Copyright birminghammail
Canny holidaymakers in England and Wales can more than double their time off next year by booking strategically around the bank holidays. With the average holiday allowance being just 25 days, it is possible to enjoy 57 days away from work in 2026 - an extra 22 days for free - just by making the most of some clever holiday planning. Thanks to the travel experts at loveholidays , there are plenty of great value breaks to book to fill all those extra days. From city breaks in the Balkans to sunshine hols on the Costa's, booking now could help Brits spend less. To help holidaymakers maximise their travel potential, loveholidays has not only pinpointed the best times to travel, it has also found the most affordable places to visit to make the budget stretch further. The online travel agent analysed its 2026 package holiday data to find the best value bank holiday trips to Europe and beyond. Turning an average annual allowance into something more takes a little planning, but it's not hard to do. Here's how to play it: Starting the year with an adventure, Estonia is a fantastic value-for-money destination and ranks among the top five most affordable spots all year round, according to Love Holidays. This Baltic treasure, where medieval allure comes to life, invites visitors to discover its enchanting towns, historic castles, untouched forests, peaceful lakes and over 2,000 picturesque islands. For around £139 per person for a four-night stay in January, you can kickstart the new year with a short break. Nestled in the heart of the city, wrap up warm and explore Tallinn's UNESCO World Heritage Old Town, where medieval cobblestone streets lead to historic landmarks, traditional Estonian eateries, cafés and boutique shops. Tallinn is often viewed as a more budget-friendly alternative to some of the popular Scandinavian cities like Copenhagen and Oslo. Tui also offers short breaks to the capital city with prices starting from £260. As winter's chill gives way to spring, why not consider Albania for a total game-changer of an Easter holiday? By cleverly turning eight days of annual leave into a 16-day Adriatic adventure , you can explore the stunning Albanian Riviera before the high-season rush, all for an average of £998 per person. During March and April, Albania boasts mild, sunny weather, perfect for lounging on the sandy beaches of the Ionian Coast. It's also an ideal time to explore ancient ruins, vibrant cities and scenic landscapes without the summer crowds. Next on the list is Latvia , where savvy holidaymakers can turn just four days of booked leave into a full nine-day package holiday during the early bank holiday in May. With trips averaging just £340 per person, this is a lot of holiday for your money. Pleasant temperatures are perfect for strolls through the capital city of Riga or lazy days on the beaches of Jūrmala. The shoulder season is also festival season in Latvia, which means plenty of opportunities to enjoy local culture, music and food. For those who fancy a more detailed adventure through Eastern Europe, Regent Holidays offers Balkan Tours that run all year round. Combine the late May bank holiday with four days off, and you'll be treated to nine days of glorious Mediterranean sunshine. Spanish getaways over that period average just £508 per person. The Costa Brava , with its golden sands and quaint medieval towns brimming with sunshine and sangria, offers a more affordable alternative to pricier Spanish destinations like Ibiza or Marbella. With Spain being so popular, there are plenty of other package holidays out there. On The Beach also has a wide range of family-friendly Spanish holidays , including PortAventura World - a huge entertainment complex in Salou. For those seeking a blend of history and adventure, Egypt is an excellent choice towards the end of August. By using just four days of annual leave, you can enjoy a nine-day getaway averaging around £540 per person. Visitors can marvel at the enigmatic pyramids, explore the Valley of the Kings, or embark on a sunset cruise along the Nile. Red Sea resorts provide five-star luxury at a fraction of the cost of similar Mediterranean hotels, complete with sandy beaches, coral reefs, and cocktails. End the year on a high note with a festive break in France . By taking just four days off work, skiers can enjoy ten days of Alpine magic and festive cheer, averaging £774 per person. It's the perfect way to round off the year, with authentic Christmas markets and snow-dusted mountain villages. France boasts some of Europe's top ski resorts, such as Les Trois Vallées and Chamonix , which offer extensive, well-connected slopes, reliable snow conditions, and easy access via short flights from the UK. For dedicated skiers, We Ski offers a range of deals on ski breaks throughout France and beyond, including Val Thorens and Les Deux Alpes. Sun-seekers who have previously travelled with loveholidays have documented their journeys on Trustpilot, awarding the travel operator a 4.3 out of five-star rating from over 232,000 holidaymakers. One reviewer commented: "Best company ever for weekend breaks. Was absolutely brilliant experience from start to finish and will 100% be using again very soon." Another customer remarked: "Great service great prices. One of the best online holiday companies. always use them." With such an extensive collection of reviews, it's hardly surprising that some punters were left wanting more. One observed: "Great and easy to book with.. but this is about the 10th holiday I've booked with you so some sort of loyalty bonus would be a nice touch." Another thrilled traveller posted a five-star evaluation stating: "This is the second or third time we have booked with Love Holidays. We have been very pleased with the whole experience and booking through Love Holidays is so simple and the choice of holidays is amazing."
