When is too early to start planning holidays

map with hands pointing to locations, props like plane, camera, and tickets

Plan Holidays early for extra joy

My daughter began planning her Christmas back in October. Watching Christmas movies and crafting her wish lists. A little early I point out, she points out the longer the build up the greater the anticipation and excitement. This sparked a thought - the same goes for holidays.

The earlier I begin to plan my holidays the more time to research trips, places to eat, and my itinerary, plus i get longer for hte excitement to build without any of the stress. Holidays are so prescious for so many of us, and adding the special touches with a meal in a great restaurant, or try new cuisines. Securing unforgettable experiences and add those special touches. Book a little extra for a memorable celebration, or an epic adventure. Prepping early for your holibobs, is the secret to extending holiday joy.

wooden plaque painted green with 42 days written in yellow

How many holidays is enough?

We've discovered the most favoured period between breaks is about 6 weeks. 42 days to be precise - The answer to life, the universe and everything (according to Douglas Adams - Hitch-hiker's guide to the galaxy).

Its no mistake that this break between work, matches that of schools and the academic year. So we are pretty hard wired into expecting a break after a 6 week stretch of hard graft.

It can be so easy to just keep going, and before you know it, 6 months have flown by and you have had no time off!

Our top tips on planning your holiday calendar

Try dividing your year up into 'half terms'. Book time for your bigger holiday and then work out from there other critical important dates in the year for you and your family- these may include festive or national holidays, special celebration dates like birthdays and anniversaries. Then, work out six week gaps between these. They may fit with some of your dates, but more often than not family holidays can clump together creating heavier months for celebrations than others. SO be sure to create dates throughout the year so you don;t get one bit hit of holidays and then extended fallow periods.

For a bit of inspiration, gather ideas from your travelling group, this might be your children or other family members. It may be the friends you are travelling with or just your partner. Make a little list of activities and experiences, destinations and reason for the break. You can use this to jog your memory of ideas when you come to book and search for trips.

Some of the top drivers for a holidays are below. This might give you a starting point for your search, and help to decided where to start.

Rest and relaxation,
Celebration,
Adventure and exploration,
History and culture or
Visiting family and friends

Not all your trips will be epic, but they can all serve the purpose you are looking for. From a desire for an unusual experience to trying something new, or just chilling. Once you have this nailed, it will be far easier to build your perfect stay. Adding extras and researching experiences to make your stay super special.

calendar with crossed out days and pin for day off

Top tips for using your holiday

Some of the top drivers for a holidays are below. This might give you a starting point for your search, and help to decided where to start.

Rest and relaxation,
Celebration,
Adventure and exploration,
History and culture or
Visiting family and friends

If you are looking for present ideas, why not book an experience to incorporate into your stay - from surfing lessons to pottery, 4x4 off road experience to jewellery making. There are so many options out there. For out door adventures add a tour like a guided walk or paddleboarding tour, maybe learn a new sport like an introduction to clay shooting or Archery. The options are endless.

calendar with pop up pictures detailing booked trips and experiences

Holiday Allocation- Use it or lose it

So it turns out 61% of us don't use all our holiday entitlement. This decision is driven by work pressure, lack of organisation and the lure of being paid for unused days.

It seems rather sad that on the days we get paid to have time off, we still work them. By organising your holiday year ahead - deciding on 'non-negotiable' trips and 'open to ideas' will you woirk out what you can get on. book and which you are searching for inspiration still.

Get smart on making your holiday allocation work for you. Tag on an extra day to weekends or a bank holiday. Book a lovely cottage or hotel when visiting family to make an occasion out of the trip or book a night away with that amazing foodie experience at a much sought after restaurant you've been dying to try. This way you'll be amazed just how quickly you'll get to regular breaks away.

Think about combining fun tips with things you have to do. Like a Christmas or a foodie market with ticking off shopping lists. Or interior shops and reclamation yard visits to source for that home project you are working on.

Get ahead of the competition

Getting ahead means you don't miss out to colleagues on your preferred dates. If you are holidaying with others, or have children with different school breaks it can all mean planning ahead can be a real game changer to ensure you get the dates you want.

Experiences for life

So many people are preferring experiences as presents these days and there are so many amazing experiences you can buy now. But they can book up fast, and finding the best workshops can take time.

If you are looking for present ideas, adding an experience to your stay - from surfing lessons to throwing a pot, 4x4 off road experience to jewellery making. There are so many options out there.

Maybe you are looking for adventure, like trying a new sport such as paddle boarding, Archery or shooting. Maybe book a guided walk or a cycle ride tour. The options are endless.