Sabbatical! Explore Worldwide Study Says Canadians Need an Extended Break

According to a new survey by small-group adventure tour operator, Explore Worldwide, Canadians are ready for a micro-retirement – the company’s term for a mid-career extended break or sabbatical.

The commissioned poll of 2,000 employed individuals shows that more than two-thirds of Canadians (68%) are ready to take an extended break within the next two years.

While the concept was sparked by Gen Z, the polls show strong support from Millennials (40%) and Gen X (36%), who are ready to step away from their desks and into new destinations. Travel ranked among top reasons (38%) for taking extended time off, with nearly half saying one to three months is the ideal window. 

Results show Europe as the most desired travel destination (34%) along with long-haul trips to Asia (23%) and Australia (16%). In terms of experiences, top responses ranged from spending time in nature (23%), road tripping (19%), round the world trips (16%) and slow travel experiences like rail trail (15%). 

“We are seeing a real shift in how people are thinking about spending their time, and the results show that micro-retirements are not a far-off dream, but there is real demand for them right now,” says Katy Rockett, Explore’s Regional Director of North America. 

“Midlife, as represented by Millennials and Gen X, is a time of major change and can be a pressure cooker of career demands and family obligations, so taking a break can be both restorative and practical.”

Nearly three-quarters (70%) of respondents agree that a sabbatical should be a standard benefit, seeing extended breaks as investments in personal growth and wellbeing. 

Of those surveyed who have taken a sabbatical, 75% felt positive about returning to work afterwards, while a full 90% said the break from work had given them a renewed sense of purpose, showing that that temporary time away can spark lasting transformation.

Based on survey results, the biggest barriers to taking a micro-retirement were finances (50%), uncertainty around employer support (25%) and family or home responsibilities (18%). 

“What used to be reserved for retirement is happening sooner and in smaller bursts. We are living longer and working for longer than ever, and people are not waiting until their 70s to live fully. They are choosing to reset and reconnect with the world now,” Rockett said.

The survey coincides with the launch of a smart online tool from Explore Worldwide that matches users to their ‘perfect’ micro-retirement trip. The tool asks users to input their age, job status and stress levels before crunching the numbers to suggest the ideal time to take the leap, and even suggests the perfect continent for your micro-retirement adventure. 

Those who complete the quiz will have the option to enter a competition to win CAD $9,550 to use toward a micro-retirement trip with Explore. Promotional period starts September 15 through December 21, 2025.