Take the plunge with a solo Adagio holiday

Peter Bailey has been on many Ramblers Worldwide holidays over the years, but now finds the gentler pace of an Adagio holiday suits him well, keeping him active, and as a widower, the group companionship and support are invaluable to him; as he says, it’s been a life-saver. Here’s his story.

“I joined the Royal Navy as soon as I left school, so I saw a lot of the world at a very young age, everywhere from Australia to South America. I also got the walking bug, and my wife Helen and I were enthusiastic walkers, planning and leading new walks for a walking local affiliated group in the UK. We enjoyed many RWH holidays, right up until Helen’s death five years ago.

I had begun to find the walking a bit more arduous with age, and had begun to slip down the grades to the point where it was daunting, particularly on my own. And then I discovered Adagio, and that has been a life-saver for me. I found myself in the company of like-minded people, people of different ages, nationalities and backgrounds, but all with a similar outlook and friendly attitude. The companionship was a real boon, and there was still the walking! I still want to be active, and the level of walking involved here was just right for me – not strolling, but not trekking either.

The other aspect of Adagio that I particularly like is that all the arrangements are taken care of for you, and it’s largely all-in – I find that really helpful. And so far I’ve found the arrangements to be very good, with excellent hotels and food.

Of course, a lot depends on the quality of the guide, and as a former guide myself, I know what’s involved and how hard a job it is. Rod Ellis, who led my most recent tour to Cyprus, was excellent.

Sometimes it’s the little things that make a difference to solo travellers, like knowing the leader will be in the bar after dinner so that you won’t be on your own when you come down.

I’ve now done three Adagio tours, to Stockholm, the Pyrenees, and Cyprus, and I’ve just booked to go to Portugal on The Last Redoubt of the Knights Templar tour in May. I really recommend Adagio for the lone traveller – just take the plunge, you won’t regret it!”