Summer vacations are a time for escape - for a little R and R. They’re also a time for learning and for generating fresh ideas.

However many, particularly in North America, do not take the vacation time to which they are entitled. And when you are on vacation, how disconnected are you from your day to day routine – wireless communications have it made it possible to stay connected wherever your are and it is not uncommon to have summer homes wired for high speed internet. You can rationalize and say it is for the kids so they can keep in touch with there friends but do you have the ability to restrict them to personal use while on vacation?

Over the next three months we will look at vacations, why they are important and how to make the most of them.

First a look at how people around the world take vacations

Average Number of Vacation Days per Year

Source: World Tourism Organization (WTO).

So where do you fit in this table – are you giving yourself enough time to recharge and refresh so you can be fully engaged when you get back?

Check back next month when we will look at what some veterans of great escapes who know what it takes to make the perfect summer experience.