Road Scholar travelers appreciate learning from local experts, connecting with fellow adventurers, and exploring at a relaxed pace. Photo courtesy of Road Scholar

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Several years ago, after being robbed on a crowded subway traveling from the Barcelona airport to my hotel and left with no credit cards and only $300 in cash, I decided that as a white-haired senior, I should probably stop traveling alone.

For my next adventure, I signed up with Road Scholar and was met at the airport by a guide who escorted our group to a hotel and led us around western Iceland for nine days. Catering to those of us 40 and up, the travel organization planned the itinerary, transportation, meals and speakers, including experts who gave talks on everything from history to geothermal power generation.

Road Scholar is the brainchild of two New Hampshire gents who enjoyed Europe’s hostels in their youth. In 1975, 53-year-old Marty Knowlton and his 36-yearold friend David Bianco launched a program for older travelers who could take summer classes while staying in empty dormitories. Thus, they created Elderhostel.

Fast forward 50 years, and Elderhostel has evolved into the nonprofit organization Road Scholar. Each year 100,000 participants sign up for its educational travel programs in every U.S. state, 100 countries and aboard ships.

Dorm rooms are history; today’s Road Scholars stay in conventional, mid-priced lodging. Yet the company’s recipe for success is the same.

“Road Scholar learning adventures deepen connections among people, cultures, history, environments and the arts. Road Scholar is a tonic for health and wellbeing as we grow older,” said James Moses, Road Scholar’s president and chief executive officer.

Never too old to learn

Most people choose Road Scholar to learn something new. The guides, called group leaders, are all locals with experience in the region and culture, and guest lecturers are often retired academics.

“We chose Road Scholar for the education and the fascinating group of fellow travelers,” said Donna Lockner from Greenbelt, Maryland.

One of the guides, who co-led my trip through the Panama Canal and its environs, said, “We give customers education about the country and international affairs. We cater to the academically inclined. That’s the Road Scholar philosophy. Even the local food helps customers understand the culture.”

For others who sign up for a trip, the travel companions are a plus. Many travelers enjoy learning from each other.

“It’s the combination of lectures and music and being with other people that is very educational,” Joan Rubin of Silver Spring, Maryland, noted. “The people are very interesting. We have wonderful discussions.”

And you don’t have to bring a spouse, partner or friend along. Road Scholar offers “Go Solo” trips, which are group trips exclusively for people traveling alone.

Solo travelers on most other group trips pay a little more for a single room, but Road Scholar can match a single person with a roommate on request. These tours are not intended nor marketed as potential romantic adventures.

A slower pace

On a Road Scholar trip, the pace is unhurried, and guides are patient with slow walkers. Pre-trip materials describe each day’s physical activity level and indicate places without elevators. Listening devices are available.

“They are very caring,” said Pennsylvanian Gene Samit, noting that when another company lost his luggage, “they didn’t care, but Road Scholar does.”

Most people make their own travel arrangements online on the Road Scholar website. The one feature of their sign-up system that gets resounding kudos is the ability to reach and talk to a real person — not an anonymous machine — about almost any travel detail.

Road Scholar will make some flight reservations for international programs. They have pre-negotiated fares with several airlines.

Hotel prices are mid-range. Food is usually locally sourced, but meals are not necessarily gourmet.

“It’s not luxury. Don’t expect Chateaubriand,” said Craig Henry, who went through the Panama Canal with Road Scholar last spring. But, he said, “I didn’t come for that.”

Trip costs

Prices range from $850 up to $90,000 for private jet trips. According to Road Scholar’s website, its trips are at least 20% cheaper than comparable tours by commercial companies. The organization’s nonprofit status makes prices lower than many other companies.

“It’s a good value for your dollar,” said Samit, a photographer.

The trip payment covers most meals and all lodging, tips, taxes, lectures, group expeditions and listening devices.

Every program has medical emergency coverage, including medical evacuation, and travelers can also purchase trip insurance with cancel-for-any-reason coverage.

A few downsides

The average age of Road Scholar travelers is 72, so many trips skew to the older crowd. Although at least one person on the reservation must be over 40, it offers family programs for parents, grandparents and children.

Some travelers would prefer more nightlife, but the company’s emphasis is on education.

“Drinking and clubbing is not what it’s about,” according to Kelsey Perri, Road Scholar’s director of public relations.

That’s just fine for Paul (last name withheld for privacy), a retired Pennsylvania veterinarian who has taken 29 trips with the organization and is planning three more in 2026.

“My fellow travelers are not phone-obsessed,” he said. “I don’t smoke or drink, so it’s my kind of crowd.”

Of course, traveling with a large group can mean long lines for hotel check-ins and meals. Group sizes vary, and pre-trip descriptions indicate whether the group is small, (maximum of 24); medium (25 to 40); or large (over 40 people). If the group is large, though, leaders will break it down into smaller units.

Participants usually have to carry their own luggage, so only pack what you can carry yourself. Bring only what you need — and a spirit of adventure.

“To travel with Road Scholar,” Arlingtonian Patricia McCarthy said, “all you need is an open mind.”

For a list of trips, see RoadScholar.org.