With a bit of strategic thinking, you can effectively maximise your annual leave in 2024, by booking time off around the ten Irish public bank holidays. Doing so gives you longer stretches of time off and hence the chance to get away for longer – great news for all of us, but especially for parents trying to navigate school holidays.
The 2024 Irish bank holiday dates are 1st January, 5th February, 17th March, 1st April, 6th May, 3rd June, 5th August, 28th October, 25th December, and 26th December.
If you book off the 2nd–5th April, you’ll get nine days off for Easter while only using four days of leave. By booking off 7th-10th May, you’ll get nine days off (including weekends).
And if you book 6th–9th August, you can enjoy a week off in summer, while using any remaining balance to book off December 23rd, 24th, 27th, 30th and 31st, so you can maximise your festive break. If you can book off January 2nd and 3rd 2025 as well, even better - you’ll get a full 16-day break!
We’ve put our expert heads together to share some of our favourite destinations for each holiday.
Easter holidays
The Mediterranean is already lovely by Easter, and if you go to Crete, Rhodes, or another Greek destination, you might also get to enjoy some of the Greek Orthodox Easter traditions such as candlelit processions, fireworks, and feasts of spit-roast lamb. Portugal's weather is lovely at Easter, especially the sun-drenched family-friendly Algarve region with its many Blue Flag beaches.
Alternatively, head across the pond to Florida, which is cooler now than in high summer and perfect for everything from theme park days out to wildlife spotting.
May Bank Holiday
By May, the Mediterranean has the weather of summer but without the crowds of high season - we love Sicily, Malta, Greece, Majorca, and Cyprus. The Algarve, again, is a great choice at this time of year before the start of higher summer temperatures.
Alternatively, head over the Atlantic to California with its spring warmth, blue skies, and low rainfall. Cities such as San Francisco and Los Angeles have ideal weather for sightseeing and theme park trips, while national parks such as Yosemite are coming into their own after the snow in the high country has melted.
August Bank Holiday
In summertime, Croatia is a European favourite (especially gorgeous Hvar, which is perfect for sailing holidays), but you might also want to think about East Africa at the heart of its dry season and the best month for safaris. Further still, Bali and the rest of Indonesia are cool, dry, and inviting at this time of year.
In the other direction, the USA with its cooling temperatures and children going back to school spoils you with choice. Hiking in the Colorado mountains or cycling on Cape Cod are just two lovely ideas for things to do. And don’t forget Mexico, which has its low season in August. It’s still enjoyably warm in destinations including the Riviera Maya, with its mix of beach resorts and Mayan ruins.
Christmas
The party-loving Caribbean is a great place to spend the festive season, with dry weather and unique cultural celebrations to tempt you away from those stunning beaches. Or head to South Africa, which is by now in full summer bloom; perfect for beach life, hiking, and exploring national parks – including Kruger.
The Maldives is great for a full-on tropical escape at Christmas while, closer to home, the Canaries (especially Tenerife) are becoming more popular as a festive destination, with weather warm enough for strolling or hiking on the beaches.
To book your 2024 holiday, call your Travel Counsellor today.
Ideal for those looking for an authentic Maldivian feel to their tropical island escape in this gorgeous part of the world, this intimate hideaway of villas on a teardrop-shaped island in the North Malé Atoll offers unique curated experiences as part of its boutique luxury experience.
Sri Lanka is a stunning tropical paradise, where every corner unveils a new treasure waiting to be discovered. Vibrant culture, rich history, and breathtaking landscapes meet to create an enchanting tapestry of wonders. From pristine beaches to lush tea plantations, ancient temples to wildlife-rich national parks, Sri Lanka beckons with a promise of unforgettable experiences and soul-stirring encounters making it a destination like no other.
There are so many great reasons to experience certain destinations in the shoulder seasons – that sweet spot between a region’s peak season and off-season. Think fewer crowds and queues for major attractions, better-value flights and other travel, and a more authentic experience of the destination. We’ve put our heads together to share a few of our favourite places that can be just as good or even better outside of high season.
