Becoming a Road Scholar is easier than it may sound, according to Paul and Karen Pugh, of Dowagiac, who highlighted the Road Scholar organization Thursday.

During the regular, weekly meeting of Dowagiac’s Rotary Club, Karen and Paul presented information on the organization, owned by Elderhostel Inc., that has allowed them to travel to five locations in the United States and gives them the option to travel internationally. The difference in these trips, however, lies in the educational benefit travelers get from the coordinated itineraries and all-inclusive packages.

“This organization is not-for-profit,” Paul said. “They truly don’t make anything off the trip you take.”

Depending on the trip, single travelers or couples pay for the expenses of the vacation, which includes guided tours from local experts of the areas landmarks or special places, group settings of people with like-minded interests or special access to events such as Broadway “after parties” with actors and playwrights. Road Scholar partners with educational and cultural organizations to give travelers behind-the-scenes activities.

“We’ve been to places like Gettysburg and Monterey,” Karen said. “But the trips that they offer go all around the world.”

Paul added that after one trip was canceled, he and Karen decided to continue with their plans anyway. After reaching the halfway point of the vacation, Paul said they had already spent what the trip had cost them through the organization.

“They offer deals on the trips and some include flight rates in order for you to get to and from the location,” Paul said.

Because Karen and Paul made five trips through the organization, they have been named Road Scholar Ambassadors, which allowed them to speak during the Rotary meeting Thursday.

“The only requirement for the trips is that you have to be 55 years or older,” Paul said.

Karen added that some trips offer invitations to traveler’s relatives, such as grandchildren.

“For instance, in Gettysburg, Grandma and Grandpa can take the tour specified for them while the grandchildren are attending specific activities for themselves,” Karen said.

Paul said that though the trips are planned to fill each day with activities based on the traveler’s mobility levels, there is no need to stick to the itinerary.

“You are free to do what you please, you don’t have to be with the group every minute,” Karen said. “It’s really nice to travel and learn something while doing so.”

For more information about upcoming trips or how to become involved, visit www.roadscholar.org.