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Merry and Oh-So-Bright

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Gift yourself a fun and safe family vacation this holiday season

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For one week only, enjoy 40% off your getaway at any of our resorts with our Black Friday and Cyber Week savings. Enjoy the best deal of the year on a spacious villa with comforts of home, fun amenities for the whole family like pools and mini golf, and a Safe Travels program you can trust. Book by December 4th, 2020 and travel by March 31st, 2021.

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Featured Resort

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If you’ve never visited [Orange Lake Resort][1] in the fall, you’re in for a real treat with cooler weather, lighter crowds, and tons of local, seasonal and on-site things to do. Plus, we happen to think it’s *the* perfect place to work remotely or “schoolcation” with strong wifi and ample opportunities for lazy river recess and mini golfing lunch breaks.


  [1]: https://holidayinnclub.com/explore-resorts/orange-lake-resort

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Hi, I’m Brenda, a 33-year-old mother of five beautiful children: Victoria (9), Veronica (8), Samuel (6), Vanessa (5) and Benjamin (2). We are a homeschooling family and we love spending time together, learning from each other, going on family trips and discovering the world around us. 
 
![Brenda and her family walk from their resort to the beach in swimwear.][1]
 
I know many of you are new to the world of homeschooling and virtual learning this year. And while this year has been one full of challenges and “new normals,” as a homeschooling mama, I can promise you this: Remote learning is a 2020 silver lining! Combining traveling with schoolwork is an amazing way to keep your kids learning while exploring new places and experiences. Win/win!
 
Read on for some tips on how to take a schoolcation as well as a recap of the most recent one we took at [South Beach Resort][2] in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina! 
 
![Brendas daughters journal on the patio of the villa.][3]
 
### How to Approach Homeschooling 
As a homeschooling family, we have so much freedom to go on road trips and vacations, without compromising our schoolwork. I am currently homeschooling four of my children, and we have a very relaxed, child-led approach with education. 
 
Victoria is in fourth grade and is caring, passionate and very nurturing. Veronica is currently in third grade and is my little artist who also loves to read and explore nature. Samuel is a HIGH-ENERGY first-grader, full of sweetness and charisma. And Vanessa has a deep love for bunnies and all baby animals as our very caring and docile Pre-K kiddo. While Benjamin isn’t “in school” yet, he’s the family clown and loves to make us all laugh. 
 
![Brenda (right) helps her son (left) with his homework assignments.][4]
 
I like to focus our energy on their individual strengths and encourage them where they struggle, all while keeping the core subjects intertwined in everything we do.
 
### How to Plan a Schoolcation 
We recently spent a week at South Beach Resort in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Planning a trip one month into the school year might sound a bit crazy, but seeing as this year meant few changes in our daily routine with dad working from home, we figured it would be nice to get a change of scenery and have something exciting to look forward to and enjoy as a family. 
 
![Brenda and her family run from their resort to the beach in swimwear.][5]
 
Beyond the actual trip planning itself, I prepped their schooling by: 
 
 - Packing their journal notebooks, some supplemental math worksheets and a workbook for each child. We use the Good and the Beautiful [Curriculum][6] for all our school-age kiddos, so I brought their language arts workbooks. For Vanessa, I also brought along a write/wipe practice workbook for lettering and writing. 
 - We also brought some of their favorite learning toys, coloring books, crayons and puzzles. These included nature- or animal-themed coloring books, a USA map puzzle, Montessori-inspired wooden toys and play-pretend wooden toys from their dollhouse. 
 - I always like to include the children in our plans for homeschool travels before we head out. This way, they know what is expected of them ahead of time and what our priorities look like when we are away from home. 
 - Our goal was to tackle at least an hour or two of homeschool work during the weekdays for the little ones and three to four hours for the older girls, and then spend the rest of the time having fun and exploring.

 
![Overhead shot of Brenda and her sons homework booklets.][7]
 
Now, *my* family chose South Beach Resort because we’d never been to the area before, and we really wanted to get our toes in the sand at Myrtle Beach. If you’re starting to plan your *own* schoolcation, Holiday Inn Club Vacations® has a great [Workday to Vacay offer][8] right now. 
 
You can pick from five resorts that have roomy villas, strong WiFi and amazing amenities (like pools!), and you’ll get a $40 daily resort credit for food and fun that you can use for a round of mini golf or ice cream cones for the whole family. Explore the resorts (and savings) on this [offer page][9]. 
 
