EasyJet has launched a brand new route from Manchester to Lapland, taking off this winter for the very first time.
Mancs will be able to jet off to a magical winter wonderland this Christmas with the direct route to Kittila in Lapland, Finland.
The stunning landscape in the northern Arctic circle is famed for being home to Santa Claus and a popular choice for festive family holidays.
Kittila is located 150km north of Roveniemi in the northern arctic circle.
EasyJet’s new route from Manchester Airport to Lapland will show off the region’s winter sports, stargazing, snowy alpine forests, and of course, everyone’s bucket list item, the Northern Lights.
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It will give families the opportunity to explore Santa’s village and meet Father Christmas and Rudolph.
The flights will start running twice-weekly from mid-November throughout the winter season.
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Having last year added a new route connecting Manchester to Rovaniemi in the heartland of Lapland, the addition of Kittlia provides even more choice for those from the North West considering booking a magical Christmas break.
Ali Gayward, easyJet’s UK Country Manager said: “We’re delighted to be adding a new route from Manchester to Kittila this winter.
Lapland. Credit: Unsplash
“As an entirely new destination in our network, this new connection means we are able to build on our offering from Manchester for those in search of winter breaks by providing customers more choice to enjoy an even greater range of destinations this winter at fantastic low fares.
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“Lapland is perfect especially for families with children looking to visit Father Christmas, winter ski lovers and all those wishing to explore this magical arctic destination.”
Robert Smith, Aviation Director at Manchester Airport, said: “We know a family trip to Lapland is on many of our passengers’ Christmas lists so it’s fantastic to see easyJet launching a service from Manchester to Kittilä this winter.
“This new service demonstrates easyJet’s commitment to providing outstanding choice year-round to passengers flying from Manchester.”
Manchester to Rovaniemi in Lapland flights will operate twice weekly on Thursdays and Sundays from 16 November with fares starting from £40.99
Featured image: Unsplash
Travel & Tourism
Forget pub crawls – you can now go on a guided cheese crawl around Manchester
Thomas Melia
Manchester is a foodie’s paradise and with so many options at hand why not break it down into individual food groups – starting with the dairy crowd pleaser, cheese.
Long gone are the draining pub crawls of the past, it’s time to make way for the new pioneer in the world of adventurous crawling, ‘The Manchester Cheese Crawl’.
There’s always lots of food and drink options flowing throughout our bubbly city spanning all cuisines and cultures so it comes as no surprise that the latest way to experience Manchester is via cheese, a staple of many citizens’ diets.
On the tour, there will be insider knowledge on-hand as you wander the streets and sample the creamy delights, assisting you with any dying queso queries and pecorino ponders that you need to get off your chest.
There’ll be plenty of familiar independents on the Manchester Cheese Crawl, including Northern Soul’s impressive grilled cheese sandwiches as well as more traditional cheese samples.
How could this experience get any better I hear you ask, how about a free glass of fizz to accompany those already impressive cheese selections? Yes please!
Guests can expect to sample some of Manchester’s dairy delights while being directed by some of Manchester’s top cheese connoisseurs that are the real big cheese.
Groups who take the tour aren’t just treated to food and drink, they also receive free entertainment from their food guides who are prepared to make you chuckle with their incredible humour.
The Manchester Cheese Crawl will feature plenty of bites for curd nerdsA selection of dairy heaven displayed on a wonderful variety cheese board.Credit: Unsplash
Previous visitors have commented on their experience while taking the tour sharing the names their groups received with highlights such as ‘Shaken not curd’ and ‘Three blind mice’.
They really are serious about their cheeses, another previous visitor who went on the tour revealed their guide even had a name that perfectly fit the occasion, ‘Mel the babybel’.
It’s sure to be a fantastic day with games and activities planned for all as you walk between the shops landmarked on the cheese-filled route.
Everyone on the tour also gets a small taste of the high life as they are treated to a Lancashire cheese handmade by a local star and celebrity.
Starting at the Richard Cobden Statue and finishing on the always vibrant Tib Street, a quick google search reveals this walk isn’t too strenuous taking only 12 minutes but with many cheeses to get your whiskers on it will probably take around an estimated two hours to tackle.
Running this Saturday 16 November and planned to continue until November 2025 and beyond, you’d be emmental to miss out on this cheesy adventure.
If all this cheese talk has left you dreaming about your next foodie fix, tickets for ‘The Manchester Cheese Crawl’ are on sale and available here.
Featured Image: Unsplash
Travel & Tourism
Manchester has been named one of Europe’s top destinations to visit this winter
Daisy Jackson
Manchester has been named one of the best places to visit in Europe this winter – apparently our city is ‘brilliant when the cold snap hits’.
The list of 14 winter destinations includes snowy paradises like Grindelwald in Switzerland and Lapland in Finland, as well as vibrant cities famed for their Christmas vibes, like Riga in Latvia and even Amsterdam.
But coming in at a respectable 6th place – and the only UK city on the list – is our very own home city.
Time Out’s list of the best winter destinations in Europe, picked by travel writers, shouted out the Manchester Christmas Markets, as well as the quieter places you can hide from the elements (and the crowds).
Picked for being the best place to find indoorsy things to do, Time Out listed Mackie Mayor and Skof, as well as John Rylands Library, as reasons people should visit Manchester this winter.
They wrote: “Even though it’s pretty much guaranteed the North of England will be battered by wind and rain throughout the winter, Manchester is a brilliant place to be when the cold snap hits.
“Spend your days dipping into vintage shops and record stores, and fuel up with street food at Mackie Mayor (or for an occasion, book a table at new-ish fine dining spot Skof).
“What’s more, Manchester’s home to a surprisingly brilliant selection of Christmas markets, from classics to goth-themed, all selling great food and gifts from independent shops.
“If the weather really goes wild, hide out in John Rylands Library, one of the most hauntingly beautiful spots in the city.”
Daisy Jackson -
21st July 2023 
