Journee Trips Review: Is It Legit?

This page may contain  affiliate links which earn us a commission at no extra cost to you to support the site. Thank you!

Have you ever come across videos online of people going on mystery trips? They open a sealed envelope at the airport, no idea where they’re going, to reveal their mystery destination. Well, I did just that !

A few years ago, I went on my first surprise holiday . And it was such a fun experience, I was ready for another mystery trip. This time around, I let Journee sweep me away to yet another unknown destination. I had no idea where I was going until a few hours before my plane left. Journee booked my flights, accommodation, and activities and kept me on my toes for weeks until the departure day was finally there.

If you’re wondering whether going on a surprise trip is something you’d like to consider, I’m here to share my experience.

Spoiler alert: it was a lot of fun!

journee packs

How does a surprise trip with Journee work?

Before I go into more details about my own trip, I’ll explain a bit more about how you can book a mystery trip with Journee. They make the whole process a lot of fun!

1. Fill out the matchmaking form

Instead of sending you to a random place, Journee wants to match you with the perfect mystery destination. That’s why the process starts by filling out a matchmaking form. It only takes 10–15 minutes and asks you about your preferred travel style, things you like to do, things you’d rather not do and more.

The form is incredibly detailed and I really appreciated the options they give you. For example, you can select what activities you’re not comfortable with (including boat trips, swimming, scuba diving and wine tasting), and they also ask if you have any fears/phobias. 

You can also add your budget here. There is a minimum of £425 per person for a 4-day trip, but you can make it as expensive as you like. Journee will make sure everything (flights, accommodation and activities) will fit within the number you give them.

It shows that they want to create an unforgettable trip for anybody, no matter their preferences or budget.

journee matchmaker form

2. Receive a trip proposal (& book your trip)

Once you’ve filled out the form, it’s time for Journee to get to work. Their team will take a look at our answers and put a trip proposal together. You’ll receive this in your inbox the next day .

Obviously, Journee specialises in mystery trips, so you won’t find the destination in this proposal. However, they will include the dates of your trip along with a few hints. Definitely not enough to guess the destination, but it’ll definitely get you started!

If you like what you see, you can decide to book the trip. You can also ask them to make changes if anything stands out to you that you don’t like. There’s no obligation to book a trip. So, even if you’re just curious, you can fill out the form without having to book anything.

3. Receive your clues

Your trip is booked and the countdown is on! This part is one of the things that really stood out to me – Journee doesn’t just make the trip exciting, they make the build-up to the trip just as much fun.

Leading up to your departure date, Journee will send you clues about your destination and trip via WhatsApp. Eight to be precise. And all of them bring you closer to guessing it while also completely throwing you off. I was so sure about a destination before receiving another clue which totally didn’t match it… Back to the drawing board, it is.

I also got my friends and family involved in the guessing game. “Have you received any more clues???” was a common text I received in the weeks leading up to my trip. It was so much fun and even though I told them NOT to tell me their guesses (I wanted it to be a surprise after all), seeing them get so involved made it an even more unique experience – especially since it was a solo trip.

4. Receive your packing list & weather report

One common question I received online after posting about my upcoming surprise trip was “but how do you know what to pack?”. Luckily, Journee came up with the perfect solution while keeping the destination a secret.

A few weeks before your departure date, you’ll receive a packing list and a weather report . This way, you know exactly what to bring. The weather report even updates daily, so you won’t be caught off guard by a sudden change in the weather.

You’ll also receive a physical pack in the post a few days before you leave. In it, you’ll find two closed envelopes. One includes the destination reveal card and the other includes Journee’s destination guide (which includes your itinerary and a ton of extra information about your destination – super handy since you’ve not been able to research anything beforehand!). Obviously, don’t open these until you get to the airport!

journee weather report

5. Time to pack

And then it’s suddenly time to pack already. With the packing list and weather report, this was very easy. I did bring a few extra outfits, just in case. But since I was only going for 4 days, this was no problem.

Then it’s time to get down to the airport. Journee will tell you the time your flight will leave and from which airport. Make sure not to check the airport departure screen before opening your mystery destination envelope though!

6. Open your mystery destination envelope at the airport

On the day of your mystery trip, it’s time to get to the airport. Journee will let you know the time of your flight, so you have enough time to get there. They take care of checking you in, and you can find your boarding passes on your online Journee Passport.

All that’s left to do is open your envelope and find out where you’re going! I recorded a video opening mine, so if you want to see my reaction, you can check it out here .

7. Follow Journee’s itinerary during your mystery trip

After opening the mystery destination reveal envelope, you can open the other one. In it, you’ll find a booklet with lots of information about your destination along with a tailor-made itinerary. This includes where you’ll be staying, how to get there and what you’ll be doing during your trip.

I won’t go into detail about my exact itinerary here, because I wouldn’t want to spoil it if you also get matched with the same city on your Journee trip. But I will say that it included a lot of amazing experiences, some of which I’ll never forget.

Want to see what I thought of my mystery trip? Read my full Journee review below.

Journee destination pack

Journee review: my surprise trip with Journee

After Journee contacted me to see if I’d be interested in working together, I already couldn’t wait to go on a trip with them. I love planning trips, but when it’s part of your job, it can get a little tiring. Plus, the idea of actually finding out AT the airport seemed so much fun. 

I’ve been on a surprise holiday with ATO Tours a few years ago (to Lisbon , which was an incredible experience). ATO Tours gave me the option to find out where I was going seven days before the trip. This worked out really well because it gave me time to prepare and read up on the destination – especially since I was going to be writing about it! But I always what it would be like to not know until a couple of hours before you’re jetting off .

Obviously, with Journee, you can also find out where you’re going in advance by opening the destination envelope. This is totally up to you! If you want to do some research before your trip, do so by all means. I just wanted to see what it’d be like to really not know.

Before my mystery trip

After filling out the trip matchmaking form on Journee’s website, I was sent a trip proposal. And while it did include a few clues, it was still way too early to find out where they were planning to send me. This did start the guessing game for me and my friends (and family, friends of family and family of friends). Where will I be going?

Over the next few weeks, Journee sent out some clues via WhatsApp . Every time I saw the notification popped up, I rushed to open it. This was very, very exciting.

The clues were great too. Not too vague, but vague enough to leave unsure about what it could be. But there were options – so. many. options . And with every new clue, I was thrown off completely. When I was sure it was going to be Pisa, the next clue didn’t line up with that destination and we’d be back to square one. The same thing happened when I received the weather report and packing list. This made things even more confusing (but exciting!).

While some of my friends turned into research mode, cross-checking clues, forty clicks deep into Wikipedia articles, and having heavy discussions at the dinner table, I decided not to Google anything. I want it to be a surprise, after all. 

But the clues were a fun addition that kept me super excited in the weeks leading up to the trip. It made the whole experience feel like so much more than just the trip. It was an adventure that lasted weeks.

And then the morning of my flight arrived. I was giddy. When I got to the airport, I was feeling a healthy amount of nerves, but mainly excitement. In a couple of hours, I’d be on the plane to God knows where (well, Journee knew, and I was about to find out too). Then, it was time to open the envelope…

Spoiler alert: the mystery destination turned out to be Krakow, Poland! 

