tips for taking vacation days off, lots of vacation, which days off 2026
26 Januari 2026
26 Januari 2026

These are the days you want to take off in 2026 to make the most of your vacation days

This article is for everyone with wanderlust! And a steady job. Or for anyone with wanderlust and a partner or bestie with a steady job who loves to travel as often as possible. Because if you love to travel and are bound by vacation days and public holidays, you naturally want to make the most of it. And that's a challenge every year.

How do you ensure you have as much time off as possible, maximize your vacation days, and thus travel more often and for longer? To answer this question, we consulted the 2026 calendar, looked at the official vacation days, and which days you (if you have a good boss) are likely to get off (we'll call them non-statutory vacation days).

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𝗔 𝗯𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝗳𝗲́ 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗺𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗺 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆? @eetcafe_de_reiger is the spot to remember. Cozy, casual, and a seasonal menu. This one was on my list to share for a year and finally it's (almost) asparagus season again! 🤤 Another plus? Prices are very reasonable here! 📍 Eetcafé de Reiger Jordaan, Amsterdam City Center Save this spot for when you're craving warm Dutch traditional dishes in the heart of Amsterdam. And did you hear the same team took over Eetcafé van Beeren? I can't wait to go there too! ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck
A grandma's cookbook. Three Michelin stars. And a beautiful 70s villa in a quiet neighborhood in Bangkok, where you are welcomed as if you were at the chefs' home. The Sühring brothers don't cook based on trends; they cook based on memories. Of their grandmother's farm, of the flavors of their youth in Germany, and of techniques passed down through generations. @relaischateaux invited me to experience Sühring during a solo lunch, and this is truly my ultimate definition of culinary self-care. This was a surprising afternoon in Bangkok, where I ate the best German food I have ever tasted. And that in a city where I normally avoid European restaurants. Well, for @restaurant_suhring, you really want to make that exception. Signature dishes that I still think back to regularly? 🍴 Labskaus with caviar 🍴 Enleta waffle with Pfalz vinegar 🍴 Game pâté 🍴 Dry-aged Duck TIP: When you go to Sühring, reserve seats at the kitchen bar so you have a view of the chefs at work! Follow @yourlbb for more tips you can trust. ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck #prinvited #bangkok #michelin #relaischateaux In this reels, I take you along for fine dining in Bangkok at the three-Michelin-starred restaurant Sühring.
This is one of the best free outings in the spring! Did you know that you can gather (or pick, for the connoisseurs 😉) oysters yourself at various locations in the Netherlands? I’m in Zeeland for a bit this weekend, and if we can make it, we’ll go again. 📍In this video, I show you where you can fill your bucket. Comment *oester* for the comprehensive guide with all the details about all 8 locations + handy tips and rules. Important to know: – Max. 10 kilos per person (≈ 1 bucket) – For personal use only – Do not scoop or scrape the seabed – Go at low tide Handy things to bring: Bucket, screwdriver, boots, work gloves, tea towel, clean clothes, and garbage bags (for the oysters *and* dirty clothes). And of course: bring an oyster knife, lemon, and champagne too 🍋🥂 Because you’ll want to taste something right away, won’t you! The oyster season runs from September to about April / early May, so now that the water isn't so cold, this is the perfect outing. In the full guide, I share exactly where you can easily find them, without much effort. Comment oyster and I'll send it to you right away! Who do you want to go oyster gathering with soon? ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck
𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 These are those few magical weeks each year when the city suddenly feels different. Everything is in bloom and all you want to do is be outside. Coffee to-go in hand, and just head out as soon as the sun shows up. 📍 Bloesempark – Amsterdamse Bos (the classic, yes it gets busy, but totally worth it) 📍 Rijksmuseum 📍 Fruit Garden of West 📍 Westerpark 📍 Jozef Israëlskade 📍 WG site 📍 Nelson Mandelapark 📍 Bos en Lommerplantsoen 📍Amstelpark By mid-April most of the sakura will already be gone, so if you want to catch it: this is your moment. I'll definitely be doing a few more rounds before it's over. ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck _______________________________________________ 🌸 Discover the best places to spot cherry blossom in Amsterdam and enjoy the sakura in full bloom. 🌸
3 x home that has the ultimate green space. Not too big, everything within walking distance, but plenty of nice hotspots!! These services (and what clothing) are in the Netherlands 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘃𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗶𝗿𝗹𝘀 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗽 𝗱𝗲𝘇𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲! I have massive spring fever, so it's time for a mini-escape: everything is within walking distance, there are lovely coffee shops, boutiques for shopping, and enough gems to discover in 48 hours ✨ Which city is at the top of your list for a spring getaway? Let me know in the comments & save for your next girls' trip. 🖤 ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck
This is your sign to plan your next weekend brunch with friends in Amsterdam 👀 @ottolenghi_amsterdam is officially open and the new go-to hotspot for flavors of the Levant. Open from breakfast to dinner and I can't wait to go back for a lazy weekend brunch with a table full of dishes and good conversations. Save this one to your Amsterdam Little Black Book 📓! 🖊️ @anne_de_buck ____________________________ Ottolenghi Amsterdam is a new all-day restaurant near Museum Square by chef and entrepreneur @ottolenghi in @mo_hotels @conservatoriumhotel.

