Adventures Online: A Voyage to the Arctic Circle

Our expedition expert, Miko Golachowski, provided excellent videos, photos, and context. His passion and thorough knowledge of the Arctic region really makes this adventure seem like a live tour and not just a power point style education. Miko does not even appear to be reading any notes! He just seems to be reliving each experience as we pass through each visual aid. The pace of Miko's presentation is slow enough to take notes. Note-taking is very important to me. His English is excellent. The Arctic Circle online adventure is a wealth of information; probably more so than the other 2 online adventures I did recently. It encompasses many cultural, environmental, biologic, and historical exploration topics. Our group leader, Nicole Flores, did a great job fielding our comments and questions. She delivered a beautiful compilation video set to music so that we can continue to get a review of our journey. I would say that this online tour should be first on your list!

The online program about the Arctic was wonderful! The lecturer was interesting and provided some excellent data to help us understand the beauty and complex issues facing the Arctic and its people. His photographs and information were both so helpful! I hated to see the class end!

This was a wonderful way to spend the week learning about the fragility and the beauty of the Arctic. It was both entertaining and informative. This team of leader and presenter works well together. Highly recommend this ‘voyage’.

The instructors, Nicole and Mico,team up to produce wonderful online learning courses. This is the second time I took this course because there is so much information that it can't be learned and retained by taking the course only once!

This polar region Voyage to the Arctic Circle online trip and also the Antarctica online trip are extremely informative. Excellent instructor Miko and excellent group leader Nicole. Exceeded my expectations.

Absolutely fabulous! Miko presented a LOT of information in a very engaging manner - combining great science and history with amazing visuals and just the right touch of humour. He is obviously a very qualified professional, who shared details of complex ideas without relying on jargon to do so. Nicole did an amazing job of keeping us all engaged and on track & I absolutely loved the wrap-up video she provided. (I have shared it with my travel friends, and with your permission, will include it (and a few stills) in my Christmas Newsletter! ) This "staycation" was a great way to learn about and travel to the Arctic - highly recommend it to others! Thank you! Jackie G. AB, Canada

A Trip to the Arctic Circle. If you're curious about the area of the Arctic Circle, this is the program for you! The Arctic Circle is more than the North Pole. It's an area that takes in countries that surprises a person. With this program, one learns about the animals and birds that inhabit the area. You visit villages that are so remote that it's amazing that anyone lives there. Seeing the glaciers, the "calfing" of the glaciers, the thick ice on the frozen rivers that ships "plow" through is awe-inspiring. In addition to all that, we learned about the exploration that is on-going in the area and how serious the matter of global warming is affecting this area. This virtual tour of four days has been well worth the time spent.

The Online Voyage to the Arctic was my first Road Scholar 'trip'. I was very interested in the subject matter, and Road Scholar DELIVERED on knowledge, accessibility and beautiful pictures! I felt like I was right there, minus the wind-chill. Loved every minute of it.

Lively presentations on topics in the Arctic. Previously recorded videos taken from Zodiac boats or the Tundra made you feel you were right there. A multiple choice question before each hour's content helped focus your thoughts.

Voyage to the Arctic Circle explored an area that I can't easily travel to, in a comprehensive manner. The way the online program was conducted allowed the experience to feel as if I was on actually on a voyage to the various areas surrounding the Arctic Circle. The time spent on the tour each day flew by! Miko is very knowledgeable about so many aspects of the area. I had previously taken the excellent online tour to Antartica with Miko and Nicole. I had been watching for the opportunity to take another online tour with them. They present memorable programs that are well worth the cost.

The online Arctic Adventure was excellent. Although I had read many books about the arctic already I learned new things each day and saw places I may never get to see in person. This was my first Road Scholar experience and Miko's presentations convinced me that Road scholar will be my go to travel company for future adventures.

Great way to learn about an area if you are not able to make an in-person visit.

I would have never traveled to the Arctic Circle physically. However, I definitely wanted to learn more about the people and wildlife that lived there. This program gave me everything I could have asked for and more. The instructor and guide were outstanding. I felt as if I had actually been there. Thank you Road Scholar for continuing to offer Virtual trips.

This was a wonderful online program. I liked that it was 4 days, rather than 5 days. The Artic Circle is an amazing area in which to travel, even if the travel is via Zoom. The presenter, Miko, was very knowledgeable and an excellent presenter. His love of the region, including Arctic land and sea animals, as well as the sea ice and glaciers, was displayed throughout the 4 days. Warning - Miko's enthusiasm is contagious. Nicole kept us on track as she started each day by reviewing objectives for that day's program, and checked our understanding after each lecture with "test questions". I recommend this program to any and all fans of Road Scholar.

Excellent presenter. This is the next best thing to being there, with the advantage of being warm and comfortable in my own home.

I would recommend this on line experience. The presenters were engaging and knowledgeable and I felt that I was having somewhat of an adventurous experience.

I can't recommend this program enough! The guides were excellent, the information fascinating and the region covered enticing. The video footage could be a bit better, though I was riveted the entire time! Thank you!

