It may still be 3 months until Christmas, but British budget airline Jet2 recommends you start planning your Christmas flights now, as this is when you can get the best deal.
Flights start from £29 one way including taxes and Jet2 offer a generous 22kg baggage allowance, so you can fit even more presents. They recommend the following six Christmas destinations and there is something for everyone, from traditional white Christmas to winter sun:
1. BARCELONA - from £29 one way*
For a bit of a winter sun, fly to Barcelona on the Mediterranean coast.
Visit Sagrada Familia, the famously surreal Barcelona Cathedral, designed by Gaudi and it's Fira de Nadal ("Christmas Market").
Also, don't miss the Fira de Santa Llucia, Barcelona's biggest and oldest (since 1786) Christmas market, with over 300 artisans.
Jet2 flies from Leeds and Manchester |
2. BUDAPEST - from £32 one way*
Budapest Christmas Market in Vörösmarty Square is considered one of Europe’s best. Warm up with a sip of pálinka, Hungarian plum brandy.
Jet2 suggest you see the live choir accompanying the daily unveiling of the advent calendar at Gerbeaud House.
There is also a free skating ring at St. Stephen’s Basilica Market.
Jet2 flies from Edinburgh and Manchester |
3. KRAKOW - from £40 one way*
Krakow Christmas Market takes place at the Rynek, the largest medieval square in Europe. Sample some Polish delicacies such as fried oscypek cheese and spicy ginger biscuits known as piernik.
Jet2 flies from Newcastle |
4. DUSSELDORF - from £26 one way*
German Christmas markets are famous throughout Europe and Düsseldorf is no exception, with six Christmas markets to choose from, including the Marktplatz (with the craftsmen sculpting metal and glass into beautiful ornaments inside wooden huts elaborately designed like the Rathaus (City Hall)), the Schadowplatz (great for those who want to try some local dishes like roasted almonds or creamy cheese), or the Little Star Market (with the crystallised lights).
Jet2 flies from Leeds |
5. PRAGUE - from £35 one way*
Prague is renowned for its Christmas markets, especially the one dating back to the 12th century at Old Town Square (try vanocka, a sweet fruity bread, and Moravian cookies made with warming nutmeg and ginger) and the one at Wenceslas Square.
Jet2 flies from Edinburgh, Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle |
6. NEW YORK - from £397 return*
New York is famous as the Christmas shopping destination! The Union Square Park Holiday Market welcomes you with more than 100 artisan stalls offering hot cider, giant pretzels and striped candy canes. The Grand Central Holiday Fair is held in the chandelier-lit Vanderbilt Hall of the iconic Grand Central Station and features 76 specially selected stalls with items you won’t find anywhere else.
Jet2 flies from East Midlands, Glasgow, Leeds and Newcastle |
* all prices include taxes