They really couldn’t have picked a better destination for me . I love cities, I love history and culture, and I hadn’t been to Poland before. Also, Krakow had been on my wishlist for ages, but so have many other European cities. I have no idea how long it would’ve taken me to actually book a trip there, so this was the perfect opportunity to explore a new city!

journee mystery trip proposal

During my mystery trip

As you probably can tell from my itineraries on this site, I love a bit of travel planning. So going to an unknown destination was a little scary. Luckily, Journee’s guide to Krakow helped me a lot. They also sent me a Google Maps with points of interest and restaurants they recommend.

All of this saved me so much research! On top of that, they planned my itinerary perfectly with some amazing excursions. They made sure I had enough free time to explore the city, and with their tips, I was able to fill the time properly. 

Obviously, I did immediately Google “things to do in Krakow” and “Krakow itinerary” to find what other bloggers had to say about the destination. But even just Journee’s booklet would’ve been more than enough.

The accommodation Journee picked for me was beautiful . Right in the centre of the Old Town of Krakow, making it very easy to go out and explore. Also, the excursions booked for me included hotel pick up and drop off, so I didn’t have to worry about anything.

Journee was available to me on WhatsApp during my entire trip, and they reached out to me while in Krakow to make sure everything was going okay. I felt very taken care of , which is definitely a plus when you’re going somewhere new (and on your own!).

My mystery trip to Krakow is something I’ll never forget. I’m so glad I was finally able to visit this city, and with all the extra tips from Journee, it was better than I could’ve imagined.

If mystery trips are something you’ve always wanted to do, Journee is definitely a company to check out. I’m very impressed by all the care they’ve put into my trip, all the information and clues they’ve given me throughout the whole process, and the quality of everything included in my trip. Highly recommend!

krakow poland

Journee Mystery Trip FAQ

If you have any other questions regarding the mystery trip with Journee, please comment below and I’ll add them to this list!

How much does a surprise holiday with Journee cost?

When booking a mystery trip with Journee, you can set your own budget. There is a minimum, however, which is £425 per person for a 4-day trip. But you can make it as expensive as you wish!

How do I know what to pack?

Packing for a mystery trip is tough. But Journee does everything they can to make it easier for you (without revealing the destination and itinerary!). A few weeks before your trip, they’ll send you a packing list and the weather forecast. The weather forecast even updates daily the closer you get to your departure date. This way, you’ll know exactly what kind of clothes to bring to be comfortable.

What if I don’t want to go to a specific place?

When filling out the Matchmaking form, there is a place to add destinations you don’t want to visit. You can add as many as you like. When I filled out the form, I knew I wanted to go somewhere new, so I added a ton of countries and cities I’d already visited. This allowed Journee to match me with the perfect new destination.

When will I find out my mystery destination?

Journee sends you the reveal postcard and trip pack (including your itinerary and a booklet with information about your destination) seven days before you leave for your trip. You can choose whenever you want to open it – however, it definitely adds a bit of excitement when you open it AT the airport!

Nele (Nay-la) graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University with an English and Creative Writing Degree and has lived in the UK for nearly 10 years. She has had an interest in Japan and its culture for as long as she can remember. Since her first trip in 2018 surpassed all expectations, she has continued to return to Japan to explore more of all it has got to offer. You can read her full story here .

View all posts

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Must-Read Articles

akihabara tokyo

50+ Best Things To Do In Japan

Japan rail pass, is it worth it

Is The Japan Rail Pass Worth it?

itsukushima torii gate

The Perfect Three Week Japan Itinerary

cherry blossom promo

Japan Travel Tips Group

Japan travel group

The Japan Travel Newsletter

Sign up to get inspired! Receive insider tips, special discounts and more to plan your perfect Japan trip.

You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

.

japan travel Blog

Tokyo Kyoto Osaka Hiroshima Hakone Kobe Nikko Nara Kyushu All Japan Content

Plan Your Trip

Best Things To Do Japan Rail Pass 2 Week Itinerary 3 Week Itinerary Accommodation Japanese Phrases

About The Navigatio Work With Us

  • >", "name": "top-nav-watch", "type": "link"}}' href="https://watch.outsideonline.com">Watch
  • >", "name": "top-nav-learn", "type": "link"}}' href="https://learn.outsideonline.com">Learn
  • >", "name": "top-nav-podcasts", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.outsideonline.com/podcast-directory/">Podcasts
  • >", "name": "top-nav-maps", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.gaiagps.com">Maps
  • >", "name": "top-nav-events", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.athletereg.com/events">Events
  • >", "name": "top-nav-shop", "type": "link"}}' href="https://shop.outsideonline.com">Shop
  • >", "name": "top-nav-buysell", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell">BuySell
  • >", "name": "top-nav-outside", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.outsideonline.com/outsideplus">Outside+

Become a Member

Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more.

Already have an account? >", "name": "mega-signin", "type": "link"}}' class="u-color--red-dark u-font--xs u-text-transform--upper u-font-weight--bold">Sign In

Outside watch, outside learn.

  • >", "name": "mega-backpacker-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.backpacker.com/">Backpacker
  • >", "name": "mega-climbing-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.climbing.com/">Climbing
  • >", "name": "mega-flyfilmtour-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://flyfilmtour.com/">Fly Fishing Film Tour
  • >", "name": "mega-gaiagps-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.gaiagps.com/">Gaia GPS
  • >", "name": "mega-npt-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.nationalparktrips.com/">National Park Trips
  • >", "name": "mega-outsideonline-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.outsideonline.com/">Outside
  • >", "name": "mega-outsideio-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.outside.io/">Outside.io
  • >", "name": "mega-outsidetv-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://watch.outsideonline.com">Outside Watch
  • >", "name": "mega-ski-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.skimag.com/">Ski
  • >", "name": "mega-warrenmiller-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://warrenmiller.com/">Warren Miller Entertainment

