LUXE Serendipity magazine

Barcelona-based airline Vueling has revealed the ultimate hack for 2026 annual leave – showing how just 23 days off work can unlock 53 days of holiday across the year, giving Brits more than seven full weeks away.

The term “maxxing” – short for maximising – is all about squeezing the most out of everyday habits. Vueling’s travel team has given it a holiday twist with “Holidaymaxxing” – showing how a few clever calendar moves can turn a handful of annual leave days into full getaways.

Using next year’s public holidays, Vueling’s travel experts have created the Holidaymaxxing Calendar, helping travellers plan smarter by pairing key long weekends with Europe’s best destinations and cultural events.

The best times to Holidaymaxx in 2026

April – 10 days off for 4 leave days

• Bank holidays: Good Friday (3^rd April) & Easter Monday (6^th April)
• Book off: Tuesday 31^st March – Friday 3^rd April (4 days)
• Result: 10 days off (28^th March – 6^th April)

Perfect timing for Holy Week (Semana Santa) in Andalucía, where cities like Seville and Málaga come alive with parades, music and candlelit processions.

Early May – 9 days off for 4 leave days

• Bank holiday: Monday 4^th May
• Book off: Tuesday 5^th – Friday 8^th May (4 days)
• Result: 9 days off (2^nd – 10^th May)

Pair this long weekend with Girona’s Temps de Flors, when the Catalan city turns into a giant flower festival – this is prime early-summer travel time for sunshine and smaller crowds.

Late May – 9 days off for 4 leave days

• Bank holiday: Monday 25^th May
• Book off: Tuesday 26^th – Friday 29^th May (4 days)
• Result: 9 days off (23^rd– 31^st May)

Summer bank holiday – 9 days off for 4 leave days

• Bank holiday: Monday 31^st August
• Book off: Tuesday 1^st – Friday 4^th September (4 days)
• Result: 9 days off (29^th August – 7^th September)

Why not head to Bilbao for Semana Grande, a week of concerts, fireworks and street parties?

Christmas & New Year – 16 days off for 7 leave days

• Holidays: Christmas Day (25^th Dec), Boxing Day observed (28^th Dec), New Year’s Day (1^st Jan 2027)
• Book off: Monday 21^st – Thursday 24^th December & Tuesday 29^th– Thursday 31^st December (7 days)
• Result: 16 days off (19^th December – 3^rd January)

Vueling’s low-cost routes from London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Cardiff, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Birmingham make it easy to turn these moments into reality – offering affordable fares across Spain and Europe’s top cultural destinations.

So, whether it’s a beach escape, a cultural weekend, or a scenic European journey, Vueling’s Holidaymaxxing Calendar will make sure 2026 means more travel, for fewer days off.

Vueling direct destinations

Spain

• A Coruña
• Alicante
• Asturias (Oviedo)
• Barcelona
• Bilbao
• Malaga
• Santiago
• Seville
• Valencia

France

• Paris

Italy  

• Florence