Road Scholar, formerly known as Elderhostel, provides worldwide educational tours for seniors over the age of 50. Each of their tours is dedicated to learning; tours are grouped by interest, ranging from outdoor adventures to city discoveries. Each tour is led by authorities in the field of study. Road Scholar caters to single travelers, giving you the option of roommate matching or rooming alone. Each tour has a forum page where single tour participants can post notices for roommates.
ElderTreks is a tour company that specializes in small group exotic adventures for travelers over 50 years of age. The maximum group size is 16; active off-the-beaten-track tours are available in over 100 countries. Activity levels range from easy, which involves moderate walking, to challenging, which may involve steep slope hikes up to 10 hours long. The activity levels are clearly marked. Prices are determined by the length of the tour and the destination. ElderTreks does not impose a single supplement. If you are willing to share a room, the company finds you a roommate.
Walking the World has adventure vacations and international walking tours for those over 50. Tours are of various lengths and go to places as diverse as Jordan and Iceland. Many involve multi-day hikes combined with camping. Single travelers have the choice of a single room with a supplement fee, or sharing a room. If no roommate is found, you must pay the supplement, which is clearly stated on most of the tour pages. Prices are dependent on the length of tour and location.
Grand Circle Tours offers river cruises and escorted tours to many places around the world. Offered exclusively to American travelers, tours range from two to three weeks. Grand Circle caters to single travelers. Travelers can create a profile on the Travel Companions on-line community to search for a roommate. Grand Circle also provides a free roommate matching service; if no same-gender roommate can be found, you receive a single room at no additional price. In 2011, the Solo Traveler Price Guarantee states, "If you find a lower price for a solo traveler on any comparable international trip for Americans, Grand Circle will match the price and deduct $500 from the cost of your trip."
