'Extreme day trips' ideal for UK tourists - and how to make most of the day
'Extreme day trips' ideal for UK tourists - and how to make most of the day
Here are five expert-approved 'extreme day trip' recommendations for people flying from the UK
Any of the beautiful destinations could be ideal for a trip (stock photo)
(Image: Getty )
'Extreme day trips' are incredibly popular this summer, offering tourists cheap trips and spontaneous days out. The trend, which sees people travel to a destination for 24 hours or less, is something of a viral craze.
Explaining the attraction, the travel experts at Iglu Cruise shared: "Extreme Day Tripping simply means going to another country and returning home within one day. Often, people will catch an early morning flight and return home in the evening, meaning they'll have less than 24 hours to explore a city or destination.
"The term has gathered popularity over the last few months, with many travellers acknowledging the benefits of such a trip. Using less annual leave is one of the main benefits, especially for those who struggle to take time away from work. Some people also argue that it can be cheaper than a night out in the UK, as you're not spending money on accommodation."
As well as cancelling out hotel fees, lots of day trip lovers save on flights by choosing cheap last-minute deals. That said, if you're looking for inspiration before booking a destination, the travel experts have some recommendations and ideas for what you can do when you arrive.
The team picked five European city breaks that could be ideal for extreme day trips from the UK. While Iglu Cruise's experts calculated the average flight times based on one-way flights from London airports, you can expect similar times for direct flights from most UK cities, reports the Mirror.
The Sagrada Familia is a must-see in Barcelona
(Image: Getty )
Article continues below
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Average flight time: 1 hour 10 minutes
The Iglu Cruise experts shared: "Amsterdam is a city full of charm, culture, and history. Start your day at Dam Square, in the heart of the city. Here you'll find historical buildings like the Royal Palace and the National Monument. It's a great starting point to get a feel for the city's atmosphere. Just a short walk from Dam Square, you'll find the Anne Frank House, where Anne Frank and her family hid during World War II.
"Make sure to book ahead before your trip, as queues can be long. From here, you can head to the Rijksmuseum, one of the world's greatest art museums. It houses masterpieces by Dutch painters like Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Van Gogh, including the famous Night Watch and The Milkmaid. It's a must-see for art lovers.
"Of course, Amsterdam is famous for its canals. Take a walk along the Grachtengordel (Canal Belt) or, if you have time, hop on a canal cruise to get a unique perspective of the city. End your day in a local cafe. Amsterdam is known for its cosy cafes and coffee shops. Enjoy a hot drink or an evening cocktail at a local cafe, especially in areas like the Nine Streets."
Dublin is a popular destination for tourists
(Image: Getty )
Dublin, Ireland
Average flight time: 1 hour 15 minutes
"Start your day at Trinity College, Dublin's oldest university. Visit the Old Library, home to the famous Book of Kells, a beautifully illustrated manuscript that's a must-see for history fans and art lovers. You'll also find plenty of breakfast spots in the area to enjoy a tasty bite to eat, including The Woollen Mills, located on Ormond Quay, and Bewley's Café on Grafton Street," advised the experts.
"From Trinity College, you can walk to Dublin Castle, which has played a central role in Ireland's history. Here you can explore both the State Apartments and the Medieval Undercroft. From there, you can walk to St. Patrick's Cathedral, the largest cathedral in Ireland. It's an architectural masterpiece and offers fascinating exhibits about Ireland's patron saint."
They concluded: "No trip to Dublin is complete without visiting the Guinness Storehouse, where you'll learn all about the brewing process and the history of Ireland's most famous beer. Then, you can head towards the Temple Bar area, known for its vibrant nightlife, packed with pubs, restaurants, and galleries. And of course, here you'll find the iconic Temple Bar Pub."
