towns

IF you’re searching for quick, easy and affordable flights for your holiday next year – then check out easyJet’s new routes.

The budget airline has added a whopping 16 new flights to its roster including beautiful islands as well as places within the British Isles – including one that’s been compared to the Caribbean.

Cape Verde

Cape Verde is made up of 10 islands and the best news for Brits is that these sunny spots are just five hours from the UK.

The islands are known for having great winter high temperatures with beautiful beaches and plenty to do – plus there’s only a one hour time difference.

easyJet launched their first-ever flights from the UK to Sal back in April, with routes from London Gatwick and Manchester.

Now, the budget airline has since confirmed that another flight route will be launching to Sal, from Bristol Airport.

STREET SMARTS

I visit New York 6 times a year – my expert budget guide including £1 pizzas

CHRIMBO WIN

Enter these travel comps before Xmas to win £2k holidays, ski trips & spa stays

Flights will take off from 1 May 2026 and operate on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Bari, Italy

Another new route from easyJet will offer new routes from Bristol to Bari.

The port city on the Adriatic Sea coast of southern Italy – the Pugliese capital has even been nicknamed the ‘Jewel of the Adriatic‘.

You can delve into the city’s history in Bari Vecchia which is the historical centre where you’ll find a maze of narrow alleyways, open piazzas, and cobbled side streets.

For sightseeing, you’ll find 40 churches in Bari – but one of the most popular is Basilica di San Nicola. It was originally constructed to hold the remains of Father Christmas, which were stolen from Turkey in the 11th century.

Flights start from April 18, 2026 twice-weekly on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Seville

If you fancy a trip to Spain’s fourth-largest city of Seville – easyJet has added more flights to its roster.

Anyone living in and around Bristol can rejoice as the new route will launch from the airport next spring.

Top sites include the Royal Alcázar of Seville, Seville Cathedral and Plaza de España which is a cobbled square with four bridges over its small river.

easyJet is launching a new route from Bristol to Seville from May 2, 2026 – it will operate twice-weekly on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Inverness

It might be less exotic but easyJet is also starting a new route between Birmingham and the Highlands’ capital city of Inverness.

It’s surrounded by water as it’s the city where the River Ness meets the Moray Firth – and there are plenty of great sites like the cathedral and Old High Church.

There’s also the indoor Victorian Market where you can pick up food, clothes and crafts.

The new service starts on March 30, 2026, operating twice weekly on Mondays and Fridays.

Nice

If the delightful Mediterranean coast calls to you then head to the French city of Nice.

Here you can stroll along vibrant the city’s cobbled streets, check out the art-deco architecture and ornate 19th-century properties that rival Paris.

Nice is also a great spot if you want to explore the likes of Monaco, Antibes and Cannes.

The main boulevard of Promenade des Anglais holds a classic French market on a Saturday where you can buy flowers, goats’ cheese, cured meats, cakes and grab a souvenir like lavender soap.

Flights from Birmingham start from May 1, 2026, which operates twice weekly on Mondays and Fridays.

Montpellier

Very near the Mediterranean coast of southern France is the city of Montpellier.

It’s filled with grand buildings that are a mix of medieval and modern architecture – in the summer it can reach highs of 28C.

While Montpellier isn’t directly on the coast, you don’t have to travel far to find pretty beaches like Carnon, La Grande Motte, GrandsTravers, and Palavas-les-Flots.

Not to mention that just outside of Montpellier, Domaine de Massereau was named the most eco-responsible campsite in Europe last year.

It has plenty to entertain the kids like the Aquatic area which heated swimming pool and one that’s for adults-only with whirlpools and water jets.

For little ones, there’s a spray park, waterslides and a paddling pool as well as two on-site kids’ clubs.

The airline is launching new flights to Montpellier from Manchester on 30 March 2026.

Preveza

On the west side of Greece is the city of Preveza which is the capital of the Epirus region.

The region itself is known for its incredible mountain landscape, as well as pretty beaches.

It’s home to Vikos Gorge, one of the world’s deepest, and clean rivers where locals and tourists like to go kayaking, rafting, and canoeing.

In Preveza you can explore sites like the Nicopolis Museum and Pantocrator Castle or relax on the long, sandy Monolithi Beach.

If you fancy checking out some other places too then you can head to other destinations like Parga, Lefkada and Sivota easily from Preveza.

