Imagine booking a solo trip without knowing where you’re going. No idea of the country, the hotel, or even what kind of activities you’ll be doing. Everything is planned for you by a service that keeps you in the dark until the moment you arrive at the airport. Sounds terrifying, right? Or maybe… exhilarating?

When I first told my friends and family about this, their reactions ranged from nervous laughter to awe. “Oh, I could never do that!” my work colleagues exclaimed. My dad and brother joked that I could end up in Syria or Ukraine and never return. (Spoiler: I did not end up in either of those countries.)

What I did end up with was one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life.

I’d always loved the idea of travelling alone but had no clue where to start. Planning a trip - choosing flights, accommodation, and building an itinerary felt like a chore. That’s when I found Journee, a travel service that offers solo trips with a twist - the destination remains a secret until departure day. I loved the concept.

The process was simple: I filled in a questionnaire asking questions about what I wanted from my trip - scenic views, rich history, and incredible food, etc. 24 hours later, I received a proposal with a vague outline, flight dates, and the cost. I accepted and paid the deposit.

For the next eight weeks, I received cryptic clues about my mystery destination via WhatsApp. I documented everything, posting the clues online and filming my friends and family trying (and failing) to guess.

I ended up in Dubrovnik and Mostar.