19 April 2024

Why Tour in 24! Would you love to explore the world but nobody to go with? Are you nervous to travel alone for the first time? (I know I was!) There are so many reasons for being an independent solo traveller. Maybe you’re recently widowed (like myself) or divorced, or simply you and your partner have different interests, or possibly you’re just ‘single wanting to mingle’ with other like-minded travellers. Well don’t fret, I think I have the perfect answer for you in just two words ‘ESCORTED TOURING’. Such small group holidays of up to 24 like-minded solo travellers, mean trips aren’t disruptive to the places visited. Plus, a smaller number of guests creates a great group dynamic; you’ll get to know a range of people from different backgrounds with a shared interest in travel. And with a friendly and experienced ‘holiday director’ to lead the way, you’ll get a unique insight into local life. They know the stories behind the sights you’ll see and take all the hassle out of travel arrangements, so you can focus on enjoying every moment of your adventure. So, who is the market leader in offering escorted tours for solo travellers? Well, I can answer that again in just two short words ‘JUST YOU’? As part of the G-Touring Group and with close ties to the highly reputable Travelsphere, ‘JUST YOU’ are the market leaders in bringing together solo independent travellers and providing a sense of adventure all over this amazing planet of ours. But why JUST YOU vs other escorted touring specialists? Well where do I start? Ok from the beginning I hear you say… - Everything is organised in advance (even an airport rep to help with check-in) “I know right!” - Initial nerves are put aside when your holiday director welcomes everybody for a welcome drink or a relaxing introductory dinner. - Chance to see multiple destinations either staying in a number of hotels or just using one hotel as a comfortable base – the choice is yours! - The quality of accommodation surpasses most travellers expectations, offering 4/5* hotels in perfect locations in order to explore together or alone (or I should say “Solo, not alone!”) - The dreaded ‘Single Supplement’ simply doesn’t exist on a JUST YOU escorted tour. Double or Twin bedded rooms all the way and don’t worry, a room of your own is guaranteed, so no sharing…unless mutually requested of course? - Guaranteed departures for all tours in 2024, offering complete package protection – phew! And the list goes on… So, what’s on your ‘must do’ list of destinations to explore? How about SICILY? Believe it or not, this is a highly popular escorted touring destination with ‘Just You’ and offers something for everyone. With it’s beautiful country inside and out; a warm welcome awaits anyone fortunate enough to visit, as well as a wealth of fabulous cities, sites and natural monuments that you’ll surely hold in your heart forever. They say a way to a man’s heart is through his stomach and for me personally, on major draw to Sicily is it's amazing and plentiful cuisine. Sicilian gastronomy is innovative, delicious and has always led the way in both flavour and technique. Touring by coach with your new found friendships, you can explore the spectacular mountain town of Taormina visiting the Greek Theatre or explore the coastal caves of Ortigia on your own private boat. The UNESCO site of Villa Romana del Casele never disappoints with it's preserved mosaics of yester-year highlighted by your own personal guide. With so much to see and do across this amazing country, you’ll want to choose a hand-crafted solo escorted tour of Sicily to make the most of the whole experience. Take a solo tour with Just You and embrace all that’s on offer in Europe’s uniquely astonishing fertile nation, with the flexibility of travelling with other solo travellers and having free time to yourself. Now, are you still nervous about travelling alone? I’m not! To find out more about the wide choice of escorted tours available for this year and to tap into my recent personal experience travelling with JUST YOU, get in touch and let’s arrange that first tour together.

24 November 2021

Greater Public Awareness Needed!! ETIAS & EEA - not just two irrelevant acronyms but they represent systems that will affect 'EVERYONE' who wishes to travel to any of the 34 EU & Schengen countries from the beginning of 2024! You may already be aware and have used the ESTA - visa waiver programme for entry to America, well a similar mandatory authorisation entry scheme will be with us UK citizens and every other non-EU country sooner than we may think, thanks to Brexit! To keep things simple: ETIAS - not a visa, more accurately referred to as a visa-waiver. The system will check the security credentials and charge a fee 7€ to travellers visiting EU member countries for business, tourism, medical or transit purposes. EES (Entry & Exit System) - from May 2023 Established by the European Union to register entry and exit data of non-EU nationals crossing the external borders of EU Member States - yes just like those self-serve machines you find in the immigration hall at Heathrow. My interview today on this subject on The Andrew Pierce Show - Daily Mail+ Spotify Podcasts - https://spoti.fi/3l5NzmR Daily Mail website - https://bit.ly/3l6Ezxv Google Podcasts - https://bit.ly/30QFE61 Scroll to 25:40 This continues to endorse the importance of using the services of a 'Trusted Travel' professional!!

