Does your passport read like a Who’s Who of amazing cities all over the world – cities that, thanks to the long hours of your business trip, you’ve never really experienced?
There’s more to life than the walls of the office and the hotel, so don’t let these opportunities pass you by! Follow these top tips on how to make the most of your free time on your next business trip.
Organise your free time
On your business trip, you’re probably not in charge of when and where your meetings are taking place – but you can be in charge of your free time! Do your research carefully to make your work schedule your friend and, before you know it, you’ll be able to see exactly where you’ve got a little slot of time to go and check out a nearby museum or that cool looking café. Whether you’re free for a couple of hours or a whole afternoon, there’s sure to be a local attraction that will appeal.
Make food your friend
What better way to explore the surrounding culture than to dine like a local? If you can suggest hosting a business meeting over lunch, you can kill two birds with one stone: you’ll get a lot of work done and you’ll also get to enjoy the delicious cuisine at the same time! In your free time, why not take your laptop to a local café and watch the world go by as you catch up on your emails or Skype with your loved ones.
Wander the local area
If you can’t be sure when you’re going to have free time or if you don’t have much money to spend, a great way to get out and about is to take to the streets and simply wander around to see what you come across – think The Bund in Shanghai or London’s South Bank. It gives you the chance to soak up the culture as the locals go about their day or even to take some arty street shots to put on your Instagram. Just remember to take a map with you so that you can find your way back to your hotel!
Consider staying for longer
If you’re not careful, you might end up spending a few days – or even weeks – in a really great city with nothing more than a heavy briefcase and a tired brain to show for it. If you’ve got the holiday time to take off from work, consider arriving at your destination a day or so early. This not only gives you the time to adjust to jetlag, but you’ll also have the time to explore – without the workload. If your trip ends on a Friday, why not stay a few extra days and spend the weekend sightseeing? It’ll make that long flight worthwhile!
Be happy with your hotel
If your business trip means that you need to lock yourself in your hotel room for the day whilst you get your work done, don’t despair! A hotel equipped with Wi-Fi means that you can get a change of scene and work anywhere from the lobby to the roof terrace. And what’s more, everyone needs a break at some point! So spend some time researching the area around your hotel for quick break activities. For example, there are a number of hotels in Paris by the famous Luxembourg Gardens, meaning you can clear you head with a quick stroll before getting back to work!
Pack for a holiday too
Although of course this isn’t a holiday, it’s still definitely worthwhile to pack a few clothes as if it was. Whether you want to go for a wander around a nearby neighbourhood or hit the hotel gym, one thing’s for sure: you certainly won’t want to be wearing your suit when you do. Pack a few casual options alongside your smarter workwear and you’ll be all set for every conceivable occasion.
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