An experienced team dedicated to your well-being

Regardless of whether you are traveling within the Unitied States or overseas, staying safe while traveling involves a combination of preparation, awareness, and caution. Here are some tips to help minimize risks and ensure a safer and more rewarding travel experience.

Before You depart

• Safety begins when you pack. Do not take anything with you that you cannot afford to lose, so leave valuables such as jewelry at home. 
• Keep important documents secure. Make copies of all your travel documents, including your passport (front and back), visa, travel insurance, and other essential documents in case of emergency or if your documents are lost or stolen.  Leave one copy with a friend or relative at home. Leave a copy in a secure location where you are staying.

During your program

• Vigilance is all-important when you are traveling. Be aware of your surroundings at all times, even when traveling with a group. 
• Be familiar with the address and location of your hotel, and carry the phone number of your Group Leader and local program staff (which will be provided during your program orientation session) in case you get separated from the group or in the event of an after-hours emergency. 
• Protect your belongings. Keep your belongings secure at all times, especially in crowded places or tourist hotspots. Consider using a money belt or anti-theft backpack to deter pickpockets. Avoid wearing flashy jewelry or clothing, and take care with expensive items such as cameras or phones. 
• Stay informed about local scams. Research common scams in your destination and be vigilant to avoid falling victim to them.
• Do not leave valuables in vehicles, even if the vehicle will be locked, left in a secured location, or if the driver will remain with the vehicle. Carry a minimum amount of money and valuables. When you carry them on your person make sure they are concealed in a secure location, such as an inside or zippered pocket.

In addition to maintaining their necessary vaccinations, including seasonal influenza vaccination, Road Scholar recommends that all participants consult with their physician, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Department of State regarding their health condition and recommendations specific to the destinations they will visit well before departure. While Road Scholar does its best to provide pertinent information regarding health requirements and travel health precautions for travel, please remember that we are not health experts and can only share with you the recommendations made by the CDC and the U.S. Department of State. It is therefore your responsibility to consult with your physician and contact the CDC for health information specific to your travel destination. Your physician will be able to assess your overall health and fitness, provide information and guidance on health risks you may encounter while traveling, medication you may need to take and other precautions for the prevention of injury, illness and general health issues during your program.

• U.S. Department of State: www.travel.state.gov
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): www.cdc.gov/travel
• World Health Organization (WHO): www.who.int/

Preventive Measures to Avoid Illness

Staying healthy is critical to enjoying your program experience. Here is some guidance from the Centers for Disease Control on how to lower the risk of contracting and spreading illness, and reduce your risk of getting sick.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• A week before you depart on your program, consider isolating or being extra careful. If you must be in public in the week prior to departure, consider wearing a mask. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Do not travel if you are sick, have any symptoms of respiratory illness, or if you have had close contact with someone who is sick. Do not risk traveling if you are not feeling well.
• Wearing a well-fitted mask is an effective means of protection against airborne viruses. Wear a mask whenever around others, including when flying and transiting airports. Once on your program, wear a mask whenever you are in public setting.

For those looking for additional resources on this topic, we recommend trusted sources, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization.

U.S. Department of State Information on International Travel 

If you are traveling overseas, participants are strongly encouraged to review the safety and travel information for your program destination provided by the U.S. Department of State’s travel site at www.travel.state.gov. Learn about current security issues, travel warnings and recent embassy notices for American citizens by viewing your Country Specific Information page. Other helpful destination-specific information here includes 
•    Country Description 
•    Registration/Embassy Location 
•    Entry/Exit Requirements 
•    Safety and Security 
•    Crime 
•    Information for Victims of Crime 
•    Criminal Penalties 
•    Medical Facilities and Health Information 

Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service provided by the U.S. Government to U.S.citizens who are traveling to, or living in, a foreign country. STEP allows you to enter information about your upcoming program abroad so that the Department of State can better assist you in an emergency. Benefits of enrolling in STEP:

• Receive the latest safety and security information for your destination country.
• Help the U.S. Embassy contact you in an emergency, whether natural disaster, civil unrest, or family emergency.
• Help family and friends get in touch with you in an emergency.

When you enroll in STEP, you will automatically receive the most current information we have about your destination country, including:

• Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts
• Security and Emergency Message updates from the U.S. Embassy

Road Scholar encourages all participants to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. Enroll at step.state.gov.  If you are not a US citizen, please refer to your country’s foreign travel office website for information about how they can help you in the event of an emergency while traveling. 

Traveler Advice

Road Scholar encourages all participants to review both the U.S. Department of State and the Centers for Disease Control’s travel websites for the latest travel information and guidance specific to your destination. 

