Travel & Tourism

Jet2 launches new ‘once in a lifetime’ winter package holidays to Iceland from Manchester

One to tick off your bucket list.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 1st July 2024

Jet2 has just unveiled details of its new “once in a lifetime” trips to Iceland direct from Manchester next winter. 

It’s no secret that Iceland is a country which commonly features on bucket list, and now, with holidaymakers already flocking in their thousands to book flights to this stunning Nordic destination for next winter, the UK’s largest operator of city breaks to Europe has just launched its biggest-ever Iceland programme.

Jet2 says this new Winter 2025/26 programme offers customers and independent travel agents an “unrivalled choice of departure points”, as it covers all 12 of its UK airport bases – including Manchester Airport.

More than 170 outbound flights will run across the UK between October 2025 and April 2026, and there’ll be whopping 34,000 tickets to grab.

Jet2 has launched new ‘once in a lifetime’ winter package holidays to Iceland direct from Manchester / Credit: Nicolas J Leclrercq | Tom Podmore (via Unsplash)

The programme’s run dates means trips are available at several key periods during winter 2025 and 2026, including over the October and February half terms, the Easter holidays, and even in the exciting countdown to Christmas too.

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Scheduled Monday and Thursday services operating from Manchester Airport throughout the season will run from 2 October to 8 December 2025, and 29 January to 27 April 2026.

As well as providing customers with “plenty of flexibility” when it comes to which month or period they want to travel, Jet2 says the flights are also “perfectly timed” for those are keen to get a chance at witnessing the spectacular Northern Lights in all their glory.

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More than 170 outbound flights will run across the UK between October 2025 and April 2026 / Credit: Suhyeon Choi (via Unsplash)

Customers can pick from flight-only or package holiday options within Jet2’s newly-launched Winter 2025/26 programme.

Package options with Jet2CityBreaks direct from Manchester to Keflavík International Airport, near Reykjavik, include a guided Northern Lights Tour, flights with Jet2.com, 22kg hold luggage, transfers to and from the airport, and a choice of 3 and 4-star hotels in central Reykjavik, all for a deposit as little as £60 per person.

On top of this, you can also add a choice of excursions to the South Shore, Golden Circle, and Blue Lagoon to your package.

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Find out more and book on the Jet2 website here.

Featured Image – Jet2

Travel & Tourism

‘Busiest’ Easter bank holiday weekend expected as 19 million people hit the roads

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

It’s expected to be one of the busiest Easter bank holidays in three years, as millions of people travel across the UK.

With the four-day weekend upon us, and people nationwide prepare to make the journey to visit family or friends over their extra couple of days off work or school, the RAC has now issued one of its annual travel warnings – anticipating that 19 million people could be hitting the roads from this Thursday evening onwards.

It’s all according to a new study of drivers’ spring getaway plans carried out by the RAC and traffic analytics specialists INRIX.

Research is suggesting that traffic will be equally severe on Thursday 17, Good Friday, and Saturday 19 April, with drivers planning around 2.7 million trips every day during that period, but the number of planned trips does drop slightly on Easter Sunday to 2.5 million.

Sadly, that dip is only short-lived, as the number of trips increases once again to a further 2.7 million on bank holiday Monday as millions of people look to return home.

Woman driving a car
19 million people are expected to hit the roads over the Easter bank holiday weekend / Credit: Geograph | Pxfuel

To make matters even worse, it’s thought that a further 6.2 million journeys are anticipated at some point over the Easter bank holiday weekend, but drivers planning these trips are still unsure exactly when they’ll travel.

The ‘notorious British weather’ is likely to be a big factor in travel decision making, according to the RAC.

INRIX expects that tomorrow (Thursday 17) will be the worst day for traffic, when jams are likely to increase by nearly a third (30%) more than usual.

Meanwhile, on Good Friday, the lengthiest hold-ups are expected between 11am to 1pm, so drivers are therefore being advised to start their trips as early as possible in the morning, or delay them until later in the afternoon. 

Motorists are being warned to plan their journeys in advance / Credit: pxfuel

“The bank holiday weekend clashes with the end of the Easter break for many schools, which we think will change the nature of this year’s getaway,” admitted RAC breakdown spokesperson, Alice Simpson.

“Although journey numbers are still very high, we’re anticipating more day trips and weekend breaks than people heading off on one and two-week stints… [so] this could lead to a ‘hat-trick of hold-ups’ on Thursday, Friday and Saturday as drivers visit family and friends.

“But while getaway journeys may be shorter in length, we’re still expecting to see extremely high levels of traffic from Thursday onwards, with the greatest number of Easter getaway trips planned for three years.”

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Alice warned that drivers should expect queues if they ‘don’t plan the best time to set off’.

“It’s always best to travel as early as possible in the morning or later in the day when most of the traffic has eased,” she added.

