MAKE your annual leave work harder.
With clever planning, you can turn 21 days off into 49 days by maximising the days before and after national holidays.
Lisa Minot reveals the top timings to book breaks and suggests where to go for each extended holiday.
Easter
March 25-28 & April 2-5
WITH Good Friday on March 29 and Easter Monday on April 1, you can get a ten-day stretch off work using just four days of annual leave if you take March 25 to 28 or April 2 to 5.
Alternatively, book all eight days off and enjoy a 16-day break.
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Easter is the perfect time to head to Florida, where there are lower temperatures and less of the rainfall that occurs in the humid summer months.
Seven nights’ room-only at the Rosen Inn International Drive is from £1,329pp, including direct flights from Gatwick on April 1.
The hotel, which has two pools, is a few minutes’ drive from Universal Resort, Orlando, and there is a free shuttle bus. Walt Disney World is eight miles away.
To book, go to tui.co.uk.
With temperatures warming up in the Mediterranean too, take a spring break to Turkey.
Seven nights’ all- inclusive at the 4H Can Garden Resort in Side, Antalya, is from £628pp including flights from Manchester on March 25, and transfers.
The hotel is close to the beach, has a pool with water slides and a relaxing spa.
To book, see jet2holidays.com.
And for more guaranteed sunshine, head to the Red Sea resort of Hurghada in Egypt.
Seven nights’ all-inclusive at the 4H Serenity Makadi Beach is from £902pp, including Birmingham flights on March 29, and coach transfers.
See tui.co.uk.
May Bank Holidays
May 7-10 & May 28-31
WITH two bank holidays in May, you have got twice as much chance of grabbing a leave-busting deal.
Book four days off after the bank holidays on May 6 or May 27 and you will get nine consecutive days off in which to jet away.
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Head to the exotic climes of Mexico for guaranteed sunshine.
Seven nights’ B&B at the 4H The Fives Downtown in Playa Del Carmen on the Caribbean coast is from £1,091pp, including flights from Birmingham on May 5, and coach transfers.
See tui.co.uk.
Or enjoy a nine-night bargain break on the Greek island of Kos, where temperatures will already be an average of 24C.
Stay self-catering at the Marianna Studios in Tigaki from £497pp, including flights from Leeds Bradford on May 5, and coach transfers.
The hotel is in a central location and perfect for a relaxing stay for couples.
See jet2holidays.com.
Head off on the second bank holiday in May and enjoy sizzling temperatures on the Algarve.
Seven nights’ room-only at the 3H Balaia Mar Hotel in Albufeira is from £517pp, flying from Gatwick May 26, and transfers.
The hotel is close to three beaches and has a lovely pool.
For details, see easyjet.com/en/holidays.
August Bank Holiday
August 27-30
YOU can enjoy nine days consecutively off work by booking just four days of annual leave after the Bank Holiday Monday on August 26.
What better month to enjoy a New York city break with plenty of time to prepare and relax at home before or after your trip?
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Five nights’ room-only at the Oyo Times Square is from £1,304pp, including flights from Heathrow on August 25.
The newly renovated property is two blocks from Times Square and Broadway.
To book, see tui.co.uk.
For a more exotic city break destination with a difference, how about heading to Marrakesh in Morocco?
Seven nights’ B&B at the Riad Africa is from £549pp, including flights from Gatwick on August 24, and transfers.
Set in the enchanting Medina, the hotel features rooms that are richly decorated with traditional Moroccan furnishings and patterned textiles.
Book at easyjet.com/en/holidays.
And for a traditional favourite, it has to be Majorca.
Enjoy seven nights’ half board at the 4H Hotel Best Delta in Cabo Blanco from £797pp including flights from Leeds Bradford on August 24, and return transfers.
The hotel is in a peaceful location and has a pool and splash park.
To book, see jet2holidays.com.
Christmas & New Year
December 23, 24, 27 & 31
KEEN to get away during the festive season?
Book five days of annual leave and get 12 days off.
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With Christmas Day and Boxing Day falling on a Wednesday and Thursday this year, take December 23, 24, 27, 30 and 31 to make the most of your holiday.
For some pleasant winter sunshine, head to Tunisia.
Seven nights’ all-inclusive at the 3H Occidental Sousse Marhaba is from £712pp, including flights from Manchester on December 27, and coach transfers.
With beautiful pools and activities for families — and a private beach a short stroll away — there is plenty to keep everyone happy. To book, see tui.co.uk.
Or how about enjoying the blue skies and incredible scenery in Madeira?
Seven nights’ self-catering at Porto Santa Maria hotel is from £965pp.
This includes return flights from Leeds Bradford on December 22, and transfers.
The hotel has fabulous views over Funchal, the marina and hills surrounding the capital.
Read more on the Scottish Sun
It is adults-only and promises modern, chic rooms and a lovely pool with day beds.
To book, see jet2holidays.com.