These are the days you want to take off in 2026 to travel as much as possible

In 2026, several holidays fall favorably in the Netherlands, allowing you to create a significant amount of free time by using your vacation days wisely. With 25 vacation days, you can have more than seven weeks off this year. That means three longer vacations and one shorter trip, totaling 52 days off. And the best part is: this is just one of the possible combinations. Below, we share our favorite scenarios for strategically using your vacation days in 2026. Bon voyage!

Long holiday 1: 16 days for 8 days of holiday

  • Public holidays: Good Friday (April 3, note: not at every company) and Easter (April 5 & 6).
  • Taking vacation days: March 30th to April 2nd & April 7th to 10th.
  • Number of vacation days required: 8.
  • Total free time: March 28th to April 12th (16 days).

Long holiday 2: 16 days off with 8 vacation days

  • Public holidays: King's Day (27 April) and Liberation Day (5 May).
  • Take vacation days: April 28 to May 1, May 4 & May 6 to 8.
  • Number of vacation days required: 8.
  • Total free time: April 25 to May 10 (16 days)

Long (Christmas) holiday 3: 16 days off with 8 vacation days

  • Holidays: Christmas (25 & 26 December) & New Year's Day (1 January 2027).
  • Taking vacation days: December 21st to 24th & December 28th to 31st.
  • Number of vacation days required: 8.
  • Total free time: December 21 to January 3, 2027 (16 days).

Short trip 1: 10 days for 4 days of vacation

  • Public holidays: Good Friday (April 3, note: not at every company) and Easter (April 5 & 6).
  • Taking vacation days: Monday, March 30th through Thursday, April 2nd.
  • Number of vacation days required: 4.
  • Total free time: March 28th to April 6th (10 days).

Short trip 2: 4 days off with 1 day off

  • Public holidays: Ascension Day (14 May).
  • Take vacation days: May 15th.
  • Number of vacation days required: 1.
  • Total free time: May 14th to 17th (4 days).

Short trip 2: 4 days off with 1 day off

  • Public holidays: Pentecost (Sunday 24 May, & Monday 25 May).
  • Take vacation days: May 22 or 26.
  • Number of vacation days required: 1.
  • Total free time: May 22-25 or May 23-26 (4 days).

As you can see, you can plan quite a few short and longer trips and make the most of your free time. So: where will your wanderlust take you in 2026? The anticipation can already begin.

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Just to give you an overview: these are the public holidays and public holidays in 2026:

  1. New Year's Day – Thursday, January 1, 2026
  2. Good Friday – Vdriving day April 3, 2026
  3. Easter (Easter Sunday and Easter Monday) – ZSunday, April 5 and Monday, April 6, 2026
  4. Liberation Day – DTuesday, May 5, 2026 (once every 5 years a compulsory day off)
  5. Ascension Day – DThursday, May 14, 2026
  6. Pentecost (First and Second Day of Pentecost) – ZSunday, May 24 and Monday, May 25, 2026
  7. Christmas Day – Vdriving day December 25, 2026
  8. Boxing Day – ZSaturday, December 26, 2026

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