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Road Scholar is a not-for-profit organization that has inspired adults to learn, discover, and travel since 1975. Road Scholar programs include an extraordinary range of topics, formats, and locations in every state in the U.S., in 150 countries, and aboard ships and sailing vessels on waterways throughout the world. Road Scholar’s learning adventures feature engaging expert instructors, provide extraordinary access, and stimulate discourse and friendship among people for whom learning is the journey of a lifetime. In 1987, Holbrook Travel began a partnership with Road Scholar that continues to grow and evolve each year. Today, Holbrook Travel is considered to be one of Road Scholar’s top program providers and coordinates dozens of programs across Latin America and Eastern Africa. Visit  www.roadscholar.org for more information.

Road Scholar

www.roadscholar.org

The Leader in Educational Travel for Adults Since 1975

Not-for-profit Road Scholar (formerly Elderhostel) is the world’s largest and most innovative creator of experiential learning opportunities. They have guided generations of lifelong learners on transformative learning adventures from San Francisco to Siberia, and nearly everywhere in between.

We are a diverse community of knowledge seekers and explorers, united in the belief that lifelong learning is a vital part of overall wellbeing. We believe in living life to the fullest at every age — by experiencing the world, and not just looking at it. By meeting new people, touching history where it happened and delving deep into the cultures and landscapes we explore.

Alongside renowned experts, participants experience in-depth and behind-the-scenes learning opportunities by land and by sea on travel adventures designed for boomers and beyond.

By 2010, more than 4 million adults had taken Elderhostel programs, and the organization re-branded with a new name: Road Scholar.

Biking Exploration on St. Simons and Jekyll Islands

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Tour Operator:  Road Scholar

  6   days   (Bike: 4 days)

  60   mi   (~ 15 mi  per day)

  Cycle paths/trails , Mostly flat

Prices from

  Tour Operator   Road Scholar

Enjoy authentic traditions of Southern culture and cuisine

Bike St. Simons and Jekyll Islands with experts, exploring a historic lighthouse, learning about coastal ecosystems and enjoying authentic traditions of Southern culture and cuisine.

Set amid coastal marshlands of swaying cordgrass and studded with lighthouses, former plantations and Gilded Age mansions, the Golden Isles of Georgia mark not only the meeting of the coast and the Atlantic, but also of the native peoples, Spanish missionaries, African slaves and wealthy vacationers who have all played parts in coastal Georgia’s history. From the Tiffany window in Faith Chapel to the historic Jekyll Island Club to the lush maritime forest, take in St. Simons and Jekyll islands by bike.

• See a 200-year-old working lighthouse, lovely Christ Church, Fort Frederica and slave cabins by bike.
• Bike to the marshes and learn about Georgia's expansive estuarine and coastal ecosystems.
• Explore more than 20 miles of winding bike trails on Jekyll Island, former playground of the Rockefellers and Morgans.

Bicycling 13-20 miles per day at 9 miles per hour, moderate pace, concrete bike paths, flat terrain. One-speed, land cruiser bikes provided, foot brakes.

The Black Hills & Mickelson Trail

  100   mi   (~ 25 mi  per day)

  Some hills , Off-road

Cycle along an abandoned railroad line through the beautiful Black Hills, as you conquer the 109 miles of the Mickelson Trail.

Former South Dakota Governor George S. Mickelson envisioned a bike trail that would follow an abandoned railroad line through the beautiful Black Hills. Though the governor died before it was completed, his legacy lives on along the Mickelson Trail, completed in 1998. Traverse the entire 109 miles of the trail, from Edgemont to Deadwood, cutting through rugged mountain terrain, towering evergreen forests and grassy prairies. Cycle along the trail’s easy grades and crushed limestone surface through three plant ecosystems. Your cycling instructors double as local historians and naturalists, as they share with you stories of the Black Hills Gold Rush and the ghost towns that line the trail and point out geologic structures, flora and fauna.

Learn about geology and human history along the way.

• Conquer the entire Mickelson Trail on a cycling journey through the stunning Black Hills, learning about local native and settler history along the way.
• Ride to the world’s largest sculpture, the Crazy Horse Memorial, and visit Mount Rushmore National Memorial.
• Take a field trip to the Mammoth Site to observe an active paleontological excavation site, boasting the largest concentration of mammoth remains in the world.

Cycling 16-35 miles daily on wide trail of crushed gravel and limestone. Trail grades up to 4% and trail elevation gains/losses up to 1,000 feet while cycling. Elevation range 3,450 to 6,300 feet during program. Walking one mile on uneven terrain, standing for up to two hours and climbing stairs.

Bicycling the Eastern Shore of Virginia

  4   days   (Bike: 3 days)

  54   mi   (~ 18 mi  per day)

  Mostly flat

Pristine landscapes, unique wildlife and historic monuments

The Eastern Shore of Virginia boasts pristine landscapes, unique wildlife and historic monuments. Come discover this and more as you cycle paved trails and national parks with experts.

