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Can you remember the last time you spent over two weeks relaxing on a holiday? We’ve taken a look at the year ahead and, with some forward planning and handy bank holidays, we’ll show you how to maximise your annual leave and make the most of 2021.
Have 11 days off at Easter…
Take these days off: 9th and 14th-17th April 2021
Time taken off work: 5 days
Why it works: Because of the weekends, Good Friday on 10th April and Easter Monday on 13th April, you can have 11 days off in a row by using 5 days' holiday.
Where to go…
Experience flamingo-pink sunsets from a hip beach house among the glitterati crowds of Miami Beach. Take your family to the happiest place on earth at Orlando's famous theme park; and drive just an hour outside of Orlando to the home of NASA. We know the best themed hotels, artsy boutique hotels and luxurious villas, so you could soon be exploring the Florida Keys, Everglades and relaxing on the most beautiful beaches.
Vietnam offers beautiful beaches, historic cities where you’ll find French Colonial-style mansions alongside golden temples, skyscrapers towering over local markets and the chance to cruise the UNESCO-listed Halong Bay on a traditional junk ship. Try our Highlights of Vietnam escorted small group tour departing on 16 April; or ask one of our Vietnam experts to tailor-make a holiday – they have been there and have plenty of recommendations.
From high-tech Tokyo with its neon-lit streets, Michelin-starred restaurants and quirky pop culture to Kyoto’s traditional geishas and beautiful temple gardens, April is a great time to explore Japan. You can discover the Alps, haunting Hiroshima, and travel with the locals on bullet trains. We’ve created an Essential Japan small group tour that departs on the 12 April for 12 nights packed full of experiences, from learning how to make sake to soaking in Hakone’s thermal hot springs.
Have 18 days off in May & June…
Take these days off: 4th-7th and 1st-4th June 2021
Time taken off work: 8 days
Why it works: Take advantage of the bank holidays at the start and end of the month. Book the 4th-7th off and you can have nine consecutive days off with the weekends and bank holiday Monday; and have another nine days off at the end of the month by making the most of bank holiday Monday on 31st May.
Where to go…
Set off on the adventure of a lifetime in Canada, taking in soaring mountain ranges, glistening lakes, unbelievable wildlife and buzzing, beautiful cities. The great outdoors is king here and one minute you might be strolling along a quiet beach where you see a whale rising from the water off shore; another sliding through the iconic Rocky Mountains by train. Whether you fancy exploring the foodie scene in Vancouver or mingling with the cowboys and girls of Calgary, we can help you make the most of every second.
Dazzling white shorelines, huge grey granite boulders and towering coco de mer trees – the Seychelles is a collection of tiny islands that lure you with their perfect beaches and marine national parks. You’ll find some of the world’s best hotels here, incredible diving with shipwrecks to explore and unusual wildlife such as the giant tortoise. Don’t limit yourself to just one island, they are all so different it’s worth island hopping to get a real flavour of the Seychelles.
Australia is vast, and impossible to cover in one trip alone, but we’ve travelled to every state and territory so we can share our recommendations. We know the best cruises that dock in Sydney, where you can wake up to views of Uluru while still in your bed, and how to fly to Australia direct from London Heathrow. From wine tasting to surf lessons, an epic road trip to luxury train travel, we can open up a world of new experiences and destinations you might never have thought of.
Have 9 days off in August…
Take these days off: 31st August - 3rd September 2021
Time taken off work: 4 days
Why it works: There is a bank holiday on Monday 30th August, and when you add in the weekends and take the four days' leave you can have a good stint off work.
Where to go…
California is made for a road trip. Follow the west coast and you can discover San Francisco, where Silicon Valley’s high-tech start-ups meet the candy-coloured Victorian houses and charming cable cars that power up impossibly steep hills. Go tasting in the world’s finest vineyards such as Napa, discover San Diego’s 70-mile coastline, then there are California’s National Parks, where you’ll find Yosemite’s mountains, Sequoia’s trees and Death Valley’s desert.
The island’s beaches are tempting enough, but Mauritius has hidden depths. You can visit botanical gardens, grand plantation houses, take a catamaran along the coastline in search of dolphins and discover national parks where tumbling waterfalls and zip-line adventures await. Go tea or rum tasting; sample the street food in colourful Port Louis; and get your golfing fix – the island has some of the world’s best courses.
Wild and spectacular, Alaska’s beauty is epic. Vast rainforests melt into beautiful lakes and remote glacial landscapes, and incredible wildlife includes the chance to see grizzly bears and humpback whales. You can experience Alaska on a self-drive, escorted tour, cruise or tailor-made adventure, making the most of walking trails and postcard views such as the snow-topped Denali. The accommodation can be rustic, so embrace the wild aspect; and you can easily twin your adventure with Canada to make the most of your time off.
Have 10 days off in December…
Take these days off: 29th - 31st December 2021
Time taken off work: 3 days
Why it works: With Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day being on a weekend, 27th and 28th December and 3rd January are Bank holidays.
Where to go…
If you’re after one of the most jaw-dropping beach destinations in the world, the Maldives is it. We know the islands inside out – with some exclusive to Kuoni guests in the UK. You can arrive by seaplane, flying over the tiny atolls below, each island surrounded by a sweep of glistening white sand and brightest blue lagoon. It’s better than the pictures – this is where colour comes to life. Chat to us and we can help find the right one for you. You could soon be relaxing in an overwater villa, taking a Champagne cruise at sunset or enjoying a candlelit dinner on a private island. This has to be one of the most memorable places to celebrate Christmas and New Year.
Sri Lanka has it all and is one of the most diverse and captivating islands on earth. You can climb to the top of a rock fortress and gaze over the jungle. Help locals with tea picking in the mountains and go on safari to spot elephants, leopards and crocodiles in the wild. Then there are quiet beaches waiting to be explored. We know the best ways to see the island and can arrange a private car and driver, so you can have the freedom to explore the sights and cities you want to see and learn from a knowledgeable local en route.
Whizz past neon lights and sizzling stalls in a tuk tuk, taking in the buzz of Bangkok. Explore vast markets and incredible temples; or watch elephants wander through ancient national parks. Then there are the beaches – from quiet secluded bays on tiny islands that you can only reach by boat, to vibrant resorts with intriguing nightlife. We know the most knowledgeable guides, the best ways to get around and where to stay, with some special boutique hotels exclusive to Kuoni guests in the UK.
Inspired?
Plan your 2024 holiday with us by making an appointment in your local Kuoni store. You can also search for one of our destination experts and talk to someone who has been there.
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