Photo: Contiki
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It’s not even 2026 yet but you may already be dreaming about all the vacations you want to take next year. We get it and honestly, same! We’re constantly chasing that travel high, and we firmly believe that everyone should as well. So, here’s how to make the most of your PTO in 2026 by utilizing all those glorious federal holidays!
We’ve taken the example of 10 PTO days and done all the calculations for you and recommended some ways for you to max out your vacations and totally relax.
May – Memorial Day
Memorial Day falls on May 25th, just when spring is coming to an end and the summer season begins. Best time to take a week off work and relax, no? Take 4 days of PTO between the 26th to the 29th to bag yourself a stunning 9 day vacation! Now, here’s where to go.
If you want to stick close to home and visit the neighbors up north, Eastern Canada Adventure will give you a breath of fresh air with plenty of mountains and lakes and all the friendly folk. Or, if you’d like to get away from the Americas and over to glitzy Europe, why not book yourself some Croatia Island Sailing? Sun, sparkling ocean, and a boat all for you and your Contiki crew to luxuriate on after hours of cultural exploration along the Dalmatian Coast.
Need more inspo? We’ve got a Memorial Day destinations guide for you!
Image source:Contiki
July – Fourth of July
Next up, with the summer in full swing, is the Fourth of July! It falls on a Saturday in 2026, so you’ll get July 3rd off from work as a substitute, but the fun stays the same. If you really want to make the most of this epic celebration – fireworks everyday, anyone? Take the following days off:
June 29th to July 2nd
Where should you spend the week? On a Balkans Escape, of course. It’s Europe like you’ve never seen it before with some medieval vibes, ruin bars, coasts, rivers, beaches and national parks.
If you want a more classic side to Europe, a sure-fire crowd pleaser, you can’t go wrong with the Italian Escape. Art, history, pasta and pizza; that should be enough to sell you, right?
Or, really push the boat out and make all your friends jealous with the jaw-dropping insta stories to come by heading over to Peru for the Ultimate Inca Trail. This ain’t for the faint-of-heart as there will be plenty of walking, but you just can’t beat those Machu Picchu views.
November – Thanksgiving
With 2 days of PTO left to take, why not extend your Thanksgiving break just a little longer? You can spend that extra time at home with your loved ones, preparing yourself mentally for all the amazing food you’re about to eat. Or, if you’re tired of turkey, why not visit England for a classic British roast? The London Explorer gives you three days to sample the best pubs in the city so you can start a fun local competition (and head back home when things get heated).
Perhaps you want to have the whole of Thanksgiving week off (by stealing a day of PTO from the other federal days above), and see more of Europe on the London to Vienna Trail! Lots of elaborate dinners to try here, too…
Or, go completely different, with Nomadic Namibia! Hot weather and desert nights, starry skies and unique wildlife. It’s not stuffing and cranberry sauce, but it could be even better.
Image source:Contiki
Other federal holidays
We’ve selected the above federal holidays to spend your 10 days of PTO on, but there are a lot more free days off in the year which you can mix and match to your preferences. So, here’s a quick run down for the rest of them:
New Year’s Day – Thursday January 1st
Take the 2nd off and have a 4-day weekend!
Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Monday January 19th
Take the 20th to the 23rd off for 9 days away to Thai Island Hopper East or Ireland in a Week.
President’s Day – Monday February 16th
Take the 17th to the 20th off for 9 days away and maybe extend your Valentine’s plans? Head to Tanzania Safari or Philippines Island Hopping West.
Image source:Contiki
Juneteenth – Friday June 19th
Take the 15th to the 18th off for 9 days, or, combine it with our suggested Fourth of July dates off by taking off the 22nd to the 26th for 17 days off!
Head to Viva Costa Rica or Iceland Fire and Ice for the 9 days OR Vietnam Experience, USA National Parks Road Trip, or Greek Island Hopping for the 17 days!
Labor Day – Monday September 7th
Take the 8th to the 11th off for 9 days and get yourself to the Portugal Highlights or Barcelona to Rome Quest.
