photobyphotoboy / Depositphotos.com
If you’ve still got some PTO sitting in the bank after Labor Day, you’re already ahead of the game. While plenty of Americans used the holiday weekend for one last summer getaway, many workers are now looking for the smartest way to stretch their remaining vacation days. However, looking ahead to next year, the NY Post recently posted an article breaking down how to get the most out of your vacation and federal holidays for 2027.
According to Claire Tobin, CEO of luxury adventure travel company Wild Frontiers, the secret isn’t just booking trips early—it’s planning your vacations around the calendar.
“The smartest part of planning early is not simply securing flights,” Tobin says. “It is looking at the calendar before using a single vacation day.”
Her strategy is simple: take advantage of federal holidays. By adding just one vacation day to a long holiday weekend, you can often turn it into a four-day break. Combine several holidays with strategically placed PTO throughout the year, and those vacation days can add up fast.
For workers fortunate enough to receive 24 days of paid time off in 2027, Tobin says it’s possible to stretch that into as many as 55 days away from work with careful planning.
The advice comes as interest in vacation planning is on the rise. Tobin says Google searches for “next federal holiday” have jumped nearly 900% as summer winds down, showing that plenty of people are already thinking about their next escape.
Whether you’re dreaming of relaxing on a Caribbean beach, taking a Mediterranean cruise, or spending extra time exploring Europe, Tobin says the first step isn’t booking a flight—it’s pulling up the calendar. A little planning now could mean a whole lot more time away from the office next year.
Here’s how to make the most of your PTO next year by combining it with holidays:
- MLK Day — January 18th + January 19th-22nd (4 days PTO) plus weekends = 9 days
- Presidents Day — February 15th + February 16th-19th (4 days PTO) plus weekends = 9 days
- Memorial Day — May 31st + June 1st-4th (4 days PTO) plus weekends = 9 days
- Juneteenth — June 18th + June 14th-17th (4 days PTO) plus weekends = 9 days
- July 4th — July 5th (observed) + July 6th-9th (4 days PTO) plus weekends = 9 days
- Labor Day — September 6th + September 7th-10th (4 days PTO) plus weekends = 9 days
- Columbus Day — October 11th + October 12th-15th (4 days PTO) plus weekends = 9 days
- Veterans Day — November 11th + November 8th-10th, 12th (4 days PTO) plus weekends = 9 days
- Thanksgiving — November 25th + November 22nd-24th, 26th (4 days PTO) plus weekends = 9 days
- Christmas/New Year’s — December 25th + January 1st + December 27th-30th (4 days PTO) plus weekends = 10 days
TOTAL: 55 days
