rhodes scholar travel egypt

Meet our Rhodes Scholars: make your application

Applications for the Rhodes Scholarship are now open, with the opportunity for students from anywhere in the world to study a postgraduate degree at the University of Oxford, fully funded. Read the experiences of some current Rhodes Scholars below to learn more about the programme, and make your application online . Please note that deadlines vary according to country/region.

Samuel Bailey, Balliol College - Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) in International and Commercial Law

"When I first arrived in Oxford I was confident that I knew exactly how my education and career should progress. However, after a few weeks of being immersed in the diverse Rhodes community, I was challenged to critically assess my vision and motivations. After being solely surrounded by law students for several years, my perspective has significantly widened. Undoubtedly, studying within the academically demanding environment of Oxford requires growth and hard work, but as a Rhodes Scholar, I can confidently say that my approach to life and my role in the world will never be the same!"

Hamza Waseem, Magdalen College - DPhil in Condensed Matter Physics

"My first few weeks in Oxford were emotionally challenging. It was not merely culture shock. Rather, what hit me in the face was the enormous privilege that studying at Oxford meant, and that too on a Scholarship awarded to just one Pakistani every year. I spent the first month exploring the opportunities offered by the university, visiting the research labs, browsing the libraries, and attending lectures in various departments."

"It drives me to make the best of my time at Oxford. I have doubled down on my commitment to science outreach and helping students from underprivileged backgrounds access quality education. That is truly rewarding for me."

Manpreet Deol, Keble College - MSc Social Science of the Internet

"Even during one of the most defining moments that our generation might potentially face, the Rhodes community has been alive - a source of warmth, laughter, inspiration, and friendship. Living in Oxford, I am continuously reminded that being a Rhodes Scholar is about the continued exploration of community and self; it is about acknowledging the legacy that comes with the name, the privilege I have being here, and the ways in which these spaces remain exclusive for many. Although it is surreal that in one year so much has changed, the spirit of being a Rhodes Scholar has been ever-present."

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Difficult to work with, will not use again

Have used Road Scholar before and quickly learned not to have them arrange for flights. They have a small allocation of flights and seats to offer you. If you plan your own travel on the same flight there are many seats to choose from, like business class (which they told me was not available). They will pick seats from their small allowance which will not be in alignment to you program times. Too many stops, too late of flight (after program ends), etc. The whole trip is a gamble because the insurance, touted as "Cancel For Any Reason", is a false advertisement. You CANNOT cancel for any reason and expect a full refund. We cannot take the yellow fever vaccination because we are on an immune repressive medication. You don't learn this until you put your money down. Now I know why they don't ever answer the phone, they are too busy responding to all the negative reviews. Not for profit, means their employees and facilities take all the money they don't refund. Shameful. Never again!

Date of experience : March 15, 2024

Reply from Road Scholar

Dear Marcos, I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar. Many factors influence the flight itineraries our travel team is able to book. Working within the airline availability and the terms of our negotiated pricing, we endeavor to provide the most direct, cost effective flights available that work within your program parameters. We generally begin booking air approximately six months before departure. If you are not agreeable to the flight itinerary we will try our best to work with you and find an alternative or arranging your own airfare is an option on most programs too. We try to be as forth coming as possible by providing any necessary information on our website for all programs, such as health requirements, to help participants select the best adventure that suits their interests and needs. The health requirement details are provided for all international programs and can be found by clicking into the “Travel Information” tab on our site. In this case, it is noted that if you are not able to get the yellow fever vaccination, due to medical reasons, a waiver from one’s doctor would be acceptable. Since you purchased the optional trip protection plan you can file a claim with Aon Affinity to seek reimbursement for your cancellation fees. If it is deemed a covered reason you will receive cash reimbursement. If it is not a covered reason you will receive a cancel for any reason credit that can be used towards a future Road Scholar program. An explanation for the cancel for any reason benefit can be found on our website and within the optional trip protection plan materials that are sent after purchase. Should you have any questions about the claim process or would like to discuss this further please feel free to contact us at 1-877-426-8056. Sincerely, Road Scholar

Roads Scholar charges more than anyone, non-profit? I don't think so.

I have taken 12 safaris in many African countries over the years. I wanted to do Roads Scholars Botswana trip but the single cost without airfare is over $12,000. This pretty much does single for profit not matter what they say. Last year's safari to 4 countries included international and in country air fare and everything else. I'll go with another company.

