As temperatures drop and snow flurries abound, attention turns to all things Christmassy including the plethora of festive Euro markets, not forgetting Leipzig’s in Germany. The Leipzig Christmas Market, which dates back to 1458, making it the second oldest Christmas market in Germany after Dresden’s Striezelmarkt in the capital of Saxony, runs until 23 December.

As the festive season approaches and the UK’s streets are decked with lights and decorations, families across the nation are setting off on road trips to see the festive scenes. But with so many festivities to choose from, it can be hard to know which area to visit first.

The Greek destination of Symi has been added to Jet2’s flight roster out of Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) starting next summer. Holidaymakers will be able to access the new destination from LBA between 6th April and 31st October via Rhodes Airport. There will be up to four weekly services (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday) operating during peak periods.

Florence boutique hotel, Calimala The East - formerly known as Hotel Calimala- is about to get another point on the compass: Calimala The West! The acquisition of a 19th-century Gothic-style building originally built by Italian architect Pietro Maria Bardi in Florence’s Centro Storico neighbourhood, means the hotel now has an additional 65 rooms.

We’ve all heard of the ‘Mile High Club’ but is it actually legal to engage in nuptuals in the BA bogs? With a third of the UK population saying they want to travel more in 2024, online travel agent eShores have decided to answer some of the most statistically googled searches.

Leading open-water swimming company TriSwim is redefining the landscape of adventure holidays with the launch of TriSwim Escapes. The series of holidays claim to go beyond traditional training retreats by presenting an immersive experience that provides comprehensive swim, run, and cycle adventures, enabling guests to connect with communities and immerse themselves in local life.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Until Tuesday 28th November based on two people sharing a twin cabin: Save up to £300 per person on a selection of salings on board Bolette, Borealis and Balmoral. Additional savings on selected suites and single cabins. Sailings out of Southampton, Liverpool and Newcastle.

A former RAF radar site overlooking the North Sea in North Yorkshire has been imaginatively restored to its former glory. The Old Guard House in Goldsborough, near Whitby, part of the award-winning Mulgrave Estate, has been converted into a luxury five-bedroom holiday home. It has already achieved a 5-Star Gold Visit England Award.

Ahead of Black Friday later this week, consumers are being urged to be on their guard against travel deals that seem too good to be true.

Aer Lingus has launched its Black Friday Sale with fares for transatlantic flights from Manchester to New York, Orlando and Barbados. The Black Friday and Cyber Monday (Nov 27th) offers have discounts of £100 available on bookings to these top transatlantic destinations from the airline’s northern hub.

Maison Sport Group, which owns and runs ski lesson booking platform Maison Sport, and international ski school Supreme, is opening its inaugural Northern office in the Lake District. The London headquartered company has strategically chosen the town of Staveley, Cumbria for its first office in the North of England.

Every day tens of thousands of passengers fly into and out of Manchester Airport, and many of them travel to and from the airport by car. There are an equal number that end up gnashing their teeth at the prospect of a hefty ‘charge’ when they’ve already spent a small fortune on a holiday. So, shop smart when it comes to parking the wheels.

The founder of iconic Whisky Magazine, Damin Riley-Smith, is throwing open the doors of his castle to……you’ve guessed it: lovers of the world’s finest single malts. Rothes Glen – ‘The Luxury Castle for Whisky Connoisseurs’ – is situated in the heart of Speyside, located in the north west of the Scottish Highlands and famed for its whisky heritage.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines will soon welcome new CEO Samantha Stimpson, who has more than 25 years of commercial, operational and executive experience in the travel and hospitality industry. She joins the company from FTI Touristik, where currently serves as Chief Commercial Officer.

Positive levels of bookings this autumn are expected to drive holiday reservations back to pre-pandemic levels, according to new figures from the Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing (ATOL) scheme.

One of the best ways to experience the diverse flavours and culinary traditions of the world is by venturing to different destinations. Exploring new cuisines and dining experiences can open doors to a world of new experiences not to mention flavours, ingredients, and cooking techniques.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is offering guests a free drinks package on a selection of 2024 itineraries. Running until 31st October, the drinks package will be available free of charge on cruises ranging from five to 32 nights on board Bolette, Borealis and Balmoral.

Independent family-owned coach holiday group, Daish’s Holidays has strengthened the management team at its Esplanade Hotel in Scarborough with three new appointments. The new recruits have more than 40 years’ hospitality experience between them, including global experience in Egypt, Italy and India. Joe Devassy joins as general manager and will oversee a 36-strong team at the 73-bed hotel.

Ever considered Cyprus as a late-summer/autumn destination? With temperatures still high enough for sunbathing and the sea still warm, it's a great short-haul destination for those who want sun and stuff to do!

If you can be in Sweden on October 11th and have a penchant for all things frightening, then prepare yourself for Project Fear! The Peak Fear Experiment is being run by Gothenburg amusement park, Liseberg, is a bid to discover the sweet spot between fun and unpleasant.

‘Nuha’, a pioneering virtual hospitality concierge powered by ChatGPT, has launched in Dubai, making it the first of its type in the UAE. The cutting-edge AI system, conceptualized and developed in-house, has made its grand debut at the iconic Address Downtown Hotel. The move makes Address Hotels and Resorts the UAE's first luxury Hospitality Group to leverage AI in this way.

P&O Cruises has announced double on board spending money on applicable new Select Price holidays departing before December 31, 2024 when booked by October 2, 2023. It can be used for a variety of experiences including dining in the speciality restaurants, spa treatments, shore experiences or retail outlets.

Jet2holidays has added Formentera in Spain to its Summer 2024 programme from Leeds Bradford airport, giving customers the opportunity to experience laid-back luxury on the quaint Balearic island. The expansion means that the brand will operate to well over 550 beach and city resorts, across 60 destinations in Summer 24, from its 11 UK airports.

Northern holiday success story, Preston’s Harrison Leisure Group, has welcomed a new addition to the family with the acquisition of Suffolk’s Cakes & Ale Holiday Park The family run firm, which has been in operation since 1974, has opened its first holiday park in the south of England, signalling its continuing plan to expand across the UK.

Bradford’s ever-popular Saltaire Makers Fair returns to Victoria Hall next Sat 16 & Sun 17 September, as part of the final weekend of the Saltaire Festival. Victoria Hall will be filled with 48 top designer-makers from across the UK, showcasing a range of quality handmade contemporary craft and design that you won’t find on the high street.

The Wyndham Grand Crete Mirabello Bay Hotel in Greece has unveiled its latest raft of renovations, promising “opulence and sophistication.” The property is debuting a new seaside laguna and is also introducing Crete’s largest privately owned marina with direct ocean access to the Aegean’s crystal-clear waters: an ideal destination for yacht-fanatics and sailors alike.