There's something to be said for German efficiency.

Germans have more average annual vacation -- six weeks per year plus public holidays -- than any other nation in Europe and still have the bloc's strongest economy. On top of that, most employees are entitled to five paid working days off per year to undergo training, known as Bildungsurlaub. That's the law in most states.

So how might workers spend their time? They could take a Chinese course in Beijing, pursue Italian studies in Sicily, or enroll in a computer course in a seaside town. The training doesn't have to be technical or academic either, so long as it's approved by the state you live in.

Skills developed on a Bildungsurlaub—literally, "training vacation"— need not translate directly to your job. Approved programs include visits to historical sites like the Nazi concentration camp Buchenwald or tours of underground bunkers in Berlin. Social volunteering courses, like training to become a life coach, carer, youth worker or sport therapist, are other options. It's hoped that employers, employees and society will all profit from the knowledge and experience gained on training leave.

A similar scheme exists in Italy and to a limited extent in Switzerland.