8 Myths About Adventuring With Road Scholar — And the Truth Behind Them
- When researching group travel, you might encounter misconceptions. For example, if you’re traveling solo, you might be worried about feeling alone in a group, or you might be unsure of what to do in the program’s free time.
- We’ve gone through eight different myths around group travel and detailed the truths behind the fiction. From activity levels to tipping to when to enroll, we covered it all!
- Interested in clearing up more misconceptions? Our Facebook Groups are full of experienced Road Scholars with valuable firsthand knowledge who will be glad to answer your questions!
Myths vs. reality — what’s the truth about embarking on a Road Scholar learning adventure? We surveyed our community and found eight misconceptions about group travel, from how active you need to be on learning adventures to exchanging local currency. Join us to debunk some of these myths and perhaps find answers to your own questions in them!
Myth #1: I’m not especially active, so these programs might be too much for me.
Truth: Pace is an essential part of how we learn, and certain settings require different levels of activity than others. Because of that, we prioritize adventures for every activity level. From slower-paced programs where participants learn in classroom settings to highly active hiking and biking programs, there’s something for everyone. The big takeaway? Always look beyond the activity level rating and read the description of the program activities in full to best determine if a learning adventure matches your needs and pace.
Myth #2: Traveling alone is lonely.
Truth: Solo travel can feel intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be! One of the major benefits of traveling solo with Road Scholar is the built-in community on each learning adventure. From shared lectures and group field trips to optional roommate matching, each day offers opportunities to meet new people and learn together — you’re never on your own unless you want to be.
Myth #3: I don’t want to feel like I’m back in school, so educational travel isn’t for me.
Truth: Learning is for everyone — especially when it’s a topic you’re passionate about! Road Scholar offers adventures that cover a myriad of subjects, from history and wildlife to art, music and cultural traditions. Not only can you decide where you’ll go and what you’ll learn about, but you’ll also enjoy immersive experiences and exciting ways to learn, like hands-on cooking classes and interactive museum exhibits. When you’re surrounded by others who are just as excited about a topic as you are and each day brings new opportunities for discovery, you’ll experience the truth: that educational travel is for everyone!
Myth #4: It’s not worth trying to navigate airports and public transportation.
Truth: When you travel with Road Scholar, you’re never without support. From booking your airline tickets to helping you navigate cancelations to getting to and from the airport from your program, we can help you with all the logistics of travel. And during your learning adventure, the support continues — we arrange all necessary transportation, from bus rides to local landmarks to subway tickets in bustling cities. Give us a call to book your learning adventure and to discuss all the necessary details around transportation — we’re here to help!
Myth #5: I have to budget for tips while traveling.
Truth: One of the benefits of a Road Scholar learning adventure is our inclusive pricing. Most meals, accommodations and expert-led learning experiences are all part of the program cost, and that includes tips, too! We provide tips to Group Leaders, drivers and restaurant staff, as well as other leaders on programs as necessary. Some individuals may choose to offer an additional, discreet gratuity in exceptional circumstances, but participants should never need to organize or encourage group tipping (e.g., “passing the hat”).
Myth #6: I can enroll in a program at any time.
Truth: We do offer plenty of flexible options for enrolling in learning adventures, and our website is open for enrollment 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! But if you’d like to ensure you can get the program and date that works best for you, we have a few tips:
- Check your departure date. You’ll need to enroll a minimum of 67 days before your program begins, and sometimes more for international adventures.
- Plan ahead. For example, if you want to choose from the widest variety of dates for a fall adventure, start looking by early spring.
- Give yourself time to find solo rooms. Single spots often fill up the fastest, so by planning ahead, you give yourself the best chance to snag a single room if you’re traveling solo. Or, for guaranteed single rooms, try our Go Solo programs.
Myth #7: I don’t need to get the local currency before I travel, I can just exchange money once I land.
Truth: There’s some truth to this myth, but there’s more to the picture. Usually, purchasing local currency once you arrive at your learning location will mean high exchange rates, so planning ahead can help you save a little. Whether or not you need to transfer currencies depends on several factors, and remember: Road Scholar covers your accommodations and most meals and transportation, so you shouldn’t need an abundance of cash. A good place to start is your local bank — they can often answer your specific questions and help you exchange some local currency before you go, usually at a slightly more affordable rate.
Myth #8: If I go solo on a group program, I’ll be bored or lonely during independent time.
Truth: This is one myth that’s easy to put to rest. Free time as a solo on a Road Scholar program is as social or independent as you want it to be. Many participants choose to explore together, so you’ll often have company if you want it. And if you’d rather go off on your own, programs are designed in places with plenty to see and do, so you can enjoy your time independently without feeling bored.
Have more questions about traveling with Road Scholar? Our Facebook Groups are filled with experienced Road Scholars who have lots of advice to share — join the discussion online!