As a business owner, there are many tasks and responsibilities you have to manage on a daily basis, and going on business trips is one of them. Whether it’s attending conferences, exhibitions, or trade fairs, meeting up with clients to sign contracts, or making on-site visits, business trips are part of an entrepreneur’s life. 

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While some entrepreneurs enjoy traveling from one place to another for professional purposes, others dread the idea of leaving their office to travel to a different city or country to do business. Regardless of where you stand on this matter, the truth is that business trips make it difficult for professionals to enjoy the places they visit to the fullest. With jet lag, busy schedules and tons of work getting in the way, you rarely get the opportunity to explore the wonderful cities you travel to and discover all the things they have to offer. 

But what if you could accomplish your professional objectives while also taking the time to relax and throw a bit of fun in the mix? We believe that sometimes mixing business with pleasure is possible and you should take advantage of the opportunities that arise when traveling for work. So, here are a few simple ways to make your business trips feel more like a fun vacation and less like a chore. 

Plan ahead 

You already know by now that proper planning can make a world of a difference when preparing for a business trip. But you’ve probably never planned to have fun on your business trips until now. Well, there’s a first time for everything and it’s never too late to change your ways. Organize your schedule in such a way that allows you to sneak in some leisure time in between meetings and business visits. That way, you won’t have to improvise things as you go to make time for activities that are not work-related. 

Choose your accommodation wisely

Proper accommodation is essential for both business and leisure trips, and since you want to combine the two it’s all the more important to find an accommodation that will provide comfort, convenience and relaxation. A lot of entrepreneurs ignore this aspect when they go on business trips, as they just want to find a place where they can lie down and get a few hours of sleep after a long day of meetings. 

We suggest you look for hotels that have all the amenities you might need to relax such as a gym, pool, sauna etc. It’s also a good idea to choose a hotel that is close to your work locations and near the attractions that you want to visit in your free time. As a bonus, you can request a room with a nice view to make your stay even more pleasant. 

Extend your visit 

If you’re not comfortable switching from work to fun during your business trip because you feel it might ruin your focus and create a bit of a chaos, you can schedule the fun part after you finish all your work-related tasks. This can also serve as some sort of motivation to get down to business as fast as possible and finish your work in due time, so later you can enjoy the city you’re in to the fullest. So, instead of mixing business with pleasure you can extend your stay by a few days and explore the city at your own pace and without the pressure of work ruining the mood. 

Go out and about

Every person who has ever been on a business trip knows that this kind of visits can be extremely exhausting. Not only you have to deal with the jet lag in most circumstances, but you also have to adapt to a new work environment and meet a lot of people while you’re there. That can take a toll on your energy levels and make you lock yourself in your hotel room once you’re done working. 

However, going out and about and doing a bit of sightseeing can actually be an energy booster. The more you explore, the more invigorated you’ll be, and your business trip won’t feel so dull anymore. 

Mingle with the locals 

What better way to discover a new city, immerse yourself in the local culture, and really get to know the place than by mingling with the locals? The local people are the best guides you can have when traveling abroad as they can help you experience everything from a whole different perspective. If you don’t know anyone in the city, the best way to make friends with the locals is to go where they go – bars, restaurants, markets, etc. If you’re in a big city like London, and you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, you can also meet glamour models who are London escorts and let them help you see the city in a different light. 

Choose fun locations for meetings 

Who says work trips should be boring? Yes, you have to get all the things on the agenda done, but you can also do them in a fun way. When you plan your meetings, instead of being stuck in a conference room for hours as you do at home, why not choose a fun location like a great restaurant or an outdoor setting if the weather allows? This will surely make your meetings a lot more entertaining and you’ll even look forward to working. A casual location will also make you feel more relaxed and loosen work stress that so often gets in the way of productivity. 

Bring someone along

Most people don’t even take into consideration the idea of bringing someone with them on their business trips, because they might not have time for them or they might become a distraction. However, having someone by your side to share things with and accompany you when you’re not busy with meetings and phone calls, can make a world of a difference and help you enjoy your business trip more. You don’t have to be together every single moment, but when you are, you’ll surely have great fun.