Healthy Living

  • >", "name": "mega-ce-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.cleaneatingmag.com/">Clean Eating
  • >", "name": "mega-oxy-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.oxygenmag.com/">Oxygen
  • >", "name": "mega-vt-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.vegetariantimes.com/">Vegetarian Times
  • >", "name": "mega-yj-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.yogajournal.com/">Yoga Journal
  • >", "name": "mega-beta-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.betamtb.com/">Beta
  • >", "name": "mega-pinkbike-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.pinkbike.com/">Pinkbike
  • >", "name": "mega-roll-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.rollmassif.com/">Roll Massif
  • >", "name": "mega-trailforks-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.trailforks.com/">Trailforks
  • >", "name": "mega-trail-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://trailrunnermag.com/">Trail Runner
  • >", "name": "mega-tri-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.triathlete.com/">Triathlete
  • >", "name": "mega-vn-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://velo.outsideonline.com/">Velo
  • >", "name": "mega-wr-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.womensrunning.com/">Women's Running
  • >", "name": "mega-athletereg-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.athletereg.com/">athleteReg
  • >", "name": "mega-bicycleretailer-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.bicycleretailer.com/">Bicycle Retailer & Industry News
  • >", "name": "mega-cairn-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.getcairn.com/">Cairn
  • >", "name": "mega-finisherpix-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.finisherpix.com/">FinisherPix
  • >", "name": "mega-idea-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.ideafit.com/">Idea
  • >", "name": "mega-nastar-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.nastar.com/">NASTAR
  • >", "name": "mega-shop-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.outsideinc.com/outside-books/">Outside Books
  • >", "name": "mega-veloswap-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.veloswap.com/">VeloSwap
  • >", "name": "mega-backpacker-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.backpacker.com/">Backpacker
  • >", "name": "mega-climbing-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.climbing.com/">Climbing
  • >", "name": "mega-flyfilmtour-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://flyfilmtour.com/">Fly Fishing Film Tour
  • >", "name": "mega-gaiagps-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.gaiagps.com/">Gaia GPS
  • >", "name": "mega-npt-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.nationalparktrips.com/">National Park Trips
  • >", "name": "mega-outsideonline-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.outsideonline.com/">Outside
  • >", "name": "mega-outsidetv-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://watch.outsideonline.com">Watch
  • >", "name": "mega-ski-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.skimag.com/">Ski
  • >", "name": "mega-warrenmiller-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://warrenmiller.com/">Warren Miller Entertainment
  • >", "name": "mega-ce-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.cleaneatingmag.com/">Clean Eating
  • >", "name": "mega-oxy-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.oxygenmag.com/">Oxygen
  • >", "name": "mega-vt-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.vegetariantimes.com/">Vegetarian Times
  • >", "name": "mega-yj-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.yogajournal.com/">Yoga Journal
  • >", "name": "mega-beta-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.betamtb.com/">Beta
  • >", "name": "mega-roll-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.rollmassif.com/">Roll Massif
  • >", "name": "mega-trail-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://trailrunnermag.com/">Trail Runner
  • >", "name": "mega-tri-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.triathlete.com/">Triathlete
  • >", "name": "mega-vn-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://velo.outsideonline.com/">Velo
  • >", "name": "mega-wr-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.womensrunning.com/">Women's Running
  • >", "name": "mega-athletereg-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.athletereg.com/">athleteReg
  • >", "name": "mega-bicycleretailer-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.bicycleretailer.com/">Bicycle Retailer & Industry News
  • >", "name": "mega-finisherpix-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.finisherpix.com/">FinisherPix
  • >", "name": "mega-idea-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.ideafit.com/">Idea
  • >", "name": "mega-nastar-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.nastar.com/">NASTAR
  • >", "name": "mega-shop-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://shop.outsideonline.com/">Outside Shop
  • >", "name": "mega-vp-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.velopress.com/">VeloPress
  • >", "name": "mega-veloswap-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.veloswap.com/">VeloSwap

2-FOR-1 GA TICKETS WITH OUTSIDE+

Don’t miss Thundercat, Fleet Foxes, and more at the Outside Festival.

HURRY TO SAVE

PRICES GO UP MARCH 15

Outside Festival feat. Thundercat, Fleet Foxes, and more.

In the spirit of serendipity, let one of these companies surprise you for your next trip.

7 Travel Companies That Plan Mystery Vacations

Meet the newest trend in full-service trip planning: surprise travel. You won't find out where you're going until it's time to go.

In the spirit of serendipity, let one of these companies surprise you for your next trip.

Heading out the door? Read this article on the Outside app available now on iOS devices for members! >","name":"in-content-cta","type":"link"}}'>Download the app .

For most people, the joy of traveling isn’t the researching or booking—it’s that moment you step off the airplane in a place you’ve never been. So why not skip the planning and let someone else chart your next adventure for you, including choosing the destination? Besides, who cares where you go when you’ve got expert travel agents finalizing every last detail for you?

Introducing the latest trend in travel: surprise trips to places that won’t be revealed to you until it’s go time.

mystery trip journee

Jubel , a tech-enabled travel company founded in 2015 in California, offers customized multi-destination getaways and route planning. It can also save you more than 55 percent in travel costs compared with booking a trip yourself, thanks to insider travel deals. Jubel also offers surprise trips .

Fill out its survey with your preferred dates, budget, and travel style, and it’ll send you a trip proposal. You can be completely surprised by the destination or learn the continent or country ahead of time. Once you’ve booked, you’ll get sealed envelopes to open along your journey, plus details on what to pack and when to show up at the airport. International trips start at around $1,000 per person per week.

Pack Up and Go

mystery trip journee

Want a weekend getaway in the U.S. without any hassle of planning it? Enter Pack Up and Go , founded in 2016 in Pittsburgh. Give the company your dates and budget, and complete a quick survey (sample question: Do you want action, relaxation, or culture?), and it will do the rest for you. Prior to your trip, you’ll get a packing list, flight information, and a weather forecast. Days before you leave, an envelope with your destination and itinerary will arrive in the mail. Open it at the airport. Trips start at $400 per person.

The Vacation Hunt

mystery trip journee

Whether you have three days or two weeks, the expert travelers at the Vacation Hunt , started in 2017 by a husband and wife in Washington, D.C., will plan a trip for you. Tell the reps what you’re looking for (spas or zoos? bars or museums?) and they’ll start sending you clues as to where you’re going. Packaged trips in the U.S. start at $750 per person; international trips start at $950. They also offer gift certificates if you want to give someone else a surprise trip.

Magical Mystery Tours

mystery trip journee

With Magical Mystery Tours , you won’t know where you’re going until you show up at the airport. First, enter your preferences: Do you want a foreign trip? Do you dislike the cold or the beach? Would you prefer heading to the desert or someplace tropical? Then input your dates, budget, and who you’re traveling with. The company will take care of the details. Magical Mystery Tours has been booking destination vacations to locations all over the globe since 2009. Cost depends on the length of the trip, whether it’s international or domestic travel, and the kind of accommodations you want. Weekend trips for two start at $1,500.

Surprise Me Trips

Choose between quick road trips from your hometown or far-flung destinations via airplane. You’ll get details about what to bring and where to be just before your departure. For its weekend road trips, tell the company where you want to start, and it will plan a surprise itinerary around your region, including a few nights in different locales and major landmarks and activities to check out along the way. Despite this travel company’s name, it will also arrange trips that don’t come as a surprise, if that’s more your thing. Surprise Me Trips was launched by three well-traveled friends in Texas in 2016. Weekend regional road trips start at $375.

Black Tomato

mystery trip journee

In 2017, high-end travel company Black Tomato  debuted its  Get Lost service, which creates adventurous tailor-made expeditions to wilderness destinations like Mongolia or the Arctic that are kept entirely a secret from you. Here’s how it works: select a polar, jungle, coastal, desert, or mountain trip—or have Black Tomato choose that, too—and book at least six months in advance to give you time to train and prepare. When you arrive at your location, you’ll be outfitted with all the gear you need, plus a private transfer from the airport to your starting point and a satellite phone for emergencies. Chart your way through a series of mapped-out checkpoints using navigational technology and your own two feet. The journey ends at a luxury retreat. Average Get Lost trips cost around $15,000 per person—but there are shorter, less expensive options, too.