Explore Virginia’s gorgeous Eastern Shore by bike with a small group of like-minded adventurers for a scenic learning journey with Chincoteague Bay Field Station. Ride the biking trails of Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and Assateague National Seashore, travel around the Eastern Shore Peninsula to protected lands, historic sites, and quaint small towns learning about the cultural and natural history along the way.

• Ride Chincoteague’s well-kept paths and learn about the area’s Saltwater Cowboys and Wild Ponies.
• Visit Ker Place, a 200-year-old home built in the Federal style.
• Visit the Wallops Island Navy and NASA facility to learn about dune ecology at a deserted and pristine beach restricted to the public.

Cycling 11-27 miles daily (up to 6 hours/day) on flat paved or hard gravel terrain with frequent stops. Primarily biking on roads with some bike paths/lanes.

Bike Virginia Creeper Trail

  5   days   (Bike: 3 days)

  48   mi   (~ 16 mi  per day)

Nature in the Blue Ridge Mountains

Bike the Virginia Creeper Trail — a rail trail through forest and over restored trestles. Learn about ecology and historic towns, and attend a performance at Barter Theatre.

Ride the beautiful Blue Ridge highlands of Virginia on expert-led bicycle rides to experience rich history and its variety of nature. Bike through cool forests and over high, wooden railroad bridges on the Virginia Creeper Trail, a scenic retired corridor of the Virginia-Carolina Railroad.

• Bike the entire 35-mile Virginia Creeper Trail, plus enjoy a ride on the scenic Mendota Trail.
• Attend a professional theatre performance at Barter Theatre, the State Theatre of Virginia.
• Enjoy the historic and culturally-rich town of Abingdon, Virginia.

Biking 12-20 miles daily on mostly level terrain. Elevations up to 5,520 feet.

Idaho Panhandle

  7   days   (Bike: 5 days)

  100   mi   (~ 20 mi  per day)

  Cycle paths/trails , Some hills

Spend five days biking the renowned Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes

Spend five days biking the renowned Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes, learning about regional history, diverse wildlife and the fascinating story of the Idaho Panhandle as you go!

Former railroad trestles stretched across fir-filled valleys and train tunnels plunging into rocky mountainsides form the milieu for a cycling adventure in northern Idaho’s panhandle. On the Couer d’Alene, Hiawatha and Centennial Rails to Trails routes — all of them top-notch recreational bike trails — pedal through charming villages and areas of fascinating history, unique geology and diverse ecology with interpretation by local experts.

• Learn about and take in the small-town ambiance of local mining towns Wallace and Kellogg.
• Bike the Hiawatha trail, crown jewel of our nation’s Rails to Trails routes, through nine train tunnels and across seven trestles with views of the towering Bitterroot Mountains.
• Observe moose, deer, eagles, osprey, turtles and plants while biking.

Bike 10–30 miles at a leisurely pace on streets with minimal traffic and elevation gains. Many rides offer varying distance options. Several bike paths above 3,000 feet.

While great care has been taken to show full and correct tour details, unfortunately transcription errors do occur and, although we continually seek to eliminate these, we apologise for any mistakes. Plans or bookings should not be made exclusively based on information shown on this website but must be confirmed with the tour operator.

Road Scholar Announces 3 New Round-the World Tours

Road scholar's newest round-the-world itineraries include sailings and private plane journeys..

Globus Debuts New Independent Touring Option

Road Scholar knows that the pandemic has changed how people travel. “There’s definitely a desire to make up for lost time,” says Chief Program Officer Maeve Hartney. The non-profit educational travel tour company reports an increase in both international programs and longer-stay experiences. Also of note: its “round-the-world” programs that include multiple countries and more iconic sights have sold out faster than ever before.

New Round-the-World Programs from Road Scholar

In response to the pent-up demand, Road Scholar has announced three more round-the-world tours:

• World Academy on Queen Mary 2: Australia, South Africa, and Beyond : On these three-to-five month trips, guests living aboard either Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 or Holland America’s ms Amsterdam as they sail to up to 25 countries on four continents, learning from academic experts along the way. 
• Discover South America, Hawaii, Japan & Beyond : A 131-day journey living onboard the MS Zuiderdam, sailing from South America to the Pacific, Asia, Middle East and Mediterranean Europe. 
• WWII by Private Jet, Boat & Train: A Pilgrimage Around the World : A 24-day program on which guests travel by 767 plane among historic WWII sites. Stops include London, the beaches of Normandy, Paris, Berlin, Auschwitz, Hiroshima, Pearl Harbor, and Washington, D.C.

TourScoop Takeaway

For retired people who had their travel plans dashed by the pandemic, this is an organized, value-driven, and educational way to extend travel without needing to take on excessive planning. The sheer scope of these trips make it more like a Semester at Sea or a highly mobile immersive exchange program. And knowing it comes from a not-for-profit organization means there’s greater comfort that the price reflects the cost of the trip, rather than the profit margin of the company.

