Earlier this summer, I had the privilege of taking a one-month sabbatical from work – an opportunity to step away from the day-to-day, recharge and spend quality time with my wife and daughter. We decided to use the time to go interrailing around Europe, something we had always wanted to do together but never quite managed to fit into our busy schedules.
All staff at PR Agency One get a one month paid sabbatical after five years continuous service. Mine fell in 2025 which also coincided with me reaching the big five-o. We wanted to do something memorable, a wee bit different and do it as sustainably as possible.
Here’s how it went.
The journey
Starting at the local tram station in Manchester, our trip took us through Belgium, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland and France. Travelling mostly by train gave us the chance to slow down and take in the landscapes as they changed: from the beautiful River Elbe between Dresden and Prague to the rolling Tuscan hills, the Adriatic coast and the highest peaks of the Alps.
We saw lots of cathedrals (or ‘temples’ according to my daughter), a fair few war memorials and other conflict-related paraphernalia, pizzerias and souvenir shops.
There were many, many highlights: absorbing the remarkable history of Berlin, swimming in the warm waters of the Croatian coast and getting lost in the winding streets of Siena.
But some of the most memorable moments came from the little surprises – a cheese fondue at over 3,000m in Gornergrat, Switzerland, our daughter’s wide-eyed amazement at the Postojna caves in Slovenia, an amazing croissant from Pain Pain in Montmartre and the crowning glory of meeting Mickey Mouse!
Lessons learned
Travelling with a nine-year-old brought its own joys and challenges. We became accustomed to regular breaks finding balance between sightseeing and downtime and learning to improvise when plans didn’t quite go to schedule.
Tasks are always great for kids and we entrusted Eloise with the critical task of fridge magnet acquisition!
It was a reminder that flexibility and patience are just as important on the road as they are in professional life.
I also came back with a renewed appreciation for different cultures and perspectives. Every country, every city had its own rhythm — and stepping into those rhythms for a short time was both humbling and energising.
Returning with a fresh perspective
At PR Agency One, sabbaticals are part of our long-term commitment to employee wellbeing and career development. Every member of staff who reaches five years of service is eligible for a one-month paid sabbatical, and colleagues use them in many different ways: some take the opportunity to learn new skills or languages, some volunteer, and others, like me, choose to spend precious time with family.
Time away gives people the chance to return refreshed, creative and ready to bring new ideas to clients, which is exactly how I’ve felt coming back.
Final thoughts
The sabbatical is just one of several benefits we offer as part of our people-first culture at PR Agency One, alongside flexible working, training, healthcare and international opportunities through our One Network. Investing in sabbaticals not only builds loyalty and reduces burnout but also ensures that employees return more motivated and engaged. For me personally, it was a rare chance to step off the treadmill, reset priorities and experience something transformative – and I’ll always be grateful for it.
We’ll certainly do an interrailing break again as the journey becomes much more part of the holiday experience. By contrast, the sterile tedium of air travel seems to add little more than a stressful bookend to your time away.
Top tips
Be ambitious. The trip seemed like a massive undertaking at the outset but it all worked out and came together.
Do it while you are there. If you are unsure whether to do something or not, just do it. We had the top of Lucca’s Guinigi Tower to ourselves in a thunder and lightning storm and almost didn’t bother. You won’t remember the 20EU.
Have no fear. Not once did we feel threatened or uncomfortable anywhere on the trip. Use the local trams, buses and trains rather than taxis – it’ll be fine.
Stay on holiday time. You have no reason to rush, take your time and enjoy yourself.
Oh, Switzerland has different electric plugs to the rest of Europe…
Associate Director at PR Agency One.
