How to have 37 days off next year using just 16 days annual leave

Already daydreaming about next year’s holidays ? Join the club.

One of the best parts about any holiday is the planning and dreaming about your upcoming vacation, but sometimes we can be limited on where we go by our amount of annual leave.

But, by booking some strategic days off next year, you could effectively double your annual leave.

The key is booking days off around bank holidays so you’re not dipping into your annual leave too much. Doing this can turn 16 days of annual leave into 37 days holiday.

For example, you can get an 11-day holiday over Christmas this year by booking just four days annual leave: December 24, 27, 28 and 31. This is because December 25, 26 and January 1 are bank holidays. If you live in Scotland you can have a 12-day break as January 2 is also a public holiday.

Below is a guide for how to make the most of your annual leave days for 2019.

Easter and Early May bank holiday

Days to book off: April 23, 24, 25, 26, 29 and 30, May 1, 2 and 3.

It may seem like a lot of days to take off, but taking nine days leave will give you a 17-day holiday. This is because April 19 is the Good Friday bank holiday and May 6 is the Early May bank holiday. Use this two-week break to visit one of our must-visit destinations for 2019, like Cambodia, Jordan or Ethiopia.

Spring bank holiday

Day to book off: May 24

Take another cheeky four-day holiday at the end of May by booking the Friday before the Spring bank holiday off. This is the perfect time to go on a micro-break to the Scottish Highlands before midge season kicks in.

August bank holiday

Day to book off: August 23

Make the most of the last of the summer sun with a quick four-day trip away. Taking off Friday August 23 will give you an extra-long weekend as Monday August 26 is the August bank holiday. Head to sunny favourites like Greece or Italy , or somewhere different like Finland or Slovenia for a chance to recharge.

Christmas 2019

Days to book off: December 23, 24, 27, 30 and 31

While we haven’t yet had Christmas 2018, if you’re already thinking of how to extend next year’s festive holiday into an extra-long vacation you can book off five days for a 12-day break. While this may be a great time to have a family staycation, places like New Zealand and Australia are in the middle of their summer if you’re keen for a hot Christmas .