How to maximize your PTO and take the trip of a lifetime in 2024

18.01.2024 - 15:31 / lonelyplanet.com

If you’re an American traveler, you’ve likely done this sort of calendar math, spotting where all the paid holidays fall this year and figuring out how to combine them with your own limited paid time off (PTO). 

There are videos upon videos on TikTok and Instagram from people who have done these calculations for you. But now that you know you have an extended period of time off – what do you do with that?

We’re here to help! Using the mathematical equation “PTO + budget + crowds = where/when do I go,” we did some complex calculus for you to come up with trip suggestions that would maximize that PTO, hit some off-peak spending and perhaps good weather too, so hopefully you'll land in an incredible destination you may have not considered or experience something epic. 

(For our Lonely Planet readers who are not in the US, it still may be worth scanning this list if you are planning a trip to the US as these are the major US holidays for 2024 which may impact your travels in terms of prices and availability within the US.)

Here’s a look at the rest of the year.

The recommendation: If you get President’s Day off, take off February 20–23 to net a total of nine days off.

Where you should go: It’s a great time to head to Lisbon. Although not summer weather, it's sunny enough that you can tour with a light jacket and enjoy dining at all of its marvelous restaurants.

Summer in Argentina is wavering so it is the perfect time to head south and check out the buzz of Buenos Aires, the beauty of Patagonia or sip your way through the vineyards of Mendoza.

It’s also a great time to head to Morocco and see the Sahara desert if it has been on your list.

If you can add in another week, spend nine vacation days to net 16 straight days off. For that, you can go to New Zealand and Australia.

If you can splurge on money and PTO, perhaps take the week prior off and head to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, and then have President’s Day to recover. 

The recommendation: If you ask for May 28–31, you’ll have a total of nine days off. 

Where you should go: This is the time period and strategy I used when I did when I did the Camino de Santiago through Portugal and Spain. With Memorial Day off, I only had to spend nine vacation days to net a total of 16 days off. The Portuguese Way takes 14 days to complete, so that gives a bit of cushion for flights/sightseeing. 

Overall, this is a great time to go to Europe before the crush of visitors hits. My pick? Head to Croatia to get those gorgeous Mediterranean waters without the crowds.

The recommendation: Not all employers offer Juneteenth off, but if yours does, take PTO for June 20–21. That will give you five days for a trip. Add in June 17–18 and you can have nine days total.  

Where you should go: