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In my former life as a corporate communications manager, I would send a reminder to all employees in August and then again in October: “PTO – use it or lose it.”
A reminder. To take vacation.
Who are these people?
It’s actually pretty common as I recently read a report that only a quarter of people plan to max out their vacation days this year. While another report said nearly 50% of Americans would lose vacation days as they had too many paid time off (PTO) hours to carry over.
That was never me. In fact, my former president used to give me a hard time (teasingly, I think) for taking so much vacation time. But I only took what I had earned. And I was strategic about it. I only carried over sufficient hours to ensure I had enough for a beach getaway in February or March.
And I think the perception that I was taking a lot of time off is because I often went on long weekends rather than weeks at a time. And sometimes bleisure weekends.
Bleisure travel. That’s a thing. Tacking on a day or two or more to a business trip to explore outside the walls of that convention center or office building.
When I traveled (internationally especially), I would look for opportunities to save my company hundreds, even more than a thousand, dollars on airfare by flying home on a Saturday or Sunday (rather than immediately after our meetings, which usually ended on Thursdays). The sacrifices I made for my company – giving up my weekend.
Check your company travel policy as some will pay for your extended stay if the cost is less than what it would have been had you flown back earlier. And if you’re attending a conference or trade show, check their hotel rates as they often offer additional days before or after at the convention hotel room rate, which will save you money when paying out of pocket.
So if you travel a lot for your company and having a hard time finding time to take time off or are just looking for inspiration on how to extend your business trips into leisure, here are a few of my favorite bleisure destinations I’ve taken over the years.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Seemed like most of our conferences or conventions would alternate between Vegas and Orlando. One of my conventions typically fell right after my son’s spring break vacation. So we tacked on a few days ahead of time for a family getaway where, in addition to seeing a show or two, we also took day trips to the Hoover Dam and Death Valley and a helicopter ride to the Grand Canyon (btw: 9 days in Vegas is toooooo long). Last year my husband and I stayed over for a more manageable long weekend for an emptynester getaway where we enjoyed a couple of shows and fabulous dinners.
Orlando, Florida
A perennial favorite destination for conferences and conventions, this is a great opportunity for your family to meet you after work is done and head out to Disney World or Universal Studios. Or CityWalk. Or Disney Springs. Or golf. Or take a quick trip to Cape Canaveral. Or just sit by the pool.
New Orleans, Louisiana
My husband had no desire to visit New Orleans; however, I persuaded him to meet me after a conference. He ended up loving it! How could you not? The food. The music. The people. The culture. The history. There’s definitely more to NOLA than Bourbon Street.
New York City
I always stay extra days when I’m in New York. One time I had a conference in Philly so took a train down (at my own expense) to meet friends in the Big Apple, and my flight was cheaper to fly home from New York than Philadelphia. Travel tip: When booking your flights and plan to visit another city, do a cost comparison to see what routes are less expensive. It’s a win-win for both you and your company.
Chicago, Illinois
Chicago is another destination for conferences, workshops or trade shows so have extended my trip in the past. Perfect for family or friends to join you. I typically stay near Michigan Ave. so it’s easy to walk to a lot of places. Shopping. Old Navy Pier. Foodie restaurants to Chicago pizza. And make sure to check out the view at the top of the Sears, I mean, Willis Tower or what was formerly known as the John Hancock Center.
San Diego, California
Loved that one of my annual conferences was in San Diego every year usually during March or April (when it’s still winter in Minnesota). Most times I couldn’t get a flight out the same night the conference ended so almost always stayed a day or two longer. Or three or four if I looked at the forecast in the Twin Cities. The Convention Center is near the Gaslamp Quarter so lots of things to do and see in that area. Also love the La Jolla and Balboa Park neighborhoods.
Paris, France
For European trips, I typically flew in a day ahead of everyone else to help adjust to the time difference. Travel tip: Don’t go to sleep. Even if you’re by yourself, get out and see the city. On one of my last trips to Paris, I was solo and took a hop-on, hop-off tour bus to get acclimated (as it had been a few years since I’d been there). And then checked out some of the sites including the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame (the fire earlier this year was heartbreaking), Champs-Elysees, Arc de Triomphe, and more.
The very next month I was back again so instead of crawling into bed after a red-eye flight I decided to take a walk around Luxembourg Garden. You will not be disappointed – it is breathtaking – gardens, walking paths, fountains, statues, reflecting pools, a palace and more. Luxembourg Garden is a beautiful park to escape to in Paris.
