Microsoft's Joe Belfiore has been the face of the company's Windows Phone efforts for years. After taking on a bigger role to oversee Windows on phones, tablets, and PCs a couple of years ago, Belfiore is now taking a year-long break from the software giant. Belfiore was noticeably absent from Microsoft's big hardware event earlier this month, and he's clearly ready to take a break from his job to focus on his family.

Belfiore revealed his plans on Facebook, noting that he's planning to head out to sea with his family for a worldwide trip. Once the trip is over, Belfiore says he'll be straight back to Microsoft. The timing comes just as Microsoft finishes off its Windows 10 Mobile work, and as the company prepares to ship a fresh update to Windows 10 for PCs.