Free Sample Chapters From Daytrips Books

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Dresden, Germany. Visit the Baroque splendors of the famed "Florence of the North" on a daytrip from Berlin.

Èze, France. This ancient village between Nice and Monaco clings to its rocky perch, overlooking the Riviera from high above the blue Mediterranean.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

NORTH AMERICA:

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.

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.