How to Maximise Your Annual Leave in the UK (And Where to Go)

If you work a 9–5 in the UK, annual leave can feel very limited.

Between work, life, and everything else, it’s easy to assume that meaningful travel is only possible if you take long chunks of time off - or even quit your job entirely.

But after years of fitting travel around full‑time work, I’ve learned that how you use your annual leave matters far more than how much you have.

This post breaks down:

• the best times to book annual leave around UK bank holidays

• how to turn a few days off into a proper trip

• where to go when time is limited

  
  

All without burning through that holiday allowance.

How This Works

The key is stacking:

• bank holidays

• weekends

• and a small number of annual leave days

  
  

This allows you to create:

• long weekends

• 5–9 day breaks

• or short trips that actually feel worth it

Below are the best opportunities throughout the year, plus destination ideas that work well for each.

Spring: Long Weekends Without Using Much Leave

Best Strategy

Use spring bank holidays to create 4–9 day breaks with minimal leave.

Typical setup:

• Take 4 days off

• Get 9 days away

  
  

Where to Go (Spring‑Friendly)

These places shine in shoulder season:

• Rome – fewer crowds, ideal walking weather

• Lisbon – great value, sunny but not intense

• Seville – perfect before summer heat

• Amsterdam – tulip season & long weekends

💡 Spring is ideal for cities where summer crowds can feel overwhelming.

Early Summer: Make the Most of Longer Days

Best Strategy

Use a single bank holiday to:

• take 3–4 days off

• create a 5–7 day trip

Perfect if you don’t want to commit to a full week away.

Where to Go

• Greek islands (early season = better prices)

• Barcelona – beach + city in one

• Dubrovnik – before peak cruise season

• Malta – compact, easy for shorter stays

💡This is a great time for:

• relaxed itineraries

• slow mornings

• less pressure to see/do it all

  
  

Late Summer: Peak Time, Smart Choices

Best Strategy

Late summer is busy, so focus on:

• destinations close to home

• places with easy transport

• cities you can enjoy in 3–4 days

Where to Go

• Paris – easy long weekend

• Copenhagen – compact and walkable

• Edinburgh – no flights needed

• Lake Como – ideal for a slower pace

💡 This is where good planning matters most — book accommodation early and keep itineraries simple.

Autumn: The Underrated Sweet Spot

Autumn is one of the best times to travel with a 9–5.

Best Strategy

• Use a few days of leave for quieter, better‑value trips

• Aim for culture‑heavy or food‑focused destinations

Where to Go

• Florence – less crowded, perfect walking weather

• Budapest – affordable, great food scene

• Marrakech – warm but manageable

• Berlin – ideal for long weekends

💡Autumn trips tend to feel:

• calmer

• less rushed

• more intentional

Winter: Save Leave, Still Travel

Best Strategy

Use winter bank holidays for:

• festive breaks

• cosy city trips

• or warm escapes without using loads of leave

Where to Go

• Vienna or Prague – Christmas markets

• New York – magical but intense (short trips work best)

• Canary Islands – sunshine without long flights

• Iceland – perfect for 3–4 day itineraries

How I Decide If a Trip Is “Worth It”

Before booking, I ask:

• Can I get there in under 4 hours?

• Will I feel rested or exhausted coming back?

• Is this a destination I can enjoy without rushing?

Not every place is suited to short trips — and that’s okay.

If you want help planning trips like this, I’ll be sharing:

• weekend itineraries

• annual leave strategies

• and destination ideas designed for 9–5 schedules

Follow along on Instagram for more inspiration! ✈️