and legends
• Explore baseball’s early beginnings, including the history of the former Negro League in the early 1880s

City Walks: Exploring Stockholm’s Neighborhoods

• At the Östermalm Saluhallarna (food halls), an expert in Swedish cuisine guides a tasting of local specialties such as

Ultimate Opera: Two Productions at the Met

New York, York

• Attend two performances of notable operas, and take a field trip to explore Lincoln Center
• Enjoy presentations by professionals such as singers, an opera director, conductor, chorus master or historian (as available)
• Study selections from great operas, and enjoy a private demonstration-performance with an outstanding professional singer

Beyond Red Square: An In-Depth Exploration of Western Russia

Armory Museum, Kos, Moscow, St. Petersburg

• Discover historic architecture and authentic culture in Russia’s Golden Ring towns
• Ride an overnight train from Moscow to St
• Petersburg in the grand tradition of Russian travel
• Enjoy a traditional meal in a Russian family’s private “dacha” outside St

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Road Scholar

I am booked on the RS Best of Turkey in October and would also like to visit Greece while in the neighborhood. RS does not have a tour available but Road Scholar does have one two days after the end of BOT. Has anyone done a Road Scholar tour? I'd be interested in any reviews. I am a bit spoiled by the Rick Steves tour philosophy.

I've met a couple of people who have done both and described them as similar.

Once we were on a RS tour, heading out for dinner as a group. Walking down the stairs from our hotel to the street, we ran into another group of people going up the stairs that looked so similar to our group (American tourist-looking 🙂) that everyone stopped and asked if they were on an RS tour. They said they were on a Road Scholar* tour, and were staying at the same hotel. Rather than a Jets/Sharks moment, we all had a laugh at crossing paths and "recognizing" each other.

*just realized the initials are the same.

You may want to PM Pam. She has done several Road Scholar and several RS tours.

I did a Road Scholar tour of France in October and I absolutely loved it. Great itinerary, good hotels, and the best guide!!!! The people on the tour were fun, well-traveled and open-minded. I sent you a Private Message on this site.

I liked my tour so much, I signed up for two more for 2022!

I’ve done one Rick Steves’ tour and one Road Scholar tour, so far. Philosophy seems similar enough. I actually prefer the Road Scholar because their pacing is slower - they tend to stay more nights in each city and don’t do many one night stays, which I really try to avoid, even on a tour.

I've done 6 Rick Steves tours, and 2 RoadScholar. My preference is still Rick Steves, but RoadScholar is a good choice if it fits your time/destination better.

Yes! I'm here! Valerie and I did the same program a week apart last Fall.

I've done 12 Road Scholar tours and 11 Rick Steves tours. I choose which program based on the itinerary and would not hesitate to take either one. I've got a Road Scholar trip for this spring to Belgium and Holland - have already done the Rick tour of this area but this is specialized on Art History of the area. I also have the Rick Steves Best of Italy scheduled for late September.

For myself, I find the Rick Steves tour members to be a little more independent. Some Road Scholar tour members need a little more hand-holding and are sometimes reluctant to go out on their own for dinner, etc. Over the years I've seen Road Scholar have fewer meals included which suits me fine but it does bother some who are used to every meal being provided. They still have more meals than Rick's tours generally do.

I find their tour philosophies similar - Rick focuses more on teaching you to be an independent traveler. Road Scholar sometimes has some hour-long lectures and as Valerie says tend to stay in fewer places and do more day trips. I have not looked at their Greece trip so don't know if this holds true for this location or not. Both have all tips included and do not include any shopping stops (you can shop on your own time). Both include local restaurants.

TBH, I do trust Rick more on being on top of Covid rules. I was thoroughly exasperated with Road Scholar for my Fall trip as they were not sending out information regarding the need for France's Pass Sanitaire with enough emphasis on how and when to apply. The guide on the ground in France had an excellent grasp on what was needed but the staff in the Boston office did not. I would recommend you keep up with Greece's rules for entry from Turkey so you can stay properly informed. This forum will give you good guidance.

I'd go for the Greece tour with Road Scholar!

I have taken 9 RIck Steves tours and 4 Road Scholar trips over the past 6 years, and agree with Pam’s assessment. Similar philosophy, with the focus on education. I have found Rick’s tours to be somewhat more consistent and that remains my favorite company. I think Road Scholar uses local tour companies for many of their international tours, hence my comment on consistency. But RIck doesn’t go everywhere, while Road Scholar does. These are the only tour companies I will travel with now.

Thank you all for your input. It is quite helpful. Pam, I am in awe of your travel resume. Good for you. I will give Road Scholar's Greek tour a shot. I need to also spread my wings beyond Europe so this will be a good test. Travel well and stay safe everyone.

Let me jump in and suggest you look at Odysseys Unlimited's Greece tour.

https://odysseys-unlimited.com/tours/europe/ancient-greece/

Small groups, Professional guides. A little more incuded. Excellent customer service. Prices quoted include air. Call them for land only price.

I'm going on this tour in April. I've taken three tours with them already.

Deb, I'll also add to check to make sure of the group size for a Road Scholar tour. They used to include it on the Overview section of each program but have stopped doing that. Sometimes it will have a "Small Group" tag on it but ask to be sure. I signed up for a Garden tour for May and realized a few months ago that it was a 40 person tour. Nope, too big. Would have been too big pre-Covid as well. It takes too long to get 40 people fed, pottied and back on the bus/coach. I'm in the process of cancelling that tour.