Date of experience : February 26, 2024

Dear Pat, I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar. We are sorry to hear you will not be taking advantage of a Road Scholar adventure. We are not profiting off of solo travelers. We are a not-for-profit organization. We do not charge anything more than what is charged to us by the hotels. The cost of the single supplement covers only the cost of accommodations. In a double occupancy, the cost of the room is split between two people; in a single, the room cost is the same but only one person is paying. You will also find that on average, you save 20% per night compared with comparable trips offered by commercial tour companies. That’s because every Road Scholar learning adventure includes most meals and all lodging, tips and taxes, behind-the-scenes experiences, expert lectures, group expeditions, and listening device, as well as, 24/7 emergency assistance. Sincerely, Road Scholar

Better to watch the travel channel.

When you call the number, you get ads for services. Have you tried calling your own number? There are certainly up sell ads. Especially one for an alert alarm. Frustrating to get through. No people. And no refunds if you have to cancel. You would be better off staying home, looking at You Tube and visiting your local restaurants. Maybe non profit, but someone is making money.

Date of experience : December 17, 2023

Dear Daniel, I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar. It sounds like there may have been a misdial, as we do not offer any ads while calling our Contact Center. We are open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 6:30 pm ET with advisors ready to assist you. If you are unable to wait on the line we have an option to request a callback as soon as someone is available. Our cancellation and transfer fees are not meant to be punitive. They cover the commitments we have made on your behalf with our providers. We try to be as transparent as possible and explain our cancellation and transfer policy on every enrollment call, describe it on our website and include it in our program materials. We highly encourage participants to purchase the optional trip protection plan to help protect their investment, so if they do need to cancel they can file a claim to receive cash reimbursement, for a covered reason, or depending on when the plan was purchased, a credit towards a future program, for a non-covered reason. We see that you were successful in reaching us and someone will be following up with you soon. Sincerely, Road Scholar

Roadscholar travel department nightmare…

In dealing with Roadscholar travel department, it has been a nightmare. Hours on hold, and twice the dates were wrong. They had us arriving two days early, when we clearly stated we wanted only one day early. Itineraries were not given to us until just before the final payment was due, and so there was much tension until we could get it straightened out. Hours on hold with the travel department was nerve racking as their times are limited in that department. Next time we will do our own travel plans, if we use them again.

Date of experience : August 29, 2023

Dear Cherilyn, I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar. We appreciate that it can be frustrating to wait on hold and offer a callback option to help. We call on every callback request the same day it was received. We are also continuing to hire and train our staff to improve our level of service and help reduce wait times. We do apologize for any confusion regarding your departure days and see that we were able to get this straightened out for you. Sincerely, Road Scholar

no response to refund question

We enjoyed out trip to Portugal, but air travel was a nightmare! Road Scholar arranged flights. Of the planned flights, one was cancelled and two were downgraded from business class to economy class. I asked Road Scholar for help in getting a refund and have not received any response, despite multiple emails over multiple weeks. I realize Road Scholar is not responsible for airline schedules. But, I do believe they have a responsibility to respond to customer queries.

Date of experience : May 06, 2023

Dear Mike, I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar. We are happy to hear you enjoyed your recent Portugal adventure. We understand how frustrating flight disruptions can be and apologize for the time it has taken to respond to your inquires. We are actively working on this and will be reaching out to you directly to discuss this in more detail. Sincerely, Road Scholar

Deposit is not refunded or transferred. Be careful

I booked a trip with road scholar and had to put a $500 deposit down. I thought I was told that if I had to cancel, that deposit could be used for another future trip as as I canceled within a certain timeframe .I need knee replacement surgery and I had to cancel the trip .turns out that the $500 was nonrefundable. I’ve never worked with the company that did not allow you to either refund or transfer the deposit as long as you met their cancellation guidelines be careful

Date of experience : January 10, 2023

Dear Mary, I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar. We are sorry you needed to cancel your program. As a not-for-profit organization, our cancellation and transfer fees are not meant to be punitive. They cover the commitments we have made on your behalf with our providers and the administrative costs associated with your enrollment. Transferring at no cost is a possibility for some programs, but not all, depending on the adventure and the time of the requested transfer. Our transfer and cancel policy is reviewed during enrollment before the deposit is requested, and is included in the enrollment confirmation notice/email. We also offer an optional trip protection plan for one to purchase to help protect themselves if they find they have to cancel. We wish you the best with your surgery. Warmly, Road Scholar

Stay away from this company

Stay away from this company. We had booked a trip with Road Scholar but after reviewing the trip with my Doctor, the Doctor said it would be much too strenuous with our physical limitations. We informed the company more than 3 months prior to the start of the trip but they refused to return our refund.

Date of experience : July 14, 2022

My mother in law purchased a trip with insurance. She cancelled the trip 8 months before because of medical issues and has since passed away. We called road scholars to see if we could go on her trip , get a credit or receive the money back from the scheduled trip that she had insurance on. Road Scholars was totally useless. The trip could not be transferred and we received no money back! Do not get insurance on a trip that you are using vouchers for… total waste of money! We weren’t even able to use her several thousand dollars that she had in credits. Shame on them for lack of customer service.

