Humans are naturally nomadic and adventurous creatures. In fact, the urge to travel is ingrained in our DNA. For 99% of our history, our ancestors rarely had permanent homes or settlements. Instead, they constantly moved from place to place. So it’s no wonder that nowadays, as many of us live in the same place for most, if not all, of our lives, we have the itch to travel and experience different countries and cultures.
And, for many of us, that wanderlust has only increased since the pandemic has prevented us from setting off on international adventures. So now, as travel restrictions are easing, you might find yourself planning your next trip – and one great possibility to consider is solo travel.
There are many reasons why solo travelling might be an appealing adventure option. For instance, travelling alone is a great way to spend time with and get to know yourself better. It also allows you to go on the trip that you want to, as making travel decisions with your friends and family can often lead to compromise. Plus, it provides you with the perfect opportunity to meet new and interesting people.
However, setting out on a solo adventure can be a daunting prospect. From safety concerns to reservations about whether or not you’ll get lonely, there are a few things that might put you off taking the plunge.
With this in mind, we’ve teamed up with trusted holiday provider Just You, who’ve been offering carefully designed adventures for solo travellers for over 15 years, to bring you this conversation with seasoned adventurer Jan Clark about the magic of solo travel.
“When I was really small, I first heard about the rose-red city of Petra in Jordan, and I’ve dreamed of visiting it ever since”
Since Jan Clark (63) from North London retired from her job as a Children’s Services Inspector, she has, as she describes, been “living the life of leisure”. And a big part of this has been exploring new countries and cultures…
“I’ve always been interested in travel,” Jan explains. “When I was really small, probably about four or five, I first heard about the rose-red city of Petra in Jordan, and I’ve dreamed of visiting it ever since. I was also always interested in Ancient Egypt. So when the Tutukamun treasures were brought over in the early 70s, I went to visit them and they blew my mind. After that, I always wanted to travel to Egypt.
“I suppose my first taste of travel came when I was 11 or so and I went to Belgium and Holland as part of a school trip – and I’ve been setting off and exploring different countries and cultures ever since. I’ve been lucky to have visited lots of places even before I found Just You and began solo travelling. But most of my travels up to that point had been with friends.
Jan came across Just You after her mother, unfortunately, passed away: “The last few years of her life were quite sad, especially at Christmas. I’d lost my dad and she was in a residential home because she was suffering from dementia.
“Although I’d quite like to have done, I always said I’d never go abroad at Christmas while I still had my parents around. Then, when I lost my mum, I couldn’t bear the thought of a miserable Christmas by myself. So I had the idea to try and find a holiday for the festive season, and that’s when I found Just You.”
“I had a marvellous time. I’d never been to Spain before, so that was a first, and everyone in the group was great”
Just You offer a wide range of escorted holidays and tours that’ll take you all over the world. They offer solo travellers the opportunity to travel with a group of like-minded people who share a passion for travel and a sense of adventure.
Jan says, “I didn’t think it would be much fun if I went somewhere totally on my own. But I also didn’t want to go on a regular package holiday with lots of couples and whatnot. Instead, I booked a two week holiday near Barcelona with Just You, and it was absolutely fantastic.
“I had a marvellous time. I’d never been to Spain before, so that was a first, and everyone in the group was great. There was always something to do; plenty of entertainment in the hotel and lots of excursions and things to take part in.
“But, with everything, you can choose to either opt-in or opt-out – nobody minded. You have complete freedom and flexibility. The fact that you have a hotel room to yourself, and that you could step away from the group when you wanted to, really appealed to me.”
“I’ve made friends on these solo trips that have become friends for life”
Ever since that first trip to Barcelona back in 2012, Jan hasn’t looked back. Having been on a Just You solo holiday pretty much every Christmas and New Year until the pandemic hit in 2019, she’s visited places like China, Canada, and India. Jan even finally fulfilled her childhood dream of visiting the rose-red city of Petra in 2019.
Reflecting on that trip, Jan says, “Jordan is just the most amazing country and every single day was a highlight. When I first saw the famous treasury building in Petra – the one that’s famously in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade – I nearly cried. I’d wanted to see it ever since I was five years old and I was finally there. Life doesn’t get much better than that.
“Plus, by booking my adventures with Just You, I know I have the opportunity to go somewhere and have the absolute security and peace of mind that it’s all organised for me. I’m in safe hands and I don’t have to run the gauntlet of organising it all. You can just go and enjoy it.
“I feel as though each trip I’ve taken has been the perfect opportunity to see a place and have fun, companionship, and laughter with a group of like-minded people.
“I think one of the benefits when you’re a slightly older traveller, is that you’ll probably have a better idea of what you want and what you’re looking for. You want to be with people who, like you, really want to be there and have an interest in the place and the culture.
