Most of us agree that travelling is among the finest experiences you can ever have. The sense of freedom it brings is hard to explain to those that haven't tried it. Added to that the way it opens your mind, the way it gives you perspective and how it changes you forever - maybe you can see now why I love travelling!
But lots of things stand in the way of people travelling: dependents, fear, logistics, financial constraints and so on. But the two hurdles that are mentioned (at least to me) the most are lack of time and money. Money is something we'll discuss here another day, because time is what we're focussing on now! That is why we are here today: to guide you in making the most of your time, strategically blending PTO (paid time off) with public holidays and weekends, so that you can carve out more opportunities to explore!
Safety first, so before we get into how to maximise your time, I want to make a note on this: during your vacation, it's essential to stay safe virtually too. That will allow you to fully enjoy your holiday break without risking your personal or professional information. In fact, cybercriminals often take advantage of holiday periods when people are more relaxed online, targeting activities like online shopping, travel bookings and even work accounts. This is why you should be especially cautious with accounts like your business email, since phishing attempts often increase during holidays. To protect yourself, use strong passwords, avoid public Wi-Fi when possible and always double-check the sender before sending an email!
This list was created with the assumption that you adhere to a Monday-to-Friday work schedule. It is also essential to clarify that there are no national holidays during the months of March, April and August (this is precisely why you won't come across a strategy regarding these periods in the information presented below).
The Importance Of Staying Safe During Your Time Off
Safety first, so before we get into how to maximise your time, I want to make a note on this: during your vacation, it's essential to stay safe virtually too. That will allow you to fully enjoy your holiday break without risking your personal or professional information. In fact, cybercriminals often take advantage of holiday periods when people are more relaxed online, targeting activities like online shopping, travel bookings and even work accounts. This is why you should be especially cautious with accounts like your business email, since phishing attempts often increase during holidays. To protect yourself, use strong passwords, avoid public Wi-Fi when possible and always double-check the sender before sending an email!
Common Public Holidays in the USA
This list was created with the assumption that you adhere to a Monday-to-Friday work schedule. It is also essential to clarify that there are no national holidays during the months of March, April and August (this is precisely why you won't come across a strategy regarding these periods in the information presented below).
So without further ado, here’s the list:
So, if the very first day of the year, January 1st, falls on a Thursday, what could be more natural than requesting Friday the 2nd off and turning it into a long, four-day weekend? And why stop there? You could be bold and extend your time even further by weaving in Martin Luther King Jr. Day, falling on a Monday, together with either Friday the 16th or Tuesday the 20th, creating a stretch of days that feels almost like a mid-winter escape!
As Presidents’ Day falls on Monday, February 16th, the simplest trick is to request Friday the 13th off, giving yourself four days in a row to unwind. Alternatively, if you prefer to stretch the week out on the other side, consider taking Tuesday, the 17th, instead.
When Memorial Day arrives on Monday, May 25th, the opportunity practically writes itself: by taking Friday the 22nd off, you transform the holiday into a four-day weekend at the very start of summer.
- Thursday, January 1st, 2026 - New Year’s Day
- Monday, January 19th, 2026 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Monday, February 16th, 2026 - President’s Day
- Monday, May 25th, 2026 - Memorial Day
- Friday, June 19th, 2026 - Juneteenth
- Saturday, July 4th, 2026 - Independence Day
- Monday, September 7th, 2026 - Labour Day
- Monday, October 12th, 2026 - Indigenous Peoples' Day
- Wednesday, November 11th, 2026 - Veteran’s Day
- Thursday, November 26th, 2026 - Thanksgiving
- Friday, December 25th, 2026 - Christmas Day
Monthly Strategies To Turn Your Vacation Days Into Extended Gateways
January
So, if the very first day of the year, January 1st, falls on a Thursday, what could be more natural than requesting Friday the 2nd off and turning it into a long, four-day weekend? And why stop there? You could be bold and extend your time even further by weaving in Martin Luther King Jr. Day, falling on a Monday, together with either Friday the 16th or Tuesday the 20th, creating a stretch of days that feels almost like a mid-winter escape!
February
As Presidents’ Day falls on Monday, February 16th, the simplest trick is to request Friday the 13th off, giving yourself four days in a row to unwind. Alternatively, if you prefer to stretch the week out on the other side, consider taking Tuesday, the 17th, instead.
May
When Memorial Day arrives on Monday, May 25th, the opportunity practically writes itself: by taking Friday the 22nd off, you transform the holiday into a four-day weekend at the very start of summer.
Or, if you’d rather savour the week’s close, claim Tuesday the 26th instead!
As Juneteenth falls on Friday, June 19th, take Thursday the 18th off, and you instantly create a four-day weekend. It’s a perfect chance to kick off summer early, enjoy a mini getaway, or simply savor a long break without touching the rest of your regular PTO.
As Independence Day falls on Saturday, July 4th, consider taking Friday (the 3rd) off and extending the holiday into a long, leisurely break. Whether it's a family barbecue, a trip to the beach or exploring local events, you can make the most of this extended holiday!
As Labour Day falls on Monday, September 2nd, consider taking the preceding Friday, August 30th, or the following Tuesday, September 3rd off - an ideal moment for a late-summer getaway, right?
As Columbus Day falls on Monday, October 14th, take the preceding Friday, October 11th or the following Tuesday, October 15th, off. You can turn the long weekend into a perfect chance for a fall getaway, a cozy retreat or a few extra days to enjoy the autumn scenery.
As Thanksgiving falls on Wednesday, November 28th, take Thursday (the 29th) and Friday (the 30th) off to extend the holiday into a well-timed break, where you can spend some quality time with the ones you love most.
As Christmas Day falls on a Friday, consider taking Thursday (the 24th) off to create a four-day holiday weekend. This is a great opportunity to embark on holiday journeys, commemorate cherished moments, or simply reflect upon the myriad experiences the year has bestowed upon you with your family.
June
As Juneteenth falls on Friday, June 19th, take Thursday the 18th off, and you instantly create a four-day weekend. It’s a perfect chance to kick off summer early, enjoy a mini getaway, or simply savor a long break without touching the rest of your regular PTO.
July
As Independence Day falls on Saturday, July 4th, consider taking Friday (the 3rd) off and extending the holiday into a long, leisurely break. Whether it's a family barbecue, a trip to the beach or exploring local events, you can make the most of this extended holiday!
September
As Labour Day falls on Monday, September 2nd, consider taking the preceding Friday, August 30th, or the following Tuesday, September 3rd off - an ideal moment for a late-summer getaway, right?
October
As Columbus Day falls on Monday, October 14th, take the preceding Friday, October 11th or the following Tuesday, October 15th, off. You can turn the long weekend into a perfect chance for a fall getaway, a cozy retreat or a few extra days to enjoy the autumn scenery.
November
As Thanksgiving falls on Wednesday, November 28th, take Thursday (the 29th) and Friday (the 30th) off to extend the holiday into a well-timed break, where you can spend some quality time with the ones you love most.
December
As Christmas Day falls on a Friday, consider taking Thursday (the 24th) off to create a four-day holiday weekend. This is a great opportunity to embark on holiday journeys, commemorate cherished moments, or simply reflect upon the myriad experiences the year has bestowed upon you with your family.