• U.S. Department of State Traveler's Checklist webpage 
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Travel Advice webpage: 

Yes. Our commitment to your well-being is exemplified in our Road Scholar Assurance Plan. Whether you are on a program in the United States or abroad, every Road Scholar participant automatically receives this plan.
Designed specifically for Road Scholar participants, the plan provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program and insurance for emergency medical evacuation. Click HERE to learn more about the Road Scholar Assurance Plan.

Millions of people travel each year. If you attend a program, the odds are in your favor that you will have an enjoyable and incident-free program. However, certain risks — from natural disasters to accidents, outbreaks of illness, crime, insect-borne and other infectious diseases, and environmental risks to health, terrorism and other unforeseen events— are inherent in travel. While such occurrences are beyond our control, we make substantial efforts to be prepared for such possibilities. Participants are encouraged to review the safety and travel information provided by the U.S. Department of State and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to learn about current security issues, travel advisories and warnings, recent embassy notices, country-specific health information, health risks you may encounter while traveling, precautions for the prevention of illness, disease and general health issues during your program and other helpful destination-specific information. By enrolling in a program, you agree to assume responsibility for your own health, safety, and welfare and acknowledge that Road Scholar cannot guarantee your safety or health at any time.

No. Road Scholar does not require participants to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or demonstrate proof of COVID-19 vaccination on-site. While vaccination is not required to enroll or participate in Road Scholar programs, for your protection as well as the protection of others, we encourage all participants to be up to date with all recommended vaccines, including COVID-19 and influenza.

The vast majority of countries, cruise lines and businesses have dropped most of their pandemic-era restrictions, including testing and vaccination requirements. However, despite the general easing of restrictions, Road Scholar continues to closely monitor multiple sources for the most up to date entry and travel requirements. If a destination or entity on a program requires individuals to show proof of vaccination or has other requirements you need to know about, we will provide the information on our program web pages as well as include detailed information about the applicable requirements in post-enrollment materials.

Depending on the airline or destination you may be required to wear a face mask when on board the aircraft and in terminals. Even if it not required, participants are encouraged to wear a mask when flying, transiting airports, as well as whenever in any public space.

To ensure a smooth travel experience, participants are encouraged to check their airline’s website prior to departure for the latest travel information regarding their flight. If you booked your air travel with Road Scholar, we will do our best to keep you informed of any requirements before travelling, but keep in mind that requirements for your specific program can change at any time, so we recommend you stay up to date as well.

Staying healthy is critical to enjoying your program, and taking common sense steps will reduce the risk of getting sick. For instance:

• A week before you depart for your program, consider limiting your exposure to others. If you must be in public in the week prior to departure, wear a mask.
• Do not travel if you are sick, have any symptoms of illness, or if you have had close contact with a person who is sick. Do not risk traveling if you are not feeling well. Call us to discuss your options
• Wearing a well-fitted mask is an effective means of protection against airborne viruses, including COVID-19. Wear a mask whenever around others, including when flying and transiting airports. Once on your program, wear a mask whenever you are in public setting.
• Wash your hands frequently and practice good hygiene.

These days, we understand participants may want more flexibility when planning for the future. We also know travel plans can change at the very last moment. That’s why our optional Road Scholar Trip Protection Plan also includes Cancel for Any Reason coverage, which allows you to cancel your program enrollment for any reason and receive a credit good for future travel with Road Scholar for the full amount of the cancellation fee. When you purchase the Road Scholar Trip Protection Plan, your program investment is protected should you need to cancel your enrollment, whether due to a scheduling conflict, apprehension about recent world events, a sick pet, or any reason not otherwise covered by insurance. Knowing that your program investment is protected gives you peace of mind, and the flexibility and comfort of choosing a time that’s right for you to travel.

Face masks are not required unless there is a specific mandate or regulation in place by authorities or organizations, or if required by your Group Leader to minimize the risk of contracting or spreading illness. Participants must therefore bring their own face masks to the program and be prepared to wear them if required in certain situations or when instructed.

However, you should exercise the level of precaution that makes you most comfortable. Face masks are a simple and effective way to prevent illness. Participants are encouraged to wear a mask whenever around others, including when flying and transiting airports. Feel free to wear your mask, even if others aren’t. Remember that this is group travel and you are the best person to minimize your own risk of getting sick. 

Road Scholar is always focused on the health and well-being of our participants, and Group Leaders are trained to take immediate action to ensure sick participants are well cared for, as well as to minimize the risk to the health, welfare and enjoyment of other participants.

