A block of days is set aside away from work for rest, family time, or travel. That block is a vacation. In some varieties of English the word overlaps closely with holiday.

Vacations may be taken at home or far away. The tourism industry depends heavily on people using vacation time to leave their usual surroundings. Length varies from long weekends to several weeks, constrained by employment norms and personal budgets.

Expectations of complete rest sometimes collide with the effort of travel and itinerary pressure. A successful vacation restores energy and provides a mental break from routine demands. Returning to work after a good vacation often feels more sustainable.

• Period of time away from work for rest or recreation
• May involve travel or staying at home
• Major driver of leisure tourism demand
• Intended to provide recovery and change of pace