These are complete chapters from my Daytrips series of travel guides, with maps, photos, and everything you need to know when taking the one-day adventures. I'll be adding more from time to time, so bookmark this site and visit often. Enjoy!
Clicking on the title takes you directly to the chapter.
BRITAIN:
Arundel. Like a vision from a fairy tale, the picture book town of Arundel nestles snugly at the base of its massive castle.
Battle. Relive the Battle of Hastings on the very spot where it took place in 1066 on this very easy daytrip from London.
Bletchley Park. Relive the most guarded secrets of World War II while experiencing the earliest days of computing at this estate outside of London.
Bluebell Railway. Europe's best standard-gauge preserved steam railway is an easy daytrip from London.
Canterbury. Chaucer's famous tales come to life in this most historic town, an easy daytrip from London.
Colchester. England's oldest town is filled with atmosphere, and has a nice castle. An easy ride from London.
Cookham. A country walk along the River Thames not far from London.
Dover. England's great seaport is guarded by a 12th-century castle high atop the fabled White Cliffs.
Faversham. This unspoiled little corner of England, close to London and situated at the end of a tidal estuary, has over a thousand years of maritime history behind it. And good beer.
Gloucester. An exploration of a fascinating side to England's rich maritime heritage, and a visit to a location of the Harry Potter movies. Taken from the pages of my Daytrips London guidebook, and updated.
Greenwich, London. Englands maritime history, the Prime Meridian where time begins, great pubs, plus the fantastic Thames Barrier and the Millennium Dome.
Hampton Court. A quick and easy trip by rail, boat, or car from London takes you to Henry VIII's great palace to see how royalty lived. Don't get lost in the maze.
Hastings. Heart of the 1066 Country, Hastings is both an ancient seaport and a modern resort. A daytrip from London.
Ipswitch. This ancient town, first settled in prehistoric times, has plenty of character and a peculiar charm that slowly takes hold as you stroll its venerable streets.
King's Lynn. This ancient seaport on the River Great Ouse abounds in atmosphere and is near both Castle Rising and Sandringham, a home of the royal family that can be visited.
London's Docklands, from my guidebook Daytrips London. Explore London's new futuristic city set in the colorful remnants of an industrial past, then stroll through Limehouse, along the Thames, all the way to Tower Bridge.
Norwich. A great cathedral, a great castle, a charming ancient city with narrow, winding streets, and tons of atmosphere.
Nottingham. Robin Hood's home, a castle, and great pubs.
Portmeirion, Wales. Here's a gem of a Daytrip by my fellow writer Judith Frances Duddle, taken from her recent guidebook, Daytrips Scotland & Wales. If you were ever a fan of The Prisoner, you won't want to miss this.
Richmond, London. A trip through the botanical splendors of Kew Gardens, with a bonus visit to a steam museum as well as some historic royal sites.
Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch. Ride a miniature steam train through an unusual landscape to a seaside nuclear station, then visit one of England's great harbors.
Royal Tunbridge Wells. An old aristocratic resort with a healing spring, genteel diversions, and an old-time steam railway you can ride.
Rye. This ancient port on the coast south of London is one of the prettiest villages in all of England, and one rich in literary memories. Taken from my guidebook Daytrips London and updated.
St. Andrews. A Daytrip from Edinburgh or Glasgow to the birthplace of golf. Besides the Old Course, there's a ruined castle, a ruined cathedral, a delightful old town, and great scenery. Taken from Daytrips Scotland & Wales by my fellow author, Judith Frances Duddle.
Salisbury and Stonehenge. Immerse yourself in the mysteries of Stonehenge, then visit one of Britain's loveliest towns.
Stirling, Scotland. An easy one-day excursion by train or car from Edinburgh or Glasgow to a major castle linking Scotland's Highlands and Lowlands. There are other historic sights as well, including the site of the pivotal Battle of Bannockburn in the Scottish Wars of Independence. Extracted from Daytrips Scotland & Wales by Judith Frances Duddle.
Stoke Bruerne Canal Walk. An 8-mile walk along the towpath of the Grand Union Canal to the most colorful old canal village in Britain.
Stratford-upon-Avon. Relive the life of William Shakespeare as you visit the Bard's birthplace, homes, and other preserved places associated with him — then perhaps enjoy one of his plays and a pint or two.
