Italy springs to mind, as does mainland Spain, I want sun, good food and drink and if possible not too expensive. Obviously I am concerned about walking into dining rooms alone or bars when inside the hotel, but I am quite comfortable with a drink and a book whilst sunbathing alone.

Any advice please?

You will never have to walk into a dining room or bar alone as the group tends to meet at a certain time each evening.

There are lots of Italian holidays to look at and all have brilliant reviews if you put the holiday title in the search bar.

I hope this gives you the confidence to take the plunge - I promise you will not regret it, in fact you will find a whole new life of opportunities opening up before you.

Welcome to you, can I ask why your family are dead set against you travelling?

I have my 10th tour booked for this year and I have been travelling with JY since 2006, I am now 55. I can honestly say this is such a good safe way to travel, you are looked after from the beginning till the end. You can mix and join in with everything or you can have alone time if you need it...

The only Italian tour I have been on is the highlights of Tuscany tour! which I can recommend? This is a family run hotel, right by the beach nice trips out, I didn't do the optional day trip to Elba?? I don't like boats!! So spent the day sunbathing on the roof terrace..lovely village nearby, this is a very popular tour..you eat in a sectioned off dinner area at set times so you won't be alone. Most evenings were spent around the bar area after tea, for chats etc...

I can also recommend as I really enjoyed the Austrian lakes tour! they have changed the hotel for this year, so I can't comment on that! but a great tour.

All my other tours have been full on tourist types....I suggest you look on the review page and see what us travvellers really think about certain tours..if I can help you with anything else please just ask.

This is a great way to see the world, in a very safe way, there are so many laughs along the way, you will meet a varied group of people some will become firm friends others you will never here from again,but just enjoy it. Young and old get on well together and it really works.

Cindy

:( Really nervous, but after one year of being a widow I am going to jump in at the deep end and try a solo holiday, but am really, truly nervous. My family are dead set against it, especially from a security point of view, but I do not want to be reliant upon them or go away in school holidays. I especially want to go somewhere I did not travel to with my husband as I feel that is too soon at the moment.

Italy springs to mind, as does mainland Spain, I want sun, good food and drink and if possible not too expensive. Obviously I am concerned about walking into dining rooms alone or bars when inside the hotel, but I am quite comfortable with a drink and a book whilst sunbathing alone.

Any advice please?

Hi,

I have now done 11 tours with Just You, and have got 2 more booked for this year. Please don't be nervous, you will be made to feel very welcome, and Just You is a very safe way to travel. Please reassure your family! You will not be alone, unless you want to be. We normally have tables reserved for us, so you won't be eating on your own! If it helps, I did an interview for Just You answering 12 questions (!) - if you go on the JY Home Page, under News & Features, and under the Archives in February, there is an article called "Go and see the World!".

I hope this helps. JY have some fantastic holidays, so just pick one you fancy, and book it - you won't regret it!

Cheers,

Hils

If you fancy a holiday in Italy have a look at Italy's Cilento Coast, I did this a couple of years ago

and it is one of the best JY holiday distinations I have been to.

Also you will not have to walk into the dining room alone as you will get to know some of the other

travellers at the airport and on the coach to the hotel.

Dave.

You have come to the right place to get advice about JY holidays. I have been on four long haul holidays and have booked a trip to Apulia for 8th September this year

JY holidays are well organised, a safe way to travel and you will meet lots of interesting people. My advice is look at reviews of holidays in both Italy and Spain and go from there.

Lesley

I'm sure that you'll get lots of replies from the regulars on here, and they will all say the same thing - go for it! You will meet some lovely people who have all been in your situation through one thing or another, so understand your worries and fears, and those of your family. There is absolutely nothing to worry about and the beauty of going with a company like JY is that security is constant. You need never be alone unless you want to, and on any trips out when you're on holiday, you are always well taken care of from a secure point of view. As for going in alone for meals, you will meet up and befriend others who also don't like going in alone and you will most likely arrange to meet with them prior to going in to the dining areas.

You just need to decide where you want to go to and then book it! I promise that you won't regret it

Best wishes

Anne

Go ahead and book the holiday you fancy, I promise you won't regret it! Tell your family there is no problem at all with security as JY really do look after you right from the UK airport onwards. You will be with a group of likeminded people and the hotels used are very good especially from a safety point of view.

Quite a few of your fellow travellers will, like myself, be widowed but determined to enjoy life still and the company and fun you have on a JY holiday really does help you to do that. I've been on two so far (India & South Africa) which were both fantastic and have a third booked which I'm really looking forward to. Not only does it enable you to see parts of the World you maybe never thought you'd go to but you also get a lovely feeling of independence which lasts way beyond the holiday.

