Latest news with #Gayward
Metro
24-06-2025
- Business
- Metro
'Breathtaking' Spanish city with quiet beaches gets new £31 flights from UK
If Bristol is your nearest airport, your European holiday options have just got better. EasyJet has announced new flights from Bristol to Almería, a charming city in Spain's Andalusia region. Starting today (June 24), flights to the Spanish destination will run twice a week, on Tuesdays and Saturdays. And fares are cheap. On Saturday, September 27, you can catch a flight for just £31. Or, if you're looking to catch rays a little earlier, tickets are currently available on Tuesday, July 1 for £47. Throughout summer (from June to September), prices range between £31 to £105, and the journey takes around 2 hours and 35 minutes. However, Almería isn't the only sun-soaked hotspot set to become more accessible to South West travellers. Palermo, Sicily's capital, is also getting twice-weekly flights. These will start from Thursday, June 26, and depart on Thursdays and Sundays. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. Flights to Palermo won't break the bank, either. A trip on Sunday, August 24 will set you back £36. A little later, on Sunday, September 21, bag tickets for just £34. Ali Gayward, easyJet's UK country manager, said: 'We are pleased to welcome our 19th aircraft to Bristol Airport, as well as the launch of our new routes to Almería and Palermo. 'Not only does our fleet growth in Bristol support many skilled jobs and connectivity which play a crucial role in economic growth, it is a clear demonstration of our continued commitment to serving customers in the southwest as well as supporting inbound travel for tourism.' Gayward added that through easyJet's short-haul network and unique holiday offerings, the airline continues to provide 'more choice and value for money.' Plus, helping to make travel easy for the '6 million customers we fly to and from Bristol each year.' Over on Reddit, people have been raving about Almería, calling the beaches 'breathtaking' and – most importantly – not overcrowded. Travellers have also said the weather is 'amazing all year round.' Sounds good to us. The Andalusia region is a tourist hotspot, home to popular cities like Seville, Granada and Malaga. In 2023, approximately 2.65 million Brits visited the region. Despite this, Almería remains widely under-explored in comparison. At a glance, the Alcazaba of Almería is a standout – and perhaps the most famous – landmark in the city. The 10th-century fortress is an architectural example of the Moorish rule, which lasted from around 711 AD until the 15th century. The Alcazaba is located on a hill overlooking the city. Once you've climbed the ancient stone steps to get to the top, you'll be greeted with panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea. The fortress has a small entry fee of €1.50 (£1.28), and guided tours are available. If you're after another example of impressive architecture, head to the Almería Cathedral. The 17th-century cathedral-fortress is Gothic in style with a Renaissance façade, and was built as a place of worship and to defend the city from attacks. Entry to the cathedral is €5 (£4.26), which includes an audio guide. Last but not least on the history front, the Archaeological Museum of Almería is a must-visit. Housed in an award-winning contemporary building, worlds away from the ancient constructions that make up most of the city, it showcases Almería's rich history and culture. The museum is free to enter. Beach lovers, Almería has a boatload of picturesque spots. Playa de los Genoveses, a horseshoe-shaped beach with soft sand, clear, shallow water, and surrounded by mountains, is a favourite. As is Playa de Monsul, a famous beach around 52 minutes from the city. Its volcanic rock formations and cobalt blue waters secured it as a filming location in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Finally, Playa de los Muertos in the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park is the perfect spot for paradise vibes. With crystal-clear turquoise waters and white sands, the beach is ideal for swimming and snorkelling. Also in the Natural Park is Arrecife de las Sirenas, a popular dive site brimming with unique marine life and monk seals. Snorkelling and kayaking are also great ways to check out this stunning reef. For the adventurers, Tabernas Desert should be on your hit list. Widely considered to be Europe's only true desert, it's a Natural Beauty Spot north of Almería. Films and series such as Lawrence of Arabia, Cleopatra, Black Mirror, and Game of Thrones have all been filmed here. Back on land, head to Almería Central