Rustic Pathways

mystery trip journee

Designed for high school students looking for an exciting summer group trip, student-travel company Rustic Pathways offers a mystery trip to an unknown international destination. Before departure you’ll get a Patagonia duffel bag sent to you that’s filled with clues and a few essentials. Then arrive at the designated airport and spend the next two weeks exploring foreign cities and remote villages with other intrepid students as a guide leads the way. As of press time, there were still a few spots left on an upcoming trip in late June. It costs $5,995, not including airfare.

  • Adventure Adviser

Popular on Outside Online

>", "path": "https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/snow-sports/christina-lustenberger-lusti-mountaineer-skier/", "listing_type": "recirc", "location": "list", "title": "christina lustenberger skis the impossible"}}'> christina lustenberger skis the impossible, >", "path": "https://www.outsideonline.com/health/training-performance/20-hours-avalanche-survival/", "listing_type": "recirc", "location": "list", "title": "how a snowboarder survived for 20 hours after being buried in an avalanche"}}'> how a snowboarder survived for 20 hours after being buried in an avalanche, >", "path": "https://www.outsideonline.com/adventure-travel/essays/i-70-traffic/", "listing_type": "recirc", "location": "list", "title": "colorado’s i-70 has america’s most notorious ski traffic. is there a solution"}}'> colorado’s i-70 has america’s most notorious ski traffic. is there a solution, >", "path": "https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/snow-sports/tuckerman-ravine-skier-death/", "listing_type": "recirc", "location": "list", "title": "a 20-year-old backcountry skier died after falling down tuckerman ravine"}}'> a 20-year-old backcountry skier died after falling down tuckerman ravine.

People are paying travel agents to send them on mystery trips where they don't even know the destination. It sounds like a dream vacation.

  • Travel companies offer mystery trips where people are surprised by the destination of their vacation. 
  • The trips remove the hassle of planning but still have room for spontaneity.  
  • As a travel reporter, I'd embark on a mystery trip in a heartbeat. 

Insider Today

A week before a Journee mystery trip, the traveler receives a sealed envelope in the mail. 

Inside might be an itinerary for a week in Seville, Spain, or two weeks in Bulgaria. It's up to the traveler to decide when to open it.

And it's not just Journee that's embraced the idea of "mystery trips." Guess Where Trips , The Vacation Hunt , Pack Up and Go , Magical Mystery Tours , and Surprise Me Trips are just a handful of companies that have jumped on the bandwagon of mystery vacations.

The concept is simple: You tell a travel company when you want to travel, what type of trip you want (relaxation, adventure, beach, Europe, etc.), your budget, and any places you don't want to visit.

Then, they build you a surprise itinerary, send over a packing list, and encourage you to reveal the destination at the airport. 

As a travel reporter, I think it's a genius idea. 

I'm enticed by both the thrill and convenience of mystery trips

Vacationing and traveling is a privilege, but it's also work. 

The biggest struggle is sometimes figuring out where to go. Do you visit a new country? Or explore a place you've fallen in love with and where you know you'll have a good time?

Making that decision is only the beginning.

You then have to assess what flight to take. Do you splurge on a direct flight? Or do you use a layover as an opportunity to add another destination to your itinerary? 

Next up is scouring for hotels, Airbnbs, VRBOs, hostels, or home shares. 

And you'll also need to figure out how you want to fill your days and fill your stomach.

It involves research and time and can also involve stress.

A mystery trip, on the other hand, removes those inconveniences. Instead, it adds an element of excitement to a vacation. 

You might end up on a plane to a place you've never heard of or trying a local dish you'd never thought you'd taste.

Plus, companies cater to all types of travelers. If you don't have a passport , are afraid of flying , or only have a weekend to spare , it seems like there's a mystery trip for everyone. 

This wouldn't be the only way I travel, but I'd absolutely give it a try

As much as planning a trip is work, it's work I absolutely love.

Researching a destination's nearby ghost towns or chatting with locals about what restaurants to visit are elements of a trip that I enjoy.

What I don't always love is figuring out which train to take and when to take it.

Mystery trips seem to remove the hassle of logistics, but they still create room for spontaneity. No one is forcing you to do the itinerary the company has created, and ultimately, a vacation is what you make of it. 

Plus, I might end up in a destination I never considered visiting, and that alone is worth it. 

Watch: 43 incredible places to add to your 2019 bucket list

mystery trip journee

  • Main content

Desperate to travel anywhere? Mystery trips will make it happen

AnneMarie McCarthy

May 12, 2021 • 5 min read

mystery trip journee

Ready for a surprise? © Hello World/Getty Images

Mystery trips - where you pay an agency to organize your vacation and don’t find out the destination until the last minute - have been a niche section of the travel industry for a number of years. With travel gradually returning to some countries, they’re betting on people wanting to shake up their routine and embrace spontaneity after many months of staying at home.

Lonely Planet reader Markus Wittich from Germany is a very frequent traveler, racking up 18 trips in 2019 alone. After more than a year of staying at home, the idea of holiday where he doesn't know the destination is extra-appealing to him right now.

“That Groundhog Day feeling is real! We've been stuck at home for over a year and it feels like every day has been kind of the same. Since there haven't been many - or any - pleasant surprises throughout the pandemic, a surprise trip could be a fun idea to visit places that haven't been on your radar before.”

Teenagers sitting on a city wall hidden by city map

For river cruise company Uniworld, that bet is already paying off. A 10-day Mystery River Cruise in June quickly sold out and a September voyage is on the horizon. CEO Ellen Bettridge confirmed to Lonely Planet the original idea actually came from their customers.

“Our guests communicated that they’re willing to travel anywhere to get back out there and explore the world again as vaccines began rolling out and the light at the end of the tunnel finally neared. We created the Mystery Cruise with that sentiment in mind, to spoil our guests and provide them with a surprise trip of a lifetime with all details and decisions taken care of.”

But after so long being careful, are travelers ready to hand over the reins to someone else, especially when safety is still such a top priority? A quick poll of Lonely Planet readers revealed a mixed bag; 21% said they would be more likely to take a mystery trip now but 27% of people said they would be less likely, expressing concerns of safety or the possibility of being exposed to COVID variants despite being vaccinated. But others were tempted by the novelty. Rachel Van Raan-Welch, a reader from New York City is torn.

“I LOVE the idea of a mystery trip, and especially after being more or less on lockdown for the past year, I'm totally up for traveling anywhere right now. But that's in a hypothetical world in which COVID suddenly totally disappeared. In reality, it's hard to know when ‘after the pandemic’ may be. I wouldn't be comfortable taking a trip without knowing where I'm going or what I'm doing, and I think I'll probably feel that way for a long time.”

Safety and reassurance are priorities of any travel company right now and established surprise travel agencies have been quietly changing up their offerings. Netherlands-based Srprs.me expanded their themed vacation packages to include self-guided road trips in 2020. As travel slowly returns to Europe, spokesperson Anneke told Lonely Planet that road trips remain the top choice for their customers.

“We only send our travelers to safe destinations, so there's no need to stay updated on the travel advice to decide where to go; we do that for them. I think that people definitely still have an appetite for the mystery [and] spontaneous element, but under the current circumstances they prefer the more 'safer mysteries', such as our road trips closer to home.”

