IF YOU are looking for your next holiday spot, then you could head to a European city two hours from the UK that has just got new flights from a major airport.
Budget airline easyJet has launched flights from Manchester Airport to Montpellier in France.
The flights will operate twice a week on Mondays and Fridays, throughout the summer season and cost as little as £26.99 per way.
The historic city of Montpellier is found in southern France, around six miles from the Mediterranean Sea.
The city is often dubbed one of the sunniest in France thanks to boasting an average of 300 days of sunshine per year.
The city’s Mediterranean climate means that it has mild winters and hot, dry summers.
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Because the city has a lot of sunshine, there is a lot to do outdoors in Montpellier including heading to the medieval Old Town where you will find narrow, winding streets with historic townhouses and a number of independent boutiques.
Another highlight of the Old Town is heading to Place de la Comédie, which is a lively square with the Three Graces fountain.
You can also head to Saint-Pierre Cathedral which dates back to the 14th century and has a fortress-like appearance.
In the Antigone district, which is mostly pedestrianised, has lots of fascinating architecture to explore, including copies of famous Greco-Roman sculptures.
For a mix of nature and history, venture to the Botanical Garden, which is the oldest one in France, founded back in 1593.
The garden features a bamboo forest, orange trees, a lotus pond where you might spot some carp and a greenhouse with a myriad of cacti.
You can even make a wish in the wishing tree called Phallaire.
If you fancy a nice walk, head to the Saint-Clément aqueduct.
Built in the 18th century, the dual-level aqueduct is responsible for the fountains littered across the city.
Each Tuesday and Saturday, you will also be able to catch a market at the foot of the aqueduct.
If you don’t mind heading slightly out of the city, then there are a number of chateaux you can explore, including Château De Flaugergues – a 19th-century chateau with Flemish tapestries and pretty gardens.
It costs £9.98 per person to visit.
The city has a number of hotels to choose from, including Pullman La Pléiade Montpellier Centre, which costs from £166 per night.
The hotel can be found in the centre of the city and features a panoramic rooftop pool and restaurant.
Alternatively, you could head to the Radisson Blu Hotel for £107 per night, which also boasts an outdoor pool as well.
When out and about in the city, you can expect to spend about €55 (£47.75) on a mid-range three course meal for two and between €4 (£3.47) and €5 (£4.34) for a beer.
Kevin Doyle, easyJet’s UK Country Manager, said: “We are really pleased to be celebrating our inaugural flights to the fantastic city of Montpellier, just a stone’s throw from the Mediterranean coast.
“By introducing new connections from Manchester on our unrivalled leisure network, customers from across the northwest can now enjoy even more choice this summer to book and travel with ease.”
Stephen Turner, Chief Commercial Officer at Manchester Airport, said: “Montpellier is not currently served by any other airline so passengers planning a holiday to the south of France this summer will have even more choice of destinations when flying from Manchester.
“We’re sure this new route will prove extremely popular.”
In other flight news, an airline has launched its first flights in two years from UK airport to one of the world’s best food destinations.
Plus, a major airline is set to launch new flights from a London airport – it will be its first in nearly 20 years.