All Policies Include Coronavirus Cover
Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30
05 January 2017 09:12
The timing of the spring bank holidays should boost travel fans
Holidaymakers have been encouraged to make the most of the fact 2017 boasts a pair of bank holiday weekends just two weeks apart.
This spring will see Good Friday fall on April 14 and the May Day bank holiday land on May 1. That effectively means that workers will be able to take an 18-day break but only use up nine days of their annual leave allowance in the process.
Christmas timing
And there's more good news at the end of the year, thanks to the timing of Christmas. With December 23 and 24 falling on a weekend, workers will be able to take 10 days off between Christmas and New Year but only book off the three days of December 27-29. Although the 2016 festive season has barely finished, it's never too soon to plan ahead.
The spring and Christmas quirks in the 2017 calendar should provide families with plenty of time to venture abroad for a far-flung holiday.
However, whether venturing to Europe or beyond the continent, people should always remember the benefits of travel insurance, which can protect them against things like cancelled flights and medical bills.
'Staycation' opportunities
Closer to home, tourism bosses in the UK are also hoping for a good year.
Patricia Yates, director of national tourism agency VisitBritain, said the 'staycation' trend could also prove popular in the coming 12 months.
She added: "The Easter break and May bank holiday weekend are a chance for people to make the most of their annual leave dates and enjoy a great British holiday whether on a seaside, countryside or city break."
A range of major events are taking place in the spring, which should tempt tourists of all types. For example, there are events marking William Shakespeare's birthday in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, on April 22 and 23.
And there's the Tour de Yorkshire from April 29, which should prove a hit with cycling fans.
17 March 2020
Escape it all with a visit to one of the world's hidden island gems.
[more...]
02 July 2021
It's time for some Mediterranean sun and unforgettable sights. Here are five of our favourite must-sees in Malta.
Take your pick of the best beaches in Portugal, spanning more than 500 miles of the Portuguese coastline.
Holidays are back but not quite as we know them. Here's a quick guide to what to expect when travelling to and from green list countries.
28 February 2020
From tulip-filled trips to rose-tinged rests, these destinations are the perfect way to see in the new season.
04 January 2021
Join us on a journey to Ancient Greece to discover more about history's most revered statue.
Head north for a light show like no other. Discover how you can see the Northern Lights for yourself.
Discover more about the magnificent waterfall perched on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe.
10 December 2020
Don't sleep on the world's most impressive dormant volcano.
A destination that stands head and shoulders above the rest.
19 November 2020
Take a tour of one of South America's most captivating natural landscapes.
Discover the hidden depths of the world's most recognisable desert gorge.