Do you find traveling for business to be a pleasure?
Mar 17th, 2008, 09:21 AM
#1
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Do you find traveling for business to be a pleasure?
I've just received word from my dad that he will be in New York this summer for a long conference; he'll be tacking on a few extra days to spend in the city. He is ecstatic to say the least!
I'm just curious how many of you travel for work--- is there one city that you greatly enjoy visiting? Any that you loathe?
I'm just curious how many of you travel for work--- is there one city that you greatly enjoy visiting? Any that you loathe?
Mar 17th, 2008, 09:27 AM
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Hi Katie. I go to NYC annually for business, but always manage to fit in a little pleasure, too...so it's enjoyable. Same with Miami each fall.
I'm headed to New York in another couple weeks and this time my sister is going to meet me up there...she is ecstatic, too and keeps reminding me each day on the IM just how many more days until we depart. Even though I will be busy with business during the day, we will still have the evenings together. I'm also staying on a couple extra days so that we can have some full days together before heading home in separate directions. We live in two different countries so aside from being excited to show her my NY, I'm also excited just to see her.
I'm headed to New York in another couple weeks and this time my sister is going to meet me up there...she is ecstatic, too and keeps reminding me each day on the IM just how many more days until we depart. Even though I will be busy with business during the day, we will still have the evenings together. I'm also staying on a couple extra days so that we can have some full days together before heading home in separate directions. We live in two different countries so aside from being excited to show her my NY, I'm also excited just to see her.
Mar 17th, 2008, 09:31 AM
#4
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I haven't been on many business trips myself (though I'd love to start getting out to some GTGS)...but I did attend a conference in Miami recently. Talk about a tease! I was inside a large conference center all day...and it was 75 degrees and sunny out!
Miami is a good place to tack a day on...everyone needs a day on the beach!
Grcxx3... I can't think of anything better than "having" to go to Paris all of the time. I'd probably need to get a second job to afford the extended weekends I would take!
Miami is a good place to tack a day on...everyone needs a day on the beach!
Grcxx3... I can't think of anything better than "having" to go to Paris all of the time. I'd probably need to get a second job to afford the extended weekends I would take!
Mar 17th, 2008, 09:48 AM
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No, no, and no!! I am a very frequent business traveller, spending at least 3 days a week on the road and flying 2-4 segments every week. I am sitting in the terminal right now - killing time.I do look forward to NYC and a few warm destinations, but that doesn't happen too often. I keep my sanity by madly collecting miles and points for free vacations.
It helps to stick to one hotels' frequent traveler program so that you get extra perks and extra points. Sometimes, a city that you expect to be bad is not and vice versa. Thought I would hate Cincinnati and I really love it. Thought I would love Chicago and I don't.
If you travel for work this often - it really isn't much fun - too busy on the road with work to play.
It helps to stick to one hotels' frequent traveler program so that you get extra perks and extra points. Sometimes, a city that you expect to be bad is not and vice versa. Thought I would hate Cincinnati and I really love it. Thought I would love Chicago and I don't.
If you travel for work this often - it really isn't much fun - too busy on the road with work to play.
Mar 17th, 2008, 09:50 AM
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Love Chicago, San Francisco, New York, Boston. Atlanta is so-so.
Rochester, Indianapolis, and Dallas don't do much for me at all--I wouldn't use the word "loathe," but I'm never thrilled at the opportunity to visit these cities.
Rochester, Indianapolis, and Dallas don't do much for me at all--I wouldn't use the word "loathe," but I'm never thrilled at the opportunity to visit these cities.
Mar 17th, 2008, 10:00 AM
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I'll sometimes tack on a couple of days in Los Angeles or San Francisco. Since I live only four hours for New York, sometimes if my trip involves a Friday or Monday, I'll add a weekend. And, of course, if I am at a beach resort I'll spend a couple of days in the sun with a cold drink.
