| Asia-Pacific |
Europe |
United Kingdom |
United States |
Annual leave is a precious commodity - it provides us with the opportunity to recharge, explore new locations, and create lasting memories. However, there never seems to be enough, which is why maximising your time off is a skill worth mastering.
Achieving this requires a blend of strategic planning, awareness of local holidays, and researching your company leave policies. Generally, most companies will offer 11-25 days holiday, so understanding the optimal dates to book, can make a significant difference in how much time you can take off. In this guide, we'll explore how to make the most of your annual leave, no matter where you are around the world.
Keep in mind that although the best times to optimise your time off are around bank holidays, these are typically the busiest times for travel and tourism. If you're looking to avoid crowds, you might want to consider pre-booking your lounge ensuring a tranquil and relaxing start to your holiday.
Asia-Pacific:
In the Asia-Pacific region, understanding local holidays can significantly enhance your annual leave experience. If you're in China, consider planning around the Chinese New Year, typically falling between late January and mid-February to guarantee a week-long break filled with festivities.In India, aligning your leave with Diwali provides an opportunity for an extended vacation. Take the days leading up to Diwali and a few days after to enjoy the festive season. Additionally, in Thailand, planning your leave around the Songkran festival in April can create a rejuvenating break. By booking off the day's surrounding this celebration, you can immerse yourself in the cultural festivities and enjoy a memorable holiday.
Public Holidays in APAC:
- Jan. 1 - New Year's Day
- Feb. 10 - Chinese New Year (China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand)
- Feb. 10 - Tet (Vietnam)
- Mar. 25 - Holi (India)
- April 9-10 - Hari Raya Puasa / Eid al-Fitr (Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia)
- April 13-15 - Songkran (Thailand)
- April 13 - Sinhala and Tamil New Year (Sri Lanka)
- May 1 - Labour Day (Various countries in APAC)
- May 23 - Vesak (China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Sri Lanka)
- June 18-20 - Hari Raya Haji / Eid al-Adha (Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia)
- July 1 - Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day (Hong Kong)
- Aug. 15 - Independence Day (India, Indonesia, South Korea)
- Sept. 17 - Mid-Autumn Festival (China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand)
- Oct. 1 - National Day of the People’s Republic of China (China)
- Oct. 2 - Gandhi Jayanti (India)
- Oct. 11 - Chung Yeung Festival (Hong Kong)
- Nov. 1 - Diwali (India)
- Dec. 25 – Christmas Day
Europe:
Level up your time off by smartly syncing it with various public holidays across Europe. Picture this: strolling the lively streets of Paris, soaking up the Spanish sunshine, diving into German history, relishing Italian bites, or uncovering hidden gems in Bulgaria—all while minimising your annual leave taken and maximising your chill-out time. We’ve listed out just some of the public holidays you can use to plan your getaways around mainland European for those extra-long breaks and unforgettable experiences.Bank Holidays in Europe:
- Jan. 1 - New Year's Day
- Jan. 2 - New Year's Day (Liechtenstein)
- March 18 – Clean Monday (Greece)
- March 25 - Greek Revolution Day
- March 29 - Good Friday
- April 1 – Easter Monday
- May 1 – International Workers Day
- May 3 – Orthodox Good Friday (Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Romania)
- May 6 – Orthodox Easter Monday (Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Romania)
- May 9 - Ascension Day (Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland)
- May 20 – Whit Monday / Pentecost Monday (Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland)
- May 30 - Corpus Christi (Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Poland)
- June 5 - Constitution Day (Denmark)
- June 17 – Independence Day (Iceland)
- June 21 - Midsummer's Eve (Finland)
- June 24 – Midsummer Day (Estonia, Latvia)
- June 24 – Holy Spirit Day (Cyprus)
- June 24 – St Johns Day (Lithuania)
- June 29 – Patron Saint Feast (Italy)
- July 5 - Saints Cyril and Methodius (Czech Republic)
- Aug. 5 - Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day and the Day of Croatian Defenders (Croatia)
- Aug. 15 - Assumption Day
- Oct. 3 - German Unity Day (Germany)
