With Valentine’s Day 2025 falling on a Friday, you might think it’s the perfect opportunity to whisk your sweetheart away for a bleisure trip. Here’s how to manage business travel during Valentine’s Day to strike that ideal balance. 

It’s become incredibly common for business Travelers to combine business and leisure in what’s known as “bleisure” travel. You show up for a work trip but then stick around for a few extra days to enjoy some leisure time at a destination. It cuts your travel costs a bit, as your employer is footing the bill to get you to and from your destination. The option may also persuade you to take a few more business trips per year than you might normally prefer. 

As Valentine’s Day approaches, many Travelers may be considering taking a romantic bleisure trip with a significant other. While business travel during Valentine’s Day typically doesn’t change all that much, the holiday’s falling on a Friday this year makes bleisure travel extra-convenient.

So how can you make sure that you get the most out of a bleisure trip this month?

Here are five tips for combining leisure and business travel during Valentine’s Day weekend in 2025.

1. Choose the Right Destination 

Yes, you could just plan a Valentine’s Day trip to wherever your work happens to take you, but some destinations are more suited to romance than others. On the flip side, the most romantic destinations in the world might not leave much room for business opportunities.

If you have a bit of flexibility with the planning, consider all the possible destinations you could visit for your Valentine’s Day bleisure trip and choose a spot that’s equal parts opportunistic and romantic. 

Can’t find a romantic destination that would work for your business travel purposes? Don’t forget to look at layover options. Some airlines will even allow you to book a layover for free, as is the case with Icelandair, which allows passengers traveling between North America and Europe to stay in Iceland for a set number of days at no extra cost.

2. Plan Your Time Wisely 

Proper time management is crucial during every bleisure trip. The most obvious way to wisely split your bleisure time — specifically for business travel during Valentine’s Day — would be to work your regular business hours during the days leading up to the weekend, then stay over for Valentine’s Day activities on Friday evening and Saturday, returning home Sunday. 

However, if you have a more flexible work environment, you might decide to, instead, work in the mornings and incorporate leisure activities into your afternoons. You may also choose to blend your work and personal lives even more by choosing to work in unique locales in your destination (such as an interesting coffee shop) rather than your hotel room. Or, you might host clients for a meeting at a local restaurant you’d like to try.

Don’t have time to find these perfect opportunities for blending your work and play? This is where business travel tools can come in handy, such as using an AI assistant to help put together your perfect itinerary. 

3. Set and Communicate Boundaries

A good idea, no matter if you’re on the road or working from home, is to consider setting specific boundaries around your time this Valentine’s Day. This ensures you give your loved one and your work the proper attention.

For example, if you say you’ll work all day on Friday, a regular 9-to-5 schedule, make sure your loved one knows not to interrupt or distract you during those hours. Likewise, if you tell your teams you’ll log off promptly at 5 p.m., do so. Then, refrain from looking at your email or other notifications.

In order to ensure your boundary-setting is effective, you must thoroughly communicate your boundaries to those impacted. It’s also a smart idea to have some sort of protocol in place if an emergency or urgent matter arises. Have a point person to handle such issues and only contact you if absolutely necessary. 

4. Make Use of Travel Tech to Reduce Stress

No one wants to be stressed during the “leisure” portion of their “bleisure” trip. Travel tech can help. 

If your Travel Manager provides them, consider using tools that can make your overall travel experience easier, allowing you to fully relax in your personal time. For example, incorporate tools that can seamlessly track your expenses and keep personal and business expenses separate. You might also consider using tools that can keep you updated on any last-minute travel changes, such as weather-related delays or cancellations. Along these lines, travel tech like this can also help you remain compliant with your company’s travel policy, further mitigating unnecessary stress. 

(Pro tip: JTB Business Travel can connect you with many of the tech tools business Travelers need!)

5. Take Advantage of the Latest Blended Travel Offers

As blended business-and-leisure travel has become more mainstream, travel providers have begun catering to bleisure travelers. Take advantage of these providers’ offerings for the best experience possible. 

For example, as a Skift report noted, extended stay properties are increasingly in demand for blended travel and are outfitting rooms with features that make both working and living more convenient. Some hotels are even installing features such as “Zoom-friendly” lighting, so if you do decide to conduct a few meetings from your hotel room, you’re covered.

Need More Business Travel Tips?

Whether you’re trying to get a little more shut-eye during your next long-haul flight, JTB Business Travel can provide insights and expertise on the Waypoint Blog.