Alternatives to Road Scholar Tours: Is There a Better Way to Travel?

Looking for alternatives to Road Scholar tours? If you're over 50 and enjoy discovering new destinations, learning about history and culture, and meeting interesting people, you've probably heard of Road Scholar.

Road Scholar is a respected nonprofit organization offering an extensive selection of educational travel programs. At Small Group Tours by The Traveling Professor, we attract a similar audience of mature travelers, including solo travelers, couples, and retirees.

But our approaches are different. Road Scholar emphasizes structured educational programs, scheduled activities, and numerous included meals. We emphasize exceptionally small groups, outstanding hotel locations, scenic transportation, personal attention, and the freedom to explore independently.

We don't want to be the biggest tour company. We want to be better.

To illustrate these differences, we'll compare tours to Scotland and Paris. Both Road Scholar and Small Group Tours by The Traveling Professor offer a much broader selection of destinations. These two examples simply demonstrate how our travel philosophies can differ.

Road Scholar vs. Small Group Tours: At a Glance

1. A Smaller Tour Company With a More Personal Approach

Road Scholar's size is one of its strengths. It offers an extensive selection of educational programs around the world. We're considerably smaller, and that's intentional.

Since 2009, Small Group Tours by The Traveling Professor has concentrated on carefully selected destinations where we've developed extensive experience, established relationships with outstanding local guides, and personally selected hotels and activities.

Rather than offering hundreds of itineraries, we focus on delivering exceptional experiences in the destinations we know well. Being smaller allows us to know our travelers personally, respond to suggestions, and make individual attention a priority.

Road Scholar offers more destinations. We focus on making the destinations we offer extraordinary.

2. Personal Attention Begins Before You Book

One of our greatest advantages is the personal attention travelers receive before their vacations begin.

We make every effort to speak personally with prospective travelers. We're not simply trying to fill seats. We want to make sure our tours are right for you—and that your expectations and preferences suit the travel experience we offer.

We discuss walking distances, stairs, uneven surfaces, luggage handling, dietary requirements, and accommodation preferences. We explain our typical age range, the mix of solo travelers and couples, our nonsmoking policy, and the balance between organized sightseeing and independent exploration.

Ann from Orland Park, Illinois, showed us why personal attention matters as much as the hotel itself. She strongly preferred a walk-in shower. We listened and worked with the hotel to accommodate her preference.

Ann later sent us a note saying she would not travel with anyone else because of the personal attention we give our guests.

Road Scholar's larger organization has substantial resources, but consistently providing individualized, owner-level attention across thousands of travelers presents a different challenge.

For us, personal attention isn't an exception or a special service. It's how we operate.

We'd love to speak with you personally, learn about your travel interests, and answer any questions you might have. We believe a great vacation begins with understanding your expectations and finding the right experience.

3. Smaller Groups and the Friendships That Develop

Road Scholar offers several group sizes, including small-group programs with up to 24 participants and Micro Group programs limited to 12.

Our Scotland small group tour accommodates just 12–16 travelers.

Smaller groups make sightseeing more personal, but the social benefits are equally important. Conversations begin over breakfast, friendships develop during excursions, and travelers often get together for independent dinners or evening activities.

This is particularly appealing to solo travelers who appreciate companionship without sacrificing independence. Many of our travelers develop lasting friendships and return for future vacations together.

As Scotland traveler Fred M. wrote:

"The small size allows you to get to know everyone and are actually there to support each other if needed!"

— Fred M., WeTravel Review

That's what small-group travel should be about: memorable destinations and meaningful connections with fellow travelers.

4. Scotland: Better Hotel Locations and Fewer Hotel Changes

One of the clearest differences between our Scotland tour and Road Scholar's In the Heart of the Scottish Highlands program is the hotel arrangement.

Road Scholar's selected itinerary uses four hotels, including accommodations in Edinburgh, Strathpeffer, Glencoe, and North Queensferry.

Our Scotland tour uses just two:

• Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa: Five nights overlooking the River Ness in central Inverness.

• Apex Grassmarket Hotel: Four nights in Edinburgh's historic Old Town, beneath Edinburgh Castle.

That's one hotel change instead of three.

Road Scholar uses some attractive hotels, but we believe our properties compare favorably in quality. Their central locations, however, are the real advantage.

Road Scholar's Ben Wyvis Hotel is approximately 18 miles outside Inverness. Our Inverness hotel places travelers within walking distance of restaurants, pubs, shops, and attractions.

As Scotland traveler Kimberley S. wrote:

"The hotel locations were city center and made it easy to explore during my free time."

— Kimberley S., WeTravel Review

Another traveler, Michael L., appreciated the convenience:

"Staying at only two hotels for the 10-day trip was a good strategy, and all the sites were enjoyable."

We believe your hotel's location should be part of the vacation experience, not simply a place to sleep.

5. Scenic Rail Instead of Extensive Motorcoach Travel

Transportation is another important distinction.

Road Scholar's Scottish Highlands itinerary relies extensively on motorcoach transportation. Our tour emphasizes spectacular scenic railway journeys, making transportation itself part of the experience.

We also use smaller coaches for excursions to Dunrobin Castle, the Isle of Skye, St. Andrews, Abbotsford, and Rosslyn Chapel.

On Skye, smaller vehicles allow us to explore narrow roads and viewpoints beyond Portree that may be unsuitable for full-size motorcoaches. We also visit the prehistoric Clava Cairns near Inverness, associated with the television series Outlander.

