Imagine waking up one morning, packing your bags with no idea where you’re headed, and only finding your destination when you’re already on the way to the airport.
On a trip to Seattle, I visited Pike Place Market with Savor Seattle Tours. Before our food adventure began, our guide had us do a classic icebreaker: introduce ourselves, share where we were from, and explain why we booked the tour.
As we went around the room, one couple shared a story that immediately grabbed everyone’s attention: they had no idea they were visiting Seattle until the day before. They found out they were heading there while on their way to the airport. Their entire trip, including the food tour, was part of a mystery travel package they had booked just a few days prior.
Naturally, we all had questions.
Mystery Travel? How Does That Work?
My wife has previously written about a Lufthansa program that allows you to book a flight to a surprise destination in Europe. While that concept wasn’t entirely new to me, I had never heard of a U.S.-based mystery travel service.
After the trip, I researched the company the couple used, and while the idea intrigued me, it also terrified me.
What Is Pack Up + Go?
The couple had booked through Pack Up + Go, a company that plans surprise trips around the U.S. Their original model focused on weekend getaways, but they’ve since expanded their offerings. You can now choose from:
- Plane Trip: Starting at $900 per person, includes flights and accommodations.
- Road Trip: Starting at $500 per night, includes accommodations but you provide the car.
- Outdoors Plane Trip: A nature-focused getaway where you fly, then drive to your location, which includes a stay in Cabins, Glamping-style tents + yurts, Bed + Breakfasts / Inns / Lodges, and Boutique hotels.
- Outdoors Road Trip: A road trip version of the outdoors package.
- You Pick Trip: If mystery travel isn’t your thing, you can choose the city, and Pack Up + Go will handle the planning.
Here’s a video that explains their service:
How the Booking Process Works
Booking a surprise trip is relatively simple:
- Choose your travel dates and specify any restrictions.
- Share your recent trips to avoid being sent somewhere you’ve already visited.
- Answer a travel survey about your interests and preferences.
- Set your budget.
A few days before departure, you’ll get a weather forecast (so you know what to pack). But you won’t know your destination until it’s time to go.
Would We Ever Try This?
As an obsessive travel planner married to a control freak (Note from his wife, Sharon: “True story!”), this concept sounds like our worst nightmare. But I also know that some of our best travel experiences have come from unexpected places:
For example, when we visited a hidden gem of a market in Cleveland that was within walking distance of our B&B,
Or when we stumbled onto a great (and free) museum in Fort Worth, TX.
And, of course, the time we found a cool Video Game Museum in Frisco, TX.
To me, planning the trip is part of the fun. Finding the flights. Picking out hotels. All of that builds excitement. This would be the exact opposite, as the excitement of this trip is the mystery. You have no idea where you will go until you get the weather forecast. Then you still don’t know where, but just what to pack.
Final Thoughts: Is Pack Up + Go for You?
While the idea of handing over control of a vacation might send some people (like us) into a panic, it’s easy to see the appeal. If you:
- Love spontaneity
- Hate trip planning
- Enjoy exploring new places without expectations
… then a mystery getaway could be a fun adventure! You’ll still have input on your preferences, and the company ensures you won’t end up somewhere you wouldn’t like.
For now, we’ll probably stick to planning our own trips—but I won’t deny something is exciting about the unknown. Maybe one day, I’ll surprise Sharon with a mystery trip.
Note from Sharon: Available for rent: One husband, to go on a mystery trip to who-knows-where. Somewhat obsessive-compulsive. Snores. Can reach the top shelf. Inquire within cuz I sure as hell am not EVER doing this. 😉
Would you ever book a mystery vacation? Let us know in the comments!
Want to comment on this post? Great! Read this first to help ensure it gets approved.
Want to sponsor a post, write something for Your Mileage May Vary, or put ads on our site? Click here for more info.
Like this post? Please share it! We have plenty more just like it and would love it if you decided to hang around and sign up to get emailed notifications of when we post.
Whether you’ve read our articles before or this is the first time you’re stopping by, we’re really glad you’re here and hope you come back to visit again!
This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