If a participant develops symptoms of respiratory illness such as a new and persistent cough, sore throat, persistent runny nose and/or prolonged nasal congestion, fever or chills, or shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, or is diagnosed or tests positive for influenza (flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID-19, or other respiratory illness, they will be required to immediately self-isolate for no less than 24 hours, both for their health and the health, safety and welfare of the group. The purpose of a minimum mandatory 24-hour isolation period is to rest, obtain medical care if necessary, and see if their symptoms improve or worsen. The Group Leader will assist the participant obtain medical advice or attention if needed. 

Participants who become ill will not be permitted to rejoin the program if they do not isolate for at least 24 hours, continue to exhibit symptoms of illness, or do not feel well enough to participate fully in days’ worth of program activities. Participants will only be allowed to rejoin the program if they meet a number of requirements, all of which are intended to protect their health, as well as the health and welfare of their follow participants.

In order for a participant to be permitted to resume participation, they will have completed the mandatory minimum 24-hour isolation period, no longer have acute symptoms of illness, and feel much better and well enough to participate fully in the program. In addition, as a safety precaution, participants who qualify to rejoin the program will be required to wear a face mask for no fewer than 5 days.

Participants should be aware that Group Leaders are responsible for helping to protect the health welfare of all program participants, so if they observe a participant exhibiting symptoms consistent with respiratory illness, or otherwise determine they are unfit to be around other program participants, we expect the participant to abide by the Group Leader’s instructions and comply with Road Scholar’s safety protocols.

Participants should also be aware that in certain situation it may be necessary to adjust these safety protocols to ensure the comfort and well-being of all individuals involved.  For example, due to distance or available resources, it may be necessary for an ill participant to travel with the group to the next program location if leaving them behind to isolate is impractical. Should adjusting safety protocols in extenuating circumstances be necessary, we will endeavor to take reasonable steps to minimize the risk to others in the group (e.g. requiring everyone to wear a mask during the ride to the next program location). 

No. Road Scholar does not require participants to test for COVID-19, influenza (flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), or other respiratory illness. Any testing is optional and at the participant’s discretion and expense. If you do decide to get tested because you have symptoms of respiratory illness, regardless of the test result you will be required to follow the isolation protocols mentioned above, as well as those outlining how you can rejoin the program. If you are sick or exhibiting symptoms of respiratory illness, a negative COVID-19/flu/RSV test does not exempt you from the minimum mandatory 24-hour isolation period, permit you to rejoin the program if you are still feeling unwell, or eliminates the need to wear a mask if you do decide to return to the program. After all, you are still likely sick with something–it's just not what you tested for.

Protecting the health and welfare of all participants under our care during a program is of the utmost importance to us. Should a fellow participant become ill, in addition to implementing the aforementioned protocols, we will take reasonable measures to protect the health and welfare of all other participants, such as encouraging everyone to wear a face mask when indoors and in public settings.

Participants should also be aware that in certain situation it may be necessary to adjust these safety protocols to ensure the comfort and well-being of all individuals involved.  For example, due to distance or available resources, it may be necessary for an ill participant to travel with the group to the next program location if leaving them behind to isolate is impractical. Should adjusting safety protocols in extenuating circumstances be necessary, we will endeavor to take reasonable steps to minimize the risk to others in the group (e.g. requiring everyone to wear a mask during the ride to the next program location). 

Any additional expenses you may incur due to illness such as doctor visits, medical care, additional ground transportation airfare expenses, or extended accommodation expenses, will be your responsibility.

Every Road Scholar participant receives coverage under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program and insurance for emergency medical evacuation. For programs operating outside the United States, the plan also provides limited medical and sickness insurance. The policy operates on a reimbursement basis, so you must be prepared to pay for medical care on-site and submit an insurance claim when you return home. 

Please click here to learn more about Road Scholar’s included Assurance Plan, including benefits, terms, conditions and limitations.

Road Scholar’s optional Trip Protection Plan may help reimburse you for program days you miss due to illness. If you interrupt your program or return home early due to a covered sickness, the optional plan includes trip interruption coverage, which reimburses you for the unused portion of the program, plus the cost of any additional airfare you may need to return home. Please note that your illness must qualify as a covered event under the plan, and to be payable your claim will require examination and treatment at the time of interruption by a medical professional, and well as documentation to support the medical evaluation and diagnosis.

Please click here for detailed information about Road Scholar’s optional Trip Protection Plan, including benefits, terms, conditions and limitations  

You can find our program terms and conditions by clicking HERE