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Road Scholar Debuts Special Trips for Retired Teachers

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Your Impact

When you support Road Scholar, you ensure that our mission is carried out in the following key areas:

Creating transformative educational travel experiences for older adults

We develop an extraordinary range of learning adventures — some appeal broadly, some appeal to a smaller audience–to meet the needs of a broad ranger of learners. We offer these experiences not because they are profitable, but because they are meaningful. Your support give us the flexibility to create a broad interdisciplinary curriculum much like a liberal arts college.

See how Road Scholar’s adaptability allowed learners to get back on the road safely after COVID-19 curbed international travel:

Ensuring educational excellence

If we’re lucky, we can all remember at least one from our school days. The teacher who made learning a sport. The teacher who opened a new door on the world. The teacher who introduced us to a passionate interest we never saw coming. That’s how we choose the members of our Road Scholar faculty—for the depth of their knowledge about a destination or subject and for their ability to captivate us while communicating that knowledge. Your generosity helps ensure that we can continue to attract the most engaging leaders in their fields.

See how participants had the opportunity to learn from civil rights historians and heroes in the city where the movement was born in our Conference on Civil Rights: A Road Scholar President’s Program :

Piloting new learning adventures around the globe

With your support, we don’t just offer educational travel experiences. We create opportunities for older adults to learn, feel reinvigorated, meet new friends and expand their horizons. Road Scholar experiences are truly transformative, inspiring adults to take on new challenges and to live life to the fullest — at every age. We’re proud of the difference we make in the lives of so many older adults. But we can’t do this without the support of our friends. No matter how big or how small, every gift helps us enrich the lives of more than 5 million older adults.

See how female-only travel groups allow women to embark on any adventure with the comfort and safety of having a group of like-minded women. Even better, going on women-only tours fosters special bonds with females of all backgrounds through sharing stories and experiences.

Meeting the Evolving Needs of Older Adults

Over the decades, we’ve studied what makes an unforgettable learning experience, and we’ve come to realize that people have widely individual styles of exploration. That’s why with your support we will continue to create new trips with different levels of structure, from detailed itineraries packed with learning experiences to lightly structured schedules with generous free time. Thanks to you, we can give older adults access to the most extraordinary people and places in the world.

See how Road Scholar’s Adventures Online programs offer students greater flexibility by bringing experts and educational experiences to their own homes :

Awarding scholarships and grants

Donors who establish scholarship funds find it to be a deeply meaningful way to pay tribute to someone special while also opening a door to learning for someone who could not otherwise participate in a program. Each year, Road Scholar awards more than 300 of these scholarships, in the form of Impact Grants, to enthusiastic lifelong learners. Supporters like you who endow a Scholarship ensure that others can enjoy the unique Road Scholar experiences they hold so dear.

See how Road Scholar’s Caregiver Grant gave Collette the hope she needed to heal and move forward after her husband passed away :

Become a Road Scholar Insider

Do you want to receive exclusive email updates directly from Road Scholar?

Get direct and instant access to a member of our team, who will share information about your impact, project outcomes and stories from the field.

“At this point in my life, I find joy in supporting things that matter to me, and education is certainly one of them. I give because I want to ensure that Road Scholar is here for many generations to come.”

— Sarah H. from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania —

Complimentary Gift Planning Resources Are Just a Click Away!

How is this information used?

At Road Scholar | PO Box 56033, Boston, MA 02205-6033, we are so appreciative of the support we receive from donors, volunteers, advocates, partners, and others like you. That is why we are committed to protecting your privacy and take steps to keep any personal information you provide confidential.

You were invited to take this survey because we value your trust and confidence and sincerely would like to understand your preferences, interests, and wishes so we can be more sensitive to them.

By answering these survey questions, you will help us:

• Reduce the amount of communications we send you;
• Lessen our environmental impact together;
• Improve the relevance of the information we send you.

As a whole, your answers will help us become better stewards of donation dollars as a result of time savings and reduction of printing, mailing, and postage costs.

Going forward, we will make our best attempts to use the information you provide in this survey to adjust the content of the communications we send you and the frequency with which you receive them.

Please remember, you can always review our complete privacy policy and you may opt-out of receiving communications from us at any time.

Thank you so much for your time, interest, and commitment to Road Scholar | PO Box 56033, Boston, MA 02205-6033.

You can read more about our privacy policy here.

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Road Scholar   Reviews

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Difficult to work with, will not use again

Have used Road Scholar before and quickly learned not to have them arrange for flights. They have a small allocation of flights and seats to offer you. If you plan your own travel on the same flight there are many seats to choose from, like business class (which they told me was not available). They will pick seats from their small allowance which will not be in alignment to you program times. Too many stops, too late of flight (after program ends), etc. The whole trip is a gamble because the insurance, touted as "Cancel For Any Reason", is a false advertisement. You CANNOT cancel for any reason and expect a full refund. We cannot take the yellow fever vaccination because we are on an immune repressive medication. You don't learn this until you put your money down. Now I know why they don't ever answer the phone, they are too busy responding to all the negative reviews. Not for profit, means their employees and facilities take all the money they don't refund. Shameful. Never again!

