It’s time for a vacation!

No, I’m not talking about those rushed getaways where you mash sick days with weekends and call it a vacation.

I’m referring to a genuine vacation. A full week, maybe even two – or even a month away like in Europe!

Or perhaps even longer.

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According to the latest numbers from Expedia, Americans are taking the shortest vacations. On average, we only get 12 days off work each year, with 53% of us not using all our vacation days. Notably, 65% of people feel they aren’t taking enough time off, the highest percentage we’ve seen in 11 years.

Is that really a vacation?

It’s perhaps unsurprising that traveling is becoming less enjoyable these days. Many travelers check into hotels only to spend their limited days off darting around, aiming to fit in everything they can. This isn’t what a vacation is supposed to feel like.

“Travelers are eager for genuine immersion in their experiences,” stated Alex Chatzieleftheriou, CEO of Blueground, a provider of flexible furnished rentals.

Wondering how to achieve that? It turns out you can extend your upcoming vacation, and now is the perfect time to consider it. As the slow travel trend is predicted to grow significantly in 2025, why not think about a longer getaway?

“People are shifting from quick trips to extended stays in specific cities or states,” explained Bill Smith, CEO of Landing, a service that lets members rent furnished apartments. He believes slow travel could be a significant trend for vacation-starved Americans in 2025.

A Shift in Attitudes

Robert Li, director of the U.S.-Asia Center for Tourism & Hospitality Research at Temple University, notes that Americans are growing more open to the idea of longer vacations. He has studied the vacation gap in the U.S. and attributes it to a belief that employees who take leave seem less dedicated and hardworking.

Yet, the pandemic seems to have instigated a cultural change, with greater emphasis placed on employee well-being.

“Ideally, this shift will lead to national policy changes that better foster paid leave and improved work-life balance,” he remarked.

During an assignment in Scandinavia this summer, where vacations are taken very seriously, I noticed that people typically receive about a month off, and they actually take the time off.

Additionally, there seems to be a courteous buffer of a few days surrounding long vacations where people give themselves grace. Phrases like “I’m going on vacation soon” or “I just returned from vacation” allow them a bit of leeway, letting them arrive a little late or even skip a meeting entirely. Essentially, they enjoy not just a month off but even a few extra days of less rigorous work. And that’s perfectly acceptable.

That amounts to seven weeks of vacation. Now that’s enticing!

Ways to Maximize Your Vacation Time

So, how can you extend your vacation next year? Here are some expert strategies:

• Expertly combine holidays to get extra time off. Many people attempt to extend their vacations poorly by only focusing on a single holiday like Memorial Day or the Fourth of July. However, Henri Chelhot, CEO of FlightHub, suggests a smarter approach: intertwining multiple public holidays. “Consider combining holidays such as Christmas and New Year’s,” he advised. Additionally, think about destinations outside the U.S. where you won’t encounter as many holiday travelers, like the Middle East. After all, who doesn’t enjoy shopping in Dubai?
• Explore a workcation or sabbatical. The awareness of a vacation deficit is on the rise, leading to an interest in workcations—working from a beautiful locale rather than an office. Toni Frana, a career expert at FlexJobs, said that workcations allow you to change your scenery while still keeping up with work. Many companies now offer remote work options, and some even have generous sabbatical policies allowing for longer breaks.
• Embrace the commitment of an extended getaway. One major barrier to longer vacations, When planning a lengthy stay, finding suitable and cost-effective lodging becomes crucial, particularly if you aim to extend your visit beyond a month. This can be quite challenging in areas where short-term rentals are unpredictable. If you can secure a month-long booking, consider platforms like Blueground, which has properties in 48 cities around the globe, or Landing, which is prominent in the US. Airbnb also presents better pricing for monthly rentals. “It’s essential to clarify your priorities when planning an extended stay,” notes Chatzieleftheriou, CEO of Blueground. “Do you value a central location, a peaceful neighborhood, or easy access to public transport?”

How can you prolong your vacation?

So, how is it done? Richard Campbell and his wife realized they wanted more time off after enjoying a few days hiking in the Rocky Mountains this summer. He expressed his fondness for Colorado, but stated that after visiting the same location for four years, “we were looking for something different.”

Campbell’s plan for next summer includes spending the entire season in Europe. Being the founder of a travel booking site, he has the flexibility to work remotely. Quite fortunate!

“We’ll travel across four cities in France and Italy over two months, taking a one-week trip in between and another vacation at the end,” he explained. “What excites us is that instead of doing chores or scrolling through our phones, every evening and weekend will feel like a holiday, allowing us to explore new towns, try different cuisines, and enjoy our surroundings.”

The Campbells can remain in Europe for up to three months without a visa—so that’s the plan.

Perhaps the secret to an exceptionally fulfilling vacation in 2025 is simply this: more time away. Whether you choose a European-style month-long retreat or a thoughtful blend of work and holidays, an increasing number of travelers are opting for extended stays instead of brief getaways.