What if we told you that your standard annual leave allowance could stretch into almost ten weeks of adventure? With a little planning, you can transform your 28 days of annual leave into 68 glorious days off in 2026. That’s a lot of time to explore new places, meet like-minded travellers, and tick those dream solo trips off your list.
Why Maximise Your Annual Leave?
Time is the most precious thing we have. Using annual leave cleverly means more opportunities to travel, rest, and reset. And for solo travellers, it’s about more than just ticking destinations off a map—it’s about finding yourself, creating connections, and returning home with stories worth telling.
Key Annual Leave Hacks for 2026
Public holidays are your secret weapon. By strategically booking days around long weekends and bank holidays, you can stretch your time off much further.
Here’s how:
Easter & Spring Breaks – Book around Good Friday and Easter Monday for extended getaways. Perfect for a week exploring European cities in bloom.
• Off from Saturday, 28 March to Sunday, 12 April
o Leave used: 8 days (29–2 April & 7–9 April)
o Inclusive of Good Friday (3 April) and Easter Monday (6 April)
Total Time off: 16 Days
Early May Bank Holiday – Turn a three-day weekend into nine days of freedom with just four days’ leave. Ideal for a longer solo escape to somewhere sunny.
• Off from Saturday, 2 May to Sunday, 10 May
o Leave used: 4 days (5–8 May)
o Includes Early May Bank Holiday (4 May)
Total time off: 9 days
• Combine Early May and Spring bank holidays
• Off from Saturday, 23 to Sunday, 31 May
o Leave used: 4 days (26–29 May)
o Includes Spring Bank Holiday (25 May)
Total time off: 9 days
Plus previous 9-day break in early May = 18 days off for 8 days’ leave
Summer Bank Holidays – Late August is prime time. Tag a few extra days and you’ve got nearly two weeks for that big solo adventure you’ve been dreaming of.
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Off from Saturday, 29 August to Sunday, 6 September
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Leave used: 4 days (1–4 September)
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Includes Late Summer Bank Holiday (31 August)
Total time off: 9 days
Christmas & New Year – With the right mix of leave days, December transforms into a festive fortnight of travel. Imagine a Christmas market in Vienna or ringing in New Year’s Eve on a tropical beach.
• Off from Saturday, 19 December to Sunday, 3 January 2027
o Leave used: 7 days (21–23 December & 29–31 December)
o Bank holidays included: Christmas Day (25 Dec) and Boxing Day substitute (28 Dec)
Total time off: 16 days
Solo Travel Ideas for Your Extra Days
With 68 days of travel potential, the world opens up. Here’s how to make them count:
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Short Solo City Breaks – Use long weekends for European gems like Po
rto, Barcelona, or Prague.
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Epic Summer Adventures – Take your longer stretches for bucket-list trips: safari in Kenya, temples in Thailand, or island-hopping in Greece.
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Festive Escapes – Swap your usual holiday routine for a group of like-minded solo travellers exploring Christmas markets or chasing winter sun.
Why Plan Ahead Now?
The secret to unlocking 68 days isn’t just clever maths—it’s early planning. Popular trips book fast, especially around peak holiday times. Securing your spot now means you’ll have a calendar full of adventures to look forward to, giving 2026 a sense of excitement before it even begins.
Imagine this: 68 days of adventure, connection, and discovery—all without sacrificing your career or burning through unpaid leave. That’s the power of smart planning. And with the right solo travel community, every one of those days will be filled with stories worth sharing.
