137: Saving with Steve with Steve Sexton & guest Hannah Siddiqui

137: Saving with Steve with Steve Sexton & guest Hannah Siddiqui

What drives someone to seek a life without unnecessary financial stress while still having unforgettable travel experiences? This chat between Steve Sexton and travel veteran Hannah Siddiqui zooms in on solo travel that works for both your wallet and your sense of safety. You’ll hear how Hannah’s 30-year career in travel and 25 years with Solos Holidays turned a simple job into a real passion for creating group trips designed specifically for people travelling alone.

She explains why many solo travellers feel “punished” by single supplements and how specialist solo companies negotiate rates so the price you see already includes your own room, without nasty surprises at checkout. The conversation also tackles safety head-on, especially for women travelling by themselves. Hannah talks about the reassurance of having a dedicated tour leader, clear pre-trip information, and support from head office if things go wrong – from lost passports to missing luggage or even accidents.

The aim is to give solo travellers a safety net so they can relax and enjoy the journey rather than worry about every detail. There’s also plenty of daydream fuel: small groups of around 18 in Santorini with rooftop bars and optional boat trips or wine tasting; structured cultural tours of Greece; and walking weeks in Italy, Portugal and beyond, where you might watch dogs hunt for truffles before tasting them back at a farm.

One moving moment comes from a guest standing at a viewing platform in Nepal, looking at Everest and saying, “This is not something I should see on my own. I need to share it.” If you’ve ever wanted to travel solo but felt anxious about cost or safety, could this be the nudge you need to start planning your next adventure on your own terms?