There’s a new kid on the tourism block - though this company has been very successful in the UK for over 10 years. Single traveller specialist, Just You, has just launched its program of escorted tours for single travellers in Canada offering city breaks, river cruises, tours and relaxing stays in destinations around the world. There are itineraries and hotels specially chosen to suit the needs of single travellers – and the big news is – Just You charges no single supplement.
Just You are backed by the UK’s leading single travel holiday company which actually took 1st place in this category at the British Travel Awards. Just You places a huge emphasis on feedback from customers when putting their holidays together, so with the launch here in Canada, Canadians stand to benefit from over ten years of experience in single travel.
Just You tours are designed specifically for single travellers – so you aren’t the “token single” within a group made up of couples. EVERYONE on a Just You tour is a single traveller! The average age of the customers is 58, but depending on the trip there can be a broad range of ages. Again it varies by tour and small group would be 16 while a large group would be 35. Thanks to the unique environment Just You creates for singles - for many people going on one of these tours it isn’t a choice between Just You and another company. If they weren’t going on a Just You tour they probably wouldn’t be going at all!
These wonderful tours are designed to empower single travellers to get out there and explore the world. It makes all the difference to know that you are escorted by an expert Tour Manager and accompanied by a group of like-minded single travellers, all of who are there on their own as well and excited to share the experience. You will eat meals together, take excursions and mix with the group under the expert guidance of your Tour Manager, but there is also the freedom to explore on your own. Just You even provide a 24 hr emergency helpline for added security.
Just You offer tours in 24 countries across 5 continents. Their program spans 42 escorted itineraries to places as varied as Myanmar, Japan and the USA. And they are as different as a walking tour of Tuscany, a city stay in Bologna, Florence or Venice - or a trip to see the Polar Bears in Churchill Manitoba. Tour durations range from 4 days to 16 days.
Tours include hotel accommodation in carefully selected 3 or 4 star, and every customer has a single room of their own with no single supplement. Having a place of your own where you can retreat applies to every Just You tour - on a river cruise for instance, you would enjoy a stateroom to yourself.
Itineraries offer many included and optional excursions and Just You often use local guides to share their unrivalled knowledge and insights. Welcome and farewell dinners are provided as well as many authentic local meals during the trip. Usually you will dine with others in the group even if a particular meal isn’t included. Baggage handling is included as well as transfers to and from the airport. The only thing that isn’t included is the flights – but your travel agent will be able to book these for you if you wish.
Their customers have rated 97% of Just You holidays as good or excellent. No wonder they have a high repeat booking rate, which also speaks to how much customers enjoy the tours – there are even some customers who book four tours a year!
Just You customer Jaya Shah has this advice for any single person considering a Just You vacation: “I would say just go for it, single travel is a pleasure, there is nothing to worry about and you will have lots of fun along the way. In fact, I have just one warning – travelling with Just You is addictive!”
Just You offer tours in 24 countries across 5 continents. Their program spans 42 escorted itineraries to places as varied as Myanmar, Japan and the USA. And they are as different as a walking tour of Tuscany, a city stay in Bologna, Florence or Venice - or a trip to see the Polar Bears in Churchill Manitoba. Tour durations range from 4 days to 16 days.
Here is a sample of just a few tour itineraries available. Check out the Just You brochure, available at your local Travel Agent, or visit www.justyou.com for more details.
Europe
The largest number of Just You tours are in Europe. There are river cruises, city stays and multi destination tours, with a particularly strong program in Italy.
Discover Apulia tour
Just You’s European vacations are highlighted by its Italy collection, including an exploration of Apulia which delivers a real taste of Italy by allowing travellers to step away from the crowds and get a glimpse of a true Italian lifestyle.
- Stay in the 4 star Hotel Sierra Sivana in the picturesque village of Selva di Fasano for 7 nights – with your own room
- 6 included excursions
- Meals include one at a fortified manor house and an al fresco dinner at a local masseria …..
- Learn about Olive oil tasting and visit the Gothic cathedral in Ostuni
- Visit the Sassi stone houses carved into the rock at Matera
- Explore the Valley of Itria with beehive style Truli houses, medieval palaces and the churches of Martina Franca
- Marvel at the Roman amphitheatre in Lecce
- Wander through the coastal town of Monopoli with a Baroque cathedral and bustling market
Verona Opera Break
The Verona Opera Break, is a five day vacation in in this historical city which includes the opportunity to watch two operas in the famed Roman Arena. Just You offers 24 vacations in Italy from the Lakes to the diverse landscapes of Tuscany.
- Stay in the 4 star Hotel Leon D’Oro in Verona just 15 mins from the heart of the city – with your own room
- Verona was the setting for Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet
- Verona has a rich collection of archeological sites including 1 15,000 seat Roman arena
- The highlight of the trip are two trips to the Opera taking place in this arena
- 2016 program includes La Traviata, Carmen, Aida and Turandot
- Also enjoy a guided tour of Verona – Juliet’s balcony, Roman Forum, open air market, Castelvecchio fortress
- Plus optional tours include Lake Garda and a winery tour
Croatian Coastal
Island-hopping across the Adriatic sea is the best way to experience all that Croatia has to offer with the eight day Croatian Coastal Explorer. During the cruise you will discover chic towns, sample the local food and enjoy magnificent views.
