Travel Hack: Turn 22 Vacation Days Into 56 Days Off In 2022

Mark your calendars! With a little planning around public holidays and long weekends, you can more than double your paid time off in 2022.

Here’s how to maximize your vacation time for extra beach days, Canadian getaways, and city escapes.

Since both Christmas Day and Boxing Day fall on the weekend this year, most people are entitled to take the Monday and Tuesday off. That means you can enjoy a full ten days of bliss in a sunny destination, fly out and visit the cousins, or ring in the new year somewhere special (without having to rush there and back) just by booking off three key days. With the kids off from school, this is one of your best opportunities to book some family quality time.

Holiday from:

• Saturday December 25 – Monday January 3

Book off these dates:

• Wednesday December 29
• Thursday December 30
• Friday December 31

If you live and work in Ontario, BC, Alberta, New Brunswick, or Saskatchewan, you can enjoy a mini-cation right when winter is at its most bitter. Tack on a Friday to the Family Day long weekend and book a cheap flight to Florida, Los Angeles, Phoenix, or Vegas for some much-needed heat.

Holiday from:

• Friday February 18 – Monday February 21

Book off these dates:

• Friday February 18

Hey, couples! Skip the madness of March break and get ahead of the college kids’ post-exam trips with an extended Easter escape. A late spring trip to the Caribbean offers shoulder season prices, fewer crowds, and every-so slightly cooler weather (and by that we mean 26-30 degrees instead of 30+). Plus, with hurricane season not starting for another few months, it’s really one of the best times to go.

Holiday from:

• Saturday April 9 – Sunday April 17

Book off these dates:

• Monday April 11
• Tuesday April 12
• Wednesday April 13
• Thursday April 14

Spring has officially sprung, and warmer days are straight ahead. Now’s your chance to get a jump on Canadian favourites before the season kicks into full gear. An extended Victoria Day getaway is the perfect time to catch a flight to Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, or Quebec City and explore the True North however you please.

Holiday from

• Saturday May 21- Sunday May 29

Book off these dates:

• Tuesday May 24
• Wednesday May 25
• Thursday May 26
• Friday May 27

It’s the best time of year for family holidays. Trade those pencils for passports over the Canada Day weekend! If you’ve been saving up your vacation time for something extra special, this is it. Treat yourselves to a two-week getaway in Italy, France, or Greece (with a rest day on either side so you can come back to work feeling refreshed).

Holiday from:

• Saturday June 25- Sunday July 10

Book off these dates:

• Monday June 27
• Tuesday June 28
• Wednesday June 29
• Thursday June 30
• Monday July 4
• Tuesday July 5
• Wednesday July 6
• Thursday July 7
• Friday July 8

A quick break from the routine is often all you need. Take care of that travel craving with an extended labour day weekend to close out the summer. It’s the perfect time for one more golfing trip, one more yoga retreat, one more foodie extravaganza, one more hiking spree. With any luck, you can catch a back-to-school flight deal and save on cash and paid time off.

Holiday from:

• Friday September 2 – Monday September 5

Book off this date:

• Friday September 2

There’s something about the Thanksgiving weekend that makes it feel just a little bit too short. It could be the turkey talking, but we think you might as well stretch things out with an extra day or two. Especially since it’ll be a while before the next public holiday in December! Use the opportunity to book a visit with the side of the family you don’t usually get to see, a fun night in a Canadian capital, or some local tours that you’ve always had your eye on.

Holiday from:

• Friday October 7th – Monday October 10th

Book off these dates:

• Friday October 7th