The term ‘Workation’ is derived from the words working vacation. As the name suggests, it means a vacation in which you are relaxing as well as working at the same time. The pandemic seems to have taken a toll not just on various industries but also on ourselves. The irony of it is rather funny, there was a time when we used to crave for a day off from work so we could just sit at home and relax but now that we are living in a scenario where all we have to do is sit at home is scary and even frustrating for some. Isn’t it hard to come in terms with the fact that we are actually living in a dream? It’s finally time to integrate elements of leisure and exotic locations to overall enhance our productivity at work.
With the new phase of the lockdown and the ease on travel restrictions, things have improved for the backpackers who like to be ‘on the move’ every now and then. Another thing that we still fancy is working from a location of our choice. One could be enjoying a pleasant day at Goa’s Anjuna beach and attending an important team meeting at the same time. Seems like the second phase of the dream has also manifested itself. Check out the top places in India where you can enjoy your workation:
1. Darjeeling, West Bengal
Darjeeling is one of our favourite spots for travel, initially famed for the distinctive black tea plantations. The beauty of this hill town is serene and it is a celebrated tourist spot. Situated at the foothills of Himalayas, this place has a scenic view which captivates the eyes of every traveller.
Darjeeling has some co-working venues which enables the traveler to not only enjoy the true essence of the town but also provides a convenient space for carrying out their day-to-day work operations. Pankhasari Retreat is a highly recommended place for those who are looking for an escape from their routine life while still continuing their duties as an employee or a business person. The mesmerizing location of this venue is sandwiched between a waterfall and a river with a view of the crop plantations.
2. Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh
The popular town of Dharamshala situated in Himachal Pradesh is a place which can be chosen if you want to escape the mad rush of the city. Won’t it be a wonderful experience to be sipping hot chocolate and overlooking the snow covered mountain hill tops while working? The simplicity and the warm hospitality that is offered by the local people makes this place even more inviting.
Ghoomakad, located in the Rakkar Village, is one of the best workation in Dharamshala. This venue comes with a fireplace, kitchen, bathroom and storage room, the property has a garden and camping space as well. This accommodation is fit for 15 people and encourages the in-mates to prepare their own meals.
3. Bir, Himachal Pradesh
Bir is another tourist destination in Himachal Pradesh that is also gaining popularity as a workation destination. It is a renowned centre for eco-tourism and spiritual studies. Famed for paragliding, trekking and mountain biking, this place is a hot trend among adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers. It is 50km southeast of Dharamshala which is a distance of about two to three hours by road.
WorkationX, situated in Raj Gunda, is a popular stay for remote workers from around the country. It offers a co-working and co-living community to people who want to stay up in the hills while continuing to work. WorkationX is designed specifically for creators, digital nomads, freelancers, entrepreneurs and free thinkers.
4. Chikmagalur, Karnataka
Chikmangalur, officially known as Chikkamagaluru, located at the foothills of the Mullayanagiri peak of the Western Ghats. The place is a popular attraction to many because of the beautiful weather, tropical rain forest and the scenic view. Most popularly known for its coffee plantations, this place is a hub as a getaway for many people. The beautiful landscapes as well as the untouched environs makes this place a perfect spot for a workation.
Workation Amid Nature is one of the best places to spend your time in. One can enjoy an exclusive cottage amidst a small forest with 24/7 wifi connectivity and everything else you require to smoothly carry out your work. The place is well sanitized, additionally the staff performs daily hygiene checks to ensure safety. Nearby tourist spots include the Jhari waterfalls, Baba Bundangiri and Hirekolale lake.
5. Alleppey, Kerala
Here’s the best spot of them all! Allepey or Alappuzha is the city on the Laccadive Sea in the city of Kerala. If you’re a fan of house-boats then this is your place! Allepey offers a wonderful workation opportunity while cruising ride on the famous Kerala house-boats that have everything you need – rooms, kitchens, WiFi etc. In case motion sickness is your concern then you need not worry as these boats will be parked from 5pm to 8am near a backwater side resort.
House-boat can be a pricey set up but if you can afford it, it’s definitely going to be worth it. Enjoy exquisite window views while you sail through interlinking canals and paddy fields. There are multiple packages that you can chose from. You can pick the type of house-boat as well as the tours. It is one of the most enchanting experiences one can have making it an ideal luxury workation destination.
Though the concept of workation has existed in the past but for most people who were supposed to be within the boundaries of their office walls it seemed to be a distant dream. Even though there’s a lot that the year of survival has taken from us, there definitely is a silver lining in the cloud.
