Latest news with #TomScreen
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
EasyJet launches flights to always-sunny destination that's home to gorgeous beaches and Europe's only wild monkeys
easyJet has launched flights to an always sunny destination that's home to Europe's only wild monkeys. The low-cost airline will operate a twice-weekly service to the holiday hotspot, with flights on Thursdays and Sundays. Bosses have already launched the new route, which is between Birmingham and Gibraltar, and will run all year round. It adds to easyJet's already existing London Gatwick, Bristol and Manchester to Gibraltar routes, taking the total number of flights to the British Overseas Territory to 13 a week. The announcement comes after easyJet opened their Birmingham base last year. Speaking last year, Aviation Director of Birmingham Airport Tom Screen said: 'easyJet has a staggering 34 routes on sale for 2025 from Birmingham Airport after only opening its base in March this year.' Originally from the Atlas Mountains and the Rif Mountains of Morocco, the Barbary macaque population in Gibraltar is the only wild monkey population on the European continent. Approximately 230 Barbary macaques are thought to live on the Rock of Gibraltar. However, while they are adorable, they can also be vicious and a number of incidents involving tourists have been recorded. Four years ago, video footage captured the moment a fearless monkey snatched a woman's bag out of her hand. In another incident, a dream wedding in Gibraltar was almost ruined after a macaque monkey started rifling through the husband-to-be's backpack and stealing his passport. Meanwhile, easyJet recently opened another new UK base at London's Southend Airport. The budget carrier is offering 122 flights per week across 22 routes from the Essex-based airport. The routes will take British tourists to destinations across Europe and North Africa, with 330,000 seats available. easyJet will fly passengers to several new destinations from Southend, including Reus and Gran Canaria in Spain. The carrier will also operate flights to Tenerife, Marrakech, Antalya, Almeria, Pisa, Dalaman, Endfidha and Malta.
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Always-sunny holiday destination with quiet beaches gets new three-hour easyJet flights from the UK
And the other new easyJet flights launching this year HOT STUFF Always-sunny holiday destination with quiet beaches gets new three-hour easyJet flights from the UK Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) EASYJET has launched new flights to a holiday destination that is home to Europe's only wild monkeys. The new flights from Birmingham Airport will connect the region to Gibraltar. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 easyJet has launched new flights to Gibraltar from the UK Credit: Alamy 5 The new route from Birmingham will operate twice a week Credit: Alamy Operating all year round, the twice-weekly service has launched on Thursdays and Sundays. This adds to easyJet's other flights to Gibraltar from London Gatwick, Manchester and Bristol, with 13 flights a week. Tom Screen, Aviation Director of Birmingham Airport said last year: "easyJet has a staggering 34 routes on sale for 2025 from Birmingham Airport after only opening its base in March this year." Gibraltar, also known as the Rock, is a British Overseas Territory to the south of Spain. You will still need your passport to visit, but won't need a visa or anything else. The Rock of Gibraltar is the main attraction with amazing views over the city although you can also go up by taxi or cable car. Home to around 30,000 people, Gibraltar is also known for being the home to Europe's only wild monkeys. The Barbary Macaques are normally only found in North Africa. And due to its location, Gibraltar remains sunny all year round with highs of 28C in summer. But even winter, you can expect mild weather, rarely dropping below 17C. Escape Winter: Fly to Gran Canaria with EasyJet Eastern Beach is where you will want to head, being the largest beach in Gibraltar. Or head to Camp Bay, a small rocky beach which has swimming pools overlooking the beach if you're not an ocean swimmer. And Catalan Bay is where you will find the locals, being tucked away by a tiny multi-coloured village. One tourist wrote on Tripadvisor: "I usually don't enjoy busy beaches however the atmosphere on this little gem was great full of local families all chatting." 