Daughter covering father's eyes on a playground

Of course, there’s another big reason why many seasoned travelers want to try out a mystery trip and it has nothing to do with the pandemic. “I sometimes plan out my trips too much by researching all the restaurants, museums and sights that I absolutely want to visit,” Markus says. “This can sometimes eliminate the opportunity to being spontaneous. Not knowing the destination before you arrive at the airport forces you to keep an open mind and to go with the flow.”

“Please sign me up!” he adds.

5 mystery trips you can book right now

Pack up + go.

A surprise travel agency specializing in domestic US vacation packages. After a personalized survey, they’ll send you to a mid-size US city with a list of curated recommendations. Since COVID, they also have a Staycation option to explore closer to home. 

Guess Where Trips

Embracing the hyper-local, this Canadian company specializes in creating itineraries around Ontario. They are all self-guided which means it’s a great budget option when you really want someone else to do all the planning for you. They are expanding their offerings to trips starting from Vancouver soon. 

Uniworld Mystery River Cruise

A 10-day river cruising experience, the first voyage in June this year has already sold out and a second date added in September due to popular demand. Everything is included in the price and you’ll be sent a detailed recommended packing list beforehand, One thing you’ll need for definite is your passport. 

Woman driving car, friend in passenger seat looking at map

With departure airports in Europe, this company specializes in city breaks and has a few different themes that you can choose from or you can specifically request them to send you somewhere new. Self-guided road trip itineraries are also available from the UK, Belgium, Denmark and the Netherlands. 

Departing from the UK, Spain, Germany and more, this is a straightforward surprise platform where they will set you up with a flight and a hotel. There is no option to customise with your interests though you can veto a few places during your booking process. 

Explore related stories

A young woman exploring a valley with rock formations and fairy chimneys near Uchisar castle in Cappadocia Turkey

Tips & Advice

Mar 14, 2024 • 6 min read

Cappadocia is incredibly popular with visitors to Turkey but where to start with so many attractions? These are 8 of our favorite places to visit.

mystery trip journee

Mar 14, 2024 • 4 min read

mystery trip journee

Mar 14, 2024 • 8 min read

Akihabara_shopping_Tokyo_S.jpg

Mar 14, 2024 • 7 min read

mystery trip journee

Mar 13, 2024 • 6 min read

mystery trip journee

Mar 13, 2024 • 3 min read

Amsterdam architecture over the tulips.

Mar 13, 2024 • 7 min read

mystery trip journee

mystery trip journee

Journee   Reviews

In the Tour Operator category

Visit this website

Company activity See all

Your profile picture

Write a review

Reviews 4.9.

1,189 total

Most recent

Stress free holiday planned for you

I was too stressed to plan a holiday so Journee took all that away from me and created a wonderful week away for us in Romania. It was a great place to visit and I don’t think I’d have picked it on my own otherwise. We are pretty sure we will book another holiday with Journee soon.

Date of experience : August 26, 2023

My experience with Journee was…

My experience with Journee was flawless. The assistance and support you receive is superb and really helpful. The itinerary that Journee created was perfect for the type of trip we was looking for. The location, the itinerary, the clues, Journee pack and everything else provided gave such a unique and thrilling experience. I will 100% use them again.

Date of experience : August 24, 2023

All round perfect

Amazing planning, amazing price, amazing support. All round unforgettable experience- everything was tailored perfectly, even after a few revisions. Always available to reach out. And best of all, the secret was so perfect!

First time using Journee definitely will use again

First time using Journee as I couldn’t decide on a destination to take myself off to. The team are great. They took my long list of desires and absolutely nots and turned it into a very nice vacation. They utilise my favourite quote ‘don’t bring me a problem without offering a solution’ brilliantly. Every hurdle I gave them they were able to jump over with ease. I had a fantastic short break in a country that actually wasn’t on my bucket list of places to visit thanks to the team at Journee. They really did take the pressure off me by sorting everything from accommodation to checking in, from places to eat to excursions. Thank you so much to all at Team Journee.

100% will use again

100% will use again! Super easy, like down to the minute detail easy. Perfect in every way

Great experience with Journee.

The communication from Journee start to finish was fantastic. Destination was perfect and a surprise not somewhere we’d of chosen but will now definitely return. All trips and change of locations organised very well, all admin sorted by Journee. One of our trips was a very long day, travel, but well worth it. The last day, with an evening flight, could of been better planned. Would highly recommend this experience we will definitely book with Journee again.

Date of experience : August 05, 2023

The whole Journee experience was…an adventure!

The whole Journee experience was fantastic from start to finish! Always someone on hand to answer any questions with the booking process etc. The clues were perfect, not too difficult but not so easy that you'd guess straight away! The way the itinerary and all information is laid out is easy to understand and makes travelling around abroad so much easier for someone who isn't used to it! There were lots of little surprises throughout our Journee and we loved every second! I went with my daughter this time, but I think this trip has given me the confidence to do the next one on my own! Well done to everyone at Journee for a fantastic job!

Date of experience : August 22, 2023

This trip was so much fun; Start to end!

This trip was amazing! I would recommend Journee to anyone, and I would book another trip with them too. I went with my sister so both getting the clues it was fun trying to work out where we would be going. We went to Bulgaria which is not a place I had thought of visiting before, it was beautiful.

Date of experience : August 23, 2023

This trip was AMAZING!

This trip was AMAZING!! I would recommend Journee to anyone, and I would 100% book another trip with them. It was so fun trying to figure out the clues, and I loved my destination. I went to Bulgaria which is not a place I had thought of visiting before, and I had an incredible trip!

Date of experience : August 13, 2023

Scary but absolutely worth it. A brilliant trip!!!

It was really scary to leave our holiday in someone else’s hands but after doing the experience I would recommend it to anyone. Every detail of the holiday felt really well thought through, the transfers and hotel were fantastic and we got to do some really wonderful activities whilst we were there. We had never really considered travelling to our chosen destination but we were so impressed with the way Journee enabled us to see two cities and so many attractions in such a short trip. Their communication was excellent and the clues were great at getting us excited. I will absolutely be recommending Journee to family and friends, and can’t wait to book another trip.

Triple A* Amazing, Awesome, Adventurous

We recently had a trip with Journee. They were absolutely fantastic from start to finish. You are able to set your budget and answer a huge questionnaire about your likes and interests so they can best tailor your experience. Journee send you a proposed itinerary first before you accept it and sign up to pay for your trip. Journee were easily accommodating and tweaked a few things for us when the original plan did not work with flights. Our destination was amazing and well matched, the app was fantastic and easy to use to be kept updated with what to pack and the weather as well as access to boarding passes. We did manage to figure out where we were going from the clues which Journee sent, but the initial guessing game was fun. The accommodation we stayed in was lovely and well chosen as well as being well located in the heart of the city. Our trip also included 2 excursions one of which ended up being planned on my OHs 40th birthday so was well timed and made a wonderful day. As well as the pre planned excursions there was plenty of opportunity to do our own things as well which we're planned when we reached out destination. I was a little anxious about the whole experience as I am on to like control over planning where I am going, but journee made the experience completely stress free, plus chose a destination I would never have picked myself, I am so glad they did though and I was able to experience something wonderful. The customer service was also excellent, Journee were easily contactable and very responsive, they were able to assist and respond quickly when my OH was taken unwell at the beginning of the trip and kept in touch with us to help ensure all was OK and for the return flight to be booked with comfort. I was honestly blown away by my whole experience I will definitely recommend Journee and use them again 100% in the future. Thankyou so much Journee for immersing me and my OH is such a beautiful and amazing experience

Date of experience : August 18, 2023

Florence, the perfect Journee for a Black female solo traveller

Journee was recommended to me by a friend, who knew I wanted to do something a little different for my 40th birthday. From start to finish, the process was simple, communication excellent and has honestly been one of the best things I've ever done. I loved the quirkiness of the experience leading up to the trip, the clues that had family and friends guessing, the attention to detail, bespoke itinerary, value for money, and the best bit was I barely had to lift a finger. It was all organised for me!! I know the reviews look too good to be true, hand on heart...it really is that good an experience. One you're unlikely to regret. Journee team- you folks were fabulous- and so was my fortieth, thank you!!

