These ‘Short Break’ Curated Getaways Let You See the World on Limited Vacation Time

Forget slow travel, it’s time for speedy travel.

Intrepid Travel, a tour operator based in Australia, just launched a series of jam-packed “Short Breaks” designed with four- to six-day international trips, it shared exclusively with Travel + Leisure. 

The company has curated 10 new itineraries in Europe and Latin America, and updated 45 itineraries around the world. Each itinerary lasts between four and six days, making it a perfect getaway for a traveler short on time, or looking to maximize every day off. 

Intrepid Travel organizes all aspects of the trip, from activities to meals, which minimizes the time a traveler needs to spend before the departure. While the “Short Breaks” trips are now available for booking, travelers won’t begin the itineraries until July 2026. 

The itineraries include four-day trips in destinations including Tulum, Prague, and Venice. As an example, the four-day excursion in the Czech Republic takes visitors through the old town of Prague, hikes along the Swiss border, and the opportunity to cycle through the countryside.

For reference on the pricing, the Czech Republic Short Break costs $1,745, and a 5-day trip through the Faroe Islands costs $4,895. 

“We know how transformative travel can be, but the luxury of time is not something that everyone has,” Erica Kritikides, Intrepid Travel’s general manager, shared in a statement to T+L.  “Intrepid Short Breaks aren’t just about taking time off – they’re about making the most of it, with meaningful experiences that allow travelers to see and do more in fewer days.”

The tour company optimized the schedule to match workers’ paid time off, by arranging departure days scheduled around holidays or weekends, which minimizes the days a traveler would need to take from work.  The average American employee only uses 17 vacation days per year, according to a 2018 U.S. Travel Association report. 

“Imagine a weekend trip to Guatemala—you climb an active volcano, hike along forest trails to visit a women-led regenerative farming project, learn to make tortillas in a Guatemalan culinary workshop, and then you’re back in the office on Tuesday, a completely changed person,” Kritikides told T+L.

The Short Break itineraries match a growing viral trend of quick travel. On social media, content creators have documented one-day trips to exotic locations, spotlighting how much can be experienced in just 24 hours.