Travelling to a European city and back within 24 hours – without checking into a hotel – may sound completely bonkers, but this is what a new tribe of tourists is doing.
The idea for a so-called extreme day trip (EDT) has been knocking around for a while. It was coined by Michael Cracknell from West Sussex, who embarked on his first in 2002 when he travelled to Switzerland. Since he set up a Facebook group dedicated to EDT in 2022, it has grown to more than 300,000 members.
And today, as hotel prices soar but airfares remain cheap, this unusual form of travel has witnessed something of a renaissance.
In fact, according to research by Holiday Extras, more than 30 per cent of British tourists are considering EDTs this year.
So with super-quick getaways all the rage, I thought I’d get in on the act. This is how mine went when I headed to Stockholm.
Sitting in the sun, looking over water, it’s hard to believe I was in London only a few hours earlier – and will be back later tonight
03:30 An early start
My alarm goes off rudely and I scramble to remember what I’m doing today. Ah, yes, going to Sweden’s capital and back.
As I stumble into my taxi at 3.59am, the driver is surprised by my lack of luggage.
‘Have you forgotten anything?’ he asks. But all I need for this journey is my passport.
06:00 Boarding flight
Instead of more obvious destinations for an EDT, such as Paris and Amsterdam, Sweden awaits.
While slightly further afield, the prompt timekeeping of Scandinavian Airlines, combined with a swift 18-minute train ride into the city centre, should make it an excellent choice.
I sleep pretty much throughout the two-hour flight, and arrive to a sunny, mild morning in Stockholm just after 10am.
11:00 Coffee and pastries
Within 40 minutes of explaining my mission to a bemused passport control officer I find a cosy bakery, just a short walk from the station, which makes a perfect pit-stop for a sticky salt kolbulle and much-needed double-strength latte.
There is no time to lose. As soon as the caffeine kicks in, it’s a brisk walk to Djurgarden, one of Stockholm’s 14 main islands and home to museums and historic attractions.
12:30 Cultural visit
At 36ft (11m) wide and 226ft (69m) long, the Vasa ship at the Vasa Museum is an awe-inspiring sight.
Here you learn about this famous vessel’s wreckage in 1628, not quite making a mile on its maiden voyage (which was blamed on the wrath of the gods and/or drunk shipbuilders), and its rediscovery some 300 years later.
Standing on the viewing point, I feel a brief moment of vertigo. But I can’t dwell on this as the second cultural stop of the day awaits.
13:30 The Vikings
Jacob, my tour guide at the Viking Museum, is north of 6ft tall with a tousled beard and twinkly blue eyes – and his traditional get-up suits him well.
He speaks animatedly about the details of Viking mythology and the hardships of daily life, revealing their horned helmets are a modern gimmick.
14:00 Nordic lunch
At the museum’s restaurant I choose seared pollock from the Nordic-inspired menu, along with a spinach cream, white wine sauce and vegetables.
The fish is perfectly cooked with the sauce light and moreish. This might be a Viking restaurant, but the food is far removed from the stodgy bread and meat that made up their diet.
Sitting in the sun, looking over water, it’s hard to believe I was in London only a few hours earlier – and will be back later tonight.
15:30 Homage to Abba
You hear the Abba Museum before you see it.
An encyclopaedic homage to one of Sweden’s most-loved cultural exports, the museum documents life before, during and after the band’s heyday. There’s gold spandex and sequins aplenty, and the whole experience is soundtracked by snippets of the greatest hits and the band reminiscing.
It’s the only point in my day where I regret being alone, as I am not quite bold enough to get on stage as the ‘fifth member’ in the final interactive activity.
Humming Thank You For The Music, I catch the ferry to Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s Old Town, for a potter around the Royal Palace.
17:00 More feeding
Dinner is early – perhaps too early – but, then again, this isn’t your average day out and sustenance will be required for later (plus, before coming I reserved a table here at Den Gyldene, a traditional Swedish restaurant).
This, other than possible environmental objections, is the obvious flaw of the extreme day trip. If, like me, you get to know a place through its food, you will likely eat more than your fill in the space of your day out.
Feeling brave, I try the pickled herring with sour cream, beetroot and boiled eggs, accompanied by Oppigards beer. All excellent, if a little strong.
18:00 Off to the sauna
It would be remiss to visit Sweden and not sample a Scandinavian spa. With multiple saunas, steam rooms and pools, Centralbadet is an oasis tucked away in the centre of the city. You can rent swimwear, so us day-trippers are free from worrying about soggy costumes.
The only hindrance to my relaxation is my acute awareness that I am due back at Arlanda Airport in about 90 minutes. There’s just enough time, however, to experience each of the saunas and pools.
19:30 Time to go
Showered and refreshed, I catch the train back to the airport. Free of bags, I whizz through security, and within two hours of sweltering in the sauna, my Ryanair plane back awaits.
Before I know it, I’m aboard the last Stansted Express of the day.
01:45 Back home
It has been a long day and I can barely believe what I have managed to squeeze in.
The verdict
Travelling to another European city and back in a day may sound like madness. You are definitely taking a gamble on fate – who knows what delays you might encounter?
And EDTs are perhaps not the greenest form of travel.
But if you plan carefully and are prepared for minor exhaustion, they are an exhilarating way to travel – as good a chance as any to get a real flavour of a city. And mine was also a whole lot of fun.
Travel facts
One-way tickets from Heathrow to Stockholm at 6.40am from £66 (sas.com). One-way tickets from Stockholm to Stansted at 9.25pm from £24 (ryanair.com). Return train transfer from Stockholm airport to the city centre and back from £24. Three-course set menu at Den Gyldene from £36 (gyldenefreden.se). Stockholm Passes with entry to museums and boat trips/tourist buses included from £76 (stockholmpass.net). More information: visitstockholm.com.
Other flying visits
ROME: Fly from Gatwick to Rome at 06.45 with Ryanair, returning at 22.00 with EasyJet from £106pp.
PARIS: Catch the 06.01 Eurostar from London’s King’s Cross to Paris, returning at 21.02 from £128pp.
BARCELONA: Fly from Birmingham to Barcelona, leaving at 07.30 and back at 19.00, from £79 with Ryanair.
PRAGUE: EasyJet flies to Prague from Manchester from £101pp, leaving at 06.30 and returning at 21.15.
This article was originally published by a www.dailymail.co.uk . Read the Original article here. .