Turn your pto into extensive vacations: Guide reveals how to maximize travel time

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Travel Time | unsplash by Eric Prouzet

By Sky Industry News

Jan 16, 2025

Maximizing vacation time in 2025 can transform 15 days of paid time off (PTO) into 55 days of travel, according to a guide released by an unnamed source. The strategy involves planning around holidays and long weekends.

The month-by-month guide suggests specific dates and destinations for each holiday period. For instance, from January 18-21, taking PTO on January 17 allows for a four-day trip leveraging Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Suggested activities include visiting the birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr., Ebenezer Baptist Church, and the Center for Civil and Human Rights.

In February, taking PTO on February 14 offers a four-day getaway over Presidents’ Day weekend, ideal for a romantic trip to California.

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Memorial Day weekend in May is another opportunity; taking PTO on May 23 provides four days to explore Arlington National Cemetery and other memorials.

June offers a chance to celebrate Juneteenth with travel from June 19-22 by using one day of PTO. Recommended activities include visiting the North Carolina Museum of History or exploring state parks.

July's Fourth of July holiday can be extended into a five-day break by taking PTO on July 3. Beachside resorts are suggested as relaxing destinations.

For Labor Day in September, taking PTO on August 29 results in another four-day trip option.

October’s Columbus Day (or Indigenous Peoples’ Day) allows for an autumn escape from October 11-14 with one day of PTO used on October 11. New England towns offer scenic fall foliage during this period.

Veterans Day weekend in November provides another travel opportunity from November 8-11 with one day of PTO taken on November 8.

Thanksgiving week can be extended into nine days by using three days of PTO (November 25-27), offering ample time for family visits or personal getaways.

Finally, combining Christmas and New Year holidays can create a lengthy year-end vacation from December 23-January 4 with just four days of PTO required (December 23,24,30,31).

Travelers are advised to book early due to popular demand during these periods and consider using airline mileage plans for additional savings. A mobile app is recommended as an essential tool for booking flights and managing trips efficiently.