5 The territoryis also home to some quiet beaches that only locals know about Credit: Alamy 5 Gibralter's Barbary macaques are the only wild monkeys in Europe Credit: Alamy Another called it a "little piece of heaven". If you want to stay somewhere fancy, there is the five-star yacht hotel Sunborn, which is also in the UK - here is what it is like to stay onboard. Despite being moored in the harbour, it has its own rooftop plunge pool where you can even spot bottlenose dolphins. Flights take around three hours from the UK with easyJet fares from £26.99. There are even plans to connect Gibraltar by underwater tunnel to both Spain and Morocco. What is a holiday to Gibraltar like? The Sun's Commissioning Editor Martha Cliff recently visited. Limestone mountain the Rock of Gibraltar is the first port of call for most tourists – even me, despite my fear of monkeys and this rock being home to approximately 230 of them. A little higher up, I'm in the Ape's Den, surrounded by macaques, so I don't need much convincing to quickly make the unexpectedly steep walk to the Windsor Suspension Bridge for astonishing views across Gib (as the locals call it). In search of more magic, I head to Catalan Bay, a five-minute drive away on the eastern side of the Rock. With sand imported from the Sahara Desert and colourful houses lining the Mediterranean shore, it's a far cry from the Irish bars of the main harbour. The £ route would start in Madrid, before stopping in Algeciras, Gibraltar, Tangier and ending in Casablanca. In the mean time, here are some other new easyJet flights
The Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Always-sunny holiday destination with quiet beaches gets new three-hour easyJet flights from the UK
EASYJET has launched new flights to a holiday destination that is home to Europe's only wild monkeys. The new flights from Birmingham Airport will connect the region to Gibraltar. 5 5 Operating all year round, the twice-weekly service has launched on Thursdays and Sundays. This adds to easyJet 's other flights to Gibraltar from London Gatwick, Manchester and Bristol, with 13 flights a week. Tom Screen, Aviation Director of Birmingham Airport said last year: "easyJet has a staggering 34 routes on sale for 2025 from Birmingham Airport after only opening its base in March this year." Gibraltar, also known as the Rock, is a British Overseas Territory to the south of Spain. You will still need your passport to visit, but won't need a visa or anything else. The Rock of Gibraltar is the main attraction with amazing views over the city although you can also go up by taxi or cable car. Home to around 30,000 people, Gibraltar is also known for being the home to Europe's only wild monkeys. The Barbary Macaques are normally only found in North Africa. And due to its location, Gibraltar remains sunny all year round with highs of 28C in summer. But even winter, you can expect mild weather, rarely dropping below 17C. Escape Winter: Fly to Gran Canaria with EasyJet Eastern Beach is where you will want to head, being the largest beach in Gibraltar. Or head to Camp Bay, a small rocky beach which has swimming pools overlooking the beach if you're not an ocean swimmer. And Catalan Bay is where you will find the locals, being tucked away by a tiny multi-coloured village. One tourist wrote on Tripadvisor: "I usually don't enjoy busy beaches however the atmosphere on this little gem was great full of local families all chatting." 5 5 Another called it a "little piece of heaven". If you want to stay somewhere fancy, there is the five-star yacht hotel Sunborn, which is also in the UK - here is what it is like to stay onboard. Despite being moored in the harbour, it has its own rooftop plunge pool where you can even spot bottlenose dolphins. Flights take around three hours from the UK with easyJet fares from £26.99. There are even plans to connect Gibraltar by underwater tunnel to both Spain and Morocco. What is a holiday to Gibraltar like? The Sun's Commissioning Editor Martha Cliff recently visited. Limestone mountain the Rock of Gibraltar is the first port of call for most tourists – even me, despite my fear of monkeys and this rock being home to approximately 230 of them. A little higher up, I'm in the Ape's Den, surrounded by macaques, so I don't need much convincing to quickly make the unexpectedly steep walk to the Windsor Suspension Bridge for astonishing views across Gib (as the locals call it). In search of more magic, I head to Catalan Bay, a five-minute drive away on the eastern side of the Rock. With sand imported from the Sahara Desert and colourful houses lining the Mediterranean shore, it's a far cry from the Irish bars of the main harbour. The £ route would start in Madrid, before stopping in Algeciras, Gibraltar, Tangier and ending in Casablanca. In the mean time, here are some other new easyJet flights 5
