Forget long-haul holidays – a new, high-octane travel trend is taking social media by storm. Extreme day tripping involves jetting off to explore an entire European city and returning home, all within a frantic 24-hour window.
The Rise of the 24-Hour Adventure
This exhausting but exhilarating hack lets UK-based travellers see more of the world without eating into precious annual leave. It's often cheaper than a night out in a local city, as you save significantly on hotel costs and get to sleep in your own bed. With Europe on our doorstep, a stunning capital is just a short flight away for a whirlwind cultural hit.
Travel experts at Iglu Cruise have pinpointed some top destinations for this intense form of tourism. Leading their list is the Irish capital, Dublin, thanks to its incredibly short flight time of just one hour and 15 minutes from many UK airports.
How to Conquer Dublin in a Day
An early morning flight sets the stage for a packed itinerary. Start your adventure with a stroll around the historic grounds of Trinity College, Dublin's oldest university. A visit to its Old Library is essential to see the breathtaking Book of Kells, a masterfully illustrated manuscript that captivates history and art lovers alike.
Refuel at a classic Dublin breakfast spot like The Woollen Mills on Ormond Quay or the legendary Bewley's Café on Grafton Street. Then, embark on a leisurely walk from the college to Dublin Castle, a fortress steeped in Ireland's complex history. If your energy holds, continue on foot to St. Patrick's Cathedral, the country's largest cathedral, to admire its awe-inspiring architecture and exhibits dedicated to Ireland's patron saint.
The Quest for the Perfect Pint
No visit to Dublin is complete without sampling its most famous export. The Guinness Storehouse offers a deep dive into the brewing process and history of the iconic stout. However, for the true connoisseur, the ultimate prize lies elsewhere.
YouTuber Darragh Curran, renowned online as the Guinness Guru, has declared the location of the world's finest pint. In conversation with Ireland Before You Die, he revealed that the holy grail of Guinness is poured at John Kavanagh's The Gravediggers pub in Glasnevin.
"Situated right beside Glasnevin Cemetery and currently run by the seventh generation of Kavanaghs; this 180-year-old pub serves the best pint of Guinness on the planet," Curran asserted. Adventurous day-trippers can verify his claim at the pub's address: 1 Prospect Square, Glasnevin, Dublin, D09 CF72, Ireland, before catching an evening flight back to the UK, mission accomplished.
