Planning a getaway? May has just one major holiday remaining

After opening with a long weekend, May offers little relief for those hoping to plan extended breaks, as the rest of the month has only one holiday.

With temperatures soaring across the region, many have to depend on personal leave rather than public holidays to plan summer holidays.

The month began with a long weekend on account of Buddha Purnima and May Day on May 1, Friday, allowing residents to combine it with the weekend for short trips. However, beyond this, there is limited opportunity. The only major holiday lined up in the latter half of the month is Bakrid (Id-ul-Zuha), tentatively on May 27, subject to the sighting of the moon.

Apart from this, the second and fourth Saturdays — May 9 and May 23 — will be observed as bank holidays, in line with the five-day banking schedule followed across India. Sundays will continue to be weekly offs, but they offer little scope for extended travel without additional leave.

In contrast, April had provided relatively better opportunities for breaks. The month started with a long weekend due to Good Friday, followed by a holiday on Ambedkar Jayanti on April 14.

With only one major holiday remaining, May is likely to see fewer long trips and more planned vacations, which depends on availability of leave.