Interview with Elderhostel
From LoveToKnow Seniors
To satisfy your travel desires, see the world with Elderhostel. In 1975, a collective of universities and colleges in New Hampshire developed a senior learner program. More than 30 years and approximately 8,000 programs later, Elderhostel squires intrepid travelers throughout North America and to over 90 countries worldwide.
Each opportunity celebrates the avid curiosity of travelers over 55. The organization’s primary programs are U.S. and international travel, Adventures Afloat, and Road Scholar, which features more independent travel and learning experiences off the usual paths. No matter what your interest is, Elderhostel probably features an excursion for it, from studying U.S. traditions through cultural festivals, to downhill skiing at Jackson Hole, cruising the Amazon River, or riding the rails through the Australian outback.
Despina Gakopoulos of Elderhostel describes the advantages of traveling with an educational program like Elderhostel.
Interview with Elderhostel
How does Elderhostel develop a program?
Elderhostel partners with a number of educational and cultural institutions across the U.S. and around the world. These partners develop the programs for us based on our guidelines.
Do travelers ever make recommendations for programs?
Yes, we receive feedback/suggestions from participants all the time and do take that into consideration.
What makes the learning component more attractive than just "wandering about?"
The educational component to our programs is really what makes them unique. People who attend our learning adventures are interested in learning in-depth about a location or a topic of interest and enjoy hearing from local experts and professionals who share their knowledge.
Tell us more about the intergenerational, Exploring North America, and Outdoor Adventure programs.
Intergenerational, Exploring North America and Outdoor Adventures are some of our very popular programs types.
- Intergenerational are our programs that offer the opportunity for grandparents and grandchildren to share a unique learning experience. We receive terrific feedback from participants in these programs.
- Exploring North America programs are programs that look at traditions and themes in various regions across North America.
- Outdoor Adventures are our more active programs and include bicycling, hiking, birding, and water sports such as kayaking, rafting, and canoeing. We also feature winter sports. These programs range in activity levels from level three (mild) to level six (most challenging.)
All of our programs actually have an activity level rating, but this rating is particularly useful when participants look at the Outdoor Adventures to determine if this is an appropriate program for them. Other program types include individual skills, cultural and fine arts, food and wine, among many others.
What Makes Elderhostel Different
Elderhostel is proud of each program's distinctive qualities, but what is consistent about traveling with the organization?
The educational component; Elderhostel's programs are all-inclusive, including accommodations, lectures, activities, gratuities, travel insurance plan, and most meals unless otherwise noted. Travelers also appreciate the warm camaraderie among the people on the programs.
If someone doesn't want to travel too far from home, how can they still participate in the Elderhostel experience?
Elderhostel offers more than 8,000 programs each year, so chances are there will be something available not too far from home. We also offer a number of Days of Discovery programs in metro areas across the U.S. These are daylong learning adventures that we offer in collaboration with local cultural institutions to highlight local points of interest.
How does the program accommodate special needs?
Our participants face a wide range of physical challenges–mobility, diet, hearing and vision loss, among others. We encourage participants to notify us of any special accommodations they may need for a particular program and we have a team of dedicated Elderhostel staff whose job it is to help every participant with physical challenges assess programs of their choice.
For More Information
- Review some of the basic questions first-time travelers have.
- Request a Elderhostel program catalog.
- Cautious to travel solo? Read about one woman’s adventures.
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