Workcations are becoming more and more popular, but what exactly is a workcation? Why would you want to take one? And how can you get started planning your own? In this article, we’ll answer all of these questions and more as we dive deep into the world of workcations.

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What is a Workcation?

Workcation is a portmanteau of the words “work” and “vacation,” which means it’s a hybrid between taking a vacation and going on a business trip. A workcation might be used by employees who need to take time off from their usual place of employment for personal reasons (e.g., if they want to travel), but don’t want to lose out on time off. If you’ve ever taken a vacation where you worked remotely while traveling or even while at home, that was probably your first dip into the world of workcations. 

Workcations are becoming more popular in many industries as they allow employees more freedom with their time off while still providing them with some type of income—either through freelance projects or independent ventures like blogging on the side.

Why Do People Take Workcations?

A workcation is a perfect opportunity to combine work with play. You get a chance to do something you’ve never done before but also have the opportunity to focus on your work in an environment that isn’t your regular workspace.

This might sound counterintuitive: why would you want to leave the comfort of your home or office when you have so much work on your plate? Well, there are a few reasons why taking time off from your desk can be beneficial for both companies and employees alike. 

They’re also a great excuse to break out of your routine and get away from the office for a few days. Here are some more reasons why so many people are taking workcations:

  • Workcations help you get away from your desk and take time off, which helps you relax and recharge.
  • Workcations give you a chance to explore new places while still keeping in touch with clients back home.
  • You can make friends with colleagues who live close by!

How to Plan Your Workcation?

Planning is key to success. I know that sounds like a no-brainer, but when it comes to planning your workcation, you want to be prepared. As with any trip or vacation, there are a few things you need to consider:

  • What are your goals?
  • What kind of experience do you want out of this trip?
  • Will it be a solo adventure or will some friends be joining in on the fun?
  • Is there an itinerary in mind (or should there be one)?

Once these questions have been answered and all of the logistics have been ironed out, then it’s time for fun!

Things to Do Before You Take Your Workcation

It’s that time of year again: summer workcation. And here’s how to make it the most productive, fun-filled break you’ve ever had.

Schedule Your Workcation in Advance

Booking a trip ahead of time will give you more flexibility when choosing where to go and how long to stay. If your job requires some kind of approval process before leaving the office for an extended period of time, set up an appointment with your manager so they know what’s going on (and who will be responsible for handling things while you’re gone).

Talk with Your Boss

While many companies have policies against working remotely or taking time off without informing their superiors first, this doesn’t mean they’ll say no if it’s truly important enough for you. Before taking any official steps towards working remotely or taking vacation days out-of-office, talk with HR about which rules apply specifically to your situation—and whether they’ll approve such arrangements at all.

Plan out Your Trip

You don’t want to end up in some boring spot where you can’t do anything but sit around and watch TV all day, right? So make sure you plan ahead and book a hotel that has a pool and a gym, so you can keep up your fitness routine after work hours while on vacation.

Make a List of Things to Do

This is crucial for making sure you don’t waste your time when you’re away from work. You know how much time people waste at work every day? It’s ridiculous. So take note of what kind of things are important to you, whether it’s going to museums or reading books by the poolside—you know yourself best. And then write down some ideas for how you can incorporate those things into your trip.

Pack Accordingly

 If you’re going somewhere hot, pack light clothes; if it’s cold where you’re going, bring along warm layers and an extra sweater just in case (we’ve all been there).

taking a vacation

Prepare for what You’ll Be Working On (Work-Wise)

Once you’ve decided on the best place to go for your workcation, make sure to prepare for what you will be working on. It may sound obvious, but if you don’t know what needs to be done before the trip begins then how are you going to get anything done?

This step is key because it can allow a person to maximize their productivity during their time away from home and still feel accomplished when they return home.

There are many factors that go into planning what exactly needs to be done before leaving for an extended period of time. These include:

  • Thinking about what kind of projects need attention
  • Creating goals based on those projects and estimated completion dates/times by which they must be completed (e.g., “I want this project completed by Tuesday afternoon so that I can enjoy my weekend with my family…and maybe do some sightseeing too!”)

Things You Can Do When on a Workcation

If you haven’t already, it’s time to start seriously considering taking a workcation. It’s awesome because it gives you the opportunity to explore a new location without having to spend all of your time traveling and/or paying for hotels. It also means that instead of just taking breaks from your job during the day, you can completely disconnect from it for a few days at a time!

The best part about taking workcations? There are tons of different types that anyone can try out—whether they’re looking for something active or relaxing, adventurous or cozy (or all three). Here’s what we recommend:

 You can do anything on a workcation.

