We booked a trip for January 2026 with Roads Scholar. We purchased our own airline tickets through the airline. Due to a huge snowstorm across the country, our flight to Costa Rica was cancelled and c... Voir plus
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We have now booked 2 Road Scholar trips: one in 2024 (Madeira) and another for 2026 (Chiapas) and BOTH were cancelled by the company due to low enrollment. Trying to enroll in other trips for the appr... Voir plus
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I keep giving Road Scholar the benefit of the doubt - only to be disappointed. I booked a very expensive trip to French Polynesia and surrounding islands. RS changed the itinerary and only notified... Voir plus
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I went on a RS tour to Costa Rica and although I enjoyed the experience overall, our guide was often moody, keeping to himself, and a bit mean at times. My review (left nearly a year ago) has not... Voir plus
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À propos de l'entreprise
Informations provenant de diverses sources externes
Road Scholar, the not-for-profit leader in educational travel since 1975, offers 6,500 educational tours in all 50 states and 150 countries.
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Avenue de Lafayette 11, 02111, Boston, Etats-Unis
- www.roadscholar.org
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Trip credit scam
We booked a trip for January 2026 with Roads Scholar. We purchased our own airline tickets through the airline. Due to a huge snowstorm across the country, our flight to Costa Rica was cancelled and could not be rebooked. Since we had purchased Road Scholar’s “cancel for any reason” trip credit, we cancelled our trip and planned to reschedule some other time. When we cancelled with RS, they said we had to fill out paperwork with their third party insurance company to get trip credit, which we did. Two months later and endless phone calls to RS and their third party insurance company, Road Scholar has still Not Honored their “cancel for any reason” trip credit. It has been a nightmare. Don’t fall for this “cancel for any reason” trip credit scam. Shameful.
27 janvier 2026
Avis spontané
Réponse : Road Scholar
Dear Jeanne,
I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar.
We understand how disappointing it must have been to cancel your program, and we apologize for any frustration caused during the claim process. We're currently investigating this matter further and have escalated it accordingly. One of our team members will contact you directly soon.
Sincerely,
Road Scholar
Impossible to reach. Poor customer service.
Trip out of JFK to Santiago Chile 2/24/2006. Snow cancellation 2/23/2026. Multiple calls and long wait times while attempting to get another flight. They were responsible for my flight. Dropped calls and no way to reach someone directly. Then said that I had refused a flight. This was not true. They even had airline reimburse them instead of me for flight. When they finally said that they were not able to get me a flight, they coerced me into saying cancel because they said it was the only way they could help me. Very scam like. I did not ask for money back, said I wanted the trip credit. They instead kept all the money. Hey, RS thanks for replying but it is not true that I was offered a viable flight. Look up and see what flight was offered. It was arriving several days later. You cancelled the trip because you could not get me a flight. The flight disappeared within seconds. I was willing to arrive late for the trip. But you gave no guidance of how that would happen. I did not cancel....you cancelled me. PS there is nothing goodwill about giving me the money refunded to you by Delta!!
21 février 2026
Avis spontané
Réponse : Road Scholar
Dear Karen,
I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar.
We sincerely apologize for how the storm disrupted your travel arrangements and recognize the frustration this situation caused. Due to the storm's widespread impact on many participants, our travel team experienced unusually extended wait times that day. While we confirm that you connected with one of our representatives who offered an alternative flight, please understand that during flight disruptions, our team secures the best available alternatives, which may sometimes result in arrivals one or two days beyond the original schedule. Since the alternative flight wasn't immediately reserved, it became unavailable when you contacted us again. We regret that you believe the matter wasn’t handled appropriately and, despite the absence of optional trip protection coverage and being within the 100% cancellation fee window, we provided a goodwill refund for your entire airfare as previously discussed. Should you have any further questions or concerns please feel free to contact us at 1-877-426-8056.
Sincerely,
Road Scholar
Never travel with this outfit
Roads scholar is a highly regressive travel company. They offer "woman-only" tours, which are highly exclusionary. Never travel with this outfit
1 mars 2026
Avis spontané
Réponse : Road Scholar
Dear Andrew,
I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar.
