I'm in my early forties and trying to pluck up courage to take a holiday on my own for the first time. I have only been abroad once before, so you can imagine this is a bit daunting for me!

I like art and culture and would like to do the Tuscany tour (it's a shame the Florence city break isn't available as an add-on). I've discussed Just You holidays with those close to me and it was suggested that I would be better travelling with another tour company (who specialise in door-door holidays). The other company are not a solo traveller company, so I would be paying single supplements and if I was the only single person on the tour it would make me feel uncomfortable.

I know we are all different but for me, a significant part of the enjoyment of a holiday is sharing the experience. As most people on Just You are in the same boat of being a solo traveller, I think I would feel more comfortable than on a tour with couples.

I know the only person who is stopping me is me :s but I am daunted. I was looking at the Tuscany trip on 11 September and wondered how many other people are going on that trip.

Sharon

I'm sure our members will share with you their thoughts and experiences of travelling with Just You (I'm obviously a little bit biased) - I just wanted to let you know that at the moment there are 11 travellers booked on the 11th September date.

Kindest regards,

Julia

If Just You offer the holiday I want I prefer to travel with them. It is always a risk being the only solo traveller with other companies and can be lonely .

If you see a Just You holiday you would like to go on just book it.

You will find the world then becomes your oyster. No more worrying about travelling alone.

Just book and go !

What have you got to lose? It is entirely understandable that you are nervous - we have all been there, but you will see from the many posts on the subject that those nerves quickly fade and many people regret not having tried it sooner.

I am also in my early forties and have done 20 holidays with JY and a rival firm and can heartily recommend this type of holiday. You are looked after from the moment you arrive at the UK airport until you land back home again. You will only be on your own if you choose to be and will have a great time, with loads of laughs and seeing some incredible sights.

It you are anxious about getting to the airport you can ask about it on this forum other people from your area may be able to advise how they travel. Hopefully other people going on the trip will post replies so you can get chatting before the holiday.

So take a big breath, phone up and book the trip. I promise you will not regret it.

I went on the Tuscany trip last October. Like all the JY holidays you are really well looked after. I know that the rep that we had, Jonathan, does this trip a lot and he Is incredibly thoughtful and really looks after everyone well.

The hotel is a small, family run one and I felt incredibly welcome there. Lovely, lovely people and nothing was too much trouble for them. I prefer the smaller hotels like this to be honest particulary as the JY group took over the whole hotel

The trips are excellent, particulary as they are included in the price of the holiday.

I understand your concerns about travelling to and from the airport and you don't mention where you live. Personally I use National Express and if I am using Gatwick one of the smaller band b's. A lot of them pick you up and drop you at the airport. Once you are at the airport there is always a JY rep there to help you, even if your Tour Manager isn't flying with you.

I have been on tour holidays on my own and although I have always enjoyed them I much prefer using JY.

Like Sally says (hi Sally :thumbup:) pluck up the courage and go for it.

I can understand your nerves but honestly you will be fine. I have been on the highlights of Tuscanny tour a couple years ago and it's a great tour not to hectic, hotel right by the beach, and a nice village a stroll away, breakfast and evening meal are in the hotel, and there is a nice bar/veranda area for socialising in the evenings.

So why do the family want you to go door to door, do you live somewhere remote?, as Sally said there are many people on here who have to travel far and wide, some from Ireland, Jersey, Cornwall, etc..so you might be able to find out an easy way to get to the airport.once your at the airport your with all the others.

Please pick our brains and also have a look at the other messages on the boards, review section and hand hints might answer some of your questions.

I hope you pick that phone up and make the call to book this tour, once you have done one tour I am sure you will be back for more, I have my 10th tour booked for this year, been travelling with JY since 2006.

Cindy

Hello Everyone,

I'm in my early forties and trying to pluck up courage to take a holiday on my own for the first time. I have only been abroad once before, so you can imagine this is a bit daunting for me!

I like art and culture and would like to do the Tuscany tour (it's a shame the Florence city break isn't available as an add-on). I've discussed Just You holidays with those close to me and it was suggested that I would be better travelling with another tour company (who specialise in door-door holidays). The other company are not a solo traveller company, so I would be paying single supplements and if I was the only single person on the tour it would make me feel uncomfortable.

I know we are all different but for me, a significant part of the enjoyment of a holiday is sharing the experience. As most people on Just You are in the same boat of being a solo traveller, I think I would feel more comfortable than on a tour with couples.

I know the only person who is stopping me is me :s but I am daunted. I was looking at the Tuscany trip on 11 September and wondered how many other people are going on that trip.

Sharon

Hi Sharon,

First of all, let me say if you have a free choice then go for the singles holidays. This was my absolute MUST when I first had to travel alone - in my 70's.

Once you get to the airport check-in and find other JYers and the JY rep you will not be alone unless you want to be. If your friends are concerned, do you live near enough for someone to go to the airport with you? I think I have seen somewhere that JY offer a door service, but I am not sure. Customer services would know, or even the knowledgeable Julia who is the forum moderator.

