How to turn 25 days of annual leave to 57 in 2027

TRYING to squeeze in a holiday on limited annual leave can be tricky – but time it right and you could more than double how much time you have off.

By this, I mean make the most of the bank holiday dates and you can get a much longer holiday than you have actually booked off.

The average annual leave allowance in the UK is 25 days, so here is how you can get 57 days off if you use the full amount around the bank hols.

Not only that, but I’ve found some fantastic deals around each one, from winter sun to spring and summer breaks from £255, each for super long holidays.

January

Five days of annual leave for 10-day holiday

The January 1 bank holiday falls on a Friday in 2027. But you could easily make a 10-day trip if you book off the whole following week – thanks to the weekends, that means 10 days from January 1-10.

With the Christmas comedown and cold winters in the UK, this is the best time for some winter sun to start the year strong.

A fantastic (and affordable) destination is Thailand, which is easily above 30C in January.

I found a fantastic deal in Pattaya which is nine nights at Asia Pattaya Hotel right on the beach and with return flights from £909 each.

The Caribbean is a great option too, such as Antigua.

Stay at the Jolly Beach Resort, which is all-inclusive, and has hold luggage and return flights, for £1,540 each.

Otherwise the African island of Cape Verde is hot – as high as 27C in January as well.

TUI has holidays there during this time period from £1,319 each, which is all-inclusive and includes return, direct flights which are less than six hours.

March/April

Four days of annual leave for 10-day holiday

The Easter bank holidays in 2027 will see Good Friday on March 26, and Easter Monday on March 29.

But book off March 30-31 and April 1-2 and you can get 10 days off, using just four days of annual leave.

This means a 10-day trip from March 26-April 4.

Now is the perfect time for a trip to explore some European cities, as it isn’t too hot to be wandering around all day.

Intrepid has a fantastic trip exploring Croatia and Slovenia departing on March 26, from £1,795,.

This includes stops in Split, Zadar, Zagreb and Ljubljana and all your hotel stays (you’ll have to sort your own flights though).

Or how about a trip to Japan for the early cherry blossoms?

You can find return flights and 10-night hotel stays WITH breakfast from £2,319 each in March (and the hotel even has a hot spring-like Jacuzzi).

May

Four days of annual leave for nine day holiday

The May bank holiday falls on May 3 – so book off May 4-7 as well.

This mean you can you get a nine day holiday from May 1 to 9.

A Spanish island stay is where you will find the biggest bargain here – try Fuerteventura where flights and your entire stay is £255 each.

Not only is it a short flight, but you can expect highs of 24C – the perfect pre-summer holiday.

If you want some luxury, try a five-star stay in Morocco which is one of the biggest affordable luxury destinations.

I’ve found a stunning riad where your entire stay, breakfast and flights are £485 each a night.

Desperate for a long-haul trip? Now is one of the best months to go to Bali for great weather.

Virgin has package holidays on these dates from £1,541pp, with return flights and beautiful pool resorts (and breakfast).

June

Four days of annual leave for nine-day holiday

The last May bank holiday is on May 31, so book off the first four days of June too.

This means an eight night holiday running from May 29 to June 6.

Greece is great in June as it is just before the crowds hit, and all-inclusive holidays can be found for £539pp (and that’s nine days and return flights too).

Crete is one of the more affordable islands, and you could even book island hopping day trips such as Spinalonga.

June is also the start of dry season for Zanzibar, an African island.

May 29 is the launch date for British Airways‘ new flights there, so book a package holiday with them, which is seven nights for as little as £998 each, with your baggage and breakfast thrown in.

Otherwise June is the very best month to explore Alaska for long days and great wildlife.

Princess Cruises has seven-night sailings of Alaska on these dates from £637 each (just remember to book your flights to Vancouver, and leave some days before and after).

August

Four days of annual leave for nine-day holiday

The August bank holiday is on August 30 next year.

So book off the rest of that week (August 31 – September 3) for an eight night holiday that is from August 28 to September 5.

As it is just after the summer holidays, you can expect fewer crowds and lower prices, so it is the ideal time to head to Italy.

Try Sicily – nine days here with flights is £582 each with TUI.

Early September is also the best time for safaris in some parts of Africa.

Trailfinders has six night trips in Kenya from £1,605pp – you have to find your flights but it includes all your food, hotels and game drives.

Or if you are ready for autumn, there is no better place to go than Vermont.

A sevennnight stay (giving you time to fly there and back) are as little as £802 each with Expedia (there’s even a pool at lots of them).

December

Four days of annual leave for 10-day holiday

If you are happy to be away over Christmas, you can get one big trip in at the end of the year.

So the Christmas bank holiday will be December 27-28.

Book off the days of December 24, then 29, 30 and 31 to get a 10-day holiday from December 24 to January 2.

This is where a trip to Dubai gets you some great affordable hot weather with relatively quick flights.

It’s still a bit early to book some trips, but Emirates has a number of great Dubai deals which includes flights and hotels.

Or go for a Caribbean cruise for some hot island hopping with no planning needed.

Carnival has some from £703pp for six nights, or seven nights with Celebrity including Jamaica, Barbados and Puerto Rico from £776pp (just remember to book your own flights over there).

Otherwise ski fans can make the most of the long break – the Swiss Alps have seven nights, half board with flights from £1,617 each with Crystal Ski.