Tromsø, Norway is the perfect destination for a magical winter break, and even more so now with the start of budget flights from Bristol, Manchester, London Gatwick and Luton Luton. Tromsø just became a whole lot more affordable!
Tromsø is a great alternative to winter destinations such as Lapland, which have soared in price recently!
Tromsø, Norway on a Budget!
We’ve searched the internet and put together some incredible DIY flight and hotel deals from the UK, allowing you to book and visit this bucket list destination on a budget.
Where is Tromsø?
Tromsø is located above the Arctic Circle in Norway, making it the perfect winter destination with a high chance of seeing the northern lights.
Flight time from UK to Tromsø is around 3hrs 30 mins and it is 1hr ahead of GMT.
Time of Year to Visit Tromsø
Tromsø is a fantastic place to visit any time of the year if you love beautiful scenery and don’t mind cooler weather. From October to April, Tromsø turns into a winter wonderland.
If you visit between late November and mid-January, you can experience the polar night—a unique time when the sun doesn’t rise at all!
Flight & Hotel Deals for Tromsø
Here at Build a Break our aim is to help you plan a trip on a budget, this usually means booking different elements of your holiday separately rather than a traditional package to get the best price.
To make life easier for you, we’ve trawled though hundreds of flights to put together budget friendly deals from the UK– all at a massive saving to a travel operators package price!!
At the moment direct budget flights to Tromsø are only available from Bristol, Manchester, London Gatwick and London Luton airports.
Our Best Deals from the UK to Tromsø
PLEASE NOTE: You'll get a significant saving on the hotel prices below if you sign up for a free members account with Expedia. Making these deals even cheaper.
❗️ Please remember: We’re a travel platform sharing great finds, not a travel agent. We do not take requests for alternative dates/airports or provide personal travel quotes 😀
⚠️ All prices and availability are correct at the time of posting but may change or be withdrawn at any time. Always check all details carefully with the travel provider before booking, as we are not responsible for any changes, omissions, or errors. Any booking or contract is made directly between you and the travel supplier.
Extreme Day Trips to Geneva & Montreux Markets This December
Extreme day trips to Geneva & Montreux Christmas Markets from the UK
Over the last few weeks, we have been sharing lots of Extreme Day Trips on our Facebook page, to Montreux Christmas Markets, which have been very popular with our followers
It's perfect for a one-day Christmas trip, with the chance to shop the markets, and see Santa fly across the sky!
Below I’ve put together everything you need to know for a same-day trip from the UK to Switzerland - including a list of all available extreme day trip flights, plus practical tips and what to pack.
Just a quick note before we begin- this blog contains affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these. This helps us to continue finding you the best deals and to keep the website going.
Where is Geneva?
Geneva sits on the shores of Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) in western Switzerland, right on the French border. It’s an international city famous for luxury watches, the UN, and its stunning alpine backdrop.
London Luton has the most frequent early-morning departures and late-evening returns, making them ideal for same-day trips.
Other UK airports also have direct flights, though not every day. For “extreme” day trips, London airports have the most choice. However, we have included every airport we could possibly find options for.
There are a couple of flights included, where I would recommend you don't attempt to reach Montreux as there won't be enough time to fully enjoy it.
Ideally, you want to be landing in Geneva 10am or earlier, and looking to depart around 8pm onwards if you wish to visit Montreux.
For the shorter flights, I recommend you stay in Geneva and enjoy a day there instead.
Getting from Geneva Airport to Montreux (for the Christmas Market)
Direct trains depart from the airport direct to Montreux and visa-versa, around every hour. However, if you are willing to change trains, you will find more frequent departures.
The journey takes around 1h–1h15. Tickets cost CHF 25–30 each way (£22–26).
Allow 3.5hrs before your flight departure time, for getting back to the airport and through airport security/passport control.
Montreux Christmas Market Highlights 🎄✨
Dates: 21 November – 24 December 2025.
Vibe:170+ decorated stalls lining the lake promenade, chalet-style huts selling gifts, fondue, mulled wine & Swiss treats.
Features:
Lakeside light displays and music.
Traditional raclette, chocolate & mulled wine.
Stunning views across Lake Geneva with the Alps as backdrop.
Getting from Geneva Airport to Geneva
If you wish to skip Montreux and just visit Geneva, trains run every 10–15 mins from the airport and only take around 7 minutes to reach the city centre. Tickets cost around CHF 3–4 (£3–4) each way.
Geneva Highlights
Lake Geneva: stroll the lakeside and spot the Jet d’Eau fountain.
Old Town: cobbled streets, St Pierre Cathedral, cafés.
Parc des Bastions: see the giant chessboards and Reformation Wall.
Carouge: artsy quarter with boutiques and bars.
Chocolate & Fondue stops: try local favourites like Auer Chocolat.
What to Pack for an Extreme Day Trip
(Winter Edition ❄️)
Passport, boarding passes, and travel insurance.
Warm coat, gloves, hat — it’s cold by the lake in December!
Comfortable walking shoes (you’ll walk a lot).
Power bank (long travel day).
Reusable water bottle (tap water in Switzerland is safe).
Swiss Francs (CHF) or a card that works abroad (contactless widely accepted).
Please remember: We’re a travel platform sharing great finds, not a travel agent. We do not take requests for alternative dates/airports or provide personal travel quotes
All prices and availability are correct at the time of posting but may change or be withdrawn at any time. Always check all details carefully with the travel provider before booking, as we are not responsible for any changes, omissions, or errors. Any booking or contract is made directly between you and the travel supplier.
Tips for Same-Day Extreme Trips to Switzerland
Book earliest flight in / latest out to maximise time.
Check train timetables (Geneva ↔ Montreux) on SBB app for precision.
Allow airport buffer time — Geneva Airport can be busy with ski traffic in December.
Travel light — small day-bag only.
Eurocamp Italy 2026: Best Campsites, Reviews & Full Park List
🇮🇹 Eurocamp Holidays in Italy: The Ultimate Guide for 2026
Campsite holidays in Italy are genuinely our favourite type of family holiday - and after six years of travelling with Eurocamp, including Venice, Rome, Lake Garda and Tuscany, it’s safe to say we’re obsessed.
With fantastic pools, great weather, and easy access to iconic cities, Eurocamp ticks every box for us (and that’s saying something when you’re trying to please four kids of different ages!).
Parks across Italy offer culture, sunshine, amazing food, and brilliant value. Plus, often cheaper than a UK holiday even when you add flights and transfers.
In this updated 2026 guide, you’ll find:
✔ What a Eurocamp holiday is really like
✔ How to choose the perfect Italian Eurocamp park
✔ Our reviews of the parks we’ve stayed at
✔ A full list of every single Eurocamp campsite in Italy
✔ A new section answering “Does Eurocamp operate in Sardinia?” (a common Google search!)
✔ Tips for airports, transport and planning
Just a quick note before we begin, some posts on this blog contain affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we genuinely love or believe will be helpful in your trip planning journey. Thanks for supporting our work and happy planning!
Visiting the Trevvi Fountain in Rome
What Is a Eurocamp Holiday?
Eurocamp holidays are self-catered stays in well-equipped European holiday parks.
Expect: Spacious mobile homes, safari tents, or lodges
Outdoor living: pools, nature, terraces, al fresco dining
Fun for all ages: playgrounds, splash parks, sports & activities
Freedom to explore local towns, beaches, and cities
Brilliant value, especially for families
For us, Eurocamp in Italy means:
✔ swimming in the pools
✔ exploring major cities like Rome and Venice
✔ eating al fresco on our deck
✔ making memories in the sunshine
Eating al fresco is our favourite thing to do at Eurocamp
Italy’s trains make exploring super easy - perfect from Rome, Tuscany and Lake Garda. If you're planning on doing Eurocamp without a car, check the sites which have good transport links.
Venice in a Gondola when we stayed at Marina Di Venezia
🏕 Full List of Every Eurocamp Park in Italy 2026
Use this list to compare destinations quickly and see which region suits your trip.
We've added links to some of these, where we have managed to find them available to book elsewhere. This way, you can compare prices with staying direct with the sites.
Baia Blu La Tortuga – Aglientu (Northern Sardinia)
4 Mori Family Village (Muravera)
Capo d’Orso (Le Saline)
Eurocamp Sites in Italy We’ve Stayed At
1. Eurocamp Italy Venice: Marina di Venezia
Location Highlights: Located near the iconic city of Venice, this park is perfect for families who want to combine beach relaxation with cultural exploration.
On-Site Features: A massive water park, multiple restaurants, and a stunning Adriatic coastline.
Size: One of the largest Eurocamp sites in Italy, bustling with activities and amenities.
Nearby Attractions: Spend a day exploring Venice’s canals, St. Mark’s Basilica, and Doge’s Palace.
Ideal For: Beach lovers and those seeking easy access to Venice’s treasures.
2. Eurocamp Italy Rome: Camping Village Fabulous
Location Highlights: Just outside Rome, this park is ideal for exploring the Eternal City while enjoying the peace of a well-equipped holiday site.
On-Site Features: Large pools, a splash park, and plenty of shaded relaxation areas.
Size: Medium-sized with a tranquil atmosphere, despite its proximity to Rome.
Nearby Attractions: Visit the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, and Vatican City, all a short journey away.
Ideal For: History buffs and families who want a mix of sightseeing and downtime.
We loved this site and it's location so much, we've visited twice.
Location Highlights: Situated on the southern shores of Lake Garda, this smaller, intimate park offers breath taking views and a peaceful atmosphere.
On-Site Features: A swimming pool, direct lake access, restaurant, convenience store and family-friendly entertainment.
Size: One of the smallest Eurocamp parks, providing a cosy, family-friendly vibe.
Nearby Attractions: Explore Peschiera del Garda, Gardaland theme park, and the romantic city of Verona. Alternatively, take the train to Venice or Milan.
Location Highlights: Nestled in the heart of Tuscany, this park offers stunning views and proximity to Florence, Siena, and other cultural gems.
On-Site Features: Multiple pools, a wellness centre, and even an on-site wine cellar for tastings.
Size: A large hillside park with extensive facilities and plenty of space to explore.
Nearby Attractions: Wander through medieval villages, enjoy authentic Tuscan cuisine, and marvel at Florence’s artistic heritage.
Ideal For: Couples and families seeking a mix of relaxation, culture, and culinary delights.
For our review of Hu Norcenni and how to reach this park without a car, click here
Search for Flights to Italy
✈️ Travel Logistics: Airports & Transport
When planning your Eurocamp holiday in Italy, consider the travel logistics:
Distance from Airports: Many parks are conveniently located near major airports like Venice Marco Polo or Rome Fiumicino.
Driving Distance from Ports: If arriving by ferry, calculate the driving time to your chosen park.
Public Transport Accessibility: Check for bus, train, or ferry connections to nearby towns and attractions.
Most of the camps we've included in this guide are easy to reach without driving.
Airports which Serve Each Region:
Venice Marco Polo → Venice coast parks
Verona / Milan Bergamo → Lake Garda
Rome Fiumicino → Rome camps
Pisa or Florence → Tuscany
Italy’s public transport makes exploring simple and budget-friendly - perfect for non-drivers. Don't forget to check our guide on doing Eurocamp without a Carwhich includes lots of valuable information if flying.
❓ Eurocamp Italy FAQs
When Is the Best Time to Visit Eurocamp in Italy?
The best time to visit Eurocamp parks in Italy is May to September, when the weather is warm, attractions are open, and most campsites run their full entertainment and pool schedules.
Pool opening times matter, especially for families, and Italy tend to vary by region:
Northern Italy (Lake Garda, Venice coast):
Pools often open mid-May and close early to mid-September. Temperatures are a little cooler here, so parks tend to run slightly shorter seasons.
Central & Southern Italy (Tuscany, Rome, Sardinia, Puglia):
Pools typically open late April/early May and stay open until late September, sometimes even into early October depending on weather.
Because the pool complex is the biggest part of the holiday for most kids, always check individual pool opening and closing dates before booking. Each park sets its own schedule, and it can vary year by year.
Do You Need a Car for Eurocamp Italy?
Not necessarily. Italy is one of the easiest countries in Europe to do Eurocamp without a car.
Many parks are:
Close to airports
Near train stations or bus routes
Easy to reach by public transport, especially around Rome, Venice, Tuscany and Lake Garda
All 4 parcs we’ve visited in Italy, we’ve flown to.
From parks like Butterfly Camping, Fabulous and Marina di Venezia, you can explore entire regions using trains, buses, ferries and shuttle services.
A car can be useful in more rural areas (like parts of Tuscany or Sardinia), but it’s absolutely not essential for many of the most popular Italian Eurocamps.
If you’re planning to go car-free, check out our full guide on Eurocamp without a carfor tips on transfers, trains and the easiest parks for non-drivers.
Is Eurocamp Cheaper Than a Hotel in Italy?
For most families, yes, Eurocamp is usually cheaper than a hotel, especially in peak season.
Why: You pay one price per accommodation, not per person. You can cook some meals, which reduces food costs.
Parking (if needed) is normally free.
You get more space - terrace, living area, kitchen, without paying for multiple rooms.
As a family of six, we’d typically need two hotel rooms, which instantly doubles the cost. At Eurocamp we only need a three-bedroom lodge, which is almost always cheaper and comes with more space, privacy and flexibility.
For smaller families too, Eurocamp often works out better value than a city hotel, especially near Venice, Rome or Lake Garda during summer.
Why Choose a Eurocamp Italy in 2026?
Eurocamp Italy offers the most perfect mix of:
✔ sunshine
✔ beaches
✔ culture
✔ amazing food
✔ brilliant family facilities
✔ great value
Whether you want to explore Rome, wander Venice’s canals, dip in Lake Garda, or relax under the Tuscan sun, there’s a Eurocamp site to match your travel style.
Make 2026 the year you experience the magic of a Eurocamp holiday in Italy!
How to Do Eurocamp Without a Car: The Ultimate Guide
Eurocamp type holidays have become a firm favourite with our family over the last 5 years.
When our children were small, they always loved visiting Center Parcs, but as adults, we preferred a city break and longed for warmer climates.
Eurocamp seemed to throw up the best solution- onsite activities for kids, fantastic pools and all based in a forest-like environment giving them extra freedom to explore.
For us adults, Eurocamp had the bonus of offering sites near major European Cities and some even having the added plus point of a beach and guaranteed sunshine.
And the best part? You absolutely can do Eurocamp without a car.
In fact, as a larger family living in the north of England, we prefer to fly. No long 7-hour slog to Dover. No ferry queues. No motorway meltdowns. Just a quick flight and public transport from the airport to the parc.
Flying has allowed us to travel door-to-door in around 7 hours to sites in Holland and Italy!
In this guide, we’ll answer all the questions people search for, including:
Which Eurocamps are near an airport?
What’s the best Eurocamp without a car?
Which Eurocamp can you fly to most easily?
Do Eurocamp arrange flights?
How do you pack for Eurocamp without a car?
I’ll also share the car-free Eurocamp parks we’ve personally visited across Italy and Holland, along with tips to make the whole experience smooth, stress-free and budget-friendly.
Just a quick note before we begin- some posts on this blog contain affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we genuinely love or believe will be helpful in your trip planning journey. Thanks for supporting our work and happy planning!
Rome
Exploring Venice by Public Transport
Pools in Rome
Can You Go to Eurocamp Without a Car?
Yes, you can! Many Eurocamp sites are conveniently located near airports or accessible via public transport. Of course, there's always the option to fly, then rent a car on arrival.
Every Eurocamp we’ve visited over the last five years has been:
✔ close to a major airport ✔ connected by reliable public transport ✔ easy to navigate without needing a hire car ✔ walkable or bike-friendly once on site
Search For the Cheapest Car Hire
Which Eurocamps Are Best to Visit Without a Car?
Below you'll Eurocamp sites we’ve visited without a car, plus others that rank as the best Eurocamps near an airport - ideal if you're searching for Eurocamps you can fly to or Eurocamp holidays with flights.
🇮🇹 Best Eurocamp Italy Sites (Car-Free)
Italy is one of the easiest countries to do Eurocamp without driving. Great transport, reliable shuttle buses, and airports close by.
1. Camping Village Fabulous (Rome)
Distance from airport: 12 miles from Fiumicino Why it’s one of the best Eurocamps without a car:
Bus stop outside the gates
Easy access to the Rome Metro
Perfect mix of pools, pine forest, beaches + sightseeing
This is the simplest Eurocamp in Italy with flights if you want to combine pool days and Roman history.
This site is often cheaper booked direct, which we have done before here
But that’s actually a bonus. Booking your own flights gives you control over:
price
times
luggage
airport choice
We usually save hundreds by booking Eurocamp accommodation + flights separately.
Looking for Eurocamp holidays with flights 2026?
Just book your parc, then use Skyscanner/Google Flights for deals.
🎒 What to Pack for Eurocamp Without a Car
Here’s our streamlined packing approach after years of car-free Eurocamp travel.
Everything below fits neatly into a 20kg suitcase, leaving room in other bags for clothing and personal items.
🛏 Bedding & towels
Eurocamp charges:
£22 single
£34 double
For a family of 6, this adds up fast.
Our solution: We bring old bedding & towels → use them on site → recycle or leave for other guests → fly home with extra suitcase space.
🍳 Kitchen essentials
Pack small versions of:
tea towels
bin bags
condiments (in 100ml travel bottles)
washing-up liquid
sponges
🧺 Laundry
Dr Beckmann Magic Leaves
Portable washing line + pegs
Collapsible bag for shopping
🧴 Toiletries
We order from Boots airside to save space in our cases.
📝 Tips for a Smooth Car-Free Eurocamp Trip
✔ Pre-book airport transfers ✔ Check local buses before you go ✔ Use bikes once on site ✔ Shop locally on site where possible ✔ Choose a parc walkable from town or transport
Why We Prefer Eurocamp Holidays Without a Car
For us, a holiday starts the moment we step inside the airport. No motorway stress. No breakdown drama. No long ferry crossing. Just a direct, easy journey.
We often find flights + luggage for all six of us for £500–£600 return which coming from the north, is far cheaper than fuel + tolls + ferries.
Ready to Plan Your Car-Free Eurocamp Adventure?
Ready to plan your next adventure? Explore your flight options and Eurocamp locations today!
Whether you’re heading to Rome, Venice, Lake Garda, Paris or The Netherlands, going car-free is completely doable — and often cheaper, easier and more relaxing.
Extreme Day Trip to Iceland: Reykjavik & Sky Lagoon in 1 Day
Thinking about an 'Extreme Day Trip' to Iceland? It might sound crazy, but we did it – and it was absolutely worth it!
Is a One Day Trip to Iceland Really Possible? Here’s How to Turn It Into an Extreme Day Trip
My 15 year old daughter wanted a spa day as part of her 16th birthday present, so we took things to the next level with a Extreme Day Trip to Iceland.
If you’re short on time but want to experience Iceland’s magic, here’s exactly how we did a one day trip to Reykjavik and the incredible Sky Lagoon.
We break down our timings, costs, and handy tips to make your own adventure as smooth as possible.
Just a quick note before we begin- some posts on this blog contain affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we genuinely love or believe will be helpful in your trip planning journey. Thanks for supporting our work and happy planning!
Is it possible to do an Extreme Day Trip to Iceland?
Can you visit Iceland in just one day from the UK?
Our Iceland Extreme Day Trip Timings
Flight: Manchester 7:10 AM → Keflavik 9:55 AM (EasyJet)
Transfers: Flybus 10:50 AM → Reykjavik center
Reykjavik highlights: Hallgrimskirkja, Rainbow Street & street murals
Sky Lagoon: 2pm slot with 7-step ritual
Left the Sky Lagoon: 4:30pm
Bus back to the airport: 6:00pm
Return flight: Keflavik 9:05pm → Manchester 11:30pm
Total cost per person: Approx £250
Flights from Manchester to Iceland
We flew out of Manchester Airport with easyJet at 7:10am and landed earlier than expected at 9:55am at Keflavik Airport (KEF) in Iceland.
With no checked baggage (just a backpack each), we were quickly through security with zero queues and were outside the airport within minutes.
Tips:
Pack light to skip luggage queues
Book early for cheapest fares (~£58 return from Manchester)
We had pre-booked the Flybus with Get Your Guide, which offered:
Free cancellation
Payment just 2 days before
No need to queue at the airport
All we had to do was show the driver our voucher, and it meant we didn't need to queue in arrivals to purchase a ticket. Tickets are valid for any departure from the airport.
We got on the bus at 10.20am and it departed at 10.50am, taking 40 minutes to then reach the centre of Reykjavik.
Q: Where to find the Flybus:
A: Just outside arrivals at Keflavik Airport.
Q: How long does The Flybus take?
A: Around 40 minutes to Reykjavik.
Q: Do you need to book the Flybus in advance?
A: Not necessarily – tickets can be bought at the airport and are valid for any departure time on your selected day.
If you’re travelling solo with a child, Icelandic immigration officials may ask for a letter of authority from the other parent- they did with us, and many other parents from our flight. We didn’t have one but got through – however, it’s better to be prepared!
Exploring Reykjavik
We had a few hours before our Sky Lagoon slot, so we explored the city.
Hallgrimskirkja – Reykjavik’s Iconic Church
A 10-minute walk (800m) from BSI Bus Terminal took us to Hallgrimskirkja, Reykjavik’s iconic church.
Its stunning modernist design and towering height make it the city’s most famous landmark.
You can go to the top for breathtaking views (we skipped this due to time), which costs ISK 1000 for adults and ISK 100 for children ages 7-16 years.
Reykjavik’s Rainbow Street & Street Art
From Hallgrimskirkja, we walked 4 more minutes to the famous Rainbow Street Skólavörðustígur. The street is lined with cafés, boutiques, and street art – perfect for a quick wander and photo stop. We got some lunch here and also a few souvenirs.
After soaking up the sights, we grabbed lunch before heading back to BSI Bus Terminal.
Keep an eye out for Reykjavik’s quirky houses and street murals – they’re dotted everywhere and make the city feel like an open-air art gallery.
Getting to the Sky Lagoon from Reykjavik
We pre-booked the Sky Lagoon- including transfers via Get Your Guide. We went for the package which included our own private changing room, unlimited amounts of towels, shampoo and conditioner, a private shower and hairdryer too. This was the most expensive package, but saved us taking lots of things on our trip.
You can also chose a cheaper package which includes transfers, but with shared changing facilities.
Tickets without transfers are also available for those who've hired a car here.
We booked this back in December as it does sell out, however, with Get Your Guide, we didn't need to pay for it until 2 days before the visit.
The bus left BSI Bus Terminal at 2pm and took us straight to Sky Lagoon – a geothermal infinity pool overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
The journey to the Sky Lagoon from Reykjavik takes around 20 minutes (although more like 30 mins on the way back as it drops off at hotels).
Buses leave on the hour from BSI terminal and return on the half hour- you don't need to specify a return time and you can stay at the Sky Lagoon as long as you wish.
Tip: Book early – slots sell out fast. We recommend 1 PM instead of 2 PM for more time.
Sky Lagoon was honestly incredible. Floating in the steaming geothermal waters while looking out at the Atlantic was pure magic.
The 7-step ritual includes:
Sauna
Steam room
Cold plunge
Body scrub
Refreshing Icelandic drink
Mist room
Relax in infinity pool overlooking the Atlantic
We originally booked for 2pm, but in hindsight, we’d go for 1pm to allow more time.
At 4:30pm, we reluctantly left and caught the return bus back to BSI Bus Terminal, arriving just before 5pm.
Why it’s unforgettable: Floating in geothermal waters while looking at the ocean is magical.
Tip: Allow 2–2.5 hours for the full experience.
Return to Keflavik Airport
Before heading back to the airport, we grabbed food at BSI Bus Terminal. The bus terminal is small, so really easy to find your bus. Plus, there's an information counter with staff that speak English. They can advise on any queries over logistics and other tours you may find of interest.
Inside the bus terminal, you'll also find clean toilets (around £1.15pp to access) and a café. We got a huge pizza slice for around £6 each.
At 6pm, we took our pre-booked FlyBus back to Keflavik Airport, arriving with plenty of time to check in.
Keflavik Airport Prices & The Northern Lights from the Plane!
Keflavik Airport has plenty of food options, and surprisingly, prices weren’t as bad as expected, despite Iceland's expensive reputation. We got two of the famous Icelandic Hot Dogs for around £5 each. We also got 2 bottled soft drinks and 2 bars of chocolate for £6 in total, which I actually think is cheaper than Manchester Airport!
