Travelers like Monica Stott and Luka Chijutomi-Ghosh are redefining holidays by taking "extreme day trips," where they fly to various European cities for a mere day. With an emphasis on maximizing their experience within a short time, participants share their adventures online, sparking interest in these economical and accessible journeys. However, concerns arise regarding the environmental impact of increased air travel.
Extreme Day Trips: Exploring Europe in Just One Day

Extreme Day Trips: Exploring Europe in Just One Day
An innovative trend emerges in travel as individuals embark on whirlwind journeys across Europe.
The rise of extreme day trips is reshaping traditional holiday norms, allowing individuals to visit multiple countries in a single day.
For many, the concept of a holiday typically involves at least a weekend away, but for some adventurous souls, a day is more than enough. Monica Stott, a dedicated travel blogger from Wrexham, has embraced the concept of “extreme day trips” by jetting off to cities like Barcelona, Milan, and Reykjavik for just a day.
“I think people are always surprised that you really do feel like you’ve had a holiday,” Stott remarks, demonstrating the potential to create lasting memories in a short time frame. She noted that research backs this notion, suggesting that some of the finest holiday experiences occur within the initial days of travel.
Her journey into extreme day trips began unexpectedly during work-related travels to Ireland, where she seized the opportunity to extend her visits. Through online Facebook groups, she connected with fellow travel enthusiasts, gathering insights and experiences that inspired her to plan her own day excursions.
For 18-year-old engineering student Luka Chijutomi-Ghosh, extreme day trips serve a dual purpose: meeting his thirst for travel while juggling academic commitments. An eye-catching £15 return flight to Prague set the ball rolling for him, resulting in late-night explorations of the city. “I realized that I only needed six hours to explore a city,” he shared, gouging at the concept of time management amid studying.
Luka’s daring approach grew bolder as he sought to maximize his travels within Europe. During a Paris visit, he cleverly mapped out train journeys that allowed him to venture to three neighboring countries in a day, highlighting the feasibility of such excursions.
As demand for extreme day trips burgeons, so does a sense of community around these experiences, with Facebook groups now boasting hundreds of thousands of members. Yet the trend raises alarms regarding its environmental impact, given the aviation sector's significant contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions.
Both travelers acknowledge the issues surrounding sustainability. “If it means people are taking way more flights, then I do see that as a negative impact,” Stott states, emphasizing that many engage in extreme trips due to constraints of time and budget. Luka suggests that, regardless of individual motives, flights would continue to operate, thus a collective effort may be needed to explore other eco-friendly transport options.
Their experiences point to an ongoing debate: balancing the joy of exploring new places against the backdrop of environmental responsibility. As they conclusively shared, travel in a day requires thorough planning and a calm demeanor to fully embrace the day ahead. Stott advocates for choosing locations less than a two-hour flight away and treating the airport environment as a routine transport experience to minimize stress.
With the rise of this trend, more travelers are redefining what it means to vacation, proving that sometimes, a single day is all it takes to venture beyond borders.
For many, the concept of a holiday typically involves at least a weekend away, but for some adventurous souls, a day is more than enough. Monica Stott, a dedicated travel blogger from Wrexham, has embraced the concept of “extreme day trips” by jetting off to cities like Barcelona, Milan, and Reykjavik for just a day.
“I think people are always surprised that you really do feel like you’ve had a holiday,” Stott remarks, demonstrating the potential to create lasting memories in a short time frame. She noted that research backs this notion, suggesting that some of the finest holiday experiences occur within the initial days of travel.
Her journey into extreme day trips began unexpectedly during work-related travels to Ireland, where she seized the opportunity to extend her visits. Through online Facebook groups, she connected with fellow travel enthusiasts, gathering insights and experiences that inspired her to plan her own day excursions.
For 18-year-old engineering student Luka Chijutomi-Ghosh, extreme day trips serve a dual purpose: meeting his thirst for travel while juggling academic commitments. An eye-catching £15 return flight to Prague set the ball rolling for him, resulting in late-night explorations of the city. “I realized that I only needed six hours to explore a city,” he shared, gouging at the concept of time management amid studying.
Luka’s daring approach grew bolder as he sought to maximize his travels within Europe. During a Paris visit, he cleverly mapped out train journeys that allowed him to venture to three neighboring countries in a day, highlighting the feasibility of such excursions.
As demand for extreme day trips burgeons, so does a sense of community around these experiences, with Facebook groups now boasting hundreds of thousands of members. Yet the trend raises alarms regarding its environmental impact, given the aviation sector's significant contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions.
Both travelers acknowledge the issues surrounding sustainability. “If it means people are taking way more flights, then I do see that as a negative impact,” Stott states, emphasizing that many engage in extreme trips due to constraints of time and budget. Luka suggests that, regardless of individual motives, flights would continue to operate, thus a collective effort may be needed to explore other eco-friendly transport options.
Their experiences point to an ongoing debate: balancing the joy of exploring new places against the backdrop of environmental responsibility. As they conclusively shared, travel in a day requires thorough planning and a calm demeanor to fully embrace the day ahead. Stott advocates for choosing locations less than a two-hour flight away and treating the airport environment as a routine transport experience to minimize stress.
With the rise of this trend, more travelers are redefining what it means to vacation, proving that sometimes, a single day is all it takes to venture beyond borders.