There’s an unfortunate irony when it comes to travel: To afford the vacation of your dreams, you most likely need to spend quite a lot of time working. Of course, that same steady job that makes travel financially feasible means it’s hard to find time to make your next getaway.
Jenna Zeh, a travel content creator and an independent travel agent working with Vincent Vacations, says she’s developed a strategic schedule to turn your 15 days of paid time off (PTO) into 55 days of travel. In a TikTok post that garnered over 1.8 million views, Zeh identified 10 opportunities to combine PTO with official federal holidays scattered throughout the calendar year.
Though most businesses observe these holidays as paid days off, commenters were quick to note that not all employers honor the federal holiday schedule. Others pointed out that many employers restrict when employees can request time off, specifically barring them from taking additional time off around the holidays.
Still, those with big travel dreams may be able to make them happen by following Zeh’s advice (one commenter went so far as to say that the post could single-handedly save her long-distance relationship). Ready to plan out your itinerary for 2025? Read on to find out how you can turn 15 days of paid time off into 55 vacation days in the new year.
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January
ShutterstockComing down from the holiday festivities, many people overlook January as a time to travel. However, Zeh says that because Martin Luther King Day falls on Monday, January 20, you can take a fun four-day weekend from January 18 to 21 using just one day of added PTO on Tuesday, the 21st.
February
ShutterstockFebruary offers another opportunity to escape the workday—and a getaway could be just what you need if you live in a cold climate. President’s Day falls on Monday, February 17, meaning that by taking just one additional day of PTO, you can enjoy another four-day weekend (romantic Valentine's Day, anyone?) from February 14 to 17.
March and April
ShutterstockUnfortunately, there are no federal holidays in March and April. Buckle down and consider saving that PTO for future travel!
May
ShutterstockSpring is a popular time to travel, with idyllic weather and fewer crowds than in the summer months. Zeh recommends taking a single day of PTO on May 23, enabling you to hit the open road for four days from May 23 to 26 (the latter being Memorial Day).
June
ShutterstockJuneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in America, and though many people have been celebrating it since 1865, it only became a federal holiday in 2021. Zeh says that because the holiday falls on Friday, June 19, you can turn it into a four-day weekend by taking off one extra day on June 22.
July
ShutterstockIndependence Day famously falls on the 4th of July, which happens to be a Friday in 2025. Zeh suggests taking off Monday, July 7, to keep the cookout going.
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August and September
ShutterstockLabor Day was created to commemorate the achievements of the American worker—and what better way to honor your many contributions throughout the rest of the year than by unplugging completely and finally getting some rest? The holiday falls on Monday, September 1, and Zeh says that you can make the most of the long weekend by taking off September 2 as well.
October
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October is also ideal for a long weekend—just enough time away from your desk to take in the splendor of changing seasons. Columbus Day, now known widely as Indigenous People’s Day, will fall on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, meaning you can enjoy four days of travel by taking a single day of PTO on October 14.
November
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Thanksgiving is on Nov. 27, 2025, and most businesses give their employees the 27th and 28th off. By adding three days of PTO on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of that week, you’ll be able to enjoy 9 days of travel from Saturday, November 22 to Sunday, November 30.
December
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Many employers give time off around the December holidays, which include Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and New Year's. In 2025, Zeh advises taking four days of PTO between December 23 and January 4, letting you enjoy a total of 13 days of travel time. Bon voyage!
