Make the most of the experience and book a bleisure trip

Mix business with pleasure

Mixing business with pleasure – bleisure – offers the opportunity to experience more than conference rooms and meeting rooms. With just a couple of vacation days, a little planning and smart choices, you can see Piccadilly Circus and not just PowerPoint on a business trip.   

And to get the most out of the extra days, it's important to keep track of your travel budget. 

As long as the company pays , it is easy not to think about expenses, but when dinners are no longer paid for with the company card, it is worth keeping an eye on fees, taxes, etc.  hidden costs and local traditions, such as tipping.  

These often seemingly small expenses can quickly add up over several days.   

There are several ways to make your travel fund last longer – something that FOREX has extensive experience in helping travelers with.  

"Hidden fees can make a bigger difference to the travel fund than many people think. Tourist tax is an example that is easily forgotten, but which can mean several unplanned hundreds of kronor during a trip," says Eric Widéen, Product Manager at FOREX. 

It may be worth checking if the hotel has special offers for guests who choose to stay a few extra days after their business trip.  In Milan , tourists pay just over seven euros per adult per night in a three-star hotel. In other words, almost 45 euros for a couple staying in the city for three nights, and the tax is paid on the spot, often in cash.  

Amsterdam's city tax of 12.5% – Europe's highest – is calculated on the cost of accommodation before VAT. Please check the booking confirmation carefully, as if the tax is not already included, it will be paid at check-out. Three nights in a room that costs €200 per night means over €60 extra on the final bill. 

If you often have meetings in the same city and want to see something new, you can create bleisure magic by using it as a springboard.  

"Look at nearby destinations where hotels, restaurants and activities cost less. Then you get more experiences for your money. And maybe you discover a place that you otherwise wouldn't have considered visiting," says Eric Widéen.  

Like Helsinki. If you feel done with the Finnish capital after the conference, Tallinn is only two hours away by ferry. The city's medieval core offers a completely different feeling than modern Helsinki, and it is also significantly cheaper to holiday there - according to the FOREX City Index Tallinn is about 20 percent cheaper than Stockholm, compared to about 5 percent for Helsinki.  

Payment culture differs between countries and the choice between cards and cash should be adapted accordingly. In Italy, six out of ten payments are made in cash, while only one in eight payments in the UK are made in cash.    

"It pays to familiarize yourself with local payment habits. Card payments may seem simple, but often involve surcharges and fees that are not always clear at the time of purchase", according to Eric Widéen.  

When you use cards abroad, your bank usually adds a currency surcharge. If you withdraw cash at an ATM, there is a withdrawal fee – and the local ATM often charges its own fee. If you withdraw smaller amounts frequently , it can be a very costly affair.  

When buying or withdrawing, you are sometimes asked whether you want to pay in SEK or local currency, so-called dynamic currency conversion. FOREX recommends that you always choose local currency. The exchange rate is set by the merchant's payment partner and is rarely favorable.  

"Card terminals can be temporarily offline and ATMs few and far between. Cards are not always accepted, especially in smaller businesses. A well-thought-out mix of cash and cards reduces fees and keeps you prepared in any situation. Then you get more out of both your time and your travel budget," says Eric Widéen.

FOREX TIPS – 7 smart tips for the bleisure trip 

• Buy cash before the trip 
  Ready for transport, tips and small purchases as soon as the holiday days start 
• Set a simple daily budget 
  With cash, it's easy to see how much you're spending
• Plan for local fees and hidden costs 
  That way , you won't have any surprises 
• Choose the right card for the trip 
  Prioritise cards that have no currency surcharge on foreign purchases and/or withdrawal fees 
• Combining cash and cards 
  Then you're ready for any situation 
• Avoid unnecessary exchange costs on the card 
  Always pay in local currency to avoid unfavourable rates 
• Ensure your protection 
  Check what is included in the business travel insurance and supplement if necessary.