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The winter sun island that 'feels like' Greece you can fly to from Manchester Airport for £45
by Liv Clarke · Manchester Evening NewsAs the clocks go back this weekend you may find yourself dreading the arrival of winter. If the thought of long, dark evenings and cold, wet weather makes you squirm, then booking in a winter sun holiday might just be the answer.
A new route launching from Manchester Airport in November offers an alternative to popular winter-sun destinations such as the Canary Islands and Cape Verde, but still promises highs of up to 20C even in December. EasyJet will offer twice-weekly flights to Djerba, an island off the coast of Tunisia, starting next month.
Return tickets begin from £45 per person (although be aware you may need to pay extra for seat allocation and baggage) so it doesn’t have to break the bank. With a flight time of around four hours from the UK, it’s quicker to get to than Cape Verde or the likes of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, yet it still offers the sun, sea and sand experience even in winter.
The large island, which offers miles of beautiful Mediterranean coastline, has long been a popular destination among European holidaymakers, however it’s remained under the radar for British travellers. The new Manchester route is the first to operate from the UK outside of a London airport, offering a new experience for north west residents.
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Thanks to its location in the Gulf of Gabes, Djerba offers a fusion of Greek and Arabic influences - think white washed buildings and gorgeous sandy beaches, colliding with bustling markets and camel rides. Of course you could spend your holiday relaxing on the beach, but Djerba has so much more to offer.
A must-do for any visitor is to stop by the Bazaar in Houmt Souk, the island’s biggest town. It’s considered one of the best Bazaars in Tunisia and you can spend hours exploring the narrow alleyways and browse stalls selling tiles and crockery, rugs and fabrics, jewellery, fruits and spices.
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In recent years Djerbahood, located just outside of Houmt Souk, has become known for its incredible street art. Murals by artists from across the world can be found spread across an entire village and you can even book guided tours to make sure you don’t miss any. If you prefer a more traditional gallery setting, check out the Musee de Guellala – a sprawling collection of African artworks, sculptures and cultural artefacts.
For a beach trip with a difference, you can have a go on a camel ride at the beach at Djerba Lagoon. There are several local tour agencies which offer guided camel rides here and one of the best times to do it is in the early evening when the sun is setting.
Djerba is also home to one of the best preserved medieval castles in North Africa, Borj El Kebir. Built in the 16th century, it towers over Houmt Souk port and offers commanding views of the city and its coastline. It’s also a very Instagrammable spot with palm trees lining the castle walls.