The Best International Weekend Getaways

At some point in my life, I had believed that a vacation wasn’t worthwhile unless you were there for a week or more. I’m not really sure why I had this mentality. Maybe it’s because growing up, any trip we took to Disney always seemed to be for a week. It’s like 7 days was a magic number to get to the destination, explore, do fun things, unwind from the stress of everyday life, and head back home.

But everything changed when I started my first job that offered PTO – and a crummy amount of it, too (FIVE DAYS for the entire year). I suddenly realized that a one-week trip would wipe out all my vacation time in one go. There was no way I could live out my #wanderlust dreams on one trip a year.

Enter – the weekend getaway. I realized that to maximize and spread out the time I had off, I would need to take shorter trips more frequently. By stacking paid holidays with PTO time, I could take several extended weekend trips. It was my saving grace.

For most 9 to 5’ers, juggling vacations with vacation days is always a struggle. Weekend getaways can be your secret weapon, making frequent international travel possible. Today, I’m breaking down some of my favorite extended weekend trips. These are top destinations when you only have a few days to get away.

1.) Vancouver, Canada

The Pacific Northwest is a gorgeous location and Vancouver has something for everyone. The mountains are just a short drive away, it's a foodie paradise, and it’s got a big art and music scene. Take a walking food tour and bike around Stanley Park one day. Rent a car and drive the famous Sea to Sky Highway to Whistler, where you can visit the quaint shops or hike one of the many trails. Spend an afternoon at the Granville Island Public Market and then check out Gastown.

The logistics: Non-stop flights from Chicago can come in under $300 roundtrip. Taking a late-night flight on Thursday means you can work the whole day without using any vacation time. Use one day of PTO (Friday) and stack this trip on a holiday weekend, like Labor Day. You’ll get three and a half days to roam around this beautiful area of Canada (all day Friday – Sunday, half a day Monday if you take a later afternoon flight).

2.) Saint Lucia

Skip the typical touristy islands with a stop to this Caribbean gem. The pristine beaches of Saint Lucia will be calling your name in the middle of winter. Sure, the flight time is longer since it’s a pretty southern Caribbean island, but this tropical destination packs a punch without needing a lot of time to explore it. Stay in one of the amazing all-inclusive resorts and relax with plenty of beach time. Take a catamaran snorkel and sunset tour one night. Book an excursion with a local tour guide to hike up the Gros Piton – the only pitons in the world are located here. You can also do a Saint Lucia highlights guided tour, which will take you to the volcanic springs and a banana plantation. I can’t think of a better way to spend a weekend in winter.

The logistics: Take Thursday and Friday off work. It’s a longer flight (7ish hours down, 9ish hours back) from Chicago with a layover in Atlanta. Leave early Thursday morning and arrive in the afternoon at your tropical oasis. Spend Friday, Saturday, and Sunday morning soaking up the sun and recharging. Flights come in under $500 round trip in certain months, like February. Want more beach time? Airfare might be more expensive, but you could skip Thanksgiving at home and be thankful for the Saint Lucian sun.

3.) Iceland

This country has been booming in popularity and its accessibility probably has something to do with that. Hit up the geothermal Blue Lagoon spa – a must do for any visitor. You can rent a car and explore the Icelandic countryside or book a guided tour to chase waterfalls during the day or spot the Northern Lights at night. Spend a day shopping in Reykjavik and trying out Icelandic delicacies if you’re feeling adventurous (fermented shark, anyone?)

The logistics: Go over a three-day holiday weekend and gain some extra time by taking Friday off. Catch a red-eye on Thursday night (you can still work that entire day) and arrive Friday morning ready to start your adventures. The time change is on your side for the way back – you can leave late Monday night (a holiday, so no need to take this day off!) and still arrive back home before midnight, depending on where in the US you live. From Chicago, you can score airfare round trip and nonstop for under $600.

4.) London

Sip tea and try to spot Kate Middleton (style goddess!) in the posh city of London. I have a pretty detailed itinerary HERE for this popular destination and how to swing it on a budget. See the sights, like Big Ben and Buckingham Palace, and visit one of the many free museums. Get the best view of the city of taking a ride on the London Eye. Take a day trip to Canterbury or Leeds Castle to see life outside the city. Have high tea one afternoon and feel fancy. Don’t forget to snack on some fish n chips and catch a game of football at a local pub.

The logistics: Show your ironic streak by visiting over the Fourth of July weekend. Take off Friday (and Monday if you want). Some US business might close shop on the 5th in 2019 since it falls on a Friday – which means you might not need to take any time off at all. Catch a red-eye on Wednesday (no need to take that day off since you can still work all day) and fly back Sunday or Monday, whatever fits your time off allowance best. Fare sales are common but may budget airlines offer flights on the cheap side. I’ve seen fare steals as low as $300 to London from Chicago on Norwegian Air. Given the holiday weekend, though, flights might be a little more expensive.

5.) Paris

Paris seems to be on most people’s bucket list and an extended weekend getaway is the perfect way to see the City of Lights. Spend a day walking around and taking in the sights – Eiffel Tour, Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées – and visit all the patisseries you encounter. Explore one of the many museums and see priceless works of famous art. While the Louvre is always a go-to, I prefer the Musée d'Orsay and its impressionist works. Head to Montmartre to get a stunning view of the city after climbing the stairs to Sacré-Cœur. If you take an extra day off, you can take a day trip to see the Palace of Versailles (truly impressive) or Reims (the only place in the world where champagne is made). Paris is ALWAYS a good idea, even for a weekend.

The logistics: Flights are cheap from along the east coast. You can monitor fare sales, but it’s fairly easy to find flights under $500 with short layovers. Fly out late at night on Wednesday (after working all day) and arrive Thursday morning. Spend all day Friday and Saturday exploring. You can catch an early evening flight on Sunday, still giving you plenty of time for one last espresso and croissant before heading home.

Weekend getaways are a traveler’s best friend. It’s an easy way to turn a handful of vacation days into multiple trips. Maximize them by pairing them over holidays for even more days off. If you’re looking for more ways to stretch your PTO, see this post HERE for how I turn a few days of vacation into weeks of time abroad. What getaway do you want to go on first?

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