Date of experience : July 27, 2022

Don't book if you might get sick!!! No pity

I booked a trip for self and partner, and as we are older, I booked the insurance offered. We were not able to take the trip, as my partner found that his neuropathy deteriorated to the point that he could not keep up with the activity level that Road Scholar required. Unfortunately, Road Scholar was only willing to refund half the fees, and the rest was only available as a credit to future trips. Since we cannot take a future trip I asked to be able to transfer the fees to someone else. They refused. The insurance company, AON, for reasons best known to them refused any compensation. Shame on both companies. BYW, they also do not have any links on their site to this trip or the previous one we took, so I cannot leave a review there.

Date of experience : June 19, 2022

I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar. We are sorry to hear you were unable to attend your adventure. As a not-for-profit organization, our cancellation and transfer fees are not meant to be punitive. They cover the commitments we have made on your behalf with our providers and the administrative costs associated with your enrollment. There are costs associated with every enrollment, no matter how early someone enrolls. These include administrative costs and reservations we have begun making in your name for the different components of your program. Because of these costs, our fees apply from the moment you enroll in the program, and are charged regardless of the reason for cancellation. Having had the optional trip protection plan you were able to file a claim and received a credit towards a future program. Unfortunately, this credit is not transferable to someone else, but we do have options. If you are not able to travel in person at this time we do have some wonderful online adventures. Please feel free to contact us at 877-426-8056 for further details. Sincerely, Road Scholar

Road Scholar flight bookings

I booked a trip and arranged my air travel through Road Scholar. I just discovered that Road Scholar travel never paid for my flight although I paid in full already. I am in danger of having my flight reservation canceled. Trying to speak to anyone at Road Scholar is a nightmare. Their travel agency is only open 3 days a week and you have to go through Road Scholar to get through to them on those other days. I have been on hold for 1 hour. I will never use them again.

Date of experience : September 05, 2023

Dear Kathleen, I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar. The day after a holiday can be very busy for our Contact Center, which can contribute to increased wait times. To try and help, we do provide a callback option so you don’t have to hang on the line. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused and see that we were able to connect with you to help get your airfare finalized. We hope that you enjoy your upcoming adventure. Sincerely, Road Scholar

Excellent experience

We are very experienced travelers, and this was our first time with Road Scholar. We recently completed a trip to Israel, Jordan and Egypt in March 2023 and it was wonderful. The hotels were first class and much better than I anticipated. The guides were excellent in each country. The group was 23 people. The buses they used were all exceptionally clean, very spacious comfortable and safe. A couple of days prior to the end of the trip many of us learned that our flights home had been cancelled by the airlines, due to a labor strike in Germany on Lufthansa. Road Scholar immediately rebooked everyone who had arranged their flights through RS. We are looking forward to our next trip on RS.

Date of experience : March 27, 2023

Spent over $1100 on deposit and trip…

Spent over $1100 on deposit and trip insurance. We had to cancel because the trip was too strenuous for us. We got nothing back. Probably our fault for not doing due diligence but beware.

Date of experience : December 08, 2022

Dear Kevin, I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar. We are sorry your selected adventure was not a good fit. Our cancellation and transfer fees are not meant to be punitive. They cover the commitments we have made on your behalf with our providers and the administrative costs associated with your enrollment. Transferring at no cost is a possibility for some programs, but not all, depending on the adventure and the time of the requested transfer. Our transfer and cancel policy is reviewed during enrollment before the deposit is requested, and is included in the enrollment confirmation notice/email. Since you purchased the optional trip protection plan you can file a claim to seek reimbursement for your cancellation fees. Depending on when you purchased the optional trip protection plan you may be eligible for the cancel for any reason benefit, which provides a credit towards a future program if your claim is not approved for cash reimbursement by Aon Affinity. Please feel free to contact us with any questions at 877-426-8056. Sincerely, Road Scholar

Road Scholar is GREAT for seniors!

I went to France for 6 weeks with Road Scholar and everything about this trip was perfect! Lovely, caring tour leaders, incredible support, and so many amazing educational adventures! Of course, this was PARIS, so beauty was everywhere, but be aware that Paris is a big city, with all the problems and quirks of urban life. Nevertheless, the HISTORY and ART of Paris are mind-bending-ly wonderful. I plan to travel again in 3 months with Road Scholar. My only warning is that if you are over 70 and have mobility issues, some trips are not for you. Road Scholar rates every trip for mobility so PAY ATTENTION if you can't walk far, or need a walker!!

Date of experience : November 30, 2021

Great if you don't have a problem...