Date of experience : March 15, 2024

Reply from Road Scholar

Dear Marcos, I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar. Many factors influence the flight itineraries our travel team is able to book. Working within the airline availability and the terms of our negotiated pricing, we endeavor to provide the most direct, cost effective flights available that work within your program parameters. We generally begin booking air approximately six months before departure. If you are not agreeable to the flight itinerary we will try our best to work with you and find an alternative or arranging your own airfare is an option on most programs too. We try to be as forth coming as possible by providing any necessary information on our website for all programs, such as health requirements, to help participants select the best adventure that suits their interests and needs. The health requirement details are provided for all international programs and can be found by clicking into the “Travel Information” tab on our site. In this case, it is noted that if you are not able to get the yellow fever vaccination, due to medical reasons, a waiver from one’s doctor would be acceptable. Since you purchased the optional trip protection plan you can file a claim with Aon Affinity to seek reimbursement for your cancellation fees. If it is deemed a covered reason you will receive cash reimbursement. If it is not a covered reason you will receive a cancel for any reason credit that can be used towards a future Road Scholar program. An explanation for the cancel for any reason benefit can be found on our website and within the optional trip protection plan materials that are sent after purchase. Should you have any questions about the claim process or would like to discuss this further please feel free to contact us at 1-877-426-8056. Sincerely, Road Scholar

Roads Scholar charges more than anyone, non-profit? I don't think so.

I have taken 12 safaris in many African countries over the years. I wanted to do Roads Scholars Botswana trip but the single cost without airfare is over $12,000. This pretty much does single for profit not matter what they say. Last year's safari to 4 countries included international and in country air fare and everything else. I'll go with another company.

Date of experience : February 26, 2024

Dear Pat, I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar. We are sorry to hear you will not be taking advantage of a Road Scholar adventure. We are not profiting off of solo travelers. We are a not-for-profit organization. We do not charge anything more than what is charged to us by the hotels. The cost of the single supplement covers only the cost of accommodations. In a double occupancy, the cost of the room is split between two people; in a single, the room cost is the same but only one person is paying. You will also find that on average, you save 20% per night compared with comparable trips offered by commercial tour companies. That’s because every Road Scholar learning adventure includes most meals and all lodging, tips and taxes, behind-the-scenes experiences, expert lectures, group expeditions, and listening device, as well as, 24/7 emergency assistance. Sincerely, Road Scholar

Better to watch the travel channel.

When you call the number, you get ads for services. Have you tried calling your own number? There are certainly up sell ads. Especially one for an alert alarm. Frustrating to get through. No people. And no refunds if you have to cancel. You would be better off staying home, looking at You Tube and visiting your local restaurants. Maybe non profit, but someone is making money.

Date of experience : December 17, 2023

Dear Daniel, I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar. It sounds like there may have been a misdial, as we do not offer any ads while calling our Contact Center. We are open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 6:30 pm ET with advisors ready to assist you. If you are unable to wait on the line we have an option to request a callback as soon as someone is available. Our cancellation and transfer fees are not meant to be punitive. They cover the commitments we have made on your behalf with our providers. We try to be as transparent as possible and explain our cancellation and transfer policy on every enrollment call, describe it on our website and include it in our program materials. We highly encourage participants to purchase the optional trip protection plan to help protect their investment, so if they do need to cancel they can file a claim to receive cash reimbursement, for a covered reason, or depending on when the plan was purchased, a credit towards a future program, for a non-covered reason. We see that you were successful in reaching us and someone will be following up with you soon. Sincerely, Road Scholar

Roadscholar travel department nightmare…

In dealing with Roadscholar travel department, it has been a nightmare. Hours on hold, and twice the dates were wrong. They had us arriving two days early, when we clearly stated we wanted only one day early. Itineraries were not given to us until just before the final payment was due, and so there was much tension until we could get it straightened out. Hours on hold with the travel department was nerve racking as their times are limited in that department. Next time we will do our own travel plans, if we use them again.

Date of experience : August 29, 2023

Dear Cherilyn, I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar. We appreciate that it can be frustrating to wait on hold and offer a callback option to help. We call on every callback request the same day it was received. We are also continuing to hire and train our staff to improve our level of service and help reduce wait times. We do apologize for any confusion regarding your departure days and see that we were able to get this straightened out for you. Sincerely, Road Scholar

no response to refund question

We enjoyed out trip to Portugal, but air travel was a nightmare! Road Scholar arranged flights. Of the planned flights, one was cancelled and two were downgraded from business class to economy class. I asked Road Scholar for help in getting a refund and have not received any response, despite multiple emails over multiple weeks. I realize Road Scholar is not responsible for airline schedules. But, I do believe they have a responsibility to respond to customer queries.