Paris, France
Average flight time: 1 hour 20 minutes
The pros at Iglu Cruise added: "There is plenty to see with only one day in Paris. Begin your day early with a trip to the Eiffel Tower, the most iconic landmark in the city. Then, cross the Seine River to Trocadéro Gardens, which offers one of the best views of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
"Enjoy a scenic walk to the Louvre Museum. You'll be able to see some of the world's most famous masterpieces, including the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. If you're short on time, just enjoy the Pyramide du Louvre from the outside. After the Louvre, take a short walk across the Pont des Arts bridge to the Île de la Cité. Visit the famous Notre-Dame Cathedral, an iconic landmark in the city, which re-opened to the public in late 2024.
"Finish your whirlwind day by relaxing at a Parisian café near Place de la Concorde or along the Seine River. Alternatively, you could take a Seine River Cruise to see the illuminated landmarks of Paris as night falls."
The Eiffel Tower is an iconic landmark in Paris
(Image: Getty )
Copenhagen, Denmark
Average flight time: 1 hour 50 minutes
"Grab breakfast in Nyhavn, one of the most iconic spots in Copenhagen. The colourful buildings lining the canal are perfect for photos, and it's a great place to sit and enjoy a coffee at one of the cosy cafes along the water. You can also take a canal tour from here to get an overview of the city from the water.
"In the afternoon, visit Tivoli Gardens, one of the oldest amusement parks in the world. Whether you want to ride the roller coasters, enjoy the beautiful gardens, or just soak in the nostalgic atmosphere, Tivoli is a magical spot.
"End your day with dinner at Torvehallerne, a trendy food market with a variety of local and international foods. From there, you can enjoy a drink at a rooftop bar, such as Lidkoeb or The Tower at the Copenhagen Opera House. Both offer great views of the city, especially at sunset," suggested the experts.
Barcelona, Spain
Average flight time: 2 hours 10 minutes
Iglu Crusie's experts said: "Begin your day early by visiting La Sagrada Familia, the world-famous basilica designed by Antoni Gaudí. It's best to get there early to avoid crowds, and if possible, book tickets in advance to skip the line. The interior is breathtaking with its intricate design and stained-glass windows, and the exterior is equally spectacular."
Article continues below
They added: "In the afternoon, take a metro or taxi to Park Güell, another of Gaudí's famous creations. This public park is filled with whimsical sculptures, colourful mosaics, and panoramic views of the city. It's a great place for a leisurely walk while taking in some of the best views of Barcelona.
"In the evening, explore the El Raval or El Born neighbourhoods, both of which have a wide variety of tapas bars, traditional Catalan cuisine, and trendy restaurants, some of which may host a live flamenco show."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Four European countries 'outraged' over new airline luggage rules passed by EU
Last week, the Council of Europe made two major decisions on the future of commercial air travel. The first was on compensation rights, and the second related to free hand luggage Four European countries are outraged at new rules that could limit how much delayed passengers can claim in compensation and when airlines can charge passengers for carrying hand luggage. Last week, the Council of Europe made two major decisions on the future of commercial air travel. The first was on compensation rights. The Council decided that passengers on short-haul flights would have to be delayed by four hours or more before they could claim compensation, rather than the current three. For long-haul flights, delays will have to be six or more hours. The good news for passengers is that compensation for those delayed on short-haul flights will increase from €250 (£211) to €300. However, compensation for long-haul flights will be cut from €600 to €500. The changes were first tabled 13 years ago and must still be approved by the European Parliament before they become law. The European Consumer Organisation, the BEUC, has argued that the changes will be a huge blow for consumers and deprive 'the majority of passengers from their compensation rights". The BEUC claims that most delays are between two and four hours. While the UK now sets its own compensation rules following Brexit, the changes will impact Brits if they come into force, as it will apply to passengers taking flights with an EU carrier. This means it could affect a passenger travelling to and from an EU country on an EU airline. The second decision relates to baggage allowance. Under the new rules, the concept to free luggage will be limited to 'personal items' that can be placed under the front seat. That will leave other stowed cabin bags exposed to charges. Spain, Germany, Slovenia, and Portugal voted against the changes, warning that they could mean passengers end up paying extra for almost any cabin bag. The Spanish government criticised the new rules as 'too restrictive.' Spain's Minister for Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and the 2030 Agenda, Pablo Bustinduy, described the changes as an 'outrage'. The political agreement, adopted by a qualified majority in the EU Council, was voted against by Spain, Germany, Slovenia and Portugal. Minister Bustinduy argued that the new rules would violate consumer rights and "only strengthen the power and profits of airlines." If the rules are accepted, then Ryanair would have to change its free hand luggage policy. Right now, the budget Irish airline require customers to have a bag no larger than 40x20x25 centimetres, which must fit under the seat in front. Under the new rules, the dimensions will be changed to 40x30x15 centimetres. That means Ryanair would be obliged to allow a bag 10 centimetres wider, but could also reduce the depth currently allowed by 10 centimetres.