### How We Planned Our Travel & School Days 
We drove from Ohio to Myrtle Beach, which is about an 11-hour trip! Very ambitious for a family of seven for sure. We split our road trip adventure into two days, stopping half-way to rest. When we arrived at the resort on a late Thursday afternoon, we let the kids relax, get settled and just have fun exploring. 
 
Homeschool work was done on Friday, Monday and Tuesday. Because my husband has been working remotely for some time now due to COVID-19, we took advantage of the time he spent working on his laptop at the resort to get our homeschool done. It worked perfectly because my youngest, Benjamin, took his nap at that time, too! 
 
![Brenda's husband, Isaiah, sits at the kitchen countertop with his laptop as he works remotely.][10]
 
The rest of the time, we let their imaginations run free! The kids might not have realized it, but they were learning even as they played on the beach and explored local hiking trails. 
 - While collecting seashells, we had them count using addition and subtraction. 
 - While at the beach, they observed how the waves and the tide changed throughout the day. 
 - While hiking, we learned about native plants and animals. 

 

![Brendas kids run on the hiking trail through a lush landscape.][11]
 
That’s definitely my favorite part about homeschooling while vacationing: They are *constantly* learning! And I’m always on the lookout for those “teachable moments.” Once you start looking for them, you’ll see they’re everywhere. 
 
### Setting Up Spaces for Schoolwork 
At South Beach Resort, we stayed in a two-bedroom, two-bathroom villa. It had a full kitchen with a standard-size refrigerator, open living room area and a dining room. (We also had a washer and dryer unit in the villa, which was *very* convenient.)
 
![Interior shot of Myrtle Beach Villa.][12]
 
For homeschooling, the children did most of their schoolwork at the dining room table together (similar to how we learn together at home). This allowed me to be present with all of them at once and help where needed.
 
Victoria and Veronica did some of their individual journaling in the enclosed patio when they wanted some more quiet time. If any of the children finished their schoolwork before our allotted time, they went straight to their bedrooms to have intentional play or to work on their coloring books. 
 
![Brenda's daughters journal on the patio of the villa.][13]
 
My husband, Isaiah, did all of his work at the kitchen counter. It was nice having him around. I think the kids really enjoy seeing their dad and knowing he was nearby, and Isaiah liked it, too!
 
Isaiah says, “It honestly just felt like being at home. I work around the kids while they’re doing schoolwork usually, so having them close by was not a concern. (Although with two bedrooms and lots of space to spread out, I definitely had the option of moving to a more private, quiet space for phone calls.) 
 
![Brenda's husband, Isaiah, sits at the kitchen countertop with his laptop as he works remotely.][14]
 
The resort’s WiFi was excellent. I did not experience any internet issues or interruption of service. And being so close to the beach and having the pool right outside the window was *much* more enjoyable than just being at home. The change in scenery and warm environment were very helpful in keeping me motivated and focused to finish my work so I could spend the rest of my day enjoying the resort and the beach with my family.” 
### Meal Planning & Lunch Breaks
We like to eat fresh organic meals, so since we had a full kitchen with a refrigerator, we bought most of our groceries the day we arrived and planned our meals for the weekdays. During the weekend, we ordered takeout to make it more fun since that’s something we don’t often do at home. 
 
![Brenda's husband, Isaiah, preps tasty fruits at the kitchen countertop with his sons watching.][15]
 
The kids love raw fruits and veggies as snacks, so I also made sure to have plenty of those, along with some granola bars and string cheese, in hand while we did schoolwork. Yum! 
 
### Staying Safe 
This was our first trip since COVID-19, and we felt *very* safe. The resort was clean, and they closed the pools from 3–4 p.m. to sanitize them every day. There was limited contact, all staff was required to wear a mask and visitors were also required to wear a face-covering at all indoor spaces. Kids, however, were not required to wear any face coverings. 
 
Overall, the [Safe Travels][16] program made us feel very comfortable during our stay at South Beach Resort. 
 
![Brenda's family exits the pool with a big splash outside of the South Beach Resort.][17]
 
### Making Time for FUN! 
Our main focus for taking this family trip was to create new memories and experience new things together, all while staying on track with our homeschool curriculum (and dad’s work), so we didn’t have to play catch-up on “all the things” when we got home. 
 
