This is The Sims 2: Bon Voyage, the sixth expansion pack (2007) requiring the base game. It shifts gameplay by letting you send Sims on trips to three exotic locales—tropical, mountain camping, or Asian-inspired—to escape routine. New mechanics involve booking travel, learning cultural skills like dances, and finding rare artifacts. Sims progress from tourists to savvy travelers, bringing new social abilities back home.
This expansion introduces three unique vacation locales, each offering a different atmosphere and set of activities. One location is a lush, tropical island setting, ideal for relaxing in luxury suites or engaging in beachside activities. Another area transports Sims to a pristine mountaintop environment, focusing on outdoor adventure and camping experiences. The third destination draws inspiration from the Far East, allowing Sims to immerse themselves in a new cultural setting.
Players can manage their Sims' travel arrangements by booking accommodations ranging from budget-friendly options to pricier hotels through a travel agent. Wealthier Sims even have the option to purchase vacation homes outright in their chosen destination.
The central mechanic revolves around taking multi-day trips where Sims pursue relaxation and new experiences. While on vacation, Sims can engage in numerous new activities designed to build skills and earn rewards. These activities include exploring ancient ruins, participating in local events like The Lumberjack Games, and interacting with unique non-player characters, such as fire dancers or even mythical figures like Bigfoot.
A key progression system involves learning new cultural customs, such as local greetings and dances. These newly acquired social skills can then be brought back home and taught to friends, providing a lasting benefit to the Sim's social life back in their primary neighborhood.
Exploration is also rewarded. Sims can search the vacation areas to discover rare artifacts and jewelry. These items serve dual purposes: they can be used to decorate the Sim's permanent residence or given as unique gifts to other characters.
The game encourages Sims to evolve from novice tourists into seasoned international travelers. Success in vacation activities and cultural learning unlocks achievements and enhances the Sim's overall travel expertise. The atmosphere shifts from domestic management to adventure tourism, providing a temporary, goal-oriented structure for the Sims' time away.
As an expansion pack, this title focuses entirely on adding vacation content and does not introduce any further standalone expansion packs or downloadable content (DLCs) beyond its initial release scope. The game was released in September 2007 and is available on PC and Mac platforms.