For many individuals, an overseas holiday typically entails packing a suitcase and embarking on a trip that lasts at least a weekend, if not extending to a week or longer.
For Monica Stott, a day suffices to jet off to a foreign country, explore, and return home for bedtime.
A 37-year-old resident of Wrexham has embraced the trend of extreme day trips, travelling to cities such as Milan, Bergamo, Lisbon, Amsterdam, and Reykjavik in a single day.
“People are often taken aback by how much it truly feels like a holiday,” Monica remarked.
Monica, a dedicated travel blogger, revealed that the concept of an extreme day trip first came to her during her work-related travels.
She recounted her initial extreme day trips to Ireland, where she had clients visiting at the time.
Frequently, I would visit for a brief meeting lasting one or two hours before returning home. At that moment, I recognised the opportunity to extend my visit and transform it into a full-day experience.
Monica stumbled upon several Facebook groups dedicated to sharing personal accounts of extreme day trips, which inspired her to begin planning her own adventures in her free time.
Research indicates that a significant portion of your most cherished holiday memories is often created within the initial one or two days of the trip. Upon reflection, I found myself in agreement. Many of the most memorable experiences occur upon arrival.
Upon your timely arrival for breakfast, you maximise every moment before embarking on your evening flight home. The day is marked by intensity, busyness, and a whirlwind of activity.
Monica finds satisfaction in bustling days spent in a single place, but Luka Chijutomi-Ghosh, an 18-year-old student from Cardiff, has elevated the experience to a new level.
On Christmas Eve, I stumbled upon a return flight to Prague priced at less than £15. “I booked it immediately, but then I realised the flight was scheduled to land in Prague at 21:00 and return to the UK at 09:00,” Luka stated.
“I considered approaching it as though it were daytime, opting to sleep during the day and explore the city under the cover of night.”
Luka expressed his revelation that a mere six hours is sufficient to discover the essence of a city.
Several weeks later, while vacationing in Paris, he decided to explore how many neighbouring countries he could reach in a single day by train.
“I travelled to Luxembourg, Brussels, and Amsterdam, returning to Paris all in a single day,” he stated.
Luka reasoned that he would likely have invested a similar amount of time in travel had he opted for a day trip within the UK.
Facebook groups dedicated to sharing experiences of extreme day trips have seen a surge in membership, attracting hundreds of thousands of users. Some of these groups are centred explicitly around regional airports in the UK.
Monica and Luka described their trips as efficient and budget-friendly, emphasising how these short getaways effectively disrupted their routines without needing a week-long absence from home.
Many individuals desire to explore iconic destinations such as Paris or Rome, yet often cite time and financial constraints as barriers to embarking on extended journeys. “This is a way around that,” Monica stated.
For Luka, this decision also serves a practical purpose.
Many students spend significant amounts on a night out, with expenses sometimes reaching as high as £60 or £70. “If a return flight is available for less than £20, offering the chance to explore an entirely new city, then why not seize the opportunity?”
While Monika and Luka express their excitement, the growing trend of extreme day trips has faced backlash due to concerns about their environmental consequences.
Air travel accounts for 2.4% of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions; in the UK, it contributes to 8% of the nation’s total emissions.
The presence of these gases in the atmosphere plays a significant role in the warming process, thereby influencing global warming and climate change.
Monica and Luka both recognise this issue.
Monica expressed concern, stating, “If this increases the number of flights taken by people and airlines responding by adding more flights, I perceive that as a negative impact.”
“Many individuals engaging in extreme day trips are motivated by financial constraints or a lack of time for extended vacations.” It seems unjust to assert that one individual’s holiday holds greater significance than another’s based on the duration of their trip.
Luka contended that the flights would frequently proceed as scheduled, irrespective of circumstances.
“Someone will fill the seat,” he stated.
Furthermore, exploring alternative modes of transportation is a beneficial strategy. During my recent journey across three cities, I opted not to board a single flight.
Both individuals expressed that the allure of extreme day trips stems from the steep expenses associated with public transport in the UK.
Monica emphasised the necessity of meticulous planning for her trips.
Many travellers prioritise destinations that require less than a two-hour flight. “After more than two hours of travel, the day feels excessively long.”
She mentioned that she tried to remain composed at the airport to prevent additional stress.
“Many individuals experience heightened emotions, whether excitement or anxiety, while at the airport, and this can be quite draining,” she stated.
“Approaching travel as simply boarding a train or bus can help mitigate the pre-holiday anxiety that often drains one’s energy.”
