Mum takes kids on extreme day trip to Austria amid the rise of the ‘coolcation’

A mum whisked her daughters away on a 24-hour trip to Austria after realising they had never seen snow – amid the rise of the so-called ‘coolcation’.

Georgina Banfield, known as Georgie, decided to treat daughters Florence, 14, and Arabella, 12, to a whirlwind adventure after they admitted they had always dreamed of having a proper snowball fight.

Inspired by bargain travel groups on Facebook, the 43 year old snapped up cheap flights and planned a flying visit to Innsbruck – all in a bid to give her girls an experience they would never forget.

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It comes as recent data from co-ownership platform MYNE found enquiries for properties in the French and Austrian alps have increased by 110% and 98% respectively over the past two years – with travellers appearing to rethink what makes the perfect holiday destination.

For mum Georgie, the idea was triggered last winter after realising her daughters had never seen snow.

“We were watching snowy Christmas movies like Home Alone and Elf and they announced that they’d love to have a proper snowball fight and frolic in the snow,” the Portsmouth-based mum told What’s The Jam.

A mum flew her daughters to Austria for just 24 hours after realising they had never seen snow - grabbing flights to Innsbruck for £35 each for the ultimate coolcation. — Georgie (L), Florence (C) and Arabella (R). (Jam Press/Georgina Banfield)

“So I got a bee in my bonnet about it and decided I had to give them this essential life experience.

“I’ve been following the Extreme Day Trips Facebook page for about two years and was desperate to book a trip for us.”

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Georgie, a senior research associate and marine biologist at the University of Portsmouth Institute of Marine Sciences, found flights from Gatwick to Innsbruck for just £35 and booked the trip.

The trio flew out to Austria early in the morning and returned the following day – but managed to cram a huge amount into their 24-hour getaway.

Georgie said: “To do a 24 hour adventure challenge was the real treat.

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“The whole trip was amazing – of course my girls managed to see snow finally.

“In fact, there was a massive white-out and visibility was terrible.

“This was really funny and we didn’t mind as the girls had the best time jumping into the fresh powder and having snowball fights like they’d seen in movies.

“It was glorious! In this day and age where 12 and 14 year olds are mostly on their phones, it was so wonderful to see them playing like children and laughing and squealing with such joy.

“We were freezing but we didn’t care as it was just so wonderful.”

Georgie said her daughters were “absolutely stunned” by the experience and ran around in the snow “like puppies bounding around”.

She said: “It was amazing.

“When your kids are 12 and 14 you assume they’re not going to be that fussed.

“I remember introducing them to things like the beach, sand, sea for the first time and seeing their reactions when they were little, and you think at this point in their lives you’re beyond that childish excitement.

“Well their reactions were so wonderful and full of genuine joy and it was so lovely as a mum to know I’ve given them that.

“They honestly were so happy and played for about an hour in the snow even though it was freezing.”

Despite travelling during the Easter holidays rather than at Christmas, Georgie said she was determined to find the “full wintery experience”.

She said: “It would have been great to go at Christmas when we are all in that proper wintery, festive, cold season.

“But my husband is in the Navy and when he’s home for Christmas leave, he is keen to stay home as he mostly lives away from home.

“England in March or April in the sunshine can be really very lovely, but I was determined to fulfil the girls’ dreams of seeing proper snow, so it was a sacrifice we were willing to make.

“And in fact, we didn’t really miss out on it as we were only gone for 24 hours!

“So the fact that we got the best of both worlds was even better.”

As well as playing in the snow, the trio sampled local Austrian food, including stews, schnitzels and hot chocolates.

They also travelled on funiculars and cable cars to visit Hungerburg, Seegrube and Hafelekar, while taking in spectacular views of Nordkette and the surrounding mountains.

Georgie said: “The travel up in the funicular and cable car were also amazing – such beautiful views of the snow covered trees and the rushing river below.

“We all just stared out the window the whole way up.

“To think we had started our day at 4am in England and by midday we were at the top of a mountain playing in snow and having lunch in a mountainside restaurant!

“It really was a thrill and a memory that will last a lifetime.”

For Georgie, the most rewarding part of the trip was the chance to spend uninterrupted time with her daughters.

She said: “We don’t get that much time together with busy work and school schedules, especially as I’m usually solo-parenting as a military wife, and often in the holidays they want to hang out with friends.

“So to do this as a trio was really special.

“We didn’t really use our phones except to check travel times.

“Instead we chatted and giggled and played and it was amazing.

“Having something really genuinely original and fun to tell their friends and teachers about when they went back to school was a big highlight too.”

The family spent the night in a hotel costing £115 before squeezing in more sightseeing the next morning, taking in snowy streets, colourful buildings and riverside views before heading home.

The entire trip, including flights, accommodation, food and transport, cost £749.58.

Georgie added: “Now that I’ve added it up it seems rather a lot at face value, however I can’t put a price on the adventure we had.

“I highly recommend it for all the reasons – the adventure, the memories, the challenge and having something really fun, interesting or unusual to talk about.

“I hope we inspire others to give it a go! And I hope it’s given my daughters a taste for adventure too.”

COST BREAKDOWN