Never Too Late for Adventure: Meet the 89-Year-Old Solo Traveler Who Won't Be Stopped

Who says you can't have wild experiences later in life? Some amazing people are out there defying expectations and having adventures that are truly unforgettable. Joy Fox,  an 89-year-old woman,  is one such extraordinary individual,  who continues to travel the world solo,  inspiring awe and admiration with her spirit of exploration and independence. So friends let's delve into the captivating journey of Joy Fox and uncover the secrets behind her zest for life and travel.

(Photo Credit: Adrienne Guinn) 89 Years Old Solo Traveler Joy Fox 

Meet Joy Fox: A Trailblazer of Wanderlust

(Photo Credit: Joy Fox) Joy Fox In Her 20s

It began with a sad chapter: a failed engagement and a heart in pieces,  back in January 1956. That's when Joy Fox,  just 20 years old and residing in the quaint riverside town of Wivenhoe,  England, started pondering about life beyond her hometown. Fox grew up in a modest environment,  enduring a challenging childhood during World War Two,  and she hadn't ventured far from home. However, she remembered the tales her mother told of exotic travels to places like Egypt,  China, and India with Fox's father,  a Pipe Major with the Royal Scots. Additionally,  Fox's older brother,  Alan,  often recounted his adventures in Venice and the allure of the city.

So friends these stories stirred something within Fox,  especially as she mourned the end of her relationship. With a heavy heart from lost love,  Fox made a decision: she sold her engagement ring and used the money to fuel her lifelong dream of exploring the world.

"I have no clue how I got myself from that village to Dover and onto the ferry,"  said Fox. " But then I took the train across France and Switzerland to Italy. And that was my first taste of being away from home."

Even at 89 years young,  Fox shows no signs of slowing down. She still embraces travel with the same zest and excitement as she did in her twenties. Recently,  her unwavering spirit of adventure earned her the prestigious JourneyWoman Evelyn Hannon Award for Solo Travel,  presented by JourneyWoman,  a worldwide organization advocating solo travel for women over 50. This award recognizes individuals who, since that initial journey from Wivenhoe many years ago,  have lived a life filled with exploration and adventure. "I had no idea I would still be travelling at this age,"  said Jay Fox. " But being blessed with good health means I can still see more of the world."

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The Journey Begins: Setting Foot on Unfamiliar Shores

Fox's initial adventure abroad was a delightful two-week journey through Italy,  which left her feeling inspired and empowered. On her travels, she became friends with an Italian who showed her the best parts of the country. And friends together,  they explored Portofino,  Rapallo, Milan,  and other remarkable destinations.

"I met Luigi at a dance,  and he toured me around the Italian Riviera,"  Fox recalls. "The only problem was,  he wanted to show me all of the churches,  but I wasn't dressed appropriately,  so I couldn't get into any of them,"  Fox recalled with laughter. "But now, I'm smarter and always bring a scarf with me on my travels."

As the two weeks drew to a close,  the trip had accomplished more than Fox had hoped for. Not only did it heal her broken heart, but it also left her feeling incredibly courageous upon her return to Wivenhoe. In that moment,  a seasoned world traveler had emerged. "I came back feeling much better about myself, self esteem restored,"  said Fox. " And Luigi sent me beautiful photos of our time together."

Over the following years,  Fox's family relocated from England to Vancouver, Canada. Following a whirlwind six-week courtship that began with a blind date,  Fox tied the knot and began her own family. This new phase of her travels revolved around adventures with her children,  often spent camping together. " My husband was a camper,  and he kind of helped me to understand nature… he wanted to see all the waterfalls and rivers,"  said Joy Fox.

As Fox's family expanded to include three children,  they embarked on numerous adventures across the western United States from their home in Vancouver. When her husband's job called for a move to Ontario, Canada's eastern side,  the family turned it into an exciting journey by driving across most of the country. Following that,  they continued their exploration,  this time along the East Coast of the United States.

After Fox's children had grown and her husband was frequently away on business trips,  she returned to traveling solo across the globe. "My husband would tell me to 'Go and do it',  and I still had the travel bug,  so I went to Europe. I've been everywhere in the United States and Canada,"  Fox said. "I went to Monaco,  Australia,  New Zealand and the Cook Islands." 

On her 84th birthday,  Fox celebrated by visiting Norway,  adding another unforgettable experience to her life's journey.  "Seeing the Northern Lights for my birthday was amazing,"  Fox said.

During her travels,  Fox ventured to Australia, where she bravely explored the Great Barrier Reef despite her fear of water. In New Zealand,  she rented a car and toured the entire country,  even enjoying a swim with dolphins in their natural habitat. She did this crazy thing where she hung off the back of the boat by her ankles! Dolphins were swimming all around her,  and it was an experience she'll never forget.

Dolphins swam and leaped in the water around her so closely that Fox could almost reach out and touch them. The woman,  who had always been terrified of water,  recalls thinking to herself: "Oh my god,  I am never going to do something better than this."

"I thought,  I will never be able to do that, I'm terrified of water,"  Fox explained. "But the guide said,  'No,  we've got you,  you've paid to do this,  so do it.' So I did it and I'm so glad I did…I was screaming the whole time…with excitement."

Tips for fellow travelers from Joy Fox

Years of traveling solo have been invaluable for Fox,  now she could confidently explore any new place.  According to her,  the key lesson is to become at ease with your own company. So friends she suggests taking the time to acclimate yourself to solo travel by starting with local explorations before embarking on your first solo trip.

"Go and eat out a few times,  so that you're used to eating out on your own when you go abroad,"  she advised. "I like my own company,  I'm happy as a solo person,  but it's important to get used to [it]."

When planning her trips,  Fox occasionally seeks the help of a travel agent,  but there are times when she handles all the details by herself. Even when she travels with groups, which is rare,  Fox ensures to carve out some time to explore independently. When selecting destinations,  safety is a priority for Fox. She frequently opts for accommodations owned by women,  which she believes offers an extra level of security and peace of mind.

"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."

Travel plans left undone by Jay Fox

Fox doesn't bother keeping track of the number of countries she's visited throughout the years,  nor does she mark them on a map with pins to keep record of her travels. However,  it's clear that for Fox,  the memories she's gathered along the way are more than sufficient. And friends,  she's far from finished with her adventures.  "There's a map in my garage",  though,  Fox admitted. "I guess I could keep track."

At 89,  Fox mentions that she can't travel the world with a big backpack like she used to—especially after a spinal surgery in 2018 for nerve damage,  which has somewhat slowed her down. However,  she casually lists off a variety of travel plans,  mentioning the trips she's currently planning or the places she still dreams of visiting in the future.

Fox has her sights set on Malta for what would have been her 65th wedding anniversary later this year. Following that, she's looking forward to visiting Italy once more,  this time to tour with a choir she's a part of. Additionally,  Fox is planning a special trip to celebrate her upcoming milestone birthday—her 90th. She's considering a variety of destinations,  such as the Azores,  the Canaries,  or possibly returning to Italy again,  this time to explore Lake Como.

Final Thoughts 

(Photo Credit: Adrienne Guinn) Joy Fox Far From Finished With Her Adventures

So my friends in the end all I can say is that Joy Fox's journey isn't just about where she's been or the awards she's won; it's about the people she's influenced and the impact she's made. In 2015,  she experienced the heartbreaking loss of her husband,  Mike,  to Parkinson's disease,  but from that difficult time,  she emerged with a stronger dedication to helping others facing similar challenges.

Right now,  according to what the media says,  Fox lives on stunning Vancouver Island. She finds peace surrounded by nature's beauty,  singing songs with a small group,  and writing the next part of her exciting journey.