Road Scholar offers great trips and guides -- if you don't get sick or have another problem. Our previous RS trip in 2019 was fabulous. Not so our recent experience. Both my partner and I contracted Covid (5 days apart) on our recent trip to the Galapagos and Machu Picchu. My partner was feverish/ill and was told there was no way to see a doctor or get medication as we were on a catamaran in the Pacific. However, we needed to have confirmation by a physician to validate our claim with the insurance company. He was given a handout about RS Covid policy, but neither of us were directly told a couple facts to be sure our claim wouldn't be denied (which it was). Could we have been more diligent in reviewing the document? Perhaps, but when you are ill, have no access to medical care and are trying to navigate a new situation, additional support would have made all the difference (rather than saying"did you get the handout?"). We both flew home within a day of each other, at an additional cost to our existing tickets. My partner missed all but a few days of a 17 day trip and I missed over a week. After a month of dealing with both Road Scholar and the insurance company (Aon), we received a small credit from Road Scholar towards a future trip. We had an upcoming trip scheduled with them this fall, which my partner has already canceled. We are exploring our options for a more equitable reimbursement through our state's Consumer Affairs Department, among others. While I appreciate empathy from Road Scholar staff, I don't need their emotional support. This was a costly trip and their offer of a small credit in no way comes close to compensating us for what was lost in money, time and emotional distress. No responsibility was taken for their Covid policy, which forced us to isolate and drop out of the trip. Because I had to isolate while traveling to the next destination (before returning home), I was required to take cabs at my own expense to and from the airport, which I would have had to do at least twice more as we traveled to other locations on the itinerary (while following their quarantine policy). The lack of guidance and clarity provided at the time we tested positive was undoubtedly "company policy," but was the antithesis of customer service. I will probably take one more Road Scholar trip, as I don't want to forego the credit. Unfortunately, I will be doing it without my partner...

Date of experience : December 13, 2023

Dear Debra, I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar. We are sorry to hear your recent experience with us did not meet your expectations. We see that our office was in communication with you on several occasions to try and help address your questions about your insurance claim with Aon. We understand how upsetting it can be when an unexpected illness arises during your travels, especially when we visit remote locations with limited access to medical facilities. And of course we understand your frustration with the insurance company denying your claim, which is why we provided you and your partner with a goodwill voucher to acknowledge the unfortunate circumstances. We do hope that you’ll consider putting this to use toward a future enrollment that will yield a more positive experience. Sincerely, Road Scholar

Road Scholar is 100 tops in every way

Road Scholar is 100 tops in every way! My PRAGUE experience was so gr8, I immediately booked another trip and eyeing another 4 next year! Their offer & promises surpassed all expectations! It was an overall fantastic trip! My first booking had 2 B canceled due 2 lack of enrollment. The organization did exactly what was promised: Keeping in touch in a timely manner & prompt refund! Margrit

Date of experience : May 10, 2018

The key word above is “recent”

The key word above is “recent”. I have been on 4 RS trips and enjoyed each one. I would rate then 4.8 to 5 stars! My most recent experience with RS is less than 1 star, however. Reason: Covid vaccine mandate. 🤯

Date of experience : February 10, 2023

Dear Sandy, I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar. The health and welfare of our participants and staff are the most important considerations. We do have a team dedicated to safety around our adventures, who also consult medical professionals to ensure we are up to date on all information. Creating this policy was not an easy decision for us and we hate to disappoint anyone who wants to join a Road Scholar learning adventure. We do hope to relax this requirement at some point, but we do not know when that will be at this time. If there are any changes to this requirement we will be sure to inform all of our participants and update our materials accordingly. If you are interested, you can stay up to date on all requirements by going to our website to Travel Updates and COVID Information. We hope to see you on a Road Scholar adventure in the future. Sincerely, Road Scholar

We were scheduled for a hiking trip in…

We were scheduled for a hiking trip in August which was cancelled less than two months before the start of the trip citing they did not have the staff. Now I am out flights, shuttle fees and extra nights I booked for hotels. BEWARE

Date of experience : July 01, 2022

Road Scholar.org -Lots of travel options

Shopping and scheduling my May 2017 trip was easy, however there are so many options I had to choose my top 3 then go with only one. The trip was as advertised, well planned, good quality guide, lodging and food. We had some free time daily, at least one hour. The trip are rated by activity level, phone staff know the answers to questions and they have a repeat travelers.

Date of experience : May 29, 2017

Our trip to Egypt

Our trip to Egypt was cut short by a week because of the Covid-19 situation. I had purchased trip insurance through Road Scholar for that trip. Obviously, it had to be cut short, but Road Scholar assured us that we would be reimbursed for the part of the trip we missed. That did not happen. They have sent me many requests for donations, and nothing about reimbursement. After almost 2 months are requesting some remuneration, they finally offered a small credit toward another trip....but it had to be by June 5th. Um...we are still in the middle of a pandemic, so that's not going to happen. They have not offered one penny of my money back even though I bought my insurance from them. Yes, they're an educational travel group...and boy! did I get an education.

