A London woman traveled 2,400 miles on an extreme day trip to stock up on Ferrero Rocher Pocket Coffee chocolates, a supply she said she could not find in the UK. Takacs, 35, told Jam Press that she departed after work at around 10 p.m. and landed in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, at 3:15 a.m. local time on September 15, where she spent the day revisiting her birthplace, sightseeing and, of course, stocking up on the coveted treats.
The entire excursion—from a late departure to a late return—unfolded over roughly 24 hours. Takacs then flew out on a 10 p.m. return flight, arriving back in London at 11 p.m. and getting into bed about an hour and a half later. She said the total cost for the trip, including flights and shopping, was around $150. She has completed 17 such day trips to date, describing the endeavor as a habit rather than a one-off stunt.
Takacs said the specific motivation for the trip was Ferrero Rocher Pocket Coffee chocolates, which she described as unavailable in the United Kingdom. “Am I happy and satisfied? Absolutely. Will I do it again? Hell yes,” she told Jam Press. “The sole reason was that Ferrero Rocher Pocket Coffee chocolate (you can’t find it in the UK), and if you haven’t tried it yet, please do so and thank me later.” She added that the errands left her with souvenirs like a fridge magnet, a small reminder of the whirlwind voyage.
The pierce of disbelief from friends was predictable, Takacs said, noting that some people thought the international hop was excessive since the sought-after sweets can be found in some European shops. Yet she underscored the practicality and thrill of the venture: a way to experience a new country on a tight budget while seeking a specific product she cannot obtain locally.
The phenomenon of extreme day trips for a single dish or meal is part of a broader pattern. The report notes that other travelers are also flying short, return journeys to major dining hubs—such as New York City—to sample particular dishes or restaurants and head back home the same day. One example cited is Bermuda-based Mikaela Ian Pearman, who spent about $350 to fly to New York to try Kwame Onwuachi’s Tatiana before continuing to Colombia the next morning. Pearman told The New York Post that the experience was “perfection.”
This trend, described as “extreme day trips” by travelers and some lifestyle outlets, centers on the appeal of high-impact experiences on minimal budgets, frequenting places known for coveted menus, limited reservations or exclusive items. The pursuit can involve long-haul flights, tight schedules and a focus on culinary moments rather than shopping or tourism alone. While destinations and items vary, the core appeal remains the same: the thrill of a time-compressed journey that yields a singular, highly desired product or dining moment.
Takacs said she intends to continue exploring dish-centered day trips in the future, seeking new flavors and souvenirs while keeping the trips affordable. She emphasized that the experience is less about ostentation and more about satisfaction, novelty and the personal thrill of crossing a new place off a list.
Her story, along with others who undertake similar trips, reflects a growing appetite for micro-trips that blend travel with food discovery. In an era of budget travel and accessible global products, the appeal of a 24-hour sprint to satisfy a craving persists, driven by the optimism and curiosity of travelers who treat the world as a single, walkable pantry.