Our 9:05 PM flight home departed on time, but the real highlight?
We saw the Northern Lights from the plane!
The display lasted a full two hours – an unforgettable end to our Icelandic adventure.
Top Tip: Book seats on the left-hand side for the best chance of seeing them.
We landed back in Manchester at 11:30 PM, absolutely exhausted but buzzing from an incredible day.
Cost Breakdown of Our One Day Trip to Iceland
For less than £250 each, we experienced Iceland’s capital, its famous landmarks, a luxury spa, and even the Northern Lights – all in one day!
Return Flights from Manchester to Iceland: £58
Return Airport transfers £32.09pp (for 1 ad & 1 teen ticket)
Sky Lagoon tickets with transfers £122.54pp
Was it Worth Doing an Extreme Day Trip to Iceland?
✅ YES! It was a whirlwind, but every moment was incredible. If you’re up for an extreme day trip, Reykjavik is surprisingly doable from Manchester.
Would we do it again?
Absolutely – but next time, we’d:
Book Sky Lagoon earlier (1pm instead of 2pm).
Stay overnight to see more of Iceland.
Next time, if we did another Extreme Day Trip to Iceland, we would probably try the Blue Lagoon instead. This is nearer to the airport than the Sky Lagoon. If you're debating going, and not sure which to pick, read our guide on Sky Lagoon vs Blue Lagoon Guide,where we weigh up the advantages (and disadvantages) of each spa.
If you’re tempted to try this yourself, go for it – it’s one epic travel story you’ll never forget!
Watch the Video of our Extreme Day Trip to Iceland
Christmas Extreme Day Trips from Manchester Airport
Looking for an epic ‘Extreme Day Trip’ from Manchester Airport this December without breaking the bank?
We’ve rounded up some of the best extreme day trips you can take this winter.
With return trips starting at just £40 per person, you can explore magical destinations throughout the month - be quick as prices will rise.
Think of these as an affordable Christmas break- a whirlwind adventure that fits into a single day. From sunrise flights to late-night returns, these trips let you explore more for less.
We've included weekend dates too and there's some incredible winter destinations available.
Want the full list? Read the full article and start planning your next extreme day trip from Manchester!
Scroll further down and you’ll find our full guide to planning your next Extreme Day Trip.
Just a quick note before we begin- this blog contain affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these. This helps us to continue finding you the best deals and to keep the website going.
All prices are checked and correct at time of posting this article but are subject to change. Whilst every care is taken to copy over details- please double check all dates and times before booking.
Our Best Extreme Day Trips from Manchester this Christmas!
December Extreme Day Trips from Manchester Airport
Build a Break Ltd provides information only and is not liable for bookings, payments, or any issues arising. Please ensure you read all terms and conditions with suppliers before proceeding.
Extreme Day Trips to Disneyland Paris – The Perfect Christmas Gift
🎁 Give the Gift of Travel – February Disneyland Paris Extreme Day Trip
Treat your loved ones to something magical this Christmas – a Disneyland Paris adventure in February! Prices start at just £105 for adults and £102 for children (that's flights and Disneyland Paris tickets!)
Imagine stepping off the plane in the morning, hopping on the TGV straight from Charles de Gaulle Airport, and within minutes you’re walking down Main Street U.S.A., enjoying the winter atmosphere and crisp February air.
From character meet‑and‑greets to parades and seasonal shows, the park feels extra special in winter. Even a one-day trip is packed with unforgettable moments.
Fly in, hit the highlights, then fly home – with the right planning, you can see more than you’d expect. That’s what makes these Extreme Day Trips so rewarding.
For a full guide to making the most of a single day at Disneyland Paris, see our trip: Click here to read
To get from Charles de Gaulle to the parks quickly, you can catch the TGV — fast and efficient. Step-by-step details here:Click here to read
💡 Pro Tip: Save an extra 5% on your park tickets by using the Get Your Guide app.
Disneyland Paris Tickets (Adults £60.91 / Children £56.49) – click here
Use BUILDABREAK5 for 5% off
⚠️ Disclaimer:
Build a Break is a travel platform sharing the best finds we come across. We are not a travel agent and cannot provide quotes, alternative dates, or personal travel advice.
All prices and availability are correct at the time of posting but may change or be withdrawn at any time. Always check all details carefully with the travel provider before booking, as we are not responsible for any changes, omissions, or errors. Any booking or contract is made directly between you and the travel supplier.
Lapland for Less! January Rovaniemi DIY Deals from £207pp
Lapland Deals to Rovaniemi from the UK
We have found a selection of low priced Lapland deals from the UK for January 2026- prices starting at just £828 for a family of 4 (£207pp) for flights, hotel in Rovaniemi and breakfast each morning.
Contrary to popular belief, Lapland doesn't need to break the bank! With the introduction of low cost flights to the region, and plentiful accommodation, It's very easy to plan your own budget trip to Lapland.
The cheapest way to visit Lapland is to build your own trip, purchasing flights, booking a hotel and then adding activities separately.
After Christmas, Lapland has deeper snow and longer days, so January to March is the perfect time to visit!
Don't forget to pop over and read our Lapland blogs and guides to get the best out of your trip - find these here
About Rovaniemi
Known as the official hometown of Santa Claus, Rovaniemi is a vibrant city offering a range of attractions, including Santa Claus Village, where you can meet Santa 365 days a year, cross the Arctic Circle, and visit the Santa Claus Post Office along with lots more activities.
It is literally Christmas EVERY DAY of the year in Lapland!
Activities can be reasonably priced and there's lots of free things to do in Santa Claus Village and the surrounding area too.
Of course December is the most popular time to visit Lapland, but this is also the most expensive. At the moment flights are very expensive and availability for accommodation very low.
As mentioned earlier, it's Christmas every day of the year in Rovaniemi so you'll not be missing anything.
After Christmas is often thought to be the best time to visit Rovaniemi, with more daylight hours and guaranteed snow!
Getting to Lapland
A taxi from Rovaniemi airport to the city centre, or city centre to Santa Claus Village will set you back around €25- often cheaper than the bus when shared between a party of 4. Download the Meneva Taski App- Finland's Uber equivalent. There is no need to book a private transfer, taxi's are reliable and arrive within a few minutes. Transfer time from the airport is under 10 minutes!
Lapland Price Finds
All prices are based on 2 adults and 2 children (age 3-11 years sharing).
Disclaimer: Build a Break does not sell holidays or provide quotes and is not a travel agent. We share deals we find online to help you save money on travel. Prices were correct at the time of posting but are subject to change and availability. Always check luggage policies, transfers, and final total price before booking. Build a Break is not responsible for any errors, omissions or the fulfillment of any travel arrangements.
This post contains affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commission if you book through my links, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting my content!
Extreme Day Trips to Therme Spa Bucharest this December
Extreme day trips to Therme București from the UK
Over the last few weeks, we have been sharing lots of Extreme Day Trips on our Facebook page, and Therme Spa Bucharest has undoubtedly been the most popular.
It's perfect for a one-day spa escape with it's tropical temps, slides for kids and a grown-up Palm to relax in.
Below I’ve put together everything you need for a December same-day trip from the UK. A list of all available extreme day trip flights from the UK, plus practical tips, transfers and what to pack.
Quick heads up — Bucharest (not Budapest!)
Bucharest is Romania’s capital (south-eastern Romania). Don’t mix it up with Budapest (Hungary) - they’re several hundred kilometres apart.
Just a quick note before we begin- this blog contain affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these. This helps us to continue finding you the best deals and to keep the website going.
GetYourGuide sells Therme entrance + transfer options (round trips from central pickup points).
Many of these listings offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before and reserve now & pay later options - handy for last-minute day-trip planning.
These transfer packages usually pick up from central Bucharest spots and drop you directly at Therme. Some will also drop you off at the airport after the spa.
Tickets with transfers in December are typically £42pp.
Absolutely, however, please note children under 14 can only access the Galaxy water park area and not the saunas and spa.
What's Inside Therme Spa?
Therme is split into three main areas — pick tickets based on what you want:
Galaxy (family / waterpark) — wave pool, many slides (16–17), splash areas and family lounges. This is the only zone that allows children under 14. Good if you’re taking kids.
The Palm (14+) — the famous large tropical mineral pools, indoor botanical garden, outdoor terraces and pool bars. Great for relaxing in a palm-lined atrium. (Access usually limited to 14+).
Elysium (14+) — wellness/sauna complex, themed dry saunas, rituals and higher-end spa treatments for quieter relaxation. Some Elysium packages specify minimum age 14+.
What to pack for an Extreme Day Trip to Therme Spa
Carry a small backpack only (you’ll want to move fast between airport → Therme → airport):
Valid passport + flight docs/boarding passes on your phone. Remember to bring your charger with European adapter and also a spare power bank.
Swimwear (required), clean flip-flops/sandals for inside. Therme checks this. If you forget, towels/flip-flops/robes are rentable but cost extra.
Quick-dry towel / bathrobe (or be prepared to rent).
Waterproof phone pouch and a small plastic bag for wet swimwear.
Goggles, swim nappies (if needed) - the shop on site sell basics.
Thin change of clothes for the flight home (you can get chilly leaving wet swimwear).
Ear plugs, hair tie, travel toothbrush, any medications
Cash/card (cafés & pool bars onsite; contactless widely accepted).
Practical note: saunas request you sit on a towel; some areas enforce no flip-flops inside saunas. Read the on-site rules when you arrive for the most up-to-date advice.
Getting from Otopeni (OTP) airport → city centre → Therme
Options and typical costs:
Train (Airport → Gara de Nord): fastest public option, 20–25 min; tickets around 5–7 RON (€1–£1.50). Trains run regularly and are convenient if you want to connect to a city-centre pickup for a Therme transfer.
Express buses (783 / 780): connect airport with central stops (Piata Unirii / Piata Victoriei / Gara de Nord). Tickets are very cheap (a few RON); journey 30–50 min depending on traffic. Good budget option.
Taxi / rideshare (Uber, Bolt): door-to-door and fastest and easiest option, especially with luggage - expect to pay around 55–75 RON (£10–15) to central Bucharest depending on traffic and exact destination. Use official airport taxi desks or book via the Bolt or Uber app.
If you buy a GetYourGuide transfer with your ticket, it will usually pick you up in central locations (or your hotel) and take you directly to Therme - great when you’re on a tight schedule.
Final practical checklist
Book flight + GetYourGuide Therme ticket+transfer (pay-later / refundable 24h).
Pack swimwear, flip-flops, towel/robe (or budget for rental).
Allow time: flight → 30–60 min transfer → 4+ hours Therme → transfer → 2–3 hours before outbound flight at airport.
24 Christmas Extreme Day Trips from London Airport
Christmas Markets Extreme Day Trips from London
Looking for an epic ‘Extreme Day Trip’ from London this Christmas without breaking the bank?
We’ve rounded up some of the best extreme days out you can take this Christmas.
What's more, they're all on a Saturday or Sunday, requiring no annual leave!
Think of it as an affordable Christmas break- a whirlwind adventure that fits into a single day. From sunrise flights to late-night returns, these trips let you explore more for less.
With cheap flights from London and smart booking tricks, you can pack in a full travel experience without an overnight stay.
Want the full list? Read the full article and start planning your next extreme day trip from London!
Scroll further down and you’ll find our full guide to planning your next Extreme Day Trip.
Just a quick note before we begin- this blog contain affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these. This helps us to continue finding you the best deals and to keep the website going.
All prices are checked and correct at time of posting this article but are subject to change. Whilst every care is taken to copy over details- please double check all dates and times before booking.
Our Best Extreme Day Trips from London this winter!
Build a Break Ltd provides information only and is not liable for bookings, payments, or any issues arising. Please ensure you read all terms and conditions with suppliers before proceeding.
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Marrakech Pre-Christmas Winter Sun Mini Breaks from £147pp
Marrakech Pre-Christmas Winter Sun Mini Breaks ✨ from £147pp
Swap dark December days for souks, spices, and sunshine 🌞 with a pre-Christmas escape to magical Marrakech.
With departures from 11 UK & Ireland airports, you can enjoy 2, 3, or 4-night breaks at fantastic prices — all our price finds include return flights, a stay in a highly rated traditional riad, and breakfast.
🛏 Double or twin room
🌿 Full-service spa
🏊 Outdoor pool
🍳 Buffet breakfast
🚐 24-hour airport shuttle
🍴 On-site restaurant
📶 Free Wi-Fi
✈️ Getting There
Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK) is just an 8-minute drive to the city centre. Taxis typically cost around £10-15 one way. Airport shuttles are also available.
📍 Perfect Location
Bahia Palace – 5 min walk
Jemaa el-Fnaa – 7 min walk
Koutoubia Mosque – 10 min walk
Marrakech (RAK-Menara) Airport – 8 min drive
🌟 Things to Do in Marrakech
Lose yourself in vibrant souks, admire palaces, or take a day trip to the Atlas Mountains. Full guide here: Top Must-Do Activities in Marrakech
🍴 Where to Eat
From rooftop tagines to modern Moroccan fusion, Marrakech is a foodie’s dream. Recommendations here: Where to Eat in Marrakech
Build a Break is a travel platform sharing the best finds we come across. We are not a travel agent and cannot provide quotes, alternative dates, or personal travel advice. Prices and availability are correct at the time of posting but may change.
Always check all details carefully with the travel provider before booking, as we are not responsible for any changes, omissions, or errors. Any booking or contract is made directly between you and the travel supplier.
This post may contain affiliate links – we may earn a small commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you.
Sicily on a Budget: A 4 Day Itinerary from Mainland Italy
You may remember my first solo trip back in May, where I tried out a new flight route with Ryanair.
Flying from Manchester to Reggio Calabria, in Southern Italy, costing me just £28 return!
Chianlea, Scilla
I've explored northern Italy quite extensively over the last few years with my husband and children, but in all honesty, knew very little about the Calabrian region until this year.
Well I fell in love! As soon as I got home from my last trip, I booked to return in October (again as a solo traveller), just before the season ended. This time paying a little more, but still a bargain at just £52- to find the cheapest dates I used the sky flight search
In May's trip I explored Scilla and Tropea, as well as spending a little time in Reggio Calabria itself- all beautiful towns, located in Calabria which I would highly recommend.
Reggio Calabria is just across the water from Sicily, but due to the plans I'd already made, I never got the chance to include Sicily in my last trip. This time, I decided to base myself purely there.
On my itinerary this time was Messina, Taormina, and Cefalù, all stunning destinations rich in history, views, and local charm.
So without further-ado, here’s everything you need to know to make this journey from Reggio Calabria to Sicily on a budget. From public transportation costs in Sicily, to tips on affordable accommodation.
As mentioned above, the flight from Manchester to Reggio Calabria Airport was just £52 return. Ryanair started flying this route at the end of April 2024, which ran until October. Unfortunately, they now only fly from London Stansted for UK departures. Hopefully this route will become available in the future.
At the time of publishing, Ryanair will also be running flights to Reggio Calabria in 2025 from Barcelona, Berlin Brandenburg, Bologna, Brussels Charleroi, Frankfurt Han, Katowice, London Stansted, Marseille, Milan Malpensa, Paris Beauvais, Pisa, Tirano, Turin & Venice Marco Polo.
Reggio Calabria airport is located just 4.8km from the city centre- approximately a 12 minute drive. Very convenient in terms of getting to the centre and for any onward connections.
Departures from Reggio Calabria Airport
The airport at Reggio Calabria is very small. When you enter the departures hall there are a couple of check-in desks, a vending machine and public bathroom, but nothing else.
At security you'll find just two security scanners and two counters for passport control, I think it's the smallest airport I've ever been to during my travels.
Once through security, you'll find a kiosk selling hot and cold drinks, pastries, sandwiches and a few other snacks.
There's also vending machines and a public bathroom. There is no duty free or other shops/restaurants. There are also just two gates- one for international flights and one for internal within Italy. It's advisable to eat before arriving at the airport for this reason.
Arriving in to Reggio Calabria Airport
On arriving in Reggio Calabria airport, again there's just two counters for passport control. It's so small that there aren't even any customs channels to walk through, so don't be surprised when you are approached by a member of staff before leaving the airport, asking if you have anything to declare.
Getting from Reggio Calabria Airport to Sicily
Upon landing in Reggio Calabria, I caught a coach from outside the airport - you'll find local buses outside the arrivals hall, waiting to take passengers on to Reggio Calabria Centrale Train Station, Reggio Calabria Centre and the Reggio Calabria Ferry port.
The cost of a ticket from Reggio Calabria Airport to the ferry port was just €2, payable in cash to the driver. The journey took around 15 minutes.
Messina Ferry
Once at the Port, I bought a ticket at the counter to take me to Messina Ferry Port (Sicily) for €4- payable by cash or card. You can also purchase tickets online here
To see where else you can cross from mainland Italy to Sicily read our guide here
Ferries run approximately every hour, and the crossing takes around 40 minutes.
For anyone looking to explore Sicily without a car, this route is ideal, as Messina’s public transport network can then connect you directly to key destinations across the island including Catania and Palermo.
You'll find Messina Marittima Train Station right next to Messina Ferry Port and Messina Centrale Station is just a 4 minute walk away too.
This ferry from Reggio Calabria is for foot passengers only and the crossing I found to be relatively smooth, passed by talking to a few ladies from my flight who were heading to Taormina for a week.
Where to Stay in Sicily
As a disclaimer, when I booked this trip I reserved accommodation in Cefalù. Unfortunately, just 24hrs before my departure I discovered that there was a train strike planned on the day I needed to fly home- meaning I'd need to get back from Cefalù to mainland Italy with little time for delays. This didn't seem viable with it being around 3.5 hours away from the airport.
Luckily I was able to cancel that stay, and decided to book 3 nights in Messina instead. By staying in Messina, I did not need to rely on the trains at all on the strike day.
Staying in Messina would allow me to walk from my accommodation to the port, then cross back to the mainland as a foot passenger on the ferry.
Messina is not as picturesque as towns such as Taormina or Cefalù, but it is very well connected to the rest of Sicily with trains and coaches leaving regularly to all major towns and cities. Messina is therefore a great base, giving you many options on places to explore.
Accommodation in Messina
The accommodation I chose in Messina was the Borgo Antico Rooms, located just a 14 minute walk from the port, and 12 minutes from the main train station in Messina (Messina Centrale).
When searching for accommodation, I found most choices to be very reasonable in terms of cost. A double room at Borgo Antico roomscost me just £167 for the three night stay (around €199). I was travelling solo, but the cost would have being the same for a couple too, so very good value.
The Borgo Rooms were great for exploring Messina itself, being right on the doorstep of the main shopping and restaurant area of the city.
The room was spotless and included towels, toiletries and room service each day.
It was well equipped with plenty of sockets, a hair dryer, flat screen tv with Netflix, mini fridge, desk and most importantly air-con!
The owner was also on-hand at all times via WhatsApp to answer questions and to facilitate check-in and out.
Day 1: Messina
After a long day travelling, then getting settled and freshened up in my accommodation, it was around 6pm when I headed back out to explore Messina.
Some areas around the port appeared a bit run-down when I arrived and therefore I wasn't sure what to expect from Messina. However, heading in to the city centre reminded me of Turin’s architecture which I love and the main areas were a lot cleaner and well maintained.
Unfortunately Southern Italy & Sicily has a lot less investment than the north, but with that, it brings its own unique charm and definitely shouldn't be missed!
Messina was bustling, with local families and tourists enjoying food and drinks in outdoor cafés, late in to the evening- which I quite often find on a Sunday night in Italy, something I wouldn't see in the UK.
I must have spend a good 2-3 hours wandering around the city centre and visiting Messina's historic sites- the Astronomical Clock of the Cathedral of Messina, Tempio di Cristo and Bascilla Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta being very impressive.
By this point I was so hungry as I hadn't eaten much all day. Everywhere looked very busy, but I managed to find a restaurant that was near to Bascilla Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta.
Where to Eat in Messina?
Despite it being very busy, I luckily managed to get a table at Past'Ovo, a local spot where I had a spaghetti Bolognese and a selection of arancini for starters-they were out of my first choice of a local pasta dish.
All in with a few large wines and a bottle of water, the cost was around €35.
The staff were very attentive and the atmosphere of the place was great- it wouldn't have been my first choice if the city wasn't as busy, but I was pleasantly surprised.
Budget-friendly places to eat in Messina are abundant, making it a great city for solo travellers seeking local Italian cuisine without overspending. I'm in no doubt I could have chosen somewhere cheaper, but given I'd been travelling all day with no more than a sandwich on the plane, I didn't mind paying a bit extra.
By this point it was now around 10.30pm and I was exhausted, so I headed back to my accommodation for the night.
Day 2: Taormina
Day 2 began with me getting some work done- yes I love to travel, but often that means I bring my work with me, the joys of being fully remote (no that wasn't sarcasm, I actually love it!).
Due to my late change in plans, I actually hadn't got the chance to fully research how to get to certain places I wanted to see, I therefore needed to do some research before heading out.
Getting to Taormina from Messina
After looking online, it actually seemed easier to get to Taormina from Messina by coach than train-all the blogs I consulted only mentioned the train option.
You can get the train from Messina Centrale to Taormina in around 45 minutes. However the nearest train station (Taormina-Giardini) is around a 1 hour walk, all uphill to Taormina centre and not recommended. With this option you'd then need to wait for the local bus, which can be fairly irregular or opt for an uber costing around €15.
Coach to Taormina
From outside Messina Centrale train station you can get a coach, directly to the historic centre of Taormina for just €6, taking around 1hr 20 mins. A little longer than the train, but it eliminates the need to then catch a bus, so overall is probably quicker.
The journey was very comfortable and thankfully the coach air-conditioned.
For the best views sit on the left hand side of the coach!
You can read more about the details of this route and bus here
Views from the coach
A day in Taormina
Arriving directly at Messina Gate in Taormina, I immediately understood why this town draws so many visitors. In all honesty I think this is the nicest town I've ever been to in Italy, it definitely should not be missed!
You'll find lots of local shops as well as some big brands and many restaurants and bars to choose from within the centre.
The only negative I would say about Taormina is that it was very busy- even though it was October. I would imagine in the height of summer, it would be far too crowded, as the streets in the centre are relatively narrow.
Taormina was featured in the Netflix series 'The White Lotus', which seems to have increased the towns popularity- what most people don't realise is that many of the scenes were actually shot in Cefalù!
For those interested in doing the 'White Lotus' tour in Taormina, this one comes highly recommended by many travellers
In terms of cost, I found Taormina more expensive for food and drink then any of the other places I've visited in Southern Italy or Sicily. If you're on a budget, a day trip here may be a better option than actually using it for a stay.
In the afternoon I enjoyed a meal at Ristorante L'Orologio, located just off the main square, which I would highly recommend in terms of service, quality of food and people watching!
For a main and side with a few drinks it cost me around €50, but I did spend a good few hours there and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Things to See in Taormina
In Taormina there are lots of different types of activities to do, both in the town itself, and some further afield.
I must admit after my meal, I met up with the ladies I'd been talking to on the ferry to Sicily, and we enjoyed a great evening over some drinks in the square.
One of the main sites in Taormina is the Ancient Theater- apart from one in Syracusa, theAncient Theater of Taormina is the largest building for shows in the Italian Peninsula.
For those wanting to see an authentic opera performance in Taormina, Nazarena Theater has regular shows available to book here.
One of the most popular tours you can do from Taormina is 'Mount Etna'.
Mount Etna is one of Europe’s most active volcanoes. The trip typically starts with a scenic drive from Taormina, taking about an hour, bringing visitors to the base of the volcano.
From here, multiple options are available to ascend Etna, depending on your adventure level.
The most common approach is a cable car ride from the Sapienza Refuge up to 2,500 meters, offering stunning views of the volcanic landscape.
From the cable car station, visitors can either hike on foot or take a 4x4 jeep further up to approximately 2,900 meters, where guided tours are available to explore the craters.
For more independent travellers, hiking directly from the Sapienza Refuge is possible, though it requires good physical fitness.
Guided tours from Taormina are another popular choice, including full-day excursions with expert guides who share insights into Etna’s geology, eruptions, and ecosystem
While it’s easy to see why some ask, “Is Taormina worth visiting?” it’s a must-see, even if just for the day. The lively atmosphere, quaint shops, and friendly locals make it a perfect spot for solo travellers.
day 3: Cefalù
Despite my change of plans, I decided I still wanted to see Cefalù. From Messina Centrale Station I took the train directly to Cefalù for just €11 each way- the journey time is around 2 hours.