You won't be alone unless you want to be. The Tour Managers organise things so that you will always have good company in restaurants, bars, on trips etc. so there is nothing to worry about at all.

Once you've done one holiday you'll be hooked and before long be searching the brochure for the next. So go for it, you'll be so glad you did.

Good wishes Sue :thumbup:

:( Really nervous, but after one year of being a widow I am going to jump in at the deep end and try a solo holiday, but am really, truly nervous. My family are dead set against it, especially from a security point of view, but I do not want to be reliant upon them or go away in school holidays. I especially want to go somewhere I did not travel to with my husband as I feel that is too soon at the moment.

Italy springs to mind, as does mainland Spain, I want sun, good food and drink and if possible not too expensive. Obviously I am concerned about walking into dining rooms alone or bars when inside the hotel, but I am quite comfortable with a drink and a book whilst sunbathing alone.

Any advice please?

Hello Diamondsgirl welcome to Just You forum. I am sure as you start to read all the posts from new solo travellers you will see that you are not alone in feeling anxious about your first solo holiday. There is really no need to be nervous as JY look after you very well, My first holiday was to Apulia some four years after I lost my husband and although I was very worried about it I need not have been as I had a great time. You will most likely eat with the others on the trip and the tour guides are brilliant and look after everyone very well. I went to India with JY last Oct and that was also a wonderful holiday. I hope you take the plunge as you will not regret it I am sure!

Best wishes Ange

Don't even think about eating alone, I've been on a good few JY holidays and never seen anyone eat alone, only time you will be alone is when you want to be. In fact if you go for an holiday with evening meal included they group will be allocated tables, often 8 to 10 of you will sit together. Good idea at start of holiday to move around the group at meal times and sit next to different people.

Security isn't a concern either, travelling on a group holiday with a permanent tour manager is as safe as it gets.

From what you say I think a good choice for you would be Treasures of Andalucia, It includes some excellent excurrsions yet also the opportunity to sun worship, its your choice.

Get booked you wont regret it.

:( Really nervous, but after one year of being a widow I am going to jump in at the deep end and try a solo holiday, but am really, truly nervous. My family are dead set against it, especially from a security point of view, but I do not want to be reliant upon them or go away in school holidays. I especially want to go somewhere I did not travel to with my husband as I feel that is too soon at the moment.

Italy springs to mind, as does mainland Spain, I want sun, good food and drink and if possible not too expensive. Obviously I am concerned about walking into dining rooms alone or bars when inside the hotel, but I am quite comfortable with a drink and a book whilst sunbathing alone.

Any advice please?

Hi

If you fancy Italy, then I can heartily recommend Calabria. The hotel is superb, the food first class, plenty of sun, excellent tours. Calabria is unspoilt, and last September it was cheap. Because breakfasts and dinners were so good, light lunches in the sun were enough. The most I paid was €8 and one was €3.70! No, I did not go hungry.

I agree about going somewhere that you did not go with your husband. That is what I did and it is a good idea.

As far as security of concerned, please re-assure your family that there is nothing to worry about. From the time you meet your group at the airport, you are not alone unless you want to be. Tours are organised, and escorted in private JY coaches. The hotel in Calabria has a safe in reception where you can leave valuables.

At breakfast the dining area was mostly JY, and in the evening we used to order a drink at the bar and it would be brought out to the terrace where the group had met before dinner. Then as a group we went for dinner and sat at JY's tables.

I am sure there will be others who will tell you about there experiences on other holidays.

Be brave, do it. I remember how nervous I was, but very quickly realised that others were like me and it was great. JY is a very safe way to travel, especially for women travelling alone.

If you have any other questions, just ask.

Sylvia

First things first.....solos holidays does not mean you are going to be alone on your holiday....unless you want to be of course. The chances are that you will meet some of your fellow travellers at the airport if you display your luggage tags clearly, so you can have a chat before you even get on the plane! I've done 7 trips now (3 with JY)with 2 more booked this year and have found most people to be very friendly. In other words you will probably meet people who will become your new best friends!

In terms of security I've found JY to be a very safe way to travel but you can always discuss any concerns you may have with JY before you go and with your tour leader at the time. My trips with JY have all been long haul (South Africa and twice to USA) and have had no problems with security whatsoever. I'm sure that if you get any replies from ladies on this tread they will confirm my thoughts on this.

