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Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
People left shocked by solo traveller's 'wild' European trip - travelling 4,000 miles for a 12-hour holiday
Rome wasn't built in a day - but this traveller's extreme 12-hour adventure was. US solo traveller, Kevin Droniak, has shocked the internet with a video of his wild day trip from New York to Rome. The adventurous Instagrammer (@kevindroniak) made the 8,000 mile round trip to spend just 12 hours in the Eternal City. In his Instagram video, Kevin says: 'You might not believe me but Italy is a day trip from New York and you're coming with me.' The ambitious traveller reveals that his flight from New York lands in Rome at 7:05am with his return flight at 7:05pm, claiming: 'I feel like that's more than enough time'. Kevin adds: 'My logic here is that I'm going to bed anyway tonight, so why not sleep on an eight hour flight and wake up in Italy?' In the next shot, Kevin is in front of Rome's Colosseum at 9am on a sunny day in the Italian capital. 'I have to get back to the airport in about eight hours,' he explains. Rome is six hours ahead of New York which might explain Kevin's unusual choice to start his day by enjoying pizza for breakfast with a 'view of the Colosseum'. Next on the agenda is a look inside the ancient monument, where Kevin reveals: 'Last time I was here, I was 15 and I could not care less about history. But now I can appreciate it.' The traveller then hops on a bike and sets off to explore the Appian Way, one of the world's earliest Roman roads, that connects the Italian capital with Brindisi in southern Italy. Kevin explains: 'There's just ruins alongside the road. And I think I'm the only tourist here. Like there is nobody around. This is definitely the highlight of my day so far. 'And the fact that tonight I'm going to be in my New York City apartment. Life is wild.' Unfortunately the traveller then gets caught in a downpour and reveals that he didn't bring a change of clothes for his flight home. There's just time for a bowl of pasta at another Rome restaurant before Kevin has to head back to the airport. Due to getting drenched in the rain, Kevin also picks up a Rome themed T-shirt to wear on the plane home. At the airport, he jokes: 'It feels like I was just here - because I was. I'm ready to go home but I would do it again.' The traveller then hops on a bike and sets off to explore the Appian Way, one of the world's earliest Roman roads, that connects the Italian capital with Brindisi in southern Italy So, how much did Kevin's extreme Roman holiday cost him? In another video, the traveller reveals that the entire trip cost him $641/£466, with the return flights coming to $506/£368. And reactions to Kevin's extreme jaunt have been mixed. Instagrammer ' says: 'This would be incredible for me if I could sleep on planes but doing this trip would have me awake for close to 48 hours.' 'Buke_aor' is a fan, saying: 'I would do it! I love travelling overnight and waking up at my destination, so yes!' And another person adds 'If I could relive my twenties, I would totally do this.' But not everyone's convinced. 'broncobustr' says: 'What a waste of money and energy to only spend eight hours in such a historic and beautiful city.' And 'clempotiusuxx' worries about the impact of Kevin's journey on the environment, saying: 'Someone has never heard of the carbon footprint and it shows.' However, 'Allthingskhosi' claims: 'Guys! The plane is flying to and from Italy whether he is on it or not.' However, 'Allthingskhosi' claims: 'Guys! The plane is flying to and from Italy whether he is on it or not.'
Washington Post
10-06-2025
- Washington Post
Is 24 hours enough for a vacation? These content creators think so.
