Bank holidays: how to have more holidays

With 2026’s bank holidays on your side, a few days off here and there can add up to epic adventures and extra beach time. Let’s show you how to make the most of your annual leave.

Have 16 days off at Easter

Take these days off: 30th March-2nd April & 7th-10th April 2026

Time taken off work: 8 days

Why it works: Thanks to Good Friday on 3rd April and Easter Monday on 6th April, booking these days lets you enjoy 16 days off in a row.

Where to go

Florida

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 parks – where days easily fill up with rides, shows and magic. But with more time, you can explore the laid-back Florida Keys, glide through the Everglades or relax on the idyllic white-sand beaches of the Gulf Coast.

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Vietnam

Vietnam is a feast for the senses. Golden temples gleam beside colonial mansions, riverside lanterns glow softly after dark and street stalls serve up steaming bowls of pho to hungry locals. Top it off with time on white-sand beaches, misty mountain treks in Sapa’s lush rice terraces and a cruise through Halong Bay’s emerald waters, and you’ve got a holiday that’s hard to beat. 

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The Caribbean

The Caribbean is a mosaic of islands linked by sea, spice and soulful living, and the weather here is pitch perfect in Easter. Some come for easy days and all-inclusive bliss, others for the food, festivals and offbeat exploring – our experts know how to match you to your perfect island pace. Choose a fly-and-flop resort stay or one of our island-hopping adventures. We can take you from icons like Barbados and Antigua to lesser known gems, including St Kitts & Nevis and Turks & Caicos, new to our collection.

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Have 18 days off in May

Take these days off: 5th-8th May & 26th-29th May 2026

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 5th-8th 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 25th May.

Where to go

Canada

Set off on the adventure of a lifetime in Canada, taking in soaring mountain ranges, glistening lakes, unbelievable wildlife and cosmopolitan 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 offshore; another snaking 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.

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Seychelles

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 show-stopping beaches and marine national parks. You’ll find some of the world’s best hotels here, incredible diving with shipwrecks to explore and quirky wildlife – from giant tortoises ambling along like slow-moving locals to tree-climbing coconut crabs. 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.

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Italy

Nine days is a wonderful time frame to take in Italy’s highlights without feeling rushed. That’s time for just the right mix of laid-back lunches, world-famous sights and a few surprises along the way. Sip wine straight from the source in Tuscany’s sun-drenched vineyards, stroll through timeless Renaissance cities or unwind in a spa hotel overlooking the glassy waters of Lake Como. We’ll point you to the Neapolitan Riviera’s prettiest spots, the tastiest trattorias, and the hidden corners that’ll have you feeling like a local in no time.

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Have 9 days off in August

Take these days off: 25th-28th August 2026

Time taken off work: 4 days

Why it works: The summer bank holiday lands on Monday 31st August, and when you add in the weekends and take the four days' leave, you can have a solid summer break.

Where to go

California

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.

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Mauritius

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.

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Kenya

Wild and spectacular, Kenya’s beauty is game changing. Golden savannahs roll into acacia-dotted plains, dramatic mountains rise in the distance, and in August, the Great Migration thunders through the Maasai Mara – one of nature’s greatest shows. Take it all in on a safari adventure, spotting big cats on game drives, soaking up sunsets from luxe tented camps and finishing with downtime by the Indian Ocean.

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Have 16 days off over Christmas

Take these days off: 21st-24th December & 29th-31st December 2026

Time taken off work: 7 days

Why it works: With Christmas Day on Friday 25th December, Boxing Day on Saturday 26th (and a substitute bank holiday on Monday 28th), and New Year’s Day on Friday 1st January, you’ll score a long festive break with minimal leave.

Where to go

Maldives

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 tiny atolls scattered across the ocean, where islands are fringed by powdery sands and surrounded by the brightest blue lagoons. Each has its own unique vibe, from laid-back luxury to family-friendly escapes – chat to us, and we’ll help find your perfect match. Book now, and next Christmas you could experience a different kind of festive fun: relaxing in an overwater villa, sipping bubbles on a sunset cruise and feasting on slap-up seafood feasts under the stars.

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Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka 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.

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Thailand

Whizz past neon lights and sizzling stalls in a tuk tuk, swept up in Bangkok’s energy. Explore vast markets and incredible temples; or watch elephants wander through ancient national parks. Then there are the beaches – from secluded bays on tiny islands that you can only reach by boat, to vibrant resorts with intriguing nightlife.

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This feature was updated on 1st December 2025. The information within this feature is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of print.