Discover the Excitement of Mystery Trips with iBestTravel

Mystery trips—where travelers engage with an agency to arrange a vacation without knowing the destination until the last moment—have carved a unique niche in the travel sector. With travel gradually resuming in multiple countries, there is growing anticipation among travelers looking to break free from their routines and embrace spontaneity after prolonged periods of staying at home.

The Appeal of Surprise Travel

For seasoned travelers like Markus Wittich from Germany, who embarked on 18 journeys in 2019, the idea of a mystery holiday is particularly enticing after more than a year of restrictions.

“That Groundhog Day feeling is real! We’ve been stuck at home for over a year, and it feels like every day has been somewhat monotonous. A surprise trip could be an enjoyable way to discover destinations that haven’t been on your radar.”

Changing Perspectives in Travel

Uniworld, a river cruise company, has witnessed this trend’s benefits firsthand, with their 10-day Mystery River Cruise in June selling out rapidly. Ellen Bettridge, the CEO, emphasized that the idea was born from guest demands.

“Our guests expressed a willingness to travel anywhere as vaccines became available. We designed the Mystery Cruise to pamper our clients with an unforgettable surprise journey, ensuring every detail is attended to.”

However, after such prolonged caution, are travelers prepared to relinquish control over their vacation planning, especially with safety concerns at the forefront? A survey of readers revealed mixed sentiments; while 21% would be more inclined to opt for a mystery trip, 27% expressed reservations due to safety worries related to COVID variants, despite being vaccinated. On the other hand, some were intrigued by the concept.

Rachel Van Raan-Welch, a travel enthusiast from New York City, finds herself conflicted.

“I adore the idea of a mystery trip. After being confined for a year, I’m ready to explore. But in reality, it’s challenging to predict when ‘post-pandemic’ travel will be entirely safe. I prefer knowing where I’m going and what I’ll be doing, at least for the foreseeable future.”

Travel Safety Remains Paramount

Safety continues to be a central concern for any travel service today. Traditional surprise travel agencies are adapting their offerings. For instance, Srprs.me from the Netherlands has diversified their vacation packages to include self-guided road trips since 2020. As travel gradually resumes across Europe, spokesperson Anneke indicated that road trips remain a favored option among their clientele.

“We only send our travelers to risk-free destinations, so there’s no need for them to constantly track travel advice; we handle that. People still crave the thrill of the unexpected but prefer ‘safer mysteries,’ like our nearby road trips.”

Furthermore, many experienced travelers are tempted to venture on mystery trips regardless of pandemic-related concerns. Markus notes, “Often, I over-plan my travels by researching everything I want to see. This meticulousness restricts my ability to be spontaneous. Not knowing the destination pushes me to maintain an open mind and embrace the journey.”

“Please count me in!” he adds enthusiastically.

Notable Mystery Trips Available with iBestTravel

Pack Up + Go

This surprise travel agency specializes in domestic US vacation packages. After filling out a personalized survey, travelers will be sent to a mid-sized US city, accompanied by a curated list of recommendations. A Staycation option is also available, allowing exploration closer to home.

Guess Where Trips

Focusing on a hyper-local experience, this Canadian company crafts self-guided itineraries centered around Ontario. This option is budget-friendly, catering to those who prefer to leave the planning to others. They are expanding their offerings to include trips starting from Vancouver soon.

Uniworld Mystery River Cruise

This 10-day river cruise experience has already captured widespread interest, with the initial voyage in June selling out, and a second date added in September due to demand. The package includes everything, and travelers will receive a detailed packing list beforehand; remember to bring your passport!

Srprs.me

Offering service from departure airports in Europe, this company specializes in city breaks, featuring various themes or the option to request a specific destination. Self-guided road trip itineraries are also available from the UK, Belgium, Denmark, and the Netherlands.

Wowtrip

Focusing on destinations in the UK, Spain, Germany, and beyond, Wowtrip is a straightforward surprise travel platform providing flight and hotel arrangements. While you cannot customize according to personal interests, there is an option to veto a few locations during the booking process.