He has sweated through outfits at the pyramids in Egypt, eaten terrible pasta in Italy, and been rained on at a beach in Puerto Rico. Despite it all, Kevin Droniak says he is 'addicted' to 24-hour travel. For people with inflexible schedules or limited time off from work, flying for a day trip can be an attainable way to experience a place without committing to a longer vacation. However, your carbon footprint is a serious consideration, all for a trip where you can't possibly get a true picture of a place. Droniak, a full-time content creator who has documented over a dozen trips originating from New York on TikTok (@KevinDroniak), believes it's worth the effort. The itineraries, published on social media through vlog-style videos, are part of a recent viral travel trend. Typically, it involves an early-morning flight, a period of exploring a city or specific attraction, and then a departure in the evening or following morning. 'I could be in my bed watching Netflix, but if I can make a memory, I'm going to do it,' said Droniak, 27. 'I want to showcase that travel can have an incredible impact even if time isn't on your side.' These 'micro-cations' that Droniak's account, and others like @onthemovewithmad and @live_thedash, showcase domestic hops to Chicago or ambitious (and questionable) international journeys to Paris. The one common thread? They're spending 24 hours or less at a destination. Expedia reports that the top cities Americans have booked for 24-hour travel in the past three months include Los Angeles, New York, Orlando, Atlanta and Las Vegas. Fast-paced travel and 24-hour journeys predate the advent of social media and viral fads. However, it taps into our modern desire for quick, impactful experiences that are easily documented and shared. It's travel's version of instant gratification. Perhaps the most prominent example of this hardcore style of travel is trips taken by off-duty airline employees and their companions. Staff can fly for free or at a highly discounted rate, typically on a standby basis. The airline cohort has been doing it for decades. 'We would sometimes go on these wild day trips, deciding on the actual destination at the airport,' says Stella Shon, a former airline employee who now works as a travel journalist. 'Some folks would always try to stretch the limits of what was possible, like going to Tokyo just for sushi before returning home.' Of course, the idea that because you can do something doesn't mean you should. Droniak, a self-proclaimed easygoing, 'Type-B' traveler, says the key to jet-setting day trips is not to overplan. That means having only one 'motive' for each place. 'My itineraries are almost nonexistent, and after I finish what I wanted to do there, I might grab a bike and explore neighborhoods or go cafe hopping.' On a trip to Puerto Rico, for instance, his objective was simply to go to the beach. In Paris, his purpose was to visit the Eiffel Tower. And in Cairo (yes, Droniak spent one day there from New York), his only goal was to see the pyramids. That April excursion to Egypt was Droniak's most intense day-long expedition yet. It included a 10-hour red-eye flight, landing in Cairo before dawn. He traveled back to New York a mere 24 hours later, spending as much time in the air as he did on the ground. Most people might consider an itinerary like this brutally exhausting, but Droniak insists he embraced (and enjoyed) the sweaty adventure. He visited the pyramids of Giza and Saqqara, had a view of the Nile with lunch, took a short nap, and then headed straight home. 'I know it's not for everyone, but for me, I love just sitting on a plane, so flying is part of the fun. It's also helpful that I can sleep upright,' he said. Maintaining a strict budget is a key part of the day-trip proposition. For Droniak, that means domestic day trips for $250 or less and international ones at around $500. (That includes economy flights and activities on the ground.) However, he admits Egypt was his most costly adventure, ringing in at nearly $1,000. That might be a pretty penny, but across the U.S., consumers have been spending more on short-duration travel. According to data from insurance company Allianz, American travelers will be shelling out more money for a one-night summer getaway in 2025 than ever before. An average person will spend $700. Last year, it was $594. A decade ago, in my late teens and early 20s, I partook in a similar, albeit less drastic version of Droniak's outings. These trips involved day-long jaunts from New York to Miami, leveraging airline miles or cheap airfare. I even occasionally convinced friends to snowbird with me for a day. This was accomplished on a shoestring budget, which included public transportation to and from the airport and an entire afternoon on a (free!) public beach. My hack to make everything a bit more enjoyable? Airport lounge access at Miami International. That was crucial to ensure I could shower, feel refreshed, and have dinner before a flight back to New York. With that said, if the idea of flying anywhere for a day trip is inconceivable, there's always the option to make your own backyard feel more vacation-like. Plus, you don't have to dwell in the environmental guilt of excessive greenhouse gas emissions. For instance, ResortPass offers the ability to book a pool pass at over 2,000 hotels around the world. It's an opportunity to recharge and relax closer to home. 'You can go a couple of miles to a hotel you've driven by every day for the last 10 years, but getting to experience it is something else entirely,' says Michael Wolf, ResortPass's CEO. 'People find it relaxing to be near water. Resorts didn't invent that.' Creating that momentary feeling of vacation is also one of the goals of Airbnb's new services arm, allowing people, even at home, to book chef-cooked meals, spa treatments and other wellness amenities. Meanwhile, Droniak considers the most worthwhile experiences are ones that fully get you out of the house. 'Even a short trip is better than staying home, because it makes it possible to experience a childlike sense of wonder again,' he said. It's an ephemeral moment, but one that has its share of downsides, too: 'Even if something goes wrong, I'm just satisfied being somewhere else.'
