- Kevin Droniak proves that one can explore dream destinations with affordable and fulfilling micro trips that don’t deplete your budget.
- The content creator embraces simplicity in travel, often skipping hotel stays and focusing on one activity to make the most of limited time.
- Droniak manages to balance his passion for solo travel with a grounded approach, proving that it’s possible to see the world while staying connected to what matters most.
Imagine checking off some of your bucket list travel spots without completely breaking the bank. Now imagine doing it all in one day.
Though the feat seems impossible, Kevin Droniak has made it a reality as he’s documented traveling everywhere from Paris to Egypt in a span of 24 hours.
The 27-year-old creator has seemingly cracked the code of micro-travel, making every moment (and dollar) count. Whether it’s spending a few hours on the beach in Puerto Rico or skiing in the Colorado mountains, Droniak refuses to let the constraints of time or distance hold him back.
“I just want to break the stigma that you need a week to go anywhere if you want to go somewhere, and if you don’t have time to take off work, you could literally just go for the day. You can make it work,” he tells PEOPLE exclusively.
The big secret to budgeting these trips? Droniak tells PEOPLE he doesn’t always book a hotel, which is usually top of mind for most when planning a vacation.
“I don’t know what you’re going to do there, but [if you’re not spending money on a hotel], you could do stuff for free and just eat food,” he explains.
On one of his more recent videos, Droniak vlogged about his day in Puerto Rico — his flight took off at 6 a.m., he landed in San Juan at 11 a.m. and then flew back home to New York at midnight. “This makes sense to me since the flight is only three and a half hours, and the beach I’m going to is only 30 minutes away from the airport,” he voiceovered his video.
When he arrived at the beach, it was pouring rain as he talked to the camera, saying, “It’s definitely not a beach day, but we’re going to make the most of it because I only have seven hours until I have to head to the airport.” He noted that embracing unpredictable weather is crucial to day trips, which evidently worked in his favor, as the sun came out shortly after.
“I am just so thankful to be here, it is just insane to me how just a few hours ago I was walking on the cold streets of New York City and now I’m on a secluded beach all by myself,” he added, as the camera zoomed out to capture a wider shot of the Caribbean shore.
Droniak’s unique approach to these day trips is a reflection of his positive outlook. He is the epitome of carpe diem, making the most of each opportunity and embracing life with a sense of wonder that’s just as genuine as it is contagious.
Ultimately, that’s the key to these short trips: it’s not so much about luxury, but about the adventure itself. It’s a reminder that the thrill of travel doesn’t come from extravagant accommodations, but from the joy of discovery and the freedom to wander on your own terms.
“I think my secret for a day trip is just going with the flow and not having high expectations because you don’t know what’s going to happen and what the weather could change,” he says when asked how he plans his itinerary. “You just have one day, so you have to just embrace what is coming and what you’re going to deal with.”
Droniak also notes that deciding on one specific activity, sight or location when traveling somewhere for such a short amount of time helps tremendously; otherwise, you’re more likely to become overwhelmed by the illusion of endless options.
“I think not having too much planned is key because you don’t want to be running around. Having one thing planned, I think, is ideal because then you feel satisfied after doing that one thing. Then, you’ll end up doing more and feel even more satisfied because you did a lot throughout that day,” he suggests.
“For example, with Puerto Rico, I wanted to go to the beach, so I went to the beach, and that was a check. Then, I was like, ‘Okay, I’m satisfied,’” he reflects. “Then I just walked around, got food, and then, it was time to head back home, and I felt so good.”
The N.Y.C.-based jet setter emphasizes that his approach to travel proves you don’t need much to have an enjoyable experience. He often embarks on these trips solo, finding joy in being in a new place for just the day. He explains that the trick to making the most of these short trips is not over planning, as he prefers to savor the moment without feeling rushed.
Plus, with no hotel to check into, there’s freedom to explore without the distractions that often lead to procrastination.
Despite the seemingly extravagant nature of his day trips, Droniak’s approach proves that travel doesn’t have to break the bank. In fact, some of his most memorable experiences have come at a fraction of the cost you’d expect.
“I found a $50 round-trip flight [to Cincinnati], so I had to buy it,” he reveals.
While there may not have been anything specific planned for this trip, the flight price was simply too good for Droniak to pass up.
“I’m like, ‘I don’t really know Cincinnati, but I’m going to go and find out,'” he says with a smile. “I love just walking around a random place that I wouldn’t normally end up at. And yeah, I don’t mind flying, so I find a cheap flight and that’s easy, too.”
On top of being budget-friendly, Droniak has proven to be productive with travel time, which is an integral part of these day trips. Still, even when considering a travel budget, there are some trips that are simply too mind-blowing to pass up.
His most expensive trip to date? A whirlwind 24-hour adventure to Egypt.
“I went to Egypt for a day, so I flew in the morning and then flew out the following morning,” he says. “So it was just exactly 24 hours in Egypt, and that was the most expensive. The flight was $650, which is more than I typically spend on a day trip, but to me, it made sense because I’ve always wanted to see the pyramids.”
“Honestly, in my travel brain, I saw $650 and I’m like, ‘Wait, I thought it would be at least a thousand to go to Egypt,’” he says. “It is cheap for going to Egypt, and it’s a direct flight from New York, so I’m like, ‘Okay, honestly, let’s just fall asleep on the plane and wake up at the pyramids.’”
Droniak flew into Cairo at 5 a.m. and then flew back to New York at 5 a.m. the following day. With the travel time, he spent just as much time in the air as he did on the ground in Egypt. While many would consider this exhausting, the 27-year-old content creator finds joy in the journey itself.
“A lot of my comments are about, ‘Well, if I’m going to fly that far, I want to actually enjoy it,'” he notes. “But for me, part of the enjoyment is flying. I love just sitting on a plane, so flying there is part of the fun for me.”
He is well aware of the long distance, but still considered it worthwhile: “It was so fulfilling. I’ve always dreamed of seeing the pyramids, so it was just like, ‘Why not?’”
“You’ll probably be tired after ward, I’m not going to lie,” he adds. “But you’re going to have an experience that you’re going to look back on instead of just sitting at home in your city.”
You’d think traveling across the globe in a day would be impressive enough, but when Droniak isn’t on his day-to-day adventures, he manages his 95-year-old grandmother’s social media account.
The best part? Grandma Droniak is the one who inspired her grandson’s micro trips that have since become his niche on social media!
“This kind of ties back into why I do day travel, since I’m her manager and she’s now 95 and relies on me for things,” he adds. “But also as her grandson, I take care of her and she doesn’t want me to go away for too long. So that’s kind of where I’ve found a way to still see the world, but then also be there for her.”
Credit: dotdashmeredith.com
