Blog

BY JOANN BELL The railroad boom that began in the 1830s in North America opened up a continent. Railways not only made it possible to carry goods and freight across the country, but it also gave those with adventurous spirits access to the N...

At Road Scholar, we offer educational adventures to 150 countries, but in recent years the most fascinating country to experience of them all is Cuba. The culture, the architecture, the performing arts and the abundant charm of the Cuban people make...

Rolling green meadows. Thatched-roof cottages. Honey-hued limestone. Welcome to the Cotswolds, an idyllic area of south central England where history unfolds at every picturesque turn. Encompassing five counties, the Cotswolds’ unspoiled rural...

If you’re a New Englander, you know that the autumn season begins the day after Labor Day. Sure, the calendar says we have until the end of September, but change is in the air come early September. Farm stands have started selling ‘mums’ (chrysanthemums), apples are on deck and pumpkin-spice-everything has hit our local stores.

Maybe you're not the "family feast" type at Christmas. Perhaps you're looking for a little adventure over New Year's. Maybe you're on your own and are looking for ways to make new friends over the holidays or you’d like a holiday escape from your cold and snowy home town. No matter what your reason is, if you're a solo traveler, taking a trip over the holidays can be a great way to meet other...

Admit it, you were one of those kids who actually looked forward to the start of school and thought September was the true New Year. In elementary school you loved the smell of freshly sharpened pencils, in high school your pulse quickened at the si...

Jump in your time machine and drift back to the Victorian era on Mackinac Island.

BY JOANN BELL Imagine Gatsby-style summer galas where millionaires and movie stars, tycoons and wealthy politicians mixed and mingled from the end of the Civil War through the Roaring Twenties. We’ve gathered a list of seven world-renowned sum...

Navigating the world of technology can be overwhelming. Trends are constantly changing, and it seems like there’s a new tool or “app” becoming popular every other minute. We’ve chosen some of the popular technological tools that we think our participants and fans would benefit from and enjoy the most, and Instagram is #1 on the list.

Are you in the mood for some great food and stimulating conversation? We asked Road Scholars who they would have dinner with if they could pick anyone, living or dead, and the dinner guests who came out on top in our poll comprise some of the greatest hearts and minds who have ever walked the planet. Gather 12 chairs around your dining room table, and bring your “A-game” to this gathering!

I get a little teary-eyed and emotional when I talk about Road Scholar and Cuba, because I have seen the changes and improvements in individual lives, who — for us here at Road Scholar and for the thousands of Road Scholar participants who have traveled to Cuba — have faces and names and their own stories to tell.

This Fourth of July holiday is a time to reflect on the freedoms we hold so dear and to celebrate the many different cultures and peoples that make American society so rich. America is a dream, an ideal and a place, and its strength comes from its pe...

Our collection of countries where you can’t find a McDonald’s, but you can find amazing cuisine.

Historical fiction, dystopia, the state of America and the world today, Abraham Lincoln, inspirational stories - you’ll find it all on this summer reading list compiled from a survey asking Road Scholars what they plan to read as the days warm...

BY KEVIN FLUDE Do you love watching “Masterpiece Theater” and never miss a Jane Austen film or anything with Maggie Smith in it? Chances are you’re an Anglophile. If you’re also a lover of English literature, a visit to Engla...

BY JOANN BELL & KEVIN TOOHER If you love flowers, then you may agree that Kevin Tooher has the greatest job in the world. As a judge for England’s Royal Horticultural Society, he is on the front lines as lilies, dahlias, roses and the world’s most beautiful flowers are presented for two of England’s premier flower shows. We caught up with Kevin to get his perspective on the Chelsea...

BY FRANK BEHRENDT One of the best things about traveling by bike on a European learning adventure is that, as you explore, you’re also burning calories and working up an appetite. Satisfy your craving for adventure in one of these top ...

We surveyed Road Scholars and asked them to identify the most significant events or changes in their lifetimes.

What is it about a cobblestoned street that immediately infuses a stroll through a historic city with infinite amounts of charm? Just the mere thought of treading upon crooked cobbles is enough to send a history buff into dreamland. You can't thr...

Road Scholar learning experiences have a powerful and positive impact on the lives of more than 100,000 adults every year. Making a difference in people's lives is the spark that fuels our passion to go above and beyond in the work we do here ev...

Learn about these epic natural phenomenon that may inspire your travel adventures.

Solo travel is on the rise for baby boomers and beyond, especially for solo female travelers. But women who are considering traveling on their own may need a little extra encouragement; research shows that over 20% of women are hesitant to travel solo versus only 7% of male travelers.

In my book “Master Class: Living Longer, Stronger, and Happier,” my advice to retirees was to create a portfolio of activities that blended socializing, moving, creating and thinking – building blocks that have been shown to c...

Daffodils. Song birds. The promise of long summer days ahead. Spring is in the air, and you know what that means: It’s time to get out and explore. I asked our in-house experts where they love to learn in the spring both near and far. From Cent...

Any 21st-century grandparent understands the perpetual struggle of trying to pry your grandkids away from their smart phones to have a conversation or do an activity with Grandma and Grandpa. We’ve got the perfect solution for you: take them on...