Amazing surprise trip!

My trip was amazing! The best part is someone else organised it all!! The excursions and recommendations were great! Yet I also had enough time to relax and watch the world go by. Everything was perfect the hotel, the flight times and I have no complaints!! They choose a great location for me…the excitement of not knowing where I was going was amazing. I will be booking again!!

Date of experience : August 20, 2023

Give it a go, its so much fun!

So much fun..from adapting to my holiday requests.. every one i knew was invested! 🤣first couple of possibilities didn’t really meet what i wanted) but then they nailed it. It was beautiful and my preconceived ideas of it meant i wouldn't have booked it either! Im so glad i went. I was anxious about not having paper as back up but im a little older 🤣 it all went swimmingly. Beautiful hotel on first destination and second one was fine if a little off centre. Would have liked to have had end transfer to airport sorted but it was fine as they have such a good connection with locals. Totally recommend!

Date of experience : August 17, 2023

It was great not knowing where I was…

It was great not knowing where I was going and that the organisation was done for me, all I had to do was follow the packing list and make my way to the airport. The mystery destination was perfect and I loved the organised activities.

Date of experience : August 16, 2023

Worry-free, exciting experience

Amazing time through Journee. A 5 day trip to Poland, 3 activities booked and we had no problems the entire time. They gave us suggestions for food, drinks, and places to see - all of which we definitely took into account. The hotel was nice, very central. The activities were spread out perfectly, giving us time to do our own thing also. They were always available to answer questions we have, quick with responses. Our flights cancelled a few weeks prior to going and Journee quickly fixed this issue by offering alternate dates, times, and/or airports. We didn’t have anything to worry about. They gave us the perfect trip to match our answers to the detailed quiz! The hints were fun, we had enough information to keep it a secret up until the very end!

Date of experience : August 21, 2023

Just returned from our journee

I love the business model of Journee and genuinely think they are a lovely company to deal with. They are hugely helpful and responsive to all enquiries before, during and after the trip. Everything organised by Journee ran smoothly, and this included the flights, initial transfer, hotels (x2), internal transfers and 4 experiences. There was an issue with one of the hotels and Journee engaged with them on my behalf to try to solve the problem. For me, the destination was not right and looking at the rest of the Journee destinations available I cannot help but be disappointed that one of the other destinations was not chosen for me. My advice is that when filling in the questionnaire, don’t just exclude certain places, but say why you are excluding them. Is it because you have been already and loved it, or is it because you have been already and disliked it? In my case, my destination closely resembled my excluded places and I had excluded them because I disliked them. Did I enjoy the element of surprise? Absolutely! That’s why I booked with Journee. Take note that you will need a certain level of self-reliance as you will need to get to some places locally under your own steam (or use a taxi in our case). The arrangements for example may include a journey from one place to the next (bus or railway station) but your accommodation or your day trip meeting point may be sited away from the station so budget for these smaller journeys too. As for the practicality of how things work, items unlock in turn on the app, so that you find things like weather reports, boarding passes, packing lists, bus tickets and entry passes appearing when needed. For reviewers saying that you could do the trip cheaper yourself - well Journee are a business and naturally have to make a profit - you are paying for their expertise and the surprise element, along with the fact that they are making arrangements, booking elements and checking you in etc. I set a budget of nearly double the minimum and while I can see where some of that would have been spent (upgraded room, personal tour guide) it was not the best way that I could have spent such a large amount of money given the destination. I recommend Journee with the proviso that you need to fill in the questionnaire carefully and be sure to say what destinations you are excluding and why.

Second time with journee!

Second time with journee and was wowed yet again! I took my mother in law this time and the trip definitely reflected what we wanted. Hubby now wants to do it, so watch this space!! If you’re sitting on the fence, then I suggest you jump in and give it a go. Journee listen to what you need, and when we asked for breakfast to be included they found a great hotel for us. 100% recommend!

Brilliant idea, poor delivery

First of all, I have to clarify that we love the concept of Journee, the guessing game was fun, although we were pretty sure of what our destination was after the initial proposal. We told about it to our family, friends and colleagues and everyone thought it was a fun way of travelling, although they asked us if we weren't concerned about the quality of the accommodations that would be booked for us. I had no doubt whatsoever, as I read through all the great 5-star reviews of Journee and everyone seemed to be happy with what they booked for them. We stayed in 3 different hotels during our 7-day (6 nights) journey and the first one straight away was a a let down. We were booked into the smallest and darkest room of the whole building that opened from the same landing as 4 other rooms, so we could hear everyone else coming, going, chatting, slamming doors. It felt like a hostel and that definitely wasn't the quality we expected, especially knowing how much we paid. We haven't slept for over 36 hours by that first night, as we had a super early flight and I hardly had any sleep thanks to the constant noise coming from our neighbours. Also, we were celebrating our anniversary and we really expected Journee to book something nice and comfortable. The first experience was OK, although we were on a tour bus with 20 other people and the hike we were so much looking forward to was a 20-min walk in a valley, so it wasn't exactly the experience I would've booked for ourselves. The second one was amazing, that was definitely the highlight of our trip. Between the two locations of our journey, we travelled by train and bus that was lengthy and tiring, but I understand that it was the only way to get there. The only problem was that when we finally arrived in the evening, there was only one room left in the hotel and it wasn't any of the ones we were expecting to have lovely views. It was facing a busy main road, had a seriously outdated bathroom and was next to the elevator. Obviously all the other rooms were taken by that point and the hotel did not receive any request from Journee to have a Meteora-view room, although that would've been exactly the same price. So what we missed the most was the personal touches from Journee, making sure that they book the best possible options. Also, what's the point of asking in the questionnaire whether you are celebrating something, if you then doesn't even make the smallest gesture to make it special? Looking at the cost, their mark-up seems ridiculously high, as what they've taken was about 25% of our original(!) budget. So they take their share and then they offer you a cheaper price, so you end up with an even lower value holiday than what it was meant to be. We did ask for a price breakdown, but they refused to provide one. So we won't be booking any further Journee trips, as they are just simply not good enough value for us, especially as I enjoy travel planning. This holiday could've been a lot cheaper and a lot more personal if I organised myself, as I normally do.