We balanced our days so that 80% of our time was spent being outdoors, enjoying the resort amenities and exploring the area. When school and work were done for the day, we always made our way to the pool. The kids *loved* floating in the lazy river with Isaiah while I sunbathed in the nearby lounging chairs. 
 
![Brenda's daughter, Victoria, floats along the lazy river in a blue innertube.][18]
 
The resort had four pools to choose from (both indoor and outdoor), so it was fun and interesting going to a new pool each day. Not to mention the beach was literally right across the street! We absolutely *loved* the direct beach access!! Isaiah and the kids enjoyed looking for shells, and I stayed with Benjamin sunbathing and going in the water. 
### The Power of the Family Vacation 
Taking this trip *really* helped me realize how powerful a change in scenery, and quality family time, can be. We all felt reenergized, recharged and motivated (especially after being homebound for so much of 2020). We experienced so many new things and created a lot of new memories.
 
![Left: Isaiah helps Samuel with at the playground monkey bars. Right: Isaiah helps Vanessa with at the playground monkey bars.][19]
 
Together, we: 
 - Designed fun tie-dye shirts for each of us while at the resort with its special activities team
 - Made s’mores and snuggled up by a bonfire next to the pool area one night 
 - Swam in the pools to our heart’s desire after schoolwork was done each day
 - Played on the resort playground 
 - Swam in the ocean! It was amazing having the beach.
 - Went on a dolphin cruise, which was also our first time on a boat as a family 
 - Visited [Pawleys Island][20]
 - Found shark teeth in the sand 
 - Collected *lots* of seashells

 
![Brenda and her daughter play on the beach by burying Victoria in sand.][21]
 
It was truly a relaxing yet fun experience. Seeing my children enjoying the trip, taking in their surroundings in this new destination and diving into the world around them was very satisfying and probably the most rewarding thing about going on this schoolcation. This experience really helped bring us closer together as a family and made us appreciate the opportunities that life brings our way.
 
We would definitely recommend it and are already looking forward to another school/work vacation before the end of school next year!!
 
![Brenda's son, Benjamin, wears white sunglasses next to mommy at the pool.][22]
 
### Workday to Vacay Offer 
To enjoy (and save!) on your own schoolcation or workcation, visit our Workday to Vacay [offer][23] page. Book now through Dec. 18, 2020, to get a $40 daily resort credit for food and fun.
 
*Our guest bloggers are compensated for their writing contributions and honest opinions.*
 
![CheckingIn Logo][24]


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 [16]: /safe-travels
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How to Take a Schoolcation: Myrtle Beach Edition

Consumer | Blog | How to Take a Schoolcation: Myrtle Beach Edition

Hey there! My name is Ashley and I’m a full-time mama of four (ages 12, 11, 8 and 6) and social media creator with a niche in motherhood and home décor. (You can check out all our family adventures on our family [blog][1] and [Instagram][2].) When I’m not busy chasing babies, I enjoy a nice glass of iced tea, a DIY project and a Target run. 
As a family of six, we *love* to travel. However, when COVID-19 struck back in March, many of our upcoming adventures came to a screeching halt, of course. But as one of my favorite and ultra-inspiring Instagrammers, Rachel Wolchin says, “If we were meant to stay in one place, we’d have roots instead of feet.” 
![Ashley's family on a ski trip.][3] 
So, we decided to *safely* continue pursuing our travel adventures during the pandemic and I’m here to tell you how it all went. If you’re on the fence about flying right now, I hope that sharing our story and experiences will be a teeny bit helpful in making the best possible decision for you and *your* family’s travels. 
### Making the Family Decision to Fly Again 
After THREE very long months, we sat down, talked as a family and decided to fly again in May. We believed it was best for our family to fly with the many air safety protocols in place versus taking a long road trip with more exposure to gas stations and germs (and backseat arguing). As a mother, the first thing that came to mind was the health and well-being of my children and how our experience flying during a pandemic might be versus the risks of a long drive. 
 ![Ashley's kids posing in the terminal][4] 
While it wasn’t our typical adventure (and we didn’t find ourselves at Walt Disney World® Resort or even a sunny beach somewhere on the coast), it was still the *best* kind of trip in my opinion; a family vacation to visit relatives! So, our first flight after COVID-19 was to Houston, Texas, to see my parents, siblings and my babies’ sweet cousins. I did make this trip with the kids solo without my husband, Chance, who was working. 
### Preparing for a Flight During Covid-19
In my opinion, the best thing you can do when flying? **Be *fully* prepared.** 
 
I packed plenty of travel-size disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizer and masks for our crew. I also made sure to speak to each of our children on the importance of keeping our distance and wearing our masks at the airport and in flight (outside of eating and drinking). 
![Collage of Ashley's kids on plane and hand sanitizer][5] 
I also always check-in the night before a flight and, of course, download our boarding passes to the wallet section in my phone. Even pre-COVID-19, I did this out of convenience, but I’m more thankful now that it’s an option, so we can remain as contactless as possible.
 