Road Scholar embodies a vibrant community where lifelong learners and adventurers unite, sharing the conviction that continuous education enriches personal wellbeing. We offer numerous adventures accessible to every participant. Our women-only programs constitute just one of many collections we offer. Rather than creating division, our intention focuses on providing diverse travel options for participants, including opportunities for those who prefer traveling with other women, alongside other program styles designed for different interests and preferences. Should you wish to discover our comprehensive range of opportunities, please feel free to reach out. We'll gladly respond to any inquiries or concerns you might have.
Sincerely,
Road Scholar
Road Scholar
I had booked my first RA trip this year, to San Miguel Allende in Mexico. I was supposed to leave on Feb., 23, the day after a major drug cartel leader was killed by the Mexican military and Americans were told to shelter in place amid the violence across the country. RA never reached out to the travellers on that trip. I called twice and was told that IF my trip is cancelled I will receive an mail. If I don't get an email saying it's cancelled I should assume it is going forward. I was never told affirmatively that the trip was going forward. I was told that it was still on at the time I was speaking to the RS rep. This was my first trip with RS. It never occurred to me to call the trip leader and the 2 RS reps I spoke to never suggested that. I guess I was supposed to go to the airport and hope for the best; hope they don't cancel the trip while I am on the plane. I ended up cancelling on my own. The situations was too volatile and RA offered no assurances of safety. Terrible management of a crisis situation. If they can't do that well, why should I trust them with my safety. They have issued a partial credit and an apology but I won't be travelling with them ever.
22 février 2026
Avis spontané
Réponse : Road Scholar
Dear Kathleen,
I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar.
We understand your decision to cancel and recognize this must be disappointing for you. It is our regular practice to monitor events that have the potential to affect travel and the security of all our programs, as well as the welfare of our participants. We rely on the U.S. Department of State, local, state and federal agencies, our network of local partners, and other sources of information for advice and guidance regarding our programs. Our ground operator provided assurance that conditions in San Miguel de Allende remained favorable, particularly given its location over 330 km from Jalisco. This information supported our confidence in proceeding with the program. You were assured the program was running, however, advised we are always prepared to make immediate changes either prior to departure or during the program as circumstances warrant. If that were to happen we would notify all impacted participants right away. Additionally, our pre-program materials contain emergency contact information for group leaders, accessible from the program's start date. We regret that you believe the matter wasn't managed appropriately and though you did not purchase the optional trip protection insurance, we issued you a substantial credit of over 40% of the program cost as a gesture of goodwill. The Road Scholar credit will be available for you to use should you change your mind. We wish you the best.
Sincerely,
Road Scholar
Road Scholar held my deposit after cancelation!
I booked my first Road Scholar trip to South Dakota because Mom always wanted to visit Mount Rushmore for as long as she could remember. Because we would stay in one hotel for the entire trip (she dislikes constantly packing and unpacking) and would not have to drive at least 17 hours to get there (we flew to Rapid City), we thought the tour would be perfect for us. The tour director was fantastic, as he was knowledgeable and passionate about Mount Rushmore, the Badlands, and other attractions and landmarks in the area. (He is also an avid motorcyclist.) While we crossed off our bucket list item named above, we also explored hidden gems of the state, including Custer State Park, Wall Drug, and a literal gem—an old gold mine converted into a research center. The tour went smoothly, and we met curious, like-minded travelers.
I would have rated Road Scholar five stars for our South Dakota trip. Instead, the low rating was for the Met Opera tour that we had to cancel. We love operas, so we booked the opera tour more than a year in advance. A couple months later, we discovered a schedule conflict, so we canceled the tour. We were certain our deposit (we had not paid in full) would be refunded 100%. Instead, they refused to refund $500 for canceling the trip outright, even though the trip would be ten months away. We are still angry, as it is a lot of money. What thieves! Even though it says in the fine print (which we, like so many other travelers, overlooked), they should be fair and refund the full amount (and amend that d**n fine print so the amount is fully refundable until a certain date). Don’t book with Road Scholar unless you are absolutely sure you want to travel on the date.