The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Always-sunny holiday destination with quiet beaches gets new three-hour easyJet flights from the UK
EASYJET has launched new flights to a holiday destination that is home to Europe's only wild monkeys. The new flights from Birmingham Airport will connect the region to Gibraltar. Advertisement 5 easyJet has launched new flights to Gibraltar from the UK Credit: Alamy 5 The new route from Birmingham will operate twice a week Credit: Alamy Operating all year round, the twice-weekly service has launched on Thursdays and Sundays. This adds to easyJet's other flights to Gibraltar from London Gatwick, Manchester and Bristol , with 13 flights a week. Tom Screen, Aviation Director of Birmingham Airport said last year: "easyJet has a staggering 34 routes on sale for 2025 from Birmingham Airport after only opening its base in March this year." Gibraltar, also known as the Rock, is a British Overseas Territory to the south of Spain. Advertisement Read more on easyJet You will still need your passport to visit, but won't need a visa or anything else. The Rock of Gibraltar is the main attraction with amazing views over the city although you can also go up by taxi or cable car. Home to around 30,000 people, Gibraltar is also known for being the home to Europe 's only wild monkeys. The Barbary Macaques are normally only found in North Africa. Advertisement Most read in News Travel And due to its location, Gibraltar remains sunny all year round with highs of 28C in summer . But even winter , you can expect mild weather, rarely dropping below 17C. Escape Winter: Fly to Gran Canaria with EasyJet Eastern Beach is where you will want to head, being the largest beach in Gibraltar. Or head to Camp Bay, a small rocky beach which has swimming pools overlooking the beach if you're not an ocean swimmer. Advertisement And Catalan Bay is where you will find the locals, being tucked away by a tiny multi-coloured village. One tourist wrote on Tripadvisor: "I usually don't enjoy busy beaches however the atmosphere on this little gem was great full of local families all chatting." 5 The territoryis also home to some quiet beaches that only locals know about Credit: Alamy 5 Gibralter's Barbary macaques are the only wild monkeys in Europe Credit: Alamy Advertisement Another called it a "little piece of heaven". If you want to stay somewhere fancy, there is the five-star yacht hotel Sunborn, which is also in the UK - here is Despite being moored in the harbour, it has its own rooftop plunge pool where you can even spot bottlenose dolphins. Flights take around three hours from the UK with easyJet fares from £26.99. Advertisement There are even plans to connect What is a holiday to Gibraltar like? The Sun's Commissioning Editor recently visited . Limestone mountain the Rock of Gibraltar is the first port of call for most tourists – even me, despite my fear of monkeys and this rock being home to approximately 230 of them. A little higher up, I'm in the Ape's Den, surrounded by macaques, so I don't need much convincing to quickly make the unexpectedly steep walk to the Windsor Suspension Bridge for astonishing views across Gib (as the locals call it). In search of more magic, I head to Catalan Bay, a five-minute drive away on the eastern side of the Rock. With sand imported from the Sahara Desert and colourful houses lining the Mediterranean shore, it's a far cry from the Irish bars of the main harbour. The £ route would start in Madrid , before stopping in Algeciras, Gibraltar, Tangier and ending in Casablanca. In the mean time, here are some other 5 The new flights take three hours from the UK Credit: Alamy Advertisement
Metro
29-05-2025
- Metro
UK airport has new TUI flights to quirky European capital dubbed 'city of baths'
