The rise in ‘bleisure’ travel and why Czechia fits the bill

Monday, Mar 04, 2024 0

So often, business trips have largely been spent in transit for the sake of a meeting then straight back to the airport. It’s exhausting and not a great use of anyone’s time. Not anymore. The ‘bleisure’ trend has stuck, showing no sign of slowing down and business travellers around the world are embracing it. The trend looks set to continue in 2024 too as a recent travel outlook survey revealed 78% were planning to take a ‘bleisure’ style trip this year.

No longer is business travel about airport hotels, working on your laptop with lacklustre room service as your only respite from the spreadsheets. Now it’s about getting out and about once the deals have been done and making the most of the travel time with a healthy mix of work, rest and play.

What is bleisure travel?

Basically, it’s giving visitors the chance to make the most of a business trip by adding on a day or two’s downtime. Mix it up a little, do what you need to do in the boardroom and then extend your stay to explore the country’s cultural and natural attractions. This allows you to experience more of what a destination has to offer beyond work commitments.

Bleisure travel in Czechia

Where’s good for ‘bleisure trips’ in Czechia? Anywhere. All of the key cities are so well connected with an efficient and cost-effective domestic rail network. If your business takes you to the capital city of Prague, you can step out of the conference room, ditch the suit and be in another city, or a spa town, or even out in the mountains within an hour or two, depending on where you want to go.

Once business is concluded, it would be easy to stay on in the capital and explore the wonders of the city but it’s so easy to see more of the country in a few days.

Prague – Pilsen

Jump on a bus or train to the city of Pilsen and explore a little further and the story unfolds beautifully beyond the capital. If a beer trail adventure is on the cards, take a bus or train to Žatec and discover how the region’s fine hops have become a national treasure.

A beer adventure in Czechia just wouldn’t be the same without visiting the city of Pilsen and the Pilsner Urquell brewery is a must for any beer fans looking for an authentic tasting experience.

In addition to sampling the golden nectar, the city is a treasure trove of things to see and do. Impressive architecture abounds in the likes of the Great Synagogue, Pilsen City Hall and the majestic Cathedral of St Bartholomew, home to the highest church steeple in the country. And one thing you must not miss is Pilsen’s historical Underground. Visitors can explore the intriguing labyrinth of passageways, cellars and water wells that lie beneath the old city.

Prague to Brno

Still after a city adventure but a change of scene? Brno is the ideal spot to visit after a hectic few days. The Czech Republic’s modernist architectural mecca is awash with quaint coffee shops and charming sidestreets, however one of the the main draws here is the local wine. As South Moravia’s capital, Brno is the hub of the Czech Republic’s top wine producing region. Sample some of the delicious local cuisine alongside the world famous Moravian wines and don’t miss a rummage around the colourful open air market. Food and drink feature high on the Brno agenda and cafe culture is bursting with life in this city.

Prague – spa towns of West Bohemia

If your brain is suffering from information overload after all those meetings and conferences, unwind and recharge at one of the country’s renowned spa towns. Enjoy thermal baths, spa treatments, and wellness activities in places like Karlovy Vary, Marianske Lazne, or Frantiŝkovy Lázně. With a wealth of natural resources and highly trained therapists, Czech wellness resorts are renowned the world over. Czech spas are some of the oldest and most opulent in Europe

The most well known town in the West Bohemia Spa Triangle, Karlovy Vary is arguably one of Europe’s most beautiful spa destinations. As well as being a hotbed of wellness, Karlovy Vary is the epitome of architectural splendour with its imposing colonnades and historical buildings each with a story to tell.

Marianske Lazne, along with Frantiŝkovy Lázně and Karlovy Vary forms one of the most attractive regions of the country, known as the West Bohemian Spa Triangle.

The smallest of the West Bohemia Spa Triangle, Frantiŝkovy Lázně was once described as ‘heaven on earth’ by the famous German poet, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Boasting graceful spa houses offering a host of procedures to de-stress the mind and rejuvenate weary bodies, it’s the ideal way to add on some ‘me-time’ to your business trip.

From the boardroom to the great outdoors.

If you enjoy the outdoors, take advantage of the Czech Republic’s beautiful landscapes. Go hiking, cycling, or boating in national parks, nature reserves, and scenic regions like Bohemian Switzerland, Moravian Karst, or Šumava National Park. It’s an ideal way to let off steam after an intense few days in the corporate world and all within easy reach of the major cities.

After the intensity of the conference room, get out and about and explore the beautiful hiking and cycling trails through breath-taking scenery or give it some pedal power by cycling along one of the many tried and tested bike routes.

By blending work and leisure activities, bleisure travellers can make the most of their time in the Czech Republic, make new memories and by tagging onto the end of a work trip, they can holiday for less and create a well-rounded and enjoyable travel experience. It sure beats eating alone in your room with only a trouser press for company!

Are you ready to mix business with pleasure?