THE country’s largest tour operator is launching new package holidays to two festive destinations in Europe.
Brit holidaymakers will now be able to book package holidays to Bratislava and Malmo with Jet2.
The tour operator has confirmed it will be launching package holidays to the city break destinations following strong demand from UK holidaymakers.
Jet2 will operate flights from Manchester Airport and Birmingham Airport to Vienna Airport in Austria.
From Vienna, it’s an hour’s drive to Bratislava where holidaymakers can book into a range of four star hotels located in the heart of the city.
Package holidays to Bratislava from Manchester and Birmingham airports go on sale today (October 18) until May 19, 2025.
Jet2 will also add extra services to Vienna from several UK airports, including Bristol, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford and London Stansted.
These flights will operate in November and December for the festive period.
Bratislava in Slovakia is a relatively small for a European capital, but it has a lot for visitors to explore along its streets.
Chief among them is its incredibly affordable beer selection, with pints averaging around £1.60.
Such is Bratislava‘s pull for beer drinkers, food and drinks blogger Global Treats described it as “heaven” for those who like a pint and said beer was cheaper than water in some places.
Beer isn’t the only popular drink in the city either, with honey wine a special local tipple.
It’s traditionally sold during the winter at Christmas markets, where it’s often drunk hot.
Visitors to the city can go to the Medovina distillery where the honey wine is brewed, so they can taste it and learn more about the bees and the brewing process.
The best place to enjoy a drink in Bratislava is the city’s old town, which is described as an “historic neighbourhood filled with charming narrow lanes, burgher’s houses and nobles’ palaces”.
It’s also the perfect part of the city in which to try local dishes like bryndzové halušky, described by Flash Pack as “gnocchi-like dumplings served with sheep cheese and a sprinkling of bacon”.
It has thousands of five-star reviews on TripAdvisor, as well as winning a Travellers‘ Choice Award this year.
One wrote: “Very beautiful. Especially charming during Christmas market, where you can feel the holidays atmosphere, to taste delicious food, sausages, beer, boiled wine, desserts etc.”
Other attractions include Bratislava Castle, the Slovak National Museum and the highly Instagrammable Blue Church.
Jet2 will also be launching package holidays to Malmo in Sweden.
Christmas market getaways to Malmo will run from November 29, 2024 until December 23, 2024.
Flights will operate from Leeds Bradford Airport and Newcastle International Airport.
Brit holidaymakers will fly from the UK to Copenhagen before taking a direct train over the Oresund Bridge that links Denmark and Sweden.
Twice weekly services will operate every Monday and Friday from Leeds Bradford and Newcastle International Airport this winter.
Holidaymakers can bok to stay in a range of hotels in Malmo through Jet2 City Breaks.
Just like Bratislava, Malmo is another popular Christmas market destination thanks to the wooden market stalls selling festive treats and local delicacies like gløgg and saffron buns.
However, unlike Bratislava food and drink in Malmo is a little pricier, with a pint of beer costing around £5.80.
Located in the city’s largest square, Gustav Adolfs Torg market is adorned with twinkling lights and shopping stalls.
Other attractions in the square include an ice rink, choir singers and a carousel.
Jet2 boss, Steve Heapy, said: “City and Christmas market breaks are continuing to grow in popularity, so we are delighted to be going on sale with two brand-new destinations for Winter 24/25.
“Bratislava and Malmo are fantastic destinations, and we are expecting these new city and Christmas market packages with Jet2CityBreaks to be very popular with both customers and independent travel agents.
“We are always listening and reacting to feedback from holidaymakers, and this latest expansion of our Cities and Christmas Markets programmes for this winter is just another example of that.
“With the addition of Malmo and Bratislava to our already huge winter programmes, customers are spoiled for choice when it comes to discovering a new city or experiencing a European Christmas market this season.”
We’ve rounded up how much hand luggage you can take on UK airlines when booking their most basic fare.
Ryanair
One personal bag measuring no more than 40cm x 20cm x 25cm
EasyJet
One personal bag measuring no larger than 45cm x 36cm x 20cm
Jet2
One personal item that fits underneath the seat in front and one cabin bag no larger than 56cm x 45cm x 25cm weighing up to 10kg
TUI
One personal item that its underneath the seat in front and one cabin bag no larger than 55cm x 40cm x 20cm weighing up to 10kg
British Airways
One personal bag no larger than 40cm x 30cm x 15cm and one cabin bag no larger than 56cm x 45cm 25cm weighing up to 23kg
Virgin Atlantic
One personal item that fits underneath the seat in front and one cabin bag no larger than 56cm x 36cm x 23cm weighing up to 10kg
Meanwhile, this new European airline is set to launch flights this summer.
And this lesser-known airline has new flights from two UK airports.
