How to get49 days ofholiday from 21days of annual leave ...and where to go

WORKING patterns may have changed, but many of us still need to book time off far in advance, so it makes sense to make the most of every public holiday that comes along.

This year there are eight Bank Holidays in England and Wales, so with shrewd planning around these dates and their companion weekends it is possible to stretch 21 days of annual leave into a fabulous 49 days of holiday. if you live in Scotland or northern ireland, which enjoy ten public holidays a year, the prospects are even better.

But this is the time to get planning. EasyJet is running its Big orange Sale (until Monday) and many tour operators have deals to entice us to book early. Here are the key dates to take

MAKE IT A TEN-DAY EASTER BREAK

THIS year, the Easter weekend kicks off early on Friday March 29. To get ten days away take off March 25–28 or April 2–5, or for a leisurely 16-day holiday, take off both periods.

BUDGET: Malta and its cuisine will be in the spotlight from Monday when the iTV series Ainsley’s Taste of Malta, hosted by celebrity chef Ainsley Harriott, airs ( visitmalta. com). Make your own foodie discoveries over a long Easter break at Pebbles resort in St Paul’s Bay. Fifteen nights departing Luton on March 23 costs from £652 pp half-board including ryanair flights ( loveholidays.com).

ALL-INCLUSIVE: in the south of Portugal, Tivoli Alvor Algarve resort is close to four golf courses with four restau-rants, six heated pools and a wellness centre ( tivolihotels.com). nine nights departing Luton on March 23 costs from £977 pp including EasyJet flights ( lastminute.com).

EXPLORING: Cape Town quietens down in the African autumn, making this a good time to visit this spectacular waterfront city and the

All sorted: Corfu town, and (inset) relaxing in a hammock

off, along with 16 holidays that fit them exactly, from budget breaks and all-inclusive beach resorts to long-haul luxury escapes.