- Oct. 26 – National Day (Austria)
- Nov. 1 – All Saints Day
- Nov. 2 - All Souls’ Day (Lithuania)
- Nov. 8 - Our Lady of the Almudena (Spain)
- Nov. 11 – Armistice Day (Belgium, France)
- Nov. 15 – Liberation Day (Belgium)
- Nov. 17 – Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day (Czechia, Slovakia)
- Dec. 08 – Immaculate Conception (Austria)
- Dec. 24 – Christmas Eve (Austria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland)
- Dec. 25 – Christmas Day
- Dec. 26 – St. Stephens Day / Boxing Day
- Dec. 31 – New Years Eve
United Kingdom:
In England and Wales, think of bank holidays as your annual leave superheroes. Using that Early May Bank Holiday on May 6th unlocks a nine-day escape by only using four days of annual leave. And let's not forget the summer bank holiday on August 26th—snag the four days leading up to it, and you've got the recipe for a perfect late summer vacation. In Scotland, the Spring Bank holiday on May 27th is your ticket to a refreshing springtime escape when you take off the days around it. Being in Ireland entitles you to a few extra bank holidays, so consider planning your holidays around the nations vibrant bank holidays. It’s only natural, the Irish love a celebration. Their additional holidays include St Patricks day, the Battle of Boyne, and a few additional Mondays.Bank Holidays in the UK & Northern Ireland:
- Jan. 1 - New Year's Day (All United Kingdom and Northern Ireland)
- Jan. 2 - January bank holiday (Scotland)
- Feb. 5 - First Monday in February (Ireland)
- March 18 - St. Patrick's Day (substitute day) (Northern Ireland, Ireland)
- March 29 - Good Friday (All United Kingdom and North Ireland)
- April 1 - Easter Monday (England and Wales, Northern Ireland, Ireland)
- May 6 - Early May Bank Holiday (All United Kingdom and Northern Ireland)
- May 27 - Spring bank holiday (England and Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland)
- June 3 - First Monday in June (Ireland)
- July 12 - Battle of the Boyne (Northern Ireland)
- Aug. 5 - First Monday in August (Ireland)
- Aug. 26 - Summer bank holiday (England and Wales, Northern Ireland, Ireland)
- Oct. 28 - Last Monday in October (Ireland)
- Dec. 2 - St. Andrew's Day (substitute day) (Scotland)
- Dec. 25 - Christmas Day(All United Kingdom and Northern Ireland)
- Dec. 26 - Boxing Day (All United Kingdom and Northern Ireland)
- Dec. 26 - St. Stephen's Day (Ireland)
United States:
If you're in the United States, start by booking the Friday before Presidents' Day on February 19th for a four-day weekend. Extend your break around Memorial Day on May 27th by taking off the preceding Friday. For Independence Day on July 4th, consider booking off the day before or after for a prolonged celebration. Additionally, aligning your leave with Thanksgiving is one of the most optimal times to book off. Taking the Friday after Thanksgiving off, while also booking off the Wednesday before creates a full week of relaxation. And of course, the Christmas holiday on December 25th provides the perfect opportunity for an extended end-of-year escape when you take off the days between Christmas and New Year's Day.Public Holidays in the US:
- Jan. 1 - New Year's Day
- Jan. 15 - Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
- Feb. 19 - Presidents' Day
- May 27 - Memorial Day
- June 19 - Juneteenth Independence Day
- July 4 - Independence Day
- Sept. 2 - Labor Day
- Oct. 14 - Indigenous Peoples Day (also observed as Columbus Day)
- Nov. 11 - Veterans Day
- Nov. 28 – Thanksgiving
- Dec. 25 – Christmas Day
Once you have your annual leave planned the next step is to find a destination and book your holiday. Whether it's exploring new destinations, experiencing different cultures, or indulging in culinary delights, having a list will make it easier to plan your vacations and make the most of your time away. Please remember, this list of holidays is not exhaustive and intends to give you a rough guide. We recommend you verify dates before making plans or booking time off and consult official sources for complete and accurate information.
Check our blog page if you need help with packing, finding cheap flights, deals on hotels, or any top tips for your next vacation. Whether you're seeking holiday inspiration or specific recommendations, we've got you covered. Explore budget-friendly European destinations, top-notch ski resorts, breath taking scenic train journeys, enchanting African safaris, outstanding hiking trails in the US, or the most festive Christmas markets – we've compiled it all for you.