Let’s face it, there are SO many holiday options and the world is such a small place nowadays that planning your holiday and the ways in which you want to use your leave from work each year can be hard. Throw in having to coordinate family, partners, friends and also the myriad of stunning destinations we see on social media and it can be a really hard choice to choose where to go.
So with all of this in mind here are my top tips for how you can make the most of your leave AND see the world while you’re at it.
1. Mix up your holidays with some short or long weekend breaks in locations that are easy to get to from where you live.
Going on a weekend retreat or even a long weekend retreat means that you will only have to use one or two days of leave at a time. If you spread this out throughout the year and use it in conjunction with bank / public holidays you're going to feel like you've had plenty of time away from your workplace and you will still be able to save the bulk of your leave for the longer holidays you have planned.
MY TIP: Use your weekends to go on yoga retreats. A little mini break can be just what you need to hit the reset button and often all-inclusive retreats are a little cheaper when they’re only for 2 nights. Plus you get the added bonus of REAL relaxation without feeling like you've left your partner or family behind for too long.
2. Schedule in at least one full week of holidays each year (with a buffer of one day before and after, just to recover before you head back to work).
Sometimes we need to take a little bit longer away from our work to really relax and step away from the madness of every day life. The purpose of taking leave is to have a break from the workplace, to avoid fatigue and also to reinvigorate and get inspired for heading back into the real world again. We’re overworked, and proud of it, but to avoid burnout it’s important to take some time, without any work emails or life drama to relax and do something that YOU want to do. One week is a great kick start to this, and if you can draw it out to two you’ll feel a million times better for it.
3. Plan your year and holidays in advance to get the best deals.
Most retreats, airlines and holiday companies have special early bird deals for paying your deposit before a particular date. So take the time to sign up for airline specials and make sure to lock in your holiday before the early bird discounts end. Be sure to check to make sure you can get the leave before you do this though, or at the very least buy travel insurance to cover you in case something changes so that you can get your money back if you need to.
MY TIP: Most international airlines release their flights 11 months in advance, which leaves plenty of time to save for your accommodation or retreat once you’ve booked your flights.
4. Look for deals where you can save money if you bring someone with or go twin share. This may take a little convincing to get your friend or partner on board but often you’ll both save a lot of money if you were to compromise on attending each others holidays each year. As long as you don’t mind sharing a room or sometimes a bed, this is an option where you have the comfort of someone you know travelling with you, with the added bonus of a cheaper retreat or holiday and someone who you can share your holiday memories with.
For more details on my weekend and week long retreats around the world CLICK HERE.