At the end of one of my trainings in France, my husband flew over and we spent the day at the Louvre, and then the next day took a train to Luxembourg City, Luxembourg where we stayed with relatives. While I paid for the train myself, this was a good example when the flight was cheaper to fly back on a Monday rather than a Friday so I saved the company several hundred dollars.
On a follow-up training workshop in France, I took a roundtrip flight to Nice and spent the weekend on the French Riviera. I paid for the domestic flight and for my hotel, and my company saved money on the international flight since I stayed over the weekend.
Nice, France
So happy I decided to take a solo bleisure weekend to Nice. My room was on the Promenade des Anglais, across from the Mediterranean where my hotel had a private beach. It was a very convenient location to everything and was able to run along the Promenade and check out the area. Outdoor cafes were plentiful with amazing food, and I especially loved the hike and the view from Castle Hill.
Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
As noted previously, my husband flew in after my training had ended in France so we spent the day at the Louvre. And then caught the Eurorail to Luxembourg City where his mother and grandparents are from originally and where his extended family lives. For an interesting look into their family history – my husband’s grandfather was a concentration camp survivor – please check out my post on planning a family legacy trip to honor him and other survivors, those who died and those who rescued him. Luxembourg is one of the smallest countries in the world and is also one of the most beautiful.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
I typically fly Delta, which means KLM in Europe, which means my connecting flight is typically Amsterdam. I’ve done solo bleisure trips in Amsterdam as well as with my coworker friends. Definitely recommend the Anne Frank Museum (travel tip: book online as soon as you know you’re going as tickets go fast), walking through the canal area and taking a boat tour, and visiting the Rijksmuseum. A stroll through the Red Light District is definitely interesting. So many other places I’ve yet to visit like the Van Gogh Museum, Rembrandt House Museum, the Heineken Experience, and tulip season.
Travel tip: On one of my bleisure trips, I intentionally looked for flights that had an overnight layover in Amsterdam (which was cheaper than a flight with a shorter layover). I stayed at the very trendy (and inexpensive) CitizenM Hotel that is adjacent to the airport, which made it very convenient. You can easily take the train into Amsterdam or Uber it. What’s great about CitizenM Hotels is that you can pay a little extra to check in early or check out later according to your flight schedule. They’re very accommodating to travelers. I’ve also stayed at the one in Paris.
Helsinki, Finland
My former company’s headquarters was in Helsinki, Finland, so I’ve made quite a few trips across the pond (I’ve lost count) for meetings and workshops. I’m kicking myself that I never stayed long enough to head north to the Arctic Circle, Lapland and Santa’s Village (yes, that is where the real Santa lives in Rovaniemi, Finland!).
My colleagues always took us out for great dinners, and I loved walking around the Esplandi (green space in city center), waterfront and market center.
Tallinn, Estonia
My colleagues and I had finished up meetings in Helsinki on one trip, so decided to stay over an extra night (less expensive flight). We purchased our own ferry tickets to explore the medieval city, Tallinn, Estonia. If you ever have the opportunity, do it! And wear comfortable shoes. My cute little ankle boots did not like those cobblestones.
Legend has it that Tallinn is the birthplace of marzipan and the Christmas tree. We took a self-guided walking tour of Tallinn Old Town, which dates back to the 13th century, and fell in love with the views, the architecture and its history.
Los Angeles, California
I was attending a conference in LA so thought it would be fun to be in the studio audience of James Corden the afternoon before. A friend of mine flew out to join me and another friend drove up from San Diego. While we did get tickets, we missed getting in by a few minutes because of an unfortunate flight delay and lack of parking. Disappointed, but did attend a taping of the Jimmy Kimmel Show on a different non-work trip. You can get tickets free from 1iota.com. Plan in advance to get the dates you want (they get distributed quickly).
Need help booking bleisure daytrips or activities?
See. It’s that easy to use up some of your vacation days. Just do some long weekends before and/or after your business trips and you’ll be a bleisure expert in no time – and won’t be losing your precious vacation days you’ve definitely earned.
If you need help, I’m now booking travel. Most likely you’ll use your company travel agent for your hotel and air, but if you need help planning a fun itinerary or taking daytrips to other cities or attractions, I can definitely help you.