OTOH, sometimes you want to just be at home because business travel is rarely "fun." I've passed on adding days in Miami, for instance, because I just want to go home. After three days in a hotel conference room--and a conference room in Miami is no different from a conference room in Duluth--you sometimes just want to get home as soon as possible.
OTOH, sometimes you want to just be at home because business travel is rarely "fun." I've passed on adding days in Miami, for instance, because I just want to go home. After three days in a hotel conference room--and a conference room in Miami is no different from a conference room in Duluth--you sometimes just want to get home as soon as possible.
Mar 17th, 2008, 10:16 AM
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I work for a consulting company, so business travel is one of the requirements for a lot of us. I sort of have a love-hate relationship with it. I find it interesting to go to different places and I like interacting with the clients on their home turf. But it can be exhausting.
We are a relatively small company and we don't have particularly deep pockets - no luxury hotels or first/business class airline tickets. I do get to keep my FF miles and hotel points, which is nice.
Most of the time, my trips aren't to anyplace I particularly want to go, but sometimes I get a good destination and can add a couple days for personal time.
We are a relatively small company and we don't have particularly deep pockets - no luxury hotels or first/business class airline tickets. I do get to keep my FF miles and hotel points, which is nice.
Most of the time, my trips aren't to anyplace I particularly want to go, but sometimes I get a good destination and can add a couple days for personal time.
Mar 17th, 2008, 10:48 AM
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The ambivalent answer is yes and no.
I was born and live in NYC as a point of reference.
Enjoy-San Francisco, DC. and Boston.
Enjoy LA because my colleague has family there and it is most pleasant, otherwise you can keep LA.
Simply OK-Chicago
Can't stand-Arizona, Southern California, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston. Florida, especially Orlando, Las Vegas(Minnie Mouse with an STD)
I was born and live in NYC as a point of reference.
Enjoy-San Francisco, DC. and Boston.
Enjoy LA because my colleague has family there and it is most pleasant, otherwise you can keep LA.
Simply OK-Chicago
Can't stand-Arizona, Southern California, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston. Florida, especially Orlando, Las Vegas(Minnie Mouse with an STD)
Mar 17th, 2008, 10:56 AM
#13
I've traveled for business for 20+ years and almost always tack on a day or two for "play" time.
My favorites would be NYC, SF, Seattle, Denver and Phoenix/Scottsdale.
Most of the time, I used the city locations as a starting point for side trips. NYC and SF are the only cities I actually STAY in, but still do side trips from SF.
The leisure part of the trips are the best part of traveling for business.
My favorites would be NYC, SF, Seattle, Denver and Phoenix/Scottsdale.
Most of the time, I used the city locations as a starting point for side trips. NYC and SF are the only cities I actually STAY in, but still do side trips from SF.
The leisure part of the trips are the best part of traveling for business.
Mar 17th, 2008, 11:28 AM
#14
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Yes, I have traveled a lot for business and I have ALWAYS enjoyed it. The only thing I haven't liked is when I'm stuck on a long, turbulent flight.
I always manage to tack on extra days before or after business to enjoy the destination--that way I haven't had to pay transportation costs. Over the past decade, the places I've traveled to on business have included: Copenhagen,
Stockholm, Paris, Nice, Nuremberg, Munich, Vienna (Austria), Brussels, London, Dusseldorf, Zurich, Basel, Milan, Chicago, New York, Boston, Austin, Charleston (SC), Orlando, Scottsdale, and Philadelphia.
Vienna is probably my favorite for work/leisure combo. Followed by Chicago, Paris, Dusseldorf, Basel and Brussels.
I can honestly say there has not been one place that I've traveled to for business that I didn't like, even the goofy run down Catskills resort where the cabins had such bad wiring the lamps sometimes burst into flames when you turned them on (true story!).
