I used my vacation mode for this year just now. I intended to activate it and then play through my turns for the last time before I got back. But playing through a turn deactivated my vacation and now I can't use it for my actual vacation this week. Does anyone know a fix for this or someone I can email to get my vacation use back?

Taking turn ends Vacation as it is stated in Wiki (link is also on Vacation page)

http://wiki.warlight.net/index.php/Vacations

"If you play in a game, your vacation will automatically be scheduled to turn off in one hour. So make sure turning on vacation mode is the last thing you do before you leave."

So no, you will not get back your vacation as you just used it.

On the plus side, I think you can unlock another vacation, though I don't remember which level it was...

16.Can use up to one vacation per year
29.Can take up to 3 vacations per year
47.Can take up to 5 vacations per year

Become a member>> 7 Vacations per year(I believe)

anyway, 9 more levels and your problem is solved :p

Yeah, as Mirror said that much is very clear (what playing in a game does). What is unclear is what "playing a game" actually means.

It should state that clearly in the Wiki. I've asked this in the past and sometimes people where not sure what counts or not:

Joining game
Declining game
Messaging/chatting (does not count)
Watching a turn (does not count)
...etc

It should state that submitting orders will end your vacation in an hour. Or anything else that would as well.

In his case he took a turn, which clearly ends the vacation.

declining game doesn't count, join count ;) tested :P