Cefalù’s train station is conveniently located close to the beach- under a 15 minutes walk. The coastline is beautiful and is filled with striking beach parasols. Even though it was October, there was lots of people sunbathing and in the sea.
While in Cefalù, I walked through the historic centre and visited the ancient lavatoio medievale (historic laundry), which is free to explore and gives insight into the town’s history.
Many ask, “Which is better, Taormina or Cefalù?” Both towns offer unique experiences, but Cefalù has a more laid-back feel, perfect for a day of relaxing and discovering local culture.
Taormina on the other hand has more shops, restaurants and things to do. Both are fantastic places to add to any Sicily Itinerary though, and I recommend you include both if you have the time.
After a gelato, I had a beachfront dinner, enjoying the sunset as light rain began- the first and only on this trip. The temperature in Sicily for the duration of my trip was a warm 28 degrees Celsius.
Mosquitoes can be an issue here in October as I found out to my surprise, so I’d recommend insect repellent, especially for those sensitive to bites.
I started my final day early, catching the 10:30 AM ferry from Messina back to Reggio Calabria.
The ferry journey was just as easy as before, and I connected with the coach back to Reggio Calabria Airport, arriving at the airport just before noon- again the total for the ferry and coach was just €8.
As I mentioned at the start of this blog, amenities at Reggio Calabria airport are extremely limited, so make sure you eat beforehand and don’t rush through security as there is little seating once through passport control.
Messina to Reggio Calabria Ferry
Additional Tips for Budget Travel in Sicily and Calabria
For anyone planning a similar trip, here are a few practical tips on low-cost transportation options for Italy and Sicily:
Ferries: Regular ferries between Messina and Reggio Calabria cost about €4 and offer a scenic way to cross from mainland Italy to Sicily.
Trains and Coaches: Trains in Sicily are affordable, with options like the Messina-Cefalù route costing around €11 each way. Coaches are also budget-friendly, with air-conditioned rides between Messina and Taormina for only €6.
Food: Finding budget-friendly places to eat in Sicily is easy if you explore local spots. Messina and Cefalù have an array of trattorias, where a meal with wine costs under €25.
Accommodation: Staying near ports or central train stations can save time and money on transportation, especially for those without a car.
Tips for Solo Travellers in Sicily and Calabria
Locals and fellow tourists are generally friendly, but it’s always a good idea to keep contacts handy for assistance, especially in quieter areas. I was lucky enough to meet two groups of female travellers from my flight that were staying in the region- both gave me their mobile numbers should any problems arise, which was very reassuring.
In terms of where to stay, smaller towns with plenty of tourists like Cefalù and Taormina seemed safer than Messina. In Messina I did encounter cat-calling a few times and it didn't feel as safe on the Monday and Tuesday evenings when there wasn't as many families around. Messina is generally considered safe for solo travellers and personally I wouldn't hesitate to return.
As expected follow normal practices like you would at home by staying in well lit areas and main roads when walking at night. Avoid getting cash out and wearing expensive items too.
Final Thoughts
Exploring Sicily on a budget doesn’t mean compromising on experiences. With careful planning, you can savour the best this region has to offer- from Sicily’s ancient theatres and picturesque beaches to the lively streets of Taormina and Cefalù.
For more inspiration on affordable Italian coastal trips or hidden gems in Sicily take a look at the blogs featured below.
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Airline Miles Hack: Smart Ways to Travel More for Less!
"Ever wondered how people fly for (almost) free?
I’ve cracked the code on airline loyalty programs- and you can too.
From free upgrades to secret miles hacks, here’s how to travel more and spend less."
In today’s world of travel, airline loyalty programs are more than just a perk—they’re a powerful travel strategy.
Whether you’re a business traveler, a weekend warrior, or a long-distance lover making regular trips (like me!), knowing how to maximize your airline miles and understand the benefits of frequent flyer programs can unlock serious value.
But with so many programs, points, and tiers, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Don’t worry—I’ve got you covered.
In this guide, I’ll break down the top benefits of airline loyalty programs, how to earn and redeem airline miles strategically, and how to find sweet spot redemption's so you can travel more while spending less.
🧠 What Is an Airline Loyalty Program?
An airline loyalty program is a rewards system designed to encourage repeat business. You earn miles or points, every time you fly with a participating airline (or partner), and those points can be redeemed for free flights, upgrades, hotel stays, airport lounge access, and more.
Popular programs include:
Delta SkyMiles
American Airlines AAdvantage
United MileagePlus
JetBlue TrueBlue
Southwest Rapid Rewards
🎯 Why You Should Join an Airline Loyalty Program (Even if You Don’t Fly Often)
Here’s the truth: you don’t have to be a frequent flyer to benefit from a loyalty program.
In fact, here are a few reasons to sign up today:
Free to Join – No cost, no catch.
Earn Miles on Everyday Purchases – Use co-branded credit cards, online shopping portals, car rentals, and dining programs.
Shopping portals like AAdvantage eShopping or United MileagePlus Shopping
Surveys, promotions, and referrals
Pro tip: Stack your rewards. For example, book a hotel through an airline portal and use a travel rewards credit card for double-dipping!
🏆 Airline Elite Status: Is It Worth It?
Elite status gives you serious perks—like complimentary upgrades, bonus miles, and lounge access—but it often requires a mix of spending and miles flown.
If you fly more than 4–5 roundtrips a year on the same airline, it might be worth chasing.
Many airline loyalty programs offer free same-day changes, Even More Space seats at check-in, and two free checked bags. Other airlines offer similar VIP treatment.
✈️ Tips to Maximize Your Airline Miles
Here’s how smart travelers make their miles go further:
Redeem at High Value – Aim for redemptions worth 1.2¢ per point or more.
Avoid Low-Value Redemptions – Skip using miles for merchandise or low-value gift cards.
Book Early for the Best Award Availability
Use Airline Alliances – Redeem points with partner airlines (e.g., use United miles to fly Lufthansa).
Look for Promo Awards and Flash Sales
✍️ In Summary Your Miles Are More Powerful Than You Think
Joining an airline loyalty program is one of the easiest and smartest ways to stretch your travel budget. Whether you’re flying once a year or every month, there’s value in earning, tracking, and redeeming your points with intention.
The best time to join a program was yesterday. The second-best time? Today!
Disneyland Paris from Manchester: Halloween & Christmas Travel Deals
We have chosen a selection of low priced Disneyland Paris deals for Halloween and Christmas, all departing from Manchester. Prices start at just £104 per person per night which includes flights, hotel, breakfast and Disneyland Paris Tickets!!
Keep reading to get all the details!
How to go to Disneyland Paris for Cheap
The cheapest way to visit Disneyland Paris is to build your own trip, purchasing flights, booking a hotel and then adding Disneyland Paris tickets separately.
We've handpicked some deals for the upcoming months to give you some inspiration. On our Disneyland Paris page you can search and build a trip to suit your own dates.
We also have a selection of guideswhere we give you our top tips for doing Disneyland Paris on a Budget
Don't forget to check out our blog listing everything new that's coming to Disneyland Paris in 2025/26- there's some really exciting new attractions and developments happening!
Best Time of Year to Visit Disneyland Paris
The answer is anytime!
All year there is something different going on at Disneyland Paris, so there really is no 'best time' to go.
From 1st October to 2nd November 2025 the Halloween season in full swing.
This is followed shortly by Christmas, which is 8th November 2025 to 6th January 2026.
Of Course from June to September, you have the benefit of the warmer days and the Parks staying open later too.
Throughout the year Disneyland Paris also offer various other spectacular's that are for a limited periods such as themed parades, drone shows and musical theatre productions.
For more info on the best times to visit check our our blog here
Cheapest time to go to Disneyland Paris
In terms of price, the cheapest times to go to Disneyland Paris are usually January-March (excluding February Half Term), early October, November and early December.
We've put together a selection of deals below to include a range of seasons and prices.
Getting From the Airport
In this particular post, the deals are all departing from Manchester Airport.
There are two main airports that serve Disneyland Paris- Charles De Gaulle and Orly.
Both airports are roughly the same distance to Disneyland Paris by road (50 mins) and both offer Magic Shuttle Transfers.
From CDG you can also get the TGV high speed train from Terminal 2 which takes 10 mins and arrives directly at the park gates (Marne-la-Vallee-Chessy). The train must be booked in advance and costs approximately £15-£20 per person each way.
Build a Break is a self serve platform that provides readers with the ability to search for various elements such as flights, accommodations, activities, and services that they can book at their convenience.
We occasionally find and publish deals that we think may interest you, like the ones below.
When using Build a Break, no elements are booked through our site. Your relationship for booking these elements is solely with the respective suppliers. We may receive a small commission in exchange for their promotion, which helps to support our site. Please note prices are correct at time of publish, however, they are subject to change at any point.
*All prices were last checked and updated 12:00pm BST 5th July 2025- prices are subject to change and will fluctuate.
All prices quoted do not include luggage or seats together. EasyJet usually sit families together at no extra as long as you check in 30 days before hand, however this is not guaranteed.
For short breaks, especially in summer, with some clever packing tricks a backpack can be enough and save you £££'s. Luggage can be added at an extra cost.
Prices are correct are the time of Publish. Build a Break is a platform that provides clients with the ability to search for various elements such as flights, accommodations, activities, and services that they can book for their convenience. It is important to note that when using Build a Break, no elements are directly booked through our site. Your relationship for booking these elements is solely with the respective supplier. Build a Break acts as a facilitator in connecting you with the desired services, ensuring a seamless booking experience.
Please note that Build a Break is not responsible for any cancellations, alterations, or failures to supply by the third-party suppliers that you choose to book through our platform. While we strive to connect you with reputable and reliable service providers, any issues regarding the services provided, including but not limited to cancellations, modifications, or quality of service, should be addressed directly with the supplier in question. Build a Break serves as a means to facilitate bookings and does not assume any liability or responsibility for the actions or omissions of the suppliers.
12 of The Best Extreme Day Trips from Bristol Airport
Looking epic ‘Extreme Day Trips’ from Bristol Airport without breaking the bank?
We've still rounded up 12 of the best extreme day trips from Bristol airport you can take this June, all for under £100 per person!
With cheap flights from Bristol and smart booking tricks, you can pack in a full travel experience without an overnight stay.
Think of it as an affordable mini break- a whirlwind adventure that fits into a single day. From sunrise flights to late-night returns, these trips let you explore more for less.
Want the full list? Read the full article and start planning your next extreme day trip!
Just a quick note before we begin- this blog contain affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these. This helps us to continue finding you the best deals and to keep the website going.
All prices are checked and correct at time of posting this article but are subject to change. Whilst every care is taken to copy over details- please double check all dates and times before booking.
Our Best Extreme Day Trips from Bristol Airport this June
Build a Break Ltd provides information only and is not liable for bookings, payments, or any issues arising. Please ensure you read all terms and conditions with suppliers before proceeding.
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12 of The Best Extreme Day Trips from Leeds Bradford Airport
Looking for an epic ‘Extreme Day Trip’ from Leeds Bradford Airport this June, without breaking the bank?
We’ve rounded up a selection of the best extreme day trips you can take in June, all for under £100 per person!
With cheap flights from Leeds Bradford and smart booking tricks, you can pack in a full travel experience without an overnight stay.
Think of it as an affordable mini- break- a whirlwind adventure that fits into a single day. From sunrise flights to late-night returns, these trips let you explore more for less.
Want the full list? Read the full article and start planning your next extreme day trip!
Just a quick note before we begin- this blog contain affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these. This helps us to continue finding you the best deals and to keep the website going.
All prices are checked and correct at time of posting this article but are subject to change. Whilst every care is taken to copy over details- please double check all dates and times before booking.
Our Best Extreme Day Trips from Leeds Bradford Airport this June
Build a Break Ltd provides information only and is not liable for bookings, payments, or any issues arising. Please ensure you read all terms and conditions with suppliers before proceeding.
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Extreme day trips from Leeds Bradford Airport, Extreme Day Trips from Leeds Airport, How to take an extreme day trip from Leeds, How to take an extreme day trip from Bradford, Cheap flights from Leeds, Cheap flights from Leeds Bradford.
The Best Extreme Day Trips from Birmingham & East Midlands
Looking for an epic ‘Extreme Day Trip’ from Birmingham or East Midlands Airport, without breaking the bank?
We’ve rounded up a selection of best extreme day trips you can take this June, all for under £100 per person!
With cheap flights from Birmingham & East Midlands airports and smart booking tricks, you can pack in a full travel experience without an overnight stay.
Think of it as an affordable mini break- a whirlwind adventure that fits into a single day. From sunrise flights to late-night returns, these trips let you explore more for less.
Want the full list? Read the full article and start planning your next extreme day trip!
Just a quick note before we begin- this blog contain affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these. This helps us to continue finding you the best deals and to keep the website going.
All prices are checked and correct at time of posting this article but are subject to change. Whilst every care is taken to copy over details- please double check all dates and times before booking.
Our Best Extreme Day Trips from Birmingham & East Midlands this June!
Build a Break Ltd provides information only and is not liable for bookings, payments, or any issues arising. Please ensure you read all terms and conditions with suppliers before proceeding.
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Extreme day trips from East Midlands Airport, Extreme Day Trips from Birmingham Airport, How to take an extreme day trip from Birmingham, How to take an extreme day trip from East midlands, Cheap flights from Birmingham, Cheap flights from East Midlands.
Rome in One Day: Our Extreme Day Trip to Italy
Looking for a budget friendly yet action packed one day trip to Rome?
I managed just that over the Bank Holiday weekend with a friend- and it turned out to be one of the most memorable 24-hour trips I’ve ever done.
I think this would class as an Extreme Day Trip to Rome, as we were there for just 24 hours!
One day in Rome Cost Breakdown
With affordable flights, delicious food, stunning sights and a Vespa sidecar tour, Rome proved the perfect backdrop for a whirlwind trip.
Here's exactly how we did it, costs included, and how you can too!
Uber Taxis around Rome including transfers to/from airport £60
3 hour Pasta Making Class with lunch, dessert & alcohol £46
3 hour Vespa & Side Car Tour with Gelato £110- see later in the guide on how to get a further 15% off with our exclusive code!
Just a quick note before we begin- this blog contain affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission. This helps us to continue finding and publishing the best deals and travel tips.
All the opinions in this blog are our own, including reviews of the activities and hotel.
Our One Day Itinerary for Rome
Our trip began in the early hours of the Bank Holiday Sunday with a flight from Liverpool John Lennon Airport at 5:55am.
It’s never easy waking up at 1am, but when Rome is waiting on the other side, it’s surprisingly doable! Unfortunately, we live 2 hours from our nearest airport, so any one day trip, always starts with a very early morning.
The flight departed on time and we landed at Rome Ciampino Airport at 9:35am (Flight time of 2hrs 40 mins from Liverpool to Rome).
Thanks to electronic passport gates rather than border staff, we were through security very quickly, although we were a little gutted not to get a passport stamp- one of those little mementos I love collecting!
Getting from Rome Ciampino to The Trevi Fountain
By 10:00am we were outside the airport trying to book an Uber. This is where things got a bit confusing. Staff told us to wait at the taxi rank, but that turned out to be the wrong place for Uber pickups.
After our first Uber cancelled, we figured it out- if you’re ordering an Uber from Ciampino, wait by Bus Stop 6. Our second Uber arrived at 10:15am and took us straight to our first stop: the Trevi Fountain. The ride took about 35 minutes and cost €40, which we split (€20 each).
Our 1st Stop in Rome- Trevi Fountain
We arrived at the Trevi Fountain at 10:50am. As expected, it was heaving with tourists- I swear it's busier every time I visit. There is now a queuing system to get down the steps which initially looked daunting but actually moved fairly quickly.
We decided to take a few photos from the upper level and planned to return later that evening when it would (hopefully) be quieter.
Aperol Spritz at the Pantheon
From the Trevi Fountain, we strolled over to the Pantheon- less than a ten minute walk away. This area of Rome is full of beautiful side streets and little cafes, and the vibe is truly magical.
Outside the Pantheon, we found a charming café offering Aperol Spritz with a small aperitivo plate of nibbles for just €5. Absolute bargain! Sitting in the sunshine, sipping spritz and watching the world go by in one of Rome’s most iconic squares was a dreamy way to kick off the day.
Pasta Making Class: A True Italian Experience
At noon, we headed back toward the Trevi Fountain for our first booked activity—a pasta-making classhosted by the lovely Martina. This 3-hour experience turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip.
Martina welcomed us with warmth and enthusiasm. She began by telling us about her roots in Puglia and her memories of making pasta with her nonna. Then we got stuck in—rolling dough and learning how to make three different types of pasta: tagliatelle, tortellini, and ravioli.
Martina had prepared a rich ragu earlier for our tagliatelle, and for the stuffed pastas, she showed us how to make a butter and sage sauce that was genuinely mind-blowing.
Once all the pasta was ready, we sat down as a group (with fellow travellers from the US, Greece and France) to enjoy the meal. It felt like a big Italian family lunch, complete with red wine, chocolate salami (Salame Al Cioccolato) and a cheeky shot of limoncello to finish.
We were also given all the recipes to take home- so of course, I’ve already ordered some pasta tools from Amazon to recreate the magic!
We found this experience to be very good value for money- it cost £46, not much difference in price to a restaurant meal with wine and dessert, so the fact we had a truly authentic Italian experience too was great
We finished the pasta class around 3:30pm and grabbed another Uber to our hotel—Hotel Des Epoques near Porta Pia. This ride cost €20.50 (€10 each).
The hotel was great value at £99 for a triple room for one night, including breakfast. With traditional Italian decor, a grand lobby, and a 24-hour airport shuttle, it was perfect for our quick stay. The nearest metro station, Castro Pretorio, was just a 10-minute walk away, making it easy to get around.
We had a couple of hours to freshen up and take a much-needed nap before our evening activity.
Our guides, Sal and Ali, were brilliant- knowledgeable, funny, and full of fascinating stories about Rome.
Our first stop was the Colosseum, followed by a whirlwind ride past both major landmarks and hidden gems.
We even got to enjoy stunning panoramic views of the city from lesser-known viewpoints that weren’t overrun with tourists.
The tour ended back at the Pantheon, where we were treated to a double scoop of gelato—included in the tour price.
Chatting with the owner afterwards, we arranged a 15% discount codefor our readers!
Just use the code BUILDABREAK at checkout on any of their tours. Genuinely, if you're short on time and want to see a lot, this is the way to do it! CLICK HERE TO BOOK!
A Magical Evening in the Pantheon Area
At 9:00pm, we decided to stay in the Pantheon area. The square was beautifully lit up, with street musicians playing and restaurants buzzing with life.
We returned to the same spot we had our Aperol earlier in the day for another round of drinks, then wandered to a nearby restaurant for a late dinner at 10pm.
Despite not feeling super hungry (thanks to the pasta feast and gelato), we tucked into a tasty meal with plenty of drinks. The bill came to around €40 per person—not bad for Rome on a Saturday night!
Midnight Stroll to the Trevi Fountain
At midnight, we took a short walk back to the Trevi Fountain. This time, it was much quieter. We walked straight down the steps, soaking in the view of the fountain lit up.
At 12:30am, we grabbed a taxi back to our hotel for €20 (€10 each), totally exhausted but absolutely buzzing with how much we had packed in to one day.
Heading Home: One Last Look at Rome
The next morning, we enjoyed a relaxed breakfast at the hotel before checking out and hopping in a taxi at 10:30am for our return to Ciampino Airport.
This was a set price of €40 (€20 each). Our flight back to Liverpool departed at 1:25pm—perfect timing after our whirlwind 24-hour Roman holiday.
Final Thoughts: Is a Day Trip to Rome Worth It?
Absolutely. From pasta-making to sightseeing from a Vespa sidecar, we squeezed so much into one day and made memories to last a lifetime. If you’re considering a quick escape with a friend, this is your sign to book it.
Rome in a day? Challenge accepted—and conquered.
Helpful Tips for Your Own Rome Day Trip:
Book early flights and late returns for maximum time in the city.
Travel hand luggage only so you can hit the ground running and save £££'s
Share taxis and hotels with a friend to cut costs.
Know your Uber pick-up point at Ciampino (Bus Stop 6!).
Book an experience—like a pasta class or Vespa tour—to make it memorable.
Stay central to reduce travel time.
Visit the Trevi Fountain at night for a peaceful photo opp.
Planning your own Roman holiday? Let me know your questions in the comments or follow me on Instagram and TikTok @BuildABreak for more travel tips!
Is Duinrell Worth it? Our Review of Amsterdam with Kids
As a family of six, over recent years we've become big fans of European Campsite holidays.
Not only are they great value, but they are often near cities, and provide endless entertainment for kids and teens.
As parents we enjoy sitting out on the deck at night with a wine, knowing the kids are safe, and having a great time too.
Many of the sites are possible to reach without driving, which is a major plus point for us. We live in the north of England and flights are often more cost effective than driving.
Just a quick note before we begin- this blog contains affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these. This helps us to continue finding you the best deals and guides.
Is Duinrell Worth It?
If you’re planning a family trip to the Netherlands, you’ve probably come across Duinrell Holiday Park. But one question keeps popping up- is Duinrell worth it? Short answer: yes. But let me show you exactly why.
This guide to Duinrell Holiday Park covers everything you need to know before you go. From the epic indoor and outdoor pools to the onsite theme park and charming local town, here’s my honest Duinrell review. But first we'll start with some practical details.
Where is Duinrell?
Duinrell is located in Wassenaar, a small town near The Hague in the Netherlands. The site is around a 40 minute drive from Amsterdam.
How to Get to Duinrell
Duinrell by Car
From the UK, you can take the overnight ferry from Harwich or Newcastle to the Hook of Holland. There are regularly offers from around £69pp and this includes your cabin for the night, and space on board for your car.
From the ferry port, Duinrell is just a 40 minute drive (35km).
Duinrell by Plane
Alternatively for those wishing to visit Duinrell without a car, you can fly to Amsterdam Schiphol airport and then take a taxi, or private transfer to Duinrell.
Duinrell is a 25 min drive from the airport (34km). A bolt taxi will cost you around €88 each way.
We would recommend taking taxi rather than public transport, especially with luggage. There's quite a few changes via bus and train to reach Duinrell from the airport.
If you do want to take public transport to the site, then take a train to Leiden, then hop on a short local bus (Bus 43 or 44) that drops you right at Duinrell’s entrance.
Duinrell Tikibad Waterpark
One of Duinrell’s biggest draws is the Tikibad waterpark- the largest indoor waterpark in the Benelux area. It’s packed with 21 slides slides, a lazy river, a wave pool, and splash zones for little ones. The indoor pool is a lifesaver on rainy days or when you just want to chill in warm water.
There’s also a fab outdoor pool, open in the warmer months, with a beach-style layout, sunbeds, and shallow splash areas. You could easily spend entire days here, especially if your kids are water babies. The outdoor pool is only open to park guests.
On our trip we preferred the outdoor pools, as the weather was fabulous and it seemed a shame being stuck inside (plus they were cheaper).
It's worth noting that all children under 120cm must wear swim aids, whether they can swim or not. Children over 120cm must hold a swimming certificate or be able to demonstrate they can confidently swim. The lifeguards will check, and you will be sent back to reception to purchase suitable arm bands or a vest if needed.
Access to Tikibad depends on how you book. If you book direct with Duinrell, you get free pool access. If you book through Eurocamp, you’ll need to pay a discounted fee to swim, so remember to work this in to your holiday budget.
The cost of swimming for camping guests is currently €8.50pp for the inside pools and €5 for the outdoor. If you're staying a week, and have children who want to swim daily, this can add up,. Remember to compare Eurocamp vs Duinrell direct prices before deciding who to book with.
For us, having to pay to access the pools seemed unusual in comparison to other campsites we've visited, where swimming is always included. However, the Tikibad is on another level to other sites, so it seemed justified.
Free Theme Park Access for All Guests
Another huge bonus of staying here? The theme park is right inside the holiday park, and all guests get free access- even those staying with Eurocamp.
The park has over 40 attractions, including roller coasters, water rides, and gentle options for younger children. It’s not as polished as Disney or Efteling, but it has a real charm, and there’s something brilliant about being able to walk back to your caravan for lunch or a nap and head back in later.
The theme park is literally next to the accommodation, so no having to leave the site to get to it. We were lucky in that our caravan was right next to the entrance.
For families with kids of mixed ages, the flexibility is a dream. No queues to get in, no stress over getting your money’s worth- you’re already in and can ride an unlimited amount of time!
