A sabbatical is a period of paid leave, typically around four weeks, that employees receive as a benefit after reaching a years-of-service or promotion milestone.
More and more companies are beginning to offer this benefit to increase employee retention and prevent career burnout.
There are a variety of ways to spend a sabbatical, but travel is consistently the most popular.
Ways to spend your sabbatical
If you’re facing an upcoming sabbatical, the choice of where to go and what to do may seem overwhelming. To narrow down your options, I suggest starting with one of the following themes as a basis for your travels.
Celebrate
Your sabbatical is a time to celebrate the milestones of your life. What better way to do that than to mark some things off your bucket list? Whether you’ve always wanted to make the trek to Machu Picchu, brave the Drake Passage to Antarctica, visit the pyramids in Egypt, cruise down the Amazon or sail to the Galapagos, a sabbatical provides time to finally live your dream.
Reconnect
Spending time with your loved ones without the demands of work or the stress of everyday life can be magical. Hide away with your partner in a private villa in the Italian countryside. Charter a yacht to island hop in the Mediterranean with your extended family. The time spent in a beautiful destination with those closest to you is one of the best benefits of sabbatical travel.
Rediscover yourself
While building your career, you’ve focused on those around you – from coworkers to clientele. Now that you’ve reached your sabbatical, it’s time to focus on you. Take a holistic nature retreat in Costa Rica to recenter yourself. Indulge in a trip crafted around your favorite hobby, perhaps playing rounds at Scotland’s best golf courses.
Explore
Get up close and in-depth with new places on your sabbatical. Experience cultural immersion through local guides and experiences in Andalusia. Set off on a multi-country trip following the route of the classic Grand Tour of Europe. Anywhere that fascinates you is within reach when you have the time to get up close and personal with a place.
Rejuvenate
Who wouldn’t love to take some time to focus on their personal wellness? An indulgent escape to a spa resort could be one of the best ways to spend your sabbatical. Opportunities abound to soak in the atmosphere of a beautiful location while eating fresh, healthy meals and participating in wellness-focused activities like yoga and meditation.
Relax
Use your sabbatical as an opportunity to experience slow travel like never before. Go further and stay longer in your favorite places. Rent an apartment and live like a local for a month in Paris. Take an iconic train journey on the Orient Express. Or spend your days watching wildlife in an African safari camp.
If you’ve accomplished a career milestone that affords you the opportunity to take a sabbatical, there’s no better way to spend your time than by having a once-in-a-lifetime travel experience.
Where to stay on a Sabbatical
A once-in-a-lifetime trip deserves one-of-a-kind accommodations. I’m highlighting just a few of the worldwide destinations that can make your dream trip a reality.
El Silencio Lodge & Spa – Relais & Chateaux
Bajos del Toro, Costa Rica
An eco-friendly lodge set on 500 acres of Costa Rican rainforest where you can indulge in spa treatments after a morning hike to explore hidden waterfalls.
Receive exclusive Fora Perks when you book with me, including:
- Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
- Daily Breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom, served in restaurant or via in-room dining (already included in hotel rates)
- $100 USD equivalent Spa or Experiences credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
- Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
Relais Borgo Santo Pietro
Siena, Italy
Escape to a Tuscan retreat set on a 270-acre estate with an onsite Michelin-starred restaurant and cooking school.
Receive exclusive Fora Perks* when you book with me, including:
- Upgrade at time of arrival, subject to availability
- Daily breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom
- $100 USD equivalent Food & Beverage credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
- Early check-in / Late check-out, subject to availability
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
Eagle Island Lodge
Okavango Delta, Botswana
Experience the best luxury safari experience in tented rooms with plunge pools, while enjoying views of the Okavango Delta and daily treks by land, air, and water to spot incredible wildlife.
Receive exclusive Fora Perks when you book with me, including:
- Complimentary upgrade (based on availability at time of check-in)
- Hotel or resort credit
- VIP welcome treats with local flavors
- A-la-carte breakfast for two daily
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
Venice Simplon-Orient Express
Routes throughout Europe
The train that needs no introduction. Spend a day or a week on a classic rail journey with sumptuous dining, lively entertainment, and views for the ages just outside your window.
Receive exclusive Fora Perks when you book with me, including:
- Complimentary upgrade (based on availability at time of check-in)
- Onboard credit
- VIP welcome treats with local flavors
- A-la-carte breakfast for two daily
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
Aqua Nera by Aqua Expeditions
Amazon River, Peru
Set sail down on the Aqua Nera for an all-inclusive journey with all the comforts of a luxury cruise while exploring the Peruvian Amazon on the trip of a lifetime.
Receive exclusive Fora Perks when you book with me, including:
- One 50-Minute Massage Treatment per Person
*These Fora Perks are representative of typical perks available at the listed properties. Perks are subject to hotel policy and availability at time of booking.