Date of experience : May 20, 2020

There is a nonrefundable deposit

Please know that Road Scholar will always keep a nonrefundable $100 deposit. I cannot find that buried in all the paper and fine print but they state it is there??? I paid for trip cancellation 170, it was under 10 days, and they agreed it was a valid health reason. I was verbally told all would be refunded. I guess that person made a mistake. That is not true. Cannot trust this company...if for UN coveted reason they will put that money on a future trip. But if you don't pay for another trip, they will always keep at least 100.. they will keep more rhe closer to your date. That is very clearly spelled out. Do not try to get them to answer phone. They will not Do not believe "they will hold your place and call you back" They will not Do not believe they will promptly answer emails. They will not I can imagine what adisaster it woukd be if I needed to contact while traveling

Date of experience : August 25, 2023

Dear Jane, I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar. We are sorry you had to cancel your program and for any frustration not being able to reach us may have caused. We do call on every callback request the same day it was received, as well as, try and respond to any emails in a timely fashion. We try to be as transparent as possible with our transfer and cancel policy. This is posted on our website, reviewed during enrollment before the deposit is requested, and is included in the enrollment confirmation notice/email. Our cancellation and transfer fees are not meant to be punitive. They cover the commitments we have made on your behalf with our providers and the administrative costs associated with your enrollment. Transferring at no cost is a possibility for some programs, but not all, depending on the adventure and the time of the requested transfer. Since you purchased the optional trip protection plan you can file a claim to seek reimbursement for your cancellation fees. Depending on when you purchased the optional trip protection plan you may be eligible for the cancel for any reason benefit, which provides a credit towards a future program if your claim is not approved for cash reimbursement by Aon Affinity. Please feel free to contact us with any questions at 1-877-426-8056. Sincerely, Road Scholar

Introducing the Rhodes Scholar Class of 2022

The Rhodes Trust is delighted to announce its Class of 2022 Rhodes Scholars-Elect, who will arrive at the University of Oxford in autumn 2022.

• The class of 104 exceptional young people selected to receive the world’s preeminent postgraduate Scholarship includes one of the largest proportion of women in recent years: 57 women, 46 men and one non-binary Scholar-elect.
• The class includes Scholars-Elects from 41 countries, including our first Scholars-Elect from Albania, Sudan and The Gambia, the first Scholar-Elect from Eswatini selected through our Botswana-Lesotho-Malawi-Namibia-Eswatini constituency, our first Scholar-Elect of Nepalese citizenship, and the first in years from Sri Lanka and Turkey.
• The class also includes students chosen from 13 universities which have never before produced a Rhodes Scholar.

These outstanding young people will come to study for postgraduate degrees for two or more years at the University of Oxford, the world’s number one ranked higher education institution.  They include engineers, physicists, philosophers, theologians, linguists, musicologists, lawyers, economists, historians, public health specialists, doctors, serving military personnel, aspiring diplomats and more.

The announcement comes after months of virtual and in-person selection meetings and interviews involving hundreds of volunteers around the world. Rhodes Scholars are chosen entirely on merit after a rigorous selection process including recommendations from universities, references and interviews.

Dr Elizabeth Kiss, Warden of Rhodes House in Oxford and Chief Executive of the Rhodes Trust, said:

“We are so delighted to announce the Rhodes class of 2022. These exceptionally talented young people have impressed our selectors not only with their academic achievement but also their character and commitment to building a better world. When public-spirited young people with different perspectives, backgrounds and interests come together and form a community, great things happen. We look forward to welcoming our Class of 2022 to Oxford and investing in their journeys.

“To applicants who were not successful this year I say follow your dreams and pursue the many other wonderful scholarships and opportunities out there.  We are inspired by our applicants and know you will go on to make a positive difference in the world.”

For more details about the newly selected Scholars please see the  listings detailing their biographies . The applications for the 2023 Rhodes Scholarships will open in June 2022. More information about the Scholarship application be found at:  www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/apply .

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I am interested in getting recommendations for travel to Vietnam/Cambodia with these two companies. Which company has better guides, hotels, itineraries?

I've never taken a trip with OAT (although I tried, but that is another story). But have done many with RoadScholar. The difference in RS and other tour companies that I have used is that RoadScholars are educational tours while the others were not.

Thanks. I am curious about why you were not able to travel with OAT.

In 2011 I was kicked off a trip to the Amazon less than two weeks prior to departure even after I had all documents (such as air tickets) in hand. I was told that they had overbooked.

I don't know that it's fair to say other tour companies are not educational. I know Road Scholar focuses on education, but any tours I've taken with other companies provide tour guides that were VERY educational.