Happy and safe travels!
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I wish my husband’s company did business trips like this. I would totally want to tack on a few days to explore a new city!
It was a good way to explore new areas.
Such a great idea!! We’ve done this several times when hubby has traveled for work. Saves us money on his airfare, since it’s paid for by work!
It’s a win-win with the company also since they usually save on airfare.
Such a great idea! I’m a teacher, and I attend one overnight conference every year. It’s at a lake in my state, but I still feel like I’m on vacation. I also use my two personal days every year–usually for a fun weekend! Most of my vacation is in the summer. My husband is a respiratory therapist, but he never has the opportunity to go to conferences. Not to the fabulous places you’ve been! We do use his PTO in the summer, though!
I have a lot of teacher friends who take advantage of that summer time to get away.
I love that term…bleisure. My mom does this on occasion when she travels for work. Great way to use up some of those vacation days while you’re already in a city for business.
It’s a really easy way for those who can’t seem to find the time.
Congratulations on now booking travel!!! Whoo Hoo!!! I hope it’s an awesome endeavor!
Thanks so much…even though I travel a lot there’s a lot to learn in the travel industry.
I took a business trip to a fitness convention a couple summers ago, and the gal I met up there asked if I wanted to stay a couple days after as she had never been to Vegas. Well of course I did.
I believe if and when one can, to turn any “business” type trip into a “leisure” for a bit.
Totally agree!
Wow it’s so cool all the places you went for work! I travel a lot for work too and I love to make the most of it! I mean the company is covering so much of the cost why not?
I have had a lot of great opportunities over the years.
When I travel for work, it’s rarely somewhere super exciting, but I do make the most of it! I always search out new restaurants, look for interesting things to do and even drive a bit if it means experiencing something fun! And I ALWAYS take all my vacation – and being with the same company for 21 years, I have a lot!
21 years…wow! That’s awesome!
You’ve been to some great destinations! And I love your photos. I might have to get creative and try a little bleisure of my own!
Thank you so much! I really have been living the dream! Hope these inspire you to do some of your own bleisure trips.
I like Bleisure travel. It is a great way to see more locations.
It is a great way to explore new areas especially since most of the time you’re tied up in meetings inside a conference room. Sometimes my friends wouldn’t believe me that I hadn’t stepped outside in three days.
Great article and excellent photos. I’m ready to take some pto!!!
Thank you so much!
We love maximizing business trips by tacking on days in a desirable destination. It’s efficient and cost effective. You’re already in the area, take advantage! Fantastic job you or your hubby must have had to travel to great places. Great pics!
Such a great benefit! I used to work for an international company so had the opportunity to travel to different countries and around the U.S. over the years (I was there for 16+ years).
This is a new term for me but my husband has been doing it for a few years now. We tag along on a business trip and when he’s not working we take him on our adventures. He always tacks on a day or two and we explore as a family. It is also a win for us on costs for the family. Win, Win.
I came across that term recently in an article and thought, “Oh, so that’s what I’ve been doing.” That’s awesome you do it as a family.
Wow, you went to some great places through work. I get sent to NJ. LOL! I have the opposite problem, I run out of days. Yesterday I was looking at my remaining time off and I am short by 4 days. I need to talk to my boss and see what can be done.
Ha! Although there are some beautiful places in NJ. I’m in that same camp…I never lost any days.
This is great information to share and will come in handy for people looking to use their vacation days. Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome…and thanks so much!
I wish my company would send me to places like that!
Looking back I did have a lot of fun opportunities.
My hubby never takes PTO and it drives me kind of crazy. I tell him that he can’t take the days with him so he better use them now while he’s still in good health.
I follow that same philosophy…especially when we’re hiking…we might not always be this mobile.
I had never heard of bleisure travel before. If my husband or I ever get jobs that require travel (hopefully we do) we can bleisure all over the place!
I only recently learned bleisure was a thing and that I’ve been doing it for years.
Wow didn’t know all that about bleasure I work for myself so PTO is never lol but great article.
Ha! I’m working for myself now also so PTO doesn’t exist at the moment for me either.
Well, I learned something new – as always with your posts… I had never heard the term “bleisure” but I definitely did it when I was in the corporate world. Your photos are awesome, you’ve been to so many places!
Thank you so much! I only recently learned that term (even though apparently I’ve been doing it for years).