From hesitating over the booking page to three Salt Escapes booked - hear how Freya went from solo nerves to lifelong friendships.
From hesitating over the booking page to three Salt Escapes booked
Freya travelled with Salt Escapes to Ibiza (2024) and Zakynthos (2025). Arrived solo both times. Left with long-term friendships (including a roomie who lives 20 minutes away). Already booked trip number three.
"I stared at the booking page for weeks." That's how Freya's first Salt Escapes story starts.
Confident? Yes. Social? Mostly. But turning up alone to a villa full of strangers? "Honestly... my idea of hell." And then the usual doubts around fitness crept in: "...you naturally question your fitness levels. Will I keep up with the group? But the second I clicked book and started following Salt Escapes on Instagram, it was instant excitement - I wished away the summer to get me to September and on that plane!!"
Fast forward two trips - and a third already booked - and she's the first to tell anyone hesitating to just go for it.
But why Salt Escapes (and not a normal holiday)?
For Freya, it had to be something active. Something social. Something that felt energising rather than relaxing. "I have always exercised, and enjoyed the buzz of gym classes, training with new people...
"I also spent a while researching group style holidays and I think what convinced me was the reviews but also their Instagram! Mike & Amy have nailed capturing content that genuinely represents how epic the trips, people, villas, workouts and food are - what you see is what you get!"
"It was also surprising how effortless it was to melt into this new group of strangers. Within an hour or so of arriving we are in the pool, eating some amazing canapés chatting to each other"
Arrival day removed any doubt...
"The instant wow-factor of the villas, they are truly special! To be able to stay somewhere like that with zero input into the search and booking is also a dream, just pick your destination and arrive in paradise with minimal effort.
It was also surprising how effortless it was to melt into this new group of strangers. Within an hour or so of arriving we are in the pool, eating some amazing canapés chatting to each other.
I opted to share a room, which can always be a bit of a risk, but I lucked out on both trips with my roomies, one of which turned out to live only about 20 mins from me and we are still friends today!"
And then there are the moments that stick...
"Seeing as I have been on two trips, I'll give you two moments...
In Ibiza our boat trip was at the end of the week (due to weather) and after a boozy sun soaked day at sea, we were traveling back and all of us were sort of lying intertwined on the back of the boat drinking rosé, and the song 'Everybody's free (to wear sunscreen)' came on and it was such a moment!! You probably had to be there, but it was just wild to think I had only met all these people six days earlier and now look at us!
The second stand-out moment was in Zakynthos. One of the days you do a 8k round-trip shipwreck run, and whilst I run regularly, it is my arch enemy and knowing we would be running in the heat and with hills, I was nervous! Not only did I surprise myself in doing it, the moment that stays with me is on the last couple kms, I'm hot, tired and wanted to quit - Amy drives alongside in the car (the car that you run behind with a speaker hanging out the back blasting some tunes) and her and a couple of others are cheering me on, clapping and singing and I just love that sort of comradery"
"...it was just wild to think I had only met all these people six days earlier and now look at us!"
A word on the workouts
"The workouts were varied and challenging. Again there is something for everyone, if you are less experienced, new to exercise or looking to really push yourself it's all catered for! The addition of the erg equipment in Zakynthos was great and added another dimension to the types of workouts you did. As someone that likes to challenge myself I really feel like I come away feeling stronger and fitter"
Finally, some advice to first-timers...
"It's the obvious answer, but just do it - even just talking about it has brought a smile to my face reminiscing on those trips.
I'm two trips down, and have a third booked at the end of 2026 - which says it all. Mike & Amy have curated something really special and once you experience it, it will all make sense. This isn't a big corporate travel business, this is a passion project run by two people who genuinely want you to have a trip of a lifetime!"
Ready to write your own story? Find your Escape
Written by
Salt Escapes Team
Salt Escapes
Continue Reading
