Back in the ’90s, travel used to feel like an adventure, not a checklist. It was all about using paper maps, waiting for vacation photos to develop for a week, and the thrilling sense of the unknown. Here are 10 things millennial travelers can’t help but miss about ’90s vacations.
10. Disposable Camera
In the ’90s, we had to be more selective when it came to taking photos. With only 24 or 36 exposures on a disposable camera, each shot was precious. And then there was the anticipation of getting the film developed and the joy of flipping through a stack of glossy prints while reliving the memories. With a disposable camera, we had a more mindful and intentional way of documenting our travels.
9. Mixtape
Before Spotify and Apple Music, the soundtrack to our road trips was a carefully curated mixtape. Each mixtape was a glimpse into our musical tastes, and it was a labor of love that made the journey as memorable as the destination. Today’s kids may have entire music libraries at their fingertips, but they’ll never know the joy of a creating a mixtape.
8. Paper Map
Navigating a new city was a real adventure with paper maps. There was a certain thrill in tracing the route with our finger and turning the map this way and that to match our surroundings. Using paper maps was also character-building, giving us lessons in patience, teamwork, and problem-solving.
7. Travel Agent
In the ’90s, we didn’t have the internet to book flights, so we had to rely on a travel agent. A good travel agent was like a trusted friend; they had insider knowledge about the best places to go, the best times to travel, and the best deals to get. It was a more human way of planning a trip, and it’s something that many of us miss in today’s world of online booking engines.
6. Being Unreachable
In the ’90s, we didn’t have to worry about our smartphones, Wi-Fi, and social media. We were truly disconnected from the outside world when we went on vacations. This level of freedom resulted in a true digital detox, which is something that many of us long for in today’s hyper-connected world.
5. The Simplicity of Airport Security
For anyone who experienced traveling in a post-9/11 world, the airport security of the ’90s feels like a dream. We didn’t have to remove our laptops or worry about the size of our liquids. The process was faster and the whole experience was less stressful. While we understand the need for stricter security measures, we can’t help but miss the days when we could just breeze through the airport.
4. Guidebook
A guidebook was like a bible, filled with maps, recommendations, and information to help travelers navigate a city. There was excitement in discovering a hidden gem that was in the guidebook, and using it was a more immersive way of getting to know the place. Today’s travel blogs and apps may be convenient, but they’ll never replace the magic of a well-worn guidebook with handwritten notes on the margins.
3. Postcard
In the age of instant messaging, the art of sending a postcard has been lost. In the ’90s, we would spend time picking out the perfect postcard and write a message to our loved ones. There was something special about the act of sending (and receiving) a physical piece of mail, and it was a more personal way of staying in touch.
2. The Spontaneity of Discovery
In the ’90s, we didn’t have the ability to research every detail of our trip before we left. No restaurant reviews, tours to book online, or even a 360-degree view of the hotel room. The result? A greater mystery and discovery to our travels. This often led to unexpected adventures and it was a more organic way of experiencing a new place.
1. The Luxury of Legroom
Believe it or not, airline seats were more spacious in the ’90s, giving us more room to stretch and relax. We didn’t have to worry about our knees hitting the seat in front of us, and we could recline our seats without starting an argument with the person behind us. It was a more comfortable and civilized way to fly, and in retrospect, a luxury that we took for granted.