Want To Travel More In 2026? Here's a Smart Holiday Plan To Enjoy Vacations

You do not have to give up on your travelaspirations because you have demanding full-time work.It is totally feasible to fit in several extended holidays and short weekend trips throughout the year with a little planning and forethought. The secret is to make the most of every available leave day, plan, and use public holidays effectively.

Month Leave Strategy For 2026 Holidays

Travelwriter Neha Sudan, who goes by the Instagram handle Breathtaking Postcards, has released her month-by-month leave-planning strategy for 2026 to demonstrate how it may be done.

Despite having full-time corporate positions, she and her partner were able to travel across four continents, visit seven countries, and take more than forty flights in 2025, she disclosed in an Instagram post on January 2.

She attributes their travels to having supportive bosses who value productivity while promoting travel, maintaining discipline at work, and staying on top of duties even when on leave. Here's her advice on how to maximize your time off by strategically scheduling your leaves in 2026.

Here's How To Plan a 2026 Travel Calendar

Here's how to plan the 2026 leave calendar according to month wise

January

There are several well-timed holidays throughout January, including Republic Day on Monday, January 26. Neha plans to finish an easy three-day long weekend at the end of the month with Republic Day, as January 24 and 25 occur on a weekend to travel.

February

Even though February does not have many long weekends, Neha advises slowing down and choosing a cozy staycation in the city with your significant other as the month of love.

March

This year, Holi falls on March 4. If you take time off on March 2 and 3, you may easily extend the festival into a five-day vacation.

April

Neha advises making the most of this year's Good Friday, which falls on April 3, by combining it with the weekend for a simple three-day vacation.

This year's Eid al-Adha falls on a Wednesday, May 27, so taking time off on May 28 and 29 can make it the ideal five-day vacation.

July and June

Neha suggests using the weekends for short trips within and outside the city because June and July do not have any significant holidays.

August

Two holidays fall within the final week of August: Rakhi on Friday, August 28, and Eid-e-Milad on Tuesday, August 25. Neha plans to take leave on August 26 and 27, turning it into a relaxed six-day break.

September

September does not offer any holidays on weekdays, so Neha suggests taking some time out to spend with your family.

October

Vijayadashami is celebrated on Tuesday, October 20, later in the month, whereas Gandhi Jayanti, a national holiday, falls on Friday, October 2, during the first week of October. The first long weekend of October can be used for a three-day excursion because October 3 and 4 are weekends. You will have a four-day break if you go on October 19 because October 17 and 18 are weekends.

November

Guru Nanak Jayanti is on Tuesday, November 24, and Govardhan Puja is on Monday, November 9. You can extend this into a luxurious nine-day break, ideal for a lengthy trip, by taking leave from November 10 to 13.

December

December ends on a high note, with Christmas Day falling on a Friday, December 25. By taking leave from December 28 to 31, you can stretch the holidays into a 10-day break with just four days off work.

So here's how to plan your vacations and holidays for 2026.