Date of experience : May 06, 2023

Dear Mike, I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar. We are happy to hear you enjoyed your recent Portugal adventure. We understand how frustrating flight disruptions can be and apologize for the time it has taken to respond to your inquires. We are actively working on this and will be reaching out to you directly to discuss this in more detail. Sincerely, Road Scholar

Deposit is not refunded or transferred. Be careful

I booked a trip with road scholar and had to put a $500 deposit down. I thought I was told that if I had to cancel, that deposit could be used for another future trip as as I canceled within a certain timeframe .I need knee replacement surgery and I had to cancel the trip .turns out that the $500 was nonrefundable. I’ve never worked with the company that did not allow you to either refund or transfer the deposit as long as you met their cancellation guidelines be careful

Date of experience : January 10, 2023

Dear Mary, I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar. We are sorry you needed to cancel your program. As a not-for-profit organization, our cancellation and transfer fees are not meant to be punitive. They cover the commitments we have made on your behalf with our providers and the administrative costs associated with your enrollment. Transferring at no cost is a possibility for some programs, but not all, depending on the adventure and the time of the requested transfer. Our transfer and cancel policy is reviewed during enrollment before the deposit is requested, and is included in the enrollment confirmation notice/email. We also offer an optional trip protection plan for one to purchase to help protect themselves if they find they have to cancel. We wish you the best with your surgery. Warmly, Road Scholar

Stay away from this company

Stay away from this company. We had booked a trip with Road Scholar but after reviewing the trip with my Doctor, the Doctor said it would be much too strenuous with our physical limitations. We informed the company more than 3 months prior to the start of the trip but they refused to return our refund.

Date of experience : July 14, 2022

My mother in law purchased a trip with insurance. She cancelled the trip 8 months before because of medical issues and has since passed away. We called road scholars to see if we could go on her trip , get a credit or receive the money back from the scheduled trip that she had insurance on. Road Scholars was totally useless. The trip could not be transferred and we received no money back! Do not get insurance on a trip that you are using vouchers for… total waste of money! We weren’t even able to use her several thousand dollars that she had in credits. Shame on them for lack of customer service.

Date of experience : July 27, 2022

Don't book if you might get sick!!! No pity

I booked a trip for self and partner, and as we are older, I booked the insurance offered. We were not able to take the trip, as my partner found that his neuropathy deteriorated to the point that he could not keep up with the activity level that Road Scholar required. Unfortunately, Road Scholar was only willing to refund half the fees, and the rest was only available as a credit to future trips. Since we cannot take a future trip I asked to be able to transfer the fees to someone else. They refused. The insurance company, AON, for reasons best known to them refused any compensation. Shame on both companies. BYW, they also do not have any links on their site to this trip or the previous one we took, so I cannot leave a review there.

Date of experience : June 19, 2022

I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar. We are sorry to hear you were unable to attend your adventure. As a not-for-profit organization, our cancellation and transfer fees are not meant to be punitive. They cover the commitments we have made on your behalf with our providers and the administrative costs associated with your enrollment. There are costs associated with every enrollment, no matter how early someone enrolls. These include administrative costs and reservations we have begun making in your name for the different components of your program. Because of these costs, our fees apply from the moment you enroll in the program, and are charged regardless of the reason for cancellation. Having had the optional trip protection plan you were able to file a claim and received a credit towards a future program. Unfortunately, this credit is not transferable to someone else, but we do have options. If you are not able to travel in person at this time we do have some wonderful online adventures. Please feel free to contact us at 877-426-8056 for further details. Sincerely, Road Scholar

Road Scholar flight bookings

I booked a trip and arranged my air travel through Road Scholar. I just discovered that Road Scholar travel never paid for my flight although I paid in full already. I am in danger of having my flight reservation canceled. Trying to speak to anyone at Road Scholar is a nightmare. Their travel agency is only open 3 days a week and you have to go through Road Scholar to get through to them on those other days. I have been on hold for 1 hour. I will never use them again.

Date of experience : September 05, 2023

Dear Kathleen, I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar. The day after a holiday can be very busy for our Contact Center, which can contribute to increased wait times. To try and help, we do provide a callback option so you don’t have to hang on the line. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused and see that we were able to connect with you to help get your airfare finalized. We hope that you enjoy your upcoming adventure. Sincerely, Road Scholar

Excellent experience

We are very experienced travelers, and this was our first time with Road Scholar. We recently completed a trip to Israel, Jordan and Egypt in March 2023 and it was wonderful. The hotels were first class and much better than I anticipated. The guides were excellent in each country. The group was 23 people. The buses they used were all exceptionally clean, very spacious comfortable and safe. A couple of days prior to the end of the trip many of us learned that our flights home had been cancelled by the airlines, due to a labor strike in Germany on Lufthansa. Road Scholar immediately rebooked everyone who had arranged their flights through RS. We are looking forward to our next trip on RS.

Date of experience : March 27, 2023

Spent over $1100 on deposit and trip…

Spent over $1100 on deposit and trip insurance. We had to cancel because the trip was too strenuous for us. We got nothing back. Probably our fault for not doing due diligence but beware.

