Connecting with Fellow Tour Participants before Tour Begins

Posted by Mark & Sandee (Texas) on 02/27/26 02:43 PM

Hi Everyone,

We were wondering if there could be a way for participants of any given RS tour, if they so choose, to be able to connect and message each other before the tour begins. This could be a way of sharing information, pre-tour, and of just beginning the friendships early. No one has to participate if they don't want to; it could be an opt-in sort of thing. Getting a helpful tip prior too the tour beginning would enable tour participants to act on the info prior to boarding the airplane. Also, we just think it would be fun.

Safe and Happy Travels,

Mark and Sandee

P.S. We are on the Best of Sicily Tour that begins March 31st. Feel free to message us if you are also on this tour.

Posted by CL

Salem, Oregon, USA

02/27/26 03:09 PM

3745 posts

As far as I know, the only way to connect pre-tour is posting in this forum as you did and seeing if anyone responds. The forum is not well known by most RS tour participants so you may not hear from anyone. I think some people have also set up Facebook queries in the RS group that is there, but I don't have experience with that.

If you want to get more responses though, I'd change the title of your post so it includes your tour name and date. Enjoy your trip!

Posted by LIZinPA 🧳

SE Pennsylvania

02/27/26 03:33 PM

3227 posts

I agree with what CL posted above.

As an example, RoadScholar actually has a page for every date of every tour to do just that.
The number of participants who even populate their profile there, let alone post anything, is maybe 1%.

Posted by Pam

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA

02/27/26 03:46 PM

16735 posts

I agree with both CL and Liz.

Out of the 12 Rick Steves tours I've done perhaps 3 or 4 others on the tour had even heard of the forum much less been an active member of the community or even posted.

AND on the Road Scholar forums...I agree the response there is really dismal. I'm not sure if the Road Scholar participants are just less technically able or if they are harder to find. I'ver recently signed up for a program in a year and see 2 others are showing up as having signed up (sometimes the numbers are off). I may start a thread just to see if I get a response but don't hold out much hope.

Have a wonderful time and I hope someone responds!

Posted by KD

02/27/26 04:36 PM

1701 posts

No, there's not a way, unless someone responds to your post on this forum. On our first RS tour 10 years ago, we received names and city of where folks lived (a few weeks before the tour started.) RS probably figured out that was a break in privacy. Now you receive first names only and I think the state they live in.

Even on the tour, there is no way the tour guide will facilitate the exchange of information, but usually someone in the group starts an optional sign up sheet towards the end of the tour, where people can write their contact information on, if interested.

I really enjoy the RS tours; taking my 4th this year. I'm also friendly and social. But, I wouldn't feel any need to be in touch with tour members before the tour. Like us, we've found many tour members are taking the tour as part of a longer independent travel plan so people aren't all just arriving from home to start the tour. The orientation meeting is designed to get to know the people in the group better. That's your time to say, "hey, we really enjoy hanging out with others and if you'd like to join us at ... let us know!" That type of thing. It's like summer camp, you bond easily and quickly. Yet there's room for people to be all in when the group is together, but independent when you're not. Something for everyone!

Anyway, just my perspective and experience! Have a great time. We've enjoyed every group we've been a part of...