First-time solo travellers
Booking the first one is the hard part, and not for the reason people expect. It is not the flight or the packing. It is wondering whether everybody else will already know each other, and whether you will spend a week being the person nobody sat next to. Here is the plain version of what actually happens.
That’s completely normal. The questions most people have and rarely ask.
Most people arrive on their own. By the first dinner, nobody is.
Almost everyone books on their own — that is the whole point of the trip, not the exception. Ages vary from trip to trip; what a group shares is an interest in the destination rather than a birth year. And plenty of our travellers are married, with a partner who would simply rather not go.
Your host is there when you land — at the airport, or wherever that particular trip begins. A person, not a name on a list. Welcoming the group and keeping everything running smoothly is their job — the transfer, the hotel and roughly how long it takes everybody to find the loos. Then it is straight to the hotel, with time to settle in before anything is asked of you. The table for the first evening is booked before you arrive and the host makes the introductions, so nobody walks into a restaurant wondering where to sit.
Only if you choose to. Sharing a twin with another solo traveller of the same sex costs nothing extra, and it is how most people keep the price down. If you would rather have a room to yourself, you can — the single-room price is listed on each holiday page before you book.
No, and it never has been. Nobody is paired off, matched, or seated with anyone in particular. You travel with a group and a host; what you do with your evenings is entirely your own business.
They are waiting for you at the airport, and they stay with the group the whole way — not just the transfer. They make the introductions, they book the table, they sort the problems, and they notice if somebody is standing on their own.
Take it. Nobody is expected to be sociable from breakfast to bedtime, and an afternoon on your own with a book is nobody’s business but yours. If you have had enough of walking for one day, your host is the person who sorts it — just tell them what you are doing, so that nobody is waiting on you or wondering where you have got to. Trips are paced differently from one another, so if time to yourself matters, ask us before you book and we will tell you honestly how that one runs.
No. The price you see buys a place in a twin room shared with another solo traveller of the same sex, and sharing costs nothing on top of it. Almost everybody on the holiday booked the same way.
If you would rather have a room to yourself, that costs a single supplement, and the figure differs on every holiday — 23 of ours have a single room available at the moment, and each one publishes its price.
Single rooms and single supplements lists every holiday with a single room available and what each one costs.
Three- and four-night departures with places available, soonest first. Long enough to be a holiday, short enough that the first one is not a fortnight-sized decision.
19 places left Iceland | November 2026 | 4 nights
Iceland truly is an amazing and unique destination and we would say it should be on everyone’s to do list at least once in their life!
from £1,065pp
with flights £1,275pp
Single room supplement: £349
8 places left Czech Republic | December 2026 | 3 nights
Experience the enchantment of Prague at Christmas , where Gothic spires, twinkling lights and the scent of mulled wine fill the air. Wander through the city’s famous Old Town Square markets , brimming with handmade gifts and festive treats, and soak up the magical atmosphere that makes Prague one of Europe’s most unforgettable winter destinations.
from £675pp
with flights £965pp
Single room supplement: £289
16 places left France | February 2027 | 3 nights
Visit Paris on an all inclusive trip - what are you waiting for! Paris never ceases to amaze us, we think we know it, and then there is another surprise waiting for us around the corner. Paris, eternal, romantic, unusual, creative and modern: discover the city's architectural and cultural heritage. Along the Seine, embark on a unique dinner cruise experience in the heart of the sublime French capital. This trip includes all meals and drinks on board your floating accommodation.
from £679pp
with flights £829pp
Single room supplement: £199
24 places leftSpice exclusive Spain | March 2027 | 4 nights
Seville is such an amazing and interesting city with so much to see & do, even on this 5 day break you may find you need to return!
from £549pp
with flights £799pp
Single room supplement: £199
16 places left Greece | March 2027 | 4 nights
The ancient city of Athens has so much to offer for a short break and October is a great time to visit outside of the Summer heat and maddening crowds. This trip uncovers some of the ancient mysteries and the stunning cuisine of this amazing city.
from £579pp
with flights £799pp
Single room supplement: £249
14 places leftSpice exclusive Belgium | April 2027 | 3 nights
This short break of discovery offers time for reflection and offer thanks to those who gave so much.
from £1,019pp
Single room supplement: £150
No. Almost everyone books on their own — that is the whole point of the trip. Nobody has to pair up and nobody sits on their own at dinner unless they want to.
Only if you want to. Sharing a twin with another solo traveller of the same sex costs nothing extra, and it is how most people keep the price down. If you would rather have a room to yourself, you can — see the single-room price on the trip you are looking at.
There is a charge for a room of your own and it varies a great deal by trip, so the honest answer is the figure on the holiday you are looking at rather than an average. What there is not is any obligation to pay it: sharing a twin with another solo traveller of the same sex costs nothing extra, and it is a genuine option rather than a token one.
Every holiday with a single room available, and what each one costs, is listed on single rooms and single supplements.
Small enough to learn everyone’s name in the first day or two. Group sizes vary by trip and are listed on each holiday.
Your host is there to make your holiday feel easy, welcoming and fun. They travel with the group throughout the trip, help everyone get to know each other, keep things running smoothly and are there if you need anything along the way.
They’re not a traditional holiday rep — they’re part of the group, sharing the experience with you and helping make sure nobody feels left out.
Yes. Payments are held in a bonded trust account and the holidays are ATOL protected under licence 9046.
It varies by trip. Most groups span a wide range of ages with a shared interest in the destination rather than a shared birth year.
Yes — 18. Spice Escapes holidays are adults only.
Most people who travel with us are in their forties and beyond, but that is who books rather than a rule. There is no upper age limit, and two people travelling together do not need to be a similar age: a daughter in her thirties travelling with her mother in her sixties is an ordinary booking.
Whatever is stopping you, somebody here has been asked it before and will answer it straight. No hold music, no sales script, and nothing is booked by asking.
Or see how a Spice holiday works, meet the hosts you would be travelling with, or browse every short break on sale.
