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Ultimate holiday hack to turn just 17 days of leave into 45 days of leisure

<p>As we bid a fond farewell to 2023, it's time to embark on a journey to the land of strategic annual leave planning!</p> <p>If you've ever dreamed of turning 17 days into a mind-blowing 45 days of leisure, all while maintaining the illusion that you're a dedicated worker, you're in for a treat. Let's delve into the art of time manipulation, the Australian way!</p> <p><strong>1. The Great Christmas/New Year Escape: 10 Days of Holiday Magic</strong></p> <p>Picture this: You, sipping a cocktail on a beach, far, far away from workplace shenanigans. To achieve this utopia, sacrifice a mere three workdays from December 27–29, and voila! You've magically transformed a three-day leave into a decadent ten-day escapade. Christmas and New Year's resolutions? More like "Avoiding Office Drama and Perfecting My Tan".</p> <p><strong>2. Australia Day 2024: Because One Long Weekend Isn't Enough</strong></p> <p>To those who believe in the power of the long weekend, rejoice! By judiciously taking a single day off on January 29, you can extend the Australia Day break into a glorious four-day affair. This means more time for BBQs, cricket, and pretending to understand the rules of cricket.</p> <p><strong>3. The Great Easter Egg Hunt (for Extra Leave Days): 10 Days of Bunny Bliss</strong></p> <p>Hop into Easter with a bang by utilising four days of leave (April 2–5). This cunning plan transforms a regular four-day weekend into a lavish ten-day extravaganza. You'll have so much time; you might even consider crafting an intricate Easter egg treasure map for your colleagues. After all, sharing is caring.</p> <p><strong>4. ANZAC Day 2024: A Gallant Nine-Day Journey</strong></p> <p>For those who appreciate a good remembrance day, why not remember to take four days off? By strategically choosing your leave days around ANZAC Day, you can turn a regular nine-to-five existence into a leisurely nine-day bliss. It's the perfect opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices of the past while contemplating your sacrifice of precious annual leave for maximum leisure.</p> <p><strong>5. The Grand Finale: Christmas and New Year 2024/25</strong></p> <p>Looking to dominate the festive season and secure a 12-day break? Fear not! By cunningly using five days of leave (December 23–31), you can transform a modest two-day weekend into a 12-day holiday bonanza. It's like taking a break in 2025 while still clinging desperately to the end of 2024. Time travel, anyone?</p> <p>In conclusion, dear Aussie worker bees, remember that strategic annual leave planning is an art, a dance between days off and public holidays. While others are stuck in the mundane, you'll be sipping piña coladas in your time-warped holiday paradise.</p> <p>So go forth, plan wisely, and may your leave days be as abundant as your laughter during this comedic time-travel adventure!</p> <p><em>Image: Getty </em></p>

Travel Tips

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Australia named Travel + Leisure’s Destination of the Year for 2020

<p>Australia has taken out the title for the 2020 Destination of the Year from Travel + Leisure Magazine.</p> <p>The title of the Destination of the Year goes to places that the magazine says captures the travel zeitgeist of the moment, whether that’s cultural relevance, energy or experiences.</p> <p>Editor-in-chief Jacqui Gifford explained “why now” in a statement to <em><a href="https://news.yahoo.com/australia-named-travel-leisures-destination-2020-164952069.html">Yahoo News</a></em>.</p> <p>"Why Australia? And why now? It's always been considered a 'bucket list' spot, a place that people would reserve for a once-in-a-lifetime trip when they had a longer window of time to travel," she explained.</p> <p>"In today's 24/7-connected world, we want you to switch off and take that time. If the thrill of travel is to be pushed, mentally and physically, to discover something new -- and to appreciate the simple, awe-inspiring beauty of this earth -- Australia and its seven states deliver and then some."</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B444MuRjJeH/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B444MuRjJeH/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">Dreaming of visiting our 2020 Destination of the Year, Australia? We've teamed up with @blacktomatotravel to create a one-of-a-kind journey that will take you to Sydney, Alice Springs, Melbourne and more. Find out how to book at our link in bio! #tlpicks courtesy of @incyvincyspider</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/travelandleisure/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> Travel + Leisure</a> (@travelandleisure) on Nov 15, 2019 at 6:02am PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The magazine has released travel guides for all seven states of Australia, which focus on some of the natural wonders that the nation has to offer. However, it was also the culinary delights available in Australia that tipped the scales in the country’s favour.</p> <p>“New experiences and hotels have opened up less-frequented destinations. Innovative chefs and winemakers are putting a global spin on native ingredients,” according to a statement on <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/destination-of-the-year">their website</a>, which was key in helping Australia win the top spot of Destination of the Year.</p>

Domestic Travel

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What Over60s get up to in their “me time”

<p>We all know that some “me time” is good for us, but many of us struggle to carve out enough time for ourselves. In a day and age where there’s too much guilt associated with not spending every waking hour doing something productive, it’s important that you make it a priority to spend some time with yourself, doing the activities that you love the most. We asked you, the Over60 community, what your favourite things to do are when you have some time to yourself. Here are your responses.</p> <ol> <li>“I tend to go from one thing to another, nearly all from armchair. Book reading, family history research, currently joined FB closed group which allows uploading photos for criticism and review and critic others from all over world. Never a dull moment.” – Barry Preston</li> <li>“Curl up on my recliner and read a book from my galaxy. It settles and soothes me.” – Robyn Challinor</li> <li>“Catch up on Facebook, play with my cat, and do a crossword.” – Dave Druce</li> <li> “I love to curl up in bed with an audio book and doze off.” – Helen Mitchell</li> <li>“Painting is my hobby so I am never bored!” – Verity Anne Newton</li> <li>“I love listening to my music up loud.” – Sue Read</li> <li>“Jigsaws, crochet, knit, play sudoku, play words with friends, quilt, play piano, listen to music, list goes on and on.” – Heather Knight</li> <li>“I love surfing, nearly every day, all year round. Only a surfer knows the feeling.” – Robert Edward Fleming</li> <li>“iPod loaded with music. Reading travel books and novels. British drama on TV. Computer games. Driving my car.” – Sue McGrath</li> <li>“I seem to love lazing around! I feel a tad guilty at times, but what the heck? There isn't anybody standing over me with a big stick.” – Philomena Lear</li> <li>“I was a high school art teacher for over 35 years, now that I am retired I have time to work on my own art, walk the beach every day, sit out in the sun, potter round in the garden, bake cakes for our friends and spoil my wife! (She told me to say that!)” – Royce Baucke</li> <li>“Shopping, coffee at cafes, swimming, visiting my family and friends, art groups, reading, walking with kids and writing.” – Vicki Wyzga</li> <li>“I like to sit in the sun or shade and just be. Breath the air, listen to birds and watch the breeze as it moves through the trees.” – Lee Horrocks</li> <li>“Crosswords, jigsaws, gardening or just relaxing.” – Lena Gilmour</li> <li>“Sewing is my relaxation. My sewing machine is about 26 years old and recently broke down, I was lost but my darling son got it fixed for me and now I am found.” – Robyn Angelindisguise Challinor</li> </ol> <p>What are your favourite things to do in your alone time? Tell us in the comments below.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/health/mind/2016/03/why-me-time-is-so-important-for-happiness/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Why “me time” is so important for happiness</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/health/mind/2016/06/why-happiness-equals-better-health-and-a-longer-life/"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Why happiness equals better health and a longer life</span></strong></em></a></p> <p><a href="/health/mind/2016/06/the-moving-image-thats-instantly-calming-people-down/"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The moving image that’s instantly calming people down</span></strong></em></a></p>

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