When people get ready to go on vacation, often travelers have one particular destination in mind. Occasionally, however, you’ll wind up with an opportunity to tack a side trip onto your vacation. Side trips give you the chance to visit corners of the world that you might never see otherwise.

You can find fun day trips from nearly any major travel destination, making this an easy way to scratch more items off your travel bucket list. So before you go abroad, check out some of the world’s best vacation side trips.

Visiting London? Check out Bath

Best Vacation Side Trips like Bath

The Royal Crescent, Bath

Bath is one of the best vacation side trips to take when you’re visiting London. You can get to Bath from London in less than 90 minutes by train, making it a convenient stop on any London itinerary. The ancient city offers insight into the Roman Empire with its well-preserved ancient temple and its famous hot springs baths. After visiting the Roman baths, be sure to stop by the Bath Abbey, which dates back to 1499. Other great sites to include in your day trip include the No.1 Royal Crescent museum, the Jane Austen Centre, and the Holburne Museum.

Related: Want to Go Beyond the City of Lights? These 8 Day Trips from Paris are Tres Magnifique

Visiting Tokyo? Check out Mount Fuji

Best Vacation Side Trips like Mount Fuji

Mt. Fuji

You’ll find the stunning Mount Fuji about 60 miles from Tokyo. It would be a shame to visit Tokyo without getting up close and personal with this (active!) volcano. Keep in mind that you’ll get the most out of your visit to Mount Fuji if you go during the summer season. While in the area, it’s also a good idea to tour the Fuji Five Lakes, which include Kawaguchiko, Saiko, Yamanakako, Shojiko, and Motosuko. And each of these lakes features jaw-dropping views of the volcano as well as a host of outdoor recreational activities.

Visiting Dublin? Check out Belfast

Best Vacation Side Trips like Belfast

Belfast, Northern Ireland

If you find yourself in Dublin, you might want to take a day trip to Belfast in Northern Ireland. This lovely city is about two hours from Dublin. Popular attractions in Belfast include the Titanic Museum, the St. George’s Market, and the iconic Belfast Cathedral. A great way to tour the city is to hire one of the legendary Black Taxis. What better way to check out the history and lore of Belfast than while riding in its most famous mode of transportation? Don’t forget to leave time in your day trip to grab a pint at a pub, a quintessential Belfast experience.

Visiting Milan? Check out Lugano

Best Vacation Side Trips like lugano

Lugano, Switzerland

Known as “Little Italy,” Lugano, Switzerland definitely gives off an Italian vibe. You can travel from Milan to Lugano in about 90 minutes. The scenic train ride is one of the most beautiful routes in Europe. Once you’re in Lugano, you’ll marvel at the open piazzas, the charming lakeside, and the vibrant city center. Every district neighborhood boasts its own piazza, making it fun to explore the customs and people of this beautiful Swiss city. October is an ideal time to visit Lugano, as you’ll get to experience the Festa d’Autunno with its delicious food, wine, and more.

Visiting Tallinn? Check out Helsinki

Tallinn, Estonia

It’s definitely worth spending your vacation in the quaint medieval town of Tallinn, Estonia. Tallinn’s Old Town is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The charming cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and impressive city walls make it a must-visit destination. But did you know that Helsinki, Finland is just a 30 minute flight away?

Helsinki is a hotspot for design and architecture and offers many fascinating buildings, such as the Helsinki Central Library, Chapel of Silence, and the Kamppi Chapel. Make sure you stop at Café Snellman along the way for the best doughnut in Finland. There are many great art and history museums for you to choose from. For a dive into Finnish culture, head to the Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma or the Finnish Museum of Natural History. Also, you can take a ride on Helsinki’s SkyWheel, a huge Ferris wheel that includes the SkySauna, which features a sauna in the sky — with an amazing sea view — and an invigorating hot spring hot tub on the ground.

Visiting Reykjavik? Check out Greenland

Nuuk, Greenland

OK, this one is a bit of a stretch for a day trip. But if you’re already thinking about taking a vacation to Reykjavik, Iceland — and given the spectacular scenery there, there’s every reason that you should — you have a unique opportunity to visit one of the least-visited spots in the world: Greenland. Granted it’s about a three hour flight from Reykjavik, but if you’ve always wanted to be above the Arctic Circle, odds are you’ll never be closer.

There’s also much to do once you’re in Nuuk, in addition to the fascinating local geography. Check out the Nuuk Art Museum, the Greenland National Museum, and the Katuaq Cultural Centre, to learn more about the local culture, art, and history of Greenland. You can also go whale watching, visit the Nuuk fjords, and see the Northern Lights.

Have you ever taken any of these cool side trips? Tell us about your experience in the comments section below!

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