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Road Scholar educational adventures are created by Elderhostel, Inc., the not-for-profit world leader in lifelong learning since 1975.
Road Scholar Participant Blogs
Firsthand Accounts of Lifelong Learning Across the Globe
Now you can hear firsthand from Road Scholar participants about their experiences across the U.S. and around the globe!
Program #16488 | January 19-February 2, 2012
Words cannot capture the magic of those moments. The still, dark mirror of the lake ringed around its edge by the dark shadows of the jungle then, above, the lighter expanse of the overarching bowl of the sky. And millions of stars! With no distracting light either man made or lunar glow to offset the magnificence. No wonder the ancients worshiped at this natural altar.
Program #18716 | January 12-February 1, 2012
First full day of the tour and proper introductions. We are an accomplished (alphabetical) group: architect, chemical engineer, clinical laboratory manager, cultural anthropologist, economist (me!), engineering consultant, insurance executive, international law professor, physics professor, psychiatrist, two school teachers and more - some of us retired, some not. Many of us have been on previous Road Scholar programs. After today's activities, I understand why.
Program #1085 | December 21-26, 2011
Inspiration comes in many forms. For Road Scholar participant Kathy, it emerged through her passion for watercolor journaling after spending five wondrous December days in the diverse and varied landscapes of southwest Arizona on our program, Prescott: Arizonas Christmas City. Check out her beautiful and humorous paintings and take a look at her other great posts!
Program #20335 | December 21, 2011-January 12, 2012
This is a special educational voyage through the Caribbean and into the world's largest river, the intriguing Amazon. The program features exclusive Road Scholar lectures and receptions with two prominent scholars and luminaries: Julian Bond, a founder of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and former chairman of the NAACP, and Rita Dove, former Poet Laureate of the United States and Pulitzer Prize winner.
Program #19638 | October 25-November 8, 2011
The dawn brings even more unexpected delights. A beautiful vista of shadows that gradually give way to morning sun, just for starters, and then the first of what we hope will be many more wonderful visitors. Well, more than one, actually. Six giraffes grazing nearby watch us as they move from tree to tree -- big, beautiful hints to what will come on our Namibian safari.
Program #20436 | September 27-October 5, 2011
Following the visit to the synagogue, we traveled to the city's Jewish cemetery. David read a prayer in Spanish that a Road Scholar participant read simultaneously in English. It was a very moving moment for all. We ended the day at the Che Guevara Memorial.
Program #3645 | September 13-28, 2011
Several times I reminded myself that "this is really Africa." It most definitely is a different world, almost a different planet, from my industrialized, Westernized life. So different, that to really take it all in I had to expand my reality. In a way, a safari is a more experiential adventure than a trip to Paris.
Program #18731 | September 8-25, 2011
Today was a great day touring the Ring of Kerry along the Southwest of Ireland with our group and narrated by Denis Kissane. He has lived in the area for 60 years and was a farmer and dairyman until a few years ago and decided to work as a tour guide. He has an intimate knowledge of the whole area with wonderful stories and tells the history with a sly wit and great sense of humor.
Program #19033 | September 16-28, 2011
We set sail at sunset, watching the impressive new skyline of Saigon fade into the distance, as we move along an increasingly dark river. Tomorrow is sure to bring a completely new world.
Program #9695 | August 7-12, 2011
We started with a tour of Spokane itself. I lived very near Spokane for seven years and I learned more in the 30-minute drive through the city than Id ever known. It was very nice having the guide up front talking and pointing out things. He used a microphone so it was easy to hear him too.
Program #18667 | July 11-24, 2011
On Monday, July 18th we were up at 6:00 AM to see the sights in College Fjord. It was chilly and foggy at first, which had an ethereal beauty, but soon some of the mistiness began to settle into cloud bands that lay about half way up the mountain sides. Coupled with the reflections off the calm waters, it was just plain magical.
Program #15472 | July 11-21, 2011
At the top the kids planted a couple of dozen coffee bushes, sort of ably-assisted by all of us grandparents it couldnt have taken us more than 10 times as long as the regular workers Then we climbed down 1143 steps carved into the steep slope, through a jungle ravine past lush coffee and flower gardens to the processing area, where we had a picnic of hot tamales and coffee (what else?) beside this waterfall.
Program #15887 | July 10-28, 2011
Then after the show we got our ride on the elephants and that was truly the highlight of the day. The elephants are very sure footed, which is a good thing as we were walking up very steep hills in the forest and along very narrow footpaths in the forest, after first crossing the river which required the elephant to walk down a steep ramp into the water.
