The new year is here, and with it you might find yourself wanting to challenge yourself with a holiday that's a bit different. Getting to one of these 'active holidays' is made easier thanks to details and guidance provided by Manchester Airport.
January is also one of the most popular times of year to book a holiday, with millions making plans for this summer – and if you’re looking to incorporate a health kick into your next sunny getaway, you’ll be spoilt for choice if you’re flying from Manchester. The northern hub boasts direct flights to more than 200 destinations and many of them offer holiday experiences that go far beyond the classic combination of sun, sea and sand.
Here are seven active style holidays for you to get stuck into this year. All can be accessed direct from Manchester Airport.
Here are seven active style holidays for you to get stuck into this year. All can be accessed direct from Manchester Airport.
6. Flying in the Turkish skies
If you’re afraid of heights, go ahead and skip this suggestion! Babadag mountain, about an hour’s drive from Dalaman on Turkey’s Turquoise Coast, is one of the most popular spots on the planet for paragliding. Experienced paragliders can fly solo, but tandem flights are also available if you’re new to the sport. The flights start at the top of Babadag and end in the resort of Oludeniz at the bottom of the mountain, which is home to a renowned banjo-shaped beach jutting out into a lagoon, regarded as one of the best in Turkey. The nearby Butterfly Valley nature reserve, only accessible by boat from Oludeniz, is a popular daytrip for walkers and rock climbers. No fewer than six airlines offer flights from Manchester to Dalaman, so you’ll have no trouble getting there!
8. Scuba-diving in Mexico
The Yucatan peninsula in Mexico is most famous for the party resort of Cancun, but it also offers some outstanding scuba diving. The Costa Maya strip of coast to the south of Cancun, and the neighbouring island of Cozumel, are lined with colourful tropical reefs with excellent visibility. If you’ve never dived before, it’s a popular place to learn. For advanced divers, a more unique diving experience can be enjoyed in the region’s cenotes, cavernous limestone sinkholes in the peninsula’s interior that link to a network of underground rivers. Once you’re done with diving, visit the ruined Mayan city of Chichen Itza, one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, and explore on foot at your own pace. TUI flies from Manchester to Cancun, year-round.