As a remote professional or someone who dreams of traveling more, there is one thing you always want to optimize: your vacation days. With strategic planning, you can make the most of your days off in 2025 and spend more time on what really matters: adventure, relaxation and new experiences. Here are my tips and tricks for getting smart about your vacation days in 2025.
Making the most of the holidays in 2025
In 2025, the Netherlands will have a number of conveniently located holidays that you can combine with vacation days. This is the chance to take longer periods off without using up too many of your days off.
- Easter
Good Friday on April 18 is a day off for some employers. Combine this with Easter Monday on April 21 and you have a long weekend of 4 days to go on a trip with only one vacation day. - Ascension
Ascension Day on May 29 2025 falls on a Thursday. Take Friday, May 30 off and you have a long weekend of 4 days. Around this time the temperature is lovely in many Mediterranean countries, so stick a few more days on and have a wonderful week away. - Pentecost
Pentecost also offers opportunities: Whit Monday on June 9 falls on a Monday, ideal for a mini-break. - Christmas
Christmas in 2025 falls on Thursday, December 25 and Friday, December 26, which is convenient! With three extra vacation days, you can enjoy a full week off through New Year’s Eve. - New Year’s Eve
Next year New Year’s Day falls on Thursday, January 1. If you take Friday, January 2, off with that as well, you can get away for a few days and maybe celebrate the New Year on a nice trip.
Smart combining: on mini vacation
Combining holidays with your vacation days is an easy way to create longer breaks. If you can also work remotely in the process, you can get away for quite a long time without taking a lot of vacation days. This is the ideal workation. Consider this, for example:
- Spring Break: Plan a trip around Ascension and Pentecost. With only five vacation days, you can enjoy 12 days off (May 24-June 4).
- Fall break: Take the week around December 25 and January 1 off. This will create a great winter break of almost 2 weeks with only 4 vacation days.
If you work remotely, you can use your vacation days even smarter. Consider working in an inspiring location for a few days and plan your vacation around that. If so, than you use travel time more efficiently and stay productive while enjoying new surroundings.
Tips for optimal travel time
- Plan early: Many people take advantage of these strategic days. If you wait too long then your colleagues may already be ahead of you. In addition, with traveling, the earlier you book, the cheaper it is. And the more available there is. Book your flights and accommodations well in advance to avoid disappointment.
- Choose destinations with short travel time: For a long weekend, European destinations are ideal. Consider a city break to Barcelona or a relaxing beach break in Portugal.
- Keep time zones in mind: If you work remotely during your trip, choose destinations where the time zone is the same as the Netherlands or where you can easily adjust your working day. This makes it easier to communicate with your colleagues and increases the chances that your supervisor will approve your workation.
Getting as much as possible out of your vacation days in 2025
With a little planning, you can make the most of your vacation days in 2025 and enjoy travel to the fullest. Use the holidays, be smart with your combinations and consider working remote to maximize your adventures. Opportunities abound again next year and the earlier you start planning, the greater your chances.
More inspiration on workation and remote working:
- 5 Ways to get cheaper travel for remote workers
- This is how you can combine traveling and making money
- The requirements of a good workation accommodation
