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

The Peak District barn conversion that rivals even the fanciest of hotel suites

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Stanage Barn in the Peak District

There’s a barn conversion in the Peak District that has struck an almost-impossible balance between true rural countryside setting, and absolute luxury. 

While most countryside staycations involve a degree of ruggedness – whether it’s shovelling sawdust into a toilet or having to wrestle a log burner to get some heat in the room – Stanage Barn has nothing of the sort. 

This luxury converted barn is so remote you’re taken there by your hosts in an off-road buggy, but is fitted with absolutely every modern comfort you could dream of. 

A spa-worthy bathroom, modern interiors, ultra-fast WiFi, a wine fridge, recliner chairs, and a premium bed all match with its incredible rural countryside location for a truly world-class staycation. 

They’ve even pampered your four-legged friends with this conversion, factoring in a utility room with a dog wash sink in it.

The family who run this spot shunned any quaint barn conversion template and instead drew on Scandi architecture and modern touches to deliver such luxury. 

There are the angular tables and worktops, the wooden-clad walls, the indoor-outdoor element from huge picture windows and sliding doors. It really is an architectural marvel. 

Even the walk between the bedroom and the bathroom will take your breath away, with a floating walkway separating the two.

Inside Stanage Barn in the Peak District

Stanage Barn
Stanage Barn
Stanage Barn

There’s a kitchen fitted with – genuinely – everything you could need. Anyone ever stayed in a place where they give you Tupperware and a salad spinner?

And if you don’t want to spend a minute inside with such beautiful surroundings, there’s an outdoor BBQ too. 

With such comfortable accommodation it’s easy to forget that you are actually in proper Peak District countryside. Until you look out the window and a sheep’s looking back at you, that is. 

Stanage Barn is right near Stanage Edge, one of the Peak’s most famous landmarks, and is walking distance from the village of Hathersage and its lido, country pubs and pretty cobbled streets.

Fair warning though – the walk back is beautiful, crossing streams and fields full of sheep, but that last stretch to the barn itself is steep. Nothing a chilled glass of wine in your private, enclosed courtyard as the sun sets can’t fix though.

If you’re on the hunt for a countryside escape but really aren’t here for the yurt life, Stanage Barn is, hands-down, the best Peak District spot for you.

See more and book it with Birch Stays HERE.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Travel & Tourism

Four rare African ducklings have been hatched at Chester Zoo for the very first time

Danny Jones Danny Jones

More conversation celebration down the road at Chester Zoo, as the award-winning wildlife park has welcomed four African ducklings who belong to a rare breed.

As is so often the case with the work they do all year-round, their arrival could help signal the species’ survival in the long run, whose status was sadly upgraded from vulnerable to endangered on the official IUCN Red List.

The particular type of fowl we’re referring to is the Maccao duck, a stiff-tailed bird that typically belongs to the fresh and brackish inland waters of Eastern and Southern Africa.

Medium-sized, chunky, with big bills and subtle striping around their heads, they’re gorgeous creatures as is, but especially so as ducklings…

rare african ducklings hatched at chester zoo
‘It’s so fluffy I’m gonna die‘ (Credit: Chester Zoo)

If you didn’t say ‘awww’ out loud, then you’re just lying.

As the Zoo itself put it, they are “rare, fluffy and VERY cute.” Celebrating what is “a breeding breakthrough for one of Africa’s rarest ducks […] so these little guys are kind of a big deal.”

These little delightful little duckies are known for diving down to the bottom of lakes and riverbeds to forage for aquatic invertebrates and plants; in fact, given the choice, they tend to prefer going underwater over flying pretty much full-stop.

As a resident species that doesn’t migrate like many other birds, they are native to nations like Namibia, Zimbabwe and Ethiopia. They’re identifiable by their dark black heads, blue bills (among the males, at least) and presence within the wetlands.

However, their estimated numbers continue to drop, and unfortunately, just 14 of their kind currently remain in Kenya and only 100 in Tanzania, with fewer than 5,000 believed to be left across the entire African continent.

Not only is this the first time the species has ever been successfully bred by bird experts at Chester Zoo, but conservationists hope ducklings will put a spotlight on the threatened species.

rare african ducks chester zoo
Their scientific name is ‘Oxyura maccoa’.
maccao ducks chester zoo
Just like human babies, they prone to stuff all over their face.
As far as ducklings go, these adorable little African variants are pretty special. (Credit: Supplied)

The zoo’s Head of Birds, Andrew Owen, said of their birth: “As one of just seven zoos in Europe – and 12 zoos globally – that care for Maccoa ducks, these ducklings are very special as they’re the first of their kind to ever hatch here at the zoo – making it a really historic moment for our team,

“This success gives a real boost to the future of the species, and these vital new additions will contribute to the safety-net population in zoos. These birds are facing rapid decline in the wild, so every hatchling really does count.

“To see them now out on the water inside our new Heart of Africa habitat, which is dedicated to helping Africa’s most threatened species thrive, makes this milestone even more special.”

Nothing short of brilliant news, we’re sure you’ll agree; better still, in addition to the crucially charitable and conversation-based tourist attraction being named one of England’s most popular destinations once again, but these are the only rare birds welcome by the zookeepers this month.

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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Chester Zoo (supplied)

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