I participated in "On the Road: America's Great Deserts and Their National Parks" on February 2 - 11, 2013. It was a wonderful trip - fun, interesting, and so worthwhile! The only downside was a small group of participants who complained about everything from morning to night (even to the point of causing a scene at dinner one night). I can only guess that they were expecting 5-star hotels and gourmet meals - that is NOT what Road Scholar is about. Fortunately, most of our participants were able to tune those people out and enjoy themselves. Northern Arizona University always does such a great job and this trip was no exception -I can see why it's such a popular program. I learned a lot, met wonderful new friends, and got to see an incredibly beautiful part of the country - all at a price I could afford. It was everything I expected from Road Scholar and more. This was my third RS trip and I've already signed up for my next one!

On February 2 - 11, 2013, my wife and I participated in the Road Scholar program “On the Road: America’s Great Deserts and Their National Parks.” The overall program quality was poor and disappointing. It provided very little educational value, third rate hotels, sub par meals, and a tour leader who was disorganized, uncaring, unprepared, uninformative, distracted by his own photography needs, and at times, hostile. It was a total bust. Their brochure promises “learning led by expert instructors who are authorities in the field of study” and “an experienced Group Leader attuned to the needs of Road Scholar participants.” They totally failed to deliver. What we got was a total disaster. At most stops the tour leader disappeared and left us on our own. We not only failed to get any value, but the ordeal was tantamount to intentional infliction of emotional stress. We called them during the tour in the hope that they would contact the tour leader and get him to fulfill his expected duties, but that did not happen. They failed to deliver what we signed up for and failed to make up for it. In response to my complaint letter detailing the daily failures, we got a sympathetic call confirming that most of our fellow travelers had similar complaints, but no offer to make amends. Why would anyone do business with an organization that lacks ethics? This is not the same Elderhostel we used to know.

Hi: Mike and I are enrolled tn the February 16, 2013 program. We will arrive in Tucson 2 days early to explore, then we will stay in Las Vegas for 2 nights after the program. (Yes, I guess this will be quite a culture shock from the starry night skies of the desert.) Is anyone else staying in L.V.? Willing to share a ride from the airport drop=off point?

Hi: Mike and I are enrolled tn the February 16, 2013 program. We will arrive in Tucson 2 days early to explore, then we will stay in Las Vegas for 2 nights after the program. (Yes, I guess this will be quite a culture shock from the starry night skies of the desert.) Is anyone else staying in L.V.? Willing to share a ride from the airport drop=off point?

Hello, Just wondering how many participants are in the Feb 2, 2013 departure?

Hello!! Just wondering ... do the guides and drivers carry/use cellphones and/or radios so that the participants don't need to take theirs on the outings and hikes? Thanks! I am so looking forward to this trip that I have been wanting to take for several years.

We are looking forward to our trip with you. How many participants are enrolled in this program?

what kind of clothing and shoes are needed for this excursion? Is this suitable for active 70 year olds who bike, sail and golf as hobbies? Is a back pack usefull? are there laundry facilities available?