Workation Wonderland

Discover the dream of work-life balance with remote jobs abroad

Can you really send emails from a hammock by the sea while sipping fresh mango juice and still meet your KPIs? The rise of workation—a blend of work and vacation—is transforming lives. More and more French professionals are trading in their grey office cubicles for sun-drenched terraces in Lisbon, rooftops in Bali, or cafés tucked in the winding alleys of Palermo. But behind the Instagrammable scenes, what’s the real story? Is this just a passing trend or the future of how we work? The workation phenomenon is more than just a buzzword—it’s a lifestyle revolution.

When Paris-based UX designer Clara first packed her bags for a month-long remote work trip to the Canary Islands, she wasn’t expecting to change her entire perspective on life. “I was supposed to return to the office after the summer,” she admits, “but after feeling the ocean breeze during meetings and discovering I could code as efficiently from the beach as I could from my kitchen, I asked to extend it. Indefinitely.” Clara is not alone. The remote work trend, accelerated by the pandemic, has given rise to the now-booming workation movement. This isn’t about digital nomadism in the traditional sense—it’s about balance. Unlike the early nomads who backpacked from place to place with little stability, workationers are intentionally creating routines in beautiful environments.

Workation is no longer a fantasy—it’s a viable alternative to burnout. Employees are proving they can remain productive and even more creative while being away from the office. The key lies in infrastructure: fast Wi-Fi, flexible hours, and managers who prioritize output over presenteeism. Companies are adapting, not just tolerating remote work but embracing it as a tool for well-being and retention. In some startups, remote-first contracts even encourage periods of working from inspiring locations. It’s not uncommon to see teams co-working on rooftops in Marrakech or attending virtual stand-ups from eco-lodges in Portugal. These shifts are shaping not only employee satisfaction but also redefining what a professional environment should feel like.

For many French professionals, the workation dream is intertwined with a search for meaning. A burnt-out HR specialist from Lyon explained how a six-week stay in Greece reconnected her with herself. “My days had become blurred—Zoom meetings, Slack messages, barely stepping outside. In Paros, I started the day with a swim and ended it watching sunsets. I was still working, but I was living again.” This emotional reconnection is becoming central. The workation trend isn’t just a logistical shift; it’s a spiritual one too. It represents freedom, autonomy, and trust. These aren’t just lifestyle perks—they’re foundational elements in the future of work.

However, it’s not all sunshine and sangrias. Digital fatigue still looms. Time zone differences can stretch the working day, and a lack of boundaries sometimes leads to overwork. Not everyone has the same opportunity to hop on a plane either—workations often remain a privilege of the well-paid or those without caregiving responsibilities. And for some, the novelty wears off, and homesickness kicks in. Yet, even with its imperfections, the workation is reshaping conversations in HR departments across France. Companies that once measured commitment in desk hours are now measuring it in deliverables and mental clarity.

Workation is more than a trend—it’s a sign of shifting values. Where once the corner office was a goal, now it’s the freedom to log in from anywhere. As the lines between work and life continue to blur, more professionals are asking: why not make work feel like living? Whether in the mountains of Morocco or a café in Lisbon, the modern worker is no longer asking for a work-life balance. They’re creating it.

So, would you trade your office for a palm-shaded balcony and morning swims? If you could keep your job and your salary, would you swap your commute for café con leche in Spain? The workation movement is not just a question of where we work—it’s a question of how we want to live. Let’s open the conversation: where would you take your laptop if you had the choice?