The Sun
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Our favourite seaside towns that are less than 90 minutes from London with Banksy art and award-winning beaches
BORED of the concrete jungle views over London when the sun is out? Well, here are our favourite destinations for a day trip, and they are all less than two hours away from the capital. 8 8 Folkestone, Kent I could hardly talk about amazing seaside towns without mentioning my hometown of Folkestone. From being named a trending place to live by TimeOut, to being dubbed the new Brighton (being both arty and less than an hour from London - 54 minutes to be exact) there has never been a better time to visit. New restaurants and bars are popping up, including the new Med restaurant Cavella on the popular Harbour Arms, as well as the upcoming small-plate restaurant Pomus after success in Margate. Two new playgrounds including the huge adventure park Lower Leas Coastal Park are being renovated, with the town's unique funicular set to reopen next year. It has its own Banksy, hidden sandy beaches and trendy hotels to stay the night - what more could you want? If you need entertaining, there is The Board Room for shuffleboard and darts, or the Harbour Screen with live shows and films (and some nearby live music). My top tips? Head to Burrito Buoy for a frozen margarita, grab a delicious pizza over at Brewing Brothers, and end your night at The Old Buoy pub. You'll be well fed and watered, and make a few local mates along the way… - Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor Brighton, East Sussex When people think of beach day trips from London, Brighton comes to their mind immediately for good reason. Only an hour on the train, the seaside city has often been associated with YouTubers over the years. Yet the destination is loved for many reasons. From the narrow alleys with quaint shops, great ice cream spots and the iconic i360 with breathtaking panoramic views - Brighton really does provide something for everyone. Top 5 Beaches in the UK 8 The history is there too, with the iconic pier still open today and full of classic arcade games and the old pier - of which remains only still stand. The beach itself has pretty pebbles, a long-stretching promenade and pretty townhouses. Sit next to the pier just as Georgia does in Angus Thongs and Perfect Snogging, whilst listening to waves crash, with a classic Mr Whippy in hand with a 99 flake as seagulls circle overhead - a quintessentially British experience that feels like a day out set in the 60s. And if that wasn't enough to draw you there - Brighton is super dog friendly, so is a great day away from the city for your four-legged friend - Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter Broadstairs, Kent You're spoilt for choice when it comes to a beach sunbathe in the historic Kent coastal gem, Broadstairs - which is an hour and 20 minutes away from London by train. There's seven sandy coves to explore, all linked by clifftop paths that offer spectacular views across the English Channel. Among the most popular is the main beach at Viking Bay, but Stone Bay is a good alternative if you're looking to escape the crowds. It's as traditional a British seaside resort as they come with imposing Victorian buildings sitting alongside fisherman's cottages. Author Charles Dickens had a summer home at Broadstairs for more than 20 years in the middle of the 19th century and it had a significant influence on his writing, particularly the novel David Copperfield. The Dickens House Museum offers an illuminating insight into his life and works. But this is very much still a bustling, seaside resort with lots of family-friendly fun including arcades and rides. And it's becoming a bit of a foodie mecca too. Twenty Seven Harbour Street has stunning views and tasty treats cooked over fire. And a must-visit is Morelli's - it's been serving up traditional gelato since 1932. The fabulous Art Deco interior is beaten only just by the stunning sundaes - Lisa Minot, Head of Travel 8 Rye, East Sussex The medieval town of Rye in East Sussex isn't strictly seaside, but you can see the sea from its cobble streets and it has