One Road Scholar’s Journey: Heritage, Friendship and Lifelong Learning

That curiosity has led her to investigate her own family’s roots, which run deep in Russian history. “My grandmother was part of the tsar’s circle in St. Petersburg,” she explains. When the Russian Revolution turned her family’s world upside down, they fled to China via the Trans-Siberian Railway, escaping what would become the downfall of the aristocracy.

“They lost everything,” she says. “My grandmother traveled throughout Europe before coming to the United States, and part of that time was spent in Northern Italy, where I traveled with Road Scholar.”

That personal connection made her time in Italy — especially one stop on that Road Scholar program — particularly poignant. “There was this old, grand hotel on the shores of Lake Como,” she recalls. “It had these incredible floor-to-ceiling windows, gold gilt everywhere and chandeliers. I walked in, and I thought, ‘Oh my goodness, she would have felt at home here.’”

She imagined her grandmother, who had lived near the tsar's palace and sent her sons to school with the tsar’s own children, finding comfort in the elegance of that space.

“It was like I could feel her presence,” she says.

While Northern Italy stirred deep connections to her past, it was also a profound experience in and of itself, thanks to the Road Scholars she met. “You know when you meet someone, and you just click? This woman, Leah, had me in tears from laughing so hard,” she recalls.

Despite living on opposite sides of the country, the two have remained in touch, and though they don’t get together as often as they’d like, their shared experience created a bond that’s lasted beyond the program.

Part of the reason Arri could make connections like this, she explains, is because she travels solo. “Traveling solo has been an essential part of my journey,” she says. “It’s so much easier to meet people that way. When you’re with someone else, you tend to stay in your little bubble, but traveling solo opens you up to new connections.” 

That being said, Arri also enjoys introducing her grandchildren to the world. Through Road Scholar’s Grandparent Adventures, she’s taken her grandsons to Hawaii, Iceland and Denmark.

“I feel like it’s my job now to expose them to the world,” she says. “In Hawaii, my youngest grandson, who was 12 at the time, was afraid of the water. By the end of the program, he was swimming like a fish. Seeing them grow like that, and learn, is so important to me.”

She loves how each adventure has inspired moments of reflection and connection for her grandchildren. “In Denmark, we had lunch with a family member, and the boys were captivated by the differences in how people live,” she shares, adding, “It was one of those revelations that travel brings — insights that can change your perspective forever.”

To change perspective, Arri says, it’s essential to stay flexible and open. “And do your research,” she advises, pausing. “But of course,” she adds, “Road Scholar is so well organized. They’ll take care of everything all you have to do is experience and learn.”

Her other advice? Travel light. “My father instilled that in me, and it stays with me to this day. I tell my family, no big bags — carry-on only!”

With more Road Scholar adventures planned on the horizon, she continues to explore, learn and grow. “Road Scholar provides and an abundance of learning opportunities with very serious experts and incredible access,” she says. “I always look to Road Scholar first and hope there isn’t a ‘sold out’ label by the program!”

For Arri, travel is a lifelong adventure — one that bridges her past, enriches her present and inspires the next generation.

Where will you explore next? Join the conversation and the community in our Age Adventurously Facebook group.