If you’re a fitness fanatic looking for your next adventure abroad, some inspiration might be what you need to choose where to go and what to do.
Manchester Airport has shared seven active holiday destinations to help you get something in the diary this year.
The airport said that January is one of the most popular times of the year to book a holiday so why wait?
To book your flights, visit the Manchester Airport website.
7 active holiday ideas for destinations accessible via Manchester Airport
![The Bolton News: If you're interested in all things walking and outdoors, a trip to see Mount Etna could be ideal for you]( "The Bolton News: If you're interested in all things walking and outdoors, a trip to see Mount Etna could be ideal for you")
If you're interested in all things walking and outdoors, a trip to see Mount Etna could be ideal for you (Image: Getty Images)
Climb a volcano in Italy
Mount Etna is described as being “something of an enigma” by Manchester Airport.
It stands alone on the quiet rolling hills of Sicily, off the coast of the Italian mainland and it’s one of the world’s most active stratovolcanoes.
The airport adds: “It’s also one of the most visited, thanks in part to the fact it lies less than 25 miles from the popular Mediterranean resort of Catania.
“Multiple tour operators lead expeditions up the volcano’s slopes, where you can circle the crater (safety permitting!) and see lava flows. Exploring volcanic caves also forms a part of many excursions, and some tours include visits to vineyards at the foot of Etna, which benefit from fertile volcanic soils.
“The return trip typically takes around 6 hours and requires a moderate level of fitness, but you don’t need to be an expert hiker. Once you’re finished on Etna, Sicily is a fantastic place to explore on foot, with dozens of trails and footpaths through unspoilt countryside.”
If you’re interested in this trip, you can fly to Catania from Manchester with easyJet or Ryanair.
Cycle the Dalmatian Coast in Croatia and Montenegro
The airport says: “The Dalmatia region boasts some of the most dramatic coastline anywhere in Europe, with a string of islands dotted off more than 1,000 miles of rugged, mountainous shores, sandwiching the crystal-clear waters of the Adriatic.
“Highlights of the region include the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Split and Dubrovnik in Croatia, and Kotor in Montenegro.”
All these cities are accessible with direct flights available from Manchester.
Are you a keen cyclist? If you like a scenic cycle, this trip could be the one for you.
Manchester Airport said: “The sweeping views on offer from its cycle paths and mountain passes, as well as regular pitstops at quaint coastal villages and vineyards, make cycling a particularly popular way to explore Dalmatia.
You could take on the whole coast from start to finish with a two week break, flying out to Split and back to Manchester from Tivat airport near Kotor, or vice versa.
Trek the desert in Jordan
Highlights of a visit to Jordan include exploring famous sites like the Dead Sea, the ancient city of Petra and the other-worldly desert landscapes of Wadi Rum, which doubled for the Red Planet in 2015 film The Martian.
What’s more, Royal Jordanian Airlines recently announced a brand-new service from Manchester to Amman, launching this March.
Walking tours and guided desert treks are available and offer the best way to see the attractions, according to the airport.
The Jordan Trail stretches for more than 400 miles from the country’s far north to its southern coast and takes in all of these sights and more - it takes more than a month to complete.
Go skiing in France
The highest Alpine peaks are covered in snow all year round so you don’t need to wait until winter to jet off.
The airport shared: “One of Europe’s most popular spots for a summer skiing or snowboarding holiday is Les Deux Alpes, with its glaciers nearly 12,000ft above sea level providing reliably icy slopes and its lifts in full operation. The surrounding area is also hugely popular for mountain biking in the summer months.”
A couple of hours away is Geneva Airport which you can fly to year-round from Manchester with both Ethiopian Airlines and easyJet.
Paragliding in Turkey
Have you always wanted to paraglide? You could combine the bucket list experience with a holiday to Turkey and paraglide at Babadag mountain, one of the most popular spots on the planet for paragliding and about an hour’s drive from Dalaman.
It’s an opportunity for both experienced and new paragliders - 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.
Six airlines offer flights to Dalaman from Manchester.
Kayak under the midnight sun in Iceland
While you might not see the Northern Lights in summer, as the snow clears more of Iceland becomes accessible including the picturesque Highlands and Westfjords.
Head to the Blue Lagoon to scale a glacier at Snaefellsjokull National Park, or hire a kayak and explore one of Iceland’s many crystal-clear lakes.
Flights to Reykjavik–Keflavik airport from Manchester Airport are available with TUI, Icelandair, Jet2.com and easyJet.
Scuba dive in Mexico
Manchester Airport says: “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.”
It doesn’t matter if you’re a complete newbie when it comes to scuba diving because it’s a popular place to learn.
Recommended reading:
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But if you are more experienced, advanced divers can get a more unique diving experience in the region’s cenotes, cavernous limestone sinkholes in the peninsula’s interior that link to a network of underground rivers.
When you’re finished scuba diving, Manchester Airport recommends visiting 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 to Cancun from Manchester year-round.
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