The first bell at school does not mean the end of the journey. The 2025/2026 school year offers many opportunities to get away for a shorter or longer vacation with the family. Much, however, depends on the director's days.
Long weekends in October or November – these are moments that can be cleverly combined with the parents' holiday and turn an ordinary weekend into several days full of experiences. Everyone benefits – children rest from school benches, parents from the office, and shared trips remain in memory for a long time.
What are director's days?
Not every parent knows that, apart from statutory holidays, schools may introduce so-called director's days. These are up to a few additional days off per year, decided by the management in agreement with the teaching council. They usually occur around holidays or exams so that students have an extended break.
In practice, this means an extra chance for parents to have a mini holiday. For example, in October 2025, Teacher's Day falls on a Tuesday. If the school decides to "give" Monday, October 13 off, children will have four days off – from Saturday 11.10 to Tuesday 14.10. Similarly, in November – Independence Day (11.11) falls on a Tuesday, and if Monday 10.11 is also a day off, another four-day weekend will be created.
Long weekends in autumn school term
Autumn 2025 will be conducive to shorter trips.
October (11–14.10) – the mentioned long weekend related to Teacher's Day. It is a great time to go for family hikes in the Bolimowski Landscape Park. The golden Polish autumn in this area delights with its colors, and you can also stay at Santa Natura Resort & SPA and combine walks with relaxation in the wellness area.
November (8–11.11) – during this time, it is worth thinking about a short rest near Warsaw without the need for long travel. A weekend at Santa Natura is an opportunity to combine family outdoor activities – such as cycling, forest walks, or a shared bonfire – with rest in the pool and sauna. Autumn is also a time when the Arkadia and Nieborów area takes on a nostalgic atmosphere, perfect for a one-day trip during your stay.
Another significant break is the winter holiday – from December 22 to 31, 2025. These are special 10 days off, covering both Christmas and New Year's. If parents take a few days off work, the holidays can be spent in a completely different setting. More and more families also choose trips to hotels with Christmas animations, where children can bake gingerbread, and adults can enjoy the spa area.
Winter holidays 2025/2026
Winter holidays are a mandatory point on the school calendar. In 2026, three periods are planned:
- January 19 - February 1 – Mazowieckie, Pomorskie, Podlaskie, Świętokrzyskie, Warmińsko-Mazurskie.
- February 2 - 15 – Dolnośląskie, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Łódzkie, Zachodniopomorskie, Małopolskie, Opolskie.
- February 16 - March 1 – Podkarpackie, Lubelskie, Wielkopolskie, Lubuskie, Śląskie.
That's six weeks during which Poland lives the winter trips. Mountains, especially the Tatras, Beskids, and Sudetes, attract skiers and snowboarders. But winter holidays are also a great time for alternative destinations. For families who prefer a quieter pace, an interesting option is hotels located at the edge of landscape parks. The closeness of nature, winter sleigh rides, bonfires, and the ability to use the indoor pool or saunas make the holidays a real regeneration for the whole family.
Long weekends in the 2025/2026 school year in spring
After the winter months, spring welcomes students with several important breaks.
Easter (April 2–7, 2026) – a full six days off from school. It is a good time to visit family in another region of Poland or go on a spring trip. Easter spent in hotels, where special Easter packages with a festive breakfast and activities for children are organized, are becoming more popular.
May Day – May 1, 2026 falls on a Friday, giving three days off. If you add a holiday on Thursday, April 30, a four-day weekend is created. Although May 3 falls on a Sunday, it is still a great opportunity to start the barbecue season or have the first spring tent trips.
Corpus Christi (June 4–7, 2026) – a long weekend in June is almost a classic for Polish trips. You just need to take a day off on Friday, June 5, to enjoy four days of holiday. This is a time when the weather is already good for beach outings but also for bike trips and visiting national parks.
Family vacation at Santa Natura Resort & SPA
Santa Natura Resort & SPA is a place where it's easy to combine family rest with closeness to nature. Located at the edge of Bolimowski Landscape Park, just an hour's drive from Warsaw, the hotel offers comfortable rooms, a wellness area with a vitality pool, saunas, and a natural swimming pool, as well as tasty cuisine based on fresh ingredients. For children, attractions include forest walks, bike trips, or winter snow games, and for adults – moments of relaxation in the spa. It is a place where every family member will find something for themselves, and shared time gains exceptional value.
Summary
The 2025/2026 school year is particularly favorable for families planning joint trips. Two long weekends in autumn, a ten-day holiday break, winter holidays, and spring holidays and May Day create many opportunities to catch a breath.
It is worth planning at least some of the trips in advance – especially those at popular times when hotels fill up quickly. A well-planned calendar is a guarantee that family time will not be lost among school and work duties. Because although school teaches and educates, it is shared journeys that shape the most beautiful memories.