Wondering which short-haul spots to suggest next year? Phil Davies picks some of the top new flights.
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Riga
The dynamic Latvian capital of Riga will be served from Manchester airport with the start of AirBaltic flights from March 29, 2020. Latvia’s flag carrier is to run four flights a week, opening access to the Baltic Sea city, a cultural spot renowned for its medieval old town, wooden buildings and art nouveau architecture. Bars and nightclubs are located around busy Livu Square, part of the pedestrian-only centre, and it’s worth making time for Riga Central Market, the largest in Europe.
Book it: Basic return fares flying on AirBaltic’s new Airbus A220-300 aircraft start at £69. Expect to pay around £200 for a two-night hotel stay in June.
airbaltic.com
St Petersburg
The Russian city of St Petersburg is gaining budget Wizz Air flights from Luton airport, a useful addition for clients in the Midlands who don’t fancy the extra couple of hours’ drive to Gatwick. The historic city is home of the vast Hermitage Museum, the glistening Winter Palace and the domed Russian Orthodox cathedral of Savior on the Spilled Blood.
Book it: Basic single fares start at £49 for departures after the Easter holidays in April. Seven nights’ bed and breakfast stays start at £257.
wizzair.com
Skiathos
The demise of Thomas Cook has seen both Tui and Jet2 add a range of departures from UK regional airports to Skiathos for summer 2020. A vibrant nightlife scene and beautiful beaches mean demand is high for the Aegean island, part of the Sporades archipelago. Resorts such as Achladies, Kolios, Koukounaries, Skiathos Town, Troulos and Agia Paraskevi are favourites.
Book it: Jet2holidays prices start at £282 for seven nights’ self-catering at the Manos Studios in Kolios flying from Stansted on May 9.
jet2holidays.com
Terceira
Ryanair will serve the Azores island of Terceria with weekly direct flights from Stansted from April, avoiding the need to fly via mainland Portugal. Known as the Lilac Island, Terceira is the second most populated in the Azores after Sao Miguel. Hit by a violent eathquake in 1980, the capital of Angra do Heroismo was reconstructed and its historic centre is recognised by Unesco. The island is also known for its traditional summer bull runs.
Book it: The three-hour, 40-minute flights lead in at £113.99 starting on April 1 with seven nights’ bed and breakfast accommodation starting at £211.12.
ryanair.com
Tivat
Tivat in Montenegro is a summer addition to Jet2’s expanding network with flights and holidays from Stansted and Manchester airports. Previously accessible via Dubrovnik, it is the first time the airline has operated flights direct to Montenegro, opening up resorts such as stylish Budva, chilled-out Becici and the stunning Herceg Novi. The classy coastal town of Tivat is located on the Bay of Kotor and is already a regular Adriatic cruise destination.
Book it: Package holiday prices start at around £650 per person for seven nights in a hotel with breakfast from Manchester in May, 2020.
jet2holidays.com
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