Why NOW is the time to take that solo adventure: Seven reasons why traveling alone has never been easier, safer, or more awe-inspiring

Busy diaries, differing interests and competing commitments can make planning a holiday with friends or relatives feel almost impossible.  

Too often, this means long-held dreams of exploring new places are left gathering dust.

So it’s no surprise more people are discovering the freedom of solo travel – particularly now travelling independently doesn’t have to mean being alone. 

As the solo travel specialists, Just You have been creating unforgettable journeys for 25 years – bringing likeminded people together to share extraordinary experiences and forge lasting friendships.

With their escorted tours, solo travel specialists Just You bring together likeminded people together to share extraordinary experiences and forge lasting friendships

You can choose from more than 100 escorted tours across six continents, from walking holidays in Europe to a 38-night tour of Australia, New Zealand and the Cook Islands.  

Their experts take care of everything, so you can get on with enjoying your adventure of a lifetime. 

Here are seven reasons why travelling alone has never been more rewarding – 

1. It’s the best of both worlds

Being able to choose exactly where you travel is hugely invigorating, opening up new opportunities that might otherwise have remained out of reach.

Choosing Just You offers the best of both worlds: you enjoy the freedom of solo travel with your own guaranteed room (a twin or double), while still sharing experiences with a like-minded group. 

Breakfast is included every day in addition to many other delicious meals and a welcome get-together. 

Author, broadcaster and Just You brand ambassador Janet Ellis recently joined a Just You trip taking in the sights of New York in just four days

2. You can be guided by the experts

A great holiday isn’t just about where you go – it’s what you do when you get there too.  

When you travel with Just You, an expert Holiday Director is on hand to make everything go seamlessly. 

They’re tasked with creating unforgettable itineraries that combine iconic sites with hidden gems – allowing you to truly get under the skin of your destination, with lots of opportunities to explore independently if you’d prefer. 

You could also get the chance to give back to local communities through their partnership with the Planeterra Foundation, which supports local projects and social enterprises by helping them earn an income from tourism. 

3. There’s so much to choose from 

From wandering through the vineyards of Tuscany to stargazing on the South African savannah, Just You gives you access to some of the world’s most extraordinary experiences. 

There are a vast range of destinations to choose from, with favourites including Italy, Spain and Croatia alongside India, Japan, south-east Asia and North, Central and South America. 

There’s also a selection of more specialist destinations such as Costa Rica, Borneo, Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. 

You’re sure to find an option to suit your personal interests…  

4. More people are trying solo travel

If you’ve already taken a solo trip, you’re part of a growing trend.  

In fact, 16 per cent of holidaymakers said they travelled alone in 2023, according to the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA). 

More people are realising there’s no reason to put off a well-deserved holiday just because friends or partners don’t happen to be available. 

Destinations in Italy are particularly popular with Just You customers. Pictured is a view over Florence 

5. It’s a chance to expand your horizons 

By introducing you to new places and cultures, travel enriches your knowledge and builds confidence.

When you go as part of a group, you don’t just learn from the destinations you visit, but each other too. 

‘Solo travel has helped me come out of my shell’ 

Just You customer Karen Goodall recently joined the America’s Music Heritage tour, which explores music hotspots like Nashville and Memphis over 12 foot-tapping days. 

Recalling some of her favourite moments, she says: ‘In Nashville, the Country Music Hall of Fame was a big highlight for me – just looking at the walls, full to the brim with hit records, was amazing.

‘Beale Street in Memphis was an eye opener – the atmosphere is incredible with the sounds of live music spilling out onto the streets. We then went to BB King’s blues club to have a meal and watch a band perform. 

‘I revel in doing something a bit different to the norm, and our Holiday Director Jackie was fantastic at bringing us all together for some unique experiences. If you’ve got your eye on this tour, my advice is to go for it, whether you’re a music fan or not!’

Karen is already planning her next trip with Just You, Canada’s Eastern Splendours, a tour that takes in Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Quebec and more.

‘I used to lack confidence but solo travel has helped me to come out of my shell and grow as a person,’ she says. ‘I book with Just You as I feel safe and I know I have someone there just in case there’s ever a problem.’

With the chance to discover fresh perspectives and form lasting friendships, your new travel companions are often just as memorable as the journey itself. 

And since they already share your sense of adventure, you’re likely to have plenty in common from the start.

6. You can book with confidence 

You should be able to enjoy your solo adventure without worrying what might happen in the unlikely event something goes wrong. 

All Just You holidays are financially protected through ABTA or ATOL – so you can be sure your trip is safe. 

You also have the peace of mind of knowing you’re travelling with a reputable company that comes Good Housekeeping Reader Recommended for solo travel and has a rating of Excellent on Trustpilot.

7. You’ll make lifelong memories 

You know those moments you keep coming back to time and time again?

There are plenty of these on a Just You holiday, like wandering through the extraordinary carved rock churches and houses of the Sassi di Matera – believed to be the oldest continuously inhabited cave city in the world. 

Or perhaps you’ll gaze in wonder as the Northern Lights fill the skies over Iceland? 

Other journeys will take you high into the Peruvian Andes to experience the magic of Machu Picchu, or through the South African savannah to get up close with its lions. 

There’s so much out there waiting to be discovered on your next solo adventure. So what are you waiting for?  

Find out more and book your solo travel holiday at justyou.co.uk