There are few things more thrilling, more jaw dropping than a surprise trip. Here you are, thinking that you’re going to wake up in your same bed tomorrow, and all of a sudden someone springs an irresistible trip on you. It’s about as magical as gifts get.
If you’re looking to share that magic with someone, you want to start planning that surprise trip now. It’s not quite as simple as grabbing the first flight ticket you see, and playing it by ear. You have to be both thorough and – crucially – secretive.
If you’re planning to spring a surprise trip on someone, here are the steps you need to take!
Choose a Destination
If travelling within the country, it’s pretty straightforward: just pick somewhere you know the recipient has been dying to go. Look through Travelzoo’s last minute vacations you can book online and find a package that appeals to you.
If travelling internationally, it’s slightly more involved. For one, you’ll have to make sure that the recipient has a valid passport. Just sneak a peak at their passport to make sure that it hasn’t expired. Second, you’ll have to consider if where you’re travelling requires any vaccinations or boosters. Unfortunately, there’s no way to clandestinely inoculate someone, so you’ll have to break it to them with time to spare for a clinic visit. Finally, if you plan on keeping an international trip from someone until the last minute, you’ll need to purchase their travel insurance.
Sneak a Peak at Their Schedule
If the recipient works or goes to school, you need to make sure they have the time off for the trip. The worst way to fumble a surprise trip is to book it without securing their time off – they’ll either be stressed the entire time, or you’ll be out a lot of money on a missed trip.
If they work, get in contact with their superior and request the time off in secret. Most people are receptive to a fun idea like a surprise trip, so it should be no issue. If they go to school, notify their teachers/professors and work out how they can make up the missed assignments.
Be Fairly Sure They’re into the Idea
It’s a simple and ultimately intuitive step, but it’s majorly important. Ask yourself, “Is this a relationship where a surprise trip makes sense?” For instance, if you’ve only been dating a couple weeks, the move can seem less charming and more… extra.
Look for Last Minute Deals Online
Don’t worry about booking far in advance. Especially if you share a bank account with the recipient, flight and hotel transactions are a dead giveaway. Instead, look for last minute vacation deals on Travelzoo. They curate the most irresistible flight deals, and vet deals with tours, hotels, and spa managers to make sure you get the best travel experience.
Once you’re done all that, all that’s left to do is plan the big reveal! Do you want to do it the day of, or give them a few days’ notice to get excited and properly packed? Either way, print the tickets so that you can hand them something physical. Plant them in a card or alongside another “decoy” gift.
Then sit back and watch as the look on their face goes from grateful to utterly amazed!