I'll also say that the Road Scholar guides/leaders/instructors are awesome (as are Rick's). The Road Scholar office staff are undertrained and difficult to deal with.

I've never had issues with any Rick Steves office staff and in fact one time I called to ask a random question about a tour and the person said...wait a minute...let me look at something. She came back on and told me about a special exhibition at the Rijksmuseum that needed advance tickets and advised me on the timing for that. Awesome.

I was just about to suggest you PM Pam, but she's already here!

I have been on only one Road Scholar tour (Cuba, in the very early Obama era) and 5 with Rick Steves. I am a solo traveler and pretty introverted by nature. I also, pre- Covid, traveled extensively and independently because I move at a pretty fast pace (or dawdle forever if it's something I have always wanted to see/experience). I also get frustrated with group meals- I am on a fairly restricted diet and just really prefer doing my own thing. For safety, though, I really value a tour if there are locations where either the language or concerns about being alone could be problematic. I also so appreciate the deeper insight gained with the excellent guides of both "RS"-s. Because I only experienced the one Road Scholar tour I would never want to generalize. I was at least 20 years younger than my tour mates and definitely the most "spry". I found it so inspirational to spend time with older travelers with a wealth of life experience and insight and still deep curiosity about all we saw. It definitely was not a "tick the box" type of vibe. I actually suggested to the guide that she use the Rick Steves "buddy check" and "leave without you" methods! Each and every time we had to assemble to get on the bus was excruciating. Between waiting for people to be checked off the list of names (taking attendance as in school) and just waiting for people to get back ON the bus (after disembarking at a site) we lost so much time that could have been spent seeing things. I don't know if that was unique to my experience, but it would make me think twice for a post- pandemic next time. The point about making sure it's a small group is an excellent one- I think we were about 20. The last caveat is your own travel "style" and physical abilities. This was advertised as "moderately" active but it was nowhere near the level of activity of a Rick Steves tour. For me, were I to use Road Scholar again I would choose an itinerary at the "very active" level!

Each and every time we had to assemble to get on the bus was excruciating. Between waiting for people to be checked off the list of names (taking attendance as in school) and just waiting for people to get back ON the bus (after disembarking at a site) we lost so much time that could have been spent seeing things. I don't know if that was unique to my experience, but it would make me think twice for a post- pandemic next time.

Karen, whoever was leading your Road Scholar tour was inexperienced. It takes the same amount of time for people to get on the bus regardless of how a count is made.

I worked as a tour director. Most times, my count was done before everyone was even settled in their seats. If not, it took no more than 30 seconds to count everyone. (Not exactly wasting a lot of time.) In most cases, they didn't even know I was counting.

Other tour companies don't use the "buddy system" because the tour director is resonsible to make sure everyone is there. What if someone's buddy is pre-occupied and when a "buddy count" is done they don't respond and their "buddy" isn't there.

I saw it happen. One person was so pre-occupied putting her souvenirs in her bag she missed the call for the "buddy check." Their buddy wasn't on board. The bus started to pull away--early-- and I realized that person wasn't on board. I yelled out and the bus stopped. There was the missing passenger running for the bus.

So, if had not noticed that person missing, who would have been responsible for getting that missed passenger to the next stop? The missed passenger who was actually on time? The buddy who was so preoccupied she missed checking for her buddy? The tour company?

It sometimes takes longer to do the "buddy check" than a quick count by the tour director.

I’ll chime in as well to say that for our Road Scholar France tour the 18 of us got on the bus quickly - no buddies, no checking off names. It was quick and easy. The same has been true for my Gate 1 travels and my Smartours.

Regarding the Road Scholar activity level: They re-did the activity levels in about late 2016 or 2017 and they are more accurate now, perhaps a little overestimation on pace but not bad. They, in general, are not quite as active as Rick's tours and part of that is because they porter your bag for you so no pulling your suitcase over cobbles and hills, lol. I am pretty sure on the date because I'd done a walking program in England in 2016 that was WAY off - most days called for 5 miles and we did 8 solid, hilly miles most days. That program's level changed a good deal after they re-did the activity levels and separated out the Outdoor based hiking/walking/activity programs from the rest of the programs.

https://www.roadscholar.org/practical-information/activity-level-diet/

Since I usually choose based on the itinerary, if the pace is too slow, I just walk early in the AM or in the evenings after activities are finished. This last trip we stopped for a photo op in Rocamadour and I noticed a paved path signed to the Old City Center. I checked with the guide and told him I'd just walk back and was joined by another couple who wanted another mile or so for the day. Although the guide had not walked the path, the bus driver was a runner and had run it on previous tours so confirmed it was no problem to walk back on.

I'd agree with Frank about the guide having a bearing on how quickly the "count" is done. This last trip Laurent was very quick - usually came up 2 short which was the same couple every single time. By halfway thru the trip I could look and see who of the 21 of us were there and who was not. I will say if it had been a Rick Steves tour the guide would have pulled them aside and had a talk about being on time. This guide, although experienced with Viking, was new to Road Scholar and apparently didn't feel comfortable with that kind of intervention.

We did the two-week Cuba Road Scholar tour, the length of the island west to east. No trouble with dawdlers. Great guide and driver. Very, very experienced, down-to-earth travel companions.

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