According to The Washington Post, a new phenomenon called “revenge travel” is emerging in our steadily reopening world. The idea centers around the pent-up wanderlust that’s been building during this year or more at home. The postponed trips and major cancelation headaches of 2020 have people pulling out all the stops when it comes to their next big itinerary. With the rise of vaccination rates and the loosening of travel restrictions, it’s time to revisit the bucket list. I asked the Blueprint.Inc staff where in the world they’d go if they could plan the revenge trip of a lifetime. Here’s where we’re headed.
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Lacy Green, Sales Traffic Manager, will be off to Hawaii when she can.
Each of Hawaii’s six major islands in this South Pacific archipelago has a distinct personality, culture, and list of adventures to behold. Visit the “Garden Island” of Kauai for its dramatic waterfalls, jagged cliffs, and lush rainforests. Oahu is home to Honolulu and a smattering of rustic-chic surf towns. Maui has world-renowned beaches. Other Hawaii draws are its volcanoes, humpback whales and luxurious resorts. Each island seems to surpass the incredible natural beauty of the last, and mild weather year-round makes Hawaii the perfect no-passport-required destination.
Lacy’s second-place destination? Thailand!
Ginny Staggs, Director of Sales, is dreaming of the Amalfi Coast.
This Mediterranean landscape is one of the most beloved gems of Italy. Steep, verdant cliffs seem to spill into the water, and the colorful coastal towns are perched on completely improbable and heart-pumping inclines. Positano and Sorrento — two of Amalfi’s main towns to explore — are filled with luxe hotels, quaint b&bs, artisan shops, and seafood-centric cuisine. Take a boat ride over to Capri and hike the Fortini Coastal Walk.
Liza Graves, CEO, is headed to Finland or Norway.
“It’s a draw between The Arctic Treehouse Hotel, in Finland, or the Storfjord Hotel in Norway,” Liza says. “Both are known for gorgeous views, amazing hospitality and delicious food. I would love to see the northern lights from either place, so I’d love to go one January. That said, my husband and I did book an easier-to-get-to three-night trip to Alaska this coming January in order to see the northern lights at Borealis Basecamp with a group of friends. What can I say? This natural phenomenon has captured my imagination and I’m so excited to go!” she adds.
Another one on Liza’s list is Havasu Falls in Arizona. “It requires a big hike and I’d love to do it!” she adds.
Ashley Haugen, Director of Editorial, also dreams of Norway’s northern lights.
“My bucket list trip is to visit Norway to see the northern lights,” says Ashley. Between late September and late March, northern Norway is dark from early afternoon to late morning, and the northern lights electrify the sky. This part of Norway also has vibrant nightlife, quaint fishing villages, and snow-centric adventures like ice fishing and dog sledding, making it one of the most beautiful and interesting places to behold the breathtaking natural phenomenon.
While she’s in the neighborhood, Ashley wants to visit Switzerland and Germany. We can expect to see this concept a lot when it comes to revenge and bucket-list travel. With many people able to work remotely, travelers will extend their trips to cover more ground and see more cities. Turn that one-week trip into three!
Jenna Bratcher, Nashville Lead Writer, is returning to two special spots in Europe at the next opportunity.
“I would go back to two of the most magical places on the planet: Borgo Storico Seghetti Panichi, which is a stunning farmstead in Ascoli Piceno, Italy (where I learned to make homemade ravioli from an old woman from the village). It has a 16th-century chapel and an incredible restaurant,” she adds. “And then to my favorite town in the Périgord region of France, Brantôme, which boasts a stunning abbey founded by Charlemagne in 769.” I can second Jenna’s yearning to return to familiar spots in Europe.
Cameron Meek, Sales Account Executive, dreams of Australia and a few other destinations.
Australia is super tough to get it, but this is “revenge travel” time, remember?! There is so much here that just a week won’t do. The populous New South Wales territory is home to culture-packed Sydney. In Queensland, you’ll find The Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest coral reef system and a wonder everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime. Queensland also has Brisbane and the sunny Gold Coast, fraught with sandy beaches and water sports to boot. Fun South Australia has a packed festival calendar and is home to Adelaide and Kangaroo Island. Australia alone could fill up this entire article, so get to researching!
Cameron also wants to embark on an African Safari, and visit Croatia and Lake Como, Italy.
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Jay Graves, COO, has his trip-planning sights set on Patagonia.
“I have always wanted to go ever since I watched a special about it on NBC News as a kid. Hiking, fishing, or anything. It just looks amazing,” Jay says. He’s right. There is truly so much to discover in Patagonia, which is shared by the southernmost parts of Argentina and Chile. Torres del Paine National Park in Chile’s Patagonia region is known for its immense granite towers, icebergs, bright blue lakes, and famous Grey Glacier. Patagonia is rife with hikers and bikers who are there for the wilderness and outdoor adventure. For the more refined taste, there are exceptional vineyards to be visited and many amenity-driven nature resorts to be booked.
Katelyn Caughron, Local Business Partner Client Success Representative, has her sights set on Crete, Greece.
Crete is Greece’s largest island, and there are so many off-the-beaten-path places to explore here. Compared to the country’s more touristy destinations like Santorini and Mykonos, Crete has a magical atmosphere of its own. Savor some utterly divine Greek cuisine, bask in the turquoise water and exotic lagoons along the coast, or journey up through the dramatic mountains and craggy cliffs. People rave about the hike through Samaria Gorge, Europe’s longest gorge. When it’s time to let loose, Cretans are known for their vivacious hospitality and musical fervor! What’s not to love?
Brianna Goebel, Associate Editor + Staff Writer, is headed to Fiji when she can.
“I’m a sucker for a stunning beach with turquoise-colored waters, so I’ve always wanted to go to Fiji,” Brianna says. Fiji is a country in the South Pacific Ocean made up of 333 islands, but don’t let that daunting number fool you! It’s easy to get around or to pick one spot and lounge in a hammock for a week. Known for its palm-lined beaches, flourishing soft coral reefs and clear lagoons, Fiji is a water lover’s paradise. Surf, snorkel, sea kayak, and river raft your way through the islands. Brianna adds, “My ultimate Fiji vacation would also entail staying in a cabana that is raised over the ocean. You could literally wake up surrounded by the Pacific Ocean. So, so dreamy.”
Instead of offering my own bucket list destination (I just can’t choose!), I will leave you with a quote I take with me everywhere:
Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of [people] and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime. — Mark Twain
What do you say? Time for some revenge travel? Take us with you on your adventure by tagging us on Instagram @styleblueprint!
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