Reply from Journee

Hey Emi, First and foremost we're thrilled you love the concept of Journee. As a very small and growing company we feel so lucky that you entrusted us with your travel plans. We are truly gutted that you came away from your Journee trip so disappointed. We empathise with you knowing how exhausting a day of travel can be and we're so sorry that your first accommodation meant that you couldn't get a good night's sleep. We're looking into all your feedback and evaluating our future bookings at this property. As mentioned over Whatsapp, we were so sorry to hear that you were uncomfortable and disappointed with your room in your second location. As a larger hotel with mountainous views across this magnificent destination, we thought this would be the ideal spot to celebrate your anniversary. However, we understand that you were left somewhat underwhelmed by the room's position within the hotel itself. In the end, we're so, so glad that you were able to switch rooms to a more comfortable one, with an even more gorgeous view and resolved that aspect! Of course, we also wish that you'd been able to receive that room in the first place. As you mentioned, the fact that you didn't is due to availability. We're sorry that you felt Journee wasn't conscientious in our efforts to find you accommodation of good quality. We're always happy to try and accommodate requests such as rooms with views, balconies, a pool, etc. but this cannot be 100% guaranteed and we did not discuss any with you prior to booking. As discussed over Whatsapp, we do offer the option of upgrading to premium accommodation in cases where Explorers would prefer a higher-end experience at a 4* or equivalent property. Because you did not choose to upgrade, your accommodation was booked in accordance with our standard-level requirements. Going forward, we will be looking for ways to make the option of upgrading more prominent. We also understand that asking about a special occasion may have led to elevated expectations. We do this to help us ensure that the tone of your itinerary is appropriate for any celebrations. Of course, we love finding ways of making your trip feel extra special and do this where we can but it's simply not always possible for us to organise. We hope that you were able to enjoy a celebratory dinner with the gesture of goodwill we sent across upon finding out about your situation and disappointment. Of course, going on a Journee trip sometimes costs a bit more than if you'd planned and managed it yourself, but not a massive amount since we have also negotiated exclusive prices for accommodation and experiences. Several aspects of your trip were significantly more expensive than usual, with flights and accommodation prices being inflated for the duration of August and peak travel season. We're sad and very sorry to hear you feel the overall experience did not represent good value for money. As expressed on WhatsApp, we're unable to provide accurate, granular price breakdowns of trips and spend. This is due to cost and FX fluctuations, as well as cumulative discounts with our trusted local partners. Instead, we provide a single price outlined in your Journee Proposal. This includes your flights, accommodation, experiences, ATOL protection, exclusive recommendations, WhatsApp support, travel admin management and your physical Journee pack - as well as all the fun extras like clues. Beyond all of that, it also allows us to deliver the surprise experience that is such a central part of all Journee trips and isn't something many people are able to organise on their own. We sincerely hope that you've still been able to come away with some amazing memories of Meteora, it was great to hear that your second guided experience was a highlight in particular! Once again, thank you for taking the time to share this feedback, it really is invaluable to us. If you have any further questions or comments, don't hesitate to reach out. Team Journee

Spectacular nature & history surprise break

I’m glad I discovered Journee just at the right moment! It’s the perfect answer to a worn-out soul who may have current hardships and little time to plan trips. It’s also great for female solo travellers as you have the reassurance that everything is safe and tested. Couple this with an adventurous spirit and the mood to discover something new – and boom! Escapism done right. I took a week off at the end of June 2023. Firstly, I have to mention that the Journee team went out of their way to make my dates and flights work, to the extent that they booked a third hotel for me. I decided to “go all the way” and open the envelope at the airport! The destination booklet and itinerary were beautifully put together. Secondly, I won’t give away the destination, but this Journee trip led me to discover two spectacular historic cities that I had never heard of before in mainstream tourism channels. One of them was a relaxing city vibe with a mix of the modern and the ancient – and just enough landmarks to see. The other place had a landscape that was simply jaw-dropping and surreal. The food was pretty much great everywhere. The first activity Journee designed for me involved swimming in hot springs and under waterfalls – sounds very cliché but it was a dream come true! The next activity was a geological tour with a really great guide, who I ended up using for another day trip during my Journee stay. Transfers between places were smooth and easy, and the Journee team were always available on WhatsApp which was such a huge comfort. There were some things like local transport that I had to figure out for myself through talking to people, which is all part of the fun of course! I also wasn’t very quick to create plans for the days that I was a free bird, so I did a lot of strolling. Finally, I experienced one hiccup with one of the hotels, but it was manageable. I also had hours of flight delays on the way there and back, due to the standards of the low-cost airlines, and there wasn’t much that can be done about that. In short, if you’re excited by the idea of a Journee trip – I would say just take the leap!

Date of experience : June 28, 2023

mystery trip journee

  • Surprise Destinations

Do I get clues about my surprise destination?

avatar

We’ll send you a series of fun clues at random intervals leading up to your trip. But be warned, they’re not easy to figure out...

mystery trip journee

'Complete mystery' as 1,800-year-old ancient Roman statue dug up in UK parking lot

A mysterious 1,800-year-old Roman statue has been discovered by a construction worker while he was digging up a parking lot.

It was during work on an overflow parking area at Burghley House -- a historical Tudor-era manor dating back to the 16th century located 90 miles north of London -- when the discovery was made by Greg Crawley who was driving a digger and saw a “pale object amongst the lifted earth” that he had been excavating, according to a statement from Burghley House announcing the discovery.

“I had a real shock as the digger bucket rolled over what I thought was a big stone to reveal a face. When I picked it up, I realised it was a head of a statue,” Crawley said. “I couldn’t believe it when they told me it was a Roman marble statue. It was an amazing feeling to have found something so old and special – definitely my best ever discovery.”

This, however, was not the only artifact that was found.

Just two weeks later when the original discovery was made in April 2023 as the parking lot was nearing completion, a second discovery was made a short distance away from where the head was found -- this time it was the bust of the statue that the head had originally been attached to.

Both items were subsequently taken to Burghley’s curator before being sent to a professional conservator who was able to carefully clean and consolidate the figure before reassembling both pieces as they had been intended. The find was also reported to the British Museum, which maintains a database of such discoveries, according to Burghley House.

“After being cleaned, experts dated the sculpture from the First or Second Century, with an iron dowel added later, allowing it to be attached to a bust or pedestal,” said Burghley House. “This type of adaptation was often carried out by Italian dealers in antiquities during the late 18th Century to make excavated ancient fragments more attractive to aristocrats travelling in Italy on what was known as the Grand Tour.”

Officials believe that it may have come from one of the ninth Earl’s two tours to Italy in the 1760s, when he purchased many antiquities, one of those being this sculpture that he brought back to Burghley.

“But it remains a complete mystery how the head and bust ended up buried in the park, with explanations ranging from a bungled burglary to someone simply discarding the statue and it later being covered by soil,” said Burghley House.

It is unclear how long the statue has remained hidden underground and experts say they may never know how it got there or why.

For now, however, the statue has a new home on display within the dramatic Hell Staircase at Burghley House.

“And when the House opens again for the 2024 season, on 16 March, the remarkable find will be on display, together with an explanation about its discovery, and alongside other sculptures that were purchased by the ninth Earl,” said Burghley House.

