Have you already used up all your vacation days? If so, you must be extremely bummed that you can’t get away because your days off are up. But you don’t have to! There is a way to travel without using up your vacation days. Or enjoy another destination for a while and not fall right back into the rut. The solution is: a workation! A work vacation where you take your laptop with you when you travel and work from a different place for a while. I’ll tell you exactly how in this blog.
What is a workation anyway?
A workation combines work and vacation, performing your normal duties from a location other than your usual office or home office. It can range from a few days to several weeks, depending on your preferences and work commitments. It offers the opportunity to explore new places while still doing your normal work. Ideal if you are short on vacation days, or if you can’t take time off because you have too much work to do, but would like to get away.
Travel is a source of joy, adventure and personal growth for many of us. Exploring new destinations, tasting delicious food, discovering other cultures and landscapes is an unforgettable experience. But what if your vacation days run out? Does that mean the end of your travel dreams? Absolutely not! So the solution is simpler than you think: go remote during a workation.
The new work reality is remote working. With the rise of technology and the shift to a digital economy, remote working has increasingly become the norm. Companies around the world are offering employees the opportunity to work remotely. This opens up a world of opportunity for travel enthusiasts who want to keep their vacation days or whose already used up.
Not enough vacation days
Many salaried people report having too few vacation days. When I was still working for a boss myself, I felt the same way. On average, we have 25 days off per year in the Netherlands. Most days off go to the summer vacations. Many people choose to go away for 3 weeks during that period. Then you really get away from work and it’s time to enjoy yourself. Finally have some time for your family, go on a long trip or simply relax. But that leaves you with few days off for the rest of the year.
Not being able to take a long time off
Another challenge is that sometimes you can only be missed for a maximum of 2 weeks. For both salaried and freelancers, this is a problem. Maybe you have big responsibilities at work that don’t allow you to go away for a long time or there are no colleagues to take over. Or you run your own business and the work is otherwise on hold for too long. There can be numerous reasons why you can’t get away for long. On the other hand, there are creative solutions to this problem.
Looking for inspiration for a cool location? Then check out the 10 inspiring workation destinations here.
A creative solution: a workation
Are your vacation days up? Or are you no longer able to take time off due to busyness or responsibilities? Then a workation is the solution! Don’t tell me this is not an option. We’ve worked completely online for 2 years, that week of remote work is really possible. With just a little flexibility from employers and clients, you can make a lot of people very happy! Consider attaching a week of remote work to your vacation, for example. The benefits:
- Enjoying your beautiful place longer
- You have more time to unwind and recharge
- After your vacation, ease back in and keep the vacation feeling a bit longer
- With remote working, it doesn’t matter where you physically are. As long as you have a reliable Internet connection, you can perform your work from any corner of the world.
- You leave a smaller ecological footprint because you’re there anyway (better for the planet)
Tips for a successful working vacation
- Work environment: Provide a comfortable workspace with a good Internet connection. Coworking spaces are often a good option if you don’t have access to an office or prefer a professional environment.
- Planning: Make a schedule that includes both your work obligations and your vacation activities. This way you will avoid stress and be able to combine both.
- Communication: Keep your colleagues and work associates informed of your work schedule and availability. Clear communication is essential to ensure that everything runs smoothly while you are away.
Benefits of a workation
A work station not only provides the opportunity to travel without using vacation time, but it can also increase your productivity and boost your creativity by working in a new environment.
An energy boost
You get the chance to experience new cultures, meet people and broaden your horizons, all while still working professionally. A different environment will boost your energy.
Better work-life balance
While remote working is a great way to travel without using up your vacation days, it is important to maintain a healthy balance between work and free time. Make sure you take your work obligations seriously and stay efficient so you can enjoy your trip without stressing about deadlines and commitments. Read how to properly prepare your workation here in the e-book. You will find that this method of travel provides a better work-life balance.
Using time difference to your advantage
Many people think that time difference is automatically a problem, but it doesn’t have to be. If you work from a different time zone, you can make smart use of the time differences. While you sleep, your colleagues in another time zone can continue to work, allowing projects to move forward 24/7. Read more tips on working with time differences here.
Being able to travel longer
With remote working, you can plan longer travel periods. After all, your work doesn’t lie idle; everything just keeps running. Instead of taking your vacation days all at once, you can choose to travel for longer periods of time, with occasional days off. This opens the door to more adventures and the opportunity to really get to know the local culture.
An additional advantage: many accommodations offer discounts if you book for a longer period.
Slow travel
For me, this was THE reason to start working remotely. I don’t want to explore a new city or beautiful country in a hurry. Not just check off the highlights and move on again. Not visiting a destination during the busiest of times. Not flying to Bali and seeing only a fraction of the country and having to come back at another time to see the rest. But traveling and enjoying at a leisurely pace. Connecting with locals and taking your time on your adventure. Also called slow travel, which is becoming increasingly popular.
Would you like to work remotely like this, but have no idea where to start? Check out the Remote Ready online course, in which I take you step by step in preparing for a remote working adventure. You’ll learn all about the skills needed to work remotely, cool destinations, tips for working productively remotely and the legal ground rules.
A workation is a great way to enjoy travel and new experiences, even if you run out of vacation days or can’t take time off. With a little planning and flexibility in your work hours, you can plan a workation that is both relaxing and productive. So what are you waiting for? Choose your destination, pack your laptop and get ready for a unique work experience!
More inspiration on remote working and workations
From office job to digital nomad: working remotely as a Virtual Assistant
