10 Other Ways to Say “Have a Great Vacation”
When a coworker or friend is leaving for a vacation, it’s nice to send them off with good wishes. However, saying “Have a great vacation” can feel repetitive.
In this article, we list 10 different ways to express your good wishes that add variety and warmth to your message. Each alternative is perfect for use in a professional email, adding a personal touch to your farewell.
Is It Professional to Say “Have a Great Vacation”?
The phrase “Have a great vacation” is indeed professional, formal or informal depending on the context, and always polite. Saying “Have a great vacation” is suitable for a variety of situations, particularly when you want to express goodwill in a friendly, supportive way.
This phrase is apt for use with different types of recipients or correspondents, including colleagues, clients, and superiors, when the relationship harbors a degree of friendliness. It is also suitable across various communication channels, like emails, text messages, or even face-to-face conversations.
Email example:
Dear Alex,
I’ve finalized the report and forwarded it to the team, so everything is set for your time off.
Have a great vacation! I hope you enjoy every moment of your break.
Best,
Emily
Pros and cons of saying “Have a great vacation”:
Pros:
- It’s friendly and shows you care.
- It helps in building a positive work environment.
- It’s versatile, fitting a variety of formality levels based on how it’s used.
Cons:
- It may be too informal for some professional settings, especially if not matched well with the overall communication style.
- Could be perceived as insincere if overused or not expressed genuinely.
In some cases, one might want to use an alternative phrase to “have a great vacation.” This could be due to the level of formality in the professional relationship or simply to offer variety in expression.
10 Other Ways to Say “Have a Great Vacation”
Looking for a new way to wish someone a happy holiday? Here are 10 alternatives to “Have a Great Vacation” ideal for use in a professional email within a workplace environment:
- Enjoy your time off!
- Wishing you a fantastic break!
- Have a wonderful trip!
- Safe travels!
- Bon voyage!
- Relax and rejuvenate!
- Hope you enjoy your getaway!
- Take lots of pictures!
- Escape and unwind!
- Adventures await you!
1. Enjoy your time off!
Compared to the original phrase, “Enjoy your time off!” communicates a similar wish but puts more emphasis on relaxation and the break from work. It’s ideal in its brevity, making it perfect for professional settings where you might not know the specifics of a person’s vacation.
This alternative is informal yet remains polite and professional, suited for emails or messages to colleagues or team members you have a comfortable relationship with.
Email sample:
Dear Mark,
Thanks for covering my tasks while I'm away next week.
Enjoy your time off! You’ve earned it.
Best,
Linda
2. Wishing you a fantastic break!
“Wishing you a fantastic break!” offers a warm, enthusiastic send-off and is slightly more informal than the original phrase. It conveys sincere good wishes for the person’s time away from work. This makes it a great choice for colleagues or team members, especially in environments that encourage a friendly tone. It’s polite and professional, fitting well into emails or direct messages.
Example:
Hello Sarah,
Just a quick note to say your project proposal was excellent.
Wishing you a fantastic break! See you when you get back.
Regards,
Jamie
3. Have a wonderful trip!
This alternative is perfect when you know someone is traveling rather than just taking time off work. “Have a wonderful trip!” is specific, engaging, and informal, but still maintains a polite and professional tone. It’s ideal for emails or messages to those who are about to embark on a vacation and shares a more personal touch.
Email example:
Dear Tony,
Your report was detailed and informative. Great work!
Have a wonderful trip! Can’t wait to hear all about it.
Cheers,
Rebecca
4. Safe travels!
“Safe travels!” is a succinct, polite wish often used among professionals. It focuses on the safety of the person’s journey, making it a caring and thoughtful message. While informal, it is professional enough for work-related correspondences, particularly when the recipient is going on a trip.
This phrase suits emails or messages to colleagues or business partners.
Here’s an example:
Dear Ethan,
I’ve attached the meeting notes for your review at your leisure.
Safe travels! Looking forward to your insights once you’re back.
Best,
Olivia
5. Bon voyage!
A touch more whimsical, “Bon voyage!” is a cheerful way to wish someone well on their vacation. It is a polite, formal expression borrowed from French, suggesting a good journey. This phrase is often used in both professional and informal contexts, suitable for a colleague or client going on a trip abroad. It signals goodwill in a cultured manner.
Email sample:
Dear Benjamin,
It was a pleasure working with you on this project. I’m confident our efforts will pay off.
Bon voyage! Enjoy your European tour.
Warmly,
Sophia
6. Relax and rejuvenate!
More specific in its intention, “Relax and rejuvenate!” wishes the person not just a good time, but a restorative one. This informal and polite alternative conveys a deeper wish for wellness and is best used with people you know well. It’s particularly fitting for emails or messages when the purpose of the vacation is to unwind and take a mental break.
Here’s an example:
Dear Jenna,
Your dedication to the team has been incredible. Thank you!
Relax and rejuvenate! You deserve it.
All the best,
Derek
7. Hope you enjoy your getaway!
This phrase is broader and can refer to short breaks or longer vacations. “Hope you enjoy your getaway!” is informal, polite, and professional, suited for colleagues or clients, especially if you wish to convey a sense of warmth and personal interest. It’s great for emails or direct messages to those who might be taking time off for a bit of adventure or relaxation.
Email example:
Dear Carlos,
The team will handle everything here, so no worries while you’re away.
Hope you enjoy your getaway! You’ve earned it.
Best,
Marie
8. Take lots of pictures!
A more casual and friendly suggestion, “Take lots of pictures!” implies a wish for the recipient to have such a good time that they’ll want to document it. This informal yet polite option is less about relaxation and more about adventure and making memories.
It’s perfect for colleagues you share a close relationship with or when the vacation context is known to be about exploring new places.
Example:
Hello Zoe,
Great job on the presentation yesterday - it was a hit!
Take lots of pictures! Enjoy your trip.
Best regards,
Luke
9. Escape and unwind!
“Escape and unwind!” offers a lovely imagery of breaking away from the daily grind to relax. It’s an informal but polite and professional phrase, ideal for messages or emails to colleagues who are taking a holiday specifically to get away from the pressure of work. It’s suited for individuals you know well or those who’ve expressed a need for a stress-free period.
Email sample:
Dear Fiona,
I’ll cover your clients while you’re out, so no need to check-in.
Escape and unwind! Enjoy the peace and quiet.
Warm regards,
Greg
10. Adventures await you!
This phrase is perfect for someone who is looking forward to an active vacation filled with new experiences. “Adventures await you!” is informal, exciting, and implies a multitude of possibilities. It’s a polite and professional way to express enthusiasm for someone else’s travel plans and fits well into messages or emails, especially for those known to enjoy adventurous activities.
Here’s an example:
Dear Hannah,
Thanks for all your help with the project timeline adjustments.
Adventures await you! Have fun on your hiking trip!
Best,
Kevin
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right words to wish someone a happy vacation can strengthen your relationship with them. By using different phrases, you show that you care enough to personalize your message. Each of these 10 alternatives offers a way to convey your good wishes in a professional yet warm manner.
