Let’s daydream, shall we?
Looking forward, not backward
A background tune for reading this newsletter:
On the one-year anniversary of the declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic, every article seems to be a look back at the past year, what we’ve gone through and how we’ve changed. Reflection is an important part of processing, but we’re here to say:
Today’s newsletter is anti-reflection. Yeah, we said it. Take a mental break and look forward with us. After all, it’s good for us!
Join us for daydreaming about where we want to travel once the world is open and safe again.
I’ll go first:
I’ve never been to Asia, so I’m dreaming of a big trip to Vietnam! I’ve heard so many good things about it from friends, and I love visiting places that have a blend of stunning nature, tasty food, a complex history and thriving cities.
I also want to see more of Brazil, like the Northeast (Pipa, Caraíva, etc.) or parks like Chapada Diamantina or Chapada dos Veadeiros.
On the days where I also fantasize that I’m suddenly rich, I picture myself at this gorgeous hotel in Colima, Mexico.
Mara, Good Trip Contributing Editor:
Costa Rica: I’ve been daydreaming of an oasis-like vacation for a while now and the dreamy beach/rainforest combo of Costa Rica is calling my name.
Barcelona, Spain: After my 2020 plans to travel here were canceled (okay, delayed), the anticipation of visiting has only grown. Paella, museum tours, tapas, wine tasting — everything I had booked has only grown more dreamy in my mind. And honestly, what I’m most looking forward to is safely people watching in a foreign place.
Sarah, Good Trip Advisory Board:
The first place I’m going as soon as it’s safe to travel again is home. I’m from Long Island, but live in London and haven’t seen my family in nearly 18 months. Give me a slice of pizza, an afternoon at Lido West followed by some Marvel soft serve and finish the day off with dinner and drinks on the Nautical Mile with my family and all will be right with my world.
Farther afield, I’m headed to East Africa. I currently work for an eco-friendly safari company that has properties across Kenya and Tanzania. I’m itching to visit Dunia, the first and only camp in the Serengeti run entirely by an all-female staff. #girlpower
Kirtika, Good Trip Advisory Board:
I live in Tunis and was planning on renting a lovely villa there and having all my friends visit for my 30th birthday earlier this year, but obviously that couldn’t happen so i might try again for my 30+1. I miss that.. renting a beautiful place with a bunch of friends and making a great weekend of it.
Natalie, Good Trip Contributing Writer:
Marrakech, Morocco: This one’s been on my list for a while. The food, markets, and architecture all look amazing. It’s a different vibe than my usual travel spots and I think it’d be a gateway to even more unique travel spots.
Stockholm, Sweden: I’ve never been to a Scandinavian country and I’m so curious about the region. I’ve also been to IKEA in the states too often to not have ever been to the birthplace of it. (Brandy note: IKEA was actually birthed in Älmhult, Sweden, but you get the idea).
The United Kingdom: Anywhere there. Seriously. I don’t know why it’s taken so long for me to get there when I’ve devoured their television and books my whole life.
Hope this lil break has helped transport you to far off places for a few minutes! Where are you daydreaming about?
xo
Brandy
Good Trip Founder
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Local’s Corner
This week we venture to the heart of the Midwest to catch up with Jasmine Shells in Chicago. Jasmine is a BOSS (literally) as the Co-Founder and CEO of Five to Nine, a woman and minority-owned start-up that helps companies improve their employee experience through virtual and in-person event programming.
Tired of seeing another Zoom happy hour show up on your cal? Up your digital experience by checking out their free virtual events guide for Jasmine and her team’s expert recommendations.
Where she wants to travel next, post-COVID:
Somewhere tropical. Brazil would be amazing.
The place she’s traveled to that she’d like to go back to:
Puerto Rico 100%. Love Puerto Rico for the biodiversity, culture, food and music. Plus, I have some good friends who live there!
The song she has on repeat:
Rufus Du Sol - “Underwater” is my jam.
Her favorite local Chicago spot within a 15 minute walk of her apartment:
This cute coffee shop named ‘L’ Cafecito. They have the best Oat Milk Lattes!
Her favorite local Chicago food spot she can’t get enough of:
There's this taco shop called La Placita in McKinley Park. Tacos are BOMB.com.
The book people should check out to get a feel for Chicago:
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros is a classic.
Her ideal day in Chicago:
Riding my bike or going for a run on the lake. There's nothing like it.
Good Trip Tip
We’re big believers that one of the best ways to travel these days is via an engrossing book, so we’ve set up Good Trip recommended lists like “Passport to Asia” and “Escape Somewhere New” on Bookshop. We’ll be adding to it as we go. If you have any recs, let us know!
Disclosure: Good Trip is an affiliate of Bookshop.org and we will earn a commission if you click on a Bookshop.org link in this newsletter and make a purchase.
Listen In:
Imagine our excitement seeing Rick Steves’ name pop up on last week’s How I Built This. Rick has carved out a nerdy, informative and wildly successful space as everyone’s favorite travel dad, but also has worked to use his unexpected fame for progressive good by:
Keeping his entire team employed during the pandemic
Providing free housing for those who need it in Seattle
Furthering the legalization of marijuana
We ❤️ Rick
Get a virtual tour of Rishikesh, India, over on our Instagram stories:
