11 Dec Celebrating Ten Years of Just Explore
November 2024 was a very special month here at Just Explore, as it marked our ten-year anniversary. We’re filled with love and gratitude as we reflect on ten years of Just Explore, and on quite an emotional high after the celebrations of last month (which you may have seen on Instagram.)
Now that we’ve had time to take a breath after all that excitement, we sat down with Just Explore’s founder, Rosa Lara, for a chat about this major milestone.
How does it feel to have been in business for ten years?
Literally unbelievable. I frequently wake up and wonder, ‘where did those ten years go?’ I never thought I’d be where I am today. The early stages were frustrating and tough as I navigated setting up a travel company with no background in the industry. I felt incredibly lost, but got so lucky in meeting the right people to help ease my way through all the bureaucracy. It’s been challenging and eye-opening, and I’m always alert as it’s an industry in constant flux. But I feel incredibly proud.
How has the business evolved?
We began with a dream to conduct small group tours around Andalucia (my home region) for English-speaking European travellers. That’s evolved into a portfolio of cultural destinations across Spain, Portugal and France, mostly for North American and Australian citizens. As our destinations and traveller numbers have grown, so too have our staff. In the early days, I did everything myself: inspecting, designing itineraries, posting on social media, driving and leading the tours. Now I’m the Founder and CEO of a travel company with five staff, a large number of external partners who help to create the customised experiences our clients adore, and nearly 300 five-star reviews.
How would you describe your tours and who are your target clients?
Personal, intimate, unique, fun and educational. We pride ourselves on offering authentic experiences, away from the tourist crowds. Our target clients are curious travellers who want to immerse themselves in the culture and traditions of our destinations. People who want to be surprised, who are interested and interesting. We cherish a culture of friendship. From the first glass of wine, the first laugh, a bond is formed. Over the last ten years, we’ve travelled with several hundred clients; it’s no exaggeration to say that all are now considered friends.
What are your most popular tours and why do you think this is?
Our Cultural and Spring tours around Andalucia. I put my passion, energy and love for my homeland into every element of these tours. And I do it with all of my heart, as they were the babies of this project, and they will always be special to me.
The covid pandemic happened midway through your ten-year journey. How were you able to survive when some of the larger businesses struggled?
We experienced a period of incredible growth in 2019; it was a record year for us. Thankfully, during our first few years we had established a solid base of good, loyal clients who were very understanding about the situation, and waited for the worst to pass so they could rebook. We also benefitted from government assistance and bank loans, so we were able to keep going. We just had to stay patient. It was hard going at times, but we feel incredibly grateful to have emerged stronger than ever.
Back to the present… How did you celebrate your ten-year anniversary?
We hosted an intimate gathering of our loyal partners from Spain and Portugal in my hometown, Montilla, on 21 and 22 November. We were keen for our office staff – the true engine of our business – to meet our external partners, to put faces to the people behind numerous emails and telephone calls, and create an even stronger bond. And we wanted to host and treat our loyal external partners, because we simply wouldn’t be where we are today without them. We had such a beautiful weekend; it felt like one big family get-together, celebrating with some of the finest food and drink from my home region.
Looking ahead now, do you have any new tours or regions in store?
We’re committed to both exploring and adding new destinations, but also revising the ones we have by revisiting and inspecting new experiences within these regions. We’re planning to extend our escorted tours to Northern Spain, and we’re considering revisiting the Basque Country (as this is one of the most requested destinations from past travellers). We are hoping to add new destinations like Aragon and more of the Balearic Islands, such as Menorca. As for Portugal, we’d love to add the Azores Islands, as it’s a destination generating huge interest and it remains very unspoilt.
Do you have any other plans or goals for the next ten years?
I think I’ve already reached beyond my wildest ambitions for this business! For the next five years or so, I’d love to embrace this sweet moment with my team and external partners, and continue to work on new destinations and experiences. I’m keen to remain hands-on in the business, so I don’t intend to grow it so big it loses its sense of intimacy and personal touch. At the moment, I’d like to keep leading our escorted tours in Andalucia, as I love doing these. Perhaps in ten years’ time I may start to slow down a little. I may even be thinking of travelling in a different way myself; maybe I’ll join some escorted tours in other regions of the world!
Do you have any favourite stories from the last ten years?
I have so many anecdotes to share and laugh about that I would love to write a book, naming each chapter after significant sentences, phrases or questions that travellers have said along the way. I should have started writing them all down; I just hope I can remember them in 15 years’ time when I might have the time to write it! I’d call it, ‘Where Are the Romans Now?’ (I’m sure many of you reading this will understand the significance!)
Can you name your ten favourite places that you’ve taken clients over the last ten years?
1. Ronda will always be my number one place, as it was the lucky charm that kicked off my business. I know I’m biased, but everyone who visits loves it, too.
2. Benalauria, a small town of just 400 inhabitants that offers a unique insight into the local, rural lifestyle of Southern Spain.
3. Sevilla. There are no words to describe the magical sight of the cathedral by night from the rooftops of Sevilla.
4. The vineyards of Montilla, my hometown, which is frequently compared to Tuscany.
5. Tangiers, for that first heady taste of Morocco.
6. The Douro Valley in Portugal, where mesmerising landscapes and incredible wines combine for an unforgettable experience.
7. Port de Soller in Mallorca, the Balearics. This is my favourite part of the island, and a great base for multiple experiences showcasing Mallorca’s many charms.
8. Arcachon Bay, a dreamy destination that’s little-known outside France, combining beaches, sand dunes, oysters and vineyards. It makes a wonderful day trip from Bordeaux.
9. The Ribera Sacra, one of southern Galicia’s best-kept secrets. I recommend a boat trip along the Miño River…
10. A pintxos tour in San Sebastián. This is one of the best-known foodie destinations in Spain, but it still has the power to surprise and delight.
Do you have any final words to share with us?
After each escorted trip around Andalucia, I ask people about three highlights and two words that sum up their journey. So here are my three highlights and two words from the first ten years of Just Explore. My highlights are Dalia, Miriam and Lourdes (our office team) and the two words are Steve Croasdale (my husband and partner). I wouldn’t be able to do any of this without their dedication, hard work and unwavering support. I’m so grateful for everything they bring to the Just Explore family.
Celebrate Ten Years of Just Explore With Us
Of course, we couldn’t have navigated this journey without our incredible clients. We’re so grateful that you’ve chosen to travel with us over the last ten years – and we look forward to many more adventures together as we move into the next ten years of Just Explore.
If all this travel talk has inspired you to book your next holiday, we’re ready to help create the trip of your dreams. Whether you’d like to chat about any of the tours mentioned in this article or prefer us to create a bespoke journey for you around Spain, Portugal or France, contact Just Explore today.
