almost similar to the above suggestion..... its common practice for big companies to impose 3 months resignation notice, therefore let the new/prospective employer to assume it as such.

apply for jobs before hand, go for interviews, all at the expense of the existing employer. play safe, chart your course and clearly state to future employer/s during the interviews that you'll only be available after the conculsion of 3 months notice.

further to that, only submit your resignation letter AFTER you've received an offer letter from future employer/s. THEN only you go and take the allegedly much needed break. play safe, you get your break, and a guaranteed job to come back to. the job market is shrinking, better play smart.