For Jinty, Christmas is a time to do something different, why not pick a trip abroad if it means being surrounded by people who understand?
" I usually like to go away with you at Christmas if I can, often in this country. I’m actually going away to Chester this year – I like to go away at Christmas and do something. Just like to do my own thing. I do think Solos is unique compared to other companies. We are all in the same boat. You find, especially women, we’re independent and that type of [trip] suits us. We can do our own thing or join the group.”
A Christmas Eve she’ll never forget
Travel often gives us those serendipitous moments — the ones that stay with us long after the decorations are packed away. For Jinty, that moment came in Prague.
“I had a very interesting moment in Prague one Christmas Eve – standing in Wenceslas Square on a Solos walking tour. I was talking to a lady from New Zealand, about how much I would love to go to go there. One year later to the day – I found myself in New Zealand! It just shows. You can make it happen. Magical moment. It’s positive thinking – that’s the type of people you can expect on a Solos holiday.”
It’s these chance conversations, shared with strangers who quickly become friends, that make Solos trips so memorable.
The camaraderie that keeps her coming back
What Jinty loves most about her winter escapes is the community — people who want the same thing: to escape, to explore, and to have fun together.
“ I think it’s just the camaraderie and meeting people in the same boat, who all want to escape and have fun. I have been with other companies, but I always come back to Solos. I took my first one in the early nineties when I went to Sorrento in Italy – and that was great, cemented my independent streak. I realised ‘Wow – there are other people like me! "
She’s traveled far and wide with Solos — from Vienna to New Zealand, from York to Crete — and each trip has left her with lasting friendships and stories to tell.
Advice for anyone nervous about going solo
Stepping into something new is always a little daunting, but Jinty believes that’s part of the magic.
“Try and boost confidence with little things and be flexible. You will be nervous – but use that constructively. Everyone is a friend you haven’t met yet. Just remember that everyone feels like that. Just relax, embrace whatever happens and take things in your stride. Be in the here and now.”
Her approach is simple yet powerful: be open, be present, and the rewards will come back to you tenfold.
How winter travel changes you
For Jinty, escaping at this time of year isn’t just about the destination. It’s about recognising her own independence and strength.
“I think it reinforces the fact that you’re independent. I think you have to be strong and sociable, not be afraid of meeting new people. Making that effort is rewarded, as the support comes back. If you’re willing to go and enjoy yourself—that’s the secret of enjoying a Solos [trip].”
And the words that sum it all up?
“Embrace the experience.”
A Christmas to remember
From atmospheric walks through Prague to cosy breaks in Chester, Jinty’s Solos experience prove that winter can be a season of connection, joy, and unforgettable moments.
Maybe this year, your own Christmas story is waiting — and just like Jinty says, all you have to do is embrace it.
