Mixing business with pleasure
Most of us have gotten really good at working from home this year. And most of us are eager to get out into the world and travel again. As things are not exactly back to “normal” yet (though on their way!) the idea of mixing a little business and pleasure on potential travels is more appealing..and possible!...than ever.
Being a digital nomad was a way of life long before the pandemic. Of course, not all of us are ready or willing to give up our comfortable homes and communities to roam the planet and telecommute from coffee shops and beaches around the world. But with travel restrictions still in place for the foreseeable future, we have the opportunity to try on the lifestyle of the digital nomad, even for just a week or two.
What’s required? Not much really. A laptop, good wifi, some self-discipline, and a bit of a plan. Let’s explore how we everyday-folks still working remotely and longing to travel can safely get out there and mix a little business with pleasure on some travel in the near future.
Assess reality
Throwing everything in a backpack and taking off sounds amazing, right? But before doing just that, take a moment to ensure the time is right. It’s so easy to get excited at the prospect, and we want you to be! But we also want to make sure you don’t get on the other side of an ocean, stuck in quarantine for two weeks, and think, “I really should have been on site for that walk-through,” or “I didn’t realize it would cost this much, or feel this way, or the kids would drive me this crazy.”
The bottom line: Check the budget, check the plans (at work and at home), and make sure this is doable. If everything is a go, you’ll feel even better making your plans knowing you took a breath to assess.
Pick your destination
Okay, it’s a go! Now comes the most exciting and perhaps challenging part of planning: picking where to go. Some of us are going to know in an instant, others of us are going to blissfully agonize over the choice. Some things to keep in mind: time, cost, and travel restrictions. The truth is, you can’t talk about one without the others. Wherever you want to travel will have some sort of travel notice in place, from no requirements for entry to showing a negative Covid test to a quarantine period. Perhaps there’s a place you really want to go but it requires a quarantine. The question becomes can you afford to stay somewhere long enough to do the quarantine and then vacation? If no, then time to pick another option. If yes, then skies the limit. And for those of you who said “no,” remember exchange rates; your money may go further in certain places than others, allowing a longer stay.
The bottom line: Do your research on current entry requirements to countries and be flexible and adventurous. Go somewhere that fits how you can mix business with pleasure right now.
Find a place to stay
Where you stay will again depend on what’s going on at your destination. If you need to quarantine, the most logical accommodation is an AirBNB or VRBO. This will allow you to settle in, get some work done, and relax, either on your own, with your significant other, or with family. However, if your destination requires a negative Covid test or something less stringent, then you might opt for a hotel. Whatever you chose, either by choice or necessity, remember that when mixing business with pleasure the place where you stay must serve as both a space of respite and work! It will definitely need wifi if you have emails to keep up on or Zoom meetings, but you might also like a desk or a separate room from family. For others, none of that will be important; all that will be needed is a headset and a place to sit.
The bottom line: Choose accommodations that suit both the amount of time you will be at your destination and your work style.
Divide up your time
How you decide to divide up your time between work and play will depend on what happens when you get to your destination and your work style. If you are going to mix business with pleasure you need to honor each. This is a constant challenge for anyone who works from home on a regular basis, and certainly something the majority of us have experienced over the past year. We suggest that if you have to do a quarantine, you treat that time as if you were still at home working. And then when it’s done, put work away and officially be on vacation. However, if you’re free to explore as soon as you arrive, then find a schedule that works for you and your travel partners. Maybe you explore during the day, then work in the evening.
The bottom line: Find a work/play schedule that suits you and, if applicable, your travel companions. When it’s time to work, focus and get it done. And when it’s time to play, put away the laptop and have fun!
Be respectful
You’ve made it to a new destination, you did your time in quarantine or you’ve presented your negative Covid-test or met whatever other requirements for entry to your destination. You’ve settled in at the perfect accommodation and you’ve got your work schedule in hand. Now you’re ready to get out and enjoy the world again! As you do so, remember these are still very different times. You may see evidence of it around you, or the signs might be subtle, depending on your destination. However, just because a country invites visitors and tourists doesn’t mean they aren’t still affected by and dealing with the pandemic. Take time to learn about how the area has been affected, how they’re addressing safety and health concerns, and then honor their requirements, whether masks, social distancing, or something else.
The bottom line: Whenever we travel, we are participating members of a world community, which means being respectful, interested, and open. This is especially important now, as travel and life resumes under new circumstances.
Book a photoshoot
We’ve lived through a historic time and now you’re taking a historic trip...maybe your first trip since lockdown. Don’t let it go by undocumented. As we’ve learned over the past year, every moment and joy is precious. When we experience something wondrous we should savor it and capture some of that wonder to sustain us in the future...through memories. The magic of photographs keeps us in touch with the past, present, and future. And thankfully we have photo packages to suit all memories, and photographers in over 500 destinations around the world ready to capture those memories. Not only that, but our photoshoots are contactless, which is perfect for respecting restrictions and new norms.
The bottom line: Never miss out on an opportunity to travel and to document that travel. Our local photographers are ready to give you a safe, unique photoshoot wherever your work and play take you. Subscribe to our Newsletter to stay up-to-date on promotions and where to travel next!
Disclaimer
This article doesn’t attempt to address business travel initiated by employers, though the ideas can still be applied. While the travel forecasts indicate that formal company business travel and conferences will be the last types of travel to resume, if you are officially asked to travel for business by your employer, check in with them regarding the company’s risk-assessments, testing, and isolation requirements. Then, go back through this checklist and see if you can still mix a little business with pleasure while you’re there! None of us take travel for granted now and if your company sends you somewhere amazing, don’t let the opportunity pass you by to make the most of it!