Winter sunshine or northern lights? Take your pick with two exciting new destinations launching at Manchester Airport next month

Travellers in the North planning a winter getaway will have even more choice this year, as easyJet prepares to launch services from Manchester Airport to two brand-new destinations in November.

Twice-weekly flights will operate from Manchester Airport’s Terminal 1 to Akureyri in Iceland and Djerba in Tunisia – adding to the hub’s existing network of more than 200 destinations across four continents. Neither Akureyri or Djerba is currently served by any other UK airport outside of London.

The Djerba flights, which get underway on Monday 11 November, will operate on Mondays and Friday, while flights to Akureyri, in the north of Iceland, will run on Tuesdays and Saturdays from Tuesday 12 November.

And early birds can bag a trip that won’t break the bank, with flights available from just £45pp return to Djerba and £38pp return to Akureyri.*

“We’re thrilled to see easyJet launching services to Djerba and Akureyri from Manchester – these are the kinds of routes that cement our place as the UK’s global gateway in the North, giving holidaymakers more choice and allowing them to indulge their sense of adventure.

“We’re always on the lookout for destinations that allow travellers from the North to try something new. Djerba is one of those destinations that’s been flying under the radars of UK tourists for quite a while now, while flights to Akureyri not only offer travellers a rare opportunity to explore the North of the island, they also let people enjoy one of the most spectacular landings in the world with the airport’s runway extending into a fjord.

“So whether you want to relax on a beach and soak up the sunshine, or lose yourself in a winter wonderland, these two new routes give you the opportunity to do that whilst exploring a destination that would have previously been very difficult to get to – and all at a bargain price.”

Stephen Turner – Chief Commercial Officer, Manchester Airport

Djerba is an island off the coast of Tunisia, which has long been popular with European holidaymakers but is only just being discovered by Brits. Temperatures regularly reach 20C even in December, meaning visitors can take advantage of miles of golden Mediterranean coastline – but there’s far more to Djerba than just sun, sea and sand.

Top things to do in Djerba include;

Haggle for treasures in Houmt Souk Bazaar

The biggest town on the island, Houmt Souk, is its cultural centre and a great place for some shopping – its name literally means ‘market neighbourhood’ and its Bazaar is one of the finest in Tunisia. Lose yourself in the narrow alleyways and browse stalls selling hand-painted tiles and crockery, rugs and fabrics, jewellery, fruits and spices – then treat yourself to some traditional Tunisian fare in a Houmt Souk restaurant.

Enjoy art – old and new – in Djerba’s world-class galleries

‘Djerbahood’, just outside Houmt Souk, is an iconic street art display on an impressive scale, with work by dozens of international artists adorning the streets and pavements of an entire village. If you prefer a more traditional gallery setting, check out the Musee de Guellala – a sprawling collection of African artworks, sculptures and cultural artefacts.

Take a camel ride on the beach at Djerba Lagoon

Camel riding has been a part of life in this region of North Africa for thousands of years – and if you fancy trying your hand at it, there are few better settings than Djerba Lagoon. A number of local tour agencies offer guided camel rides here and the best time to visit is the early evening, when the setting sun casts red and orange hues across the sky over the bay.

Travel back in time at Borj El Kebir castle

Borj El Kebir is one of the best preserved medieval castles in Norh Africa. Built in the 16^th Century during the Hafsid Dynasty, it towers over Houmt Souk port and offers commanding views of the city and its coastline. The castle walls are ringed by palm trees, making for stunning holiday snaps.

If winter sunshine is not your thing, Akureyri offers something altogether different. A small community of fewer than 20,000 people on Iceland’s north coast, it’s the gateway to some of Europe’s most spectacular unspoilt scenery, making it a paradise for lovers of the great outdoors willing to wrap up warm to enjoy its wintry landscapes.

Highlights of a trip to Akureyri include;

Explore breathtaking natural wonders

The wilderness of northern Iceland is less visited than the Reykjavik area and its mountainous terrain hides a plethora of wonders waiting to be discovered. The stunning Goðafoss Waterfall, at over 30ft deep and nearly 100ft wide, is among the largest in Europe, and in winter is framed by the spectacular backdrop of snow-capped peaks – while the Hverir geyser shoots hot steam and mud dozens of feet into the air, and the Árskógssandur Forest Trail, with its towering pine forest, makes a great place for a hike. Guided tours taking in some of this region’s most popular sights are available in Akureyri.

Warm up with a dip in geothermal baths

Reykjavik’s Blue Lagoon is world-famous, but it’s not the only geothermal bath in Iceland. The open-air Myvatn Nature Baths are naturally heated by hot springs and offer outstanding views of the surrounding mountains – the perfect way to warm up on a cold winter’s day.

Go whale watching off the Icelandic coast

Skjalfandi Bay, the next bay around the coast from Akureyri, is home to a huge range of marine species, and is a popular spot for whale watching tours. Minke whales, humpback whales and harbour porpoise are all common sights here – and very lucky visitors might catch a glimpse of the iconic, but increasingly rare, blue whale.

Enjoy the Northern Lights in all their glory

Akureyri is less than 70 miles south of the Arctic Circle – which means your chances of spotting the Northern Lights during a winter break are much higher than in the south of the country. Unlike the lights’ appearance in the UK earlier this year, these displays are vividly visible with the naked eye – and sometimes for hours at a time.