Food-wise, we were flying with Southwest, so I looked up their food options online in advance. For safety reasons, the Southwest flight menu was limited to canned water and a bag of pretzels (OR the choice to bring your own snacks). 
 
Since our flight was just a short two hours, I decided to have everyone in my family eat right before takeoff to make sure to fill our bellies *before* the flight. This limited the amount of time we’d have to take our masks off during the flight and limited our hand-to-mouth contact with the bags of snacks being handed out, too. 
### New Airport Safety Measures
We made sure to arrive the full two hours before our scheduled flight since I wasn’t sure what to expect with all the new airport safety measures and “new normal.” I was surprised to see the crowds were much larger than what I had pictured in my mind. 
 
We live near Denver, Colorado, so we flew out of DIA which is one of the largest U.S airports. Even though the crowds *were* larger than I expected, the staff made sure lines still flowed safely, efficiently and effectively. 
 
![Ashley's kids waiting to board][6] 
The first big change I noticed at airport security was that we had to open up our own bags on the security conveyer belt to limit the amount of TSA hands (with gloves) that were being placed on our belongings. And would you believe that TSA randomly chose our sweet eight-year-old for extra screening? Which meant having to search *ALL* of our bags?! Did I mention this was before 7 a.m. and I was in the airport with my children, *alone*? 
 
They searched each bag with a fresh, new pair of gloves, and though this added a few minutes to the standard procedure, I was impressed with the thorough safety measures being taken during COVID-19. This exceptional customer service that ensured not only our safety, but also this mama’s peace of mind. 
 
As we made our way to the tram station, we immediately noticed the influx in hand sanitizer stations near all the elevators, restrooms and entrance doors. Before getting on and off each trip on the tram, we saw a sanitizing station there for us to quickly clean our hands before moving on. You’d be surprised at what kids can find to touch during a brief walk through the airport, so this is one safety measure I was *really* happy to see implemented and would be even happier to see stay. 
 ![Tram station at airport][7] Hand sanitizer by the airport tram 
I also saw that the airport staff was frequently busy cleaning windows, door handles and any small crevices to ensure top-notch cleanliness. 
### Time to Board 
On Southwest, the lines for boarding were limited to 10 passengers per line with two lines for each boarding group. This was another safety measure that helped maintain social distancing and, honestly, I wish this would have taken effect *prior* to COVID-19. I hope they keep this new boarding procedure for years to come, too! The smaller passenger limit allowed us the chance to board, get all our belongings put away, take a breath and still have time to get everyone comfortable (without a suitcase trailing our heels). 
 ![Ashley's kids taking a selfie on the plane][8] 
We were seated with our family group and noticed that all parties were seated together with rows or additional seats in between passengers outside of your group. Wearing masks was mandatory during the entire duration of the flight outside any eating or drinking. (I didn’t notice anyone *not* wearing a mask the whole time, thankfully.) My children did their usual tic tac toe, coloring and screen time with little-to-no complaining of the masks on their face (phew!). 
 
The flight attendants remained friendly and helpful, checking in on this exhausted mama flying solo with her babies. The captain even called my children to the front before take-off to peek inside his “secret station,” and it was nice to see the kindness and cheerfulness on board hadn’t changed despite COVID-19. This really helped ease any anxiousness my kids were experiencing and was a really pleasant start to our two-hour flight. When we landed, the kids yelled, “TOUCHDOWN!” with pure joy across their faces! 
### More About Our Family’s Flying Experiences During/Post COVID-19
Since that first flight to Houston, our family has had many, many more! 