a harbour where boats sail out to the English Channel. Plus, if you go back as far as the 15th century, the sea came much closer to the foot of the hill the town is built on. It's the perfect place to spend a day out - taking an hour and six minutes on the train from Kings Cross St Pancras. If you fancy a morning on the beach, a bus runs from the town to the stunning Camber Sands beach - a three-mile stretch of golden sand backed by dunes. Or you can for a six-mile circular walk from Rye to Winchelsea beach. Back in the town after lunch, there are plenty of fantastic pubs to choose from, my favourites being the 12th century Mermaid Inn and the George In Rye, as well as the Globe Inn Marsh on the outskirts of the town. Equally, you could book a taxi and check out Tillingham vineyard in nearby Peasmarsh, with its Michelin Green Star wine tours and excellent pizzas. Make sure to save some time to rummage through the many, many antiques shops, as well as Knoops hot chocolate shop and the wonderfully old fashioned Britcher and Rivers sweet shop - Caroline McGuire, Head of Travel (Digital) 8 Frinton-on-Sea, Essex I, like many others believe Frinton-on-Sea to be the more chilled out and luxe sister of Clacton. Slightly further up the coast Frinton in Essex has a huge sweeping beach that is lined with the classic brightly coloured beach huts - a mark of any beach day trip. The best part is that on the Greater Anglia route, you can get from London to Frinton in an hour and a half. The beach at Frinton is award-winning, having scooped up a Blue Flag award and Tripadvisor's Travellers Choice Award in 2024. You can easily walk from from Frinton to Walton-on-the-Naze too, it's an easy walk along the promenade and you get to see the clock tower on the way over. All-in-all, it takes around 40 minutes to get there. 8 After such a walk, you might need to quench your thirst after a day of building sand castles and paddling in the sea, there is a pub called the Lock & Barrel. Down Connaught Avenue surrounded by independent shops, art studios and boutiques is the first and only pub in Frinton. For anyone wanting an ice cream, you don't find them along the beach front because they're not allowed. For more days out, have a look at the best value attractions around the UK. And here, the National Trust reveals their best free attractions to visit this summer – from sky gardens to 'city oasis' parks. 8
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
Best villages to visit for a day out near Worcester according to locals
Are you looking for a bit of inspiration when it comes to days out near Worcester? As the weather becomes warmer, you might be wondering where you can explore and enjoy your free time. Some local knowledge is always handy so we asked Worcester News readers which village is the best for a day out near the city. To give you some day trip inspiration, we've combed through the results and found the best villages to visit – let's take a look. Lots of places were mentioned when we asked readers the all-important question in 2024 and a few villages got multiple votes. However, one village stood out from the rest. The best village for day trips near Worcester is Malvern, according to our readers. One local said: 'Malvern if u fancy nice food hillside pizza'. Whether you want to get out in the fresh air for a walk or stop for a bite to eat during your day in Malvern, the village has plenty to offer. Recommended reading: 5 of the best pubs to visit near the Malvern Hills Prettiest village pubs you can visit for a pint and some grub in Worcestershire 5 of the best farm shops you can visit across Worcestershire this spring The likes of Bewdley also proved popular with our readers with one saying: 'Bewdley. Nice walks, nice pubs and restaurants, little museum that my kids love, a ice cream shop that kids love too and chip shop that I love but really shouldn't have', adding a laughing crying face emoji. One local couldn't decide between two villages, writing: 'Broadway. Or Malvern.' Ombersley and Hartlebury are among the other villages mentioned in the comments section of our Facebook post. Do you agree? Let us know in the comments.
