To use up all DH's annual leave on a one off trip...

[BarrelOfOtters]

Planning a long haul trip, Japan. I'm planning on 3 weeks. So 15 days of leave for both of us. We've both got 30 days. I think that still leaves us 3 full weeks for stuff.

He's balking a bit at going for that long. I think it's mostly because he's missing the dog.

You can tell someone else how to use their annual leave!

It sounds like this is your trip you want to force him to go on?!

I would also miss my dog but it would comfort me that they really don't know how much time passes when you are away.

I think this needs to be agreed between you. You can't just decide how he uses his leave.

Japan is amazing by the way.

We did it 3 times in 15 years to visit family in South Africa. Took 20 out of 25 days (did have flex time) well worth it. Got to really see the country and spend quality time with them

You may have to compromise. If he doesn't want to go away for so long, that's his right.

But its only half of his annual leave if what you've written is correct (which doesn't match the heading ,which says all of his annual leave??)

Could he join you for one week, with you holidaying for three weeks?

Different people prefer different types/lengths of holidays.

Some companies don't even allow you to take such long periods off in one go. My old employer used to specify a maximum of 2 weeks at a time, unless there were special extenuating circumstances.

Under my contract I wouldn't be able to get a solid block of 15 days unless exceptional circumstances. Do you know for certain if his employers would be on board?

@MrsBennetsPoorNerves jinx! 😂

@TableFor5

His boss has said it's absolutely fine.

And yes it's not all his leave...but he's already used 7 days this year and wanted some time for 'nice days to take off and take the dog for a walk'...oh, and see his grown up kids who have moved to a different city.

...but mostly dog walks.

I suggested I go for 3 and he goes for 2..

He just thinks 2 weeks is long enough for a holiday and we'll want to get back by the end of 2 weeks. Maybe that's the right question. How long should a holiday be? I might repost.

There is no right or wrong answer though to how long a holiday "should" be. It's just down to personal preference, and his preference is as valid as yours.

Is he happy with the suggestion that you b go for three weeks and he goes for two? That sounds like the best solution to me.

We’ve just done 15 days of leave for a trip, and we did it a few years back too. You do have to plan the rest quite carefully to make sure you get the breaks you need but it’s worth it.

3 weeks would be too long for me. But can see the appeal for others especially for such an amazing holiday. Your suggestion of you do 3 weeks and he does 2 seems sensible to me. He shouldn't expect you not to do 3 weeks because he doesn't want to.

3 weeks would be too long for me too. If it's long haul then 10 days is fine for me, 2 weeks starts to feel a bit too long. My ideal holidays are 5 days short haul, 10 days long haul. I don't blame him for not wanting to go for 3 weeks.

Can you plan it with a bank holiday during the trip so you're using one less holiday day? We like to travel a lot so we make the most of bank holidays to maximise our time off.

We did a three week trip last year and it was fabulous BUT it did make the rest of the year a bit of a slog, as the rest of leave was allocated for Christmas. We said we'd only do it very occasionally for a special trip, but it was an amazing experience.

We only authorise 2 weeks unless there are exceptional circumstances. You may find your employers won't agree to 3 weeks

We took a two week trip to Japan for our honeymoon and still managed to see plenty of cities on our route (we did a circle from Tokyo down to Hiroshima then up to the Japanese alps and back over to Tokyo again) so I think if your husband only wants to go for two weeks it's not the end of the world and you'd still have a full experience.

Saying that... I could have definitely stayed another week if I'd been given the option! It's the most amazing place :)

3 weeks is is a great length for a hoilday that allows you to travel around and Japan is a great country to do it in

You don't want to be dragging around a reluctant DH though.

I'd go for 3 weeks and he can come for a week or two. You still don't want to do the 'whole of Japan' in that so he'll have to pick and choose which bits he's sees

We’re off to Japan this year for just over 3 weeks, but away for almost 4 once flights are added in. We struggled to get the itinerary that short (and had to skip Okinawa 😫)