My husband, Chance, alone has traveled for work at least another 10 times, and each experience has remained about the same. He’s continued to talk to me about the cleanliness of the different airports, individual planes and hygiene stations setup throughout. With so many effective safety measures in place, thankfully Chance has continued to remain healthy regardless of the airport location or company he’s flown with, and *I’ve* continued to remain at peace with our decision to fly as a family whether it’s work-related, a trip to see family or an upcoming adventure. ![Chance at the airport][10]
 Our oldest son is part of a blended family and frequently travels back and forth between two states to see both parents and siblings. Though he was traveling alone before COVID-19, we needed to make sure he was safe during these times, so we sent him with all the essentials; masks, sanitizing wipes and disinfectant spray. We also talked to him about the importance of wiping down his seat, tray table and keeping his mask on at all times. As a responsible eleven-year-old, he understood and has complied each flight to ensure he remains healthy and safe. With all of his flights during COVID-19, he’s been seated alone in a middle seat to maintain social distancing and extra safety measures. We’ve felt confident in our decision to fly him back and forth so frequently and have thoroughly been impressed with the experience on and off the plane each and every time. 
 ![United plane][11] Though 2020 has been a roller coaster for us all, I still want to embrace the time we’re given and make memories that last a lifetime. Teaching our kids to be brave, adapt to change and continue to thrive in situational stress is a life-long lesson that will help them overcome obstacles and achieve great things for the many adventures that lie ahead. 
 
I’ve shared the importance of mask wearing, good hygiene and travel-size sanitary packs with family, friends and followers to help ensure *their* flight experiences are just as safe and comfortable as ours have been.
 
The only question now is: “Where will our next adventure take us?” 
 *Our guest bloggers are compensated for their writing contributions and honest opinions.*
 
![Checking In][12]


 [1]: https://southernsudsandsimpleliving.com/
 [2]: https://www.instagram.com/southernsudsandsimpleliving/
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Flying with Your Family During COVID-19

Consumer | Blog | Flying with Your Family During COVID-19

I work from home.
 
And I love it. Most of the time. 
 
As a New York Times best-selling author of over 40 books, I’ve been writing full-time for almost a decade now. A good day in the writing world is endless hours with your butt in the chair. I’m lucky enough to have a window and a nice office to work in, but I must admit, sometimes it’s a challenge. 
 
![Author, Jennifer Probst, wears her glasses and a grey shirt while writing a book on her desktop.][1]
 
Jennifer working on her next best-seller at her home office
 
So, I’ve often found myself working while traveling to new and different places. 
 
### A Fresh Change of Scenery
Now, like the majority of the world, I share my home with two children who are in virtual school (at our kitchen table) and my husband’s new work schedule (at our dining room table). It’s a challenge to go to the kitchen for a quick coffee refill and hear three voices begging you to get them a snack, or make lunch, or grab the chips from the pantry. 
 
If working remotely is new for you in this 2020 “new normal” of a year, welcome! You may be beginning to realize that pants, fortunately, have always been an optional wardrobe item and that creativity, unfortunately, does begin to wither when the only outside sights you are experiencing are looking out the window, standing at the mailbox or walking your dog. I think we all need to begin embracing working remotely *and* the experience of a fresh, new destination and inspiration. 
 
![Acadia National Park with pine trees and rock formations near the coastline.][2]
 
Acadia National Park, one of Jennifer's favorite vacation spots
 
What’s a solid way to increase both your productivity *and* your happiness?
 
Combine work with travel. Take your laptop for a road trip. Whether it’s a week to really dig into a new project, or a long weekend to reignite your motivation, I’ve found working while traveling has allowed me to get more quality work done while satisfying my need for interesting new experiences. 
 
### My Workcation Experiences
Just this past year, I was working on a book called Write True and decided to rent a small beach house in the quaint town of Cape May, New Jersey. The hypnotic lull of the ocean and the invigorating salt air revitalized my creativity and helped me better focus on my project. 
 
![Author, Jennifer Probst (middle), and her sons (left and right) stand on the beach in front of the Cape May waterfront.][3]
 
Nothing like a little vitamin sea to top off the workday
 
My routine? I’d break up the days into increments of writing, administrative duties and exploring. I took long walks and enjoyed the colorful Victorian homes that lined the streets. I lunched at small outdoor cafes, enjoyed a fabulous cocktail and looked out over the beach. And of course, every night I treated myself to ice cream! (It *is* a vacation even if you’re working, after all.) 
 
One of my other road trips was to Bar Harbor, Maine. I stayed at the local Hampton Inn to work, and then each day I’d visit Acadia National Park. Being in nature is a great way to clear the cobwebs from our busy brains and endless social media. 
 
![Author, Jennifer Probst (left), and her sons (middle and right) stand on the edge of the Acadia National Park hiking trail while wearing their masks.][4]
 
Fresh air and a fresh, new perspective in Acadia National Park
 
I’d take a leisurely hike to get my energy up, go back to the hotel to work, then head to dinner, feasting on lobster rolls as I watched boats sail in and out of the marina. In the evening, I’d drive to the top of Cadillac Mountain, sit on a giant rock and watch the sunset. The spectacular colors exploding in the sky reminded me of the vastness in the world and allowed me to de-stress from the day’s work. 
 
### How to Work Remotely on Vacation
Here are a few tips for working while traveling:
 

 **1. Choose your destination**
 
Our travels should be unique to who we are and what inspires us. Do you crave rest and relaxation? Research beach or lake vacations where you can be near the water and recharge. Or maybe a wellness retreat at a spa for some much-needed pampering amidst your job’s deadlines. 
 
Are you motivated by nature? How about a trip to a national or state park for walking trails or cycling? If you thrive on exercise to raise your energy, explore the mountains in Colorado, Tennessee or Montana, for some rock climbing, zip-lining or hiking. 
 
![Author, Jennifer Probst (left), and her sons (middle and right) stand off-trail near a river while wearing their masks.][5]
 
The great outdoors come with great benefits (and photo ops)
 
If you’re craving activity-filled days with people, head for a bustling city like New York, Chicago, Seattle or Atlanta. (Just be sure to be safe nowadays by following all those recommended COVID-19 safety measures and precautions.) 
 
 **2. Pick a place to stay**
 
The choices are endless. With your pick of fabulous hotels that offer an array of amenities and convenient dining, this may be the best option if you want convenience and structure. Rental homes offer a more personalized atmosphere and, sometimes, more unique locations. 
 
![Exterior shot of the Sea Glass Cottage at Cape May with a wrap-around white porch and aqua siding and doors.][6]
 
Jennifer's new "office" for the week
 
And, of course, my friends at Holiday Inn Club Vacations® pride themselves on offering up roomy, home-like villa accommodations across 29 resort destinations. Full kitchens. In-villa laundry. Multiple bedrooms, dining areas and living room spaces so you can really set up shop in your “office” in a separate, quiet spot while the rest of your family enjoys watching TV or playing a board game while you work. 
 
![Jennifer's hat sits on a table with swimwear next to the poolside of a Holiday Inn Club Vacation Resort.][7]
 
Fun amenities, pools and interesting locations to check out when your work is done and it’s time to play? Definitely check them out during your planning process, too. 
 
 **3. Set up your space**
 
When I arrive at my destination, I always take some time to organize my workspace. I may be able to live out of a suitcase with my clothes, but it’s vital my papers, files and laptop are always ready for work mode. 
 
![Laptop being removed from work bag over a white table.][8]
 
First, gather up your charging cords and find a place where there are enough outlets. That’s usually the best place to build your workspace. (Pro tip: I always travel with my own power strip and battery pack.) 
 
Write down the WiFi passcodes and immediately program them into your phone and laptop. Make sure you can connect to the internet. That way, if there’s an issue, you have time to contact the front desk or house owner to solve it before jumping on your Zoom presentation.
 
I also like to organize my desk space. I put out anything I may need—an ice bucket, water bottles, protein-filled snacks, the room-service menu, etc. I take the chair for a test-run and if I find it uncomfortable, I’ll pad the back with a pillow. 
 
![Glasses, tablet, laptop and smartphone paced on a table.][9]
 
The key is minimizing distractions for when you begin work—and making sure you have everything you need nearby so you don’t find excuses to have to leave your desk while you’re “in the zone.” 
 
 **4. Create a schedule**
 
Are you going to work in the morning or afternoon? Do you need to make time to exercise? Do you prefer to eat your meals out, cook or indulge in room service? Be realistic and look at your routine—I always focus on balance. 
 
For example, as a writer, word count is my touchstone for a successful day’s work. If I know my goal is to write 2,000 words, I may decide to get up early, set myself up with coffee and a light breakfast, then work for a few hours. 
 
![A laptop sits alongside an open notebook, coffee mug and a window.][10]
 
How do I stop myself from getting distracted? I establish rewards for myself. If I meet my goal and finish my words, I can head to the beach. When I return, I’ll work out, do some light administrative work, like social media, emails and marketing promo, then head out for the evening. 
 
If I’ve scheduled an excursion for one day, I just work around that time block. I try to sketch out my calendar, so I know when my phone conferences or Zoom meetings are. That way, *you* control the day—not your work. 
 
When I’m not writing, a hike or hour spent walking the beach can be translated into productive work because I’m feeding my creativity and coming up with new ideas. 
 
![Jennifer (left) and her family stand on Segway's wearing helmets and masks for their safety along the edge of the waterfront.][11]
 
Adventures are good for the soul *and* for coming up with your next big idea
 
Adapt your schedule to what works best for you. And maximize getting to *enjoy* your surroundings and pockets of vacation time, too! 
 
Write down the top things you’d like to do or see, and then create your work schedule around them. It’s a good way to motivate yourself and when you get stuck, you have a reward to focus on and pull you forward. 

 

### Ready to book your own workcation trip?
Go ahead. Give a “workcation” a try. It’s one of the silver linings of 2020, after all. 
 
And since you’re reading this on the Checking In blog, I’ll just say that Holiday Inn Club Vacations really *does* have some amazing resorts that will really give you a home away from home experience. 
 
I love how they’ve got villas with full kitchens, a variety of bedrooms (think one to sleep in, one to work in!), and even washers and dryers. Having these types of benefits handy can help you focus on what’s important: getting your work done without distraction. 
 
![Interior shot of our Signature Villa at South Beach Resort.][12]
 
Just picture yourself setting up shop in this roomy villa at South Beach Resort
 
And if you’re looking for a great deal, they’ve even got a special Workday to Vacay [offer][13] going on right now. You can get a $40 daily resort credit to spend on food and fun between all your work and school time. Think: lunch for the kids, take-out to bring back to the villa, a couple rounds of mini-golf or (if you’re really splurging), all that daily ice cream I mentioned I love partaking in!
 
Speaking of kids, I love bringing my boys on work/travel vacays, too. Having kid-friendly resort amenities to keep them occupied while you work (hello, pools!), and it’s fun to share quality family time *together* when you’ve met your work goals. 
 
![Jennifer (right) and her family stand outside of the Graceland Visitors center with Christmas Decorations.][14]
 
Making time for quality family time
 
I hope these tips were helpful and you’re inspired to pack up your laptop and hit the road! I’ll be heading to Florida next to explore Sanibel Island for a long weekend. Here’s to hoping you have a productive, fun and safe “workcation” of your own here soon, too.
 
### Workday to Vacay Offer 
To embrace (and save on!) working while traveling, take advantage of the Holiday Inn Club Vacations “Workday to Vacay” offer. If you book from now through Dec. 18, 2020, you’ll get a $40 daily credit to use for food and fun at the following five resorts:
 
1. Orange Lake Resort in Orlando, Florida (Learn more [here][15].) 
2. Desert Club Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada (Learn more [here][16].) 
3. Scottsdale Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona (Learn more [here][17].) 
4. Cape Canaveral Beach Resort in Cape Canaveral, Florida (Learn more [here][18].) 
5. David Walley’s Resort in Genoa, Nevada (Learn more [here][19].)

 
*Our guest bloggers are compensated for their writing contributions and honest opinions.* 
 

![Checking In logo][20]


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 [13]: https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnclubvacations/hotels/us/en/kissimmee/discv/hoteldetail/ltf/get-40-day-for-food--fun?scmisc=ltf_discv_get-40-day-for-food--fun
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 [15]: https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnclubvacations/hotels/us/en/kissimmee/discv/hoteldetail/ltf/get-40-day-for-food--fun?scmisc=ltf_discv_get-40-day-for-food--fun
 [16]: https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnclubvacations/hotels/us/en/las-vegas/lascv/hoteldetail/ltf/get-40-day-for-food--fun?scmisc=ltf_lascv_get-40-day-for-food--fun
 [17]: https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnclubvacations/hotels/us/en/scottsdale/phxcv/hoteldetail/ltf/get-40-day-for-food--fun?scmisc=ltf_phxcv_get-40-day-for-food--fun
 [18]: https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnclubvacations/hotels/us/en/cape-canaveral/ccvcv/hoteldetail/ltf/get-40-day-for-food--fun?scmisc=ltf_ccvcv_get-40-day-for-food--fun
 [19]: https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnclubvacations/hotels/us/en/genoa/csndw/hoteldetail/ltf/get-40-day-for-food--fun?scmisc=ltf_csndw_get-40-day-for-food--fun
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The Art of Working While Traveling: How to Vacation AND Get Your Job Done

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