First time nerves....most people get those so it's entirely understandable, but don't forget that whilst booking a holiday may be a bit daunting it can be exciting too. I myself felt very alone staying at a hotel the night before my first trip to Egypt in 2010, but it ended up being a brilliant holiday and I'm so glad I did it. There is also no need to walk into a hotel dining room on your own. In my experience, groups will usually meet up in the hotel bar for a drink before dinner and go to the dining room from there. The JY tour leader will ensure that you never eat evening meals on your own.

Italy is such a great choice for a holiday....I've travelled extensively here, and there so many wonderful places to see. JY do a 'Classic Cities' tour, a 'Highlights of Tuscany' tour and an 'Amalfi to Apulia' tour as well (gosh I sound like a JY sales advisor!) so you're spoiled for choice. I've been to Tuscany and also spent time on the Amalfi coast and they are both beautiful areas. Venice, Florence and Rome on the 'Classic Cities' tour are also well worth visiting. In addition, I can thoroughly recommend the food and drink!

Good luck with whatever you decide in the future.

All the best

Mike

You have all made me feel much more confident, and I shall let you know when I have definitely booked, need a large glass of wine first!!Q

Wendy

:( Really nervous, but after one year of being a widow I am going to jump in at the deep end and try a solo holiday, but am really, truly nervous. My family are dead set against it, especially from a security point of view, but I do not want to be reliant upon them or go away in school holidays. I especially want to go somewhere I did not travel to with my husband as I feel that is too soon at the moment.

Italy springs to mind, as does mainland Spain, I want sun, good food and drink and if possible not too expensive. Obviously I am concerned about walking into dining rooms alone or bars when inside the hotel, but I am quite comfortable with a drink and a book whilst sunbathing alone.

Any advice please?

\\Hi

Just wanted to add to the list of people who have responded to you and say I was in your position a few years ago and took the plunge. I have never looked back as far as travel is concerned and will be doing my 7th (I think) JY holiday this year. You and your family have nothing to worry about. Once you are in the departure lounge you will be able to spot people with Just You labels on their hand luggage and all you have to do is say hello. Everyone is alone for whatever reason so you will not feel the slightest bit out of place. Please be reassured by all the responses to your post and choose somewhere you haven't been before. I just adopt a positive attitude and tell myself I am going on a big adventure. It hasn't failed yet!

I am so glad that you have decided to go ahead and book a holiday with Just You. You will have a wonderful time and meet people of all ages and experiences. When travelling with Just You, there is nothing to worry about as everything is taken care of and you are never alone unless you choose to spend time on your own. It is natural to be a bit nervous before embarking on an adventure, but go for it and you will have no regrets. Life is too short!

Regards

Jaya

Well I have done it and booked for Greece on 16 June, not sure if I am repeating myself from other,posts, but I am now nervously waiting and getting excited. Thank you to everyone who have reassured me by their responses to my fears.

So glad you have taken the plunge. You've done the hard bit now. Have a wonderful time. I hope this is the first of many Just You holidays - maybe our paths will cross sometime.

So sorry to hear about your loss, you will quickly find that you are not the only one on this forum in this situation. JY is a great way to travel safely on your own as you are only on your own whilst you journey to the airport and from then on only if and when you want to. From a security point of view you couldn't be better looked after. Your holiday rep and local rep will tell you everything you need to know and will ensure that you are safe and well looked after.

You will never have to walk into a dining room or bar alone as the group tends to meet at a certain time each evening.

There are lots of Italian holidays to look at and all have brilliant reviews if you put the holiday title in the search bar.

I hope this gives you the confidence to take the plunge - I promise you will not regret it, in fact you will find a whole new life of opportunities opening up before you.

I second all of Sally's comments. I found myself in exactly the same situation a couple of years ago. I am about to embark on my 4th JY holiday and have enjoyed every one. Found my confidence, which really takes a knock at these times, and so glad I did it. Also met some lovely people, including Sally.

So sorry to hear about your loss, you will quickly find that you are not the only one on this forum in this situation. JY is a great way to travel safely on your own as you are only on your own whilst you journey to the airport and from then on only if and when you want to. From a security point of view you couldn't be better looked after. Your holiday rep and local rep will tell you everything you need to know and will ensure that you are safe and well looked after.

You will never have to walk into a dining room or bar alone as the group tends to meet at a certain time each evening.

There are lots of Italian holidays to look at and all have brilliant reviews if you put the holiday title in the search bar.

I hope this gives you the confidence to take the plunge - I promise you will not regret it, in fact you will find a whole new life of opportunities opening up before you.

Meant to say Hi Sally. :cool: