If you want to enjoy a gorgeous  European holiday but don’t want to sacrifice your annual leave to do it, then you’re in luck. 

Over a single weekend, you can see two gorgeous countries without having to take a day off thanks to the train between them taking less than half an hour.

By flying into Nice on a Friday evening after work, you can use your Saturday to explore this beautiful  French seaside town. Skyscanner currently has flights from London to Nice later in January for just £88.

Nice is famous for its relaxed, Italian inspired atmosphere. The city is influenced by its proximity to Italy, with the border just 14 miles away and the architecture, cuisine and seaside resorts.

Explore its famous flower market located in the centre of the city as well as its fresh food and vegetable market perfect for a Saturday morning wander. 

On Sunday, you can take a quick train ride from Nice to Monaco – a small independent sovereign state just 20 minutes by train. Trains leave from Nice to Monaco every half hour and this is the perfect opportunity to see two countries in a weekend. 

Monaco is famed for being a playground for the rich and famous – it’s even name dropped in ABBA’s classic ‘Money, Money, Money’.

However,you don’t have to be a millionaire to enjoy a day in this stunning city state. As it’s just 2.02 square kilometres, Monaco is easy to stroll through so you don’t have to worry about pricey taxis.

Due to its fame as a luxury location Monaco offers some of the best people-watching in the world. Grab a coffee from one of the many cafes dotted around and watch the procession of supercars through the streets. Monaco has several lovely gardens that are free and a delight to stroll through.

They include the Japanese Garden which was built in the mid-90s and has koi ponds as well as decorative bridges and beautiful planted gardens. 

For people who want a bit of culture there’s the  Prince’s Palace of Monaco, perched atop the hillside. This former Genoese fortress with Renaissance-era frescoes and portions dates back to the 13th century. If you get up early, try and time your visit to see the daily changing of the guards in Place du Palais at 11:55am then take a wander through the city before catching your train back to Nice in time for an evening flight back to the UK.

These jam-packed itineraries are part of a new travel trend known as ‘extreme day tripping’. Hadleigh Diamond, commercial director of Luxury Airport Transfer specialist SCS Chauffeurs, said “Extreme day trips are becoming a popular way to see key cities without having to take time off work, or fit travel around other responsibilities.”