RoadScholar.org

Learning plus travel, genuine joy

Our guide’s passion was contagious. Lectures were meaty without being dull, and the group dynamic was warm. I came home energized, not just entertained.

Learning beats tourist traps

Lectures were the real souvenir. No fluff, just great stories and context. I’m hooked on this format now.

Felt engaged throughout

Good pacing, thoughtful lectures, and logistics handled. I left inspired and relaxed, not rushed.

Easy search, rich detail

Filtered by topic and activity level, read the day-by-day schedule, and enrolled. The prep materials answered my questions fast.

Patient, helpful staff

They answered accessibility questions clearly, suggested a suitable program, and followed up with packing tips. Kind and thorough.

Structured and inspiring

Clear expectations made me feel prepared. I left satisfied, with notes full of fresh ideas instead of just photos.

Learning while traveling

Booking was easy and the itinerary details were specific. Lectures were engaging, and logistics ran smoothly. Activity level matched the listing. What stood out was the instructor’s depth and the small group dynamic that made discussions lively.

A moment of insight

Standing in a museum after a talk, I connected a story to my own travels. It felt personal, not tour-y. I loved that.

The historian on the trail

We paused at a stone wall and the guide connected it to a century-old story. Goosebumps. I just stared at the landscape differently after that.

Search by topic actually works

Registration was smooth, and filters for destination plus activity level nailed my match. The itinerary layout is easy to digest, so minimal learning curve before booking.

We needed to change our Road Scholar trip

We needed to change our Road Scholar trip and were informed the $500 fee could be applied to another trip by Aug 15. Since we were out of the country, I only managed to call on Aug 13. I was then told I missed the transfer date by 2 days and lost the $500. I requested a review of our previous call, and two days later received an update from Road Scholar that allowed us to use the $500 for a new trip. I appreciate Road Scholar and Trust Pilot for making this possible!

Road Scholar requires a nonrefundable

Road Scholar requires a nonrefundable $100 deposit. It's hard to find in all the paperwork, but they say it's there??? I paid $170 for trip cancellation, it was less than 10 days, and they agreed it was a valid health reason. I was told everything would be refunded. I think that person made a mistake. That's not true. Can't 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. Don't try to get them to answer phone. They will not Don't believe "they will hold your place and call you back" They will not Don't believe they will answer emails promptly. They will not I can imagine what a disaster it would be if I needed to contact while traveling

When you ring the number, you're hit with ads.

When you ring the number, you're hit with ads. Have ya tried calling your own number? There're definitely upsell ads. Especially one for an alert alarm. Frustrating to get through. No folks. And no refunds if ya gotta cancel. You'd be better off stayin' home, checkin' out YouTube, and hittin' up your local eateries. Maybe non-profit, but someone's makin' money.

The company really needs to improve their

The company really needs to improve their customer service. Waiting on hold for over an hour is unacceptable. They only seem to respond quickly when you're booking, but afterwards, it feels like they ignore you.

Group travel with Road Scholar has

Group travel with Road Scholar has been almost perfect in every way. I've done five trips and was very happy with the hotels, food, and how long we stayed in each place. Road Scholar is the only group travel company I know that takes you to interesting places and pays for tickets. Most companies just let you go by yourself.

Road Scholar's trip to France was wonderful!

Road Scholar's trip to France was wonderful! They had caring leaders and great support. Paris was beautiful, but it's a big city with typical urban issues. However, the history and art were amazing! Some trips might not be suitable for those over 70 with mobility issues, so check the ratings carefully.

I went Ireland (Ireland At a Slower Pace).

I went Ireland (Ireland At a Slower Pace). The program, itself was good, but flights were terribul. Road Scholor aranged the flights and has a deal/contract with United Airlines. Flying with United was bad. On 6/1, we sat on tarmac at Minneapolis-St Paul for an hour because United flight didn't have a flight crew & because of bad weather in Chicago that delayed our flight. It was hot in plane, yet we were never offered a drink of water. For every connection both going to Ireland and returning to US (on 6/11), United was late/delayed, used old planes that had no storage for carry on, and flight attendants were less than accomodating. Every participant in this program on these dates who had Road Scholor arrange their flights flew on United and had similar problems. Road Scholor, please start using a different airline and NOT United. They have bad reputation even in US. So, why put your program participants through hassles by using them for flights you arrange for participants? It's so convenient for you to arrange the flights, but is negated by using a horrible airline like United. Please contract with another airline-- there are plenty that fly to Europe that are far better than United (KLM, Delta, Air Canada, to name three).

I been on 3 RS trips.

I been on 3 RS trips. They were good. They are pricey but ya know. I went to Ireland for 2 weeks which on my bday. They gave me a bodhran and card and wished me many more. In NY, they made me a cake and sang. I did have a vacation cancelled due to virus but had no problem getting insurance or small deposit back. I will be going to Cape Anne this summer and can't wait. PS: I rescheduled my European vacation but not sure I will go.

After using Road Scholar

After using Road Scholar before, I realized it's best not to rely on them for arranging flights. They offer limited options and seats, unlike when you book on your own. They claim seats like business class aren't available when they actually are. The seats they select might not align with your program schedule, resulting in inconvenient layovers or late flights. Their advertised insurance as "Cancel For Any Reason" is misleading; you can't actually cancel for any reason and get a full refund. Additionally, critical information like the need for yellow fever vaccination isn't disclosed until after you've paid. It seems they're overwhelmed with negative reviews, as they rarely answer the phone. Their non-profit status seems to mainly benefit their employees and facilities, not customers. Overall, my experience with Road Scholar has been disappointing, and I won't be using their services again.

My experience with Road Scholar

My experience with Road Scholar was disappointing. Despite paying $170 for trip cancellation insurance due to a valid health reason, they refused to refund as promised. The $100 nonrefundable deposit, buried in obscure terms, was an unpleasant surprise. Attempts to contact them proved futile—no response to calls or emails. Their commitment to customer service and transparency is lacking, making it difficult to trust them. Considering the potential challenges during travel, relying on Road Scholar seems risky and unreliable.

I recently experienced Ireland At a Slower

I recently experienced Ireland At a Slower Pace with Road Scholar. While the program itself was fantastic, the flights arranged by Road Scholar with United Airlines were a major letdown. From delays to uncomfortable conditions, flying with United was a frustrating experience. The outbound trip on 6/1 involved a lengthy tarmac wait in Minneapolis-St Paul due to a lack of flight crew and weather issues, with no water offered despite the heat. United's consistently late, outdated planes and unaccommodating flight attendants made every connection a hassle. Road Scholar, consider other airlines like KLM, Delta, or Air Canada for a smoother travel experience.

I recently had a raelly awful experience

I recently had a raelly awful experience with Road Scholar. Despite paying in full for my trip and airfare, they failed to settle the payment for my flight, putting my reservation at risk of cancellation. Attempting to reach them proved a nightmare, as their travel agency is only accessible three days a week, and the process is convoluted. After enduring a one-hour hold, I'm left disappointed and determined to avoid Road Scholar for future travel arrangements.