The new Bank Holiday for 2012, announced by Lord Mandelson yesterday to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, which will see the May Bank Holiday shifted to 4 June and an extra holiday given on the 5 June, will give the nation an extra opportunity to get away and enjoy the summer, ABTA, the Travel Association said today.

Traditionally, the summer season kicks off with the second May Bank Holiday, which coincides with schools’ summer half term holiday. As families will still go ahead with half term breaks, the extra bank holiday day at the beginning of June will give everyone another opportunity to getaway and relax.

Royal fans may want to take advantage of the extra holiday to visit places frequented by the Royal family, such as the beautiful Highlands of Scotland where Balmoral is situated - or Edinburgh where the Royal Yacht Britannia is now moored. Sandringham, the Queen’s Christmas base, is very close to beautiful stretches of beaches in Norfolk – perfect for a June break - while the historical and picturesque town of Windsor is just a short hop from the capital.

Alternatively, for the more adventurous, royalists could follow in the footsteps of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Coronation round-the world-tour, which covered 43,618 miles and took in Commonwealth highlights including Canada, Jamaica, Bermuda, Panama, Tonga, New Zealand, Australia, Cocos Islands, Sri Lanka, Aden, Uganda, Malta and Gibraltar. Admittedly, the trip would take slightly longer than the four day holiday given to celebrate the Jubilee!

ABTA Chief Executive, Mark Tanzer said: “We are delighted that there will be an extra holiday opportunity in 2012. ABTA Members offer a huge range of holidays and their expertise and specialist knowledge can help you with a short break in the UK, or a trip of a lifetime around the world. To find an ABTA member to suit any holiday need go to www.abta.com.”