Date of experience : December 08, 2022

Dear Kevin, I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar. We are sorry your selected adventure was not a good fit. Our cancellation and transfer fees are not meant to be punitive. They cover the commitments we have made on your behalf with our providers and the administrative costs associated with your enrollment. Transferring at no cost is a possibility for some programs, but not all, depending on the adventure and the time of the requested transfer. Our transfer and cancel policy is reviewed during enrollment before the deposit is requested, and is included in the enrollment confirmation notice/email. Since you purchased the optional trip protection plan you can file a claim to seek reimbursement for your cancellation fees. Depending on when you purchased the optional trip protection plan you may be eligible for the cancel for any reason benefit, which provides a credit towards a future program if your claim is not approved for cash reimbursement by Aon Affinity. Please feel free to contact us with any questions at 877-426-8056. Sincerely, Road Scholar

Road Scholar is GREAT for seniors!

I went to France for 6 weeks with Road Scholar and everything about this trip was perfect! Lovely, caring tour leaders, incredible support, and so many amazing educational adventures! Of course, this was PARIS, so beauty was everywhere, but be aware that Paris is a big city, with all the problems and quirks of urban life. Nevertheless, the HISTORY and ART of Paris are mind-bending-ly wonderful. I plan to travel again in 3 months with Road Scholar. My only warning is that if you are over 70 and have mobility issues, some trips are not for you. Road Scholar rates every trip for mobility so PAY ATTENTION if you can't walk far, or need a walker!!

Date of experience : November 30, 2021

Great if you don't have a problem...

Road Scholar offers great trips and guides -- if you don't get sick or have another problem. Our previous RS trip in 2019 was fabulous. Not so our recent experience. Both my partner and I contracted Covid (5 days apart) on our recent trip to the Galapagos and Machu Picchu. My partner was feverish/ill and was told there was no way to see a doctor or get medication as we were on a catamaran in the Pacific. However, we needed to have confirmation by a physician to validate our claim with the insurance company. He was given a handout about RS Covid policy, but neither of us were directly told a couple facts to be sure our claim wouldn't be denied (which it was). Could we have been more diligent in reviewing the document? Perhaps, but when you are ill, have no access to medical care and are trying to navigate a new situation, additional support would have made all the difference (rather than saying"did you get the handout?"). We both flew home within a day of each other, at an additional cost to our existing tickets. My partner missed all but a few days of a 17 day trip and I missed over a week. After a month of dealing with both Road Scholar and the insurance company (Aon), we received a small credit from Road Scholar towards a future trip. We had an upcoming trip scheduled with them this fall, which my partner has already canceled. We are exploring our options for a more equitable reimbursement through our state's Consumer Affairs Department, among others. While I appreciate empathy from Road Scholar staff, I don't need their emotional support. This was a costly trip and their offer of a small credit in no way comes close to compensating us for what was lost in money, time and emotional distress. No responsibility was taken for their Covid policy, which forced us to isolate and drop out of the trip. Because I had to isolate while traveling to the next destination (before returning home), I was required to take cabs at my own expense to and from the airport, which I would have had to do at least twice more as we traveled to other locations on the itinerary (while following their quarantine policy). The lack of guidance and clarity provided at the time we tested positive was undoubtedly "company policy," but was the antithesis of customer service. I will probably take one more Road Scholar trip, as I don't want to forego the credit. Unfortunately, I will be doing it without my partner...

Date of experience : December 13, 2023

Dear Debra, I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar. We are sorry to hear your recent experience with us did not meet your expectations. We see that our office was in communication with you on several occasions to try and help address your questions about your insurance claim with Aon. We understand how upsetting it can be when an unexpected illness arises during your travels, especially when we visit remote locations with limited access to medical facilities. And of course we understand your frustration with the insurance company denying your claim, which is why we provided you and your partner with a goodwill voucher to acknowledge the unfortunate circumstances. We do hope that you’ll consider putting this to use toward a future enrollment that will yield a more positive experience. Sincerely, Road Scholar

Road Scholar is 100 tops in every way

Road Scholar is 100 tops in every way! My PRAGUE experience was so gr8, I immediately booked another trip and eyeing another 4 next year! Their offer & promises surpassed all expectations! It was an overall fantastic trip! My first booking had 2 B canceled due 2 lack of enrollment. The organization did exactly what was promised: Keeping in touch in a timely manner & prompt refund! Margrit

Date of experience : May 10, 2018

The key word above is “recent”

The key word above is “recent”. I have been on 4 RS trips and enjoyed each one. I would rate then 4.8 to 5 stars! My most recent experience with RS is less than 1 star, however. Reason: Covid vaccine mandate. 🤯

Date of experience : February 10, 2023

Dear Sandy, I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar. The health and welfare of our participants and staff are the most important considerations. We do have a team dedicated to safety around our adventures, who also consult medical professionals to ensure we are up to date on all information. Creating this policy was not an easy decision for us and we hate to disappoint anyone who wants to join a Road Scholar learning adventure. We do hope to relax this requirement at some point, but we do not know when that will be at this time. If there are any changes to this requirement we will be sure to inform all of our participants and update our materials accordingly. If you are interested, you can stay up to date on all requirements by going to our website to Travel Updates and COVID Information. We hope to see you on a Road Scholar adventure in the future. Sincerely, Road Scholar

We were scheduled for a hiking trip in…

We were scheduled for a hiking trip in August which was cancelled less than two months before the start of the trip citing they did not have the staff. Now I am out flights, shuttle fees and extra nights I booked for hotels. BEWARE

Date of experience : July 01, 2022

Road Scholar.org -Lots of travel options

Shopping and scheduling my May 2017 trip was easy, however there are so many options I had to choose my top 3 then go with only one. The trip was as advertised, well planned, good quality guide, lodging and food. We had some free time daily, at least one hour. The trip are rated by activity level, phone staff know the answers to questions and they have a repeat travelers.

