The Center for Economic and Policy Research has gone as far as to call the U.S. the “No Vacation Nation.” Unlike our European counterparts many Americans do not take the vacation time that is allotted to them. According to a Forbes survey more than 765 million vacation days have gone unused by Americans. And it is taking its toll on employers and employees – decrease in job sustainability and higher employee turnover due to burnout, decreased efficiency and productivity, physical and mental health issues resulting on more sick leave and adverse effects on creativity, innovation, collaboration, professional relationships, and communication.
So why do Americans leave so much vacation on the table? Research suggests that we are a workaholic nation and that many workers follow the lead of their employers, business owners and executives and even their managers who are also often workaholics.
The truth is that taking regular vacations – unplugged – setting an example and encouraging your employees to enjoy some R&R can benefit your bottom line and create a corporate culture that can focus on productivity and physical and mental health at the same time. Taking vacation time is essential to employee survival. That is because time off from work is integral to well-being, sustained productivity and high performance. Research shows that one of the biggest boosts in happiness comes just from planning the vacation. A person can feel the effects up to eight weeks before the departure date.
Why is a bucket list vacation particularly good for everyone in your organization? Beyond the body, soul, and mind benefits of just getting away for rest and relaxation bucket list vacations are the ultimate – a dream or wish that motivates you and your team to dream big, set goals and focus on how to achieve them. The reward of achieving a bucket list trip gives new meaning to the idea of working to live rather than living to work. And the satisfaction and success of accomplishing that goal lives on long after the employee returns to work. Encouraging a healthy work life balance and inspiring employees to live their dreams goes a long way to creating a culture of respect.
Writers, artists, musicians, and innovators have always heard the siren’s song of enticing destinations for inspiration. Lin-Manuel Miranda conceived of Hamilton while on vacation. “It’s no accident that the best idea I’ve ever had in my life — perhaps maybe the best one I’ll ever have in my life — came to me on vacation,” he shared. “The moment my brain got a moment’s rest, Hamilton walked into it.”
As a source of inspiration and encouragement for you to start planning one of your own please allow me to share my recent bucket list trip to French Polynesia.
The inspiration for my recent bucket list adventure to French Polynesia began long ago when I read Mutiny On the Bounty. I was so intrigued by a place so beautiful that it would cause British men to mutiny rather than leave led me to the paintings of Paul Gauguin which led to actual dreams of Tahiti – both day and night- placing it high on my 365 Ports of Call to visit list. You can only imagine my joy when I was invited to sail on one of the inaugural cruises of Windstar’s Star Breeze in French Polynesia visiting six of the famed Society Islands starting and ending in Tahiti. Aptly named Dreams of Tahiti, the cruise and subsequent days spent on two of the islands allowed me to check Tahiti off my bucket list and set a high bar for all other destinations to come.
Destination. We visited six islands – Tahiti, Moorea, Raiatea, Taha’a, Bora Bora, and Huahine. Each island had its own charm and history, but they were all spectacularly beautiful and exactly what I had imagined Tahiti would be. Huahine is the least developed and gave a glimpse of what Captain Bligh’s crew and Gauguin. Without debate, from the volcanic mountains to the blue lagoons, it is the most beautiful place I have ever been. The destination is what drives the motivation for a bucket list vacation, and this did not disappoint.
Accommodations and convenience. Accommodations and the way you experience the location are always elements of a true bucket list vacation. Ideally your bucket list trip should be hassle free and as relaxing as possible with an element of “pamper me because I worked hard for this”. The best way to live this Tahitian dream was to grab an overview on a cruise ship and spend a few days afterwards in a couple of the locations. Again, our expectations were exceeded. Because airfares throughout the islands are pricey and ferries are time consuming the best way to see all the islands is by cruise ship which also allows the convenience of unpacking once and forgetting about transportation. The Star Breeze provides the ultimate small ship experience with spacious suites, gourmet food selections that include a partnership with chefs of the James Beard Foundation and impeccable service from the very helpful crew and staff. Waking up every morning and taking in a new island from my balcony was breathtaking.
After our cruise we spent 3 nights on Moorea at the Cook’s Bay Hotel and Resort, the most idyllic location imaginable. I could experience the awe Captain Cook and his crew felt as they sailed into the beautiful bay. The newly renovated suites have a beautiful ocean view and pool with a beachside bar and one of the few restaurants on the island that boast a water view.
We also spent our last night in Papeete on Tahiti at Le Tahiti by Pearl. The grand finale could not have been better than the black sand beach, lush landscaping, hospitality and service, incredible oceanfront suite complete with jacuzzi and dinner alfresco. When you are wrapping up a bucket list vacation I highly recommend splurging on accommodations and a location that will be memorable for years to come.
Experiences. The final element in most bucket list vacations is experience. Again, we were not disappointed. All I can say is do your homework before you go and find an insider that can guide you to the most incredible experiences and you will truly have a bucket list vacation. With Windstar’s 36 years of experience in Tahiti the excursions provided the ultimate insider view of the best of the islands. Most memorable were snorkeling in beautiful coral reefs with Manta Rays, eagle rays, sting, rays, sharks, turtles and thousands of tropical fish, exploring the vistas of the volcanic mountains, photographic safaris to try to capture the perfect flower or the many shades of the blue lagoons and bays, visiting the pearl farms to learn about cultivation and coming home with some beautiful black Tahitian pearls, the fire dancers on Bora Bora and Pearl, who was the native ambassador aboard the ship and the expert of all things Tahiti. During our extended stay, we were fortunate on both Moorea and Tahiti to find wonderful native guides who not only told us of the history of their home but also took us to places known only to locals. Our guide on Moorea introduced us to coconut bread – the most delicious bread I have ever tasted. Enjoying the colorful jacuzzi sipping champagne and eating chocolates with the breeze coming through the open patio doors, listening to and looking at the ocean in my suite at Le Tahiti is an experience that will not soon be forgotten. No discussion of experiences would be complete without a discussion of food and drink. Most memorable were candlelight dining outside in Candles on the Star Breeze pina coladas made with Tahitian rum and coconut ice cream, parrot fish at Rudy’s on Moorea, wood-fired pizza at Allo on Moorea, breakfast in anticipation of another day in paradise served every morning served outside on the back deck of the Star Breeze and the most delicious French 76’s expertly prepared and waiting for us each evening in the lounge.
Whatever lands on your bucket list I encourage you to dream big, not put it off and share it with your team, your employees and employer. Planning a bucket list vacation and encouraging others to do the same can be the beginning of a healthier and more productive culture and environment for you and your entire company.
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