'Complete mystery' as 1,800-year-old ancient Roman statue dug up in UK parking lot

IMAGES

  1. Exciting trips to mystery destinations

    mystery trip journee

  2. Exciting trips to mystery destinations

    mystery trip journee

  3. SUMMER MYSTERY TRIP JULY 15, 2021

    mystery trip journee

  4. Journées de mystère

    mystery trip journee

  5. Just wanted to remind everyone about the Mystery Trip on August 12th

    mystery trip journee

  6. Surprise Trip

    mystery trip journee

VIDEO

  1. NO IDEA WHERE WE ARE GOING

  2. The Incredible, Indelible, Magical, Physical, Mystery Trip 1973

  3. It Begins!

  4. An Unexpected Killer Full Episodes 2024

  5. 16x9

  6. The Incredible, Indelible, Magical, Physical, Mystery Trip

COMMENTS

  1. Find out where you're going at the airport

    Travel is exciting. not knowing where is extra exciting. Fill out our questionnaire and get secretly matched to a destination based on your travel taste. We take care of everything. You find out where you're going at the airport! GET YOUR FREE TRIP PROPOSAL. 7,000+ people have already been on their Journee adventure. Be the next!

  2. Journee Trips Review: Is It Legit?

    Obviously, Journee specialises in mystery trips, so you won't find the destination in this proposal. However, they will include the dates of your trip along with a few hints. Definitely not enough to guess the destination, but it'll definitely get you started! If you like what you see, you can decide to book the trip.

  3. Pack Up + Go

    We absolutely loved our Outdoor Road Trip! It was the perfect getaway and there was so much to do! ... Pack Up + Go Trips: A Comprehensive Guide to Your Mystery Vacation. Feb 29, 2024. Feb 29, 2024. Feb 26, 2024. 4 Ways to Use Picks Destination Guides. Feb 26, 2024. Feb 26, 2024. Feb 23, 2024. 5 Reasons Surprise Vacations Are Great for Families.

  4. Journee Reviews

    Booking a Journee trip was the best thing I could have done! I am delighted with the whole experience. They sent me on a 5 day adventure. The questionnaire to fill in is really easy, and the proposal that came back suited me to the ground. ... I wasn't sure what to expect with booking a mystery trip, but I had such an amazing time!

  5. Introduction to Journee

    How does Journee work with COVID travel requirements? Written by Sophie. Updated on January 3, 2023.

  6. Journee Reviews

    The accommodation arranged by Journee was top-notch, blending local culture and luxury seamlessly. The food was a gastronomic delight, offering a taste of the rich and diverse Moroccan cuisine. But what truly made the trip memorable was the warmth and hospitality of the Journee team.

  7. 7 Travel Companies That Plan Mystery Vacations

    Adventure Adviser. Air Travel. Arctic. Patagonia. Road Trips. Lead Photo: Xavier Arnau/iStock. Have a surprise adventure with these companies that plan it all for you.

  8. Journee Reviews

    Journee has 5 stars! Check out what 1,180 people have written so far, and share your own experience. | Read 81-100 Reviews out of 1,169. ... Absolutely loved our mystery trip! Everything was planned to perfection and we ended up somewhere new and exploring some incredible sights! Even tho we had a storm and one of our excursions was cancelled ...

  9. Everything You Need to Know About Tiktok-Famous "Mystery Travel

    Well, if you're a travel enthusiast looking for unique ways to quench your wanderlust, there's a new and exhilarating way to explore the world that's taking the internet by storm. Enter "Mystery Travel," also known as "surprise trip," a TikTok-famous travel strategy that has garnered over 85 million views on the social media platform.

  10. Travel Agents Send People on Mystery Trips, and It Sounds Like a Dream

    A week before a Journee mystery trip, the traveler receives a sealed envelope in the mail.. Inside might be an itinerary for a week in Seville, Spain, or two weeks in Bulgaria. It's up to the ...

  11. Inside the rise of mystery travel to 'secret' destinations

    Mystery trips have witnessed a surge in popularity after the Covid-19 pandemic with companies like Journee, Guess Where Trips, Pack Up and Go, and Surprise Me Trips catering to the growing demand

  12. FAQs

    Can you stay in touch during your trip? This is where we solve all your questions. Browse the topics below to find what you are looking for. ... GET FREE TRIP PROPOSAL. REVIEWS. OUR PROMISE. JOURNEE PACK. FAQs. More... QUESTIONS? YOU'VE COME TO THE RIGHT PLACE. Whether you're brand new to Journee or moments from taking off, our FAQs have got ...

  13. Where to book a mystery trip in 2021

    Uniworld Mystery River Cruise. A 10-day river cruising experience, the first voyage in June this year has already sold out and a second date added in September due to popular demand. Everything is included in the price and you'll be sent a detailed recommended packing list beforehand, One thing you'll need for definite is your passport.

  14. Is Journee legit? : r/travel

    Every single food place they recommended in the booklet was on point. I would love to travel with them again. My hotel was 2 stars but it was miles better than my expensive, crappy 3-star hotel I got in Paris at one time. It was nice, clean, not far from the city centre and had an old Italian-style vibe. true.

  15. Journee Reviews

    The mystery destination was perfect and I loved the organised activities. Date of experience: August 16, 2023. BD. Bethan Daley. 2 reviews. GB. Aug 23, 2023. Verified. Worry-free, exciting experience. Amazing time through Journee. A 5 day trip to Poland, 3 activities booked and we had no problems the entire time. ... Of course, going on a ...

  16. Journee lands £1.75M for mystery trip service

    Online tour operator Journee has landed £1.75 in seed funding for its mystery trip service. The investment in the London-based company was led by Fuel Ventures, with Simon Beckerman, founder of online fashion site Depop, and Depop CEO Maria Raga providing angel investment. Founded in 2019 by former Depep employees, Journee matches travelers ...

  17. Journee Vlog! Can you guess where I'll be travelling on my mystery trip

    #journee #travel #travelvlog I'm going on an adventure with Journee, follow the clues as I guess where I'm going to go!Follow me on InstagramJenny_readss htt...

  18. Do I get clues about my surprise destination?

    Do I get clues about my mystery destination? Written by Sophie. Updated on February 17, 2022. Yes! We'll send you a series of fun clues at random intervals leading up to your trip. But be warned, they're not easy to figure out...

  19. I went on a mystery trip with @Journee

    1.1K Likes, TikTok video from The Navigatio - Japan 🇯🇵 (@thenavigatio): "I went on a mystery trip with @Journee - let's find out where I went! #mysterytrip #surprisedestination #mysteryholiday #ad". trips. Surprise trip destination reveal!Surprise trip destination reveal!SUN GOES DOWN - Andreas Roehrig.

  20. Mystery as Missouri university student vanishes after leaving bar ...

    A Missouri university student has vanished after being kicked out of a bar in Tennessee, while on a trip with his fraternity. Riley Strain, 22, was last seen on Friday night as he left Luke's 32 ...

  21. 'Complete mystery' as 1,800-year-old ancient Roman statue dug up ...

    ABC News. 'Complete mystery' as 1,800-year-old ancient Roman statue dug up in UK parking lot. 56m. A mysterious 1,800-year-old Roman statue has been discovered by a construction worker while he ...