A UK woman has celebrated her 50th birthday in spectacular fashion by completing a personal challenge to visit 50 cities in a single year, relying largely on what she calls Extreme Day Trips (EDTs).
The 50-City Mission
Deborah, who lives near Stansted Airport, began her ambitious quest on her 49th birthday in December 2024 with a day trip to Pisa, Italy. She returned to the same city exactly one year later to mark her 50th, having successfully toured dozens of European destinations in between. The challenge saw her complete 39 extreme day trips, where she departed and returned home on the same day, often flying out early and being back in her own bed by nightfall.
"I wanted to mark turning 50 in a memorable way," Deborah explained. "It's a milestone birthday and I wanted to set a goal. I like to make the most of every moment." Her previous travel pattern involved just two such trips annually, making this a significant escalation in her passion for condensed exploration.
Favourite Finds and Travel Tactics
When asked to name her top picks, Deborah had clear favourites. Italy emerged as her preferred country, never disappointing with its history, food, and beauty. Florence was a particular highlight. Among cities, she adored the three Baltic capitals and declared Berlin her favourite 'big' city. She has a soft spot for historic, walled cities with cobbled streets.
Logistically, Deborah's year involved 78 Ryanair flights, six Eurostar journeys, two ferry trips, and one Air Baltic flight. She travelled solo nine times, with the rest of the adventures shared with her husband Matthew, 54, or her two teenage children. Her job as a display rep, working two days a week, provided the flexibility needed, with most trips taking place on weekends, Tuesdays, or Wednesdays.
The Budget for a Blitz
Deborah is a master of budget travel. She typically refuses to pay more than £35 for return flights, using Skyscanner's 'Go Anywhere' tool to hunt for deals. Her cheapest excursion was to Gdansk, Poland, where she and her husband spent just £30 each, including a meal, with flights costing £27 return. The only exception was a £60 return trip to Lapland.
Living mortgage-free near Stansted Airport eliminates parking costs, making spontaneous travel remarkably affordable. "I love leaving early and coming back in time to sleep in my own bed. It feels like a real adventure," she said. For those hesitant, her advice is to start with family trips or closer destinations to build confidence. "Once you've done a couple of solo trips the world is your oyster!"
Deborah's itinerary was packed, spanning from Cardiff and Edinburgh to Vienna, Prague, and Bucharest. Memorable moments included a sunset funicular ride in Bergamo, visiting floating saunas in Oslo, and a ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn.
With the 50-city challenge triumphantly complete, Deborah is already plotting her next adventures. South Eastern Europe is in her sights for 2026, with Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia, and Croatia on the list. Her final message to aspiring travellers is emphatic: "Go for it – you'll never regret it. It's life-changing."
