I’ve found that if you hold the cat in your lap, use the finger and thumb of one hand to wiggle on either side of their face where their mouth begins to open their mouth, if you can then get the pill on the very furthest part of their tongue closest to their throat, there is an automatic reflex to swallow. I used to try putting it in their food and it never worked. This worked every time.

IMO I’d take the 3 day break every time. Being able to take the kids to their grandparents for a 3 day weekend, or stay another day on a weekend trip sounds too convenient to pass up.