#DestinationFridays: Extreme Day Trips

I love travel.  And I love the excuse to travel somewhere far, for a short period of time, even just a day.  I have been fortunate enough to work for an airline for the majority of my career and eligible for flight benefits, which allow airline employees to travel for drastically reduced prices.

Having access to the world at my finger tips, I have taken some pretty long day trips (24 hours or less).  Here are my top 3 day trips I have taken over the last 10 years.

Chicago to London
Departing Chicago on an early evening, overnight flight, puts you into London early morning the next day.  Hop on the Heathrow Express (it's expensive, but time is of the essence) and head into the city.  Stop by the National Gallery, do some shopping on Oxford Street, and stroll through Hyde Park before circling back to Buckingham Palace.   You have just enough time to for a quick lunch, a tacky souvenir, and head back to Heathrow for a mid afternoon departure.  You arrive back to Chicago late the same night.  Cheers!

Los Angles to Honolulu
Leaving LA early morning, you arrive in Hawaii mid morning and head straight to Waikiki.  Chill out on the beach and then stroll along Kalakaua Avenue and grab some lunch.  Get some shopping in at the International Market Place and then it's onto the Royal Hawaiian Hotel for a Mai Tai and to watch the sunset.  Have another Mai Tai along with a light dinner before heading back to the airport for your overnight flight back to LA.  Aloha!

Manchester to Rome
Time for an early morning departure from Manchester (or any Northern European city), arriving into Rome late morning.  Head to center of Rome, making stops at the Spanish Steps, Pantheon, and Trevi Fountain.  Stop for lunch at a cafe at one of Rome's many piazzas before hoping over to Vatican City.   Take in St. Peter's Square and marvel at the artistry inside the Basilica.  You have just enough time to grab a slice of pizza and head back to the airport before you evening departure back north.  Ciao!