Flights to Preveza from Manchester start on June 24, 2026.

Lisbon

The capital of Portugal has always been a solid choice of holiday for Brits.

With a flight time under three hours and plenty to do from riding the iconic trams up the hilly roads, to hiking up to Castelo de São Jorge – Lisbon is a solid choice.

And there are plenty of viewing points to see the incredible views across the city like Miradouro de Santa Luzia.

There are two new routes to Lisbon, the first is from Manchester with flights departing from March 31, 2026.

The other route is from Glasgow which will provide direct links to Lisbon from March 29, 2026

Paphos

Last year, Paphos in Cyprus was been voted the most liveable small city in the world.

When one writer visited the seaside spot, she made sure to check out the delicious seafood, and headed out to sea on a boat trip to the Blue Lagoon.

She also said that “the Unesco World Heritage site of Kato Pafos really is a must-see. The park includes sites and monuments from the 4th century BC to the Middle Ages”.

Paphos is a great option for summer if what you like is the heat as it has highs of 30C in July and August.

Or even during the cooler months like November where you can still have average highs of 22C.

You’ll be able to fly from Manchester to Paphos from August 2, 2026.

Jersey

Another short journey that’s easy to make is to Jersey – the British Isle that gets summer weather before the mainland.

The Channel Island has even compared to the Caribbean and its one of the warmest places in spring.

It even has some of the country’s best beaches – and you can get there in under an hour.

easyJet will start its route from Southend Airport to Jersey from March 30, 2026.

Paris

Another new route is from Stansted to Paris – the capital of France is known for its great food and plenty of iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower.

It’s also home to the theme park, Disneyland Paris, which is set to open its new Frozen land on March 29, 2026.

There will be new rides, frosty mountain peaks and you can see it all from inside a miniature Arendelle.

Find out more from The Sun’s Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski who got an exclusive peek at the new land.

Flights from London Stansted to Paris will start on March 5, 2026

Tenerife

Tenerife is well known for its year-round sunshine, beautiful beaches, amazing stargazing opportunities, and lively nightlife.

For years its been a popular place for Brits to visit, particularly those looking for some winter sun.

It’s good news for those who are fans of the island as Ryanair recently announced it would be cutting flights due to rising tax.

Flights from Newcastle to Tenerife will start on August 1, 2026.

Pisa

The city of Pisa in the Tuscan region of Italy is of course best known for its Leaning Tower which is a must-see when visiting.

But there are lots of other positives too like exploring the beautiful cobbled streets and tasting fantastic food from pizza to cecina (a savory chickpea flour pancake) and Torta co’ Bischeri (a chocolate-filled pastry).

easyJet flights from Glasgow to Pisa start from August 1, 2026.

Sharm El Sheikh

Trips to Egypt are back on the rise with the likes of TUI starting trips and holidays there – and now easyJet is offering flights too.

The holiday destination that was huge with Brits in the noughties has plenty of pretty beach resorts, high temperatures and year-round sunshine.

During the summer months, temperatures in Sharm el Sheikh sit between 35C – 38C.

Sharm el Sheikh is also a popular winter sun destination because its average temperature is 24C which is around 17C warmer than the UK for that time of year.

Routes between Glasgow to Sharm El Sheikh will start from August 1, 2026.

Malta

Malta, which is smaller than the Isle of Wight, can slip under the radar when it comes to holidays.

But with new flights from easyJet, it’s bound to get more popular.

When one Sun writer visited the country, she discovered plenty of things that Brits will love from its red telephone boxes to restaurants offering English breakfasts.

Locals drive on the left and speak English (along with Maltese).

New flights from Glasgow to Malta will start from August 4, 2026.

For more holiday destinations – here are five alternative European holiday destinations you can still fly to after Ryanair axed hundreds of flights.

Plus, one of the best budget getaways in Europe for winter has been revealed and pints are 90p.

THERE are many vibrant seaside towns across the UK – but these ones have got some huge upgrades for next year.

VisitEngland has revealed what we can expect from big events to reopened hotels and brand new thrilling attractions.

Hull

Hull is set to be popular next year after the city was named one of ‘best places in the world to travel to in 2026’ by National Geographic.

This is mostly thanks to its ongoing project to conserve its maritime history.

Since 2020, the Maritime Museum has been undergoing a huge revamp worth £11million, but it will finally reopen to the public next year.