You can get a manicure, or go swimming with dolphins (if you’re into that). You can visit your sister in another state, or spend the day shopping at the mall. You can meet up with friends and have lunch down at the park. You can take your mom out for a nice dinner, or go to a movie by yourself. There are so many things you could do.

Don’t just do whatever you want on your workcation—do something that will make you happy. If it’s something that makes you feel good inside, then it’ll be worth it.

5 Awesome Places Where You can have An Amazing Workcation

 If you’re stuck in a rut and looking for inspiration, we’ve got just the thing for you.

We’ve put together a list of 5 awesome locations where you can have an amazing workcation:

Iceland 

The northernmost country in Europe is famous for its hot springs, glaciers, and geysers. You’ll be able to see the Northern Lights and enjoy the midnight sun all in one trip!

Maldives

If you’re looking for an exotic escape with luxury accommodations, this Indian Ocean island chain is perfect for you. The beaches are gorgeous, and there’s tons of great snorkeling if you want to get your feet wet.

Spain

This country has something for everyone—the mountains of the Pyrenees offer challenging hiking trails and beautiful scenery; Barcelona is home to some of Europe’s best museums; Madrid has world-class art and architecture; Granada features colorful Moorish architecture in its historic center; Valencia has beautiful beaches and great seafood restaurants; Seville offers flamenco dancing shows on every corner; Zaragoza has beautiful cathedrals dating from medieval times.

Norway

If you’re looking for a workcation that will make you feel like you’ve just stepped into a fairy tale, then Norway is definitely the place for you. You can enjoy the stunning scenery of the fjords, take a trip to Bergen, or even visit the polar bears at the Tromsø Zoo. The only thing that could make this country more perfect would be if it were also made of chocolate.

Greece

Greece is one of those countries that everyone dreams about visiting—it’s gorgeous and full of history, art, and culture. If you want to make your workcation extra special, why not head to Santorini? This island boasts beautiful beaches and amazing restaurants, so if you want to put your feet up while enjoying some great food then this is definitely the destination for you!

taking a workcation

How To Stay Productive on a Workcation?

There’s something about being on a workcation that makes it hard to stay productive. You’re surrounded by beautiful scenes, and there are so many things you could be doing, like lounging by the pool or going for a jog on the beach. But if you don’t have anything at work to keep you busy and motivated, how can you keep yourself from feeling like you’re wasting your time?

Luckily, there are some simple things you can do to get back in the groove and get yourself into a productive mindset when you’re on a workcation. Here are some tips:

1) Schedule an hour of work before breakfast every day. This will help keep your mind off of what you’re missing out on and get your brain ready for the rest of the day ahead.

2) Make a list of all the things that need to be done before leaving (and after coming back). Make sure to prioritize them in order of importance so that nothing gets left behind. If something comes up at work while you’re away from home, make sure to check back into email regularly so nothing falls through the cracks!

3) Take breaks! Even though vacations are meant for relaxing and enjoying time off without worrying about anything else happening back home.

Be Productive but Mostly Have Fun

A workcation is a fantastic chance to get out of your comfort zone and explore new things. It’s also important not to forget that you’re on vacation! Don’t be afraid to take some breaks during the day to enjoy yourself, whether it’s doing yoga or exploring a new neighborhood. If possible, try working in different locations throughout your trip—you might find your creativity increases when you’re out in nature instead of cooped up inside an office building. You can even take advantage of those beautiful views by going to work out on the balcony or by the pool.

You should work where you want to live. It’s a concept that’s becoming more prevalent, and it’s easy to see why: you don’t need to pick between doing what you love and spending time in your favorite places.

With a workcation, you can do both at the same time—and since most people have some attachment to their workplace, this can make for an even more enjoyable experience.

Workcations are Important for Maintaining a Healthy Work-life Balance

When you’re on a workcation, you get to spend time in a place that’s not your office—and that’s a big deal! When you’re at home or at your office, it’s easy to fall into the habit of thinking about work all the time. You’re surrounded by reminders of what you need to do and what’s on your plate. That can lead to stress and anxiety, which is never good for anyone’s mental health.

When you’re in a new place, surrounded by new sights and sounds, it gives your brain an opportunity to relax and wander away from work. A fresh perspective can help you come up with new ideas for solving problems or coming up with creative solutions. And those are things that will make you better at your job when they come back around!

And finally: vacations are fun! They give us an opportunity to step outside of our normal routine and just be ourselves for a little bit.

Ready for Your First Workcation?

So, what do you think? Are you ready to take the plunge into a new kind of vacation? We hope so! The world is full of awesome places to explore. So why not get out there and start exploring them? You know what they say: time flies when you are having fun.

PTO with AB