"The difference in RS and other tour companies that I have used is that RoadScholars are educational tours while the others were not."

schmerl , I said that the other tour companies that I have used....not all other tour companies...since of course I haven't traveled with all tour companies.

Have you been on a RoadScholar trip?

I have taken one RS trip to Cuba last year, and it was good. I have decided to do another trip with them in February. I agree that the trips I have taken with REI, Wildland Adventures and National Geographic have all been as educational as RS.

I have a friend who has done several OAT trips!

Not only were they very educational but the other people on the trips were also highly educated. They seem to also include some real local experiences as opposed to just seeing tourist sights. They are fairly small groups as well which I think is a good thing.

I don't usually do tours but IF I were to decide to go on one I think that OAT and I would be a good match!

Hi, MaryGo3. I'd be interested in knowing the rest of the story on OAT. I have heard such mixed things about them, and was eager, then put off, due to Yelp reviews roundly criticizing staff and customer service/problemsolving.

Not much else to the story...as I said I had all my documents, including upgraded air tickets when they dropped me because they were overbooked. I think at that time it was common practice for them to overbook rather than do wait lists. I've read that they've changed that but don't know for sure. They offered to transfer me to another time, but I refused. I did get them to pay me for the vaccinations I had gotten.

Since I was traveling solo I suspected that I was bumped because then they could put a couple into my space.

I have taken 2 trips with OAT. One to Egypt and one to Cambodia and Thailand. Both were excellent! The guides were highly educated, I learned a lot! The tours are first rate and good value for the money...... I have read of some people being bumped, and dates being changed. I haven't had that happen, so can't offer up any info, about that. Other than to recommend getting travel ins., just in case. I am booked to go to Peru with OAT in Sept. as a solo. I have gotten travel ins. just in case, my dates would get changed. I didn't buy insurance from OAT, but from Travel Guard. I haven't taken any Road Scholar trips, but have heard they are very good as well.

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Road scholar reviews & ratings, not a good bicycle trip.

Our family of four, including two adult children, took the Bicycling: Day Trips to Paradise in Canada. This trip is entirely outsourced to the owners of the inn, th...

Travel Section Incompetent, Unhelpful, and Won't correct error

I booked a tour to Italy for May 2024. I cancelled in Oct. for a lot of reasons. Before I enrolled, I asked if Road Scholar would book the flights so that on the las...

Jane Johnson

There is a nonrefundable deposit

Please know that Road Scholar will always keep a nonrefundable $100 deposit. I cannot find that buried in all the paper and fine print but they state it is there???...

Air travel cancelled by airline

I love Road Scholar and have been on 14 trips. The accommodations are nice, the tours are interesting, and the guides are knowledgeable. I have always looked forwa...

Kathleen Yoh

Road Scholar flight bookings

I booked a trip and arranged my air travel through Road Scholar. I just discovered that Road Scholar travel never paid for my flight although I paid in full already...

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Editoral Review of Road Scholar

Founded in 1975 as Elderhostel, Road Scholar took its new name in 2010. The name change was meant to better reflect the non-profit educational travel organization’s mission, which is to offer lifelong learning opportunities to adults.

Besides it’s a clever play on words (the takeoff on Rhodes Scholar), “Road” stands for the journeys the group offers, while “Scholar” indicates the deep devotion to learning that participants possess.

Road Scholar Quick Facts

Founded in 1975

Single Traveler friendly ? Road Scholar requires a single supplement on most trips, though it is waived if you are willing to room with another traveler. 

Typical age range : 50+, Some special multi-generational trips offered

Travel Style : Culturally immersive, education focused. Think all the joys of school without the homework

Accommodation Style : Value (3 star) or Premium (4 star) range. Some trips include multiple hotels or guest houses while others have a "staycation" set up returning to the same hotel each night.

Top Regions : Europe, Africa, North America

Average trip price : $2,389

Similar tour companies : Overseas Adventure Travel, National Geographic Expeditions, Rick Steves

Find the best for you. Explore Road Scholar vs Overseas Adventure Travel »

What Makes Road Scholar Stand Out?

• Tours that appeal to a wide range of broad & niche interests
• Budget friendly
• Unique itineraries
• Learn from experts in a variety of fields

Tours with Road Scholar are specifically designed for older travelers and with a heavy focus on gaining deeper knowledge through educational activities, led by guides who are experts in a variety of fields.

Instructors accompanying Road Scholar trips are experts in their fields, delivering lectures and leading field trips. Trip themes may range from history and culture, language study, and music appreciation to birding , bicycling , and baseball (proving that learning can be light-hearted, too).

Traveling with Road Scholar is like a study abroad experience, with classes and instructors, with a group of people the same age who have a similarly extensive hindsight on life - and who love to learn.

