My Just You Story at 25: Patricia Staples

As Just You celebrates 25 years of travel, we introduce a series of special solo travel stories from Just You customers who have vacationed with us since the early days.   

We interviewed Patricia Staples to discover her most memorable adventures in India…  

My husband and I have enjoyed escorted touring since the 1980s, and outside of escorted tours, we loved our skiing holidays in Austria too.   

In later years, with my husband’s growing interest in the Isle of Man Moto GP, and my friends not really wanting to go to places I wanted to explore, I decided I wouldn’t let it stop me and would go solo to see more of the world.  

It was a risk, and I got anxious. I worried about spending time with complete strangers. What would they be like? Would I fit in? Would we have any common ground? And I know other Just You travellers say this, but it’s completely true, once I met our Holiday Director, Marsha, it didn’t take long for the nerves to disappear.    

I had never been to India before, and with a few Indian friends, I had a good insight into the culture, but nothing can prepare you for the real thing! The Spirit of India tour was fantastic! The food was even better than I expected and completely different to what you may have tried back home. And the quality of the food and hotels there was just phenomenal – far better than I had hoped for.  

There were so many highlights, but for me, visiting Gandhi’s House in New Delhi was an unexpected surprise. When we found out we would be there for four hours, we thought we would be kicking around trying to fill time, but we didn’t want to leave!  

It’s where he spent the last 144 days of his life, which is quite surreal as you tour the surroundings, and see the very few possessions that he owned. Elsewhere there are photos, sculptures, paintings and the prayer grounds and pavilion which give you a better insight into the icon and his campaign for independence.  

The contrasts between Old Delhi and New Delhi are striking, but one thing that remains the same – the people are so welcoming. We were treated as honoured guests in Amritsar. We watched locals cook food for thousands of people and it was just unbelievable to observe. While a few of us wanted to help or make donations, we were told, ‘It is not necessary, just you being here is helping,’ and that just said it all really. A visit to India is a humbling experience there’s no doubt about it.  

There’s the goosebump encounters too, the Taj Mahal surpassed my expectations. You have to wear shoe covers but it’s easy to see why, the floors and the building literally sparkle with all the gemstones embedded into it, the workmanship is priceless. And to get to see it from the river too, gave you a different perspective to the photos and guidebooks, I can only describe it all as spine-tingling.  

We also had the opportunity to see a show that tells the story of Emperor Shah Jahan and his love for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. While it was performed in Indian, you could have an audio guide, but we were quite happy seeing the original presentation of it as you could quite easily follow the story unfolding.  

The River Ganges was an eye-opening encounter and visiting in the morning and evening, again, you get different experiences. While we were there, we witnessed a funeral ceremony and while it did feel intrusive being there, for the local family, they felt it a privilege to have us there – I think that is the gift of travel: it’s a window into a different culture and their way of doing things, which while markedly different to what might be your own, it is in fact our privilege as travelers, to be given that insight.  

And the aarti ceremony in the evening was so interesting and mesmerising, and you very much felt included in the experience and there’s quite a magic in that.  

I enjoyed the Ranthambore safari experience too (we did see tigers!), but two of us ducked out of the second visit there and decided to spend a day enjoying the hotel’s facilities and the pool. It was nice just to take some time out to relax as there is so much to see and do on this tour, and I also booked the Amritsar add-on, which is well worth it. I was surprised by the overwhelming kindness shown to us, everyone you encountered spoke to you, which really gives you that feel good factor with the feeling of inclusion.  

We enjoyed the Golden Temple which we visited during the day and at night to get the two perspectives on it. I loved the evening procession of the putting to bed ceremony for the holy book.  You wouldn’t believe how many people show up for it, so devout is their faith. I also think Amritsar gives you more of a contrast between the rich and poor who live here, it’s very much ‘how the other half live’ and I think you can’t help but come away feeling a sense of gratitude for what you have, and more of a positive attitude towards things. 

GOOD TO KNOW  

If you’re off to India, you have to go with an open mind and enjoy getting swept up in the flow and I’d recommend packing some comfortable and washable shoes.  

Scarves and cropped trousers are perfect for observing customs around dress, and don’t be afraid to mix and match and wear the same thing more than once – we all do it, and ultimately your arms will thank you for it! Some of the hotels have a laundry service too which can be handy to use.  

As Just You celebrates 25 years, I am just so grateful that they have given me such memorable holiday experiences, and not only that, but I’ve made some wonderful, long-lasting friendships too, including Sharon, who I met in India, and a group of us catch up every week on Zoom. It’s great that you never know who you’ll see at the airport, I’ve bumped into a lady I first met in China – the world becomes so small once you’ve ticked a few trips off the list with Just You.  

Having traveled with the same company for many years now, that’s clearly a good sign, they have always been fantastic – so here’s to many more years of Just You!