15 August 2021

What an amazing cruising experience! Just back on terra firma after a brilliant and insightful 4-day cruise on VIRGIN VOYAGES brand new swanky Scarlet Lady. As a treat for my dad's 80th birthday and of course a 'go-see' mission for myself on this 'Superyacht-inspired' inaugural sailing around the UK, we were in ore of everything this cruise had to offer. With comprehensive Covid-19 testing prior to boarding for all passengers, hand sanitizers all around the ship and an overnight fumigation of all communal areas, there was a relaxed vibe, as there should be on any cruise. Operating at 65% capacity there was plenty of space on board and no reason to rush for the poolside sun loungers. In fact, all over the ship there were secluded private spaces to lay and chill in the sun or in shaded 'pods' looking out to sea at the horizon. For us both it was the high-end finish and furnishings that stood out. Something you would possibly expect for a new build cruise liner, but everything felt 'swanky' and 'trendy' really encapsulating the modernity that the Virgin brand represents. From the tablet-controlled room lighting, curtains and TV to the easy use of wrist bracelet called 'The wearable', used when confirming reservations and paying for alcohol beverages, all of the funky tech served a convenient purpose rather than just being just some gimmick. But for those of you who aren't maybe tech savvy, don't be put off, the conventional ways off turning on a light, opening curtains and looking at a physical menu instead of using the VV App are all still possible and the tech is not instead of. FOOD & DRINK: The eateries on board were numerous, 20+ in all, covering all parts of the globe and very high-end food cooked to order (No cold buffet food!) From Italian (Extra Virgin), Mexican (Pink Agave), The Wake (Steakhouse) and my personal favourite was the high drama of 'Gunbae'. A theatrical and authentic Korean BBQ, where it was possible to join others around a circular table dining experience. Ideal for the solo traveller if you're looking to meet other like-minded sailors. The waiters at Gunbae are incredibly enthusiastic and will invite you to play a traditional Korean drinking game, Sam-yuk-gu (3-6-9), where the losers take a shot of soju. It would've been rude not to partake! While alcoholic drinks aren’t included in the standard package, Virgin Voyages offer reasonable pricing at around £4 for beer, £7 for a cocktail and nearly 50% of their wines are under £8 a glass. For a limited time only, if you purchase a $300 prepaid bar tab, Virgin Voyages will give you a bonus $100 extra to spend at any bar on board or at The Beach Club, which is a banging deal if you ask me! ENTERTAINMENT: Although the weather wasn't at its best (not totally unexpected for a UK sailing), and opportunities to lay out in the sunshine were less than desired, there were plenty of daily onboard activities and entertainment shows to attend. I must give a big shout out to the entertainment crew. You’ll never find yourself bored on board the Scarlet Lady cruise ship, with a thrilling variety of entertainment and events. Not your average pre-dinner show, this cruise featured contemporary live performances in The Red Room, a large multi-form theatre where we were dazzled and delighted. We were captivated by the Duel Reality performance (produced by 7 fingers) which featured impressive acrobatics and elaborate circus tricks and treats. If you want to keep the party going, then it was possible to head to the Scarlet Lady’s very own night club, The Manor, which is open until the early hours of the morning. In here you’ll find a moody party vibe across two storeys and three bars to refuel and keep you up on your party feet. Note: the entrance to The Manor features an epic light installation where you can get your Instagram fix. IN CONCLUSION: With high-end modern furnishings throughout, the ship was equally matched by the fantastic and friendly international staff, who couldn't do enough for us. A 'new' modern cruising concept that should really open the eyes of other operators. The convenience of having all food included with meals cooked to order, no gratuities to pay, group workouts at no extra cost and basic bevvies all included - it proved to be the most inclusive cruise I've ever been on! So much so, I couldn't resist and have booked another sailing for Easter 2022 on the sister ship 'Valiant Lady' around the Canaries, which only touched the sea for the first-time last week. Get in touch if you want to know more about experiencing any of the Caribbean or Mediterranean cruises that Virgin Voyages will be operating, as early as October 2021. But that's not it - there will be another chance to cruise on the brand-new Valiant Lady from Portsmouth to Zeebrugge in March/April 2022, with a chance to hop-off and spend a full day in Bruges. Virgin Voyages - certainly redefining 'cruising' as we know it!