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Has anyone traveled with this group? their web site is not working so am unable to get a brochure. they have a trip that covers the big national parks, which is all filled up this summer. we would like to plan for next summer 2014.
itinerary:
Visit six National Parks in two countries: Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier in the United States; Waterton Lakes, Banff, and Jasper in Canada
•Visit famed Old Faithful Geyser and Mammoth Hot Springs and other amazing hydrothermal features in America's first National Park: Yellowstone.
•Travel famed Going To The Sun Road in Glacier National Park.
•See stunningly beautiful Lake Louise and board a gigantic snow coach for an excursion onto a glacier.
Road Scholars used to be just Elderhostel. Totally reputable.
I don't know from traveling with them, but I do a photo workshop at a place every year, and am friends with the instructor, and the week before I get there he is instructing a group of Road Scholars and always talks about how great the group is, etc. If there were any shenanigans or financial problems, the group would not have returned for all these years.
Elderhostel has always had a great rep, AFAIK.
The trips are fairly priced and it is NOT your standard bus tour. Most of the people who take these trips are highly engaged and are wanting to discuss the location, the subject, etc.
I have NEVER attended one but have run into several Elderhostel groups - the latest being a bird-watching group at Big Bend NP in Texas.
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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Yup, I too have only met up with those groups and joined on some of their walking tours.
All are quite engaged, some a bit over the top... but such is life. I love to learn while traveling but prefer to do so at my own pace. (+/-) I will still join up with them (on location), but not ready to deal with the rigor and call it a vacation. (there is usually some bitter ole gal or guy to spoil the fun... or a 'teacher' type that keeps everyone in line, or a prof (leader) who is a bit into himself)
It depends on how resourceful you are and how compressed you need a schedule.
I love traveling without a schedule (even better now that I'm retired). If You like a place, or find something to learn... you take a detour and stay awhile. Sometimes I have talked rangers into letting me spend time with them on the day's off. They know the back country and are enjoyable 'guides'.
My husband and I have taken two trips with Road Scholars, although we did it back in the time when the company was called Elderhostel. We thoroughly enjoyed both trips, and we'd do more with Road Scholars if we were physically able to travel, which my husband is not anymore.
These trips are not for everyone. They're pretty pricey, although you get a lot for your money. And they're not good for people who just like to wander in their travels. They have a set schedule, but the trips are highly organized, the guides are very professional, and you don't feel as though you're stuck on one of those on-the-bus-off-the-bus escorted tours. Most of the people in our traveling groups on both Elderhostel trips were, like us, former educators who love learning. I think what differentiates Road Scholars from regular tour companies is RS's emphasis on learning as part of travel.
Our first Elderhostel experience was a three-day trip to Southwest Georgia, a few hours' drive from our home in north Florida. We stayed at a lovely old hotel in Americus, GA, and as I recall, most, if not all, of our meals were provided. Day 1 focused on Southern architecture, including a very interesting speaker who took us on a walking tour of Americus and pointed out architectural details. I learned all about Greek Revival, as I recall. Day 2 focused on the Andersonville Civil War prison camp, and as my husband and I had recently re-read MacKinlay Kantor's book we were very interested in seeing the place we had read about. Again, very interesting speakers and tour. On Day 3 we went to Plains, GA, to tour the town, see Jimmy Carter's boyhood home, and visit his church. We weren't there for religious services, but some members of our group opted to stay over for the weekend so they could attend church and Sunday School there.
Our second Elderhostel experience was a fabulous trip to Italy, learning about Tuscan food and wine. We stayed in a hotel in Siena for the entire time, and for four or five days in the mornings we had cooking classes, where we made pasta from scratch every day. In the afternoons our wonderful guide took us on bus trips to beautiful towns in Tuscany, and as I recall we had a visit to a winery and to a family-owned cheese-making operation. One day was spent in Florence as well, touring and having wonderful meals.
So we highly recommend Road Scholars IF they have maintained the high level of service they demonstrated when they were Elderhostel. You'll need to do some research to learn if that is, in fact, the case.
Yes, they are pricey. And the reviews of this particular trip was a bit iffy. I am considering them only
Y because no other company seems to be doing this exact tour which my husband wants to do. I would prefer to do 2 shorter ones. It's a lot of driving.
Also the season is short for Banf and th e hotels get booked.
Has anyone done this on their own? Any information you can share?
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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I have done the USA portions many times by a variety of means and accommodations (resident of Mtn States for 50+yrs). Have not done the Banff thing yet but I have plans too.
Depends on your season / length of stay. The west is pretty BIG and there can be lots to see besides and enroute to National Parks. Personally I would do a USA trip with WY and UT National parks and use SLC as a hub. (You can get there cheap from NE USA via SWA)
Then do a Glacier / Banff trip with Calgary as hub.
I would book nights at the historic lodges well in advance. There are plenty of other accommodations in the region, but not in the parks.
I travel using $89 airfares, $10- $12 / day rental cars (Priceline or Hotwire), $10/ night private hospitality guest homes (worldwide), and eat at grocery / as a local ~ $10/day. Basically as cheap as staying home (excluding gas). I travel ~ 50% of the time (for the time being...early retiree)
If you have a span of time allotted, you can get a one way car rental from Calgary to SLC or opposite.
Check for Campervan rentals (more common in Canada). That is another option I enjoy using in touring National Parks. Have the flexibility to 'stealthcamp' in lovely places and spending as much time as you need in the parks makes this option very nice. (plus much lower food and lodging costs).
Buying the National Parks pass for 50 yrs has gotten spendy, I hope to live long enough to qualify for Golden Age... (now called something different.. "senior pass" or similar.)
DH & I have taken several Elderhostel/Road Scholar trips and enjoyed them all. In the last couple years -
Sacramento Jazz Festival: each morning we had a session with festival performers, learned a lot about the business side of the music industry. The hotel was decent as a lot of the money we paid for the tour doubtless went to paying the musicians who met with us.
Peru, Ecuador: incomparable, learned a lot about the social, political, health care and economic pressures in each country. Visited an agricultural college, learned about food production in the Andes. Hotels were excellent. And, yes, we visited Machu Picchu and Galapagos Islands during this tour.
/stealthrabbit,
Thank you for all that great information. Please, what is SLC?
Road Scholars are getting great reviews. But this particular trip covering Canada and USA - not so much. There were complaints about unprofessional, not quite well informed guides etc. I think this is a new tour, so untested perhaps.
The price is very reasonable, and possibly not top rated accommodations. Besides that I somehow like the look and feel of their presentation.
Any experience?
SLC is short for Salt Lake City, SFO San Francisco. Actually they are both the codes for their respective city airports.
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