Amid the COVID-19 upheaval, many people found themselves reevaluating their lives and their work. For those fortunate enough to retain their jobs during this time, the pandemic served as a wake-up call, prompting reevaluation of the traditional office-centric model. The daily grind of long commutes, endless office hours, and meetings that felt as if they were going nowhere became a distant memory, though in some cases, only to be replaced by Zoom fatigue. But even that was bearable in this newfound freedom, at least for those who didn’t have to juggle a job, home schooling, and bored or conflictive spouses. What’s more, people (and their employers) soon realized that working from the comfort of one’s home did not result in a loss of productivity or results. For some workers, the novelty was short lived and they yearned to get back to the office and water cooler. Others, however, realized that this newfound flexibility need not be confined to their homes. Enter the workation and the viral “office with a view” hashtag.
#officewithaview
I (Anne) have had the luxury of working from home for the past 20 years but was unaware of just how lucky I was until the pandemic hit. Prior to that, we had had “work and travel” guests at Les Voltes but in the wake of the pandemic, we decided to move things up a gear. We bought a set of e-mountain bikes so that remote workers and digital nomads could clear the cobwebs after a day in the office or get an energy kick first thing in the morning. We also converted one of our rooftop rooms into a dedicated office, with a flexible table set-up and optional plug-in keyboards and second screens. It was a hit! Our guests now say they can’t wait to join a video meeting to show their colleagues where they are (oh green monster…).
Nearby vineyards with two of our e-bikes
Rural workations offer a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of urban life, and a wall-to-wall window with breathtaking views of the countryside can only inspire. Outside is a world of wineries, monasteries, and medieval villages waiting to be explored. What better way to sharpen focus and boost productivity. The beauty of a rural workation lies in the seamless integration of work and leisure. Get things done and then get out. Or get out and then get things done. If you have a particularly long day, then take short breaks to stroll through the narrow winding streets of the village or the nearby vineyards and forest trails. You’d be surprised how far you can cover in just half an hour on one of our e-mountain bikes.
Work and travel or travel and work. You decide.