Wells. England's smallest city slept right through the turmoils of history, guarding its complete and untouched medieval ecclesiastical complex from the nearby Witch of the Wookey Hole.
Windsor & Eton. Just about the easiest possible daytrip from London, the perfect start to experiencing England on your own. Taken from the pages of my book Daytrips London.
Woodbridge. This delightful little town at the end of a tidal estuary offers old mills, a waterside country walk, quirky museums, and an exploration of Englan's Anglo-Saxon past.
Woodstock. One of the grandest of England's stately palaces, Blenheim, the birthplace of Winston Churchill, lies within easy daytrip range of London or Oxford.
York. One of the most exciting places in England, do-able as a daytrip from London. Visit the best train museum in the world, England's greatest cathedral, medieval walls, ancient digs, and so much more.
EUROPE:
Ammersee, Germany. A cruise on a delightful lake, an historic monastery, and Beer, Beer, Glorious Beer — all near Munich and easy to get to.
Bamberg, Germany. A medieval inland port untouched by the ravages of war, and home to the best beer.
Bayreuth, Germany. This daytrip from Munich is a must for all lovers of Wagnerian opera.
Berchtesgaden, Germany. The castle, the salt mines, Germany's most beautiful lake, snow-capped Alps, and the famous Eagle's Nest — all together in one spot. This daytrip from Munich or even Salzburg in Austria is taken from my guidebook Daytrips Germany.
Berlin Kreuzberg, Germany. This off-the-beaten-corner of Berlin features a fabulous technical museum and neighborhoods full of alternative types.
Bokrijk, Belgium. The rural past lives again at the Flemish Open-Air Museum, where old structures from all over the Flemish provinces are reassembled into villages, and where the old crafts are kept alive. A great place to sample Belgium's country brews. This one-day trip from Brussels is taken from my guidebook Daytrips Holland, Belgium & Luxembourg.
Bremen, Germany. This easy daytrip from Hamburg combines a remarkable degree of sophistication with a true zest for life, and includes a harbor cruise. Taken from my guidebook Daytrips Berlin & Northern Germany.
Bremerhaven, Germany. This daytrip from Hamburg or Bremen explores Germany's great seaport, visits ships and a WWII submarine, and allows you to experience the hardships of 19th-century emigration. Taken from the 7th (2009) Edition of Daytrips Germany.
Burgenland, Austria. A short Daytrip from Vienna takes you to Europe's most mysterious lake, some really quaint villages, unusual foods, great wines, and the birthplace of the symphonic form.
Chantilly, France. The most beautiful chateau in France, enchanted gardens, a magnificent forest, one of the nation's best art museums, stables that resemble a palace, and a world-famous racetrack all lie just outside Paris.
The Chiemsee, Germany. Ride a steam train to a gorgeous lake, take a cruise, visit one of crazy Ludwig's palaces, then a fishing village and an ancient convent. All in an easy daytrip from Munich.
Dresden, Germany. Visit the Baroque splendors of the famed "Florence of the North" on a daytrip from Berlin.
Eisriesenwelt, Austria. The world's largest perpetually-frozen ice cave can be explored on this easy daytrip from Salzburg.
Èze, France. This ancient village between Nice and Monaco clings to its rocky perch, overlooking the Riviera from high above the blue Mediterranean.
Füssen and Neuschwanstein, Germany. THE dream castle to end all castles was built in the Bavarian Alps by crazy King Ludwig II in the 19th century. A daytrip from Munich.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. Explore an Alpine village at the foot of Germany's highest mountain, and wander through a white-water ravine on this easy daytrip from Munich.
Giverny, France. Wander through the Impressionist painter Monet's gardens, home, and studio, then explore the ancient town of Vernon.
Hallein, Austria. Travel through a salt mine deep in the Earth, visit a prehistoric Celtic village, explore the Celtic past, and find the origins of that favorite Christmas carol, Silent Night.
Hallstatt, Austria. An advance sneak peek at my forthcoming guidebook, Daytrips Austria. This one-day trip from Salzburg takes you deep into the mountains where an ancient village clings to its perch above a mysterious lake. Visit a salt mine, see prehistoric remains, rent a boat, examine the painted skulls of long-deceased residents, or just relax in the town square.
Hamburg, Germany. The Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg is Germany's greatest port, an intensely colorful metropolis alive with commerce and trade.