Now, we are stuck with one other opera trip, the Santa Fe Opera, (which we want to go anyway—booked shortly after the Met Opera tour), so we made it nonnegotiable, even if one of us is dying. After the Santa Fe Opera tour, we will not book another Road Scholar trip.
14 septembre 2025
Avis spontané
Réponse : Road Scholar
Dear Alexandra,
I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar.
We are sorry to hear you have decided to discontinue traveling with us following the Santa Fe Opera adventure. We strive for complete transparency regarding our transfer and cancellation policies, which are clearly displayed on our website, thoroughly discussed during enrollment prior to deposit collection, and detailed in your enrollment confirmation materials. Rather than being punitive, our cancellation and transfer fees simply offset the commitments we've established with our providers on your behalf, along with administrative expenses from your enrollment process. You had the opportunity to transfer your deposit toward a new program. Additionally, we offer multiple chances to purchase our optional trip protection plan, which safeguards your investment by allowing you to file claims for cash reimbursement when covered reasons apply, or depending on purchase timing, receive credits for future programs for non-covered reasons in the amount of your Road Scholar cancellation fee. We hope you reconsider future travel and wish you the best.
Sincerely,
Road Scholar
Trip Insurance Recomended by Road Scholar is not be Trusted
We booked an nice, but costly trip with Road Scholar and purchased their recommended trip insurance. Unfortunately, my husband became ill on day 3 of a 6 day Road Scholar trip requiring an ambulance to the local hospital and an all day stay at the ER at that hospital.
We had purchased the Road Scholar recommended AON insurance only to learn that most of our expenses were not covered in spite of the "for any reason" clause. We had planned 2 future trips with Road Scholar and cancelled them because of the poor treatment by their recommended insurance carrier and Road Scholar's refusal to issue any credits for the expense we incurred which we would have applied to the forthcoming trips. Be VERY careful using Road Scholar for your trip insurance. Look into other travel companies that use a more reliable and ethical trip insurance provider than Road Scholar for your trips. Ours was memorable for the disaster it became and the lack of RS to make good on the lost revenue.
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7 septembre 2025
Avis spontané
Réponse : Road Scholar
Dear Jan,
I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar.
We are truly sorry to hear about your husband's illness, and hope he has recovered completely. Regarding the optional trip protection plan you purchased, it offers several benefits including cancel for any reason coverage when bought before the final payment deadline. However, this particular benefit only applies when you cancel before your program begins. For non-covered cancellation reasons, instead of cash reimbursement for fees, it provides a Road Scholar credit for future programs. Since you participated in your program but had to depart early, this falls under the interruption coverage, which reimburses missed program nights but excludes domestic medical expenses. Given that you missed two nights and considering the program cost, your claim was processed accurately. We understand there may be some confusion regarding these different benefits, and would like to help clarify any questions you might have. A member of our team will be reaching out.
Sincerely,
Road Scholar
Belittling Treatment
My husband and I traveled overseas with Road Scholar International both in 2017 and 2023. I am disabled and the organization did little to provide accommodations that would allow for a high quality experience. However, we enjoyed the cultural experience and all tour guides were extremely kind. Although the programs are expensive, they provide an immersive experience and attention is given to detail. This is why I was shocked when I was recently contacted by Danielle, a staff member who indicated she handled special needs, and needed to discuss concerns from staff in the Switzerland office about my ability to walk during our upcoming program. She went on to say that the walking terrain would be hilly with cobblestone and lots of steps. The concern was that this might be an issue due to my disability. I pointed out that Our first trip with Road Scholar was the Independent Paris program where I kept up with the group and climbed numerous flights of steps to and from the metro which was the group’s mode of transportation while other group members opted for an escalator wherever it was available. All without falling on my face---imagine that! Road Scholar claims to value diversity but lacks knowledge about it; this is nothing short of disgraceful. Seniors beware! You may receive a call from Road Scholar suggesting you might be too old to participate in a program that requires walking. You can save yourself a lot of money by doing some research and planning your own trip. I thought this was a reputable and respectable organization, but I was clearly wrong.