We made so much use of this, and let me tell you, when it was really hot we quite often nipped out to ride the log flume just to cool down!
Duinrell is the perfect Eurocamp for teens as well as smaller kids, as there are thrill rides and pools with amazing slides, that will appeal to older ones.
Static Caravan Style Accommodation with Self-Catering Decks
Accommodation is mostly static caravan style, although there are lodges and glamping options too. You’ll find well-equipped kitchens, living areas, comfy bedrooms, and plenty of storage.
What we really loved were the decked terraces with BBQ provided- perfect for winding down with a drink once the kids are in bed. They give you that peaceful holiday moment where you can enjoy being outside, without needing a babysitter or staying cooped up indoors.
It’s relaxed, family-focused, and gives you all the flexibility of self-catering. You can eat when you want, cook what your kids actually like, and avoid expensive meals out every night.
Town Within Walking Distance – And That Ice Cream Shop!
Just a 10 minute walk from Duinrell is Wassenaar, a lovely Dutch town with everything you need. There are bakeries, supermarkets, bike shops, pancake houses and some cute boutiques.
There is also an award-winning ice cream shop that’s popular with locals and visitors alike- every night the queue is literally down the street! There’s nothing better than a post-dinner stroll into town for an ice cream and a wander around.
It’s safe, quiet, and family-friendly—great for those moments when you want a break from the busy park.
Where to Eat at Duinrell
Eating on site at Duinrell is convenient but limited. Most takeaway options are fast food-style- think burgers, sausages, and chips. There’s a small supermarker onsite for basics, but we found it easier (and cheaper) to walk into Wassenaar, where you’ll find larger supermarkets with everything you need for self-catering.
The town also has plenty of restaurants and takeaways. We grabbed a Chinese takeaway on our last night and honestly wished we’d discovered it sooner- the food was great and a welcome break from the limited choices in the park.
If you’re staying for more than a couple of nights, I’d definitely recommend heading into town for meals or stocking up at the bigger stores.
What Else is There to Do at Duinrell?
Duinrell is a bit different to other holiday parks we’ve visited. There’s no traditional entertainment team or kids’ club programme, so organised activities are more limited.
You won’t find the usual schedule of crafts, or daytime games run by staff. That said, the theme park and Tikibad more than make up for it—there’s so much to do that we didn’t feel like we were missing out.
Kids can still enjoy bike and go-kart hire, brilliant play parks, a sports bar with bowling, and a mini disco in the evenings, but it’s definitely more of a do-your-own-thing kind of place.
Exploring Duinrell Without a Car
You can walk into Wassenaar, rent bikes to explore the nearby dunes and beaches, or use the Dutch public transport system to get further afield.
The Netherlands is super bike-friendly, with flat paths and good signage. Most places also accept contactless cards on transport, so you don’t need to faff about with tickets and coins.
There are even beach shuttles in the summer months. We loved the freedom of not driving- it made the trip feel more relaxed.
Fancy a city day? Amsterdam is around an hour away. Take the local bus from Duinrell to Leiden Centraal, then hop on a direct train to Amsterdam Centraal Station.
Trains run frequently and are clean, fast, and easy. You can explore the canals, museums, or do a spot of shopping before heading back in time for dinner on your caravan deck. No need for parking or traffic jams.
Amsterdam is packed with family-friendly fun. Take a canal cruise for a relaxed way to see the city, or let the kids run wild at Vondelpark’s playgrounds.
Visit NEMO Science Museum for hands-on experiments or the ARTIS Zoo to see animals up close. The city’s small size makes it easy to explore, with plenty of pancake houses and street snacks to keep everyone happy along the way.
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Best Extreme Day Trips from Liverpool Airport This Summer
Looking for epic ‘Extreme Day Trips’ from Liverpool Airport without breaking the bank?
We've rounded up some of the best extreme day trips you can take in May from Liverpool, this June and July! But be quick, as prices tend to increase the closer it gets to departure.
To get the best price, use a mobile phone rather than a desktop to access the links.
If you're able to travel to other airports, check our finds from Edinburgh airport, Glasgow or even Manchesterfor even more choice of destination and dates.
With cheap flights from Liverpool and smart booking tricks, you can pack in a full travel experience without an overnight stay.
Think of it as an affordable break- a whirlwind adventure that fits into a single day. From sunrise flights to late-night returns, these trips let you explore more for less.
Want the full list? Read the full article and start planning your next extreme day trip!
Scroll further down and you’ll find our full guide to planning your next Extreme Day Trip.
Just a quick note before we begin- this blog contain affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these. This helps us to continue finding you the best deals and to keep the website going.
All prices are checked and correct at time of posting this article but are subject to change. Whilst every care is taken to copy over details- please double check all dates and times before booking.
Our Best Extreme Day Trips from Liverpool Airport this Summer
Build a Break Ltd provides information only and is not liable for bookings, payments, or any issues arising. Please ensure you read all terms and conditions with suppliers before proceeding.
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12 of the Best Extreme Day Trips from Newcastle Airport
Looking for epic ‘Extreme Day Trips’ from Newcastle Airport without breaking the bank?
We've rounded up 12 of the best extreme day trips you can take in May from Newcastle, all for under £100 per person! But be quick, as prices tend to increase the closer it gets to departure.
Unfortunately, there isn't a great deal of choice from Newcastle- just Dublin, Belfast and Alicante at the moment . If you're able to travel, check our finds from Edinburgh airport, Glasgow or even Manchester.
With cheap flights from Newcastle and smart booking tricks, you can pack in a full travel experience without an overnight stay.
Think of it as an affordable break- a whirlwind adventure that fits into a single day. From sunrise flights to late-night returns, these trips let you explore more for less.
Want the full list? Read the full article and start planning your next extreme day trip!
Scroll further down and you’ll find our full guide to planning your next Extreme Day Trip.
Just a quick note before we begin- this blog contain affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these. This helps us to continue finding you the best deals and to keep the website going.
All prices are checked and correct at time of posting this article but are subject to change. Whilst every care is taken to copy over details- please double check all dates and times before booking.
Our Best Extreme Day Trips from Newcastle Airport this May
Build a Break Ltd provides information only and is not liable for bookings, payments, or any issues arising. Please ensure you read all terms and conditions with suppliers before proceeding.
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The Best Extreme Day Trips from Glasgow Airport
Looking for epic ‘Extreme Day Trips’ from Glasgow Airport this Spring, without breaking the bank?
We've rounded up 6 of the best extreme day trips you can take in April and May from Glasgow, all for under £100 per person! But be quick, as prices tend to increase the closer it gets to departure.
Unfortunately, there isn't a great deal of choice from Glasgow. If you're able to travel, check our finds from Edinburgh airport or even Manchester.
With cheap flights from Glasgow and smart booking tricks, you can pack in a full travel experience without an overnight stay.
Think of it as an affordable break- a whirlwind adventure that fits into a single day. From sunrise flights to late-night returns, these trips let you explore more for less.
Want the full list? Read the full article and start planning your next extreme day trip!
Scroll further down and you’ll find our full guide to planning your next Extreme Day Trip.
Just a quick note before we begin- this blog contain affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these. This helps us to continue finding you the best deals and to keep the website going.
All prices are checked and correct at time of posting this article but are subject to change. Whilst every care is taken to copy over details- please double check all dates and times before booking.
Our Best Extreme Day Trips from Glasgow Airport this April & May
Build a Break Ltd provides information only and is not liable for bookings, payments, or any issues arising. Please ensure you read all terms and conditions with suppliers before proceeding.
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12 of The Best Extreme Day Trips from Edinburgh Airport
Looking for epic ‘Extreme Day Trips’ from Edinburgh Airport this May, without breaking the bank?
We've rounded up 12 of the best extreme day trips you can take in May from Edinburgh, all for under £100 per person! But be quick, as prices tend to increase the closer it gets to departure.
With cheap flights from Edinburgh and smart booking tricks, you can pack in a full travel experience without an overnight stay.
Think of it as an affordable break- a whirlwind adventure that fits into a single day. From sunrise flights to late-night returns, these trips let you explore more for less.
Want the full list? Read the full article and start planning your next extreme day trip!
Scroll further down and you’ll find our full guide to planning your next Extreme Day Trip.
Just a quick note before we begin- this blog contain affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these. This helps us to continue finding you the best deals and to keep the website going.
All prices are checked and correct at time of posting this article but are subject to change. Whilst every care is taken to copy over details- please double check all dates and times before booking.
Our Best Extreme Day Trips from Edinburgh Airport this May
Build a Break Ltd provides information only and is not liable for bookings, payments, or any issues arising. Please ensure you read all terms and conditions with suppliers before proceeding.
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18 of The Best Extreme Day Trips from Dublin, Ireland
Looking for an epic ‘Extreme Day Trip’ from Dublin Airport this Easter, without breaking the bank?
We’ve rounded up 18 of the best extreme day trips you can take in April from Ireland, all for under 100 € per person!
Plus, there are lots of weekend and school holiday dates, making it a great option if a full holiday is out of budget
With cheap flights from Dublin and smart booking tricks, you can pack in a full travel experience without an overnight stay.
Think of it as an affordable Easter break- a whirlwind adventure that fits into a single day. From sunrise flights to late-night returns, these trips let you explore more for less.
Want the full list? Read the full article and start planning your next extreme day trip!
Scroll further down and you’ll find our full guide to planning your next Extreme Day Trip.
Just a quick note before we begin- this blog contain affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these. This helps us to continue finding you the best deals and to keep the website going.
All prices are checked and correct at time of posting this article but are subject to change. Whilst every care is taken to copy over details- please double check all dates and times before booking.
Our Best Extreme Day Trips from Dublin Airport this April
Build a Break Ltd provides information only and is not liable for bookings, payments, or any issues arising. Please ensure you read all terms and conditions with suppliers before proceeding.
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Extreme day trips from Leeds Bradford Airport, Extreme Day Trips from Leeds Airport, How to take an extreme day trip from Leeds, How to take an extreme day trip from Bradford, Cheap flights from Leeds, Cheap flights from Leeds Bradford.
The Ultimate Guide to Extreme Day Trips
Extreme day trips are becoming increasingly popular, allowing travellers to visit a new country in under 24 hours without the hassle and cost of overnight stays.
Whether you’re testing out a destination before a longer trip, want to travel with minimal time off work, or are just looking for an exciting adventure on a budget, extreme day trips are a fantastic way to see more of the world for less!
What is an Extreme Day Trip?
An extreme day trip typically involves flying out early in the morning, spending the day exploring a new destination, and flying back late at night- ensuring you’re tucked up in your own bed the same night.
Some travellers stretch this to an overnight stay, but anything under 24 hours door-to-door fits the definition.
The rising cost of accommodation and travel has made extreme day trips an appealing way to explore new places without breaking the bank.
They’re also perfect for those who want a quick trip, a special experience for a birthday or celebration, or a way to test out a city before committing to a longer holiday.
Extreme Day Trips Abroad
Many European cities are accessible from the UK in just a couple of hours, making them perfect for extreme day trips. Some of the best options include:
Dublin or Belfast– Frequent flights and short distances from the airport to the city, with no language barrier, make these ideal first-time extreme day trip destinations.
Paris, France – Fly into Charles de Gaulle or Orly for easy access to the city. Avoid Beauvais (BVA) as it’s further out.
Amsterdam, Netherlands – A quick 1-hour flight and an easy train ride into the city.
Brussels, Belgium – If you land at Zaventem (BRU), you’ll be in the city in 20 minutes. Avoid Charleroi (CRL) as it’s further out.
Geneva, Switzerland – Stunning scenery, chocolate, and a compact city centre make it ideal for a short visit.
Extreme Day Trip Destination Inspiration
Great destinations include (but are certainly not limited to):
Dublin – Just over an hour’s flight, with plenty of return options.
Paris – Frequent flights mean a full day in the city is possible. We have done two extreme day trips to Disneyland Paris. You can find our first one here
Amsterdam – Less than a 90-minute flight, plus quick transport links.
Alicante- a very popular one that appears quite frequently for less than £50 return
Marrakech- a bit harder to do, due to the flight duration and time spent getting through customs in Morocco, but possible.
Iceland- One of the hardest to find, but one of the best destinations. We have managed to do a trip here and combine it with a spa day at the Sky Lagoon. You can read about this here
Milan- One of the easiest to do, given that there are multiple flights per day and three airports in Milan. This can be combined with a trip to the incredible Lake Como.
Pisa- with Pisa city centre being under 15 minutes from the airport and Pisa, itself being quite small to explore, a day trip here is very easy.
Rovaniemi, Lapland- Usually only possible from Stansted, but take your EDT to the next level with a snowmobiling trip, husky or reindeer ride and a visit to Santa. You may even get to experience the northern lights on the flight home! Get our complete guide to Santa Claus Village here
Geneva- Again, one of the most popular to take. Combine this one with an onward transfer to Annecy or Chamonix or stay in Switzerland and stroll along the Lac Leman in Montreux. Read about our trip to Chamonix & Mont Blanc here
Rome- Sometimes hard to find flights far enough apart to allow you enough time in the city, but they do come up. Allow 1 hour either side for the transfer from either of Rome's airports. We have been to Rome with our kids twice, and although not a day trip, we have plenty of tips here
Bucharest- an extremely popular one with Extreme Day Trippers wanting to experience a spa day
The UK airports with the most Extreme Day Trip options are Manchester, London Luton & London Stansted although, there should be at least 1-2 options from most regional airports.
Extreme Day Trips for Kids & Teens
Looking for a fun adventure with the kids? Consider:
Disneyland Paris - Fly in early, spend the day at the park, and fly home at night.
Dublin Zoo - Easy to reach from the airport and a fun family day out.
Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens - One of the world’s oldest theme parks.
Use Skyscanner – it's a fantastic tool for finding the cheapest flight combinations.
Search “Everywhere” and enter in the date you wish to travel, entering the same date for the return. Skyscanner will then give you destinations in price order. Filter to direct flights only. See the example below
Be flexible- we are literally open to any destination when we begin our search.
Pay close attention to the arrival and departure times. Allow time to exit the airport and take a transfer to the city centre. Also, allow around 3 hours before your return flight, to make your way back to the airport and go through security. The best flights will have an arrival time before lunch, with a departure in the late evening (9pm onwards), to allow you maximum time at your destination.
Look 5-6 weeks in advance for the best prices.
Check multiple airlines - Sometimes booking outbound and return separately saves money, but be aware of potential risks if one leg is changed.
Avoid airports far from the city centre – Paris (BVA), Brussels (CRL), and Oslo (TORP) often have cheap flights but require much longer transfers.
You can often find flights from just £28 return. Other costs to factor in:
Airport transfers – Plan ahead to avoid expensive last-minute options. Public transport tends to be much cheaper than a taxi or private transfers. Many airports in Europe, have trains or buses directly from arrivals to the city centre.
Food – A Boots meal deal (£5) is a great budget-friendly option and a firm favourite of any extreme day tripper! Get one at departures and this will at least cover your lunch.
Airport Parking- this can be expensive, and often end up more than the actual flight. To avoid this, try and get someone to drop and pick you up, or use public transport to get to the airport.
Travel Insurance- if you have an annual policy, make sure it covers trips <24 hours. Use compare the market to find suitable insurance for 1 day from around £5pp.
What to Take on an Extreme Day Trip
Packing light is key! My personal packing list for an extreme day trip includes:
Backpack (avoid checked baggage fees).
Refillable water bottle.
Power bank for your phone (I usually take at least 2 to be on the safe side)
Sunglasses and mini sun cream for warmer destinations
Hat & Gloves for the colder ones
An umbrella, no matter the destination
Spare credit card and currency card (Monzo or Revolut).
Basic toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant in case you get delayed).
Basic Medicines (Paracetamol, Ibuprofen and Plasters)
Don't forget your passport!
Do You Need Currency for an Extreme Day Trip?
I never carry cash! I always use my Monzo card abroad. However, if you do need cash, withdraw a small amount at your destination rather than exchanging before you go.
My Top Tips for An EDT!
Check airport locations – Some “cheap” airports are far from the city, eating into your time.
Pack light – A small backpack saves time and baggage fees.
Use Monzo/Revolut with no fees/charges – No need for currency exchanges; just withdraw cash if needed.
Always have a power bank – You don’t want to be stranded with a dead phone
Plan your transport – Know how you’re getting from the airport to the city before you land.
Extreme Day Trips 2025
Looking ahead, extreme day trips are only set to grow in popularity as more people seek affordable ways to travel. Airlines continue to offer ultra-low fares, making it easier than ever to plan last-minute adventures.
Extreme day trips are an exciting, budget-friendly way to travel. With a bit of planning, you can see new cities, experience new cultures, and be back in your own bed that night. Ready for your next adventure? Let us know your dream extreme day trip in the comments!
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Iceland: Our Top 10 Budget-Friendly Things to Do
Iceland is known for its incredible landscapes, dramatic waterfalls, and unique geothermal activity, but it’s also infamous for being one of the most expensive travel destinations.
However, that doesn’t mean you have to break the bank to experience its magic! If you’re looking for affordable ways to explore the Land of Fire and Ice, here are ten budget-friendly activities to do in Iceland.
At Build a Break, we're all about exploring bucket list destinations for less, and sharing money saving tips with our readers.
Yes, Iceland is very expensive, but that doesn't mean you can't explore everything it has to offer- you just need to be clever about it and plan in advance.
We'll take you through our top 10 tips for exploring Iceland on a Budget.
Just a quick note before we begin- some posts on this blog contain affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we genuinely love or believe will be helpful in your trip planning journey. Thanks for supporting our work and happy planning!
Cheap Things to do in Iceland
1. Spot the Northern Lights for Free in Iceland
Seeing the Northern Lights is a bucket-list experience, and the best part? It’s completely free! The key is to visit between September and April when the nights are longest. Get away from city lights for the best view- popular spots near Reykjavik include Grótta Lighthouse or Thingvellir National Park. Check the aurora forecast and hope for clear skies!
We have written a guide for our top tips on spotting northern lights in Finland, and many of our tips for the best apps to use and guidance are the same for Iceland. You can read our guide here
2. Hire a Car!
Iceland’s public transport is limited, and taxis are notoriously expensive. Even the bus from the airport costs around £40 return per person.
Instead, renting a car gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace while saving money on tours such a northern lights or Golden Circle excursions.
Car hire starts around £50 for a 2 day hire- Searchhere
Find the Cheapest Car Hire in Iceland
3. Relax in Budget-Friendly Geothermal Spas
The Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon are stunning, but at €70+ per person, it’s not budget-friendly.
Thankfully, Iceland has plenty of cheaper geothermal pools! Try a more affordable experience like Laugardalslaug in Reykjavik, which costs under €10 and still offers warm, mineral-rich waters.
For an even more budget-friendly soak, check out hot springs in nature, like Reykjadalur’s hot river- completely free!
4. Visit Free Waterfalls
Iceland is home to countless waterfalls, and many of the most famous ones are free to visit. Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss are along the south coast and easily accessible.
For a hidden gem, check out Kvernufoss, a stunning waterfall with far fewer tourists. If you’re exploring the north, don’t miss Goðafoss, known as the “Waterfall of the Gods.”
Hiking in Iceland doesn’t cost a thing, and the views are priceless! Glymur Waterfall is a fantastic hike with breathtaking scenery, and Mount Esja near Reykjavik is perfect for a day hike.
If you’re heading to Landmannalaugar, you’ll find some of Iceland’s most colourful landscapes- just remember to check road conditions if travelling in winter.
6. Explore Reykjavik on Foot
Reykjavik is a compact and walkable city, so you don’t need to spend on transport. Stroll along the colourful streets, visit the famous Hallgrímskirkja Church (you can admire it for free, but there’s a small fee to go up the tower), and check out Harpa Concert Hall with its striking glass architecture.
Don’t miss the Sun Voyager sculpture for a perfect photo spot!
Puffins, seals, and even whales can be spotted in Iceland without expensive tours!
Visit the harbour in Reykjavik for a chance to see seals or head to Dyrhólaey (May to August) for a great puffin-watching spot.
If you’re lucky, you might even see whales from the shore at places like Hvalfjörður.
8. Visit Free Museums on Certain Days
Reykjavik has several museums that offer free entry on specific days. For example, the National Museum of Iceland sometimes has free admission days, and the Reykjavik Art Museum occasionally offers free entry.
Always check the museum websites before your trip to plan around their free or discount days!
Black sand beaches are one of Iceland’s most unique attractions and visiting them costs nothing. Reynisfjara Beach near Vik is the most famous, with its striking basalt columns.
For a quieter experience, check out Diamond Beach, where glistening ice chunks wash up onto the shore, creating a magical scene.
10. Go Supermarket Shopping Instead of Eating Out
Eating out in Iceland is expensive, with even a simple meal costing €20 or more. Instead, save money by shopping at budget supermarkets like Bonus or Kronan. Many accommodations have kitchen facilities, so you can cook simple meals instead of dining out.
If you do want to try Icelandic food on a budget, grab a famous hot dog from Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur- it’s one of the cheapest meals in Reykjavik!
Final Tips for Budget Travellers in Iceland
Bring a refillable water bottle – Iceland’s tap water is some of the cleanest in the world!
Book accommodation with kitchen facilities to save on meals.
Visit in the shoulder seasons (spring or autumn) for cheaper flights and accommodations.
Consider camping in summer – Iceland has great campsites, and it’s much cheaper than hotels.
If travelling from Europe, budget airlines like easyJet tend to fly from October to March. Our return flight was under £60pp!
For deals that include flights, hotel, luggage and a northern lights tour, Jet2 have departures from many UK airports that start from £600! click here to search
How to do One Day at Disneyland Paris this Christmas
We decided to treat my daughter, Violet, to a special day at Disneyland Paris for her 9th birthday. I’d previously taken my older daughter on a similar day trip in January, and what you do for one, you have to do for all! Come with us and see our one day itinerary for Disneyland Paris.
Just a quick note before we begin- some posts on this blog contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I genuinely love or believe will be helpful in your trip planning journey. Thanks for supporting my work and happy planning!
In January, we took the first flight out of Manchester and the last flight back. It was a wonderful experience, but since we live two hours away from Manchester Airport, we had to stay the night before in Manchester.
This time, we opted for a different approach. We took a late afternoon flight on Friday, planning to spend the night near Disneyland Paris instead.
It was working out the same cost as 1 night in a Travelodge in Manchester, so made no difference to the overall cost.
This way, we could start our day fresh and early and avoid the risk of losing time in the parks, in the eventuality of a flight delay.
getting to Disneyland Paris
We found great flights out of Manchester for just £33 each return. From landing in Paris, to arriving at the park gates, it took only 2 hours and 10 minutes! Security at Charles De Gaulle was quick, the flight lasted just over an hour, and we managed to catch the TGV train with minimal waiting.
The high-speed train took us directly from Charles de Gaulle Airport to Marne-la-Vallée station in only 9 minutes. We booked the train tickets on our way to the station using the Trainline app, paying £28.91 for one adult and one child.
I'd recommend only purchasing your ticket when you are nearly at the train station. It's quite a walk from some terminals and of course, you don't know exactly when you will land and be through security. TGV tickets can only be used on that specific train and are non-refundable.
Taxi's are around €60 and private transfers from €75- both taking around 1 hour to reach Disneyland Paris.
The TGV therefore, was both much faster and cheaper.
Marne-la-Vallée station is located right next to Disneyland Paris park gates.
Our flight left Manchester at 3 pm, and by 6:10 pm (adjusting for the 1 hour time difference), we were at the Disneyland Paris gates. If we had known we’d arrive that early, we might have bought a 2-day park pass. But since the parks closed at 8 pm that night, we decided against it as we would have been cutting it fine.
Hotel at Disneyland Paris
Instead, we explored Disney Village and used the time we had to visit some of the shops. We had a meal at Five Guys, which cost €23.25 for the two of us. I always recommend Five Guys as it's a very similar price point to quick service restaurants inside the parks, however, it feels much better quality.
After dinner, we took a taxi to our hotel, the Best Western, just a 12-minute ride from the parks.
Now a word of warning. You will struggle to get a taxi from outside the parks 1 hour, either side of the parks closing time. We tried numerous times to get an Uber but they kept cancelling the bookings as they couldn't meet demand.
There are taxi's outside Disney, however, they all wanted €35 for journeys which should cost around €8-€12 and would only accept cash- that tells you everything you need to know! Disneyland Paris and the train station really should be clamping down as I think 80% weren't even real taxis.
