In the time before the internet, or even TV for that matter, travel agencies had to lure travelers to exotic destinations with vibrant posters. The bright colors, simple graphics and over-all appeal of these posters could whisk a tourist to an exotic locale with just a glance……..and obviously to places with the possibility of scantily clad women.
Here are a few to help y’all dream of your summer vacations.
Do you have a favorite?
Mine is probably the Italian girl on the Vespa.
All Posters sells prints of most of these, and many many more, on their site.
THE CAVENDER DIARY 
I’m deeply disturbed by the Cuba one. Terrible thoughts are going through my head about why she’s hunkered over Cuba (clearly there’s something wrong with me).
By I love the San Sebastian one. May have to purchase once I figure out what to do with all my other unhung art. Great post as always.
PS. I couldn’t find the San Sebastian one as a poster but cafepress has it as a shower curtain! Fabulous!
Shower curtain? How cool is that?
The Cuba image makes me think that the Caribbean is sorta shallow
Fly to the Carribean is my favorite, but the Cuba one is really striking.
I love the pirates in the clouds on the fly Caribbean one.
And when did they promote Cuba a a tourist destination? Pre-Castro I would assume……I love that her face is hidden behind that giant hat
These remind me of the days (that I’ve only read about) when flying was a special event that folks dressed up for … I like the Vespa one, too, but what’s up with her eyes?
That’s her sunglasses…..I hope?
I think in the Cuba poster she is looking for seashells on the beach. You’ve hit on yet another one of my favorite themes.There are some of my favorite vintage travel posters pinned here: http://pinterest.com/tangledfibers/vintage-travel-posters/
Those are great, I may “borrow” a few
Is the Pan Am Hawaii authentic?
I believe so, I just pulled these images off the interwebs.