They offer a very wide range of physical levels as well as many different trip styles. If you're not sure you'll find a trip to your liking with Road Scholar, take the time to browse the options first.  

What is a Road Scholar trip?

A Road Scholar trip is designed like a study abroad experience for 60+ travelers - whether you're exploring the diverse birdlife of Texas or the incredible culture of Morocco . Almost everything is included in the price and they cater to many different budgets.

Are Road Scholar trips good?

Road Scholar is consistently well reviewed, and they have a 4.7/5 rating on Travelstride. Travelers regularly praise the lecturers and educational aspects of Road Scholar trips as well as the itinerary planning, group dynamics, and organization.

Who Will Enjoy Traveling with Road Scholar?

• Senior travelers & baby boomers
• Life long learners
• Solo and single travelers
• History buffs
• Grandparents and grandchildren

The first thing to note is that Road Scholar trips are specifically intended for travelers 50 and above (often 65+).

Open minded, active, and worldly life-long learners who have a sense of adventure and willingness to try new things, will love the cadence of a Road Scholar trip. Road Scholar is often the first guided trip experience for older travelers.

Perhaps in your younger days you loved going it alone, planning out your itinerary, and loved the spontaneity of traveling off the beaten path. Now you’re ready to have that same spirit, but with a few more ducks in a row and maybe hit some of the classic sites you missed or didn’t truly appreciate before.

Road Scholar has recently added special grandparent-grandchild trips and programs for three generations traveling together. Keep in mind that the focus remains on education, distinguishing Road Scholar trips from most commercial tours.

Group sizes with Road Scholar vary, but many small group study tours are limited to 10-24 participants. They are also very friendly to solo travelers - offering many tours for solos and singles where you can meet new friends, and even romantic interests!

Road Scholar allows for particular good compatibility between you and your tour mates as each journey is designed around specific themes from an educational perspective.

Private groups are also available and a popular option for groups of friends or families.  

Top Destinations

• United Kingdom
• United States

Road Scholar operates tours in 150 countries, as well as every state in the U.S.

Aside from the educational days, many trips include activities in nature, with hiking, kayaking, and other outdoors experiences.

Road Scholar Travel Style

Road Scholar creates their itineraries to encourage learning - both in a scholarly way: from knowledgeable guides, scholars and experts in various fields; and in a holistic way: from the accommodations, meals, and transportation. Your entire journey with Road Scholar is designed as an educational experience.

Tours are referred to as “programs”, guides, tour directors, and leaders are “faculty” and they even have an online “campus store”. Programs are designed to be immersive, exploring a destination in depth, with the focus often on a niche subject. Don't expect to spend 5 minutes at a tourist attraction and then move on. Some itineraries spend a full week in one city, exploring a specific period of time or type of local craft.

Walking trips, train treks, small ship cruises, and riverboat voyages are among the options for trip style. Prices typically stay in the budget/value range consistent with the company’s roots.

Road Scholar offers may ways to save on their trips. These include scholarships, friend referrals, and various specials and deals throughout the year.

Why Choose a Tour With Road Scholar?

On a Road Scholar tour you can expect a lot of unique cultural, artistic, historic, and local insights. Meet artisans, learn local crafts, and feel the camaraderie of being around other travelers who enjoy the educational aspect of travel.

The original Elderhostel grew out of the vision of the late Marty Knowlton, who spent four years backpacking around Europe while staying in youth hostels -- and wanted American adults to have access to similar cultural experiences.

If you consider yourself a lifelong learner and want to spend your vacation amongst others who share your passion for travel and education, Road Scholar is the place for you.

Covid-19 Travel Update for Road Scholar

In 2020, Road Scholar made the tough decision to temporarily suspend their programs through January 2021 due to the safey concerns surrounding the coronavirus. 

Given the Road Scholar traveler age range, the health risks could be severe. Not to mention the interest in international and group travel is significantly lower for this group at the present time.

You may enroll in future trips with the offer of a full refund with cancellation up to 90 days prior to the trip departure. This offer is currently in place through October 31st, 2020.

Road Scholar has a number of virtual classroom options available in a range of durations.

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More Details

Solo friendly.

• No single supplement
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About the company.

Road Scholar, the not-for-profit leader in educational travel since 1975, offers 5,500 educational tours in all 50 states and 150 countries. Alongside local and renowned experts, experience in-depth and behind-the-scenes learning opportunities, from cultural tours and study cruises to walking, biking and more.

Programs For Whatever You Love to Do:

Much more than a tour, a Road Scholar program is a true learning adventure. Whether you join us in Seattle or Santiago, Beijing or Berlin, Road Scholar programs all share four unique attributes:

--Exceptional opportunities for learning and exploration through special behind-the-scenes access to the world's most fascinating treasures, led by our passionate and knowledgeable instructors.

