diff --git a/WORKATION.md b/WORKATION.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..cf65440 --- /dev/null +++ b/WORKATION.md @@ -0,0 +1,51 @@ +# Workation Guide — Remote Work on the Road + +> 3 colleagues working remotely across UK, Isle of Man, Ireland, and France. Aug 4 – Sep 2, 2026. + +## Connectivity Setup + +### Recommended Approach +One colleague buys a **Three UK SIM** on arrival at Harwich (available at Tesco, supermarkets, and convenience stores near the port). Three UK's Go Roam plan includes unlimited data roaming in Ireland at no extra cost — this single SIM covers England, Ireland, and France for the entire trip. + +Use it as a **shared mobile hotspot** for all 3 colleagues. For light work (async Slack, email, occasional video calls), one hotspot is sufficient. If all 3 need simultaneous video calls regularly, consider a second SIM. + +### Isle of Man Exception +The Isle of Man is a Crown Dependency with its own mobile networks (Manx Telecom, Sure). Most UK and Irish roaming plans exclude it or charge international rates. **Check your specific carrier's IoM policy before departure.** If not covered, options are: +- Buy a local SIM in Douglas (Manx Telecom shop on Strand Street) +- Use a global eSIM such as Airalo for the 2–4 days on the island + +### France Return Leg +Three UK Go Roam covers France. No additional SIM or setup needed for the Sep 1–2 return. + +### Apps to Install Before Departure +- Slack / Teams in offline mode +- VPN if required by your employer +- Cloud sync fully up to date (Google Drive / OneDrive / Dropbox offline files enabled) +- Download offline maps for Ireland and France (Maps.me or Google Maps offline areas) + +--- + +## Per-Stop Workation Ratings + +| Stop | Connectivity | Best Workspace | Rating | +|------|-------------|----------------|--------| +| Harwich | Good | Hotel lobby | ⚡ Pass-through | +| Cambridge | Excellent | Cafés near Market Square; CB1 Coffee | ★★★★ | +| York | Good | Cafés near the Shambles; Brew & Brownie | ★★★ | +| Liverpool | Excellent | Baltic Triangle coworking spaces; hotel | ★★★★ | +| Isle of Man (Douglas) | Good | Hotels; cafés on Strand Street | ★★★ | +| Belfast | Excellent | Commercial Court area cafés; Wework-style coworking in city centre | ★★★★ | +| Donegal | Poor–Fair | Donegal Town cafés only; expect 4G outdoors, spotty in rural west | ★★ | +| Sligo | Good | Sligo town cafés; Johnston Court area | ★★★ | +| Westport (Mayo) | Good | Cafés on Bridge Street; hotels have reliable wifi | ★★★ | +| Clifden (Connemara) | Fair | Clifden town centre cafés; signal drops sharply outside town | ★★ | +| **Galway** | **Excellent** | **Coffeewerk + Press (Kirwan's Lane) — best café on the WAW; multiple coworking spaces** | **★★★★★** | +| Clare (Ennis) | Fair–Good | Ennis town for serious work days; Doolin itself is too rural | ★★★ | +| Kerry (Killarney) | Good | Killarney town cafés; Dingle has 2–3 decent options | ★★★ | +| **Dublin** | **Excellent** | **3fe (Grand Canal), Clement & Pekoe, Indie coworking spaces on Dawson St** | **★★★★★** | + +### Notes +- **Best full work days:** Galway and Dublin. Plan your heaviest meetings / deadlines for these stops. +- **Avoid scheduling calls from:** Donegal coast, Clifden outskirts, Connemara bog roads, Doolin. +- **Isle of Man:** Douglas town is fine; connectivity drops outside the capital. +- **Ireland rural rule:** If you need 4G, stay within 5km of a town. The west coast is beautiful but the signal follows the roads.