When Park & Battery says you can work from anywhere, they mean it. My five-week European remote work adventure took me from Paris to London to Sicily with my laptop in tow, a packed calendar and zero regrets.
Remote, but make it global
When some companies say they’re “fully remote,” what they really mean is that you can work from home in your sweatpants. Which, let’s be honest, is great. But when Park & Battery says we’re a fully remote company, it actually means work from anywhere, literally.
Whether that’s your kitchen table, a coworking space or a sun-soaked beach in Sicily, we have the flexibility to make it work, as long as you’re open to working outside the usual 9-to-5 from time to time.
Kicking things off at BBN Academy
I decided to take this “work from anywhere” mindset seriously with a five-week adventure through Europe. It all kicked off when I was lucky enough to be chosen to attend the annual BBN Academy on behalf of Park & Battery.
For those who don’t know, P&B is part of BBN, a global network of B2B marketing agencies. Each year, the network hosts an Academy in an incredible location to bring partner agencies together to learn, share ideas and grow. This year’s Academy was held just outside of Paris, and once you’re in Paris… who wants to leave?
London was calling
So, I didn’t head home.
Instead, I made my way to London, a city where I knew I’d find a few familiar faces. While I really value the flexibility of remote work, I still appreciate the energy that comes from being around teammates in person. Park & Battery has coworking spaces around the world, and with one of our largest hubs in the UK, London felt like the perfect next stop.
I found an Airbnb in East London, settled into a routine and made the most of the city. I walked to the coworking space each morning, worked from a proper desk (a real treat when you’ve been on the go) and even convinced my work bestie Hannah to take the train up from Devon for a few days.
We got work done, saw an unforgettable Arcade Fire show and embraced the rhythm of balancing productivity with some well-earned fun.
The rhythm of remote life
When you’re working across time zones like we do (US, UK, MX) you learn to find a rhythm. At home in Denver, I’m up early and often taking 7 a.m. calls. In London, it’s a different story. Mornings were slower, and the busiest part of my workday hit around 4 p.m. It took some adjustment, but the pace was surprisingly easy to get used to.
“Remote work doesn’t just mean staying home. It can also mean exploring new places, meeting colleagues in person, and making space for inspiration.”
Sunshine, seafood, and sunset work sessions
After London, my partner Josh met me and we flew to Sicily for the final leg of the trip. Josh took the time off, but I didn’t mind working!
Our mornings were spent exploring coastal towns, visiting hidden beaches and taking boat rides. Then I’d log on around 3 p.m. and work through the evening. Best part was, Josh was on duty for planning dinners, so I could focus on work. What a luxury!
It turns out working late is a lot easier when you’ve had fresh seafood and a swim in the sea earlier in the day.
What worked well?
All you really need is a laptop, good Wi-Fi and a reliable calendar. As long as you stay on top of your work, communicate clearly and keep your team and clients in the loop, the rest is flexible. That kind of trust and accountability is built into the culture at Park & Battery.
What surprised me?
I thought I’d struggle with working at night. I’m usually up early and in bed early, but I adjusted quickly. Having something exciting to look forward to each day helps keep your energy up. It also reminded me how much easier work feels when you have a change of scenery and a clear head.
A few tips for anyone thinking about doing the same:
Plan ahead. Make sure your team knows where you’ll be and when. Block your calendar when needed and be upfront about any time zone changes. Be flexible, but also set boundaries so you don’t burn out. And most importantly, don’t overthink it. If you’re organized and communicative, it really is doable.
A new way of working
This experience reminded me that remote work doesn’t just mean staying home. It can also mean exploring new places, meeting colleagues in person and making space for inspiration. And when your company supports that kind of freedom, it makes the work even more rewarding.