--The shared fellowship of learning and warm camaraderie, whether a solo traveler or with a companion.

--Comfortable accommodations and appetizing meals.

--Excellent value.

Explore Your Mind and the World:

There are no grades or tests on Road Scholar programs. All that's needed is an inquiring mind, an adventurous spirit, and the belief that learning and discovery are lifelong pursuits.

Established in 1975, Road Scholar offers participants once-in-a-lifetime experiences delivered by local and world-renowned experts. Experience in-depth and behind-the-scenes learning opportunities, from cultural excursions and study cruises to walking, biking and more.

Our Most Popular Tours:

Adventures Afloat Cruises: On these educational cruises, you’ll traverse some of the world's most spectacular waterways, offering you a convenient and rewarding way to learn and explore aboard ocean liners, riverboats and small ships.

Independent City Discoveries: Combine structured learning with independent discovery — each program includes hotel accommodations and some meals, lectures, expert-led field trips and detailed outlines for four self-guided excursions.

Grandparent Travel: Discover and explore together with your grandchild through interactive learning experiences and field trips. Both you and your grandchild will share the joy of learning with other grandparents and their grandchildren, bridging generations and opening doors to discovery and friendship.

National Parks: From Denali to the Everglades and countless beautiful, historic places in between, field trips to America’s National Parks reveal what tourists can’t see on their own, with specialized experts showing you how to track wildlife or lead you to the spot with the most awe-inspiring view.

Outdoor Adventures: From hiking in the Grand Canyon to exploring France by barge and bicycle, to sharpening your golf or tennis skills, these active programs exercise the body and the mind.

Service Learning: From tutoring school children or helping restore a crucial forest habitat for wildlife, to assisting with artifact restoration and museum curatorial work, Service Learning adventures are an opportunity to make a difference in the world.

Small Groups: Love to learn in a small-group setting? Check out this collection of programs that have 10-24 participants.

Why Road Scholar?

You Can't Beat Road Scholar's Remarkable Value : Our all-inclusive prices have no hidden costs. Compare the price of one of our programs to what it would cost to duplicate the experience on your own (if that's even possible) and you'll see what we mean by "remarkable value."

Lifelong Learning and Lifelong Friends : When you participate in a Road Scholar program, you will not only expand your mind, you will be in the company of other people who believe that learning is one of the best parts of life.

Instructors Who Inspire: Road Scholar instructors are both experts in their field and lifelong learners themselves who are excited to answer your questions, hear your opinions and share in your experience.

Solo Participants Love Our Programs : Road Scholar programs are renowned for being inclusive, warm and welcoming for solo participants. We can either match you with a roommate or, on most programs, you can choose to room on your own.

Think Outside the Tour : The educational focus of Road Scholar programs makes us completely different from a commercial travel tour. Road Scholar programs offer educational experiences that answer the what's, the why's and the how-to's.

You Go Where Others Can't : We've been offering educational experiences since 1975 and we've made connections with educators and other local "insiders" all around the world, creating learning opportunities that show you the world in a way that just can't be done on your own or on a "tour."

We've Covered All the Bases : From expert-led lectures and field trips to comfortable lodgings and meals, we handle all the details, including the ones you might not anticipate. We've taken the worry out of the planning, so you can focus on your learning experience.

Peace of Mind Through the Road Scholar Travel Assistance Plan : The Road Scholar Travel Assistance Plan, which is purchased on behalf of every participant, provides 24-hour emergency assistance in the unlikely case of a medical emergency.

Scholarships for Those in Financial Need : Each year, Road Scholar awards $250,000 in scholarships toward programs in North America for those who do not have the financial means to participate.

Our Donors : Each year, thousands of donors contribute to our Annual Fund, helping to cover the gap between the tuition we charge and the actual cost of our programs.

Road Scholar Trips & Specials

Explore Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

On the Home Front in Vicksburg, Key to the Confederacy

Independent Venice: Power and Beauty

Italian Extravaganza: Rome, Florence and Venice at their Finest

Spring Training Baseball with the Boston Red Sox

City Walks: Exploring Stockholm’s Neighborhoods

Ultimate Opera: Two Productions at the Met

Beyond Red Square: An In-Depth Exploration of Western Russia

You get great value on every Road Scholar learning adventure, and this selection of programs offers special savings. Rest assured that when we reduce the price of our programs or offer other special incentives, we do not compromise the quality of your experience.

Please note that participants who are already enrolled in any of the programs listed below will receive the benefit as well. See our list of best-value tours below and then join us on the learning adventure of a lifetime. 

View the latest travel deals from Road Scholar

Want a tailor-made trip instead, your trip, your way, planned by an expert:.

• You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
• Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics

Top Road Scholar Trip Categories

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