Published 5th Mar. 2026
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We all love a holiday, but what if it was more than that? What if you had a long period of time to really reset, relax and think about what you want from life? Enter the sabbatical: space and time to focus on what matters most to you. In this guide, we’ll explain how to plan for a sabbatical so you can start thinking about what you want to do and how you can make it work. But first…
A sabbatical is an extended period of leave from your full-time job or education, which you return to when it’s over. Some sabbaticals from work are paid and some are unpaid – it depends on the employer and their policies.
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There are many benefits to stepping away from the daily grind. Reasons why people may go on sabbatical include:
Recent data shows that 42% of employees want access to sabbaticals, while 53% of managers said their organisation offers them. They’re a sign that employers and employees alike value work-life balance, mental health and wellbeing, and flexible work culture. Despite this, less than a fifth of UK workers have taken one, and we’d like that to change! Taking a sabbatical is an opportunity to step away from everyday stresses and focus on personal growth, exploration or rest – or all three.
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The length of a sabbatical can vary, but is generally anything between one month and a year. The duration may correlate with your years of service in the company or the industry you work in, for instance sabbaticals tend to be longer in academia than in corporate roles.
No two travellers plan in the same way. Some of us favour detailed spreadsheets and minute-by-minute itineraries, while others just have a great long list of love-to-dos that need turning into an actual plan. Whether you're in the early conceptual stages, already have a rough idea or own a map smothered with post-it notes, there are some essential logistics that need nailing down in order to turn your dreams into a sabbatical reality. So what comes next?
We’d suggest not focusing on a specific destination to begin with, instead there are three questions to think about when you start to plan a sabbatical:
Your answers will be a solid starting point as you figure out how to make the most of it, and the destination (or destinations) will follow.
Deciding what to do requires thoughtful consideration of your goals and priorities. Start by reflecting on what you hope to achieve, whether it’s professional development, pursuing a passion project, exploring a new place or simply recharging. It might be a mix of things if you’ve got the time, or multiple things could be combined into one trip. What about a months-long wellness-focused adventure, a big family holiday where you can all be present with each other, or a volunteer project with a charity overseas?
Think about what’s been missing in your life or what you’ve always wanted to do but never had the time for. This could be learning a new skill, volunteering for a cause you care about, travelling to a farflung destination, or spending quality time with loved ones. By aligning your sabbatical activities with your values and aspirations, you can make sure the time is meaningful and fulfilling.
Once you know what you want to do, you can start thinking about how that fits into the time frame you’ve been given and what your budget will need to be.
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How long you go for really depends on a few factors, from the length of your company's sabbatical policy to your budget, the logistics and the reality of fitting in everything you want to do. Ideally, you’ll be able to tick things off your list and still have a little space to be spontaneous and enjoy some rest along the way. So try not to take on too much, especially if you only have a one-month sabbatical.
A three-month sabbatical gives you a wider window but is still likely to fly by, while a six-month sabbatical is long enough that you’ll be able to do a mix of things and still enjoy some downtime.
If you’re really lucky, you might be offered a 12-month sabbatical. The thought of so much time stretching out ahead of you can be daunting, or exciting (or both), but there’s a knack. Wondering how to structure a year off? It’s all about smart planning. Think seasonally – if specific travel experiences are top of your list, when is the best time to visit your chosen destination(s)? Are there any bucket list events you’d like to tick off, like cherry blossom season in Japan, or Carnival in Brazil? If learning a skill is on your list, are there course schedules to be considered? Once you’ve figured out these timings, you’ve got a basic structure to work with.
We've helped people searching for a 'live like a local' experience across Italy for three months, as well as some seriously adventurous travellers wanting to spend two years ticking off every item on their bucket list (and some extras). We can look at what you want to do, what you want to achieve, where you'd like to go and then help you come up with a plan.
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You need to make sure you're visiting your dream destinations when they're at their best. Want to know the best spots for snorkelling with whale sharks in June? After an accurate prediction of when the famous Japanese cherry blossom will be in full bloom? We can help with it all, and our expert consultants can then help weave together the ideal and tailor-made itinerary. And remember: some bucket list experiences get booked up WAY in advance, so it's best to plan ahead.
It’s all too tempting to get carried away while you plan, but it’s important to balance ambition with practicality. Consider your budget and any responsibilities you need to manage while you’re away.
If you’re lucky, your employer will pay all or a portion of your wages while you’re off. This isn’t a guarantee, however, so if your sabbatical is unpaid you need to be able to cover the costs, plus your usual living expenses. The cost will depend on:
The longer you give yourself to save up, the better – especially if you’ve got to pay some of your costs upfront.
