We just spent a substantial amount of time hiding out in our homes due to the lockdown and social distancing. Saying that time was “tough” is an understatement but it did reveal some silver linings—one of them being our increased gratitude and appreciation for traveling. Being locked away against our own will made us realize how much we love exploring new places, near or far, and the privilege of being able to do that.
During the pandemic, this innate wanderlust provoked a new wave of appreciation for vintage travel advertisements “thanks to a restless, homebound public that’s taken solace in acquiring an image instead of experiencing the real thing.” These travel ads originated in the 19th century when railroad companies wanted to increase their business by encouraging people to take trips—not for business, but for pleasure. Fast forward to today: we now live in a world where jet-setting to a different country or taking a road trip to a neighboring state just for the fun of it overshadows stuffy business trips. With the gradual reopening of many countries’ borders, we have never been more eager to take those vintage travel ads and make them a reality.