Is a "trip" an idea or a thing?

Question

There is a test question that goes like this:

¿Qué viaje prefieres comprar? Prefiero ________.Which trip do you prefer to buy? That one over there.

The correct answer is "aquel". However, this doesn't make sense to me, as a trip isn't a thing you can see/touch. It's a series of connected actions (traveling from point A to B, seeing things, doing things) and as such seems more of an abstract concept or idea than a physical thing like a coat or a skirt.

According to the lesson text, the proper use of "aquello" is when referring to an idea. As such, I would choose "aquello" as the pronoun.

Am I interpreting the use of "aquello" incorrectly, or is the answer wrong?

Accepted Answer

Hola Michael
I understand how see "viaje" as an idea. It is probably the lack of context in the quiz that makes this one a bit difficult. When I read this question I can see two people looking at a brochure with different "trips" (packages, flights,...) So when the person says "Prefiero aquel" you can imagine the person pointing at a "trip" on the brochure. Because the word viaje has already been mentioned, the pronoun is agreeing with that noun which is masculine singular and it is something specific. 
When we say "aquello" refers to an idea, it is more of a complex idea; for example, imagine you refer to something that someone said some time ago by saying "aquello me pareció horrible". What you are referring to is this comment that your friend made in the past:
 "Tenemos que ser muy estrictos con los hijos y no permitirles usar tecnología en absoluto; además deberían pasar al menos 5 horas haciendo deberes todos los días."
We have to be very strict with our children and we shouldn't allow them to use any technology at all; plus they should spend at least 5 hours doing homework every day.
So, your reacción saying "aquello me pareció horrible" is referring to that whole comment/idea that this person made then. We have to use aquello (not aquel or aquella) because it is not a specific thing/ not physical at all)
I hope this clarified it.
Saludos
Inma