Vacation

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A vacation (American English) or holiday (British English) is either a leave of absence from a regular job or school or an instance of leisure travel away from home. People often take a vacation during specific holiday observances or for specific festivals or celebrations. Vacations are often spent with friends or family.^[1] Vacations may include a specific trip or journey, usually for the purpose of recreation or tourism.

A person may take a longer break from work, such as a sabbatical, gap year, Holiday entitlement^[2] or career break.

The concept of taking a vacation is a recent invention, and has developed through the last two centuries. Historically, the idea of travel for recreation was a luxury that only wealthy people could afford (see Grand Tour). In the Puritan culture of early America, taking a break from work for reasons other than weekly observance of the Sabbath was frowned upon. However, the modern concept of vacation was led by a later religious movement encouraging spiritual retreat and recreation. The notion of breaking from work periodically took root among the middle and working class.^[3]

As industrialisation progressed and labor movements gained influence, the right to vacation time became more widespread. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, paid vacations were introduced in some industries, particularly in Europe, where labor laws gradually mandated holiday entitlement for workers.

The rise of mass tourism, facilitated by advancements in transportation such as railways and later commercial aviation, made travel more accessible to a broader population. Today, vacations or holidays are recognised as an important aspect of work-life balance, with many countries legally ensuring employees receive paid time off to rest, travel, and spend time with loved ones.