I always manage to tack on extra days before or after business to enjoy the destination--that way I haven't had to pay transportation costs. Over the past decade, the places I've traveled to on business have included: Copenhagen,
Stockholm, Paris, Nice, Nuremberg, Munich, Vienna (Austria), Brussels, London, Dusseldorf, Zurich, Basel, Milan, Chicago, New York, Boston, Austin, Charleston (SC), Orlando, Scottsdale, and Philadelphia.
Vienna is probably my favorite for work/leisure combo. Followed by Chicago, Paris, Dusseldorf, Basel and Brussels.
I can honestly say there has not been one place that I've traveled to for business that I didn't like, even the goofy run down Catskills resort where the cabins had such bad wiring the lamps sometimes burst into flames when you turned them on (true story!).
Mar 17th, 2008, 11:34 AM
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I only travel 3-4 times a year, usually a week at a time, for business. For the most part, I hate it. As you said, Katie, if you go someplace at all decent, it's a tease as I spend my entire time in a convention center. I have been known to tack on a few days but that is only when I get to go someplace warm in the winter.
Of the places I get to go, San Francisco and Las Vegas are my favorites; I also enjoyed San Antonio. I've conventioned several times in New Orleans both pre and post Katrina and pray I never have to go back. Not in a big hurry to return to Orlando either.
Of the places I get to go, San Francisco and Las Vegas are my favorites; I also enjoyed San Antonio. I've conventioned several times in New Orleans both pre and post Katrina and pray I never have to go back. Not in a big hurry to return to Orlando either.
Mar 17th, 2008, 03:43 PM
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My most frequent business destination is my hometown, Seattle. Lucky for me as I'm terribly homesick. I usually tack on at least 4 or 5 days so I can see the family and friends and my usual haunts.
Last year I was in DC and Boston for business trips and thoroughly enjoyed both - added 3 days to each for sightseeing.
I usually tack on at least 4 or 5 days so I can see the family and friends and my usual haunts. Last year I was in DC and Boston for business trips and thoroughly enjoyed both - added 3 days to each for sightseeing.
Mar 17th, 2008, 03:47 PM
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My husband's business travel has varied over the years--some years he makes a few trips, some years as many as 42. He doesn't find it a pleasure--at least, that's what he tells me, and he doesn't like to be away from home without me, so he only goes for the time necessary to get his business done. He says it doesn't matter where he is, because all he sees is an airport, a hotel, a cab, and a bank.
Mar 17th, 2008, 03:52 PM
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Loved it back in the nineties and up until the attacks of 2001.
After the travel rebound of the attacks flying became such a nightmare I'll do anything to stay off a plane.
Used to spend extended time working in NYC and basically had a corporate apartment there.
After the travel rebound of the attacks flying became such a nightmare I'll do anything to stay off a plane.
Used to spend extended time working in NYC and basically had a corporate apartment there.
Mar 17th, 2008, 04:54 PM
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I end up in Albuquerque about twice a year. I usually try to fly out the Saturday before and hit Santa Fe (of course). Last time, I took the Turquoise Trail from Albq to Santa Fe. In a couple of weeks, a co-worker and I will be flying out the Friday before the work week so we can go north to Durango, CO to ride the Durango-Silverton train through the canyons.
I also get to El Paso/Juarez, but this is not my favorite. I have, however, taken advantage of the location and gone out to Carlsbad Caverns...wonderful side trip.
I've been getting to NYC the last couple of years and will probably go again this year (hotel is right on Times Square!).
Seattle, Scottsdale, Denver, Orlando, San Francisco also show up on my schedule now and then.
I don't mind work travel at all as long as I do my homework and plan for some interesting side trips!
I also get to El Paso/Juarez, but this is not my favorite. I have, however, taken advantage of the location and gone out to Carlsbad Caverns...wonderful side trip.
I've been getting to NYC the last couple of years and will probably go again this year (hotel is right on Times Square!).
Seattle, Scottsdale, Denver, Orlando, San Francisco also show up on my schedule now and then.
I don't mind work travel at all as long as I do my homework and plan for some interesting side trips!