- 7 nights aboard the MS Eos – exclusively chartered for Just You customers – with your own cabin with private facilities and air conditioning (20 cabins only)
- All breakfasts, 5 lunches and 4 dinners dinner are prepared by the chef on board
- Visit the Medieval town of Trogir, relax in Krka National Park with waterfalls and tour Bibich Winery
- Take in historic delights such as the Sibenik Gothic Cathedral and Roman ruins in Zadar
- Zadar also has a famous Sea Organ
- Wander the fish market and Roman forum in Zlarin
- Explore the fashionable resort of Hvar with its imposing Renaissance Cathedral
- Visit Brac island with stunning Zlatni Rat beach
- Spend time in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the city of Split and admire Diocletians’s Palace
- Enjoy a heritage farewell dinner in the village of Krilo
Worldwide
You can travel to some of the most exciting and exotic destinations in the world with Just You. In Africa there are tours to South Africa and Namibia. Choices in South America cover Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Peru. And there are fascinating tours in Asia that take you to Burma (Myanmar), Malaysia, India and Japan.
Myanmar and the Road to Mandalay
Beyond Europe is headlined by Myanmar and the Road to Mandalay, a 12-day adventure through the unspoilt country of Burma, with incredible experiences. Slip off the tourist trail to mingle with the locals on market day, step inside real homes and gain a unique insight into monastic life. One spectacle not to be missed is the legendary Shwedagon Pagoda at sunset.
- Visit Yangon city with highlights such as the Kyaukhtatgyi pagpda with a reclining Buddha and Khen Hock Keong Chinese Temple
- Take a tour of Mandalay’s 19th century architecture, visit a craft workshop and enjoy an optional bicycling tour,
- Wander through Mandalay’s morning market and visit Sagaing Hill. Take a sunset boat trip at U Bein Bridge
- Enjoy a horse & cart ride in Bagan, an exclusive candlelit dinner in a temple and a visit to Nyang Oo Market followed by alms giving
- Walk in the Shan Hills
- Take a scenic train journey to Inle Lake
- Enjoy a private motor boat trip on Inle Lake and see sunken stupas & local villages on Inle Lake
- A highlight to end the tour in Yangon – visit the Shwedagon Pagoda at sunset
Highlights of Peru
Highlights of Peru is a 10-day vacation following in the footsteps of intrepid adventurers as you plough full steam ahead into Peru’s mountain wilderness. Ethereal morning light illuminates the mighty ‘lost city’ of Machu Picchu revealing the remains of the Incas’ final stronghold. Beautiful colonial towns rise from the mountains, colourful crafts decorate the streets and scents of hearty cuisine drift through traditional villages. Peru’s man-made wonders and fine natural attributes combine to create a fascinating land with a colourful culture that is truly intriguing.
- Stay 3 nights in Lima, 4 nights in Cuzco, 2 nights in Puno – always have your own room
- Visit the former Inca capital and Spanish Colonial city of Lima with 17th century squares, churches and mansions, Incan sites and Andean handicrafts in the markets
- Take the train and bus to arrive at Machu Picchu UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Visit the colourful village of Pisac, the Valley of the Incas and Ollantaytambo fortress and temple
- Travel through the Altiplano plains to Puno and Lake Titicaca – a might lake of 3,500 sq miles and 12,500 feet up.
- Visit the people of the the Uros islands of floating reeds who live on Lake Titicaca
Wild Borneo
Another incredible experience on offer from Just You is Wild Borneo, a 12-day flora and fauna exploration of the rainforests of Asia’s largest island.
- Stay 5 nights at the 4 star Horizon Hotel in Kota Kinabalu, 1 night at the 4 star Four Points by Sheraton Sandakan, 2 nights at the Abai Jungle Lodge in Abai and 1 night at the Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge – always with your own room.
- Visit Kinabalu National Park
- In Kota Belud you will see the “Cowboys of the East” and wander through the market
- Visit the Kundasang War Memorial
- Tour the Sepilok Oranutan Rehab Centre, Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre and see proboscis monkeys at the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary,
- At Suhau expect to see pygmy elephants and exotic birds
- Visit Kota Kinabalu and take a ride on a North Borneo Railway vintage steam train
And in Africa there are two great tours - you can see the ‘Big Five’ in the Kruger National Park in the 12-day Experience South Africa vacation and a journey through Namibia, a county known as a photographer’s paradise.
Canada and the USA
There are also tours with Just You that are closer to home within Canada and the USA that still offer the unique Just You advantages for single travellers.
Ultimate Polar Bear Adventure
Closer to home, Just You’s Canada vacations include the 6 day Ultimate Polar Bear Adventure - an unforgettable experience with tours to view polar bears along with the opportunity to go searching for the Northern Lights on a husky-driven sleigh.
- 2 nights in Winnipeg, 3 nights at the Lazy Bear Lodge – always with your own room
- Travel on a specially designed Tundra vehicle and take a husky-driven sleigh ride
- See diverse wildlife including Arctic Hare, Red Foxes and Polar Bears
- Visit the “Polar Bear Jail” where bears that stray too close to town are humanely held until they can be released into the wild
America’s Heart & Soul
Music is a central focus for much of North America with Just You’s America’s Heart & Soul holiday taking in the best that is on offer, from the blues of Chicago to the Jazz of New Orleans. The highlight of the 11-day trip has to be a visit to Graceland, the former home of Elvis, and the chance to join with the gospel singers in a Memphis church service.
Hang out in the live jazz clubs in Chicago
- Tour the Abraham Lincoln Museum in Springfield, Illinois
- Visit the Gateway Arch in St Louis
- Take in Graceland and the Blues Clubs in Memphis
- See the Oak Valley Plantation in Louisiana
- Visit the French Quarter, Jazz Clubs and take a Paddle Steamer ride in New Orleans.
And for those looking to see more of the USA, how about travelling along the famed Route 66, discovering the people, places, and gas stations. The 16-day adventure begins in Chicago and along the route takes in sightseeing tours of St Louis, St Charles, Springfield, Oklahoma, and Los Angeles.