Herculaneum & Vesuvius, Italy. This daytrip from Naples explores the buried Roman city of Herculaneum, then climbs the volcano that buried it.
Hoorn and the Historic Triangle, Holland. Ride an ancient steam ttrain through rural Holland, then take a cruise through the IJsselmeer to an historic village before visiting one of Holland's most enjoyable towns. Taken from my guidebook Daytrips Holland, Belgium & Luxembourg.
Innsbruck, Austria: Ascent of the Hafelekar. An easy but exciting mountain adventure in the Alps.
Kitzbühel, Austria. One of the world's best winter resorts is equally attractive in the warmer months. An easy daytrip from Innsbruck.
Lake Starnberg, Germany. Close to Munich but a world apart, a cruise on this lake near the Alps takes you to charming villages, castles, and two stunning small museums.
Lindau, Germany. This daytrip from Munich takes you to an ancient lakeside town, with opportunities for boat rides past Switzerland and Austria, or even to ride in a zeppelin.
Lucca, Italy. Visitors to Florence should not miss this medieval gem of a town, an easy daytrip as well as an eye-opening experience. Fully encircled by ancient ramparts, it is drenched in atmosphere, art, and memories of the past. This complete chapter is taken from my guidebook Daytrips Italy.
Lüneburg, Germany. Just outside of Hamburg and very easy to reach, this well-preserved medieval town dates from the discovery of its salines springs over a thousand years ago.
Lutherstadt Wittenberg, Germany. This easy daytrip from Berlin explores the life and times of Martin Luther as well as the beginnings if the Protestant Reformation. Taken from Daytrips Berlin and Northern Germany.
Mariazell, Austria. Austria's foremost place of pilgrimage and the home of its national shrine also delights visitors with mountain, lakes, and some railfan choices.
Miltenberg, Germany. One of the most beautiful of Germany's medieval towns is an easy daytrip from Frankfurt. This complete chapter is taken from Daytrips in Germany's Rhineland.
Mittenwald, Germany. One of Bavaria's most enchanting towns is easily seen on a daytrip from either Munich or Innsbruck. From watching violins being made to ascending a spectacular mountain peak to wandering through a whitewater gorge, there's plenty to do and see on this chapter from Daytrips Bavaria.
Moret-sur-Loing, France. An easy daytrip from Paris takes you to a small medieval town right out of an Impressionist painting, with memories of France's great premier Georges Clemenceau, Napoleon and others.
Munich Nymphenburg, Germany. One of the most splendid royal palaces in the world, Nymphenburg can keep you enthralled for the better part of a day.
Netherland Open-Air Museum at Arnhem. Stroll into the past in Holland's largest and oldest outdoor folk museum as you watch old skills brought to life and enjoy taste treats. There are windmills and watermills of course, and you can ride on vintage street trams.
Nürnberg, Germany. The most German of German cities — full of Old World delight and more recent history — is an easy daytrip from Munich.
Oberammergau & Linderhof, Germany. The setting for the great Passion Play, plus crazy King Ludwig's most enjoyable palace, both on a daytrip from Munich.
Ostia Antica, Italy. The best-preserved Roman town lies just minutes from Rome by rail or car. Why bother with Pompeii?
Paris, France. My guidebook Daytrips France features (along with the rest of the country) five one-day walking tours of Paris — plus this bonus chapter on the many other attractions that visitors usually miss.
Piber Stud Farm and Barnbach, Austria. Visit the home of the famous Lipizzaner Stallions, stars of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, then a most unusual church and a glass-blowing center.
Rothenburg-ob-der-Tauber, Germany. Bavaria's classic medieval town has hardly changed since the Thirty Years War of the 17th century.
Rüdesheim & Bingen, Germany. Wine lovers will love this daytrip to a famous wine village on the Rhine. It includes both chairlift and cable car rides, a walk high above the river, and a ferry ride to the historic home of Hildegard von Bingen. There are also three highly unusual museums.
Salzburg, Austria. Visiting the places associated with Mozart, plus a lot more. An easy daytrip from Munich. Taken from the 2007 edition of my guidebook, Daytrips Bavaria.
San Gimignano, Italy. Visit an incredible medieval town with its ancient towers on this daytrip from Florence. Taken from my guidebook Daytrips Italy.