Date of experience : May 29, 2017

Our trip to Egypt

Our trip to Egypt was cut short by a week because of the Covid-19 situation. I had purchased trip insurance through Road Scholar for that trip. Obviously, it had to be cut short, but Road Scholar assured us that we would be reimbursed for the part of the trip we missed. That did not happen. They have sent me many requests for donations, and nothing about reimbursement. After almost 2 months are requesting some remuneration, they finally offered a small credit toward another trip....but it had to be by June 5th. Um...we are still in the middle of a pandemic, so that's not going to happen. They have not offered one penny of my money back even though I bought my insurance from them. Yes, they're an educational travel group...and boy! did I get an education.

Date of experience : May 20, 2020

There is a nonrefundable deposit

Please know that Road Scholar will always keep a nonrefundable $100 deposit. I cannot find that buried in all the paper and fine print but they state it is there??? I paid for trip cancellation 170, it was under 10 days, and they agreed it was a valid health reason. I was verbally told all would be refunded. I guess that person made a mistake. That is not true. Cannot trust this company...if for UN coveted reason they will put that money on a future trip. But if you don't pay for another trip, they will always keep at least 100.. they will keep more rhe closer to your date. That is very clearly spelled out. Do not try to get them to answer phone. They will not Do not believe "they will hold your place and call you back" They will not Do not believe they will promptly answer emails. They will not I can imagine what adisaster it woukd be if I needed to contact while traveling

Date of experience : August 25, 2023

Dear Jane, I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar. We are sorry you had to cancel your program and for any frustration not being able to reach us may have caused. We do call on every callback request the same day it was received, as well as, try and respond to any emails in a timely fashion. We try to be as transparent as possible with our transfer and cancel policy. This is posted on our website, reviewed during enrollment before the deposit is requested, and is included in the enrollment confirmation notice/email. Our cancellation and transfer fees are not meant to be punitive. They cover the commitments we have made on your behalf with our providers and the administrative costs associated with your enrollment. Transferring at no cost is a possibility for some programs, but not all, depending on the adventure and the time of the requested transfer. Since you purchased the optional trip protection plan you can file a claim to seek reimbursement for your cancellation fees. Depending on when you purchased the optional trip protection plan you may be eligible for the cancel for any reason benefit, which provides a credit towards a future program if your claim is not approved for cash reimbursement by Aon Affinity. Please feel free to contact us with any questions at 1-877-426-8056. Sincerely, Road Scholar

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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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The Land of Israel: Past, Present and Future : A Journey of Discovery

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• Join thousands of Israelis at the Western Wall to welcome the Jewish Sabbath
• Journey to the lowest point on earth, the Dead Sea, and float in its buoyant and therapeutic waters
• Stay on a Kibbutz and talk with residents about their life in a collective community

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Travel themes.

• National Parks
• Nature & Wildlife

Destinations

Attractions.

• Ruins & Archaeology

Trip includes

• 13 nights of accommodations
• 33 meals (12B, 9L, 12D)
• 13 expert-led lectures
• 23 expert-led field trips
• 1 hands-on experience
• 1 performance
• An experienced Group Leader
• Customary gratuities throughout the program
• Road Scholar Assurance Plan

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Afternoon: Welcome to Israel. We’ll transfer from the airport to our hotel in Jerusalem via private motorcoach.

Dinner: In the hotel dining room, we’ll enjoy a buffet welcome dinner with coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Activity note: Walking about 1 mile throughout the day along cobblestone streets; many unavoidable stairs in the City of David.

Activity note: Walking about 1 mile throughout the day. Driving approx. 3 miles; up to 1 hour depending on traffic.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Activity note: Walking about ½ mile throughout the day; mostly indoors. Driving approx. 5 miles; about 1 hour. Modest dress required at Western Wall Sabbath service.

Activity note: Minimal walking for group activities; distance dependent on personal preference.

Activity note: Minimal walking for group activities. Driving approx. 70 miles; about 2 hours.

Activity note: Walking about ½ mile throughout the day; sometimes on dirt paths. Driving approx. 135 miles; about 3 hours.

Activity note: Walking about ½ miles throughout the day on group activities. Driving approx. 60 miles; about 2 hours.

Activity note: Walking about ½ mile throughout the day; cobblestone streets and some unavoidable stairs in Zefat. Driving approx. 90 miles; about 3 hours.