Fancy a city break to one of Europe's most popular capital cities? It's just become easier than ever for travellers from the Midlands. The airline is launching a new direct flight from Birmingham to the historic Hungarian capital Budapest next year. The weekly service, which will run from May 4 until September 2026, will serve TUI's summer River Cruise programme, many of which leave from Budapest. In 2026, three of TUI River Cruises' ships, Isla, Maya and Skyla, will be based on the Danube River all summer. From Budapest, the cruises wind through Hungary, Serbia and Croatia, stopping in cities like Novi Sad, Belgrade and Vukovar. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. Not a cruiser? The Birmingham-Budapest route is also intended to connect travellers with Lake Balaton, a freshwater lake in western Hungary that's part of TUI's Lakes & Mountains collection. The area is home to beaches, volcanic hills, hiking trails and even a wine-growing region. But, if you're just after the city break, return flights from May 11 next year start at £241. This includes 15kg of checked-in luggage and 10kg of hand luggage per person, so you don't have to worry about fitting everything into a tiny carry-on! Birmingham airport aviation director Tom Screen added: 'It is great to see that Tui will be launching a new weekly flight to Budapest, opening up more options for travellers direct from Birmingham. 'A popular city break destination, this route is yet another addition to Tui's great portfolio of destinations from Birmingham airport.' Nicknamed the 'City of Baths' since the 1920s, Budapest is built on over 100 thermal springs, and a trip here isn't complete without a soak. The city's iconic bathhouses are just as beautiful as they are relaxing. The most popular and well known is Szechenyi, while quieter options include Gellert, and Rudas. Szechenyi is massive, with multiple indoor and outdoor pools, and home to the famous 'Sparty', basically an electronic music themed pool party. However, the baths are thought to attract over 1.5 million visitors annually, so you'll want to bring some flip-flops with you. Once you're done relaxing, there's plenty of history to explore. The Fisherman's Bastion in the Buda Castle District is a must-see. More Trending Built in the 19th century, this fairytale-like monument is described as an 'architectural marvel' and is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. These are the top things to see in Budapest, according to Tripadvisor. Hungarian Parliament Buildings – a neo-Gothic structure which serves as a city landmark and government centre. Fisherman's Bastion – a 19th-century mock bastion featuring pointed towers and turrets, reminiscent of a fairytale castle. Shoes on the Danube Banks – a memorial to WWII victims, featuring rows of shoes. St Stephen's Basilica – a historic basilica featuring stained glass and art. Central Market Hall – a historic market brimming with stalls. If you don't have time for a full river cruise, you can take a sightseeing or cocktail cruise aboard the Danube. Most set sail before sunset and offer stunning views along the river. After all the exploring, travellers can head to one of Budapest's ruin bars. These 'quirky' bars, as described so by Lonely Planet, are typically found in Budapest's Jewish Quarter, located in formerly abandoned buildings, are and are now a key part of Budapest's nightlife and draw in travellers from all over the world. And if you're hungry after all that sightseeing, Metro's Lifestyle Editor, Kristina Beanland recently visited the city, and said you have to get a table at Mazel Tov, located inside a ruin bar. Kristina says: 'Mazel Tov looks oh-so-chic, with exposed brick walls, fairy lights and house plants in every corner. But luckily, the food matches up to the interiors. 'Mazel Tov describes itself as a 'Middle Eastern' restaurant, and the hummus, with spiced lamb shoulder, was my favourite. Creamy, with perfectly seasoned lamb. Be sure to get some of their sourdough pita bread on the side – you will not regret it. Other standout choices were the green spiced feta (whipped feta is my new obsession) and fattoush salad that was perfectly crunchy and served with yuzu vinaigrette. 'Afterwards, head to Szimpla Kert for a drink, the first ruin bar in Budapest. It's massive, with multiple bars spread across two floors. The quirky decor and lively crowd will keep you entertained all night long.' Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: European city begs for 'respect' as tourists keep stealing bizarre souvenir MORE: 'It's magic': Your favourite French holiday spots that aren't Paris, Cannes or Nice MORE: Flying taxi reaches speeds of 150mph in first cross-country run