Sans Souci, Germany. Probably the easiest daytrip you can make from Berlin — and it takes you to one of the world's greatest palace complexes. Immerse yourself into a day of sumptuous, decadent living. Extracted from my book Daytrips Berlin & Northern Germany.
Schneeberg, Austria. Ride up Vienna's "Snow Mountain" on an ancient steam train, then hike to its summit for a view.
Trier, Germany. Explore the greatest collection of Roman remains north of the Alps in this, Germany's oldest city. Taken from the pages of Daytrips in Germany's Rhineland.
Var Valley, France. Ride a narrow-gauge train from Nice on the Riviera to the lowers Alps, stopping at a mountain resort and a walled town with a castle. Taken from Daytrips France.
Vianden, Luxembourg. Just a short hop from Luxembourg City by car or train & bus lies this nearly unspoiled medieval village, complete with its fairytale castle. Taken from the pages of my guidebook, Daytrips Holland, Belgium & Luxembourg.
Volendam, Marken & Edam, Holland. This very easy daytrip from Amsterdam is full of surprises...and much better than taking a guided tour (cheaper, too!). A chapter from my book Daytrips Holland, Belgium & Luxembourg.
Wachau Valley, Austria. This daytrip by train and boat from Vienna takes you down the Danube River through a dramatic valley, visiting a great abbey, a ruined castle steeped in history, and a town where the wine flows freely.
Zaanse Schans, Holland. Just minutes from Amsterdam and easily reached, this collection of preserved working windmills, old village buildings, and boat rides offers an enjoyable and inexpensive Dutch treat.
Texel, Holland. A relaxing daytrip from Amsterdam to an island in the North See filled with natural wonder.
Vienna's Kahlenburg Heights, Austria. In the hills just north of Vienna, overlooking the Danube, is one of the world's great abbeys. From there immerse yourself in the world of Beethoven while enjoying the new wine.
Wendelstein Mountain, Germany. This roundtrip by rail or car from Munich includes an Alpine village, a cable car up a mountain, a cave, some nice hikes, and a cog-wheel train down the mountain.
The Wienerwald, Austria. Vienna's own circle of woods and protected countryside is full of historic sights.
Zugspitze, Germany. One of the classic daytrips in Bavaria is an excursion to the top of the Zugspitze. At nearly ten thousand feet, Germany's highest peak offers a fantastic panoramic view across four nations. Daytrips Bavaria shows you the best way to do it.
ISRAEL:
Ashkelon. An easy daytrip from Tel Aviv or Jerusalem takes you into one of the world's oldest inhabited town, with Roman ruins and an Arab village.
NORTH AMERICA:
Doylestown, PA. Just north of Philadelphia and easily reachable by car or commuter train, Doylestown offers three truly unique attractions, including two of the strangest museums you'll ever see, a stunning art collection, a "Castle for the New World," historic sites, and a covered bridge.
Fjord du Saguenay, Québec. A spectacular natural wonderland within reach of Québec City, where solid walls of rock drop to the dark, cool waters of the river, while picturesque villages rest snuggly between the river's edge and mountains. From Daytrips Québec by Karen Desrosiers.
Mont-Tremblant, Québec. Spend a day in the wilds north of Montréal — hiking, swimming and canoeing — and then relaxing at a world-class resort village. From the pages of Karen Desrosiers' book Daytrips Québec.
Pennsylvania's Amish Countryside. You'll need a car for this one-day excursion into the heart of the Amish countryside, a mere 60 miles west of Philadelphia. From the pages of my Daytrips Pennsylvania Dutch Country & Philadelphia.
Strasburg, PA. A railfan's delight, riding steam trains and playing with model trains.
Jim Thorpe, PA. An historic town at the base of the Pocono Mountains, with a great mansion, train rides, a coal mone, whitewater trips, and much more.
PACIFIC:
Fossicking in the Gem Fields, Queensland Outback, Australia. Beware — this trip has addictive features — you may not come back until you find the big one. To fossick is to search for mineral deposits like sapphires or rubies, explains author James Postell in his guidebook Daytrips Eastern Australia.
Fraser Island, Australia. This is actually a 2 or 3 day tour about a hundred miles north of Brisbane, but it's so enticing that author James Postell bent the rules a bit in his guidebook Daytrips Eastern Australia.
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