Burnt out and tired of working at home and looking at the same four walls? After 18 months of ditching the daily commute and embracing the home office, many of us are starting to feel the effects of the WFH lifestyle and are in need of a change of scenery. Enter: the workation.
What is a Workation?
The latest buzzword on the travel scene, a ‘workation’ offers the opportunity to liven up your daily working routine and combine remote working with experiencing a new place.
Whether you opt for a quick midweek break somewhere in the UK or choose to combine your workation with a longer holiday abroad, the trips can work wonders for your productivity levels. After the workday is done, spend some time getting to know your temporary home as well.
Watch the sunset from the beach or squeeze in an early morning hike before your first meeting – we love the idea of injecting some excitement into your remote working routine!
Where to take a workation
The great thing about a workation is that it can be taken as far or as close to your actual home office as you like. A cosy cottage in the UK is a great choice if you don’t want to spend too much time travelling to your destination, or if you’re looking to go midweek too. However, you can just as easily hop on a plane, train, or boat and find yourself in an exotic office location in a matter of hours, in a luxury villa.
Luckily we have a number of homes to rent that fit the bill for a workation – good WiFi, an area to work from (desk or large table), and beautifully furnished.
To help make your search even easier, we’ve narrowed down the best places to take a workation, both in the UK and abroad, and split them into different categories depending on what you might want.
Best for Backdrop/Views
Jazz up your daily Zoom call by wearing your custom work uniforms, add an interesting backdrop and watch your colleagues turn green with envy.
Chevaliers Gatehouse
Pretend you’re part of an Elizabethan drama when you stay in Chevaliers Gatehouse, which is full to the brim with period pieces, a Tudor-style dining room, and a spectacular spiral staircase. No matter when you position your laptop, the patterned walls and electric mix of furnishings will be sure to distract from any early morning eye bags. Make sure to mention the home’s royal connections on your call too – the midlands home has hosted the likes of King Edward V, Charles I, and Sir John Betjeman too.
La Camerata
With a sunny balcony overlooking the rolling hills of Umbria, La Camerata is sure to get your colleagues’ attention during your virtual meetings. Inside, the one-bedroom apartment is light and airy, easily providing a comfortable place to work during the day and unwind into the evening. Stroll to the local village in the morning (before checking the dreaded email inbox), picking up some traditional Italian treats and immersing yourself in a slower, more authentic way of rural living. During the weekends, there’s plenty to discover on your doorstep too, including a UNESCO World Heritage site, vineyards, and plenty of outdoor activities.
Best for Foodies
Combine your workation with your passion for food, and get a taste of the local flavour during your evenings and weekends. From perusing vineyards to taking part in a cooking class, many of our luxury villas to rent are the ideal destination to satisfy your taste buds.
Chateau Beaucharm
It’s no secret that France is a food lover’s dream, with every region being famed for a unique dish or drink. Chateau Beaucharm is located in the iconic Champagne region in the north of the country, also nearby to Burgundy and Chablis – be prepared for tastings galore! The hosts of the charming three-bedroom home also offer guests a ‘table d’hote’, a spectacular multi-course dinner that highlights local specialities and adds a touch of unique luxury to your workation. Great after a busy day online!
Best for Culture Vultures
Being close to town or village is often criteria for people when choosing where to take a workation. The option to quickly nip out for breakfast, lunch or dinner before returning to your screen is appealing for many, especially if you usually spend most of the day within your own home. Plus, at the weekends, these quaint communities make great places to stretch your legs and explore, emphasizing the ‘vacation’ part of your trip.
Maison Aredius
A large five-bedroom townhouse in the heart of a village in Dordogne, Maison Aredius is a stunning 18th-century townhouse with high-end furnishings and luxury finishings. The village of Saint-Yrieix is a small yet lively place, containing a 13th-century church, town square, and a handful of fabulous restaurants and shops. The homeowner is very knowledgeable about the village and the surrounding area, so rest assured that you’ll receive only the best tips and tricks during your visit.
Casa Calisto
We’re hopping over to Portugal for this next villa, specifically inviting beaches and sparkling blue waters of the Algarve. Casa Calisto is set in one of the busiest towns in the area, Olhao, and boasts a fabulous central location. Finish the day and unwind with a taste of the locally caught fish in one of the many nearby seafood restaurants. The Old Town area is a great place to spend the evenings and weekends during your workation, where you can soak up the atmosphere in a waterfront bar or cafe.
La Casetta
Escape busy crowds and flocking tourists when you visit the quiet village of Spello in Umbria, with a secluded workation in La Casetta. Though remote, the villa is still within walking distance to the village, which provides all that you’ll need throughout your stay. We love that you get the best of both worlds in this home – a relaxing and isolated retreat, combined with necessary amenities and (if you wish) the chance to drive further afield and explore the surrounding region on the weekends too.
Best for Active Workers
If staying active is an integral part of your home working routine, don’t worry. Many of our rental homes are near walking trails, lakes, and loads of other outdoor activities. Liven up your morning run with a jog around an unfamiliar – and epically beautiful – location. Sure to instantly boost those productivity levels.