We usually stay at the Adagio in Val d’Europe or the Explorers Hotel, but these were both £150 for the night we wanted. The Best Western was only £66 and as we'd barely be there, it seemed a better option.
It turned out to be an excellent choice, with a spacious room featuring a double bed and bunk beds. The rooms were clean and hotel looked like it has recently been refurbished or was new.
We had a very comfortable nights stay and would highly recommend this option. Although, it may be better suited to those visiting with a car, as there is no shuttle bus to the parks.
For disclosure, we were gifted the park tickets by Get Your Guide, which made our Christmas day trip to Disneyland Paris truly special.
After booking we received the tickets instantly and were able to add them to our Disneyland Paris app, allowing us to easily scan in and out of the parks and monitor ride wait times all at once. Alternatively, you can keep just scan the tickets from your Get Your Guide account.
if you're considering doing Disneyland Paris in a day or even Disneyland Paris in one day at Christmas, Get Your Guide offers a wide range of ticket options, from 1-day, 1-park passes to multi-day tickets- as well as the Magic Shuttle bus tickets, private transfers, and various other activities in Paris.
The tickets for a 1 day/2 park entry for 1 adult and 1 child on the date we visited would have cost £185.08. Prices vary depending on the date booked, but start at £46pp.
The next morning, we enjoyed breakfast at the hotel for €25. We would have normally just ate at the parks, but my daughter was so excited for the day ahead, that we were up at 4am and therefore really hungry by around 7am.
The buffet had plenty to offer, including pastries, pancakes, toast, cereals, cheese, meats, and even hot options like sausage, bacon, and scrambled eggs. It was more than enough to fuel us for the day and meant we could hit the ground running once we got to parks.
We checked out and ordered an Uber from the hotel lobby, which arrived immediately, taking us back to Disneyland Paris in 12 minutes for €15.35.
We went through bag check at 8:55 am and were at the Disneyland Park entrance for 9am.
The park opening was at 9.30am, so we had a little wait, but they opened the park for normal ticket holders at 9.20am which was great.
The park opens for Disneyland hotel guests and annual pass holders at 8.30am, so whilst we were waiting I was able to check some of the ride times for the ones that were already operating.
Park Opening
We headed straight to Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast, which had only a 10-minute wait. This was Violet's one must-do ride, and frequently the wait for it, is around 1 hour so we wanted to get it completed whilst it was quiet.
Tip: Make sure to download the Disneyland Paris app before your visit—it’s a lifesaver for checking wait times and planning your route.
After Buzz, we then headed up to Fantasyland where all the ride times were currently showing as 5-10 minutes.
We managed to do Dumbo The Flying Elephant, It's a Small World, Mad Hatter's Tea Cups and Le Carrousel de Lancelot all by 10.40am. After a quick stop at the toilets and to refill our water bottles, we hopped on Casey Junior, the last ride we wanted to do in Fantasyland, which opened at 11am.
We then spent some time at the castle, visiting the dragon beneath it (a hidden gem!) and snapping photos. Violet wanted to shop for Star Wars merchandise, so we made our way to Discoveryland to the Star Traders shop to find her some Grogu goodies using her birthday money.
Lunch and Studio Park Adventures
By 11:40 am, we decided to switch over to Walt Disney Studios Park. The food stalls outside the Ratatouille ride looked tempting and we were peckish by then, so we grabbed two Nutella crepes for €10. The Ratatouille ride had a long wait time, so we chose to do the single rider option, getting on in just 10 minutes.
The Studios Park felt much more crowded than the main park, probably due to construction work going on and many areas being unavailable.
We still managed to enjoy several rides with short wait times. We went on Cars Road Trip, Cars Quatre Roues Rallye, Slinky Dog Zigzag Spin, and the Parachute Drop, which we lucky to walk straight onto just as it reopened after a technical issue.
After ticking off everything we wanted to do in the Studios Park, we decided to head back to Disneyland Park around 2 pm. We skipped the shows this time in the Studios, as we’ve seen them before and they’re better suited for younger kids or Marvel fans (which Violet isn’t).
Afternoon Magic and Parade
With the sun shining, we took more photo of all the beautiful Christmas decorations lining Main Street and the incredible huge Christmas tree.
We treated ourselves to ice cream and a Mickey beignet for €9- we weren't hungry but who can resist the snacks at Disneyland Paris though?!
We then decided we needed actually eat something savoury, so we stopped at Casa de Coco in Frontierland- a Mexican style restaurant based on the 'Coco' movie. Violet just wanted some of the zig zag fries, while I enjoyed a delicious beef burrito, one of the best things I’ve ever eaten at Disneyland Paris. The total bill with a large soft drink came to €16.89.
We decided to try the Premier Access service for Big Thunder Mountain (basically the new fast pass system at Disneyland Paris). It cost €16 each, but it was totally worth it-especially as it was Violet’s first roller coaster! We were on the ride in under 5 minutes.
By 4:30 pm, we made our way back to Main Street to secure a spot for the parade. Even 40 minutes early, Main Street was packed with guests. The parade started at 5:20 pm and reached where we stood by 5:40 pm.
Watching the magical floats with snow falling was a truly enchanting experience and one I'll never forget- just so magical.
Heading Home
After a bit of last-minute shopping on Main Street, we slowly made our way to the train station around 6:20 pm. We had pre-booked our TGV tickets back to the airport for 6:50 pm. The flight departed on time and we were tucked up in bed at 12.30am.
The whole day was filled with magical moments, and it was the perfect way to celebrate Violet’s birthday. With a bit of careful planning, we made the most out of our short but sweet trip to Disneyland Paris.
Our aim with the day trips is never to do it all. There was a couple of Christmas shows we would have liked to have seen, but with it being a Saturday, crowd numbers were high and seats for shows were gone 1 hour before. We didn't feel the wait was worth it, with only having a day in the parks. We chose to include our favourite rides, see the parade and eat some Disney snacks and we completed everything we set out to do.
Of course, we also didn't get to see the fireworks but in all our trips, we seen them around 20 times at least, so it wasn't a great forfeit.
Is it worth going to Disneyland Paris for one day?
If you're thinking of planning a Disneyland Paris day trip from the UK and wondering, “Is it worth going to Disneyland Paris for one day?”, the answer is definitely yes!
You won't get everything done in a day and to be honest this is our 16th visit and each time we tick off a new ride or attraction that we haven't done before. Pick out your favourite rides and make a plan to visit those first before the park gets busy. After 5pm ride wait times also decrease. We managed to include both Disneyland Park and Disney Studio's, but you could choose to just focus on the one. Make full use of the Disneyland Paris app to see ride times before making your next move and be flexible.
How much does it cost to go to Disneyland Paris for one day?
For those curious, we spent £33pp for the flights, £34pp for the hotel, then £30pp for the TGV high-speed train to/from CDG airport. Tickets for the date we visited would have been £92 each so a total of £189pp- this would have been cheaper if we'd opted for just a 1 park ticket instead of 2 and not visited on a weekend.
Disneyland Paris tickets are usually cheapest between January to March and you'll often find fewer visitors in the parks then too.
If you live near an airport, you can also eliminate the cost of the hotel too and go there and back in a day like we did in January.
How much can you do at Disneyland Paris in one day?
Despite it being a weekend and Christmas season we were really pleased in what we managed to do in just one day at Disneyland Paris.
We rode 12 rides- Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast, Small World, Mad Hatters Tea Cups, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Casey Junior, The Carousel, Ratoutille, Parachute Drop, Slinky Dog, Cars Road Trip, Cars Quatre Rallye and Thunder Mountain.
We also did a few walk through attractions, stopped for food three times, visited a few shops and took time out to enjoy the decorations then the main parade. If we'd have skipped the parade, we probably could have managed at least another 5 rides.
Low Cost Travel Bucket List Experiences for Kids in Europe
Now our focus may be travelling on a budget and saving money, this doesn't mean that we don't like to experience the 'finer things' in life. From the outside, our travel videos certainly don't give the impression that we are watching the pennies!
We like to think of ourselves more as mid-range travellers, 'Boujee on a Budget'- ticking off bucket list experiences for less and usually with our kids in tow.
Being savvy with what we book and how, means that we get to travel twice as frequently. I mean who doesn't want that!
For instance, we travelled on the Bernina Express, a tour that some travel companies charge in to the thousands for, when in fact the train ride in a panoramic carriage costs just £77 ($100). Did it feel budget? Not at all? We made our own itinerary to suit our needs and got to experience the exact same train for a fraction of the price.
Just a quick note before we begin- some posts on this blog contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I genuinely love or believe will be helpful in your trip planning journey. Thanks for supporting my work and happy planning!
European Bucket List Experiences
So you may be wondering what sort of bucket list activities with kids can do in Europe that aren't too expensive? Maybe you have a 'big' birthday or special anniversary coming up that you'd like celebrate in style, without breaking the bank. It is very possible to tick off your own bucket list whilst keeping the kids entertained too!
With many cheap flights to Europe that can be paired with mid range hotels, it's now more possible than ever to have a once in a life time holiday for less than a traditional package deal in the sun. Add in some reasonably priced activities and you're on to a winner.
We've put together a list of 10 Low Cost Experiences in Europe, all for under €100 per person.
The best bit is, that the activities we have chosen, most allow you to book and pay just a few days before the activity AND allow you to cancel right up to the day before, giving you flexibility and chance to spread the cost. Others are free!
So let's check out some of our favourite travel bucket list ideas with kids!
1. Take a Gondola Ride in Venice
The cost of a private gondola ride in Venice is €80 before 7pm, so if there is a few of you to split the price then the price is very reasonable.
As a family of six, it cost us just €14 per person. Something that had been on my bucket list for some time and my kids were in awe!
The maximum number of people allowed in a private gondola is 6.
After 7pm, the price increases to €120. The fares are set by city and the ride should last around 30 minutes
With 2024/25 being a peak time to see the northern lights, now has never been a better time to go on an organised tour and get it ticked off your bucket list!
Other great places to spot the northern lights include Finland, Norway and Sweden. The further north though the better. For the best view avoid cities like Oslo and Helsinki which are further south, where you are less likely to see the northern lights.
Immerse yourself in the echoes of gladiatorial battles and imagine the cheers of ancient spectators as you explore this iconic amphitheatre.
Rome is an amazing place to go if you're looking to tick off some bucket list items- many of which are very reasonably priced. We recommend doing a combined tour of the Colosseum with Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum. You can then also include the 'Spanish Steps' and the Trevvi Fountain in your itinerary- both of which are free to visit.
To read our blog on trips to Rome with kids whilst on a budget click here
Now this is a big one, as it's more like 3 bucket list items in one! The most popular things to do in Lapland for children are to meet the 'real Santa' in the North Pole, take a husky sleigh and reindeer ride. All of these can be done surprisingly for very little!
Of course, there are many more unreal experiences to be had here too, including snowmobiling, ice fishing and playing in the snow to name a few.
It's possible to meet Santa in Santa Claus Village (the main place in Finnish Lapland for activities) for FREE! If you'd like a photo or video there is an extra cost for this, but the meet itself is free.
Again in the same place, you can get a short reindeer or husky ride form just €25 per person. To see our guide on 12 Things to do in Lapland for £25 and under click here
Horseback riding for kids in Spain is a bucket-list experience that combines adventure, culture, and natural beauty. Spain is renowned for its stunning landscapes, from the rolling hills of Andalusia to the scenic beaches of Costa del Sol.
Spain's rich equestrian tradition dates back centuries and you can enjoy a traditional ride through the mountains from just €40.
If you have kids who love horse riding this is a must!
Disneyland Paris needs no introduction I'm sure! The only Disney theme park in Europe, it's compact enough to explore in 2-3 days, yet is still brimming with that Disney magic we all know and love.
Not a traditional bucket list item- but I know it's on many kids (and adults lists), so we've decided to include it here, being massive fans ourselves.
A day ticket for entrance to either the main park or the Studios (now re-named Disney Adventure World), costs around €56pp depending on the season.
9. Explore the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland
The Giant's Causeway is a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring thousands of interlocking basalt columns formed by ancient volcanic activity. Kids can climb the hexagonal rocks, explore the coastal paths, and learn about the local legend of the giant Finn McCool who supposedly built the causeway.
Access to the causeway itself is free if you skip the visitor center and park nearby.
There are lots of tours available from Belfast for a small charge.
As the birthplace of LEGO, Legoland Billund is a dream come true for kids who love the iconic bricks. It offers a variety of attractions, including themed rides, Miniland (with miniature replicas of famous landmarks), and interactive play areas.
Not only that but Billund is also home to 'Lego House' which is interactive museum offering a hands-on experience where kids and adults can unleash their creativity.
The house features over 25 million LEGO bricks spread across various themed zones, including areas for building, experimenting, and storytelling.
Highlights include the Tree of Creativity, the Masterpiece Gallery showcasing incredible LEGO creations, and an impressive rooftop playground.
As you can see, it's perfectly possible to be able to experience 'bucket-list' holidays for less, when you are willing to put your own trips together.
There are many bucket list experiences suitable for kids in Europe and we could easily list 50- hopefully if time allows we will re-visit this blog and update it with another 10.
To find the cheapest flights and hotels don't forget to check out our holiday page!
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Sustainable Budget Travel Tips: Save Money & The Planet
Sustainable travel has become a hot topic in recent years due to the growing awareness of climate change and the environmental impact of mass tourism.
As more travellers seek ways to reduce their carbon footprints, the demand for eco-friendly alternatives has surged.
People are increasingly conscious of how their travel choices affect the planet, from transportation and accommodations to food and waste.
Budget Travel & sustainable Travel
Simultaneously, the rise of budget travel is shaping the way eco-conscious travellers approach their trips. They are finding that it is possible to explore the world on a shoestring, while still making sustainable choices.
This intersection of sustainability and budget travel is driving a new wave of responsible tourism, making it a trending topic for people looking to travel mindfully, without overspending.
How Do You Plan A Sustainable Trip?
The growing concern of over-tourism and its effects on local ecosystems also contributes to the urgency of the topic, prompting travellers to find ways to leave a positive impact wherever they go.
Travelling sustainably doesn't have to be expensive. In fact, with a bit of planning, you can explore the world on a budget while minimising your environmental impact.
Here’s a guide to help you achieve eco-friendly travel without breaking the bank, using practical and lesser-known tips.
Our Top Tips on Planning a Sustainable Holiday on a Budget
1. Use Public Transport or Walk Instead of Renting a Car
One of the most effective ways to travel sustainably and on a budget is by using local public transportation. Buses, trams, and trains are not only cheaper than renting a car but also significantly reduce your carbon footprint.
Check out our section on budget-friendly public transport options in Europe- where we cover bus transport between two countries for under £25. You'll find this here
We also have numerous blogs on train travel in Switzerland and Italy here
Walking or cycling around smaller towns or cities can also be a great way to explore, all while saving on transportation costs. Look for free city maps or use navigation apps that show walking trails or cycling routes.
2. Stay in Eco-Friendly Accommodation Without the Price Tag
Many travellers assume that sustainable accommodations come at a premium, but there are plenty of affordable options if you know where to look.
Hostels, budget hotels, and even campsites now offer eco-friendly alternatives. These might include energy-efficient practices, water conservation, or solar-powered utilities.
Search accommodation here and make use of the 'filters' to select the type of stay you're looking for
3. Pack Light and Avoid Fast Fashion
Packing light isn’t just good for your wallet; it’s also good for the planet. Airlines emit more CO2 when carrying heavier loads and packing efficiently can cut down on both your checked baggage fees and environmental impact. Sustainable travel often goes hand-in-hand with minimalism.
Consider looking up sustainable packing tips on how to minimise the amount luggage you're taking.
Additionally, when you travel, avoid buying fast fashion. Instead, invest in long-lasting, versatile travel clothing from sustainable clothing brands.
4. Eat Local and Support Sustainable Eateries
Eating locally isn’t just a great way to experience the culture- it’s also one of the best sustainable travel tips. By eating locally, you avoid the carbon emissions associated with importing food, and often save money by choosing budget-friendly local dishes.
Look for farmers' markets or street food vendors that prioritise sustainable practices.
Pro tip: Bring a reusable water bottle with you and fill it up at safe, free water stations or your accommodation to save money and reduce plastic waste.
5. Choose Slow Travel for Deeper and More Sustainable Experiences
Fast travel- hopping from one destination to another, can be costly and environmentally damaging. Instead, embrace slow travel, which focuses on spending more time in fewer places. Not only does this reduce your carbon footprint, but it also gives you a richer, more immersive experience.
Staying in one place longer reduces transportation costs and energy consumption, making it a win-win for your wallet and the environment.
6. Volunteer or Participate in Eco-Tourism Projects
One of the most rewarding ways to travel sustainably on a budget is through eco-tourism or volunteer projects. These opportunities often offer free or discounted accommodations and meals in exchange for helping with environmental or community-focused projects.
Websites like Workaway and WWOOF connect travellers with hosts seeking help with sustainable farming, conservation efforts, or community building.
7. Offset Your Carbon Footprint
Even the most eco-friendly traveller can leave a carbon footprint. Consider using some of your savings from budget travel to invest in carbon offset programs.
These programs allow you to donate to projects that reduce carbon emissions globally.
Many airlines and travel websites offer an option to add carbon offset purchases when booking your flights, allowing you to offset your carbon footprint when travelling cheaply.
how to travel sustainably on a budget- Final Thoughts
Sustainable budget travel is not only possible but can enhance your travel experiences by making them more meaningful and eco-friendly.
By choosing local transportation, staying in affordable eco-friendly accommodation, and being mindful of your packing and food choices, you can see the world while doing your part to protect it.
Italy Train Travel with Kids: The Ultimate 16 Day Adventure
As a family of 6 we decided to book our biggest adventure yet, exploring Italy by train over 16 days- Rome, Florence, Chianti, Pisa, Venice, Milan, Verona, and Lake Garda.
Trying to do this on a budget was a challenge, however the whole trip came in at £680 per person. This included return flights from the UK, Luggage, Private Airport Transfers, All Train Journeys (including 5 high speed trains in 1st class) and Accommodation for 15 nights.
Train travel in Italy with children is a great way to see the country. The trains are reliable and very comfortable, making it easy to relax while you travel.
You can go from one city to another by high speed train quickly and cheaply. The views from the train windows are beautiful, with rolling hills, vineyards, and charming towns.
Plus, taking the train can help you save money and avoid traffic! Some parts of Italy are notoriously stressful in terms of narrow roads and crazy drivers whereas a train allows you to sit back and enjoy the scenery.
For anyone looking to plan a similar trip we've broken down each element of our own trip so you can see how we planned it all out. In this blog, we will share with you the logistical side of booking a trip like this.
Building an Itinerary around Italy
From the UK you can travel to Europe purely by train. However, living in the north of England, this would have been far more expensive than flying. It would have also required an extra nights stay in London at either end of the trip, adding to the cost.
It is typically far cheaper for us to fly to mainland Europe and then start our travels there, so this is what we did.
In order to plan the route we would take, we first looked at flights. As we were trying to keep the trip as low cost as possible, it made sense to factor in which cities in Italy has the cheapest flights during August and then build in the stops in between. Flights are always the biggest cost variable for us a family of 6, as opposed to accommodation.
We used Skyscanner to see which cities in Italy had the cheapest outbound and return flights.
Skyscanner has the ability to search the whole of Italy for an entire month rather than having to pick a date and specific arrival city, making it a valuable tool when planning a trip of this nature.
We made a 'one- way' search from Manchester to Italy and then the same for Italy to Manchester.
If you're planning a trip like this we would recommend booking a different city to return from, than the one you arrive in. This allows you to plan a trip a fair distance away from the arrival airport without having to circle back and waste money on extra train fares just to get home.
Flights to Italy
The flights we finally settled on were flying in to Rome from Manchester and then flying home from Milan Bergamo.
For the outbound flight we paid a total of £510.22 (£85pp). For the return flight 16 days later from Milan Bergamo, the total was £500.73 (£84pp). Both flight prices included 2 x 20kg suitcases.
The flight total could have been much cheaper if we'd booked earlier in the year during the flight sales or had chosen a different month to travel. August is usually the most expensive month for flights to Italy. We only chose to start looking at a trip like this in June (around 6 weeks before departure).
We regularly pick up return flights to Italy between £28-£50pp, if you take a look at our other Italy blogs we have a few of these trips written up for reference.
The next step was then to determine where we would stay between Rome and Milan.
Total Flight Cost £1011 (£169pp)
Accommodation in Italy
For accommodation our main aim was to find something child friendly, that would provide us with a balance between a 'proper' Summer holiday and seeing the tourist sites of Italy.
The last thing we wanted was to drag the kids around Italy in very hot temperatures, seeing things they would probably have little interest in and be cooked up in hotel rooms for the remainder.
We decided to use campsites as a base. We had visited sites like these previously in Rome and Venice and they were fantastic for kids with great pools, slides and entertainment on site. Plus they have amenities like laundrettes, bars, restaurants and supermarkets.
Camping Village Fabulous
The accommodations available at these kind of campsites include space for campervans and tents, but they also have fully equipped static caravans with verandas which are great for allowing you to cook your own meals and sit out at night whilst the kids are in bed.
Camping Village Fabulous
At each site booked a 3 bed static caravan with large deck, the prices were as follows:
Go to the end of this post to see links for separate blog posts detailing our stay at each of these sites- it was too long to include all the information here.
Deciding Where to Visit
Now we had decided three places we were going to stay during our trip, we could then start to purchase train tickets and expand on the destinations we would include.
At this point we had Rome, Chianti Hills (Tuscany) and Peschiera Del Garda (Lake Garda) as our bases.
From Chianti we decided to include a day out by train to Rome and Florence (1-2hrs away). We had originally wanted to include Cinque Terre but as this area is not on the high speed train network it would have taken too long to travel there and back, in a day from Chianti. Other choices from Chianti include Lucca and Siena.
Pescheria Del Garda we found the most places to visit that were in easy reach. Venice, Verona and Milan are all within 20mins-1hr 30 of Peschiera Del Garda so we added these to our itinerary too. Other choices include Bologna and Parma, and a bit further afield, Lake Como.
Rome we decided to purely just 'do' Rome so we could have a relax and find our feet.
Interrail Pass vs Purchasing Individual Train Tickets
When planning our Italy itinerary, we carefully compared the options between booking an Interrail pass and purchasing individual tickets for each journey.
Ultimately, we decided to go with individual tickets as it became clear that for our specific routes and travel dates, buying tickets separately was going to be cheaper.
In terms of our party, for some trains (regional) we were classed as 4 adults and 2 children. For 1st class high speed trains we fell under the category of 3 adults and 3 children.
I have done a breakdown of the train journeys we took and what type of train/class we got, along with the journey times and prices.
For the longer journeys we splurged and purchased 1st class seats on the high speed trains. These were great as they gave us lots of room in air conditioned carriages with tables, power points and Wi-Fi. On some journeys we were also provided with free refreshments.
Free snacks and drinks provided in 1st class on Frecciarossa trains
As we booked 6 weeks beforehand, the 1st class tickets were a very similar price to the 2nd class on the day fares. It didn't seem a big extravagance and it made the journeys far more comfortable.
All in we purchased a total of 84 train tickets across 6 days, costing £678 (£113pp).
The interrail pass for travel just within Italy for 6 days with upgrades to first class where available is £965. In our case it was definitely cheaper to book the tickets individually.
In Italy, there are three different types of trains. Some are high speed (Le Freece and Italio), these are the most expensive, but also the quickest and usually the most comfortable. In some cases we managed to book high speed trains for cheaper than the slow counterparts as some had offers on when booking.
Then there's intercity trains which connect cities with fewer stops. Finally there are the regional trains. These tend to be slower, calling at more stops and they don't have reserved seating, but they also tend to be the cheapest option.
Some areas in Italy aren't as well connected such as Cinque Terre, so here you'll only find regional trains available.
When planning a trip like this, it is likely you will take a mix of all three of these trains to get around.
Should I Book Italy Train Tickets in Advance?
Yes! as mentioned earlier, we paid the same for 1st class high speed trains booked in advance, as what we would have paid on the day for a slower intercity train.
It is definitely worth booking your main journeys in advance, as these dates tend to be set in stone with your accommodation dates.
For more localised journeys such as Lake Garda to Verona, the price difference is small on the day, so if you would like to play days out by ear then leave these ones flexible.
How Early do you Need to get to the Train Station in Italy?
For bigger city stations I'd recommend a good 20 minutes beforehand. Some stations are more like airports and depending on which door you enter it can be quite a walk to the platforms. The last thing you want is to be panicking and rushing to find your platform.