“That being said, the people who go on these trips are really diverse and come from all sorts of backgrounds. I’ve made friends on these solo trips that have become friends for life.”
“You always have the chance to step back from the group and be by yourself for a while and have little solo adventures”
Jan continues, “Deciding to travel by yourself, especially if you’re an introvert, is a brave decision. I admire people like that because it’s much more of a step for them than for someone who’s more extroverted like myself. But booking a solo trip with a holiday provider that caters specifically for solo travellers makes it so much easier.
“One of the nicest things Just You does is have a sort of gathering in the tourist lounge before you fly. This way, you get to meet everyone. The Tour Manager, or some other representative, is usually at the check-in and directs people to that. Every trip I’ve been on, I’ve seen people having a coffee and beginning to make connections with others on the trip before they even get on the plane.
“I did wonder about being part of a group of people that I’d never met before. I was worried about to what degree we’d be herded together and how much would be group activity – you know, going around in a mob – because I do like the freedom of setting off on my own.
“But, of course, it wasn’t like that at all. You always have the chance to step back from the group and be by yourself for a while and have little solo adventures. It’s perfectly balanced, in my opinion.”
“Having a good tour manager can make things easy and stress-free”
Jan explains that one of the things that sets Just You apart from other travel providers is their dedicated tour managers:
“The Tour Managers are not only brilliant at organising activities and excursions and making sure no one feels isolated, but they’ll sort out any problems that might crop up.
“When travelling with Just You, you needn’t worry – any challenge you run into, the tour manager will sort it out in seconds, make another arrangement, or give you options for how to overcome the issue. They’ve all spent their lives travelling and it’s what they love to do.
“If you were totally on your own, things like this could be quite difficult. But having a good tour manager can make things easy and stress-free.”
“That’s the beauty of travel. You can’t plan for these things. You just have to be in the right place at the right time”
From exploring the National Parks in Canada to floating past Alcatraz and under the Golden Gate Bridge on a boat in San Francisco, Jan has had some unforgettable experiences as a solo traveller.
“One of the most incredible moments I’ve experienced on one of my solo trips was when I visited India on what’s called the ‘Spirit of India’ tour. One morning, we went to Ranthambore National Park. It was dawn and freezing – not what you’d expect from India, I know.
“Just as we drove into the nature reserve, two tigers came rushing out from the undergrowth about 50 yards away. It was absolutely awesome.
“Later on, the jungle suddenly went quiet. Up until then, there had been all kinds of noises – birdsong and the sound of deer – but all of that had gone still and nothing was moving. You knew something dangerous was coming and I actually felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. And then, a leopard appeared at the top of the ridge, silhouetted against the sky.
“I’ll never forget that. And that’s the beauty of travel. You can’t plan for these things. You just have to be in the right place at the right time. I’m picking those out as highlights, but there are just too many to mention.”
“Booking a solo adventure with Just You is easy. The only challenge you’ll have is deciding what to put in your suitcase”
The world is a big place. And sometimes, when making the decision to set out on an adventure, one of the things that people can find really difficult is deciding where to go.
Jan says, “Sometimes, I don’t have a particular idea of where I’d like to go. But I find the information and brochures provided by Just You very helpful to get a sense of what’s out there and what packages are available.
“I’ve also always found their holiday advisors to be a great resource too. Not only is it helpful to speak to another human being, but they’re always personable and offer really good advice and information. They’ll help you get the most out of your trip and the best deal available.
“Some of the holiday advisors have also been to these places themselves, so they’re able to speak from personal experience. And, of course, there’s nothing more helpful than that.
“Booking a solo adventure with Just You is easy. The only challenge you’ll have is deciding what to put in your suitcase.”
Final thoughts from Jan…
After putting her international adventures on hold for the past few years, Jan has chosen to use this time to explore more of the UK. Although, she plans to get out there and see more of the world towards the end of this year, counting a visit to Lake Garda in Italy and a hot-air balloon trip across the Serengetti as possible future plans.
“Making the decision to go on a solo trip is a big step and I understand that some people will have some trepidation about it. But my advice to anyone thinking about it is to just give it a try.
“I’ve met all kinds of people on these holidays, many on their first-ever solo trip, and I don’t know anyone who’s regretted it. Everybody I’ve spoken to has told me, ‘I’m so glad I’ve done this.’ And you will too.”
Are you interested in booking your own adventure?
If you’re inspired by Jan’s story and are interested in booking a solo adventure of your own, then why not head on over to Just You’s website? Here, you can learn more about Just You, browse solo holiday offers, or find out how to speak to a holiday advisor.
And, for more inspiration, why not visit the travel section of our website? Here, you’ll find plenty of adventure ideas for both at home and abroad, as well as our guide to solo travel.