Villa Chambre du Paradis
Villa Chambre du Paradis in Bergerac is a peaceful and secluded escape, surrounded by immaculate gardens and an inviting swimming pool. The property has bikes on hand to help you discover the local area, which can only be described as a nature and sports lovers paradise. The small town nearby has tennis courts, and there’s also a golf course and tons of watersports activities nearby too. Go fishing in the River Dordogne, horse riding at one of the many equestrian centres, and spend the weekend at Neufont Leisure Park – 11 hectares of beautiful woodland and beaches.
Copper Lodge
Perfect for outdoor lovers and active workers, Dorset is an ideal workation location. Copper Lodge enjoys impressive sea views from the private terrace and is a fantastic base from which to explore the Jurassic Coast on your days off. The home is located on the Isle of Portland – the area’s southernmost point – and boasts an unspoilt natural habitat to explore. Enjoy a jog on the beach or a quick dip in the sea, with most of the nearby attractions being accessible on foot too.
Most Instagrammable
We get it – you want to boast about your workation to your followers…who wouldn’t? Not only will these properties make your ‘gram the envy of your friends, but they’ll also do wonders for your own mental wellbeing. A beautiful space is proven to uplift moods and inspires creativity, which these homes offer up in spades.
Tour St Therese
Tour St Therese is a romantic and eye-catching home in Aquitaine, decorated with a simple elegance that reflects classic French living. There’s eclectic local furnishings as well as English antiques, all expertly picked by the owner. From French country crockery and linen to embroidered bed sheets and pretty delicate china, the final result is utterly beautiful and perfect for photos. Enhance your workation with a massage or yoga class in the garden, both of which can be booked by the owner.
Luum Hideaway Apartment
Surrounded by an exotic jungle garden, Luum Hideaway Apartment is an architectural delight. The Tulum-based home has been designed with nature in mind – all the construction materials have been manufactured in Mexico and the interior designers have sourced goods from local artisans, including artwork, ceramics, and soft furnishings. With white walls and concrete floors, the final result is a home that is cool and trendy – the ideal place to reinvigorate yourself during a workation.
Best for Countryside Living/Nature
For burnt out city-workers, sometimes a stay in the countryside is all you need to refresh your working week. Our cosy cottages in the UK help showcase the best of country living and getting back to nature during your workation.
Bewl Cottage
Bewl Cottage in Sussex has a stunning lakeside location that is a treat to admire during sunset. With an immaculate garden and path that leads down to the water, you’re also free to explore surrounding woodland during your workation too. Certainly makes that lunchtime walk a little more exciting! Our tip: dine al fresco on the outdoor terrace and make the most of the English countryside.
Best for Sustainable
It’s important to consider your carbon footprint during any trip, which is where our sustainable villa collection comes in handy. These properties have been recognised as being more environmentally friendly and actively doing their bit to help lower their energy consumption. Proof that your workation can be green too!
Blanco de Caza
Start your workday with tranquil mountain views during your stay at Blanco De Caza. Vistas of the sea and valleys can also be seen from this villa in Malaga, yet the best part has to be the environmentally friendly elements of the home. Solar panels and a heat-pump water system make the villa eco-conscious as well as beautiful. Perfect for workations, you can also enjoy this villa as a vill’otel – get breakfast, cleaning, welcome drinks, a hamper and more included for a little extra.
Best for Long Stays
Looking for somewhere to work remotely for a longer period of time? Many of our homes offer discounts when you stay more than a few weeks, which are great for remote workers seeking an extended workation from their regular home office. It also gives you more chance to explore the local area and embrace a different community.
Villa Chepita
Also in Spain, but this time on the mainland, Villa Chepita near Malaga has a special offer of stays over four weeks, ranging anywhere from 20-55%. The home has a tranquil view over Lake Vinuela and is just a short drive away from a traditional village that has a range of eateries and shops. Surrounded by a peaceful mountain range, this is the ideal location for a peaceful workation.
Best for Relaxation
Who said you can’t indulge in a spot of relaxation during your working week? After a busy day of Zoom calls and endless emails, we can’t think of anything better than a home spa to help you unwind.
Villino Lepre
Hop over to the rolling hills of Tuscany for a workation with an indulgent twist – Villino Lepre near Florence has its own private swimming pool, steam room, and hot tub too. A unique feature for a one-bedroom villa, the outside area also offers ample space to kick back and relax, with a large gazebo and nearby woodlands too. During the weekends, get your culture fix in the city of Florence, full of art galleries and just 30-minutes away by train or car.
Best for Further Afield
Combining your workation with a longer villa holiday means you have the chance to go further afield and experience something completely different. From exotic jungles to white sand beaches, your working week has never looked more exciting.
So, there you have it – the best places to take a workation in the UK and abroad! If you’re feeling inspired to liven up your home office routine and ready to start planning your workation trip, our knowledgeable Oliver’s Travels Concierge Team are on hand to help find the perfect villa for you.
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