At the beginning of 2026, a number of regions in the UK saw their wettest January on record, including Cornwall and County Down. It stands to reason, then, that many of us Brits seek warmer climes at that time of year, chasing a bit of winter sun to keep the blues at bay (and our tans topped up), and make the most of our annual leave.
Thankfully, due to the calendar next year, 2027 not only brings with it an extra few days off – it also provides the perfect opportunity to take a longer trip. Why? Well, because Christmas Day and Boxing Day fall on a weekend in 2027, we all get to enjoy two ‘substitute’ bank holidays on 27 and 28 December.
But that’s not the end of the good news: as 1 January also falls on a Saturday, the bank holiday will officially be observed on Monday 3 January 2028.
So, if you’re smart and get your annual leave request in early, you could enjoy 10 days off from 25 December to 3 January – and use just two days’ holiday.
If your annual leave allowance resets in the New Year, you could also tack on some extra days to the end of the period, and go on an even longer voyage, but either way, 10 days is a pretty decent chunk of time to get some much-needed respite and downtime.
The best destinations for a 10-day trip
1. Japan
Although Japan spans some 377,976 square kilometres, it’s the perfect place to explore in 10 days, thanks to the country’s high-speed bullet train.
Start your trip in the capital of Tokyo, head south to Kyoto and Osaka, feed some (bowing) deer in Nara, hit the ski slopes in Honshu or explore the Hokuriku Coast – just make sure you read Tokyo Halfie’s essential travel guide for Japan before you go.
2. India
10 days is also the ideal amount of time to travel India’s Golden Triangle – and beyond. Begin your journey in Delhi and visit the Taj Mahal monument in Agra, before heading to the historic “Pink City” of Jaipur. From there, you could head west to the bustling city of Mumbai, on to the pristine beaches of Goa and the backwaters of Kerala. What’s more, December/January is the perfect time to visit, as you’ll avoid the rainy season and temperatures are much milder and more comfortable.
