When 19-year-old Wiktoria Sikora asked her father for a typical shopping day in London, she received an extraordinary counter-offer that would take them far beyond the capital's borders.
The Spontaneous Getaway
Aleksander Sikora, a 41-year-old retail employee trainer from Surrey and self-proclaimed budget traveller, managed to orchestrate an international day trip that proved more affordable than their original London plans. Just three days before departure, Aleksander booked return flights with easyJet from London Gatwick to Lanzarote Airport for a remarkable £60 for both passengers.
The father-daughter duo flew out on November 11, giving them six hours to enjoy the Spanish island's attractions. While Wiktoria explored local fashion shops and markets, Aleksander settled on the beach for some well-deserved relaxation time.
Breaking Down the Budget
The total cost for their international excursion came to under £100 per person, significantly less than what a day in London would typically cost. Aleksander meticulously accounted for every expense: £10 for petrol to drive from Surrey to Gatwick, £15 for airport parking, and approximately £3 for bus transfers from Lanzarote Airport to Puerto Del Carmen.
During their six-hour stay, Aleksander enjoyed a £10 chow mein from a Chinese takeaway while his daughter shopped. The pair packed light for their extreme day trip, with Aleksander bringing only a small bag containing essentials: a towel, phone, passport, powerbank, empty water bottle, headphones, and his drone.
A New Approach to Budget Travel
Aleksander spent four peaceful hours on the beach, listening to music and flying his drone to capture aerial photos of the coastline. "I just relaxed, it's like meditation, you don't need much more than that," he reflected, emphasizing the mental health benefits of his spontaneous escape.
The trip proved so successful that they landed back in the UK by 10:30pm and were home before midnight. Wiktoria enjoyed the experience so much that she's now keen to try another extreme day trip in the future.
Aleksander defended his unconventional approach: "It's not for everyone and people will say I'm crazy for the trip - but it was what I needed to calm my mind." He highlighted how budget travel opportunities can provide affordable alternatives to expensive UK day trips, especially during times of rising costs and work pressures.