Unique opportunity to learn about the Arctic if you can't travel there in person.The experience makes you feel that you are actually traveling there because of the super presentations with wonderful photos,videos, and even sound effects!

This is a MUST SEE online adventure. There is so much to learn about the Arctic, and Nicole & Miko do a top-notch job. Beautiful photos and video, and intriguing lectures. You "go" to a different location each day, along with learning about wildlife and history.

This program is a joy! The Arctic, as an area of immense beauty, interest and current importance, is wonderfully captured by the instructor, Miko, who passionately and wonderfully shared his rich and invaluable knowledge. Two thumbs way up!!

I actually signed up for more adventures after taking this course. It was very well done; well timed; and geared appropriately for the audience. Some of my friends said "Four days about the arctic?" Well there is so much going on and it is so vast that you come away understanding how much more there is to it than we realize. I need to do some more reading.

This arctic program was outstanding. Don’t miss the opportunity to sign up for this splendid program in the future! Nicole Flores Jara and Miko Golachowski did a wonderful job. The program was superbly planned, organized, and presented. I have attended over 25 Road Scholar programs in-person, and several online programs. This arctic program is among the best of all of them.

This program is amazing! Miko is incredibly knowledgeable and personable. He's also quite engaging so that even when he's lecturing on history and climate change--subjects which (in someone else's hands) could be dry--he's fascinating. He also has a wealth of personal experiences to go with the photos illustrating the trip. I highly recommend any trip he's leading!

A wonderful experience to a place I would be unlikely to travel in person. Miko and Nicolle made the Arctic real. I gained knowledge, appreciation and respect for the region.

I took an on-line virtual trip to the Arctic with Road Scholar. It was not my first experience with Road Scholar and all have been great. This particular “trip” I planned to coordinate with my hip replacement surgery recovery time. Worked out great! The information presented in the program was spectacular and absorbing. Having the ability to interact with interesting fellow “ travelers “ in the program, while recovering at home was phenomenal.

This program was so engaging. Each day was so well organized and presented. The content leader's enthusiasm was contagious. The Road Scholar program leader was delightful. I especially liked the trivia questions for each session.

I highly recommend going on a virtual trip with Miko and Nicole! Their enthusiasm is inspiring. Educational and very fun.

The Virtual Arctic Trip experience was very good and I would recommend it to anyone with an interest in the Arctic. I have studied The Arctic for the last 40 years and found the expedition leader to be very good. He knew the content and was a lively expedition leader.

I highly recommend the Antarctic and the Artic on line adventures. If you're interested in learning more about these polar regions, the scenery and the wildlife, without having to leave the comfort of your home, this is as close as you can get to the real thing, without the chill factor. Having Miko as an instructor, makes this a fabulous experience. He's so knowledgeable about the subject matter. His love and passion for the polar regions is contagious!

This was an excellent adventure. Mike and Nicole shared their knowledge of and passion for the Arctic region. The adventure was informative and fun. Thanks! ***** 5 Stars

This was an excellent program, as were my previous 7 online Road Scholar programs. And as opposed to 6 of my previous Road Scholar virtual programs (San Francisco, London, Sicily, Israel, Portugal, and the Great Lakes), the Arctic was a destination that I had not previously been to and knew absolutely nothing about. Now I feel like I can discuss it and asking meaningful questions to friends who have been there or are going there in the future. Would love to take an Arctic expedition myself, but not sure if I would be physically up to it (walking on snow, rocks, and uneven surfaces would be a challenge, not to mention the wind). But if I did, I would want Miko to be my expedition leader. His specialty is animals, including the Arctic “Big Five.”

The virtual Voyage to the Arctic Circle was outstanding, and I reciommend it highly. Alexander Rogers, OR

Great program on the Arctic -- fun, lots of info, and stress-free "travel."

This was a wonderful virtual program to the Arctic Circle - a place quite foreign to most of us. It no longer is in my estimation after listening to the wonderful presentations over four afternoons by our guide, Miko. Now I'd like to hear the crunch of snow under my feet there in person but I don't think that is in the cards for me; this is the next best thing. Photos of Arctic animals and birds were top rate and who can forget that stunning sunset--outstanding photos taken by our guide. I was actually teary eyed when the program ended on our last day when we toasted with our wine, vodka, whatever viewing the final montage of photos accompanied to a favorite musical selection of mine.

This is definitely a close thing to actually being in the Arctic, and much easier for one who ‘might’ have trouble traveling.

I recently completed Road Scholar's online virtual visit to the Arctic. The program content was varied, interesting and well organized. The presenter Miko was fabulous! His knowledge, passion for the topic, and delivery of information was fabulous- among the best presenters I've ever experienced.

An awesome adventure to the Arctic Circle. Miko presented engaging and educational lectures. At the end of each day, we viewed pictures or videos of real expeditions- which were spectacular. Up close to the animals, glaciers and magnificent sunsets. In some ways we probably saw more than if we were there (without the cold!) Leaders were fun and so knowledgeable. Definitely worth taking this virtual trip, especially if you won’t be going in person.

