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10 great holiday deals to use up your annual leave

Photo of Chelsea DickensonPhoto of Chelsea Dickenson
By Chelsea Dickenson

7 December 2023 | Updated 22 November 20244 min read

Famous bays and rock formations of Playa de Papagayo Beach in Lanzarote on a sunny, cloudless day

Lanzarote This short-haul hotspot is a great pick for a last-minute trip.

Whether your annual leave renews in the next few weeks or the next few months, it’s a good time to check just how much holiday you have left. More than 60% of Brits don’t use all the annual leave they’re entitled to, and they’re missing out on much-needed opportunities to rest, rejuvenate and reconnect with loved ones.

To stop you missing out too, we’ve found ten great holidays to use up your remaining days before the year is out.

If you have one day of annual leave left

Yellow vintage tram on the street in Lisbon, PortugalYellow vintage tram on the street in Lisbon, Portugal

It’s so easy to lose a day of annual leave to life admin and boxset bingeing. But if you want to make that day really count, it’s more than enough for a short break away – as long as you use your time wisely!

If you’re after a quick luxury escape, I recommend trying to factor in a Sunday night stay as this can make the most of what is often the cheapest night to book at hotels. This deal from Manchester to Lisbon does just that, staying two nights at Dear Lisbon Charming House, a gorgeous small boutique hotel, for just £219pp.

Travelling alone? Well that’s no excuse for not finding a slice of winter sun for yourself. How about a two-night all-inclusive stay at the 4 star Elba Royal VIllage Resort in Lanzarote for only £349pp?! You’ll take an early flight from Liverpool on the Saturday morning and fly home late on the Monday evening, making full use of your time away!

If you have three days of annual leave left

An aerial view of Golden bay beach in Mellieha, MaltaAn aerial view of Golden bay beach in Mellieha, Malta

When you’ve got three days of annual leave left, you’ve got two options: hook it around a weekend to boost your days off or opt for a midweek getaway where your money may go a little further.

If holiday funds are tight, this fabulous four-night weekend stay in Malta for just £147pp is an absolute steal! It includes flights from London Stansted on a Friday at 5:50pm, meaning you could perhaps even swing only taking a half day of annual leave if you lived nearby. Plus, the return sees you back in London for 4:35pm so you won’t be left feeling too tired for work the next day.

Anyone with a bit more cash to spend may fancy this five-star all-inclusive trip to Tenerife for £536pp. Flying from Stansted, you’ll check into the incredibly well-rated H10 Atlantic Sunset for four nights and enjoy huge pools, chic decor and sea views for miles!

If you have five days of annual leave left

El Duque beach in Tenerife on a sunny day with lots of people on the sand and in the seaEl Duque beach in Tenerife on a sunny day with lots of people on the sand and in the sea

Now this is a decent amount of time off! Pair up your five days with a weekend and you’ve got yourself an entire seven days away. But don’t be too tempted to travel Saturday to Saturday – it’s often the most popular time to travel, meaning the price can go up!

As for where to spend that week? How about jetting off from Edinburgh and landing in Barcelona for six nights for £422pp? Yes, there are cheaper deals available for the same dates in December, but Hotel Regina Barcelona has been on my list to visit for ages thanks to its gorgeous interiors. This is what a grown up stay looks like!

Alternatively, if you’ve got the kids in tow, this six-night trip to Tenerife is the perfect pre-Christmas treat – you land back on 23 December! Flying from Edinburgh, this half board deal will set you back £341pp.

Any Scots departing from Glasgow and looking to bag an all-inclusive deal should check out this stunning getaway to the four-star Hotel Las Águilas Tenerife for £429pp.

If you have seven days of annual leave left

Colourful cushions along the benches of a traditional rooftop cafe in Marrakech, which has views of the city's flat-roofed housesColourful cushions along the benches of a traditional rooftop cafe in Marrakech, which has views of the city's flat-roofed houses

If you’ve got an entire week left, then it’s clear you really deserve a break! The good news is that you have a really chunky amount of time, meaning that you can go a little further afield where the weather is at its best.

For example, you could spend nine nights swapping between poolside lounging and exploring the medina in Marrakech this December. For a traditional break, stay at the Riad Dar Nabila for £289pp with flights from Birmingham, or for more of a resort feel, check out this great all-inclusive deal staying at Be Live Experience Marrakech Palmeraie for just £493pp.

Disclaimer, this one may need an extra day off to book, but the reason I’ve opted for 11 nights rather than ten is because it was cheaper to book an extra day! And I think £1,335pp for almost a two-week stay in a five-star, all-inclusive resort in Cancun with direct flights from Gatwick is pretty great value!!

Good luck using up the rest of your annual leave!

*All prices correct as of 22 November 2024. Please note prices can fluctuate daily and may appear differently on provider site for this reason. Deals are subject to the partners' T&Cs.

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