October 27th 2024.
Travellers around the world are now embarking on trips to their dream destinations and squeezing in their bucket-list experiences in less than 48 hours. It may seem like a daunting task, but for Trudi Litherland, a mum-of-two, it's just another way of enjoying quality time with her family.
As Trudi took a bite of delicious spaghetti in Pisa, she couldn't help but feel content. Her holiday had just begun and it was off to a great start. However, she didn't have much time to savor the moment as her return flight was scheduled in just a few short hours. But this wasn't an emergency situation, as one might think. In fact, Trudi is part of a growing community of "extreme day trippers" who are dedicated to making the most out of their short trips.
These extreme day trips involve visiting another country for just a day or squeezing in a jam-packed itinerary in less than 48 hours. It has become a trend, with a dedicated Facebook group called "Extreme Day Trips" boasting over 240,000 members. The rules are simple – trips that last for a day or up to two nights are considered extreme, while anything longer than three nights is a no-go.
Some travellers from the UK have managed to visit far-off destinations like Dubai, New York, and Cairo in less than 48 hours, taking advantage of the proximity of Europe for a quick getaway. Trudi herself has been on several extreme day trips with her two sons, Henry and Barnaby. In September, they flew to Cologne in Germany and spent the day at the Phantasialand theme park, and just recently, they visited Pisa for a day.
Although these trips may seem extreme, Trudi believes that the places they visit are easy to explore within a day. She also loves how it fits perfectly into their busy schedule, with her sons enjoying the thrill of adventure. Trudi's husband, Mark, who works long hours in banking, often joins them on longer family holidays, but Trudi and her boys enjoy the quality time they get on these extreme day trips.
For those looking to embark on their own extreme day trips, Trudi recommends joining the Extreme Day Trip Facebook group for inspiration and tips. She also advises not to overthink it, but instead, search for good deals with good flight times and pack light.
However, author and psychotherapist Eloise Skinner warns that with these extreme trips, people may be more focused on quantity rather than quality. The need to display their trips on social media and the adrenaline rush of quick trips may be driving this trend. Eloise also cautions about the negative effects of exhaustion and disorientation that can come with these fast-paced trips.
But for 27-year-old Jake Carpenter, who has been on 20 extreme day trips since 2016 and is on a mission to complete 30 countries before his 30th birthday, these trips are all about making the most of his time. Recently, he visited Nice and Monaco in just 24 hours, spending only £39 on flights. Whether it's booking in advance or with shorter notice, Jake is determined to see as much of the world as he can in the limited time he has.
In the end, whether extreme day trippers are choosing quantity over quality or simply seizing every opportunity to explore the world, it's clear that this trend is here to stay. As long as travellers like Trudi and Jake continue to find joy and fulfillment in their extreme day trips, it's a trend that will keep on growing. But as Eloise suggests, it's important to take care of oneself and find ways to stay grounded during these fast-paced trips. After all, the ultimate goal is to experience and enjoy the destination, not just check it off a list.
People are constantly seeking out their dream destinations and fulfilling their bucket-list goals, sometimes even in less than 48 hours. Trudi Litherland knows this feeling all too well as she takes a bite of her delicious spaghetti in Pisa. She had just arrived in Italy with her two young children, and despite her short time there, she was already content.
But Trudi's holiday was not your typical leisurely escape. In fact, her return flight was just a few hours away, giving her and her family a limited amount of time to explore. Now, one might assume that there was some kind of emergency forcing Trudi to cut her trip short, but in reality, this was the plan all along. Trudi is part of a growing community of "extreme day trippers" who are always on the go.
From jetting off to another country for just a day to squeezing a jam-packed itinerary into 48 hours, extreme day trips have become a popular trend. In fact, there is even a dedicated Facebook group called "Extreme Day Trips" with over 240,000 members. The rules are simple: any trip that can be completed in one day or up to a ridiculous two-night stay counts as "extreme," but anything longer than three nights is a no-go.
Some travelers from the UK have managed to make it all the way to places like Dubai and New York in under 48 hours, while others have taken quick jaunts to Cairo to see the pyramids in less than a day. And with Europe being just a short flight away, many have taken advantage of its proximity for a quick getaway.
Trudi, a mother of two from Essex, booked her trip to Pisa five months in advance and arrived at 9am, leaving at 6pm on the same day. The return flights only cost her £70 each. With her two sons, Henry and Barnaby, by her side, they managed to pack in a lot of sightseeing. From the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa to trying out different Italian dishes and indulging in gelato, the trio even had time for a local artist to draw their portraits.
Despite feeling a bit tired on the way home, Trudi and her boys kept their spirits high knowing that their action-packed day was well worth it. This wasn't their first extreme day trip either. In September, they flew to Cologne, Germany, and spent the day at a theme park. Trudi recalls it being a fantastic day, with her boys loving the unique rides.
Though some may label Trudi as an "extreme" day tripper, she doesn't necessarily see it that way. For her, the places they visit are easy to explore in just one day. Plus, it's the perfect type of travel for a busy lifestyle, as her boys can easily fit it in with their school and work schedules. And while her husband, Mark, joins them on longer family holidays, Trudi enjoys the quality time with her boys during these quick trips.
For anyone looking to embark on an extreme day trip, Trudi recommends joining the Extreme Day Trip Facebook group to be inspired by other people's experiences. Her advice is to not overthink it and to search for good deals with convenient flight times. And when it comes to packing, she suggests keeping it light and only bringing essential items.
But with this rise in extreme day trips, it begs the question: are people choosing quantity over quality? Author and psychotherapist Eloise Skinner believes so. She warns that people may be more concerned with displaying their trips online rather than the actual experience itself. The thrill and adrenaline of these quick trips can be addicting, especially for those with monotonous daily routines.
However, Eloise also points out the potential negative effects of these long trips, such as fatigue and feeling disoriented due to not spending enough time in one place. She suggests spending time researching the trip beforehand to reduce feelings of overwhelm and exhaustion. And for those who still want to maintain a fast-paced trip, she advises finding ways to stay grounded, such as scheduling moments to rest or slowing down the pace.
One person who has been taking whirlwind trips before they became trendy is Jake Carpenter. Since 2016, he has been on 20 trips from the UK and is on a mission to visit 30 countries before his 30th birthday. On a recent trip, he managed to fly from Gatwick to Nice and Monaco in less than 24 hours, spending just £39 on flights. While he usually books with shorter notice, he found this deal on Skyscanner nine months in advance.
Despite the potential downsides, extreme day trips continue to gain popularity. And for people like Trudi and Jake, it's all about making the most out of their limited time and creating unforgettable memories along the way.
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