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Activity note: Walking about ½ mile throughout the day. Driving approx. 3 miles; about ½ hour.

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The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

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Road Scholar Reviews & Ratings

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Travel Section Incompetent, Unhelpful, and Won't correct error

I booked a tour to Italy for May 2024. I cancelled in Oct. for a lot of reasons. Before I enrolled, I asked if Road Scholar would book the flights so that on the las...

Jane Johnson

There is a nonrefundable deposit

Please know that Road Scholar will always keep a nonrefundable $100 deposit. I cannot find that buried in all the paper and fine print but they state it is there???...

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Tour operator, road scholar.

Road Scholar, the not-for-profit leader in educational travel since 1975, offers 5,500 educational tours in all 50 states and 150 countries. Alongside local and renowned experts, experience in-depth and behind-the-scenes learning opportunities, from cultural tours and study cruises to walking, biking and more.

Programs For Whatever You Love to Do:

Much more than a tour, a Road Scholar program is a true learning adventure. Whether you join us in Seattle or Santiago, Beijing or Berlin, Road Scholar programs all share four unique attributes:

--Exceptional opportunities for learning and exploration through special behind-the-scenes access to the world's most fascinating treasures, led by our passionate and knowledgeable instructors.

--The shared fellowship of learning and warm camaraderie, whether a solo traveler or with a companion.

--Comfortable accommodations and appetizing meals.

--Excellent value.

Explore Your Mind and the World:

There are no grades or tests on Road Scholar programs. All that's needed is an inquiring mind, an adventurous spirit, and the belief that learning and discovery are lifelong pursuits.

Established in 1975, Road Scholar offers participants once-in-a-lifetime experiences delivered by local and world-renowned experts. Experience in-depth and behind-the-scenes learning opportunities, from cultural excursions and study cruises to walking, biking and more.

Our Most Popular Tours:

Adventures Afloat Cruises: On these educational cruises, you’ll traverse some of the world's most spectacular waterways, offering you a convenient and rewarding way to learn and explore aboard ocean liners, riverboats and small ships.

Independent City Discoveries: Combine structured learning with independent discovery — each program includes hotel accommodations and some meals, lectures, expert-led field trips and detailed outlines for four self-guided excursions.

Grandparent Travel: Discover and explore together with your grandchild through interactive learning experiences and field trips. Both you and your grandchild will share the joy of learning with other grandparents and their grandchildren, bridging generations and opening doors to discovery and friendship.

National Parks: From Denali to the Everglades and countless beautiful, historic places in between, field trips to America’s National Parks reveal what tourists can’t see on their own, with specialized experts showing you how to track wildlife or lead you to the spot with the most awe-inspiring view.

Outdoor Adventures: From hiking in the Grand Canyon to exploring France by barge and bicycle, to sharpening your golf or tennis skills, these active programs exercise the body and the mind.

Service Learning: From tutoring school children or helping restore a crucial forest habitat for wildlife, to assisting with artifact restoration and museum curatorial work, Service Learning adventures are an opportunity to make a difference in the world.

Small Groups: Love to learn in a small-group setting? Check out this collection of programs that have 10-24 participants.

Why Road Scholar?

You Can't Beat Road Scholar's Remarkable Value : Our all-inclusive prices have no hidden costs. Compare the price of one of our programs to what it would cost to duplicate the experience on your own (if that's even possible) and you'll see what we mean by "remarkable value."

Lifelong Learning and Lifelong Friends : When you participate in a Road Scholar program, you will not only expand your mind, you will be in the company of other people who believe that learning is one of the best parts of life.

Instructors Who Inspire: Road Scholar instructors are both experts in their field and lifelong learners themselves who are excited to answer your questions, hear your opinions and share in your experience.

Solo Participants Love Our Programs : Road Scholar programs are renowned for being inclusive, warm and welcoming for solo participants. We can either match you with a roommate or, on most programs, you can choose to room on your own.

Think Outside the Tour : The educational focus of Road Scholar programs makes us completely different from a commercial travel tour. Road Scholar programs offer educational experiences that answer the what's, the why's and the how-to's.

You Go Where Others Can't : We've been offering educational experiences since 1975 and we've made connections with educators and other local "insiders" all around the world, creating learning opportunities that show you the world in a way that just can't be done on your own or on a "tour."

We've Covered All the Bases : From expert-led lectures and field trips to comfortable lodgings and meals, we handle all the details, including the ones you might not anticipate. We've taken the worry out of the planning, so you can focus on your learning experience.

Peace of Mind Through the Road Scholar Travel Assistance Plan : The Road Scholar Travel Assistance Plan, which is purchased on behalf of every participant, provides 24-hour emergency assistance in the unlikely case of a medical emergency.

Scholarships for Those in Financial Need : Each year, Road Scholar awards $250,000 in scholarships toward programs in North America for those who do not have the financial means to participate.

Our Donors : Each year, thousands of donors contribute to our Annual Fund, helping to cover the gap between the tuition we charge and the actual cost of our programs.

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