When travelling with other singles you do not feel as though you are "butting in" when talking to the others, as can be the case on a tour with couples. The tour manager at the resort will ensure that you never have a meal alone. Usually there are tables set aside for JY.

I have not been on the Tuscany tour, but there are some marvellous reviews about it in the review section of the forum, just enter Tuscany in the search field.

Go for it - you will be fine and wonder why you hesitated.

Regards

Sylvia

I live in the North and am about 2½ hours from Manchester and 4½ from Gatwick. I don't mind driving and would be happy to drive to Gatwick, although I see there is a direct flight from Manchester (if I was a connecting one, I would prefer Gatwick). Family are keen on the door-door as they have done it and pointed out that the drive back on return home is very tiring. Sylvia, you are right about JY offering a door service on request; I saw it in the brochure and it may be worth looking in to (I can see the attraction), although the cost may be prohibitive due to the distance.

When I flew before (one and only time), the most anxious part for me was the whole airport process; I only settled once I was in my seat. Sally, I have read your fantastic step-by-step guide to airports and I can't tell you how great it is for someone like me! It would help me tremendously if I had to go through on my own,

Thank you Julia for advising how many travellers are on the trip. I have seen posts on here from two ladies going, one departing Manchester, so that gives me a little more encouragement.

From reading other posts, I see it is quite common to find the journey to the airport and arriving at the airport the most daunting, so that has made me feel better too.

Thank you everyone 🙂

Sharon

Many thanks

Sharon

At the moment there are two travellers booked to fly from Manchester on the Treasure of Tuscany trip.

There are still a number of places left so this may change before September.

Kindest regards,

Julia

All I would like to add to all the comments made above by other Just You travellers, is please do not let the nerves stop you from booking a holiday. Go for it - life is too short. I can assure you that you will have a wonderful time and will want to book another holiday on your return.

Jaya

Hello Everyone,

I'm in my early forties and trying to pluck up courage to take a holiday on my own for the first time. I have only been abroad once before, so you can imagine this is a bit daunting for me!

I like art and culture and would like to do the Tuscany tour (it's a shame the Florence city break isn't available as an add-on). I've discussed Just You holidays with those close to me and it was suggested that I would be better travelling with another tour company (who specialise in door-door holidays). The other company are not a solo traveller company, so I would be paying single supplements and if I was the only single person on the tour it would make me feel uncomfortable.

I know we are all different but for me, a significant part of the enjoyment of a holiday is sharing the experience. As most people on Just You are in the same boat of being a solo traveller, I think I would feel more comfortable than on a tour with couples.

I know the only person who is stopping me is me :s but I am daunted. I was looking at the Tuscany trip on 11 September and wondered how many other people are going on that trip.

Sharon

hi Sharon I am also a newbie looking at holidays.I travel for work and back and forth spain as I live there but am daunted at the thought of a different country on my own.i am looking at the Florence trip.I am 52 and my friends think it is a good idea.

I have just booked the Highlights of Tuscany tour. I feel nervous more than anything else but hope that will ease as the date approaches!

Thank you for your encouragement!

Sharon

As you know I am the other newbie flying from Manchester for this trip and travelling from the South Yorkshire/ North Derbyshire. Maybe we can arrange to meet for a coffee at the airport prior to travelling nearer the time?

Regards

Vin

I am in North Lincolnshire, so not that far from you. Yes, it would be nice to meet for coffee at the airport 🙂 Perhaps Julia will be able to give you my e-mail address so we can arrange something closer to the time.

I notice that the 11 September trip is no longer showing as available; there were only 11 people booked on it last week so maybe it is a small group if all places are now filled.

Kind regards

Sharon

If you are happy for me to pass on Sharon's email address to you, please can you reply to this thread and I will forward on her email address.

Kindest regards,

Julia

I confirm I am happy for you to share my email address with Sharon.

Vin

I have sent you both an email now.

Kindest regards,

Jules

Hello Everyone,

I'm in my early forties and trying to pluck up courage to take a holiday on my own for the first time. I have only been abroad once before, so you can imagine this is a bit daunting for me!

I like art and culture and would like to do the Tuscany tour (it's a shame the Florence city break isn't available as an add-on). I've discussed Just You holidays with those close to me and it was suggested that I would be better travelling with another tour company (who specialise in door-door holidays). The other company are not a solo traveller company, so I would be paying single supplements and if I was the only single person on the tour it would make me feel uncomfortable.

I know we are all different but for me, a significant part of the enjoyment of a holiday is sharing the experience. As most people on Just You are in the same boat of being a solo traveller, I think I would feel more comfortable than on a tour with couples.

I know the only person who is stopping me is me :s but I am daunted. I was looking at the Tuscany trip on 11 September and wondered how many other people are going on that trip.

Sharon

Hi Sharon, it's the best thing I ever did, I lost my husband in feb 2009, having been married since I was 18, being married for 35 years. I plucked up the courage to go with just you in June 2012, and have been to Bulgaria sept, Andalucia June 2013, Spain sept 2013, this sept I'm off to Canada &New England in the fall. So go on take the first step, you'll never look back. I'd never been on holiday on my own. X Julie L