Those who are used to traveling for business know the mundane and sometimes inhibiting tradition of expense budgets and receipt keeping. On the one hand, it’s awesome to have a (sometimes generous) budget from your company so you don’t have to fret about where to eat or how to get around when you’re off representing your company, but on the other hand you’re in a new place (or at least a place that is not your home), and the temptation to have a little fun is always there. Getting your company to reimburse you for a completely not-work-related brewery tour or spa day might be a tough sell. However, no matter where you are you’ll find the opportunity to stretch that expense budget on a few splurge items, especially if you can supplement your budget with your own money. After all, you might never know when you’ll return to the area and, let’s be honest, being somewhere new is always a great excuse to spend money.
Plus, this is the best time to splurge on business travel because that tax refund is just sitting in your checking account waiting to be used – and if you can convince your boss that a little splurging on the company card is an investment in employee relations then you’re all in!
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Treat Yourself to a Nice Dinner
When’s the last time you ate at a restaurant with tablecloths? If the answer that question is, “I can’t remember, maybe before the kids were born?”, secure reservations at one of the city’s top restaurants. Use Google, Yelp, TripAdvisor and local publications to guide your decision-making process. Does the city where you’re staying have a signature cuisine? Then why not try to find it. Every local will tell you that lobster tastes better in Maine and that San Diego is the only city where you should ever eat fish tacos. You don’t need to eat at a pricey 5 star restaurant with a weeks-long wait to treat yourself, but you don’t want to travel all the way to New York City and settle for Sbarro. Going somewhere the locals go is a great way to get an amazing meal and not blow your whole budget.
Go to the Spa
There are few things in life more enjoyable than an afternoon at a spa. After receiving treatments (most will offer massages, pedicures and facials), you can usually lounge around in the space all day. Destination spas are excellent, as visiting one will give you a chance to explore another area of town. So, sip some cucumber-and-mint-infused water as you relax post-massage. Your body and mind will thank you for the opportunity to recharge, and you’ll be going back to your meetings and networking events in the right frame of mind.
Explore The Town
Really getting to know a place when you’re working there can be tough. After all, you’re there to do your job first; anything else is secondary. But if you’ve got a whole day or just a few hours, why not research some of the area’s top attractions? If you’re active, consider going for a hike at a park and checking out the local flora and fauna. If you’re near the water, why not take a lesson in sailing, kayaking, or even surfing? Again, you can use guidebooks (public libraries will have free ones), local magazines and sites like TripAdvisor to help you discover the best of what your destination has to offer. Exploring your temporary town is a great way to splurge without actually spending a lot of money.
Go Shopping
With the exception of outlet malls, many shopping districts tend to be smack dab in the middle of a bustling neighborhood. Browsing chic boutiques will give you a chance to indulge in retail therapy and see a new part of town. Although you may not be able to bring back a whole new wardrobe, chances are you’ve got room for a few new items. And if you do end up buying more than enough, you can always purchase another suitcase or have everything shipped to you later.