2 janvier 2026
Avis spontané
Réponse : Road Scholar
Dear Sumara,
I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar.
We sincerely apologize that your recent experience left you feeling belittled. When a participant fills out their participant information form it is a normal practice for our Participant Support team to reach out regarding any special need notes. This outreach allows us to discuss program requirements and ensure each participant enjoys a safe, positive experience. Additionally, these conversations help us provide comprehensive program overviews while setting appropriate expectations so you can fully embrace your adventure. We certainly didn't intend to cause any distress - our goal was simply to connect, review program details, and address any questions you might have. We would appreciate the chance to discuss this further with you, and a team member will be in touch soon.
Sincerely,
Road Scholar
I keep giving Road Scholar the benefit…
I keep giving Road Scholar the benefit of the doubt - only to be disappointed. I booked a very expensive trip to French Polynesia and surrounding islands. RS changed the itinerary and only notified me months later (3 to be exact) and were apparently falsely advertising in the interim. They said they had adjusted the price, but for me they had not. Required phone call and emails. Like their itineraries, but my days of traveling with them are nearing an end. Bottom line - I no longer trust them and watch them carefully when I do book with them.
7 janvier 2026
Avis spontané
Réponse : Road Scholar
Dear Linda,
I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar.
We are sorry you feel this way. Upon reviewing your account, we notice that you have already contacted us and confirmed that the price reduction was properly applied to your reservation. Although we strive to maintain accuracy in all published materials, our programs are usually advertised over a year before they begin. Consequently, certain program activities, schedules, accommodations, and logistics may occasionally shift due to local conditions or circumstances. When such changes happen, we attempt to notify our participants promptly, however we acknowledge there was a communication delay in this instance and we genuinely apologize for any inconvenience this caused. We are investigating this matter further to prevent future delays. We truly hope you have a wonderful experience in the Cook Islands and French Polynesia.
Sincerely,
Road Scholar
Road Scholar consistently cancels trips--Beware!
We have now booked 2 Road Scholar trips: one in 2024 (Madeira) and another for 2026 (Chiapas) and BOTH were cancelled by the company due to low enrollment. Trying to enroll in other trips for the approximate same times--nope--all booked up and of course no attempt to even help by the company. Burned once, burned twice NEVER AGAIN. Very slick website and concepts, but simply not useable.
19 décembre 2024
Avis spontané
Réponse : Road Scholar
Dear TA,
I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar.
Making the choice to cancel a program is never easy, and we always exhaust every possibility before reaching that point. We truly regret disappointing participants and sincerely apologize that this has happened to you twice. When programs you're interested in reach capacity, joining the waitlist remains a viable option. This alerts our provider to seek additional space when feasible, and should someone cancel, you'll advance on the list or potentially secure enrollment. We're committed to supporting you and regret that you haven't felt this assistance. Please contact us at 1-877-426-8056 or share your contact details so we can reach out directly.
Sincerely,
Road Scholar
Food was horrible on recent Greece…
Food was horrible on recent Greece trip. Some inedible.
14 octobre 2025
Avis spontané
Réponse : Road Scholar
Dear Ann,
I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar.
We are sorry to hear the food did not meet your expectations on your recent Greece adventure. We appreciate the time you have taken to share your thoughts on this trip on your program evaluation, as this feedback is essential in allowing us to create enriching experiences for our participants. A member of our Participant Satisfaction team will be contacting you directly to discuss your experience in more detail.
Sincerely,
Road Scholar
I believed Road Scholar when they said…
I believed Road Scholar when they said the rates are better but I see I was charged hundreds of dollars more for my airfare than if I had booked it myself. Yes, they pick us up at the airport and drop us off but it's so much cheaper to pay for it yourself. Plus they booked it so far in advance as not to get the best rates.
Road Scholar says they're not for profit but that must just be for the tour portion and not the airfare rates. Airlines allow you to cancel within 24 hours but Road Scholar charges a $500 penalty.
