Joy parted with her engagement ring and set off on a lifelong journey of global discovery.

It began with a chapter closing: a broken engagement and a shattered heart in January 1956. At just 20 years old, living in the quiet riverside town of Wivenhoe, England, Joy Fox started to dream beyond the borders of her small village.

Coming from modest roots and a tough World War Two childhood, she had never travelled before. Yet, she carried the echoes of her mother’s tales about voyages to Egypt, China, and India with her father, a Pipe Major in the Royal Scots. Her older brother Alan’s enthusiastic stories about Venice’s charm also stirred something within her. Inspired by these fragments of adventure, and still tearful from lost love, Fox decided it was her moment. She sold her engagement ring and used the money to pursue a passionate, lifelong exploration of the world.

“I have no idea how I managed to get from that village to Dover and onto the ferry,” Fox recalled. “From there, I took the train through France and Switzerland to Italy. That was my first real experience away from home.”

Now aged 89, Fox remains as spirited and eager as she was in her twenties. Her unyielding love for travel recently earned her the JourneyWoman Evelyn Hannon Award for Solo Travel, given by JourneyWoman, an international organisation championing solo travel for women over 50. This honour recognises her commitment to a life filled with adventure, ever since her very first journey from Wivenhoe many decades ago.

It all started in Italy
Fox’s very first adventure into the wider world was a vibrant two-week journey through Italy that left her feeling inspired and confident. During the trip, she connected with an Italian local who guided her through some of the country’s must-see spots – including Portofino, Rapallo, Milan, and more.

“I met Luigi at a dance, and he showed me around the Italian Riviera,” Fox remembers. “The only hiccup was he wanted to take me to all the churches, but I wasn’t dressed properly, so I couldn’t get inside any of them,” she said with a laugh. “Now, I’ve learned to always carry a scarf when I travel.”

When the fortnight ended, the trip had more than fulfilled its purpose. Not only had Fox’s heartache healed, but she also returned home to Wivenhoe feeling courageous and ready for more adventures. A seasoned traveller was born. “I came back feeling much better about myself, with my self-esteem restored,” Fox said.

For her 65th birthday, Fox embarked on a special journey back to Scotland, the country of her birth, which she had left at the age of three when her family moved to England. Over three weeks, she retraced a deeply significant path—from her birthplace at the Royal Scots barracks in Edinburgh to the spot where her family finally left Scotland.

"I laid those ghosts," Fox reflected on the experience, calling it one of her most cherished travel memories.

"Scotland is a favourite simply because I was born there. But there was one particular moment at dusk when a piper appeared and played The Lament…" her voice softened. "It's moments like that I truly treasure."

For her 84th birthday, Fox celebrated in Norway, adding another extraordinary experience to her life: "Seeing the Northern Lights on my birthday."

Decades of solo travel have given Fox valuable insights into navigating unfamiliar places independently. Her key advice is to become comfortable with your own company. She suggests preparing for your first solo trip by spending time exploring locally beforehand.

"Eat out on your own a few times so you get accustomed to dining solo before you travel overseas," she recommends. "I enjoy my own company and am content travelling alone, but it’s crucial to get used to it gradually."

When choosing destinations, safety is also top of mind for Fox, who often books women-owned accommodations. This, she says, provides her with an added layer of comfort.

"I don't look for tourist activities," when travelling, she said. "I look for things that get me in the heart – like seeing whales break."

Fox intends to be in Malta later this year to commemorate what would have been her 65th wedding anniversary. Following that, she plans to travel to Italy to tour with the choir she sings with. Additionally, Fox is looking forward to a special journey to celebrate her milestone 90th birthday. She has several destinations in mind, including the Azores, the Canary Islands, or possibly another visit to Italy, this time to explore Lake Como.

If ever there was a woman who lived up to her name, Joy is it. Never let yourself be held back by fear, women are bold and adventurous and travel is life changing. Be brave, the world is an amazing place!