Getting there in good time allows you to get your bearings, check the arrivals board and stand on the right part on the platform.
If you have a pre-booked seat in a specific carriage, there's nothing worse than having to rush aboard, then walk the length of a train to find where your sat with all your bags.
For regional stations 5-10 mins is more than adequate. Trains run on time in Italy so definitely be there beforehand.
Are Children Free on Trains in Italy?
In most cases children under 4yrs old travel free. Children up to 14 years may travel at a highly discounted fare when riding on high speed trains. For other trains the maximum child age is 11 years.
We found that my daughter who was 13yrs at the time was classed as a child fare on high speed trains, but an adult on the regional ones.
It's best to play around and price it up online, as it may therefore be cheaper to take a high speed train depending on your children's ages.
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Can I take Luggage on Trains in Italy?
With high speed trains there are luggage racks at the end of each carriage. On regional trains, there are no racks and its expected you keep your luggage with you.
In all cases please keep your most valuable items, money and passports on your person at all times.
Should I purchase tickets online or at the Station?
I would always recommend purchasing online before your trip. Not only can you save money but you're also guaranteeing your seat and some high speed trains can sell out.
If you are purchasing regional train tickets at the station, you need to remember to validate your ticket before boarding using one of the machines on the platform otherwise you could face a fine.
To purchase online we used a combination of Trenitalia (the Italian train website) and Trip.Com(Often a little easier to navigate).
The Trains we Booked
So let's look at the trains we booked, how much they cost and the journey times.
Day 3: Rome to Chianti (Tuscany) £23pp
Rome Tiburtina to Firenze S.M. Novella: 1st Class High Speed train, Journey Time: 1hr 30 mins, total cost £94 (£16pp)
Florence to Figline Valdarno, Regional train 2nd Class, Journey Time: 58 mins, total cost £38 (£7pp)
Chianti
Day 6: Day Trip to Florence and Pisa from Chianti £26pp
Figline Valdarno (Chianti) to Firenze S.M. Novella (Florence), Regional Train, 2nd Class, Journey time 58 mins, total cost £25 (£4pp)
Firenze S.M. Novella (Florence) to Pisa Centrale, Regional Train, 2nd Class, Journey time 52 mins £50 (£9pp)
Florence
Pisa Central to Firenze S.M. Novella (Florence), Regional Train, 2nd Class, Journey time 52 mins £50 (£9pp)
Firenze S.M. Novella (Florence) to Figline Valdarno (Chianti), Regional Train, 2nd Class, Journey time 58 mins, total cost £25 (£4pp)
Pisa
Day 8: Chianti (Tuscany) to Pescheria Del Garda (Lake Garda) £19pp
Figline Valdarno to Firenze S.M. Novella (Florence), Regional Train, 2nd Class, Journey time 58 mins, total cost £25 (£4pp)
Verona
Firenze S.M. Novella (Florence) to Pescheria Del Garda, High Speed, 1st Class, Journey time 1hr 58 mins, total cost £85 (£15pp)
Day 11: Day Trip to Verona from Lake Garda £6pp
Peschiera Del Garda to Verona Porta Nuova: Regional Train, 2nd class, Journey time:19 minutes £16 (£3pp)
Lake Garda
Verona Porta Nuova to Peschiera Del Garda: Regional Train, 2nd class, Journey time:19 minutes £16 (£3pp)
Day 13: Day Trip to Venice from Lake Garda £17pp
Pescheria Del Garda to Venice (Venezia Santa Lucia), High Speed Train (Frecciargento), journey time: 1hr 22 mins, total cost £48 (£8pp)
Venice
Venice to Pescheria Del Garda 2nd class train with a change in Verona, journey time: 1hr 45 mins, total cost £55 (£9pp)
Day 15: Day Trip to Milan from Lake Garda £22pp
Pescheria Del Garda to Milan (Milano Centrale), 1st Class Seats-High Speed Train (Frecciargento), journey time: 57 mins, total cost £62 (£11pp)
Milan (Milano Centrale) to Pescheria Del Garda, 1st Class Seats-High Speed Train (Frecciargento), journey time: 57 mins, total cost £62 (£11)
Airport Transfers
From Rome Ciampino Airport to Camping Village Fabulous we paid £64 for a private van for 6 people (£11pp)
Butterfly Camping in Pescheria del Garda to Milan Bergamo, we again booked a private transfer, this time costing £167 (£28pp)
The nearest airport to Pescheria Del Garda is Verona, however the flights were £600 more expensive than from Milan, so it made more sense to fly out of Milan Bergamo and pay a little more on the transfer.
Total cost for Private Airport Transfers £231 (£39pp)
Luggage
For luggage we tried to keep this as minimal as possible as lugging cases round Italy and on so many trains isn't my idea of fun. We stuck to two cases weighing 20kg and then a back pack for each person.
One case was purely for towels and bedding. In static accommodation in Italy, you're usually required to provide your own duvet cover and pillowcases or rent it from the site. The cost of this is around £20 per bed, which doesn't sound too bad. However, as we were changing accommodation three times over the trip, this would have been £300 extra.
We save up old bedding instead of throwing it away for these kind of trips. Then at the end we can dispose of it guilt free and have lots of spare room to bring any souvenirs back.
The three accommodations we booked all had laundry facilities, so this meant we didn't need to pack clothes to last us the full 16 days. We took around 7 day outfits, 2 evening ones, 2 swimming costume and 1-2 pairs of shoes per person on top of the ones we travelled in.
Luggage costs were included in the flight price above.
Our Tips for Travelling Italy by Train with Kids
Purchase tickets in advance to avoid queues at the stations.
If possible reserve seats in advance. For busy trains its always preferential to have a seat rather than having to stand with children
Have snacks and drinks ready for the journey; children can get hungry, especially during longer trips and some of the trains aren't air conditioned so it can get really hot. You also won't find buffet carts or trolleys on most regional trains either.
Engage kids with travel games to keep them entertained during the rides. You can find our top purchases for keeping children entertained whilst travelling here
Be mindful of train schedules to ensure smooth transitions from one destination to the next- remember little legs won't be able to move as fast as an adults, so allow plenty of time.
Plan some downtime between excursions to allow the kids to relax and recharge. Italy is very hot in the summer and children want time to just be kids too.
Find the guides for each of our accommodations below:
We would definitely recommend taking a trip like this with children. Trains in Italy are so easy to use and allow you to explore huge regions of the country in one visit For what cost us the same as 7 night package holiday in Spain, we got 15 nights and lots of fabulous memories.
Since this holiday we have grown in confidence and travelled between Switzerland and Italy by train and also between Turin to Garda. You can find the links to these trips below:
How to Travel to Lake Garda with Kids: Budget Edition
As a family of 6 we decided to book our biggest adventure yet, exploring Italy by train over 16 days- Rome, Florence, Chianti (Tuscany), Pisa, Venice, Milan, Verona, and Lake Garda.
For the northern leg of our trip (Venice, Verona, Milan and Lake Garda), we needed somewhere that was going to be close to a train station so that we could easily get to all these places.
Peschiera Del Garda
After researching, it seemed like the town of Peschiera Del Garda would be the best fit. The town has a station that has trains direct train connections to all the above places, with journey times ranging from 15 minutes to 1hr 50 mins. Plus, we could get a high speed train from Florence here.
There are a number of camp sites in the town, but the closest to the actual station was Camping Butterfly- a 15 minute walk.
We only booked 6 weeks before departure so choice was limited, and a few sites were already fully booked up. It didn't look as flash as it's counterparts in terms of activities and pools, but seemed to be sufficient for our needs.
Camping Butterfly is a relatively small site, with just 220 pitches, compared to our stay in Romethat had 800, and Tuscany which had 1500!
As it turned out, the site was perfect and exactly what we needed for the end of our trip. All the walking up hills in extreme heat in Tuscany was enough to finish anyone off. This site is all completely flat and everything is within a couple of minutes walk. I don't think we would have coped with another huge site.
Since this trip we have re-visited Camping Butterfly so it can't be too bad! You can read about our Easter trip and top tips on doing Italy on a budget here - on this trip we combined Turin, Milan, Lake Garda and Verona for under £100pp!
Types of Accommodation at Butterfly Camping, Peschiera Del Garda
The site has a variety of pitches, mobile homes and bungalows for rent.
The pitches are for families of up to 6 people, bringing their own tent, caravan or camper and include electric hook up and a parking space.
The site themselves offer four different types of mobile homes- Aida, Boheme, Boheme Deluxe and Boheme Deluxe S. All include a deck area.
They then also offer Bungalows (Butterfly S) although there isn't much information about these on their own site.
Bungalows
For our 7 night stay we hired a 3 bed static caravan which cost us £872 (number 33 on the map). We booked this through Canvas Holidays.
However on our return this year, we didn't book with a tour operator, but with the site themselves. Towels and bed linen were included in the price, which was a huge saving. This was number 49 on the map- a Boheme Deluxe.
Numbers 1-7 looked particularly nice vans with great decks- however, these do face the road in and so offer less privacy.
A Boheme Deluxe
We were happy with our accommodation on both occasions. On this visit, the van we booked seemed new and had 2 bathrooms and 2 parts to the decked area. The only drawback was that it was right next to the site parameter which was next to the main road and carpark which got noisy at the weekend with revving cars.
Number 33 at Butterfly Camping
The van we booked at Easter was an older and the deck could have done with a lick of paint to the deck, but it was in a much quieter location. Both accommodations allowed us to reach the shop, pool and park entrance in minutes.
How to Get from Verona Airport to Butterfly Camping
Verona Airport is located 21.5km from the site- a 25 minute drive. One option, be to hire a car from the airport, this would allow you to also visit other parts of Lake Garda during your stay too.
Another option would be to take the train. From Verona Airport, you'd need to take the Airlink bus (no.199) which connects the airport to Verona Porta Nouva train station.
There are then regular trains to Peschiera Del Garda which take around 14-20 minutes.
In the Summer, there are various buses from the airport to Peschiera Del Garda (no's 164, 482 & 483). Click herefor the timetables.
Alternatively you could take one of the fixed price taxi's from the airport to Verona Porta Nouva train station for just €26. We actually found it cheaper to do this on our 2nd visit, than take the bus with their being 6 of us.
Fixed Taxi Prices in Verona
Lastly there is the option of taking a private transfer. This should cost around £110 with our 15% discount which is automatically applied by clicking the link provided below.
Tip: Don't forgot to take in to account flight times when looking at options to get to the site. Check the closing time of the car hire counters at the airport and the time of the last train.
How We Got to and From Butterfly Camping
For anyone looking to replicate our trip route, from Hu Norcenni Girasole (Tuscany), we took the site taxi to Figline Valderno station.
We hopped on a regional train to Firenze Santa Maria Novella (Florence) taking around 30 minutes.
From here we took a direct high speed train to Peschiera Del Garda which took just under 2 hours.
High Speed Train from Florence to Lake Garda
You can read more about our route, costs and how to plan a trip round Italy inthis post.
From Peschiera Del Garda, we flew home from Milan Bergamo airport (93km from the site) as the flight cost, including the private transfer was coming in £££'s less than flying from Verona.
Driving from the UK to Peschiera Del Garda
From Calais the drive to the site is around 16hrs (1302km), although this can be split up with stays at others sites en-route in France or Switzerland for instance.
Other port options include Zeebrugge- 1145km , Caen - 1200km and the Hook of Holland - 1196km.
Things to Do on the Campsite
The site is very compact and most things happen in one area. The pool, bar, restaurant and park are all located next to each other, as can be seen on the map above.
Pools
There are two pools at Camping Butterfly, a large pool for older kids and adults, then a toddler pool with 2 slides.
For this site you are required to wear a swimming hat,. You can bring your own or purchase one at the onsite shop.
Swimming caps must be worn at this site
Pools are often advertised on suppliers sites as open from April 7th, however, we asked on our last visit and they told us from May, so it's worth asking if you're not looking to visit in high season.
It also states that sun loungers are payable, however, we were never asked for any money and to our knowledge they were free to use. This may have changed though between our visits.
Kids Clubs
There is no kids club on this site but there are things on of an evening to keep them entertained.
Family Entertainment
Entertainment on this site includes baby dance (mini disco) which is then followed by a quiz, games or sometimes an act.
The entertainment area is small, but is compatible with the amount of people staying there. We enjoyed the offerings and went nightly, but don't expect to be 'wowed' like you get at some of the bigger sites.
The Play Park
The site has a playground with trampolines and bouncy castles located next to the entertainment, which are open each evening (and sometimes in the day too).
Sports
On site you'll find volleyball, football and table tennis. There's bikes and electric scooters to hire. Then there's also a fishing lake, although this does require a permit.
Off-Site Activities
This is where the location of the site comes in to play. Locally, there is huge range of things to do for kids.
The site is just across from the Lake and here you can hire motorboats or pedalos or even take a trip on one of the ferries to other parts of Lake Garda.
Pedalo's at the shingled lake area just down from the site
We hired our own boat a couple of times during our trip which cost around €120 including fuel for 2 hours. Remember to bring your driving licence as ID/Competency if you would like to do this.
Just 3km from the site you'll find Gardaland- a huge theme park with thrill rides, Peppa Pig land, Sea Life Centre and a Legoland Water Park.
One of the big thrill rides at GardalandPeppa Pig Land at Gardaland
A little further afield at 5km, there's Movieland and Caneva World.
There are free buses from Peschiera Del Garda station to many of these attractions.
Other local activities include Golf (5 km), Driving range (5 km), Crazy golf (7 km), Horse riding (7 km), Climbing wall (10 km) and Karting (15 km) from site.
As mentioned earlier, Peschiera Del Garda has excellent transport links to many places in the north of Italy, so you'll be spoilt for choice.
Peschiera Del Garda- taken on the walk from the site in to town
The town centre itself is just a 10-15 walk from the site and has lots of local shops, bars and restaurants then a market once a week.
Where to Eat
Onsite Restaurant (Butterfly Bistro)
There is a formal sit down restaurant on site and we dined here on both stays. The menu is varied, staff friendly and the food good quality.
It's open at lunch and of an evening. I must admit we preferred to eat off site, simply because the restaurants in the town provided a beautiful view. However, we used it when there was heavy rain of an evening (which is often the case in Lake Garda) and didn't want to walk out.
The restaurant also offers a takeaway service for food to be eaten back at your accommodation. The site does offer a B&B and Half Board option from a set menu too.
On Site Mini Market
Onsite there's a small mini market. They offer fresh bread and pastries each morning and have the essentials for having a BBQ or meal on site. It is more expensive than other shops in the area, as is to be expected.
On our 7 day trip, we did visit the Penny Market twice to stock up. This is a large supermarket, a 15 minute walk from the site, but worth it if you want more choice and cheaper prices.
Eating Off Site
We ate in the town probably 4/7 nights as we were past caravan cooking by this stage in our trip. Our favourite restaurant in Peschiera Del Garda is Caffe Centrale- La Zattera, we've dined here four times on our trips and not once been disappointed.
It's a floating quay side pizzeria, surrounded by ducks and during sunset, the lighting and views are beautiful.
The dining is informal and you'll always see it packed with families.
I don't think we paid over £100 for all 6 of us and that included a main each, lots of drinks and a tip- not to mention the crazy amount of free breadsticks and bread rolls the kids ate and then also fed the ducks with.
Sunset from the restaurant
We often then followed this by dessert in the town. There's quite a few good gelato shops with a huge amount of flavours for just a few euros each- probably not authentic gelato due to the colours, however, delicious all the same.
Getting to Verona from Peschiera Del Garda
From the station you can take a train directly to Verona in under 15 minutes, costing around £4 each way for an adult.
Verona Porta Nouva station is around a 30 minute walk from the centre, so we decided to hop in a taxi to Juliette's House which cost us €10- taxi's in Verona are fixed priced.
Peschiera Del Garda Train Station
Things to do in Verona with Children
We absolutely loved Verona. We didn't actually do that much but wander round the city and take in the sites around Juliet's House and the arena, but it is is definitely a city we'll return to.
We did try at Easter but unfortunately the weather on the day was terrible and we ended up staying indoors.
In terms of a one day itinerary here are some things to consider:
Juliet's House (Casa di Giulietta)- Visit the famous balcony of Juliet's House. The kids will enjoy the story of Romeo and Juliet, and you can take fun photos in the courtyard.
Piazza delle Erbe- Stroll through this vibrant square filled with market stalls, cafes, and fountains. Grab some gelato to keep everyone refreshed!
Castelvecchio Museum- Explore this medieval castle with its impressive bridges and towers. The surrounding park is great for kids to run around and explore.
A stop off for a snack from the markets
Giardino Giusti (Giusti Gardens)- Visit these beautiful renaissance gardens. The kids can enjoy exploring the maze and climbing to the top for a stunning view of the city.
Piazza Bra & Arena di Verona- Head to Piazza Bra to see the iconic Roman amphitheatre. Check if there's a kid-friendly show or concert available. The atmosphere is lively, and there are many places to eat.
Getting to Venice from Peschiera Del Garda
From Peschiera Del Garda, you can reach Venice Santa Lucia (the main station) by high speed train in 1hr 50 mins. Direct trains with Italo cost around £25 each way for an adult (usually less if booked in advance).
Alternatively, trains with 1 change, take a little longer and cost approximately £12pp each way.
Things to do in Venice with Children
As a pre-requisite, we have previously done 7 days in Venice with our children on another campsite trip- that's for another blog.
So, for this visit we literally just wandered, took in the sites, visited a free museum we stumbled across and ate.
Previously we have done a gondola ride and visited the islands of Burano and Murano off Venice by water boat.
Here’s a one-day itinerary for exploring Venice with kids:
Visit St. Mark's Basilica - Head to St. Mark’s Square and explore the stunning St. Mark’s Basilica. Kids will love the mosaics and the intriguing history. Consider pre-booking tickets to avoid long lines here
Explore Doge's Palace- Right next to the basilica, Doge's Palace is full of impressive architecture and fascinating stories. The palace has a prison and secret passages that kids often find thrilling. Click herefor skip the line tickets.
Lunch at a Pizza Place- Enjoy a hearty pizza lunch at a family-friendly restaurant or if you prefer there are lots of street food windows selling it by the slice. Look for places with outdoor seating along the canals for a lovely view.
Take Gondola Ride- Take a relaxing gondola ride through the canals. This is a magical experience for kids and a great way to see Venice from the water. Click here for private gondola rides
Gondola Ride
Visit the Peggy Guggenheim Collection - Head to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection to see modern art. There’s also a lovely garden that kids can explore.
Stroll Through St. Mark’s Square- Take a leisurely stroll through St. Mark’s Square, enjoy the street performers, and soak in the atmosphere.
Getting to Milan from Peschiera Del Garda
From Peschiera Del Garda, you can take a high speed train to Milan in just under an hour. We bought tickets to travel here, but we decided to skip it in the end as the kids were tired and just wanted to spend the last few days round the pool- fair enough.
A trip we took 6 months later
We have since been back to Milan twice with the children on other trips, and in all honesty we are glad we made this decision, as there isn't a huge amount to do. It is very commercialised and honestly you could be in any European city when there.
On our visit in February, they had a big festival and the streets were lined with people throwing confetti and people dressed in traditional clothing- without this I think it would have been a bit dull for the children. However there is some highlights I've put below.
Things to do in Milan with Children
Visit the Duomo di Milano - Head to the iconic Milan Cathedral. Kids will enjoy climbing to the rooftop (if you choose to go) for stunning views of the city and a close look at the beautiful spires. Click here for tickets
Explore the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II - Walk through the beautiful shopping gallery next to the Duomo. Let the kids marvel at the gorgeous architecture and maybe even try to spot the bull (a popular tradition is to spin on its mosaic for good luck).
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Visit Sforza Castle - Visit Sforza Castle (Castello Sforzesco). Kids often enjoy exploring the castle grounds, and there's a large park nearby where they can run around. Inside the castle, there are several museums, including an art museum and a museum dedicated to musical instruments. The exhibits can be interesting and interactive for kids.
Visit the Leonardo da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology - Spend some time at this interactive museum where kids can learn about science, technology, and Leonardo da Vinci's inventions. It’s engaging and educational! Click Here for tickets
Shop at the Lego Store- There's a 2 storey Lego shop in Milan Centre with various large scale models, you can never go wrong killing a bit of time looking round here.
Eat in the Navigli District - Head to the Navigli District for dinner. The canals provide a picturesque setting, and there are many restaurants with kid-friendly options (or there's lots of McDonald's for those who are sick of pizza and pasta).
Other Places you can Explore from Peschiera Del Garda
Brescia is just a 20 min train ride away which offers a blend of historical sites and modern attractions, making it a worthwhile stop.
You could combine a trip with Milan with Lake Como- swop trains in Milan and take the trip to Varenna-Esino, which is just an hour further and only costs £7pp each way.
Varenna
Another possibility would be Bologna which is 1hr 20 from Peschiera Del Garda.
Along with everything you’d normally take on holiday, as a family we always make up a little package of things to get us started in case things aren’t provided and shops are closed when we arrive.
Kitchen
Usually we bring a few basics like a couple of tea towels, a scourer and a fill one of the mini toiletry bottles with washing up liquid. I’ll usually pop a few extra toilet rolls and matches in the case too.
I’ll bring a packet of anti bacterial floor wipes to give everything a freshen up- I prefer the floor type as they’re much bigger and stronger.
We save up sachets and bring salt, sugar, tomato ketchup and again using a toiletry 100ml bottle to bring some cooking oil.
Clothes Washing
For washing we take Dr Beckman’s magic leaves (see our shopping list) so we can hand wash clothing in the sink. These take up very little space and can be used in a washing machine too. Clothes airers are usually provided in the accommodation but we bring two of our own caravan washing lines too.
Lastly I usually put in a few bin bags as they are always needed and some citronella candles for the deck at night to ward away any mosquitos.
This may sound a lot of extra things to bring but it all fits nicely in 1 packing cube or zip lock bag.
Bedding
In terms of bedding, this isn’t always provided (check individual listings). This can be hired but you can also bring your own. We tend to save up old sets and then we can bin them if we haven’t room to bring them back. The cost of hiring is usually around €100 for 5 beds. On this occasion we were changing accommodation three times so we were definitely bring our own than pay €300.
Games
Lastly we usually bring a few small games such as Uno and Pass the Pigs.
Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza is another family favourite- bizarre sounding but very fun. You can find all these in the above shopping list
There really isn’t much more to pack though than a regular holiday. Caravans are well equipped and the store on site sells literally everything you could probably need.
How Does it Compare to other Holiday Sites in Italy?
Plus points
Small and compact, we felt much more confident in letting the children wander about here unsupervised
On that note too, there was no 20 minute walk to the pool or shops, everything was a maximum of 3 minutes away
Very central location, right on the lake, short walk to the centre and tons going on in the local area. This is definitely the best site we've stayed at in terms of location.
Perfect base if you're wanting to combine multiple cities in Italy in one trip
Site staff are amazing- they allowed us to keep our caravan until 5pm on our last day with no charge as the weather was bad.
Downsides
Swim hats- having to wear a swim hat was a bit of a pain but at least they didn't also have the tight swimwear rule
Less to do on site in terms of entertainment and activities than bigger sites
Fewer restaurants and bars than other sites, however, you're straight out of the gates in minutes, where you'll find lots of dining options so it really doesn't matter too much
Our Review
All in all, this is one of our favourite sites and we'll definitely be back for our 3rd visit. Yes its not all singing and dancing like some, but that's what makes it great to be honest. When sites are massive, they become very tiring just getting around in the heat of Italy. We like this site for its relaxing nature and chance to explore lots of other places at the same time.
Other Campsites in Peschiera Del Garda to Consider
How to Travel to Tuscany with Kids: Budget Edition
As a family of 6 we decided to book our biggest adventure yet, exploring Italy by train over 16 days- Rome, Florence, Chianti (Tuscany), Pisa, Venice, Milan, Verona, and Lake Garda.
For the Tuscany leg of our trip (Florence & Pisa), we needed a child friendly base and Norcenni GirasoleVillage looked amazing!
Located in the Chianti region of Tuscany, with over 1500 pitches, this was much larger than our stay at Camping Village Fabulous. There was also much more to do, however, the site was far more remote.
Norcenni Girasole site is set on a steep hill and split between an upper and lower section, connected by a free land train.
Types of Accommodation at Norcenni Girasole Village, Tuscany
There is a wide range of accommodation available at this site. First of all there are double rooms, apartments, studios, bungalows (static caravan) and XL tents.
