I'm now looking to get away from it all but I've never been away on my own before. I'm not a very sociable person, that's to say, I enjoy being around people but I find it exceedingly difficult to start conversations and I know sometimes it can come across as if I am uninterested.

I was wondering if anyone else has this sort of difficulty or had someone like this in their group on their holidays, and how they got around their difficulty?

Thanks

Karl

Hi

I'm now looking to get away from it all but I've never been away on my own before. I'm not a very sociable person, that's to say, I enjoy being around people but I find it exceedingly difficult to start conversations and I know sometimes it can come across as if I am uninterested.

I was wondering if anyone else has this sort of difficulty or had someone like this in their group on their holidays, and how they got around their difficulty?

Thanks

Karl

hello Karl and welcome,

I am the opposite to you, I am the very talkative person in a group, we are all different and that is what makes us interesting. Thankfully we are not all the same.

In a group of say 20-30 people male and females you will have noisy ones!! (Me) and people less noisy (that's you). I have my 10th JY tour and have met all types of people along the way. It is totally up to you what you put in and get out of a tour, at the end of the day we are a group of people who have chosen a tour because we want to visit that country, some are happy doing that from a distance of the group others want to be the centre of the attention, it's your holiday. I always take a book along just in case I find myself in the room in the evening alone but it's never happened, we single travellers know that not every one is the same, I try to keep an eye out for the quieter people and include them along the way, some times I can get them to open up a bit more and join in other times I can't. I do feel for you, but it does take two people to have a conversation, or even a smile or a laugh can go along way with people.

I would urge you to give it a go, if it's not for you then you don't ever have to go again. All I can say is I have travelled this world of ours in a very safe and secure way, I have seen great sights along the way, met some fantastic people who were strangers and are now friends,and had some right laughs and even the odd tear on this journey.

if I can help with anything else please just ask.

Cindy

Just You attracts all sorts of different people, from the shyest to the most outgoing. We are all nervous in new situations regardless, you don't have to be the life and soul of the party to enjoy yourself. One of the strengths of these trips is that you generally have dinner together, if the meal is in a hotel the rep will organise a large table or tables for us to sit together. You then get a chance to have quiet discussions with those around you - most people are genuinely interested in their travel companions. The opening questions from people invariably is - have you travelled with JY before and then the conversation tends to flow from there.

If you can pluck up the courage to make the booking, you will not regret it - I promise.

You don't have to spend all your time in the bar or lounge - I always take a book or books with me and often move off to my room after a post-dinner coffee unless someone asks me to join them for a drink. As far as I am aware, no-one has ever thought any the worse of me. I have found, though, that after a few days I've got to know one or two of the group well enough to link up with them on one or more of the visits and/or spend some time with them in the evening or on a free day.

The main thing is to try and relax - keep your mind, ears and eyes open to those around you and don't try to be something you're not. That way, even if you wouldn't win the prize for the world's most outgoing person, at least you will have had a lovely holiday with lots of happy memories to look back on.

Good luck.

Ann

I do hope what we have posted will give you the confidence to give JY a go,and when you do GO!! put your luggage labels onto your hand luggage and someone will spot you at the airport, it's a great introduction talking point.

All the best and good luck

Cindy

As others have said, often the first question asked is whether you've been on other JY holidays - I've been on 3 so far (all in Europe) and have my 4th booked (Canyons and LBH) for this June. I'm always interested to ask others which JY holidays they have been on and what they thought of it - I have a lot more JY holidays on my wishlist and its really good to get feedback.

I think like you my biggest worry was that I would be left on my own with no one to talk to the whole time, so I just thought to myself ok if that does happen will I still have a good time? And then thought yes because I was going to such an amazing place that just a few years ago I never would have dreamed I'd get to see. I went to Hawaii, it was a one off tour Just You ran last year. It was just somewhere that looked so beautiful and I thought if I didn't go for it I'd probably not get the chance to go again, since I'd never want to go on holiday completely on my own. Plus it being America I didn't have to worry about language barriers or what the food would be like and if I was on my own I could just escape to the beach with my kindle.

I had an amazing time. I think over the whole holiday I probably had about 3 hours on my own during one free afternoon. I found like others here people came and spoke to me right from the airport, since I had my Just You label on my bag. Most of the time I was sitting with different people on the coach as we were driven around on trips and met some lovely people I ended up going round with. I think even though there were almost 40 of us I didn't see anyone left out on their own unless they wanted some me time.

I think going so far away on my own actually gave my confidence a huge boost and I now have my 2nd holiday booked to Canada. While I still have the same worries about not being able to talk to people, I'm just thrilled that I'm getting the chance to see the world. I've definitely got the travel bug now and have a whole long list of places I'd like to visit.

My advice would be if there's somewhere you want to visit then just go for it. Or if there's not anywhere in particular then look for something with alot of included or optional excursions then you'll know you'll at least be with people every day and so get to know them. I think I'd be more worried if I had free days in the holiday where I wasn't sure what I would be doing or if I'd find people to go with. And if all else fails I just told myself if I really hate it, it's only for 2 weeks and I would have been kicking myself more for not going than for at least trying it out. After all its better to get something done than to live with the fear of it :)

Also if you have anymore questions about anything don't hesitate to ask. I think one of the reasons I picked Just You was because everyone on this forum seems so nice and friendly, I thought if that's the kind of people using this company then I'd be happy to go on holiday with them!

Hayley

What a brilliant post - I hope Karl takes note of your positive comments. I still find myself thinking back to our Hawaii trip - it really was fabulous. Yes - you were one of the quiet ones, but that didn't stop you from joining in and having a laugh. I'm so glad you've caught the travel bug and that JY has given you the confidence to take the leap again. Have a great time in Canada - it is an incredible country.

Sally