27 octobre 2025
Avis spontané
Réponse : Road Scholar
Dear Diane,
I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar.
When you book your air through Road Scholar, you’re getting more than a ticket — you’re getting built-in flexibility and support designed specifically for educational travel. Our team works directly with airlines up to a year in advance to secure space that allows:
• Flexible changes: In most cases, you can adjust flights without penalty until about six weeks before departure. There are some exceptions that apply that are clearly communicated.
• Full protection if programs change: If Road Scholar must cancel your program, we refund the airfare (exceptions may apply).
• Proactive flight monitoring: We track schedule changes and can rebook you if flights are delayed or canceled.
• 24-hour emergency assistance: A dedicated team is available to help with unexpected travel issues.
• Included transfers: Airport transfers are covered when you arrive and depart on program dates.
Airlines sometimes advertise limited “flash sale” fares that appear lower, but come with strict conditions — they typically require immediate payment, are nonrefundable and offer little or no flexibility. By contrast, Road Scholar air is paid on the same schedule as your program, unless it is buy now airfare, and comes with the flexibility, protection and personalized service that online discount fares rarely provide.
If you are not happy with your flight arrangements our travel team is always available to explore possible alternatives. We would like to discuss this further with you. If you haven’t already, please give our Travel Services Department a call at (800) 241-1404.
Sincerely,
Road Scholar
A taste of Costa Rica trip
Airline delayed. Costa Rica airports closed over 5 hours, and then United delayed and then canceled. Road Scholar advised join next day. So if I got flight next day, missed dinner, orientation, morning walk in San Jose, and transfer to different location. I would have had to add nearly $800 more to trip to get there,. Trip ins would have been likely way less. So disappointed as have had 7 trips with RS and so good most of them. I am not doing another. The trip ins is ridiculous and who wants to get to the program 2 whole days late, 36 hours no sleep, and try to catch up on all that and enjoy. Screwed all around.
Yes - the insurance is a credit, and perhaps people have many other obligations or issues where difficult to use that credit in a timely manner. I have had insurance before and was not that helpful. Had to sleep in the airport overnite due to missed connection to Australia. The ship broke down for 24 hours. We collected way less than what was paid for insurance and missed Auckland altogether, so I think never compensated for what we pay. Thank you. Goodbye.+
23 septembre 2025
Avis spontané
Réponse : Road Scholar
Dear Nancy,
I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar.
We recognize the frustration and disappointment that can arise when airlines make changes to schedules or cancel flights unexpectedly. Although we don't have any control over airline schedules or seat availability, those who booked their flights through our Travel Team can receive assistance exploring alternative options to reach their program. Unfortunately, this may sometimes result in a delayed arrival if that's all the airline can provide. At that point, one will need to decide whether proceeding with the program still makes sense for them. This situation illustrates why we recommend our optional trip protection plan, which includes benefits for trip interruption to help cover expenses in these circumstances or provides a cancel for any reason credit if one completely cancels. We are sorry you will no longer be traveling with us and hope that you reconsider. If you would like to discuss this further please feel free to contact us at 1-877-426-8056.
Sincerely,
Road Scholar
Wasteful org with zero environmental sense
RS is a very wasteful organization with no environmental conscience. Twice now I have seen them waste money ($7+ per traveler) sending out an unnecessary envelope b/f each tour when most companies hand these out at Registration. I told them I already had their neck pouch (I don't use it, don't walk around wearing free advertising) & each time for 1 name tag, they waste a whole sheet of 6 tags, 5 left blank. I calculated the hundreds of thousands of dollars they waste each year & told them & still they do nothing, The co. also is disorganized and itinerary info is always error-prone & in need of clarification. A friend invited me on my current tour, but I am now done with them. They have a new tour to rural Italy, but expect you to get there yourself, when it would be so easy to simply start the tour in Naples.
29 septembre 2025
Avis spontané
Réponse : Road Scholar
Dear JT,
I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar.
Here at Road Scholar, we recognize how vital it is to protect our global environment while minimizing the ecological footprint of our educational journeys. We're committed to evolving into a more environmentally responsible organization and are delighted to embed sustainability within our fundamental values. This commitment means that throughout the planning and execution of our educational experiences, we'll be taking steps to minimize waste and bolster local economies whenever feasible. While we've informally implemented some of these practices previously, we're now dedicating ourselves to acknowledging and enhancing these efforts. For instance, we've realized that providing every participant with a new name tag for each program creates unnecessary waste. We're currently developing an enrollment option allowing participants to decline name tags, which will be implemented shortly. To learn more about our sustainable efforts you can go to https://www.roadscholar.org/c/sustainability/. Also, please note, for many of our international programs, including air travel arrangements is an option, and when selected, if your arrival and departure align with the program dates airport transfers will be provided. If your dates don’t align or if you decide to arrange your own air, directions on how to get to the starting location of a program is provided. We would love to speak with you further, so if you haven’t already, please contact us at 1-877-426-8056.
Sincerely,
Road Scholar
I used Road Scholar to book my airline to Rome, Italy
I used Road Scholar to book my airline flights to Rome, Italy& then onto to Naples for an Amalfi Coast trip on September 30, 2025. Yesterday I got an email that ITA Airlines had cancelled my flight on September 30th & booked it on September 28th (2 days earlier). Not sure where I was supposed to stay for 2 nights??? Road Scholar did not contact me. I had to call them this morning. I also paid to select a seat on my IAD to Rome flight & Road Scholar said that they could not help me resolve this problem. I don't think that I will ever use Road Scholar to book any airfare for me! Shame on them!
25 septembre 2025
Avis spontané
Réponse : Road Scholar
Dear Kathy,
I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar.
We recognize how challenging it can be to experience flight cancellations or adjustments. While this is beyond our direct control, we do closely track such changes when you book your airfare through our Travel Services team. Given that flight disruptions occur regularly, we prioritize addressing them based on upcoming departure dates. We received notification of your flight cancellation on 9/24/2025 in the afternoon, and you reached out to us the following day on 9/25/2025. Please know we fully intended to contact you, but needed time to explore available options. Regarding reserved seating, our travel team can only assist with certain airlines for seat selection. Unfortunately, ITA is not among them, which means seat assignments cannot be selected in advance through us. In these cases, participants must purchase seats directly with the airline, preventing us from making modifications or reassigning seats since the airline maintains the payment information. We are sorry for any frustration this process may have caused and hope you reconsider using our Travel Services team in the future.
Sincerely,
Road Scholar
Road Scholar Travel
Road Scholar Travel has made my experience with Road Scholar horrible. From the travel company trying to book my flights 11 months early and using high pressure tactics to complete the airline reservation to not paying the airline company for my flights even though I paid for the entire trip.
I have enjoyed my Road Scholar trips but Road Scholar Travel seems to be dishonest. Perhaps it's under new management. Several people on past trips I have taken have booked their own flights. Now I know why. Road Scholar does not have great airfare prices. Most trips may be cheaper if you book your own airfare and pay for transportation to the hotel from the airport.
14 juillet 2025
Avis spontané
Réponse : Road Scholar
Dear D Mac,
I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar.
We apologize for any disappointment you've experienced with our Travel Team. There are various factors that impact the itineraries we book, including airline availability and negotiated pricing. Our aim is to provide the most direct and cost-effective flights available, considering your program's parameters. We're not here to pressure you, but to offer flight options and support. Depending on the flights you seek, there may be instances where air costs are added to your order for payment upon the program's final payment or, for destinations requiring payment at the time of booking, we'll contact you via email or phone to finalize arrangements and make payment. If you have concerns about the proposed flight itinerary, our representatives are available to explore alternative options. Additionally, the airfare cost includes benefits: Monitoring of flights, we’ll keep on top of pre-departure schedule changes and cancellations and if necessary proactively rebook your flights to ensure that you arrive at your program on time, 24 hour service available to offer guidance with air travel emergencies, which include unanticipated flight delays or cancellations, Airport transfers if arriving and departing on the program dates and if Road Scholar cancels your program, you’ll receive a full refund for the airfare (exceptions may apply). We would like to discuss your concerns further. If you haven't already, please contact us at 1-877-426-8056 or contact@roadscholar.org.
Sincerely,
Road Scholar
I was astonished to see a low rating…
I was astonished to see a low rating for Road Scholar. I've been on three trips abroad with them, and each was fabulous. BUT their trips are geared toward people who are interested in learning a lot and being busy virtually all day. There was little down time, which was fine with me, because if I've travelled X thousands of miles, I want to see as much as I can! Guides were consistently wonderful. My latest trip was 23 days to China and my only complaint was that one person in our group of 18 couldn't handle the physical challenges of the trip and was frequently late to meet-up points. Not to typecast, but in general, most Road Scholars I've met are in the "granola/socks and sandals/liberal politics/not complainers" type of crowd.
9 mai 2025
Avis spontané
Réponse : Road Scholar
Dear Evelyn,
I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar.
Thank you for your thoughts. We are happy to hear you enjoyed all of your adventures. To ensure participants choose the most suitable program, we are refining our materials to provide clearer expectations on daily activities and requirements. We look forward to seeing where your travels take you next.
Sincerely,
Road Scholar
Long travel days with lots of hanging around waiting for things to happen
I’ve traveled twice yearly with small group adventure travel groups for over 40 years however this was my first Road Scholar trip and I experienced difficulties immediately. Neither the airport transfer nor a prearranged meal materialised on day one which set the tone for what became a running joke with mistaken meal orders the rule rather than the exception.
Transportation was also problematic with a surly female bus driver who made racist and, homophobic comments some of which were directed at road scholar participants and the tour guide being “too woke”. This bus driver point blank refused me entry to the bus to rest because I was nursing an archilles injury citing the need to take her break in private.
As a solo traveller I was paired in a room with an older woman who insisted on lights out around 9.00pm each night and lights on at her discretion. This wore thin after 5 nights so I enquired about the spare room on the manifest as a couple had cancelled at the last minute leaving a spare room for the entirety of the trip.
Rather than offer me the room which I would have happily paid the a rack rate for, the guide cancelled all future bookings for the spare room depriving me of an option to upgrade.
It is unclear whether Roads Scholar got a windfall from this action as they do offer a “cancel for any reason” insurance policy offering a credit for a year. Either way, there was no alternative accommodation offered to make my trip more enjoyable.
The positives of the trip included the knowledgeable guest lecturers, a high tea at Lake Louise, a boat trip to the grizzly bear sanctuary and whale watching however the group was too large which made for a sometimes slow and cumbersome pace exacerbated by 12 to 16 hour travel days backed up by early starts.
One thing I did enjoy was lively conversation with some like minded individuals.
27 juin 2025
Avis spontané
Réponse : Road Scholar
Dear Angela,
I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar.
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We appreciate the time you took to provide a detailed account of your experience, and we're glad to hear that you enjoyed parts of the program, including the high tea at Lake Louise, the grizzly bear sanctuary visit, and the whale watching excursion.
We’d like to clarify a few details for future reference. Airport transfers are not included in program-only enrollments, and room assignments follow the selection made at registration.
When a cancellation occurs, all linked reservations, including room assignments, are automatically removed from the manifest. While we understand this may have been disappointing, reassigning rooms in those cases is not something we’re able to accommodate on-site. Regarding meals, participants are always welcome to speak directly with hotels about dietary preferences or independent arrangements when needed.
We’re looking into your comments about meal accuracy and the bus driver, and we appreciate you bringing those to our attention, as well as, giving us an opportunity to speak with you further. Your feedback helps inform program improvements, and we’ll share it with the appropriate teams for further review.
