R.Do you remember the spring of 2020 when you sat in your house wishing you could go anywhere (anywhere!) When the height of early quarantine boredom set in? (There are only so many puzzles to be solved.) Well, with the travel restrictions lifted and the borders reopened, you can finally do it – and that pent-up wanderlust can strike with a vengeance.

Some experts call the phenomenon “vengeance journeys” (the idea that by booking a trip you regain some of the control that COVID-19 had over your life after so many forced cancellations in 2020), and it is the driving force why you feel this way everyone on your Instagram feed has flown to a new location lately.

And it’s not just Instagram – travel dates also underpin the trend towards revenge trips. International flight prices rose 17 percent between April and May 2021, while domestic fares rose nine percent, according to reports from CNBC. The increased demand has fueled the rise in prices (which continue to rise), and that demand has sprung from the emotional and psychological toll of the pandemic, according to travel coach Dylan Grace Essertier.

“Traveling is my favorite therapy,” says Essertier. “We have seen so much heartbreak in the past year that crossing time zones and immersing yourself in different cultures can be a form of healing.”

“We have seen so much heartbreak in the past year that crossing time zones and immersing yourself in different cultures can be a form of healing.”

Anecdotal evidence (both on and off the gram) shows the trend is catching on too. After both the vaccine roll-out and the summer were well underway, Saanya Ali, Well + Good’s editorial team, traveled to San Francisco, Palo Alto, and Cabo, Mexico, within a few weeks, and has already made a trip to Machu Picchu in Peru.

“Travel has always been my escape or coping mechanism,” says Ali. “Now it feels less like a way of coping with things and more like a ‘back to myself’. It feels like I can finally get back to who I was after so much has been taken away. “

Similarly, Well + Good Audience Development Associate Amanda Gaines took the chance to rebook a trip that was canceled at the start of the pandemic and plans to stay in during a trip to a concert (which was also canceled) Philadelphia to go this summer.

“After living in a pandemic for a year and a half, I now appreciate any form of travel, even if it’s a 90-minute drive outside [New York City]“Says Gaines. “I’m so excited to go to the concert and enjoy the little things that we took for granted before COVID.”

Do you also feel the itchy travel? After a year of minimal travel, planning a trip can feel a bit overwhelming (you are probably out of practice after all). That’s why we partnered with Treat – the health and wellness brand that campaigns for people to take revenge on responsible travel – to ask Essertier their top three tips for stress-free travel planning. Your first vacation should come back with all the relaxation vibes.

1. Do a target brain dump

Not sure where to go on your comeback trip? Essertier recommends treating the selection process like an extension of vacation enjoyment, rather than a chore of ticking off your to-do list.

“When all the places you could go to overwhelm you, get yourself a glass of wine, put on great music, and allow yourself to write down every single place you could go,” she says. “One tip that I have found helpful for my customers is to give them a deadline of usually around an hour. Once your allotted time is up, now is the time to review what you have filed. Do you see topics? Warm weather travel destinations only? Beaches? Mountains?”

2. Be personal and detailed with your research

Once you’ve locked your location, google “what you need to know if you are going to travel there” [fill in the blank destination]“Is helpful, but it will only get you as far as what there is to know indeed expect when you get there – especially since the world has changed so often in the past year and a half.

Instead, look for people who can give you IRL advice, whether you connect with them through social media or mutual friends. “[If you] If you have concerns, speak to someone who is or was there, ”says Essertier. “A quick hashtag search can help you find the right people.”

Finally, calm down all your nerves by going to a treat for all the tips on how to travel safely (because yes, vacation mode is a muscle that none of us have exercised in a while). From health services to advice on stretching and sleep, it’s a one-stop shop to help you regain your adventurous side without the nervousness.

3. Ask the experts

If you still feel unsure about any aspect of your travel experience, turn to the experts (that’s what they’re here for!). Treat has lots of useful content ranging from destination inspo to packing tips to updated resources on global COVID travel restrictions.

Working with a tour bus is another way to make the most of your revenge travel experience. “A travel coach works with their clients to not only plan their best trip, but also to ensure that the trip is aligned with personal development goals,” says Essertier. “We have seen a lot this year! Why not invest in an experience that supports the highest vision for your life? “

Are you ready to book your own “revenge trip”? For more information on traveling safely this summer, click here.

Photo above: Stocksy / Jovo Jovanovic