Each week, our holiday hero, Neil Simpson, delves into a brilliant holiday topic and does all the legwork so you don’t have to. This week: new winter sun options.
New paths to the sun are opening up for late autumn and beyond. Airlines say demand is so high that many of their “summer-only” routes will fly several months longer.
Some are now intended to last all year round and many of the new routes will be from regional airports so you don’t have to travel to London.
Airlines say demand is so high that many of their “summer-only” routes will fly several months longer. For example, Jet2 flies to Malta from Birmingham, Leeds Bradford and Manchester airports until the end of November. Above is Valletta, the Maltese capital
At the top is Jet2, the only UK airline not to cancel a single fight in July, according to the Official Aviation Guide.
It has announced plans to fly to sunny Malta from Birmingham, Leeds Bradford and Manchester airports by the end of November, around two months longer than originally planned.
This autumn Jet2 will also launch its first flights from Manchester and Birmingham to Athens. New winter routes from airports such as Belfast and Bristol are also planned.
This autumn, Jet2 will launch its first flights from Manchester and Birmingham to Athens (above)
Flight only fares start from £36 each way, or packages including flights, transfers and four star hotels are available from £423 per person on jet2holidays.com.
From November, Manchester will be offering new easyJet flights to Fuerteventura, the second largest of the Canary Islands. Holidays are suitable for active travelers, as the island is popular with hikers, kitesurfers and windsurfers. Plus, with almost 100 miles of beaches, Fuerteventura offers plenty of space to relax in the sun. Flights from £29 each way, Bank Holidays from £257 per person.
EasyJet will also start flying from Gatwick to the island of Porto Santo off the coast of Madeira.
From November, Manchester will be offering new easyJet flights to Fuerteventura, the second largest of the Canary Islands. Pictured above is the island’s gorgeous Cofete Beach
With no crowds and no huge hotels, the island is perfect for relaxed vacations and long walks along the expansive, six-mile stretch of beach. Flights cost from £176 return (easyjet.com).
Two of Egypt’s top Red Sea resorts, Sharm-el-Sheik and Hurghada, will be served direct from Luton by Wizz Air this winter.
From souks to Shark Reef dive site, Sharm attracts holidaymakers who like its mix of beachfront hotels and excursions, including Bedouin dinners under the stars.
Later this year easyJet will fly from Gatwick to Porto Santo in the Madeira Archipelago. Pictured is Vila Baleira, the island’s main settlement
Two of Egypt’s top Red Sea resorts, Sharm-el-Sheik (pictured) and Hurghada, will be served direct from Luton this winter by Wizz Air
A day trip to the Valley of the Kings in Luxor (pictured) could be part of your Hurghada vacation itinerary
Hurghada has an emphasis on luxury resorts and you are close enough to Luxor for full day trips to Karnak and the Valley of the Kings.
This autumn, Wizz will also begin flights from Gatwick to Agadir on Morocco’s South Atlantic coast. Flights from £68 one way (wizzair.com).
Dubrovnik’s historic streets will be easier to access this winter as British Airways operates its summer route from Heathrow all year round.
This autumn, Wizz Air will begin flights from Gatwick to Agadir (above) on Morocco’s South Atlantic coast
British Airways plans to continue offering direct flights to Marrakech, Morocco. Above is the garden of Yves Saint Laurent, one of the city’s main attractions
BA will also maintain direct flights to Marrakech, Morocco, making it easier to stay in a riad-style hotel and visit colorful attractions such as the late Yves Saint Laurent’s Jardin Majorelle.
This winter, Nice on the French Riviera and the Italian city of Verona, setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, will also maintain busy BA flight schedules.
Looking ahead to 2023, the Caribbean island of Aruba, part of the Netherlands Antilles, is one of the most eye-catching vacation options, receiving new flights from London’s Gatwick Airport.
Canceled flights: BA to launch new flights from London’s Gatwick Airport to the Caribbean island of Aruba in 2023 (pictured).
In Aruba’s warm waters, you can snorkel or dive around colorful coral, to a “ghost ship” (one of the largest shipwrecks in the Caribbean), and even to the cockpit of a sunken plane.
Days on the island can be spent on dozens of white sandy beaches including Eagle Beach, consistently voted one of the most beautiful in the world.
At night you’ll find everything from casinos to quiet candlelit restaurants with sunset views. Flights from £594 one-way and packages including hotels from £999 per person (britishairways.com/aruba).