Accommodation rented through the site typically sleeps between 2-6 people.
Then there's also the option to space to bring your own tent or camper van.
For our 5 night stay we hired a 3 bed bungalow which cost us £846.
How to Get from Pisa Airport to Norcenni Girasole Village, Tuscany
Pisa Airport is located 120km (1 hr 30m drive) away from the site. One option, and probably the best, would be to hire a car from the airport. This site is quite remote, so having a car for your stay would definitely be a major advantage.
It is possible to get here from Pisa Airport without a car, although it is harder. First you're going to need to take the train from Pisa Aeroporto to Pisa Centrale (8 mins).
Then from Pisa Centrale take the train to Firenze Santa Maria Novella- the main station in Florence (1hr).
From Firenze S.M.N take the train to Figline Valdarno (25 mins). The cost of the train tickets is around £17 for an adult.
You're then going to need a taxi up to the site- it is definitely not walkable especially with luggage. Pre-book a private taxi with the site by email. We tried to get a taxi on arrival and it was like a ghost town.
Tip: Don't forgot to take in to account flight times when looking at options to get to the site. Check the closing time of the car hire counters at the airport and the time of the last train.
How to Get from Florence Airport to Norcenni Girasole Village, Tuscany
Florence airport is a bit closer than Pisa at 54km and a 45 min drive. Again, we would recommend hiring a car if flying in.
To get to the site from Florence airport first of all you're going to need to take the tram from the airport to the stop 'Via Alamanni' which is next to Firenze Santa Maria Novella- the main station in Florence.
From there take the train to Figline Valdarno which costs around £5 for an adult.
Firenze Santa Maria Novella station (Florence)
As before once you reach the town you're then going to need a taxi up to the site and its best to Pre-book a private taxi with the site.
How to Get from Rome to Norcenni Girasole Village, Tuscany
For us, this is the route we took, coming from Camping Village Fabulous in Rome. We took the high speed train from Rome Tiburtina directly to Firenze Santa Maria Novella (Florence)- this took an impressive 1hr 31 mins.
From here we took the train to Figline Valdarno (30 mins). From the station we tried to get a taxi but this was just not happening, despite being told there were taxis available in the town.
A local took pity on us in the end and gave us, along with another family, a lift to the site.
Driving from the UK to Tuscany
From Calais the drive to the site is around 15hrs (1436km), although this can be split up with stays at others sites en-route in France or Switzerland for instance.
Other port options include Zeebrugge (1356km), Caen - 1407km and the Hook of Holland - 1417km.
Things to Do on the Campsite
Pools
This site must have one of the biggest amount of swimming pools available on a camp site- certainly out of the 5 we've visited. We counted 10 pools spread over three different areas plus quite a few slides.
Pools at the upper area of the village
It is impossible to go through them all but they range from lagoon type pools to an Olympic sized swimming pool.
Lagoon pool in the upper village
All ages are catered for. Most of the pools are unheated but there's one with a retractable roof which is.
The pools at the upper area of the village
We enjoyed the pools at the upper section of the camp site best. This section seemed more modern and also featured the lazy river slide which was a massive hit from our kids.
A Pool at the upper end of the village
There seemed to be enough sun loungers too which was great. We visited both pools at peak time and got loungers no problem.
Toddler splash area in the upper village
Kids Clubs
The site has its own kids club and they seemed to have a wide range of activities advertised daily.
There are 3 clubs for different ages- 5 to 8 years, 9 to 12 years and over 12's.
Languages spoken at the clubs are Dutch, English, German, Italian
Family Entertainment
Entertainment typically runs from 8th April till 8th September and includes a children's disco, adult disco which is underground, a games room, a tv room and a cinema.
The animation team at the site also run entertainment each daily which includes aqua gym, evening shows, karaoke, quizzes, sports tournaments, talent competitions and theme nights.
We also saw quite a few acoustic singers in the evening round the courtyard area which gave the site a lovely ambience.
The entertainment on site was great, we particularly enjoyed the show and mini disco with talent contest afterwards.
Entertainment in general seemed to go on in to the early hours, it's a very lively site!
Sports
At Norcenni Girasole you'll find a HUGE amount of things to do. You'll definitely struggle to be bored.
In terms of sports activities on site you'll find crazy Golf, 5 playgrounds, cycling, tennis, table tennis, volleyball, a running track, pony rides and a tree trekking course.
Off-Site Activities
In the local area you'll find a driving range (22 km), rafting (32 km) from site and adventure course (35 km).
The site runs various excursions including a wine tasting experience to the Chianti vineyards and cellars and day trips to Florence, Rome and Siena. All of which can be booked at the information office in the lower village.
Where to Eat On Site
There are lots of dining options on site. These include:
2 well stocked supermarkets (one on both levels)- here you'll also find wine on tap!
In terms of shops there's also a gift shop, ice cream parlour and hairdressers.
At the bottom site you'll find two restaurants - Il Vecchio and Pizzeria Norcenni.
Il Vecchio Restaurant
There's also a bar and takeaway doing pizzas, then another serving fries, nuggets, salads etc.
In the courtyard through summer you'll find various stalls selling sweet treats such as crepes and popcorn in the courtyard of an evening.
At the top site you'll find Restaurant Sant Andrea.
Round both main pool complexes you'll also find a pool bar offering burgers, pizzas, paninis, fries plus alcoholic/non alcoholic drinks and ice creams.
Pool bar menu
There are so many options, you definitely won't be stuck for choice that's for sure.
Getting in to Florence & Pisa from the Site
If you're looking to visit anywhere in the local area, the first thing I'd recommend if you're not hiring a car, is to check the weather forecast and get the dates you're wishing to go off site set in stone.
The site has its own mini bus shuttle which will take you to Figline Valdarno train station. However, this must be booked and it does get full quickly. Once you arrive, go in to the info point on site and get the journeys booked in. You can book in the return journey too at the same time.
The bus costs around £1.50 for over 12s. Under 12s were free.
They also have their own private taxi option which we used twice costing around £25. Taxi's are practically non existent in the town, so I'd advise using the site options and being well organised.
From Figline Valdarno you can take the train to Florence (30 mins) and Pisa- swop at Florence (1hr 30). Other options include visiting Siena and Lucca.
Things to do in Florence with Children
Florence is packed with things to do for families and we loved the city, it's definitely one we want to return to for a longer stay.
A suggested one day itinerary would be to start your adventure at the enchanting Boboli Gardens, where children can roam the vast open spaces, climb tree-lined paths, and discover hidden sculptures, making it an ideal spot for a family picnic.
Then visit the Galileo Museum which features interactive exhibits on science and astronomy.
Afterwards take in the local culture and take a walk through the vibrant Mercato Centrale, where kids can sample delicious Italian treats like gelato and pizza while learning about local foods.
Obviously you need to include iconic Duomo too; the panoramic views of the city will leave everyone in awe.
Things to do in Pisa with Children
For our visit to Pisa, we only allocated a visit of a few hours as we were pre-warned that there actually isn't much there apart from the tower, so we tagged it on to the end of our day to Florence. Lucca or Siena may be a better alternative if you're looking for a full day out.
However, if you definitely want to visit then climbing the Leaning Tower is something you could include. Another suggestion would be to visit the nearby Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, which features fascinating exhibits about the history of the monumental structures in Pisa.
You could also take a walk along the Arno River, where you can indulge in local gelato and capture family photos against the picturesque backdrop of the city.
Other Places you can Explore from Norcenni Girasole
As mentioned earlier, Siena and Lucca are great options to take a day trip to, whether by booking on to a tour with the site or taking the train from Figline Valderno.
What to Pack for a Camp Site Holiday
Along with everything you’d normally take on holiday, as a family we always make up a little package of things to get us started in case things aren’t provided and shops are closed when we arrive.
Kitchen
Usually we bring a few basics like a couple of tea towels, a scourer and a fill one of the mini toiletry bottles with washing up liquid. I’ll usually pop a few extra toilet rolls and matches in the case too.
I’ll bring a packet of anti bacterial floor wipes to give everything a freshen up- I prefer the floor type as they’re much bigger and stronger.
We save up sachets and bring salt, sugar, tomato ketchup and again using a toiletry 100ml bottle to bring some cooking oil.
Clothes Washing
For washing we take Dr Beckman’s magic leaves (see our shopping list) so we can hand wash clothing in the sink. These take up very little space and can be used in a washing machine too. Clothes airers are usually provided in the accommodation but we bring two of our own caravan washing lines too.
Lastly I usually put in a few bin bags as they are always needed and some citronella candles for the deck at night to ward away any mosquitos.
This may sound a lot of extra things to bring but it all fits nicely in 1 packing cube or zip lock bag.
Bedding
In terms of bedding, this isn’t always provided (check individual listings). This can be hired but you can also bring your own. We tend to save up old sets and then we can bin them if we haven’t room to bring them back. The cost of hiring is usually around €100 for 5 beds. On this occasion we were changing accommodation three times so we were definitely bring our own than pay €300.
Games
Lastly we usually bring a few small games such as Uno and Pass the Pigs.
Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza is another family favourite- bizarre sounding but very fun. You can find all these in the above shopping list
There really isn’t much more to pack though than a regular holiday. Caravans are well equipped and the store on site sells literally everything you could probably need.
How Does it Compare to other Holiday Sites in Italy?
Plus points
There's a huge variety of things to do on site. I'd be quite happily visiting this site again, and not venturing off the grounds. You can easily spend 10-14 days here.
The site is near to so many great cities in Italy including Florence, Pisa, Luca and Siena. Not to mention the fact that the surrounding area of rolling hills and vineyards is stunning in itself.
The entertainment is great and well varied. The atmosphere at the night around the whole site, in particular the main courtyard is amazing. For those looking for a lively site, where you like to sit out and enjoy a wine, this is it.
The site is very clean and provides fantastic views, especially from the top site.
The amount of pools! For those with water babies you will not be disappointed
The amount of food options. Compared to other sites, there's a far greater choice in where to eat.
Hu Norcenni Girasole Village
Downsides
For those looking for a campsite and who won't have access to a car, this is slightly more remote and challenging than other sites. You need to well organised. Contact the site before arriving to arrange transport to pick you up and make sure you have all your days out planned in advance. It's not a site where you can decide days out on a whim.
The site is very large, which is great as there's lots going on. However, bear in mind the walk to activities and pools and the fact that as this is Tuscany, there is inevitable very steep hills. We were allocated a van very high up which took 20 mins to walk to the centre. The site is split in two and requires you use the land train between. We did walk from the top to bottom to get home, but I wouldn't recommend going from the lower level to the top as it would be a killer. The queue for the land train does get busy at peak times (there's one every 20 mins) and it's a bit like every man for themselves.
Hu Park Albatros Village, San Vincenzo, Tuscany- Click Here for more inf0
Camping Orlando in Chianti, Cavriglia, Tuscany, Italy, Click Here for more info
Parco delle Piscine, Sarteano, Tuscany, Italy, Click Here for more info
How to Travel to Rome with Kids: Budget Edition
As a family of 6 we decided to book our biggest adventure yet, exploring Italy by train over 16 days- Rome, Florence, Chianti, Pisa, Venice, Milan, Verona, and Lake Garda.
Of course, we needed child friendly accommodation as bases along the way and we love holiday parks in Italy- they're so different to the UK. Choosing Camping Village Fabulous was a no brainer for us. We spent a a week here in August 2020 and loved every minute.
Camping Village Fabulous is a large park with around 800 pitches, located close to the Ostia coast and its beautiful beaches.
Not only that but there's public transport on the doorstep to take you straight into Rome. The perfect combination between a relaxing break in the sun and a city break.
Types of Accommodation at Camping Village Fabulous, Rome
So for this visit we booked 3 nights in a 3 bed static caravan with deck which cost £435.
Example of one of the caravans
Last time we did a full week and did not want to leave at the end. We only booked the three nights this time as we had already seen many of the sights in Rome on our previous trip. We also needed to leave enough time to explore the Tuscan region and further north.
However, I think 7-10 days would be the perfect amount of time to spend here if you're visiting for the first time.
Kitchen in that Static Caravans
The accommodation on both occasions was modern, well kept and clean, in a quiet location away from the centre.
One of the bedrooms in the static caravans
At Camping Village Fabulousyou'll find a mix of accommodation from camping pitches and room for motor homes, to glamping tents and static caravans. There's something for every type of camper.
The Glamping Tents
In terms of the static caravan accommodation we hired, the equipment you'll find inside varies, but will usually include a microwave, kettle, hob, fridge, freezer plus all cooking utensils and equipment.
They may also have a dishwasher and oven. In some cases you may be required to pay extra for duvet covers and pillow cases or bring your own, I'll mention more on this near the end.
How to Get from Rome Ciampino Airport to Camping Village Fabulous
Transfer time from both airports in Rome is approximately 25 minutes. We flew into Rome Ciampino and paid for a one way private transfer which was €75 for the 21km journey. Book your private transfer with our special discount here
A taxi from outside the airport is around €45. Alternatively, they have Uber in Rome which will cost you around €50.
The nearest airport is Rome Fiumicino (FCO), 17.5km away. But there is not much difference between the two airports in Rome in terms of travel time. We have flown in to both airports for this this site and been charged the same too.
Driving from the UK to Rome
The site is located 1681km from Calais (a 16 hour drive), but of course, you can break this up with others stays en route in France and Switzerland.
Alternatively, you could take ferries to Zeebrugge - 1620km, Hook of Holland - 1675km or Caen - 1638km
The pool area features a range of water attractions for all ages.
You'll find two larger pools with deeper water, then a large shallow lagoon pool.
There's also two whirlpools, a slide and a dome which children can climb and slide down plus a new splash zone.
Pools are free to use and open all day (they do not close for a siesta). No swim hats or tight swim wear are required like some sites in Italy, so that's always a bonus.
Sun loungers are plentiful, however if you come to the pools around lunchtime you may struggle to get one in high season.
The pool areas are well supervised with lifeguards and kept clean. There is also toilet and changing facilities by the pool side.
On the website it does state no inflatables are allowed in the pools, however lots of people had them and they sell them onsite.
Kids Clubs
The campsite runs its own kids’ clubs for ages 5-8yrs and 9-12yrs, with English and Italian Spoken. Activities are advertised on boards around the camp.
We didn't use any of the clubs as my children prefer to be in the pool all day so I can't comment on the quality of activities provided.
Family Entertainment
Whilst we were there, most nights there were musicians in the courtyard area where the bar and restaurant are located.
There was also mini discos and shows in the entertainment area near to the pool complex.
Some nights there was special events such as foam parties for the whole family which was really fun.
Sports
On site you'll find plenty to do including crazy golf, 2 playgrounds, kart hire, trampolining, table tennis, tennis, football and volleyball.
The entertainment team provide pool bike classes, aqua aerobics and water polo throughout the day. Most activities are open 8th April to 30th September.
Off-Site Activities
Off-site you'll find sporting activities to do in the local area. These include Golf (7km), Driving Range (7km), Horse Riding (8km), Climbing Wall (4km) & Windsurfing (11km).
Where to Eat On Site
Mini Market
On site you'll find a well stocked mini market offering all types of foods you'd expect at home including BBQ food and equipment, bakery items, fresh fruit and vegetables, alcohol, toiletries and cleaning supplies. We were able to shop and make meals to enjoy back at our caravan.
The supermarket does close for a few hours during the day for a siesta, so make sure you check the opening times when you arrive.
Prices are typically more than other local supermarkets but not extortionate.
Pool Bar
Located within the pool complex you'll find a bar serving fast food like burgers, hot dogs, fries, nuggets, pizza, panini's, focaccia and a large selection of salads. Along with this they sell alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks and ice creams.
They offer a meal deal with a main, fries and drink for €9-11. We ate round the pool most lunch times on both trips as the kids didn't want to leave to go back to eat. We found the service, quality of food and value for money to be good. During siesta it’s the only place to get food on site so it does get really busy.
Takeaway
In the courtyard you'll find a takeaway offering pizza and pasta to take back to your accommodation or eat at one of the many picnic benches on site.
Food can be ordered and paid for using the app (see the QR Codes posted round the site) or at the counter. We used this option quite a few times on both visits, rather than having to cook of an evening. The pizzas were great for sharing and were proper authentic stone baked bases.
Ristorante Favoloso
In the evening the restaurant is open serving typical Italian meals on it's outdoor verandah.
Central Bar
In the morning they offer breakfast in the central bar with sweet and savoury options.
Gelateria
The gelateria offers ice cream and cocktails and is open till late at night. Again this closes for a siesta through the day but you can get ice cream and drinks at the pool bar all day.
Getting in to Rome from Camping Village Fabulous
Getting into Rome from here is easy, although a bit hair raising as you have to walk up a busy road for about 200m with no pavement to get to the bus stop.
You can purchase combination bus/tube tickets from the reception desk for €1.50 each, under 10s are free.
When you exit the campsite turn left. Walk 200m till you reach the main road. You will see the bus stop on the opposite side of the road, to the left of the crossing.
Use the marked crossing to cross to the other side of the road.
The buses you can take are numbers 709 or 070.
Once on the bus you have to validate your ticket using the machine and your 100 minutes starts from then.
You take the bus to EUR Fermi tube station which is the last stop on the bus.
After you exit the bus, go into the metro station and take the tube in the direction of either Rebibba or Conca D'Oro (it doesn't matter which)- see the blue line. Take the train 8 stops to the Colosseum.
The tube goes directly to the Colosseum. I’d recommend buying your return ticket from the site to save hassle using the machines or looking for a tobacconist who sells them in Rome.
Both the buses and metro operate between 6am -11.30pm.
Things to do in Rome with Children
Rome is a city brimming with adventure and excitement for kids! They can explore the ancient Colosseum, imagining the thrilling gladiator battles that took place there.
The Roman Forum offers a glimpse into daily life in ancient Rome, while the Vatican City,with its stunning art and the famous Sistine Chapel, sparks curiosity about history and religion.
Kids will love tossing coins into the Trevi Fountain, making wishes as they admire its beauty. Don’t forget to indulge in delicious gelato while roaming the lively streets, and perhaps take a fun family bike ride through the idyllic Villa Borghese park.
The park itself offer excursions to Rome, Ostia Antica, Tivoli, Pompei and Naples which can be booked via their tourist info office on site. Alternatively, you can arrange your own tours in advance.
Are Dogs Allowed at Camping Village Fabulous, Rome?
Dogs are permitted in selected accommodation types and allowed on the park, however they must be kept on a lead at all times when outside the accommodation.
Are Cars Allowed on Site?
A car can be parked on a pitch and there is no charge for additional vehicles.
Is the Site Suitable for Wheelchairs
This park is suitable for customers in wheelchairs, although you may need to check the type of accommodation is also wheel chair friendly before booking.
What other Facilities are there that you haven't mentioned?
The site has toilet and shower blocks along with washing machines and dryers. There's also washing up sinks. These facilities are mainly intended for those camping or in camper vans but anyone can use them.
What to Pack for a Camp Site Holiday
Along with everything you'd normally take on holiday, as a family we always make up a little package of things to get us started in case things aren't provided and shops are closed when we arrive.
Kitchen
Usually we bring a few basics like a couple of tea towels, a scourer and a fill one of the mini toiletry bottles with washing up liquid. I'll usually pop a few extra toilet rolls and matches in the case too.
I'll bring a packet of anti bacterial floor wipes to give everything a freshen up- I prefer the floor type as they're much bigger and stronger.
We save up sachets and bring salt, sugar, tomato ketchup and again using a toiletry 100ml bottle to bring some cooking oil.
Clothes Washing
For washing we take Dr Beckman's magic leaves (see our shopping list) so we can hand wash clothing in the sink. These take up very little space and can be used in a washing machine too. Clothes airers are usually provided in the accommodation but we bring two of our own caravan washing lines too.
Lastly I usually put in a few bin bags as they are always needed and some citronella candles for the deck at night to ward away any mosquitos.
This may sound a lot of extra things to bring but it all fits nicely in 1 packing cube or zip lock bag.
Bedding
In terms of bedding, this isn't always provided (check individual listings). This can be hired but you can also bring your own. We tend to save up old sets and then we can bin them if we haven't room to bring them back. The cost of hiring is usually around €100 for 5 beds. On this occasion we were changing accommodation three times so we were definitely bring our own than pay €300.
Games
Lastly we usually bring a few small games such as Uno and Pass the Pigs.
Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza is another family favourite- bizarre sounding but very fun. You can find all these in the above shopping list
There really isn't much more to pack though than a regular holiday. Caravans are well equipped and the store on site sells literally everything you could probably need.
How Does it Compare to other Holiday Sites in Italy?
Camping Village Fabulous is literally that- Fabulous!
If you haven't visited in the last 4 years, the site has seen some big improvements in terms of pools and entertainment. Between our two visits the 'Human Company' have take over the park and standardised the site in line with others they operate. Entertainment is more varied and they've added a new pool and splash zone.
We have stayed in numerous sites in Europe, and whilst this isn't our most favourite as some are literally incredible, it is a great holiday and great value with the massive plus point of being very close to Rome and a site we'll definitely return to for years to come.
Plus points
👍Great pool area
👍Close proximity to the airport
👍Easy to visit the city with no car
👍Small site so easy to navigate
Downsides
👎The site is pretty basic in terms of entertainment in comparison to some of the bigger sites we’ve visited
👎The site can be really noisy at night with large groups of people meeting up and partying in one caravan
👎We found it really difficult to a taxi on Uber or FreeTaxi from the site, this may be because we were a party of 6 though and not 4. The public transport from the site though is adequate.
👎In the day, options for food on site are limited. The shop and restaurants are closed for a siesta and there's only the pool bar unless you want to cook in your caravan. This also means that the pool area becomes very busy in turn.
Other Campsites in Rome
Village Roma Capital- Smaller than Camping Village Fabulous but usually cheaper too is located near to Ostia Beach (2.6km) and Rome (27.6km). Slightly further out than Village Fabulous but still within easy reach of the city
Hacks on How To Explore Italy for Less! Our £100 Trip
At Easter this year, we spent 4 days in Italy as a family of 6 and paid just £100 per person!
What did this include?
Return flights from Manchester
3 Nights Accommodation in Italy (1 night in Turin and 2 nights in Pescheria Del Garda)
All train fares and taxi's within Italy (and there were quite a few!)
Local City Taxes
Where did we visit?
Turin
Milan
Lake Garda
Verona
This is our 5th budget trip to Italy over the last few years as a family. Our longest being a 16 night trip around Italy by train which I still need to write up. This was just a mini break to get our Italy fix, but at this price we couldn't pass it up!
In this trip report, I'll tell you everything about our short break and give you tips on how to create your own holiday to Italy on a budget.
About Us
Bit of Background as It's Relevant to the Pricing
Age's of Children
So as a family we are actually now classed as 3 adults and 3 children as my eldest child turned 18 recently. The children's ages at the time of this trip were 14, 12 and 8. The pricing is therefore based on this.
Choices of Accommodation
As a large family, staying in hotels often means needing to pay for 2 rooms which gets costly. We've therefore learnt over the years to find different types of accommodation which are not only more budget friendly, but also give us far more space to spread out too.
Economies of Scale
But its not all bad, as a family of 6 we can also benefit from 'economies of scale', so when we do rent an apartment or take a taxi transfer for instance, that cost is split between 6, often makes our trips cheaper per person than a smaller family.
How to Plan a Budget Trip to Italy
Find Cheap Flights to Italy
Scanning for Low Flight Prices
Before we even decide we are going anywhere, I regularly scan for cheap flights to see if there are any bargain deals to be had using the flight search tool on our own website that is powered by Skyscanner.
I usually input 'Italy' in to the 'To' box rather than a specific city so I can see the cheapest destinations.
Once the results are produced, I then refine the search to check by the whole month by selecting 'Flexible Dates' and searching again.
From there it will show the cheapest cities to visit that month
You can then select a city and have a play around selecting outbound and return combinations
Getting Flights When They're at Their Cheapest
I must admit most the time we have no plans to go anywhere and purely decide to take a break due to finding a deal that we don't want to pass up. So in the most part, our holidays away are never booked more than 6-8 weeks beforehand.
Typically flights are at their cheapest when they are first released, which is usually around 9 months before departure. Budget airlines (which are our 'go to') release their Summer and Winter schedules in one big drop which are often too far in advance for us.
However, these lower prices may only be cheap for a matter of an hour or so before the prices rise substantially and stay high for the next few months. Prices then start to drop again around 2 months before departure when the airline realises that the plane will be flying with a lot of empty seats!
