Organization Information:
Exploritas, formerly known as Elderhostel, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing mature adults with “learning adventures.” Exploritas offers trips to 90 countries; they presented almost 8,000 learning programs in the United States and Canada last year.
Mission:
“Exploritas offers in-depth and behind-the-scenes learning experiences for almost every interest and ability.”
Destinations:
North, Central, and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Polynesia, and Antarctica when conditions permit.
Tour Participant Demographics:
55 and older. Exploritas offers special intergenerational programs for grandparents and grandchildren ages 4 and up.
Single Traveler Information:
Exploritas does charge a single supplement, but you don’t have to pay it if you sign up for a roommate.
Cost:
Varies widely. One-day programs are about $50 and up. Some North American travel programs cost less than $600.
Trip Length:
Varies. Exploritas offers one-day programs as well as short and long trips.
Quick Facts About Exploritas:
- Exploritas’ program fees may or may not include airfare. Check your program’s itinerary for complete information.
- Nearly all other expenses are included; check each trip’s itinerary for details.
- Exploritas offers a wide variety of trips and programs. You can learn a new skill, such as basketweaving, try a high-adventure sport, immerse yourself in the culture of another country or participate in a service learning trip. Activity levels vary.
- Exploritas works hard to accommodate travelers with disabilities, but warns that many overseas destinations do not have accessible facilities.
- Exploritas offers partial scholarships for their U. S. and Canada programs.
- Some international trips involve “home-basing” at one hotel and taking daytrips to various sites. For example, the “Treasured Sicily” participants spend most nights at a hotel outside of Palermo, but visit destinations all over the island. Check a map or online mapping site to see if you are comfortable with the distances you’ll travel each day.
- Trip insurance is available.
Contact Information:
(800) 454-5768
Exploritas
11 Avenue de Lafayette
Boston, MA 02111-1746
U. S. A.
websiteE-mail: website@exploritas.org