Program #18320 | June 24-July 11, 2011
What fun it is to discover something unexpected and pleasant. Tallinn was totally unknown to me and therefore was a pleasant surprise. We visited the Dome Church and observation platform where a great view opens over the city.
Program #9528 | June 26-July 1, 2011
We boarded yesterday afternoon, on a gorgeous Friday Harbor day. Grandparents and grandkids renewing and strengthening their relationships across generations, and of course, having fun.
Program #2814 | May 30-June 9, 2011
We arrive at the park and drive to Bryce Point where we all get out and walk out to the point. Our first view of the canyon is quite spectacular! Astounding shapes in shades of red and cream. And a blasting wind too. Good thing it's started to warm up a bit.
I know I can't really see the world, though I have put my own boots on the ground in 27 countries. There are hundreds more to go, not to mention all the stuff in my own country I haven't seen yet. Lately I have found myself trending towards a kindler and gentler and more achievable goal. I am starting to see the virtues of going back to places I've been. New plan: why not learn in depth rather than always rushing to a new place I havent seen yet?
Program #17273 | April 17-21, 2011
What a great morning! This is my very first Road Scholar program and I had no idea what to expect...
Program #19519 | April 12-30, 2011
Whether it is your first time or fifteenth in Venice, it is easy to get lost amid the labyrinth of bridges, footpaths and waterways, but save that pleasure for later.
Program #19937 | April 6-20, 2011
There are still many things unknown about Machu Picchu and yet to be discovered. Just last year explorers discovered new sites at Wayna Picchu, the mountain across from Machu Picchu and are continuing to excavate.
Program #2814 | March 31-April 10, 2011
I can still remember the controversy in the 60's over the flooding of the canyon to form Lake Powell. Proponents of the project said it would make it easier for people to see Rainbow Bridge. David Brower of the Sierra Club responded, Should we also flood the Sistine Chapel so tourists can get nearer the ceiling?
Program #1208 | March 20-25, 2011
After passing through the sheltering Del Monte Forest, we emerged out of the wings onto one of nature's greatest sets. On one side, the Pacific lashed with Wagnerian drama, on the other cypresses spread along the road as it ran beside one damp golf course after another.
Program #8134 | March 13-17, 2011
I'm writing from beautiful Palm Springs, Calif., where a group of tennis aficionados from across the U.S. has gathered for one of Road Scholar's most interesting tennis programs.
Program #9901 | March 7-12, 2011
We visited the Administration Building, which has so much history of the canal to offer - the rotunda depicting pictures of the various construction phases of the canal. The drive on the bridge of the Americas was incredible, it was saved as a surprise for the group who were all very excited. To end the day with a drive through colonial Panama combined with the bridge crossing was the absolute highlight of the day.
Program #19363 | Feb. 21-March 4, 2011
I woke up early this morning and hiked to the highest point in the town of Kaur, where we spent the night docked at the regional peanut-processing plant. Afterward, we wandered through the village just as hundreds of children rushed to get to school on time.
Program #12848 | Feb 13-25, 2011
My husband and I hadn't been on a seriously fun trip in 18 months. I was getting the itch for a major trip again. But where to go?
Program #19386 | Feb. 6-11, 2011
Early in the morning we slipped into the Huahine's bay-paradise! The Road Scholar group left the ship on the tender at about 8:30 a.m., and on the pier we boarded a motorized outrigger for a ride into the lagoon and a visit to a black pearl farm to learn how pearl seeds are implanted and how the black pearls grow.
Program #19151 | Jan. 3-March 21, 2011
At 10:40 am the curtain rises. The narrator is as excited as everyone else. He says that we are extremely lucky to see Cape Horn this clearly. Discovery has never been this close, and with such good visibility.
Program #12187 | July 26-Aug. 13, 2010
This was my first program with Road Scholar, formerly known as Elderhostel. As a history fan, I anticipated seeing ancient military sites and museums on my four-week Quintessential Britain program but the educational value transcended expectations.
Program #6043 | Sep. 9-19, 2009
It was a fortuitous year to visit the archipelago: the 150th anniversary of the publication of Darwin's "On the Origin of Species" and the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birth.
Program #15112 | Feb. 5-17, 2009
Birding is something that has always fascinated me. I started when I was really young, four or five, and going out with my dad. Birding is taking an interest in what's around you, focusing on the birds and understanding how they fit within the ecology.
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