The Optimum Time to Book
This is different from booking totally last minute, say a few days or even a week before, when airlines know that their will be people desperate to book for a particular date and they hike the prices to their highest yet to capitalise.
We have found that the optimum time to book a last minute break is roughly 4-6 weeks before departure to get the best price.
Get our Italy Budget & Travel Itinerary Planner now!
What we Booked
So for the flights, we booked on 8th March and the departure date was 7th April. At the time EasyJet had some amazing prices for Italy with seats priced at just £1.99 per person, I literally couldn't believe my eyes when I saw them pop up on the site as they weren't running any specific promotions on their website.
Of course for adults, the flights still attracted the £13 Air Passenger Duty per person, making them £14.99 each. So in total 3 adult flights and 3 children's flights from Manchester to Turin, we paid just £50.94 in total- £8.49 per person!!
The price to return flight from Turin was substantially more, which is usually the case when you find a cheap outbound flight (eye roll!). However, as we like to travel to a few places when in Italy, its rare that we will return from the same airport we fly in to anyway.
Once we had found our cheap outbound flight, I then did a full search of all the airports in Italy for the day we wanted to return home. I found that flights from Verona, this time with Ryanair, were the cheapest, coming out at £168.24 for 3 adults and 3 children- just £28.04 per person.
The Total Cost and Route
The total price therefore for the return flights was £36.53 per person- not bad for a school holiday break!
So this was our route set, we were flying in to Turin on 7th April and going home from Verona on 11th April. I then just needed to figure out the bits in between.
Our Route Turin to Verona
Pre-Booking Seats on the Plane
Now our children are older, all are capable of sitting on their own, we never reserve seats for European flights and take our chances. This keeps the costs down substantially.
EasyJet allow you to check in 30 days beforehand and by making sure we do so, we've never been split up despite not paying for seats and I think we've taken at least 20-30 EasyJet flights over the years with the kids.
Ryanair are slightly different, in that children age 12 and under are allocated a free pre-booked seat along with 1 parent. We have one child that is still under 12, so on our return flight our youngest child was allocated a seat with myself as soon as we purchased our tickets. Check in opens 24 hours beforehand for everyone else. The rest of the party were all split up over 4 rows that were next to each other, which was completely fine as it's only a short flight from Manchester.
Taking Hold Luggage to Italy
In terms of taking luggage, we just don't, it's that simple. Hold luggage would have been more than the actual flights and really for a 4 day trip do you really need any more than a backpack? Years ago I would have taken 2-3 cases and packed everything but the kitchen sink but as I've travelled more frequently I've learned to be ruthless and just pack what we need.
Plus when you're travelling from place-to-place by train, its far more practical (and safety conscious) to each have everything just a backpack so that everyone can manage their own and you can keep your stuff with you at all time.
Obviously, my children are older now and with little ones, this probably isn't as practical, but my youngest manages her back pack fine and if it does get too heavy, its not much more for another adult to carry.
When we did our 16 day trip round Italy, we inevitably needed to take hold luggage, but we stuck to the one backpack each and just took one large suitcase between the six of us so I'm not saying we never travel with suitcases but if we can avoid it, we do.
Packing Tips for Italy
Buy toiletries at the airport
Or pre-order them to collect at boots after security. 100ml bottles and miniatures are no good for a family of 6 anyway, so its far more practical (and cheaper) for us to buy full sized versions online and collect them before departing.
Purchase a bag at the airport
we have a few cloth re-usable Boots bags that we have picked up at the airport on previous visits. You are allowed one bag of items purchased at the airport per person as part of your allowance (yes even with the budget airline carriers). Quite often we'll use this bag to put in a few other bits if we're struggling to get everything in our backpacks and put the toiletries or meal deal purchased at the airport on top. We have done this for years and no one has ever checked what's in the bags. On the way home if we don't have space in backpacks, we'll grab a drink and ask to buy a bag at the airport abroad (don't try using the Boots back home as most airports abroad don't have a Boots!)
Use Vaccuum Bags
We use travel vacuum bags for all our clothes. These come with a hand held pump, so when you're re-packing abroad, you can still get the air out without a hoover. We have used these on nearly every trip over the last 3 years and they are the best purchase I've ever made. The difference in what you can get in a backpack, when using one of these is incredible. For more info on these click here
Use the Appropriate Sized Bag
We make sure we have the correct sized bags- the dimensions for EasyJet and Ryanair are slightly different, in that EasyJet offers a slightly larger allowance. I make sure our bags fit the Ryanair criteria, so that I'm confident I can use them on every flight. I made the investment a few years back and we have had our moneys worth on our various travellers. Get the bag here
Make a list and Stick to it!
Write what you're going to wear each day, obviously take one or two spare items in case of spillages. Take items that can be mixed and matched and just take your most comfortable shoes that you can wear with any outfit- wear these to go in to give you maximum space in your bag.
Take Magic Leaves!
These have been used on every trip we've ever done in Italy. I usually just take 3-4 sheets out of the packet and pop them in a food bag in my luggage to save space. They are great for hand washing (use half of one) or you can you can use them in a washing machine. By takin these, we can minimise what we take and wash essentials mid way through our break. Find these here
Choose your Accommodation Wisely
Following on from the point above, we try to choose accommodation which provides bedding, towels and a washing machine. Before I went to holiday parks in Europe, I didn't even know it was a thing to not supply bedding! By having a washing machine, we take the minimum underwear, pjs and basics and wash/dry them every few days to use again.
Our Itinerary for Italy
Day One: Turin
From Turin Airport to the City Centre
After touching down in Turin (Caselle Airport) we breezed through security, making it from the plane doors to arrivals in just 15 minutes. Getting to the city centre from the airport was a piece of cake. Since it's a relatively small airport, finding our way was simple. We followed the signs in the arrivals for the train, and voila! The station (Torino Aeroporto di Caselle) was right across from the airport exit, with trains departing every 30 minutes.
We purchased our tickets online from trainline.com whilst stood on the platform for just £3.12 each—no need to queue at ticket machines, change the language on the machine or validate tickets. The 25-minute journey took us into the heart of Turin (Turino Porta Nuova), where a quick check of Google Maps led us to our apartment, just a 10-minute walk from the station. Easy-peasy!
Our Apartment in Turin
The apartment we found on our website and it cost just £71.84 (£11.97pp) for the night. Our stay for the night- Casa Carlina was located behind a tall door which opened up in to a whole series of apartments round a courtyard, it was very deceptive from the street and would never have know what was there.
The host kept in contact with us before our trip and gave us easy video instructions via WhatsApp on how to obtain the key and gain access.
The apartment slept 6 people comprising of 2 double rooms and a double sofa bed in the living room. We found it to be really well equipped with everything you could possibly need for a stay of any length.
Find the accommodation here(at the time of writing the accommodation is currently not accepting new bookings but click here for other accommodation in Turin
Food for the Night
Once settled in we looked round the local area for a takeaway whilst the teens had a shower. We found a little gem round the corner called Pizzeria Assaje that whipped us up a feast of authentic Italian Pizzas, Arancini balls (my favourite- basically a ball of risotto rice with other fillings mixed in such as cheese and meat, then bread crumbed and deep fried ), Bucatini balls (basically the same as the Arancini Balls but with tube like spaghetti instead of rice) and 2 types of chips.
We sat and had a wine outside with the other diners whilst the staff cooked our pizzas, total bliss after a long travel day.
The total coming in at £44 for the food which was amazing for the quality and amount we got. I can't even tell you how happy I was with the cloth bag they gave us it all in- a special size bag to fit pizza boxes, that obviously came home with me!
After our feast we got an early night, tired from today's travels.
Day 2: Turin to Lake Garda Via Milan
Breakfast
We rose early, packed our belongings, and headed towards the City Centre, just 500 meters away. There, we indulged in a breakfast of traditional Italian pastries and coffee, while the kids savoured homemade milkshakes with cake and fruit salads.
With the temperature already reaching 20 degrees it was beautiful to sit out and enjoy the sun, something we hadn't seen in the UK this Easter. The breakfast was approximately £34 for us all (£5.66 each)
The morning was spent exploring Turin before making our way to the train station around noon to continue our journey. Opting not to book trains in advance, we preferred to take a more relaxed approach.
Our next destination, Pescheria Del Garda, required a train change in Milan. Although purchasing two separate tickets made no difference in price, we decided to split the journey and spend a few hours exploring Milan before catching another train to Lake Garda.
Types of Trains in Italy
In Italy, there are premium high speed train services offering a high standard of cleanliness, and guaranteed seating, but they come at a higher price. For example, the premium train from Turin to Milan would have cost us £189 for all six of us and taken just 59 minutes. Instead, we chose the regional train, which took 1 hour and 56 minutes but cost only £64.79 for our group (£10.80 each).
In the past we have booked in advance and managed to get the premium trains for a similar price, but as this was a last minute budget trip we sacrificed price over comfort. To be honest the regional trains were ok, we got seats and power sockets and it was clean plus the kids welcomed the slightly longer journey to chill on their gadgets out of the heat.
Lunch in Milan
Upon arrival in Milan around 2pm, we opted to grab lunch. We had plans to indulge in pizza and pasta at our favourite restaurant in Pescheria del Garda later that evening, so we decided to give in and treat the kids to McDonald's to keep them satisfied and save on costs (plus, they'd already spotted Hello Kitty Happy Meals!). The cost was pretty comparable to the UK, paying £37 for 4 adult meals and 2 happy meals (£6.17pp)
Milan to Pescheria Del Garda
Once refreshed, we walked around the area surrounding Milano Centrale Station. I must admit on our last visit we didn't really rate Milan as a city. We have visited the Duomo and Emanuelle Galleria only 12 months previous and the kids were desperate to get to Lake Garda where there is much more there for them to do. We cut Milan short and took the 4pm train to Pescheria Del Garda. Again, we opted for the regional train service to save money, which took 1hr 30 and cost £54.47 (£9.07pp)
All trains we used to the Trainline app to book once within the station. We arrived in Pescheria Del Garda around 5.30pm and walked for 15 minutes to reach our home for the next two nights.
Pescheria Del Garda
Back in August 2022, we spent a week at Butterfly Camping in Pescheria del Garda, using it as a base for exploring the area. It's an ideal spot, with the train station just a 15-minute walk away, offering connections to Verona, Venice, and Milan, allowing for easy exploration of multiple destinations in one trip.
Camp Facilities
The campground is also conveniently located just a 10-minute stroll from Pescheria del Garda Town. It boasts two outdoor pools, slides, entertainment for younger children, sports courts, an onsite shop, bar and restaurant, bike and scooter hire, and direct access to the lake. While the facilities are basic, if you enjoy holiday camps in the UK, you'll find plenty to love about what they offer in Italy.
Unfortunately, the pool wasn't open until May when the weather is at a more steady temperature, the kids still loved the site all the same.
A photo from a previous trip!
Our Accommodation
We booked the caravan with the camp site direct, opting for the 3 bed deluxe van, paying just £108 for the two nights (£18pp) which included towels and bedding. Again the van was basic but very clean and we spend most the time out on the deck or exploring the area.
In the area there is also Gardaland, a fantastic theme park which also features attractions such as a Legoland Splash Park, Peppa Pig Land and a Sea Life Centre. Tickets are available to purchase here.
Once settled in we had drinks in the bar before heading off to our favourite restaurant in the town- a floating restaurant with the most incredible ambient backdrop. The meals are very reasonably priced and the total cost for 6 meals plus 2 drinks each was £82 £13.66pp)
Day 3: Pescheria Del Garda
Day 3 was a laid-back affair with nothing too eventful to mention. We spent the entire day at Lake Garda, beginning with breakfast on our deck before strolling along the shore, exploring the local shops and church and feeding the ducks.
After lunch in town, we treated ourselves to the best gelato from a nearby shop before returning to the campsite to freshen up and unwind.
For dinner, we dined at the onsite restaurant while the kids enjoyed playing in the park and around the campground.
Day 4: Pescheria Del Garda to Verona
A Complete Wash Out!
Day 4 turned out to be a bit of a washout, quite literally. Originally, we planned to check out of Butterfly Camping at 10 am and spend the day exploring Verona before catching our 9 pm flight. However, we had seen the storm forecast the day before and had a chat with the campground staff in reception to see if they would let us stay longer. They were incredibly accommodating and allowed us to keep the van until 5 pm at no extra cost. Unfortunately, the rain poured relentlessly for a solid 12 hours, accompanied by thunder that seemed to go on forever. We were relieved not to have to venture out in such dismal weather.
Train to Verona
Once the rain finally subsided, we made our way to the train station and caught a train to Verona mid-afternoon, the journey just taking 16 minutes which set us back £20.35 (£3.40 per person). After a stroll around Verona, we opted for a taxi to the airport, which cost us £25.76 (£4.29 per person) as it turned out to be cheaper than the airport shuttle bus.
Of course, the turn of events was disappointing, considering our plans to visit the arena and Romeo & Juliet's Balcony. However, we had explored these attractions before, and given the dreadful weather conditions, we preferred the comfort and security of staying in Pescheria del Garda, where we could seek shelter if necessary.
We hope you've enjoyed reading our blog! Stay tuned for more tales from our Italian adventures in the future. Grazie for following along, check out some of our others!
Disneyland Paris there and back in a day from Manchester! Not possible, right? Wrong!
Join us as we share with you our one day itinerary for Disneyland Paris
Birthday at Disneyland Paris
We did just this back in January for my daughter’s 12th birthday, spending one whirlwind day soaking in the magic of Disneyland Paris.
After our video post went viral on social media, I finally found time to detail the logistics of our incredible trip. If you’re wondering how we managed this feat, read on!
Planning a Trip to Disneyland Paris
How We Booked a One Day Trip To Disneyland Paris
Initially, we didn’t intend for Disneyland Paris to be a day trip. We had booked a three-night stay. However, when a super cheap deal to Lapland came up a few months after booking—a once-in-a-lifetime experience—we couldn’t resist.
There was no way we could take the children out of school twice in a six week period, so we decided to run with the Lapland trip instead.
Having been to Disneyland Paris around 15 times (we were annual pass holders previously), we decided to cancel our hotel and ticket package as we had free cancellation on this.
This left us with only the flights which we would lose all the money for (minus the airport tax) which seemed such a shame.
Planning an Extreme Day Trip to Disneyland Paris
It was getting closer to my daughters birthday and we had nothing planned, then it occurred to me that we could still use the outbound flight and just book a new return for each of us, this time returning the same day making it an 'Extreme Day Trip' to say the least, but Disneyland Paris in One Day, were we being crazy?!
Purchasing a New Flight
The fee for changing the original return flight was greater than the cost of purchasing a new one entirely.
Plus by just booking a new flight home we could also factor in a refund of the airport tax from the unused flights which amounted to £50.
This would cover at least half the cost of adding a new return so it didn't seem much more to pay.
Cost of the Flights to Charles De Gaulle
Being tied to our original outbound flight on my daughter’s birthday meant the flights weren’t the cheapest. Ideally, you can get return flights to Paris for around £40 if you watch for easyJet's flight releases and various price drops.
We added a new inbound flight and claimed tax back from EasyJet for the original flight, making it just an extra £50 in total.
However, for transparency if we hadn't done that, then the flights we went on would have cost £89.98 each so this is the total we will use in our breakdown.
One Day Disneyland Paris Park Tickets
As we now needed separate Park Tickets instead of the ones included with a hotel stay, we then purchased a one-day/two-park pass for £75.50pp.
You could save money by focusing on one park and buy a one-day/one-park pass for as little as £62.
Tickets with free cancellation are available, providing flexibility. We purchased our tickets using 'Get Your Guide' as we do for all our excursions.
You can see the prices for your dates and purchase below.
We had no desire to see and do everything during this visit. We’ve experienced the parades and fireworks countless times. Our main goal was to bask in the magic, celebrate my daughter’s birthday, and enjoy her favourite rides.
Depending on the time of year, yes you can see and do lots.
Could I do one day at Disneyland Paris and Stay One Night?
For first-time visitors, I recommend purchasing a two-day pass and booking a night at one of the more affordable Disney partner hotels. Many of which include breakfast and offer regular shuttles to and from the parks.
As we live 2.5hrs from Manchester Airport by train, I'd also paid £29 on a non-refundable rate for a Travelodge room in Manchester City Centre when we initially planned the three-night trip.
After school, we headed to the station and spent the evening in Manchester having a meal at Zizzi using our Tesco vouchers to pay in full, before heading to bed ready for our 3.30am wake up call.
My daughter initially thought we were just going to Manchester birthday shopping, so you can imagine her delight when I surprised her with a series of little gifts relevant to the trip on the train before the final reveal.
At the Airport
We arrived at Manchester Airport at 5:30am for our 7:05am flight. EasyJet seated us together for free, but we were prepared to sit separately as it’s a short 1-hour flight and of course we only had a backpack each, so no baggage fees were payable.
We landed in Paris at 9:20am. With only hand luggage, we bypassed baggage claim, but passport control took about 20 minutes.
Getting to Disneyland Paris from the Airport
We had planned to take the TGV high-speed train from terminal 2 in Charles De Gaulle Airport as this gets you to the gates of the parks in an impressive 9 minutes, but tickets sold out on the Trainline App whilst we were walking to the station and unfortunately, the next train wasn't for another 90 minutes.
With the TGV you must have an allocated seat and purchase the ticket before boarding. I'd been reluctant to book TGV tickets in advance due to their non-refundable nature and the fact you never can predict how long security will take once landed, so we ended up taking an Uber instead.
The Uber cost £48 and took about 50 minutes, getting us to Disneyland Paris by 10:55 AM. If you're travelling as a group of 4 or more, I would definitely recommend booking a private transfer for ease and convenience.
We use Holidays Extras for overseas transfers. We have a partner discount with them which is applied automatically when clicking here
What to do at Disneyland Paris in One Day
Disneyland Paris Hack - Download the App!
Once through the gates I loaded up the Disneyland Paris App to see the current wait times for the rides.
I would highly recommend installing the app for any length trip as it will enable you to make the most of your time and see when certain rides have less demand, reducing needless queueing. It made our trip so much easier!
Planning a Trip to Disneyland Paris: Make a List of Your Must See's
We did write a quick list of everything we wanted to see and do the night before with time being of the essence but, I'd recommend going with the flow and working around the app to maximise your experience if you're just there for just one day
Main Street and Frontierland
We headed straight into the main park and onto Main Street, using the Disneyland Paris App to check current wait times. My daughter’s main wish for the day was to ride Thunder Mountain, so we aimed for Frontierland where it is located.
Thunder Mountain Disneyland Paris
Whilst wait times were high at 50 minutes, we started with Phantom Manor, which had only a 5-minute wait thinking the ride time may reduce for Thunder Mountain getting closer to lunch, however this did not happen so we decided to head back to Main Street for those all important castle shots.
Fantasyland Adventures
After getting some castle photos, we went through to Fantasyland. Here, we enjoyed 'Madhatter’s Tea Cups' and 'It’s a Small World' with a minimal 5 minute wait. 'Alice’s Curious Labyrinth' was a delightful walk-through experience which I've never actually done in all our visits, and we spent about 20 minutes exploring this, getting lost in the maze and taking panoramic shots of the whole park from the top.
View from Alice's Curious Labyrinth Disneyland Paris
Lunch at Toad Hall
Now hungry, we had a meal at Toad Hall—a place we hadn’t visited in ages as it’s often closed during our visits. The fish and chips were generous (2 whole fish and a large portion of chip), costing £10 for a portion big enough to share.
We then indulged in massive ice creams from the March Hare for £6 each, which we couldn’t even finish.
More Rides at Disneyland Paris
We continued in Fantasyland with 'Le Pays Des Contes' which we walked straight on. As the sun came out, the day turned lovely, totally not what we were expecting in January.
Next, we headed to Discoveryland for 'Autopia', which had a shorter than advertised 25-minute wait. This ride was on my daughters non-negotiables and I'd been reluctant to queue as its usually around an hour but admittedly is great fun, of course she had to be the driver!
Visiting the Studios
By 2pm, we were near to the main gates anyway so decided to head over to the Studios Park using our hopper ticket. We quickly rode 'Slinky Dog' with a 5-minute wait and queued for 'Parachute Drop' for 20 minutes before it very annoyingly broke down just before we were due to get on it which seemed such a waste of our precious time.
To make up for this, we went on 'Ratatouille' as single riders, enjoying the ride without any wait.
Parachute Drop Disneyland Paris
Thunder Mountain Fast Passes
Back at the main park, Thunder Mountain still had a 40-minute wait, so we bought Fast Passes for £11 each, allowing us to go straight on. The ride was a highlight and worth the extra cost to see my daughters' face.
I totally forgot just how good this ride is and as it's quite a lengthy ride £11 seemed worth paying. That's not to say that I still find it annoying that Disney use to offer fast passes for free up until a few years ago.
Frontierland, Disneyland Paris
Lion King: Rhythm of the Pride Show
After Thunder Mountain, we checked the app to see what to do next and saw that the 'Lion King: Rhythms of the Pride Show' was just about to start in the Frontierland Theatre, just a couple of minutes walk away, so we quickly raced to get a seat.
Arriving 5 minutes before showtime, we still found great seats in the centre with a fantastic view. The show is a must see, based on the West End hit musical, with an incredible mix of singing and acrobatics.
Stars on Parade
Post-show, we headed quickly to Main Street for the 5.30pm 'Stars on Parade' which was just about to start. Despite the crowds, my daughter found a curb side spot to watch and this was just an amazing end to our time in the parks.
Disney Stars on Parade
Wrapping Up our Day
Shopping and Dinner in Disney Village
With the rides covered, we spent an hour shopping on Main Street and in Disney Village’s World of Disney so my daughter could spend some of her birthday money.
For dinner, we chose Five Guys in Disney Village, a favourite of my daughter’s, costing £26 for two meals with drinks.
Return Journey home from Disneyland Paris
We booked another Uber back to the airport at 7:20pm for £48. Our flight home at 10:10pm landed in Manchester at 10:50pm, and we were tucked in bed by 1am.
Cost of Disneyland Paris in One Day
Flights: £89.98 pp
1 Day/2 Park Hopper Pass: £75.50 pp
Ubers: £48 pp
Thunder Mountain Fast Pass: £11 pp
Ice Cream: £6 pp
Fish and Chips: £5 pp (shared)
Five Guys: £13 pp
Total Cost: £248.48 pp
Note: You could make this trip cheaper by securing a £40 flight as mentioned earlier and by sharing transfer costs if traveling in a group. Also, consider a 1-day/1-park pass to save even more and just focus on the one park.
Our Disneyland Paris Itinerary- Disneyland Paris in One Day
3:30am: Our Wake Up Call
5:00am: Left our Manchester City Centre Hotel
5.30am: Arrived at Manchester Airport
7:05am: Flight Departed from Manchester
9.20am: Flight Arrived in Paris
9.50 am: Through Passport Control and in a Uber to DLP
10.55am: Arrived at Disneyland Paris
10.50-12 Noon: Phantom Manor, Mad Hatters Tea Cups, It's a Small World, Alice's Curious Labyrinth and Time on Main Street with Castle Photo's
12:00-1:00pm: Lunch at Toad Hall, Followed by Ice Creams at the March Hare
1:00pm-2:00pm: Autopia and a look in the shops on Main Street
2:00pm-3:00pm: Disney Studio's: Slinky Dog, Ratatouille and Wasting Time queueing for Parachute Drop that Broke Down
3.30-4:30pm: Back in to the Main Park and to do Thunder Mountain
4:30-5.15pm: Lion King Show
5.15-5.50pm: Disney Stars on Parade
5:50-6:30pm: A Final Look in the Shops
6:30pm-7.10pm: Tea in Five Guys
7.10pm Returned to the Airport Via an Uber
10:10pm Flight Departed Paris
10:50pm Flight Landed in Manchester
1:00am Tucked up in Bed
An Extreme Day Trip to Disneyland Paris
Our day trip to Disneyland Paris was a whirlwind adventure, perfect for celebrating my daughter’s birthday. For seasoned visitors like us, it was a magical, even if just a quick experience, although it was VERY tiring. My legs the next few days afterwards were like jelly.
If you’re planning your own visit, consider your priorities and use the Disneyland Paris App to make the most of your time. Whether it’s a one-day dash or a longer stay, the magic of Disneyland Paris awaits. Happy travels!
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I’ve cracked the code on airline loyalty programs- and you can too. 
Small and compact, we felt much more confident in letting the children wander about here unsupervised
Swim hats- having to wear a swim hat was a bit of a pain but at least they didn't also have the tight swimwear rule 
