Where to go for a 9-day May bank holiday break on just four days’ annual leave

God save the King. To allow extra celebrations for Charles III’s coronation two days beforehand, there will be an additional bank holiday on Monday, May 8.

For those not tempted to attend a local street party or join the crowds in central London, a rare holiday opportunity awaits. Travel across the usual early May bank holiday, which falls on May 1, and a nine-night vacation becomes possible using only four days of annual leave.

To capitalise, depart on Saturday April 29 and return on that new bank holiday, May 8. Book those days off as soon as possible, before your colleagues do – and before airfares rise.

Where to go? There are, of course, a wealth of options, and your break could coincide with a major sporting event such as the Kentucky Derby horse race, on May 6. Here are a few suggestions to whet your appetite.

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in California

Commemorating Mexico’s victory at 1862’s Battle of Puebla, Cinco de Mayo celebrations are always brilliant in LA, especially amid the historic El Pueblo de Los Angeles district.

Expect dancing, piñatas, mariachis, margaritas and tacos galore. Combine four nights in La La Land with the same in beautiful San Francisco, staying close to its Golden Gate Bridge.

Depart April 29, eight nights from £1,519pp, room only, inc all flights (one overnight), americansky.co.uk

A tour to the Taj Mahal

Get that bucket list ready: G Adventures’ small-group tour of exotic northern India visits the Taj Mahal. Along with that gleaming white-marble monument to love, you’re also promised palaces, 
the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur, an overnight stay in a time-trapped desert village and a Delhi tour given by an adolescent former street child, with the money aiding his studies.

Depart April 30, seven nights from £1,149, B&B, including transport and tours, gadventures.com. Flights from £529 including luggage, trip.com

Hike the Amalfi Coast

Mild and flower-filled, late spring is perfect for European hiking. Consider a fully flexible, self-guided jaunt along Italy’s sublime Amalfi Coast, where the famous throngs won’t yet have arrived as you descend from dramatic mountainside vineyards to little coves or cute fishing towns.

Seven nights from £1,195pp, B&B, inc luggage transfers and route notes, onfootholidays.co.uk. Tack on two extra days for visits to Capri and Pompeii. Flights from £195 inc luggage, easyjet.com

Three-stop Morocco

Just four hours away with near-guaranteed sunshine but not yet boiling, Morocco is marvellous in May. A three-centre itinerary is possible – begin in bustling Marrakech at a riad in the heart of the shopping souks.

Journey next to a beachside town near the hippie, ramparted port of Essaouira, then finish inside the handsome Atlas Mountains, staying in a traditional Berber village’s garden-flanked guesthouse.

Depart April 29, nine nights from £670pp, B&B, inc transfers, fleewinter.com. Flights from £342 including luggage, trip.com

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