How to Make the Most of Travel By Combining Business and Pleasure

Travel is becoming more diverse, as the lines between business and leisure are increasingly blurred, with many people now combining both in a new trend called ‘bleisure travel’.

Bleisure travel is becoming increasingly popular in the business community. It’s a combination of work and leisure. Stay productive while on vacation or relax while working. A 2024 report shows that 60% of business travelers are looking to extend their business trips to relax. With the airport turning into an office and business conferences taking place online by the pool, it’s easy to lose the balance between productivity and relaxation. Here’s how to get the most out of this hybrid travel style.

1. Choose a destination that works for both business and leisure

The destination will largely dictate the lifestyle. Unlike industrial or grim cities, destinations like Barcelona, ​​Tokyo, or Miami can offer more variety and even cultural richness. The only question is what your priority is: vibrant nightlife, natural beauty, or attractions. You need to find a place that is ideal for meetings and personal relaxation.

Pro tip: Check time zones. If you’re dealing with international clients, choose a location that minimizes disruption to your work hours while still allowing time to explore.

2. Optimize your accommodation for work and play

A hotel with a cramped desk and poor Wi-Fi can ruin productivity. But too much comfort — say, a beachfront resort — can be distracting. The key is balance. Seek out hotels or Airbnbs that offer business-friendly amenities (strong internet, meeting rooms, quiet workspaces) while still being near restaurants, parks, or cultural landmarks. Consider co-working spaces, too. There are plenty of major cities offer beautifully designed hubs that allow you to network with local professionals while sipping premium espresso.

3. Pack smart: Travel light, but don’t forget the essentials

Dragging around a massive suitcase stuffed with unnecessary items? Rookie mistake. Bleisure travel demands efficiency. Pack versatile clothing that transitions seamlessly from business meetings to evening dinners. A sleek blazer that pairs with both work slacks and casual jeans? Perfect.

Tech-wise, don’t forget to pack:

– Noise-canceling headphones for focused work in busy airports.
– A portable charger and power bank — because video calls drain battery fast.
– A universal adapter if traveling internationally.

4. Master the art of remote work

Your ability to work effectively while traveling determines whether bleisure is a dream or a disaster. This means setting clear boundaries—with both yourself and your team.

A few key tactics to make bleisure travel work for you:

– Divide your day into time blocks. Dedicate specific hours to work and leisure to prevent overlap and to stay focused.
– Use digital fax services (yes, they still matter). The most important thing that is hard to do without is documents. You should make sure that you have everything you need with you. But if you still forgot something, there is such a technology as digital faxing. To send fax online, you don’t need anything except your smartphone and the internet. Of course, you also need a fax app, but this is not a problem. This way you can transfer important documents to work or get some certificate or other document from home.
– Test video call connections beforehand. There’s nothing worse than joining an important meeting only to realize your Wi-Fi is too weak to handle video.

5. Extend the trip for maximum enjoyment

Can you add a few days to your trip or stay there after work commitments are over? If so, this is a great chance to take a break from work and devote time only to rest. Just 2 extra days during your trip and you will see how much stress has decreased and you have started to feel alive.

Also consider the difference in airfare. If you stay until Wednesday instead of returning on peak travel dates such as a Monday, you can often save up to 30% of the flight costs. Just an added bonus.

6. Make the most of business perks

Your company might be footing part of the bill, so be strategic. If your employer covers flights and accommodations for the work portion, you only need to handle the additional leisure expenses.

Some ways to maximize perks:

– Use loyalty programs. Accumulate points from flights and hotels for future vacations. Make sure you can access a business lounge at an airport to stay productive before your flight and during layovers.
– Upgrade strategically. Many hotels offer discounted upgrades for extended stays.
– Expense what’s reasonable. Meals, transport, and Wi-Fi costs related to business? Keep the receipts.

7. Don’t forget to actually enjoy the trip

The whole point of bleisure travel is to enjoy the best of both worlds, which means getting all your business done while also not forgetting about the leisure part and taking enough time for pleasure. Yet, too many professionals end up working the entire time, only catching glimpses of a city through taxi windows. Don’t be that person.

Set aside time to:

– Try the local cuisine. Even if it’s outside your comfort zone, make sure to at least try to eat at some local restaurants away from your hotel or resort.
– Visit a cultural landmark. Even if you’re short on time, visiting just one sight can make the trip feel culturally richer.
– Walk instead of taking a taxi. You’ll see more of the city this way.

Because at the end of the day, work will always be there. The chance to sip espresso in a Parisian café between meetings? That’s the kind of memory that sticks.

Conclusion

Bleisure travel is a convenient, enjoyable and most importantly smart way to travel that allows you to combine business with leisure in a single trip. But without planning, you will either not be able to work efficiently enough or will not enjoy the trip. To return rested, and not even more tired, follow the tips listed above.