This has been part of a wider £27.5 million project to promote Hull’s maritime history which has gone into restoring the museum and ships.

CHRIMBO WIN

Enter these travel comps before Xmas to win £2k holidays, ski trips & spa stays

SNOW WAY

All the best Xmas days out under £10 including FREE ice skating & Santa’s grotto

The Hull Maritime Museum will reopen in spring 2026 with new exhibits which explore its 800 year history.

When it reopens, you can expect to see a ship model of maritime art and a 40-foot whale skeleton.

The city also has its own showbiz trail for tourists, a famous and very big minster as well as an interactive dinosaur museum.

Morecambe

The seaside town of Morecambe will be celebrating in 2026 as it will mark the 100th birthday of Eric Morecambe.

The comedian grew up in the town and he took his stage name from it and celebrations with a comedy extravaganza in his honour will start in May next year.

Meanwhile in January, Morecambe will host The Bay International Film Festival with live cinema screenings and awards.

One of the major focuses of the festival will be ‘Stories Beyond Borders’ – a competition to choose the best ‘visually captivating and thought-provoking short films from around the world’.

The festival will run from January 23 to February 1, 2026.

Blackpool

Of course Blackpool is renowned for its Pleasure Beach theme park and this year marks its 130th birthday.

Next year, the attraction is set to open its new Aviktas “gyro swing” ride: a giant spinning pendulum.

It will be first of its kind in the UK and will stand at 138 feet.

The ride will feature a giant spinning pendulum that will swing 120 degrees and seat 40 riders at a time.

Riders’ legs will dangle giving them the feeling of flying.

There are other swinging pendulum rides in the UK already, but Blackpool‘s will tower higher.

The town’s Royal Carlton Hotel will also be restored to its former glory in a multi-million pound refurbishment.

It sits on the beachfront and has been closed since last year for the upgrades which will be to all 40 rooms, as well as the bar and restaurant.

Folkestone

In the Kent coastal town of Folkestone, the heritage Leas Lift cliff railway will reopen in spring of 2026.

The Grade II listed funicular railway first opened in 1885 and is one of the only three remaining water-balanced cliff lifts in the UK.

It has been closed since 2017, but will reopen next year so locals and tourists will be able to ride between the seafront and promenade.

There will also be a new café and community space in the Lower Station, and experience fresh exhibitions telling the story of this unique piece of seaside heritage.

Southport

Southport is having a year of entertainment as the historic seaside town is hosting a year-long programme of circus, theatre, art and music performances.

In February the town will hold Lightport – an immersive light and sound installation which will cast rainbows across the town.

At the beginning of April will be Cristal Palace where the world-renowned French street theatre company Transe Express will bring its spectacular show Cristal Palace to Lord Street .

There’s a 15-metre-wide flying chandelier – and the street will transform into an open air ballroom with live music, aerial performances and dance.

The Big Top Festival will see the circus take over Southport and you can watch this happen in May 2026.

There will be juggling performances, performances on open-air stages, live music and workshops.

In October will be Books Alive! a literature festival with a twist as storytelling comes to life with live performances and author-led workshops.

It’s during half-term so children can go along and enjoy their favourite novels in real-time.

All events are completely free for locals and tourists to visit.

CRITTERS & JITTERS

Vogue & Spencer insist marriage is strong – why do pals think otherwise?

BLAZE HORROR

Hong Kong inferno kills at least 36 while trapped beg for help on social media

For more seaside towns – find out the favourites of the Sun Travel team that are less than 90 minutes from London with Banksy art and award-winning beaches.

And discover the English seaside town that’s better in autumn with London-worthy restaurants and new hotels.

Sparkling wine, Canterbury, Kent

Stock up on festive fizz with a trip to the heart of Kent’s flourishing wine region. Start the tastings at Simpsons’ wine estate, 10 minutes’ drive from Canterbury, then head to Domaine Evremond, Taittinger’s UK vineyard, where its first release, Classic Cuvée Edition I, is available at the Cellar Door shop. Nearby, the medieval village of Chilham makes an ideal stop for lunch at the Woolpack Inn. Back in Canterbury, Corkk is a specialist English wine shop with more than 100 labels to try, and cheese and charcuterie platters to nibble on while you decide what to buy. Stay at the Millers Arms, in the heart of town, with B&B doubles from £93.50.

