We’re back with all the exact dates you need to pencil down and get booked off ASAP so you can squeeze every last drop out of your annual leave allowance for 2025. With multiple opportunities to stretch 4 days of leave into a 9 day break coming up this year, as well as an absolute whopper 16 (!) day break for the price of 8 if you play your cards right, here’s how to hack your 2025 annual leave.
First up, get these dates noted down:
2025 bank holidays
- New Year’s Day – Monday, 1st January, 2025
- Good Friday – Friday, 18th April, 2025
- Easter Monday – Monday, 21st April, 2025
- Early May Bank Holiday – Monday, 5th May, 2025
- Spring Bank Holiday – Monday, 26th May, 2025
- Summer Bank Holiday – Monday, 25th August, 2025
- Christmas Day – Thursday, 25th December, 2025
- Boxing Day – Friday, 26th December, 2025
April
Phuket is the Vegas of Thai islands (minus the Elvis impersonators). Think bustling beaches like Patong for the party crowd or head to Kata Noi for peace and quiet. Rent a longtail boat to discover those postcard-perfect hidden coves. Koh Samui is all about yoga retreats in the morning, and cocktails on Chaweng Beach by night. Say hi to the (really) Big Buddha too.
Whilst technically not an island, Krabi‘s got more cliffs and turquoise bays than your camera roll can handle. Railay Beach is a rock climber’s paradise. Koh Phi Phi is where they filmed The Beach. You’ll leave wondering how Leo didn’t get sunburnt with all that kayaking. Koh Tao, meanwhile, is a diver’s heaven. Take a plunge to spot some reef sharks, but no, you can’t bring one home.
Cheap flights to Thailand
May
9 days is still a long stretch, so we suggest maybe going for another bucket-list trip like, say, heading to Cuzco in Peru and finally hiking Macchu Picchu. It’ll have you questioning why you skipped leg day for so many years, but the views are worth every wheezy breath. It’s May, which means the rainy season has finally buggered off. The trails are dry-ish, the skies are clear-er, and you’ll dodge the worst of the crowds—June and July brings everyone and their selfie stick.
You’ve got options, too. The Inca Trail is the biggie, a four-day slog where you’ll earn your bragging rights with every crumbling stone step. Prefer something less “survival mode”? The Salkantay Trek throws in snow-capped peaks and lush jungle for good measure. And if you’re more of a “bus to the top, thanks” type, the train from Ollantaytambo is right up your alley.
Or if less hiking and more glistening blue waters is your thing, you could also spend a 9 day stretch being stretched out on a sun lounger on an island in Greece. On several of them, in fact. Well, you’ve got the time, haven’t you? Can’t decide? Do both! You’ve got a whopping 18 days to fill up!
Cheap flights to Peru
August
Montreal is a slice of Europe. Stroll through Old Montreal for cobblestone streets and street performers who might actually be talented. Feast on a bagel or three (they swear theirs are better than New York’s, and they might be right). And if you’re into festivals, August is prime time for outdoor concerts and comedy shows. If cities aren’t your thing, head for the Rockies. Banff and Jasper National Parks (fly into Calgary) are Instagram come to life. Think turquoise lakes, dramatic mountain peaks, and wildlife that might wander into your selfies. Hike, kayak, or just sit by Lake Louise and wonder how nature managed to outdo Photoshop.
Cheap flights to Canada
December
Cheap flights to Florida