Scottish Sun
9 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Three-hour flight to Brit holiday hotspot turns into nightmare 32-HOUR saga as ‘passengers left vomiting & no food'
Trouble began when the plane's landing was hindered by powerful winds FLIGHT FROM HELL Three-hour flight to Brit holiday hotspot turns into nightmare 32-HOUR saga as 'passengers left vomiting & no food' A THREE-HOUR flight to a Brit holiday hotspot turned into a nightmare 32-hour saga, with passengers left vomiting with no food. The Condor flight DE1234 was embarking on what was supposed to just be a simple flight from Zurich to Heraklion in Crete, Greece - but lasted over a day. Advertisement 4 A three-hour flight to a Brit holiday hotspot turned into a nightmare Credit: Splash 4 The Condor flight DE1234 was embarking on what was supposed to just be a simple flight from Zurich to Heraklion in Crete, Greece (stock image) Credit: AFP or licensors 4 Trouble started when the plane's landing was hampered by powerful winds Credit: AFP Despite taking off half an hour late, the flight seemed to be on course to reach its destination. And after two hours, the plane began its initial descent to the holiday hotspot Greek isle. But trouble began when the plane's landing was hindered by powerful winds, forcing it to spend hours circling round before the pilot decided to divert to Athens and refuel. The plane landed at the Greek capital at 11:24am - a whopping three hours after it originally departed Zurich. Advertisement Around two-and-a-half hours later, the crew made another attempt to get the 137 people onboard to Heraklion - but this wasn't achieved, again. During the flight, many passengers were reportedly vomiting due to the terrifyingly powerful winds. And to add fuel to the fire, flyers were only given a glass of water during the whole flight. With weather conditions remaining severe, the plane circled around again before getting diverted to Kos to refuel. Advertisement On the nearby Greek island, they landed at 3:28pm after a tiring, hour-and-a-half long flight. And with the aircraft again running low on fuel, another divert was made to Thessaloniki, the second largest city in Greece. Dramatic moment boozed up passenger is hauled off busy plane after VOMITING on another flier Here it was finally decided that passengers and flight attendants should spend the night. The plane touched down at 6:04pm - an unbelievable 11 hours after initially leaving Zurich. Advertisement Passengers were reportedly forced to pay for their own hotel rooms but are entitled to reimbursement under European aviation guidelines. After a nights sleep, the next day at 9am, one last attempt was made to get to Crete - but wind continued to hinder their journey. Another diversion was made to Athens where it was agreed to give up and fly back to Zurich - 32 hours after their initial departure. Condor reps said: 'Due to extreme weather conditions and strong winds, takeoffs and landings at Heraklion Airport were only possible to a limited extent.' Advertisement
Scottish Sun
12 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Six of the best long-haul holidays to take this summer from beautiful beach resorts to affordable luxe hotels
HOLIDAYMAKERS are hungry for long-haul getaways this year – and it is no surprise, considering the soaring costs in popular European hotspots. Thomas Cook has reported a ten per cent year-on-year increase in bookings for far-flung breaks and recent research from holiday operator On The Beach found getaways to Europe could easily set you back more than to farther afield. 7 We have six of the best long-haul holidays to take this summer Credit: Shutterstock On The Beach's Zoe Harris said: 'The gap between long-haul