Foodie treats, Narberth, Pembrokeshire

Swap Tesco’s crowded aisles for Narberth in Pembrokeshire, fast becoming Wales’s premier foodie hub. Wisebuys is a great first stop; pick up locally produced goodies: laverbread and rapeseed oils, handmade chocolates, chutneys and cheese, available in a range of hampers. Pop into Rock ’N’ Dough Bakehouse for fabulous freshly made pastries and coffee, before stocking up on Mediterranean treats at Ultracomida, a tapas bar and deli offering authentic Spanish cured meats, patés and cheese to take away, along with classic paella pans and ceramics. Stay at Top Joe’s Townhouse, with rooms above a buzzy pizzeria, from £90 B&B.

Outdoors kit, Bakewell, Derbyshire

Blow away the winter cobwebs with a Peak District weekend and bring an empty rucksack to snaffle gifts from Bakewell’s plethora of outdoorsy shops. Trespass is good for van lifers and campers, with folding furniture, lighting and clever cooking stoves, alongside ski, surf and hiking gear; while Mallon & Green has rods, lines, tools and accessories for the angler in your life. Pause for coffee at Summat, the in-house café at Inov8 – a shop that sells everything from bags and beanies to running and hiking footwear and nifty accessories – and reward yourself with a Bakewell pudding (never a “tart”) from The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop. Stay at the Rutland Arms Hotel, a grand old coaching inn right in the centre of town, with doubles from £104 a night, room only.

Jewellery, Birmingham

Whether you’re seeking a bespoke pair of cufflinks, a one-off pendant or something for a Christmas proposal, Birmingham’s jewellery quarter has more than 100 shops, offering everything from vintage pieces to handmade designs. Browse the historic workshops on Legge Lane, pop into Deakin & Francis, where jewellery has been designed and created in the same building since 1786, and take a guided tour of the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter. Ponder your purchases over lunch at 1000 Trades, a historic pub that was originally a jewellery workshop. Stay at Saint Pauls House, a bar, restaurant and slick boutique hotel with room-only doubles from £99.

Art, Cambridge

Cambridge’s historic streets are dotted with galleries and elegant museum shops, which makes it a great place to pick up a one-off artwork or unusual gift. Byard Art, opposite King’s College, is a good place to start, with works by more than 50 contemporary artists, while Cambridge Contemporary Art, just along the road, specialises in handmade prints, ceramics and crafts. Get inspiration from browsing some of the half a million artworks at the Fitzwilliam Museum, before picking up more art-themed gifts at the excellent museum shop; or dip into the shop at Kettle’s Yard for art-themed books, homeware, fashion and stationery. Stay at the Varsity on the banks of the River Cam, with room-only doubles from £155.

Books, Wigtown, Dumfries and Galloway

Home to 17 bookshops and book-related businesses, Wigtown is the perfect place to find literary treats, vintage titles and specialist books that make unusual Christmas gifts. Allow plenty of time to browse in the Bookshop, where more than a mile of shelving holds about 100,000 new and secondhand books, dip into the Old Bank Bookshop for vintage books on everything from art and architecture to travel and memoirs, and pick up presents for younger family members at Foggie Toddle Books. Pop into Books & Bakes (6 Bank Street) for hearty sandwiches and coffee, and stay at the Creebridge House Hotel, around 15 minutes’ drive away in Newton Stewart, with doubles from £120 B&B.

Chocolate, York

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without an unseemly amount of chocolate, and few places have a more cocoa-rich history than York, home to Rowntree’s, Nestlé and Terry’s. Kick off a chocoday with a visit to York’s Chocolate Story, where the interactive displays cover everything from how chocolate is produced to the history of the most familiar brands, with plenty of tastings along the way. Then pop into York Cocoa Works where the Christmas collection includes stocking fillers, hampers, vegan chocolate and mince pie-flavour caramels. Finish up at Monk Bar Chocolatiers – the oldest artisan chocolatier in town. Stay at the Fat Badger, a cosy inn with room-only doubles from £119.

