135: Saving with Steve with Steve Sexton and guest Pamela Holt135: Saving with Steve with Steve Sexton and guest Pamela Holt
UK Health Radio Podcast
Steve Sexton talks with solo travel specialist Pamela Holt about how travelling alone can build confidence, freedom and smarter money habits. They share practical safety tips, starter ideas and cost-saving strategies for anyone curious about taking their first solo trip.
45:11•27 Jun 2026
Saving with Steve: Pamela Holt on Solo Travel, Confidence and Smart Spending
Episode Overview
- Reframe solo travel as “seeking out life’s opportunities” and start small with local dinners, films or weekend getaways before heading abroad.
- Share your itinerary, carry colour copies of your passport, use good mobile service and offline maps, and stay aware of cultural norms to boost safety.
- Trust your gut, walk with confidence and use simple tricks like carrying a local supermarket bag to blend in and deter unwanted attention.
- Focus on travelling smart rather than cheap by avoiding hidden-fee budget options, using travel insurance and maximising airline points.
- Consider structured options like river cruises, solo-friendly cabins and curated group tours to ease into solo travel while still having company.
“Solo stands for seeking out life’s opportunities.”
How do people find strength in their journey to sobriety? For anyone rebuilding life, including finances and confidence, this chat on UK Health Radio’s *Saving with Steve* offers a refreshing take on stepping out of your comfort zone through solo travel. Host Steve Sexton sits down with Pamela Holt, host and executive producer of the Amazon Prime series *Me, Myself and The World – The Art of Solo Travel*.
Pamela has visited 93 countries and shares how travelling alone became her way of “seeking out life’s opportunities” rather than just being “someone with no one to go with”. She talks about a major car accident, spine surgery, and the promise she made to herself to visit 80 countries by 50 – a goal she actually hit, landing in Bhutan on her 50th birthday.
Her story quietly shows how big life shocks can push you towards new chapters, fresh goals and a deeper appreciation of time. You’ll hear practical tips for anyone considering their first solo trip: start small with a local dinner or weekend away, share your itinerary with someone you trust, carry a photocopy of your passport in a ziplock bag, download offline maps, and “pack your wits and trust your gut.” One of her favourite tricks?
Grab a shopping bag from a local supermarket so you blend in more easily. Pamela also clears up the difference between being single and being a solo traveller, sharing the story of a couple married 50 years who decided to split their anniversary trip between their individual interests and then come back together to swap stories.
From safety hacks to smarter (not just cheaper) travel choices, this conversation is ideal for anyone who wants more confidence, freedom and joy in their life. Could solo travel be the next brave step on your own recovery or reinvention journey?
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