Travel Hack: Turn 23 Vacation Days Into 56 Days Off In 2023

Plan ahead and block your calendars! With a little scheduling around public holidays and long weekends, you can double your paid time off in 2023.

Here’s how to maximize your time off for extra beach vacations, exploring all Canada has to offer, and escapes to a new or favourite city.

Since Christmas Day falls on a Sunday this year and Boxing Day is on a Monday, most people are entitled to take the Monday and Tuesday off. New Year’s Day is also on a Sunday, and that means you can enjoy a full ten days of relaxation in a sunny destination, fly out and visit friends, or ring in the new year somewhere special just by booking off three key days. With the kids off from school, this is one of your best opportunities to book some quality family time.

Vacation from:

• Saturday December 24 – Monday January 2

Book off these dates:

• Wednesday December 28
• Thursday December 29
• Friday December 30

If you live and work in Ontario, BC, Alberta, New Brunswick, or Saskatchewan, you can enjoy a mini-warm up vacation 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.

Vacation from:

• Friday February 17 – Monday February 20

Book off these dates:

• Friday February 17

Hey, couples! Skip the madness of March break and get ahead of the college kids’ post-exam trips with an extended Easter escape. An early April trip to the Caribbean offers shoulder season prices, fewer crowds, and ever-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.

Vacation from:

• Saturday April 1 – Sunday April 9

Book off these dates:

• Monday April 3
• Tuesday April 4
• Wednesday April 5
• Thursday April 6

Spring has officially sprung, and warmer days are right around the corner. Now’s your chance to get a jump on popular Canadian destinations before the tourism season kicks into full gear. An extended Victoria Day getaway is the perfect time to catch a flight to Vancouver, Montréal, Toronto, Calgary, or Halifax, and explore the True North however you please.

Vacation from

• Saturday May 20- Sunday May 28

Book off these dates:

• Tuesday May 23
• Wednesday May 24
• Thursday May 25
• Friday May 26

It’s the best time of year for a family vacation. Celebrate the end of the school year and the beginning of summer holidays 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 Europe, New Zealand, or Costa Rica (with a rest day on either side so you can come back to work feeling refreshed).

Vacation from:

• Saturday June 24- Sunday July 9

Book off these dates:

• Monday June 26
• Tuesday June 27
• Wednesday June 28
• Thursday June 29
• Friday June 30
• Tuesday July 4
• Wednesday July 5
• Thursday July 6
• Friday July 7

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 fishing trip, hiking spree, golf tournament, concert, or food festival. With any luck, you can catch a back-to-school flight deal and save on cash and paid time off.

Vacation from:

• Friday September 1 – Monday September 4

Book off this date:

• Friday September 1

Feel even more grateful over the Thanksgiving weekend, with an extra day or two off! Fill up on turkey and travel memories, it’ll be a while before the next public holiday in December! Use the opportunity to book a visit with 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.

Vacation from:

• Friday October 6th – Monday October 9th

Book off these dates:

• Friday October 6th