Anyone at all interested in the Arctic -- scenery, geography, geology, history, animal life, and gorgeous sunsets -- will be enthralled, as I was, with this virtual study tour!

I cannot say enough good things about Miko and Nicole. They were both fun to be with, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic. It is clear they put a lot of time and thought into planning this adventure. I was in their Antarctic adventure earlier this year. I was so happy when I found out they would be doing the Arctic adventure as well. I told them on the first day that, except for my daughter's wedding in Baja the previous month, the week I spent with them in Antarctica was the most fun I had had since the lockdown began. They make a great team!

Fantastic program. I wasn't sure what to expect but the lectures and the landscapes were beyond anything I imagined. Miko and Nicole were awesome hosts. I highly recommend.

This is a wonderful program put on two of the best presenters in the Road Scholar program.

Next best thing to traveling there. The instructor (Miko) was excellent and held my interest. Good slides and videos. Nicole was a good leader as well. I learned so much and look forward to continuing to learn about this fascinating area.

This voyage to the Artic was really fantastic! I enjoyed having Miko and Nicole lead our adventure since I loved them for the Antarctic program. There was so much great information on history and wildlife and the photos/videos enhanced my knowledge gathering. Thanks again to RS for providing these opportunities!

Road Scholar offers a wonderful in-person OR online travel experience!

The program made me feel as close as possible that I visited the Arctic. I have a better understanding of what it looks like and what one would see if one visited.

Up close and personal with polar bears, walrus, arctic fox, nesting birds and more is just the beginning of the adventure which ends at the North Pole.

If you cannot physically go to the Arctic Circle, or afford a trip like that, this is an excellent way of learning about this subject from highly qualified lecturers, hosted by a great, compassionate, kind, caring moderator, both working very well together. All from the comfort of your living room!!

This was a great program. We 'went' to Antarctica with these two leaders. well prepared; kept us on track. fun and interesting info

Feel free to post the comments from my evaluation.

Miko and Nicole are a great team. The enthusiasm, organization and information were great. I would recommend this program to anyone interested in the Arctic, animals and history.

The leaders/instructors are excellent! They provided a well organized, enthusiastic, and expert overview of the Arctic. They wonderfully covered so much of interest - the wildlife, scenery, politics, history and serious ecological issues. I do not expect to ever travel there so it was an especially great opportunity to go there virtually. And, it complements perfectly the virtual trip to Antarctica that I also highly recommend.

Another excellent program by Miko and Nicole. I 'traveled' to Antarctica with them in the spring. Miko is an enthusiastic and knowledgeable presenter; Nicole guided us through four program-filled days. If they do any other programs I will definitely sign up. Highly recommend this program.

What a wonderful program. I had traveled to several places in the Arctic but learned so much from taking this program. Excellent instructor, very knowledgeable, entertaining. Loved the virtual excursions. No parka needed and didn’t have to get in and out of zodiacs.

Fabulous program about the Arctic Circle. Wonderful pictures and videos. I feel like I really have visited the Arctic Circle. Miko is a wonderful instructor who makes learning fun. His other program on Antarctic is also terrific.

My virtual journey to the arctic circle was so enjoyable! It made me want to take the same trip in person! Our instructor Miko was so interesting and knowledgeable! He really knew the material! The tour leader Nicole was a good facilitator and a lot of fun!

This is my 2nd virtual adventure with Miko and Nicole. It was absolutely outstanding. Would highly recommend

Superb program providing a wonderful introduction to the land and animals. Wonderful team Miko and Nicole provide a very high quality program because of their expertise, enthusiasm, preparation and presentation. Would recommend to all Road Scholars. 5+ rating

I had previously done the Antarctica trip with Miko and Nichole and was so impressed that I wanted to continue with them. But this trip was less of a trip and more informational, possibly because it isn't really possible to take such a trip with the distances and geography (unlike the Antarctica trip, which is a real trip). Miko is personable and earnest about the Arctic, both understanding it and protecting it. His bird lecture was particularly interesting - I've seen birds all my life, but the different wing shape information was completely new to me. Also, it was a surprising treat to "meet" First Nation member Cedric and learn about his culture. One tip: print out the crossword puzzle and fill in answers as you learn them during the sessions.

The trip provides a comprehensive tour of the Arctic. In depth lectures about the culture, history, the wildlife and the future of the Arctic are included. Each day includes "getting into a zodiac and going ashore" or a field trip. Unique scenery. I highly recommend this program.

Bravo to Miko and Nicole for bringing us to the Arctic Circle through a very immersive virtual experience. Visiting several areas - Greenland, Canadian Arctic, North Pole, and Svalbard - was fascinating, as each region was unique. I also enjoyed talking with our Inuit guest Cedric. We could enjoy the polar experience from the comfort of home!

Can’t miss with the duo of Miko and Nicola presenting and hosting a wonderful trip around Antarctica and the Arctic.