Ceramics, Stoke-on-Trent

There’s no such thing as too many mugs – or vases, dinner plates or jugs – particularly when they’re handmade in one of Stoke’s historic potteries. Middleport Pottery is a great place to start; it’s the UK’s last working Victorian potbank in continuous production, with guided and self-led heritage tours, a well-stocked gift shop and the Burleigh Factory Shop, where the shelves brim with affordable seconds. For quirky, contemporary designs, head to Emma Bridgewater; while for something more classic, World of Wedgwood has a large outlet centre and a store selling Waterford crystal, alongside chinaware. Stay at the Hilton Garden Inn, with room-only doubles from £132.

Craft beers, Sheffield

There are 58 breweries in and around Sheffield, making it the perfect place to pick up unusual ales and beers for the festive period, or gifts for any enthusiasts in the family. Choose from more than 200 beers – from Belgian to barrel-aged – at Hop Hideout, while the Bear offers everything from lagers and sours to dark beers and IPAs. The wonderfully named Saint Mars of the Desert is also worth tracking down; the taproom is open from 2pm to 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays, with cans and bottles of fruity, hazy bitters to take home. If coming by train, start with a pint or two at Triple Point Brewery, a five-minute walk from Sheffield station, where all the beer is brewed on site, and stay at the Crow Inn, known for its range of cask ales, with room-only doubles from £50.

Toys, Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire

A small market town on the edge of Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons), Llandeilo punches above its weight in terms of shops. Eve’s Toy Shop is a gift when it comes to buying Christmas presents for younger family members, with hand-carved wooden games and puzzles, mini gardening tools and “kidnoculars” for junior explorers, along with all the unicorns you can carry. Once the kids are ticked off, pop into Davies & Co for handmade Welsh blankets; Peppercorn for culinary-themed gifts; and Dot Clothing for elegant womenswear from niche designers. Stay at the Cawdor, a revamped coaching inn on the high street, with B&B doubles from £115.

Christmas day trips could be taking families to some of the most iconic locations, as experts share the top festive itineraries less than two hours from the UK

As the festive season approaches, families could be jetting off to Europe for a Christmas adventure without even needing to book time off work or splurge on hotel stays, thanks to extreme day tripping. This travel trend sees holidaymakers spending 24 hours or less in a destination before heading back home.

Travel gurus at Iglu Cruise have pinpointed three of the top European destinations for yuletide celebrations, all within two hours by plane or train from London, and they’ve even crafted the perfect itinerary to make the most of your Christmas escape.

Cologne, Germany

This captivating city is home to some of the world’s most famous Christmas markets, and it’s just an hour and 20 minutes by plane from London. The experts suggest kicking off the day exploring Cologne’s museums, such as Museum Ludwig and the Fina Frangrace Museum.

Next, pop over to Ehrenfeld for a quick cafe stop and an afternoon Kölsch before embarking on a boat tour along the Rhine River to soak up the Christmas magic of Cologne.

Come evening, Heinzels Christmas Market comes alive with ice skating, shopping and the KölnTriangle observation deck offering stunning views of Cologne’s illuminated cathedral and twinkling Christmas lights.

Basel, Switzerland

Just an hour and 40 minutes away from London by plane, this snow-dusted fairytale town awaits, boasting a charming medieval old town that serves as the ideal starting point for your extreme day trip.

From the old town, visitors can admire the beautifully decorated courtyards, called “Magische Höfe” or “Magical Courtyards”. The city hall courtyard features a Wish Book where guests can record their Christmas wishes.

The experts then recommend visiting the Barfüsserplatz Christmas Market to sample Swiss cheese or the famous local gingerbread biscuit, followed by Christmas shopping and mulled wine from the 13-metre high Christmas Pyramid.

There’s also a free Advent production at Basel Theatre worth catching. These daily performances, running from 1st to 23rd December at 5:00 PM, feature a varied programme of small opera, drama and ballet productions.

During these dates visitors can also climb St Martin’s Tower for a small fee to enjoy a bird’s eye view of the market and the illuminated old town.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Just an hour and 10 minutes’ flight from London brings you to Amsterdam, where you can begin your day trip admiring the city’s iconic canals and bridges in the Jordaan district whilst enjoying breakfast.

The Museum Quarter provides plenty to occupy your morning before heading to the Winter Paradise RAI festival, where you’ll discover indoor and outdoor ice rinks, a Ferris wheel, live music, Dutch waffles and cosy winter bars.

Amsterdam’s Light Festival also transforms the city at this time of year, and the experts suggest taking an evening cruise for the best views as the spectacular decorations shimmer across the water.