Our four principal coach excursions involve an estimated 14–16 hours of driving, excluding additional transfers. Because the itineraries differ in length and destinations, total coach hours aren't directly comparable.

According to Road Scholar's own published itinerary for In the Heart of the Scottish Highlands (Program 20321), travelers can expect approximately 29 hours of motorcoach travel during the program. This figure is calculated by adding the estimated driving times listed in Road Scholar's daily Activity Notes.

At Small Group Tours by The Traveling Professor, we emphasize scenic railway journeys and smaller vehicles for selected excursions, making transportation an enjoyable part of the Scotland experience rather than simply a way to reach the next destination.

Our philosophy is to use scenic trains whenever practical and smaller vehicles when exploring the countryside.

6. More Flexibility: Your Vacation, Your Way

Road Scholar emphasizes structured educational programs, lectures, guided excursions, and organized group meals. That's appealing to travelers who prefer carefully scheduled activities.

We take a different approach.

Our Scotland tour includes outstanding sightseeing while allowing travelers opportunities to pursue individual interests.

Want to play golf, go kayaking, ride a bicycle, or explore a Highland hiking trail? When scheduling permits, we're happy to help travelers explore those possibilities.

Perhaps you'd prefer storytelling and Scottish music at MacGregor's in Inverness or a ghost tour through Edinburgh's historic streets.

We recognize that travelers have different interests, even when traveling together. We don't believe everyone should be expected to follow exactly the same schedule every minute of the day.

It's your vacation. You should have the freedom to enjoy it your way.

7. Included Meals Versus Dining Freedom

Road Scholar's Scottish Highlands program includes 31 meals: 11 breakfasts, 10 lunches, and 10 dinners.

That's convenient for travelers who prefer most dining arrangements organized in advance. Road Scholar explains that organized group meals generally feature fixed or limited menus rather than full à la carte ordering.

Our Scotland tour includes daily breakfast while giving travelers greater freedom to select restaurants, menus, and dining companions.

Enjoy traditional fish and chips in a Scottish pub one evening and an excellent seafood restaurant the next. Choose where you eat, what you order, and whom you dine with.

We believe dining freedom is part of the travel experience, not something that should be sacrificed for a longer list of included meals.

8. Educational Travel Without a Rigid Schedule: Our Paris Example

Road Scholar's educational expertise is a genuine strength. We share that commitment to culturally enriching travel.

Our Scotland tours employ accredited local guides, including Scottish Blue Badge guides.

Small Group Tours by The Traveling Professor was founded by former college professor Steve Solosky, author of two editions of the bestselling The Traveling Professor's Guide to Paris.

Our Paris Once Again tour combines knowledgeable guides, museums, and historic attractions with opportunities to explore independently.

Paris traveler Linda C. praised our hotel's location and tour leader Lynn's personal attention:

"She asked us each day if there was something special that we wanted to do"

— Linda C., Google Review

Solo traveler Mary B. described her experience as:

"Perfect for a solo like me."

She added:

"The tour was quite busy, but you were always free to go your own way."

— Mary B., Google Review

You don't need a rigid schedule to enjoy an educational and culturally enriching vacation.

9. Road Scholar vs. Small Group Tours: Comparing Prices

Price matters, but the advertised total doesn't tell the whole story.

Consider these selected published 2027 prices, per person based on double occupancy:

Road Scholar's Scotland program offers a slightly lower daily rate, a longer itinerary, and more included meals. Our Scotland tour has a lower total price, centrally located hotels, fewer hotel changes, and greater flexibility.

In Paris, our tour costs approximately 19% less per advertised day, although Road Scholar includes more organized meals and educational programming.

The itineraries and inclusions differ, so these aren't exact like-for-like comparisons. Travelers should consider additional dining expenses, optional activities, and the actual number of hotel nights.

The best value isn't necessarily the lowest price or the most included meals. It's the experience you receive for your vacation time and money.

Prices reflect selected 2027 departures, are in U.S. dollars, and are subject to change.

Frequently Asked Questions About Road Scholar Alternatives

What are good alternatives to Road Scholar tours for adults over 50?

Small Group Tours by The Traveling Professor offers culturally enriching tours featuring smaller groups, centrally located hotels, knowledgeable guides, and independent flexibility.

Are small group tours suitable for solo travelers?

Yes. Many of our travelers are solo travelers who appreciate the companionship of a friendly group while maintaining their independence.

Is Road Scholar less expensive?

Not necessarily. Prices depend on destination, tour duration, departure date, and inclusions. Comparing the complete travel experience provides a better understanding of value.

Which Road Scholar Alternative Is Right for You?

Road Scholar and Small Group Tours by The Traveling Professor both offer enriching travel experiences for mature adults, with many destinations beyond the Scotland and Paris examples discussed here.

If you enjoy structured educational programs, organized activities, and numerous included meals, Road Scholar may be an excellent choice.

If you value smaller groups, outstanding hotel locations, personal service, scenic transportation, educational sightseeing, the freedom to explore independently, and friendships that develop along the way, we believe you'll love traveling with us.

We don't want to be the biggest. We want to deliver the best possible experience for your vacation time and money.

After all, It's Not Just the Places You Go… It's the People You Meet Along the Way.

See our articles comparing Traveling Professor's Small Group Tours to Collette Tours and Rick Steves Tours.

Explore all our small group tours and discover a different way to travel.