How to Travel—for Both Work & Play
Travel isn’t always sightseeing and guilt-free dining experiences. Often, it centers around business. Sometimes, however, it can be a bit of both.
The recent buzzword “bleisure” (an unfortunate combination of the words “business” and “leisure”) implies an exciting lifestyle that blends work and play. While many long-time business travelers will forever cringe at the idea of business travel, bleisure has spawned a movement of its own—it’s becoming the travel trend du jour among business travelers.
Don’t be afraid to mix business travel with more enjoyable, leisure-based activities. Need tips? Look no further—we’ve got you covered.
Plan Accordingly
This may seem like a no-brainer to many, but pre-planning your trip before you’re on the road enables you to make the most of your time. Interested in attending a baseball game or concert after your workday? Buy tickets in advance. Want to take a tour between meetings? Book now!
Not only does buying a ticket or securing a reservation allow you to do exactly what you want to do, it also creates a timeframe that you can base the rest of your trip around.
And for those traveling solo (which is usually the case for business travel) there are countless resources—such as Solo Traveler and Adventurous Kate—that provide guides and tips for travelers of all type.
Fly Intelligently
Doing your homework on flights can make or break a business trip. Consider either early-morning or red-eye flights to get the most of your already limited time. These minor adjustments provide you with a few precious hours to get more work done—so you can squeeze in some sightseeing.
And because you won’t need an extra night at your hotel, and these flights are generally more affordable to begin with, you’ll most likely be able to get clearance from your boss.
Commute Wisely
Public transit is great for tourists, especially those with a fairly flexible schedule. However, if you’re crunched for time, it’s best to explore your options. Many big cities—including New York, San Francisco, and Boston—are known for walkability. If the weather is good, and you plan accordingly, walking is an effective (and entirely free!) way to get from point A to B.
If your travels require you to go longer distances, it’s worth looking into ever-popular ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyft. And if you’re looking to be extra economical (and don’t mind sharing a car with strangers), UberPool enables multiple riders to split ride fares.
Expense Appropriately
Knowing your company’s expense policy can help in your effort to mix work and play—after all, most companies provide their employees with a modest daily stipend for leisure activities. While these benefits won’t cover a round of golf, or more elaborate sightseeing activities, you may get to visit a museum on your company’s dime.
In addition to knowing your company’s expense policies, it’s beneficial to know their preferred payment methods. While some organizations require all purchases to be on company credit cards, others allow personal cards for business travel. Knowing when and what to expense can help you make the most of your down-time.
