Traveling for work might not seem like a great time for an ideal vacation, but that doesn’t mean you can’t try to take full advantage of the situation and get in a little R&R when the opportunity comes up.
To get you ready for such an opportunity, we put together a few tips on how to get the most of out your traveling assignments. Take a look below:
- Make a destination wish list.
Before you even take on an assignment, consider putting together a little destination ‘wish list.’ You might not be able to get assigned to all of the places you have on your list, but if the opportunity comes up, then you might as well take the jump. Having a list is a great way to stay organized, and can help you avoid some of the stress that comes along with not knowing where you’ll end up next. - Do some research.
Once you’ve picked an assignment, do a little research on where you’ll be working. Look for places to shop and eat or do some sightseeing. Creating an itinerary for your days off is a great way to make the most out of your free time rather than feeling aimless, and doing research beforehand can help make sure that you don’t end up at an assignment you don’t want. - Ask the locals.
Sometimes, doing research just isn’t enough. To get the best experience, try to get the inside scoop from locals about your assignment location. Your research that you just did above will help scout out a few places to check out, but once you get to the hospital, it’s certainly worth asking your co-workers from the area to see where they recommend going. This will help you find great places to go during your assignment, and can also help you make a few friends during your stay as you ask co-workers for their recommendations. - Plan accordingly.
One of the best ways to get the most out of your travel assignment is to plan accordingly. If you’re just dying to see the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, then see if you can plan your travel assignment around that. Or, if you hate the snow, then try going somewhere warmer for the winter.Another thing to consider is when tourist season hits your travel destination. In some instances, the tourists’ areas may be closed during off-season, which will be no help to you. On the other hand, some areas will be open but have fewer crowds, giving you a better chance to relax rather than fighting the crowds. Predicting the seasonality of the areas you want to be assigned to will help you have a better overall experience.
All of this requires some research, but with a little patience and some early planning, you’ll have a better chance at reaping the full benefits of your travel assignments. And as someone who works so hard, you certainly deserve it.
Have any travel tips you’d like to add to the list? Let us know by connecting with on Twitter. We’d love to hear your thoughts!
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photo credit: The Prime Minister’s Office via photopin cc
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