My Just You Story: Suzanne

As part of our series of Just You at 25, we caught up with Suzanne Clarke to discover some of her adventures with us since her first trip to Spain with us in 2003.

What inspired you to start travelling with Just You?

I was at a point where my friends’ circumstances were changing, and we no longer holidayed together as we had done when we were younger. I had always enjoyed travelling and was ready to explore outside Europe but was nervous about travelling long haul alone. I did some research and found out about Just You. After doing a little research, I realised I could travel anywhere in the world, on my own, but with the safety of being part of a group, and that really appealed to me.

Why do you continue to travel with Just You?

I love the fantastic choice of destinations, exciting itineraries, quality hotels, knowledgeable Holiday Directors, and having the chance to meet like-minded people.

It’s nice to have the privacy of my own room, and a bit of flexibility to join in with optionals or just have a day to myself if I want to.

What is the best thing about Just You?

For me it’s about feeling safe when I’m somewhere unfamiliar, and having the security of being able to utilise the knowledge of the Holiday Director and guides.

It’s hard to choose just one, so I’d also say it’s having an itinerary to maximise the time you spend in a particular place – and being able to travel to destinations that I probably would not travel to alone.

Where have you travelled to with Just You so far?

I’ve enjoyed Treasures of Andalucia and Australian Highlights, plus America’s Golden West which I don’t think is available now.

Can you tell us a little bit about each of them and what you loved the most about each one?

Andalucia was my first solo trip and a bit of a “tester” before going to Australia nine months later. I joined the tour for June 2003 and loved it. I befriended a small group of ladies, and we enjoyed exploring together on our free days. I had never been to Spain before and thoroughly enjoyed the excursions - a day in Seville, sherry/port tasting in Jerez, seeing the Andalucian Dancing Horses, and watching Flamenco dancing in a bar in Jerez.

I had woken up one morning and said, “I’m going to Australia” and within days had booked the trip for March 2004. I was a bit nervous about the long flight, having never flown further than the Mediterranean, but my desire to visit Australia outweighed any nerves!

We stayed in three areas which were all so different and I loved the contrasts - tropical Cairns, the hot dry deserts of Uluru and finally the warmth and friendliness of Sydney. I loved so many aspects of this holiday – it was the trip of a lifetime for me. One thing that stands out is that my new friend and I had booked places on a trip on a catamaran to Green Island with the group.

When we arrived at the departure point, we decided that instead of travelling via catamaran, we would go by helicopter! I had never flown in a helicopter before and that was something that had been on my bucket list for a while. It was a complete spur of the moment decision and possibly one of the best I have ever made! We flew over the Great Barrier Reef and that is something I will never, ever forget.

For as long as I can remember I have been fascinated by the America that we see in movies; I grew up watching American TV shows and movies and had spent hours as a child mesmerised by the glamour of 40s and 50s actors in a large hardback book that my family had. On the America’s Golden West tour we stayed in San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, and Las Vegas.

I loved the different cities and travelling by coach for the whole holiday meant we saw so many things along the way and stopped off at some beautiful towns such as Carmel, Monterey, and Long Beach. I remember going to a cocktail reception in a very tall building opposite the Bank of America in San Francisco and thinking “how did I get here?”, seeing the foot and handprints outside Graumann’s Chinese Theater in LA and of course the famous Hollywood sign. I fell in love with Santa Barbara and in Palm Springs I loved seeing the stars houses from the 50s and 60s, and finally, Las Vegas just blew my mind!

Out of all trips you have enjoyed with us, what is the most standout holiday experience/moment you've enjoyed on a Just You tour?

It is hard to pick just one but getting up very early to walk around Uluru at sunrise was the most beautiful, surreal, and magical experience I had ever had. If I am allowed to sneak in another, I will never forget sitting on the open top deck of a ferry as it pulled out from Circular Quay in Sydney on our first evening there, looking back at the twinkling lights behind us, and saying to my new friend “pinch me - I can’t believe I’m here”.

Is there a destination/experience that completely surprised you?

Considering the vast distance between the UK and Australia, I was surprised how at homely and familiar it felt being there.

Have you made any lifelong friends through travelling with Just You?

Yes, I got chatting to a lady sitting behind me on the flight to Cairns and we immediately hit it off. We spent the entire holiday together and not only have we kept in touch for 20 years, but despite living 200 miles apart we meet up every summer in London for afternoon tea.

If you could go back to any of the destinations you have travelled to so far, where would it be and why?

Australia - it is so far from home, so different to home yet feels like home. I loved the contrast between landscapes in different states and would love to explore more, particularly the Gold Coast.

Are there any other places on your holiday to-do list?

I would love to visit Canada, Japan, South America, India, Poland, Switzerland, and Malta - to name a few! One of my “If I win the lottery” dreams is to drive across America, coast to coast, in a Winnebago. I currently have my eye on the Prague, Vienna & Budapest tour for 2025.

Anything else you would like to add...

I really am grateful to Just You - I have met some amazing people, visited places I would never have travelled to alone and enjoyed unforgettable experiences in each. Thanks Just You!