If you're travelling as a couple you need to make sure you're both happy with the places you visit. They say opposites attract, so for many couples that might be easier said than done. To help find the majestic middle-ground we suggest each picking two or three can't miss experiences or destinations and then letting us create a route to combine those. The result? You both get your way, but potentially with some wild cards thrown in to link the trip together. Who knows, they might end up being your highlights.
We're pretty proud of our connections across the globe. During your sabbatical we can organise expert-led activities, tours and expeditions, or we can give you some gentle guidance and let you discover for yourself. We've found that a bit of both generally works best and, of course, it depends on what you want to achieve. You might want a professional historian to lead you around the complexities of an archaeological site in one location, while you're happy to stroll around temples in another all by yourself.
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Juggling entry requirements, visa applications and deadlines when you're visiting multiple countries can be daunting. We can help you organise all of these details so that you have peace of mind as you travel around. Plus, we have a wonderful (if we do say so ourselves) Original Travel app that means everything is in one paperless place. When it comes to vaccinations, our advice is simple: visit your GP and plan way ahead of your sabbatical – some vaccinations need to be done weeks or more before you travel.
Special occasions can be the prime time for homesickness. Maybe you want to head home to see family and friends (and sleep in your own bed again for a few nights), travel to a favourite destination to celebrate your birthday, or swap a bush camp for a luxury lodge come the festive season. These occasions are also a great excuse to have friends and family come and join you on your travels, or to tick something off your bucket list, like watching the New Year's Eve fireworks over the Sydney Opera House.
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You might have had one, or several, destinations in mind from the moment you realised taking a sabbatical was possible. Or you might have a strong urge to travel (we get it) but not know where you want to go. In that case, start by thinking about your interests and goals, whether that’s immersing yourself in a different culture, enjoying adventurous activities or relaxing on a beach, and this may guide you towards suitable destinations. And if you’re still stuck? We’ve got plenty of sabbatical travel ideas up our sleeves...
While we’d always advocate for getting a taste of local life when you travel, having extended time to immerse yourself takes it to a whole new level. You can gain insights into history and culture that you might not have otherwise, plus it’s a chance to embrace slow travel and really take your time to get everything you can out of the experience. Our unparalleled contacts and expert Concierges can connect you with locals, allowing you to experience the places you visit beyond the tourist traps.
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Every day can be a school day, but you don’t have to stay in a traditional classroom – not when the whole world is out there waiting. It’s so satisfying to learn a skill you’ve always wanted to pick up, especially once you start to make progress. And it means you’ve got something valuable to add to your CV when you arrive home.
Want to step out of your comfort zone and feel an adrenaline rush? Adventure travel could be an excellent choice. Whether you’re hiking through remote landscapes or trying new activities, it’s an exciting way to disconnect from daily routines and reconnect with your sense of curiosity. It’s also a chance to experience personal growth and remind yourself how resilient you are – after all, it takes courage to bungee jump in New Zealand, or zipline over a forest in Costa Rica.
Image by Terence Connors
Responsible travel allows you to explore while making a positive impact on the places you visit. We believe in travelling in a more conscious way no matter what, but making responsible travel the focus of your trip allows you to give back even more. Yes, you can focus on supporting local businesses, minimising your impact and respecting the cultural traditions of the community, but you can also volunteer for a cause you care about, like a conservation project.
A sabbatical offers uninterrupted time to reconnect with your loved ones, whether that’s spending time with family or catching up with old friends you wish you could see more. Travel adds an extra layer of excitement to this, as you share in the experience of visiting a new destination together and make time for meaningful conversations. And if you’ve got little ones? It allows their history and geography lessons to come to life. There’s even a word for it: worldschooling.
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Personal wellbeing and mental health have increasingly been prioritised in recent years. The latest government data shows that almost half of adults cite physical or mental health as being important for their overall wellbeing. So time away dedicated to taking care of yourself could really have a positive impact. It’s a chance to de-stress and reflect on what’s working and what you’d like to change, so you can return to everyday routines feeling refreshed and ready to do things differently.
Strip away your fatigue by stepping into the quiet of the natural world. It’s an opportunity to reset, especially if you try to minimise your screentime while you’re there. Spending time in nature has been shown to have benefits for our mental health, with nature generating positive feelings like calmness, creativity and joy. It can also help us put things into perspective – there’s nothing like standing at the foot of a towering mountain or gazing across an endless desert plain to make our worries feel smaller.
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Need some advice on how to plan a sabbatical trip? Our travel specialists are on hand to offer their guidance.
Header image by Hotel Villa Honegg
Practical advice and inspiration for your next trip
Family sabbaticals are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to broaden horizons, inspire youngsters and spend quality time together. But there’s a lot to consider before taking the plunge. As Co-Founder of Original Travel and one of Conde Nast’s Top Travel Specialists for family travel, Tom Barber know a thing or two when it comes to travelling as a family. Read on for his top tips on everything from education and visas to sabbatical goals… 1.
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