Life: Pip’s Tips For Better Day Trips

So tell me, when was the last time YOU went on a bit of day trip? I’m a complete day-tripper. I love to get out and about with my family, to see new things and talk about stuff in the car and snack on delicious bakery items and adventure about.  Perhaps this sounds like something you’d like to do too?  Perhaps you have been stuck in a bit of a home time rut and you need a little bit of a push to get you started?

I am such a good pusher. I am pushing day trips and here are my top tips for a nicer time:

1. Start early. You don’t have to start at the crack of dawn, but try and leave by 9am to get the best day out of it. I think if you start TOO early you can end up super exhausted before lunch time. That is not fun.  So leave by 9 and you’ll be fine.

2. Have a big breakfast OR plan a brunch stop.  Hungry people are antsy, it’s true. So plan to eat together. Maybe that means lots of scrambled eggs on toast before you hit the road? Or maybe that means consulting the local Good Food Guide or touring guide and planning your brunch stop for 10am, once you are on the road.

3. Plan your lunch.  If you don’t have a budget, you can just wing it. But I do have a budget so I like to plan ahead. I do a bit of research about where it’s nice to eat.  OR I pack an esky with some BBQ things and pick up some bread rolls and other snacky bits at our destination.  I have a basic picnic kit too, with salt and pepper and tomato sauce and knives and chopping boards and glad wrap and garbage bags.  SO I just sling that in the car with our picnic set and we are set for anything.  Most maps will show you where BBQs are located if you choose this option.

4. Check out wineries, farms, markets and antique shops.  Google is your friend here, plan your route and google accordingly. You’ll find that it makes locating good places to visit so much easier.  Also you could use some of these apps I wrote about a little while ago to plan a bit of an itinerary.

5. Take your time.  You really don’t need to rush it. If you’ve only got the day, don’t go TOO far.  Then you have plenty of time to amble back without feeling exhausted or stressed.

6. Pick up dinner.  Did you bring an esky?  Stop at a providore or independent grocer or deli while you trip and pick up something delicious to have once you get home. Not only is this a great way to end the day, it’s a cute reminder of where you went and  a nice way to start dinner conversation about what you did.

How about you?  Are you a bit of a road tripper? Or is this something you want to do more of?  Do you want to get out and about?

xx Pip

This post is part of the Going places story sponsored by Nissan X-TRAIL. Road trip inspiration to get you moving.

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