Ten companies that will plan a mystery vacation for you.
When Husband and I travel, he never knows where we’re going. I make all the arrangements and pack for us; all he has to do is show up and enjoy each day as it comes. Now there are travel agencies that offer the same service. Discover your destination and receive a custom itinerary (usually based on a survey or interview to determine your budget, travel style, and interests) only once you’ve arrived at the airport. Planning, details, and logistics are left up to someone else; all you have to do is pack and go.
If this idea appeals, here are nine companies that can make it happen:
1. BlackTomato
If you’ve always wanted to test your survival skills, Bear Grylls-style, BlackTomato’s elaborate surprise adventure tours may be the next best thing. Choose between terrains like Polar, Jungle, Desert, Mountain, and Coastal, and BlackTomato’s experts will figure out a country to drop you in, along with advice on how to train for your expedition beforehand. Then it’s up to you to navigate through a series of checkpoints (with BlackTomato ops teams watching from afar to make sure all is well).
2. Blind Experiences
Imagine a surprise honeymoon where stressed-out couples didn’t have to plan anything at all. That idea kickstarted the luxury travel agency Blind Experiences, which then expanded into putting together tailored itineraries for families with young kids and multi-generational groups, all with more surprises revealed throughout the trip via sealed envelopes.
3. Jubel
The surprise trip survey for Jubel begins by narrowing in on a country, continent, or destination (example: beach or mountains?), then asks whether you’re more of a museum or nightlife person (you can pick both). Jubel’s experts go from there to put together a proposal for you that’s just vague enough your vacation is still a surprise.
4. Magical Mystery Tours
The founders of Magical Mystery Tours started their surprise travel agency in 2009, and they’ve planned many customized vacations since then. The questionnaire quizzes travelers on everything from whether seasickness is a concern to which places they’ve visited and absolutely loved.
5. Pack Up & Go
Looking to go on a surprise road, plane, or train trip, or even a staycation in your own town? These are the types of trips that Pack Up & Go specializes in. Travelers can head off to any of 125 U.S. cities for a fun and completely unexpected trip with a planned-out itinerary of activities and meals. A week before departure, Pack Up and Go Clients receive an email with a weather forecast and packing recommendations. A physical envelope, to be opened at the airport, arrives a day or two before departure and contains flight and hotel information.
6. SkipTown
Spontaneous and courageous travelers are the ideal clients for SkipTown, an agency that will plan short surprise trips for you—even if you can only get away for one day. A “daycation” includes one night’s accommodation, one meal reservation, and one activity, all of which will be unexpected.
7. Surprisit
With Surprisit, you’ll find out your unique surprise destination a few days before your vacation begins (in case you need a bit of time for some shopping or Googling). The agency plans surprise trips in the Caribbean, U.S., and Canada; it also offers a “Eurotrip,” where you head off to a new European city every three days.
8. The Vacation Hunt
If you’re a beach person and want a surprise, The Vacation Hunt will set you up with an all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean, Mexico, or Latin America. Other surprise destinations include a trip within Europe (the company offers flat-fee trips, which range from three to 14 days with stays at budget-conscious lodging in city centers), the United States ,or (upon request) most any other destination in the world. Surprise honeymoons are a specialty. The trips have the thrill of emailed clues (“Hope you enjoy indulging! Your surprise destination had over 1,000 beers to try!”) sent to travelers before their departure. Along with a survey, the firm searches and sifts through clients’ social media accounts to assess their interests and pair them with a destination.
9. Whym
Splurge trips, surprise vow renewals, solo adventures: Whym will plan a surprise vacation for all sorts of travelers. At the moment, the travel agency is only sending travelers out in the U.S.—and the surprises keep coming throughout the vacation, with blank spaces in your itinerary that are revealed gradually via “whymsies” text messages.
10. Anywhr
Catering to younger travelers, Anywhr specializes on lesser known spots within Asia and Europe. The company creates an online client profile according to the type of vacation a traveler is seeking, with options including adventure, relaxation or “wild-card.” Traveler interests and accommodation preferences are also recorded. After signing on, clients receive a teaser email to help with packing and then, a week before departure, a physical “travelogue” arrives with flight information, lodging details, local recommendations and $30 worth of the country’s currency.
Twist’s Take: Want to leave the choice of destination and trip planning to someone else? Check out one of these surprise travel agencies.