Featured Image – Geograph

Travel & Tourism

Five of the best sunset walks in and around Greater Manchester

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

The clocks have finally gone forward and this signals the arrival of the longer nights for Greater Manchester and the UK at large, which can only mean one thing: some stunning after-work sunset walks are on the cards.

If you’re eager to make the most of the sun while we have it at our fingertips, these walks are on hand to get you on the go and treat your eyes to some unforgettable views.

It’s not every day we get the sun shining down on us here in gloomy Manchester, so we’ve got you covered with some sunset hotspots that are nothing short of a delight.

Take a stroll with us, won’t you?

Five of our favourite sunset walks around Greater Manchester

1. Dovestone Reservoir – Oldham

Just imagine the light bouncing off here.
You can see what we mean.
Hard to remember this is on our doorstep sometimes. (Credit: Clive Gliddis via Geograph)/Richard Thorpe (via Flickr)

Is there any category this walk doesn’t find itself fitting into? If it’s not already one of the prettiest or ‘Best Boxing Day walks’, now it finds itself claiming its latest title as one of the best sunset walks in Greater Manchester too.

Dovestone Reservoir in Oldham has been a walker’s wonderland for Mancs and trekkers alike thanks to its wide footpaths that offer a much nicer and less cramped experience.

Due to its valley location and neighbouring rolling hills, you can expect to see some gorgeous views of that lovely sun as it reflects onto the already impressive reservoir.

2. Chorlton Water Park – Sale

It's hard to find a picture of Chorlton Water Park that doesn't have a four-legged friend in (We're not complaining).
It’s hard to find a picture of Chorlton Water Park that doesn’t have a four-legged friend in it (not that we’re complaining).
We managed to source one of an equally stunning creature.
Credit: The Manc Group/Monica’s Photographs (via Instagram)

A relatively flat and accessible walk, Chorlton Water Park is an easy route with some beautiful views, even more glorious when the lake and greenery catch the golden and pink hues of the sunset.

This is a dog walking hot spot, so not only are you getting outside and admiring this stunning green space, you’re also getting a chance to see some of Greater Manchester’s cutest little pups.

Being an open space with shrubs and, most importantly, a large lake, come sunset you’ll be able to capture the silhouette of Canadian geese, which makes for the perfect Instagram photo dump.

3. Rivington Pike – Bolton

Aside from being one of the highest points in Bolton, this prime sunset spot has lovely architecture and terraced gardens for you to roam through before you admire the golden hilltop views.

With summer houses, archways, waterfalls, Rivington Pike has every box ticked and maybe even a few more you didn’t even know you had.

Be warned, when people talk about getting their steps in, this place doubles down on that statement. Luckily, not only will you lose yourself in the surroundings, but there are also a lot of stone staircases you’ll encounter along the way.

4. Peel Tower – Bury

The sunset is almost as impressive as Peel Tower itself over in Bury.
The sunset is almost as impressive as Peel Tower itself over in Bury.
A stunning postcard spot and one of the best sunset walks you’ll find close to Manchester. (Credit: @fell_n_mountain via IG)

Situated in Ramsbottom, an idyllic town in Bury, Peel Tower finds itself overlooking a vast and clear landscape, perfect for anyone trying to witness a distraction-free sunset.

As you wander up to meet the mighty stone structure perfectly placed among a flurry of tall grass, you’ll encounter lots of shrubs and a few well-trodden unofficial walkways.

This route is circular and the views are one-in-a-million, encompassing everything from Manchester to North Wales and Derbyshire (weather-dependent, of course).

5. Werneth Low – Stockport

This next sunset walk is one that people flock to, and it’s fair to say this setting is probably one of the most famous, with people who have visited describing it as ‘the best sunset spot’ in Manchester.

Werneth Low, which borders Stockport and Tameside, has seen itself become a viral star much like the popular Mam Tor; walkers and photographers alike are out in their masses waiting to capture the perfect picture.

You’ll feel like you’re on top of the world once you ramble your way up this Greater Manchester point of interest, and you might even see a plane contrail or two, as the airport is less than half an hour away.

Honourable mention: Blackstone Edge – Rochdale

Glorious sunset over Blackstone Edge in Rochdale/ Credit: @to_lay_myhead_uk on Instagram
A glorious sunset over Blackstone Edge, just outside of Rochdale.
Credit: (@to_lay_myhead_uk via IG)

Here at The Manc, we know there are lots of fabulous walks in and around Rochdale, but when it comes to admiring the sunset, this one takes the biscuit.

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There’s a reservoir, a rocky incline, plenty of moorland and views across the whole of Rochdale, including a distant Hollingworth Lake, all covered in a honeydew sky.

After a trek upon the Pennines, you can stop off at The White House: an acclaimed pub which welcomes dog-walkers, cyclists and everyone in between, promising a hearty meal and proper good pint after a meander around the moors.

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Featured Images — Geograph/Instagram

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