Workation with La Familia: Between laptop and La Dolce Vita in Italy

Workation with your parents? Lisa tried out exactly that. For a week, she combined work and family time in a vacation home in Italy. Read on to find out how it worked and what she took away from it. 

Who doesn't remember the feeling of going on vacation with the family as a child? You could let go, recharge your batteries and simply enjoy the time together. Lisa Trogus, Teamlead Employer Branding & HR Marketing, has rediscovered exactly this feeling - but this time as an adult, with a laptop in her luggage. She shows us how a workation with the family can not only be productive, but also enriching. 

Why a workation with the family is so special 

"Workation doesn't mean either-or, it means working productively and still having family time," says Lisa. 

When Lisa found out that her parents were planning to spend a week in a vacation home in Italy in September, she immediately knew: I'm coming with you!” Why was the decision so easy for her? From her point of view, the advantages of a workation with the family clearly outweighed the disadvantages: 

• Valuable time together: there is often little room in everyday life to spend extended time with the family. A workation makes it possible to work productively during the day and enjoy the new environment together in the evenings and at weekends and create "vacation" moments together.Just like in the past, when you could relax with your family on vacation. 
• Everyday life but vacation feeling: while Lisa was stuck in meetings and in work mode, her parents used the time for walks and excursions. In the evenings, they were able to enjoy the Italian flair together, stroll through markets and alleyways, visit restaurants and relax at the end of the day - without the everyday stress that often gets in the way. 
• Grateful sharing of costs: Of course, you also benefit from each other in a family workation. Lisa's parents had already booked the accommodation, they drove to Italy in the family car and, in return, Lisa covered the costs of food and restaurant visits. 

How to make the family work 

A functioning internet connection and few appointments during the week - in addition to these tips, it helps to plan the workation with the family well: 

• Clear division between work and leisure time: it is important to inform the family in advance about the weekly schedule, rest times and meetings. This allows appointments to be held in an undisturbed atmosphere. 
• Plan joint activities and me-time: Scheduling fixed times with the family and me-time creates a good balance. During lunch breaks, it was important for Lisa to have time for herself, while she spent family time in the evenings. At the weekend, she planned time for herself with a long run in the morning to start the day feeling energized. 
• A separate work area: A retreat also helps in a vacation home - whether it's a separate room or noise-canceling headphones. If everyone lives to their own rhythm during the day, you can be all the more relaxed in the evening. 

Highlights and challenges 

The highlights of the week for Lisa were clear: evening walks along the promenade of Lake Maggiore, Italian food and aperitifs as well as the relaxed balance between work, family time and me-time in beautiful surroundings. The best part: closing the laptop after work, swimming a lap in the pool and ringing in the end of the day. 

Of course, there were also challenges: A rainy afternoon can make a vacation home seem smaller than it is. And sometimes retreats are limited. But with a little composure and humor, even these situations can be overcome. 

Lisa's tip: add a few vacation days to the workation! This leaves enough time to enjoy the vacation destination without feeling like you're missing out on anything. 

Childhood feeling 2.0 

Would Lisa go on Workation with her parents again? Her answer: "Any time!" Because being able to spend time together with the family at a vacation destination, alongside work, is priceless.   

"Thanks to Workation, I can work in exciting places and combine family, vacation and job at the same time," says Lisa.