Latest news with #GerganaKrasteva
Metro
19 hours ago
- Business
- Metro
Easyjet launches 11 new flights from UK airport to Greece, Spain and more
Easyjet have made holiday plans easier for travellers in the north east, as the low-cost airline has launched 11 new flights from Newcastle Airport. Now available to book for summer 2026, the budget carrier has expanded their offering from Newcastle, which was recently named one of the best in Europe. Alongside the current eight routes already on offer, new destinations are: Malta Rhodes, Greece Corfu, Greece Faro, Portugal Reus, Spain Tunisia Sharm el Sheik, Egypt Dalaman, Turkey Antalya, Turkey Prague, Czechia Nice, France The flights are also available as part of package holiday deals, which can be booked from now, for travel up until October 2026. Meanwhile, Easyjet say that flights across the new routes will be on sale on 'in the coming months'. Currently, travellers hoping to fly out of Newcastle have to make a stop on their journey to the above destinations, often in Belfast or Bristol. This inevitably makes the journey longer. The Easyjet website currently shows a flight from Newcastle to Faro (which takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes direct from the UK) taking a whopping 7 hours and 30 minutes. When it comes to package holidays, there are some great deals to be had. For example, holiday makers can stay for seven nights at the 3* Best Mediterraneo in Reus on a half board basis for £513 per person including 23kg of luggage per person, transfers and flights from Newcastle International on September 26 2026. Or, for a city break, there's three nights at the 4* Ariston and Ariston Patio Hotel in Prague on a bed and breakfast basis for £324 per person including flights from Newcastle International on September 24 2026. If Easyjet's new offerings have inspired you to book a trip, why not follow in the footsteps of Metro's Gergana Krasteva and explore Tunisia – one of Easyjet's new destinations from Newcastle. Away from the main cities, the country has quaint seaside towns worth a visit. For example, postcard-perfect Sidi Bou Said is perched high above the Mediterranean, and is just 30 minutes from central Tunis. Gergana says: Whitewashed buildings shimmer in the 25°C sun, their bright blue shutters mimicking the colours of the sea. It is those characteristics that often bring comparisons to the Greek island of Santorini. Sidi Bou Said has a similar dreamlike feel – though without the invasive crowds and a distinct North African soul. My friend and guide, Hedi, tells me that the town is a 'true source of pride' for Tunisians, adding: 'It is always one of the first places I take my foreign friends, as it beautifully showcases the rich culture Tunisia has to offer. I am truly attached to Sidi Bou Said – I often go simply to take in the breathtaking views.' Before taking on the cobbled streets, we stop for sustenance. The Tunisian Assida Zgougou, a delicious custard-type dessert made out of Aleppo pine powder and topped with crushed pistachios, does the job. More Trending We also grab a refreshing cold brew from the trendy branch of Ben Rahim Coffee. The stroll through Sidi Bou Said reveals something charming at every turn – tiny shops spilling over with hand-crafted ceramics and jewellery. Nomad is one of several art galleries worth checking out, showcasing traditional and also more modern pieces that honour Tunisia's rich history. As we descend the main hill, a crowd has gathered at a lookout point at the end of the path. From here, the view is nothing short of cinematic – the sun bouncing off the golden sands below and the waves of the sea crashing in the shoreline. Here at Metro, we love bringing our readers unusual and hidden-gem alternatives to more popular European city breaks. For those who love Paris, why not try Tromsø, often dubbed 'Paris of the North'. Don't be fooled by its extreme location — the largest city in northern Norway is surprisingly refined, with plenty to see beyond the Northern Lights. If you enjoy holidaying in Portugal, but want to venture beyond Lisbon and Porto, head to Bragga, the lesser-visited 'Rome of Portugal', which was once a mainstay of the Roman empire. From ornate architecture to ancient buildings and a thriving culinary scene, the city has everything that Rome does, without the crowds. And if it's a historical break you're after, Europe's oldest city is in Bulgaria, and dates back to a staggering 6,000 BC. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: British dad says he 'almost died' after holiday in four-star Turkish hotel MORE: On holiday in Albania, I discovered the price of paradise MORE: 'Holy Grail' shipwreck filled with £15,000,000,000 in treasure 'found' Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.
Metro
15-05-2025
- Metro
Russia and Nato minutes from international incident over Baltic Sea tanker
Gergana Krasteva Published May 15, 2025 9:50am Updated May 15, 2025 10:14am Link is copied Comments War now feels dangerously close on Nato's eastern flank after a Russian fighter jet tore into Estonia's airspace. It was a brief violation – lasting for about a minute – but it was enough to trigger an emergency alarm in the Baltic Sea. It happened after the Estonian Navy said it attempted to detain a Russia-bound oil tanker, while it was navigating in international waters. The vessel, Jaguar, was sanctioned by Britain last Friday, amid accusations it is one of about 100 in Russia's 'shadow fleet' – deployed by the Kremlin to avoid international sanctions (Picture: Russian media) The tanker was near Naissaar Island, off Tallinn, when the Estonian Navy communicated with it by radio at 3.30pm UK time on Tuesday. Estonian authorities deployed an AgustaWestland AW139 helicopter, an M28 Skytruck aircraft, and the EML Raju patrol boat to intercept it. They demanded that Jaguar's crew change course, but they refused to comply. It was then that Russian forces scrambled a Su-35 fighter plane to provide cover for the tanker. (Picture: Royal Navy) Public broadcaster ERR reported on Wednesday that the Russian aircraft's transponders had been switched off and no flight plan had been filed. Estonian Navy commander Ivo Vark said that forces 'had an obligation to verify the vessel's documents and legal status as it was sailing 'without a nationality'. He added: The vessel denied cooperation and continued its journey toward Russia (Picture: Russian media) 'Given the vessel's lack of nationality, the use of force, including boarding the vessel, was deemed unnecessary.' An Estonian patrol then escorted the Jaguar until it eventually reached Russian waters, Vark added (Picture: Russian media) Footage filmed from a bridge of a tanker whose IMO identification number matches that of the Jaguar shows a navy patrol boat, a helicopter and a patrol aircraft hovering nearby. A voice on a radio is heard in the background: 'This is Estonian warship … follow my instructions, alter your course to 105 immediately.' In Russian, a voice says off-camera, is heard saying: 'We are met by helicopters, they demand we go on anchor' (Picture: Russian media) A military jet, which Estonia does not operate, is also glimpsed flying nearby. Margus Tsahkna, Estonian foreign minister, stressed this is a 'very serious and regrettable incident, which is completely unacceptable' (Picture: Global Images Ukraine via Getty) He said on X: 'Yesterday another incident with Russia's shadow fleet in the Gulf of Finland proved that we must act. With the info op that followed Russia has clearly tied itself to the shadow fleet – a threat that must face tougher, faster sanctions' (Picture: Russian media)