Sincerely,
Road Scholar
I’ve just returned from a Road…
I’ve just returned from a Road Scholars’ trip to Croatia. Take this with a grain of salt. It’s not their fault that every town is crowded with tourists. Crowded. HOWEVER: poorly designed programming is. Every where we went we saw the same things. The town square, the old monastery, now a museum, the castle and it’s many steps up
the wall… we were told in the catalog we’d enjoy Adriatic specialties. On My Barbara there were 27 of us. The food was pedestrian at best. The few times I was able to eat in restaurants it was fine to excellent. But the concentration was to keep our group together. Fortunately the fellow scholars were a cool bunch. And I made good friends which I plan on keeping. It was not expensive, but ultimately boring with few delightful aspects especially for a seasoned traveler like me. The benefit if you are single traveling alone - you aren’t.
2 juin 2025
Avis spontané
Réponse : Road Scholar
Dear Nina,
I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar.
We are sorry to read your program to Croatia did not meet your expectations. Our aim is to provide clear daily itineraries for each adventure to ensure you choose the best fit for your interests. We strive to create enriching experiences for our participants and appreciate all feedback. We would like to speak with you further. If you haven’t already, please contact us at 1-877-426-8056 or contact@roadscholar.org.
Sincerely,
Road Scholar
Road Scholar trips are well worth your while.
we have taken 3 trips with Road Scholar. Our first was a trip to Edinburgh and the Scottish Highlands. Absolutely wonderful. Alistair, our historian, Roz, our tour logistics director and Stevie the bus driver were all terrific. Going above and beyond. Entertaining and fun. The sights themselves breathtaking. Next was a November visit to Athens then Crete. We only had one guide there but she was great. There were a few communication snafus but nothing terrible. Again, a great itinerary and fun group. Our last one was a train trip throughout Switzerland. Fantastic trip. Nina and Sergio were so organized and helpful. we had free time on a couple of days and they volunteered to take us to a glacier nearby on their own time. All but two in the group chose to go. They offered to guide us on a lake and castle trip on another of the free days too! They were not obligated to do this. such dedicated and sweet people made the trip even more enjoyable. Super with communication too. If you are over 55 and like educational type trips with incredible itineraries travel with Road Scholar is very rewarding. We do book our own flights however because we tend to visit something nearby before or after the tour.
15 septembre 2024
Avis spontané
Réponse : Road Scholar
Dear Patricia,
I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar.
Thank you for your wonderful comments! We are happy to hear of your experiences and hope you were able to create some lasting memories.
Happy Travels!
Your Friends At Road Scholar
Ageist gaslighting
I enrolled early in the French Art Voyage because of the caliber of the sites visited: no visit to the overly crowded Louvre but rather to Monet’s Giverny and Cezanne’s studio. A preliminary itinerary I just received has no mention of Giverny so I went online to be sure it was still open. It is. I checked Cezanne’s studio and found it closed for renovation.
I called Road Scholar to ask why Giverny was canceled and did they mean Cezanne perhaps.
A customer service rep was clueless. I spelled Giverny to her twice. She put me on hold for 15 minutes, returned and said someone would contact me. I told her to wait a minute. I had more. Was Cezanne’s studio to be canceled as well.?
Five days later I get an email from Judith telling me Giverny was not officially on the itinerary, Cezanne’s studio had to be removed due to renovation and I could not see the Mona Lisa!!!
I responded saying I sensed some bait and switch also reminding her I NEVER asked about the Mona Lisa.
She replied telling me how to arrange Giverny for myself and reiterating that I could not see the Mona Lisa!!!!
I have experienced ageism but not gaslighting like this. I am not an old fool who imagined Giverny on the itinerary. I am not an old fool insisting on a Mona Lisa that was not.
Road Scholar has no business marketing to elders with staff like this.
17 mars 2025
Avis spontané
Réponse : Road Scholar
Dear Consumer,
I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar.
We are sorry to hear about your recent interaction and for any frustration it may have caused. Our sample daily itineraries might change based on the program's departure. For the French Art Voyage: Paris, the Rhône and the French Riviera adventure, we've noted on day 5 the closure of Cezanne's studio for renovations from April 2024 to Spring 2025. We also include a visit to Monet's home and gardens in Giverny on another offering, though not on this one. We'd like to discuss your experience further and clarify any confusion. We'll be contacting you directly.
Sincerely,
Road Scholar
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