Market, a 19th-century iron-wrought building selling fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and fish. And, speaking of local ingredients, indulge in the Andalusian cuisine, particularly the tapas culture. More Trending On TripAdvisor, Restaurante Blanca Brisa Cabo De Gata is rated as the best food joint in the city. Complimented for its 'unbeatable price and even better quality,' previous diner favourites include starters of tuna and rabiolis with mushrooms, and zamburriña and red prawns straight from Almería's sea. Guided food tours are also popular here, with the Almería City gastronomic tour being a favourite. Over the course of the day, travel around the city trying the freshest fish, meats, vegetables and deli stalls, plus visiting an undercover food market in the old city streets. For €128 (£109), you'll also be treated to a 'Secret Spain' tapas lunch. Due to its southern Spain position and proximity to North Africa, Almería enjoys a Mediterranean semi-arid climate. That means summers are hot and dry, while winters experience around seven hours of sunshine, often reaching up to 17°C. The hottest months are July and August, with temperatures averaging around 31°C. During the shoulder season, which is between April and May and September to October, temperatures range from 21°C to 28°C. So this might be a better time to go if you want to avoid the extreme heat. Plus, there'll be fewer crowds. MORE: Tourist knocked out after hit in the head by chair in swimming pool fight MORE: 'Bonkers' UK bus is 'world's rarest' and only runs on the fifth Saturday of the month MORE: Is it safe to travel to Turkey? Latest Foreign Office tourist advice after Iran strikes US airbase in Qatar
Daily Mirror
04-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
easyJet launches direct flight route to 'paradise' island in Europe
easyJet has announced it will be launching a new direct flight route from the UK to a 'fantastic' island this year New easyJet flights are due to depart from London Luton Airport for Funchal, the capital city of Portugal's picturesque Madeira archipelago. Flights will operate every Monday and Friday throughout summer 2025, supporting the introduction of new holiday packages. According to easyJet's UK Country Manager, Ali Gayward: "We are really pleased to be celebrating the launch of another new route from London Luton Airport this summer." Gayward further praised the addition, stating that "Funchal is a fantastic addition" - likely owing to its subtropical climate, rugged volcanic landscapes, lush forest, and extensive hiking trails. The island is renowned for its famous Madeira wine with numerous local vineyards offering guided tours. According to Lonely Planet, popular activities in Funchal include whale and dolphin spotting and volcanic pools. Tripadvisor highlights top attractions such as Monte Palace Madeira, which boasts serene gardens with wildlife, live music, and an art exhibition, as well as the high-altitude hiking trail of Pico do Arierio, reports the Express. Visitors can soak in scenic views of nature and the city by taking a ride on the cable cars. Other notable attractions include the 3D Fun Art Museum and the vibrant street food market Mercado dos Lavradores. easyJet's holiday offers Seven nights at the 3* Dom Pedro Garajau in Funchal on a Bed & Breakfast basis for £505 per person including 23kg of luggage per person, transfers and flights from London Luton Airport on October 10, 2025. Seven nights at the 3* Vila Ventura in Funchal on a Room Only basis for £353 per person including 23kg of luggage per person, transfers and flights from London Luton Airport on November 22, 2025. Seven nights at the 4* Muthu Raga Madeira Hotel in Funchal on a Room Only basis for £368 per person including 23kg of luggage per person, transfers and flights from London Luton Airport on December 6, 2025. This tempting offer is part of easyJet's latest promotion, which is only available until Sunday, June 8, so you'll need to act fast. Climate in Funchal in October, November and December If you're wondering about the weather, Funchal's climate in November typically ranges from a comfortable 23C down to 17C; come December, temperatures hover between a mild 21C and 16C, ensuring a pleasantly warm winter getaway. Gayward remarked: "We continue to provide the seven million customers we fly to and from Luton annually with even greater choice and of course, fantastic value." He also highlighted the airline's commitment to the UK market: "Our continued growth and investment in the UK highlights the importance of the market for us where this year we operated more flying than ever before."
