Jobs that inspire creativity

As Dalia Musteikytė, journalist, writer and PR specialist at the Lithuanian National Philharmonic, says, sometimes all it takes is one invitation from a friend – in her case, it was an invitation to Druskininkai, received many years ago. Back then, nobody used the word “workholidays”, but this place has remained special to her ever since – inspiring, calming and creative.

“I discovered Druskininkai by accident – a city where work doesn’t run away from rest and rest from work. Here I realised how naturally creativity can blend into everyday life: a morning with coffee on the terrace and conversations, a day with a book, spa treatments, massages, bicycles and market rituals, and in the evening a fish soup or a mass that stops time. Druskininkai is not only a paradise of strawberry fields and cycle paths, but also a place where you meet yourself. I finished my first book here and wrote two more. I write for magazines and for myself here. And at the same time, I live a life close to my heart, among people who hand me a bowl of cucumbers over the fence or invite me into the woods. Such miracles are rare in Vilnius,” writer Dalia Musteikytė shares her experience of working holidays in Druskininkai, adding that Druskininkai is perfect for creative work.

Business discoveries in Druskininkai

Karolis Petkus, the manager of the Tech SPA hotel in Druskininkai, which has been operating for five years, recalls that at the beginning of its operation, the idea of working holidays seemed incomprehensible to many people, and some employers saw it as a waste of money. Today, however, the hotel has hosted more than 400 teams and over 1,000 solo travellers who have chosen Druskininkai and its hospitality for their workhosts. According to the speaker, business representatives quickly realised that people need not only an exceptional place to work, but also quality food, entertainment, education and spa services

“That is why today a hotel is a space where you can work in the midst of nature without any distractions, and later take care of your emotional and physical health,” says K. Petkus, inviting people to find a real work-life balance in the resort.

The manager of the hotel, which offers a unique work and leisure experience, notes that the customer audience has been changing and expanding over the past five years. “In the first year, we mostly had tech start-ups. Today, we are chosen by teams from all walks of life, solo travellers and even families. There are a lot of returning groups,” says Petkus, discussing traveller trends.

In the middle of Druskininkai’s Old Town, next to the under-construction Palace of Culture and Congresses, the spectacular Nemunas by CITUS complex is opening this summer. The building of the former largest sanatorium “Nemunas” in Druskininkai is being transformed into a unique apartment, leisure and entertainment complex with co-working and business spaces.

“Nemunas by CITUS will also have common spaces for both residents and their guests: roof terraces with a swimming pool, jacuzzi, saunas, a beach bar and a cinema. From there, you can enjoy a verdant panorama of the city. The ground floor features a children’s play area, a gym, a shared kitchen, a co-working area, 4 conference rooms and other spaces for relaxation and working.

“Druskininkai has long been known as a great holiday destination, but today more and more people are looking for places where they can combine work and leisure. Taking these trends into account, we created Nemunas by CITUS with the aim of combining all expectations under one roof. We have no doubt that such integrated solutions will complement the city’s offer for remote working in an attractive environment and increase the attractiveness of the resort as a whole,” says Šarūnas Tarutis, Investment Director of Citus, adding that the building’s infrastructure is designed to accommodate both individual travellers and teams looking for a working holiday.

Employers’ focus on emotional wellbeing is growing

According to K. Petkus, the manager of the Tech SPA hotel, surveys of their guests show that after a change in the working environment, after a working holiday in Druskininkai, their productivity increases by about 30%, and people leave not only rested, but also having worked effectively.

“Employers are increasingly focusing not only on the efficiency of their teams, but also on the work/leisure balance. It’s no secret that living in a big city and the fast pace of modern life is not good for us. We come from nature, and being separated from it, from ourselves, often has negative consequences,” says the manager of the darbostog hotel, adding that the best ideas come from resting the brain, which is exactly what the guests get here.

“Arvydas Balčius, a doctor of physical medicine and rehabilitation and psychotherapist at Draugystės Sanatorija, describes the benefits of relaxing in Lithuania from a scientific perspective: “The place we come from even affects our genetics, so the first place to look for relaxation is in the places that are familiar to us. Interestingly, the natural phytoncides emitted by trees boost immunity, relieve stress, improve sleep and have an overall positive effect on well-being, so even a walk in the woods can sometimes be enough to relax.”

A family holiday solution

Druskininkai doesn’t just offer a wealth of nature – it’s full of activities that appeal to all ages. According to Inga Urbanavičienė, Senior Marketing Manager of the Druskininkai Tourism and Information Centre, another benefit Druskininkai offers is the opportunity to combine children’s holidays and parents’ work, who often find themselves wondering what to do with their little ones in the summer.

“If you want to relax or combine work and rest with your little ones, holidaymakers in Druskininkai can choose from more than 10 different children’s camps for children of all ages and interests – from nature explorers to creative souls or sportsmen. And if you just want an hour of peace and quiet for work or spa time, there’s the family amusement park “What’s Up?” a professional nanny will take care of the little ones. There’s the UNO Park adventure park, the Snow Arena winter entertainment complex, more than 60 km of cycling trails and dozens of other ways to create holiday memories together. Druskininkai allows parents to work, children to play and families to stay together. And all without the stress, flights and fatigue,” says I. Urbanavičienė.

If you are looking for the perfect balance between work and leisure, visit the website workationresort.lt. Here, you can find a range of working holidays in one place, tailored to suit both teams of all sizes and individual travellers. From luxurious five-star hotels, cosy apartments and health spas with wellness facilities to modern workspaces overlooking Lake Druskonys or countryside farmhouses with conference rooms and sauna rituals. A wide range of team-building and leisure activities and catering services are also available, and offers can be tailored to individual needs. This website allows you not only to choose the right location, but also to conveniently plan your entire working holiday experience – without the hassle.

All the interlocutors unanimously agree that Druskininkai, located close to the major Lithuanian cities, is a perfect example of how work-life balance can become a sustainable way of life, rather than a short-term exception to everyone’s needs.