Best Travel Tours for Seniors
- Whether you’re thinking about your first learning adventure or your 50th, there’s something for everyone on a Road Scholar program!
- You can search experiences by your desired activity level, group size and even by learning opportunities on the water.
- Make the most of your adventure by planning ahead before you go and taking the time to engage with your fellow Road Scholars once you get there!
At Road Scholar, we’re experts in educational travel for adults over 50! Experiential learning and connection are at the core of our mission — not only can you see the world with Road Scholar, but you’ll experience its histories, cultures and natural wonders firsthand as well.
Do you have questions about our learning adventures and selecting the best program for you? We have answers!
What are the best small group programs?
Road Scholar offers over 500 learning adventures with 24 participants or fewer. These small-group programs make it that much easier to connect with your fellow travelers. Not only that, but smaller groups mean more personal insights from your expert instructors.
If you’d like to stay closer to home, there are programs with 13-24 participants across the U.S. and Canada — learn to play pickleball in Washington, try your hand at watercolor in California or explore the histories of Charleston and Savannah. Interested in an international small group adventure? Spend a long weekend experiencing Iceland’s geothermal features or go birding across five countries in Southern Africa. Wherever your learning journey takes you, enjoy more intimate connections and firsthand experiences with a smaller group.
What are some adventures for art lovers?
Road Scholar has many curated, art-inspired programs that are perfect for those interested in music, painting, photography, theater and filmmaking.
Delve into musical history on learning adventures that are sure to hit a high note. Learn new photography techniques from experts in breathtaking locations. Peek behind the curtain as you hear from acclaimed theater critics, directors and performers. Attend film screenings and behind-the-scenes discussions with filmmakers, producers and actors at film festivals.
Which cultural learning adventures are the best?
One of the best ways to learn about a new culture is to live it! Road Scholar’s immersive Living and Learning adventures take place over multiple weeks and offer an experience similar to study abroad. Live independently in apartments while spending your mornings in local language classes. In the afternoons and on weekends, enjoy activities led by your Group Leader and free time to explore your city of study.
What river and ocean voyages are the best?
The world’s waterways offer new perspectives on classic ports and exciting ways to travel. Step aboard riverboats, barges, small ships and ocean liners, and thrill in the new discoveries that await around every cresting wave and river bend.
Riverboat voyages bring you to a new port almost every day, on waterways from the mighty Mississippi to the legendary Nile and the storied Danube.
For a longer, even more immersive journey, explore oceans and coastlines around the world. Transatlantic voyages aboard the luxurious Queen Mary 2 offer opportunities to learn about World War II and art history. For the ultimate ocean adventure, set sail from London and explore Cape Town’s Table Mountain, get up-close to the Great Barrier Reef and transit the Panama Canal on a journey around the world.
Are there solo- and women-only options?
Definitely! Our collections of Go Solo and Women-only programs are packed with the same educational experiences you expect from Road Scholar, just with a specific group in mind.
If you want to travel exclusively with other solo travelers, our Go Solo collection is for you! You’ll arrive on your own but quickly become part of a community of fellow solo travelers. You’ll also enjoy a single room included at no extra cost. From Costa Rica to Machu Picchu, solo Road Scholars love these adventures, and we’re always adding new ones!
Looking for women-only options? Lace up your hiking boots in Yosemite, explore New Orleans at an easy-going pace or discover Iceland’s geothermal features — all with the comfort and camaraderie of a women-only group.
Which national park programs are the best?
Canyons and geysers and mountains — oh my! National parks have it all — from hiking trails to majestic overlooks and wildlife sightings, there’s so much to delve into across the U.S. and Canada.
Because of their variety, our national park programs are among our most popular learning adventures. Road Scholars’ top choices include exploring the geology of Big Bend on hiking trails, discovering the history and coastal ecosystems of Acadia and looking for grizzlies and other wildlife in the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks. If you’d like to get outside and explore at a gentler pace, programs in Yosemite and Chincoteague offer a chance to discover America’s national parks with more time to take it all in.
Can I go with my grandchild?
Of course! Road Scholar offers over 50 learning adventures that grandparents can embark on with their grandkids, both in the U.S. and across the world. From whitewater rafting in Idaho to exploring the landmarks of New York City and making sushi together in Japan, our Grandparent Adventures open up a world of discovery you can experience together. And if you’d like to bring the whole family along? Our Family Adventures bring learning and discovery to all three generations!
How do I choose the right program pace?
At Road Scholar, we have a wide range of educational travel opportunities designed for different mobility and activity needs. You can browse adventures by activity level to find one that allows you to take in the world at a pace suited for you. Here’s a little bit about what each of those activity levels mean:
- Easy Going: Explore at a relaxing pace with light walking and a few stairs, offering a great way to exercise your mind without taxing your body.
- On Your Feet: Enjoy walks through museums, galleries and your favorite cities, climbing on and off a coach and standing for brief periods while you learn.
- Keep the Pace: If a moderate pace seems your speed, you’ll love these programs, where you’ll get up and move to explore your destination with your group.
- Let’s Go!: Spend full days on the move, traversing hills and cobblestone streets and navigating public transit to learn and stay active.
- Outdoor — No Sweat: Experience Mother Nature at an easy pace on programs that highlight relaxing activities like birdwatching and walking gentle paths.
- Outdoor — Spirited: Get your heart pumping and your muscles working on these exciting experiences.
- Outdoor — Challenging: Put your body to the test on our most challenging outdoor adventures, where you navigate steep terrain and keep your mind and body active during full days on the move.
- Choose Your Pace: Discover programs that adapt to you, allowing you to pick activities based on how you’re feeling that day.
How can I get the most out of my adventure?
To make the most of your program, start by reviewing our travel tips and the program information in your account. You’ll find helpful details about what to pack, what to know before you go and information specific to your destination. From there, dive in: ask questions, take part in lectures and explorations and get to know your fellow learners. The conversations you share at meals, during field trips and throughout the program can become some of the most rewarding parts of the experience.
Do you have more questions for us? You can get in touch by phone or by email — we’d love to help you find your next learning adventure!
