Ahead of the Chuseok holiday, long-term vacation plans utilizing annual leave have become a hot topic among office workers. By strategically placing just a few weekdays of leave, workers can secure a major holiday stretch rivaling a short school break.

By taking three consecutive days of monthly leave on September 21, 22, and 23, before and after the Chuseok holiday, the surrounding weekends and the holiday itself connect into a total of nine days off — a 'super bridge holiday.' With more than a week of extended time secured, movements are emerging in earnest to pursue long-haul overseas trips to Europe and beyond, moving beyond medium- and short-distance routes.

Travel Industry and Airlines Expect a 'Golden Holiday Boom'... Long-Haul Flight Bookings Surge

The travel industry and airlines have long been rolling out special discount products and promotional events targeting long-holiday travelers, pouring efforts into marketing. In particular, with a generous nine-day schedule secured, an unusual phenomenon is being observed: booking rates for key seats on long-distance routes to Europe and the Americas are rising sharply.

An industry official said, "During typical short holidays, nearby destinations such as Japan or Southeast Asia are preferred, but when a long holiday of around nine days forms, preference for European routes becomes overwhelmingly high," adding, "There is a stream of cases where flights to popular cities are selling out early."

Recommended European Destinations Optimized for a Nine-Day Itinerary

Experts recommend reducing excessive travel and focusing on one or two countries to efficiently make use of a nine-day schedule.

Spain (Madrid · Barcelona): Spain, boasting warm autumn weather and rich cultural heritage, is well suited for a 7-night, 9-day itinerary covering its key cities. Routes combining tours of Gaudi's architecture in Barcelona with museum tours in Madrid are gaining popularity.

France–Belgium circuit: A course centered on Paris, using high-speed trains (Thalys/Eurostar) to also visit Brussels and Bruges in Belgium, is regarded as an optimal route that minimizes travel time while experiencing the charm of two countries at once.

Eastern Europe (Czech Republic · Austria): An itinerary connecting Prague and Vienna allows travelers to enjoy romantic night views and classical music culture simultaneously, making it highly preferred as an autumn destination. The short intercity travel distances, which reduce physical strain, are also a strength.

Corporate Culture Is Changing Too... Early Booking Is Key

Unlike in the past, a workplace culture encouraging employees' free use of annual leave is taking root. With expectations of improved work efficiency and refresh effects through sufficient rest, positive sentiment toward extended leave use is spreading.

As demand for long-distance travel using the golden holiday is expected to explode, competition for flight and accommodation bookings will likely grow even fiercer. For a smooth trip, careful itinerary planning and prompt advance booking are essential.

[This article was partially assisted by AI.]