Make May the month of the quick get-away

Paris

With daily domestic and European flights to a range of fantastic leisure destinations, East Midlands Airport (EMA) is the ideal airport of choice for a quick hop.

If a European city break appeals, then the 06:00 Ryanair flight to Rome on Saturday 29 April might suit. With a flight time of just over 2.5 hours, the “haunting ruins, awe-inspiring art and vibrant street life” (Lonely Planet) of Italy’s capital city is within easy reach. Or if you’re after an “enchanting seaside city with boundless culture and fabled architecture” (Lonely Planet) then perhaps Barcelona would be preferable? The 06:45 departure on Saturday 29 April will get you there with plenty of time to soak up the Mediterranean vibe.

Thanks to Eastern Airway’s new services out of EMA, a stroll along on the Champs-Élysées could feature in your weekend plans. The 06:30 departure to Paris means that France’s capital is even doable as a day trip if your budget won’t stretch to an overnight stay.

But if sea air is what you’re craving, and closer to home, then now’s the time to dust off your wetsuit for a quick surf in Newquay. With a flight time of just over one hour, the 12:40pm departure to Newquay will give you an afternoon on the beach.  

Also within easy reach is Belfast, now served by Aer Lingus Regional and Ryanair. As well as spending time in this fascinating city – the Titanic Museum is a must – it is a great destination for exploring Northern Island, and the iconic World Heritage Site that is the Giant’s Causeway.

A small capital with a huge reputation, Dublin is a multicultural, artistic city brimming with incredible architecture, beautiful green spaces and great opportunities for entertainment. The 08:30 departure from EMA will get you there with ample time to explore all that the city has to offer. Also across the Irish Sea is the small town of Knock in County Mayo which is both a tourist and spiritual destination, a county of beautiful Blue Flag beaches and stunning countryside. An 06:25 departure makes West Ireland a perfect destination for a long weekend too.

With temperatures rising across much of southern Europe, the Whitsun half-term is a perfect time to soak up the late spring sunshine. It’s also when airlines increase their flight schedules to serve more than 60 of Europe’s most popular holiday destinations. With seven airlines – Ryanair, JET2.com. TUI, Aer Lingus Regional, Eastern Airways, Aurigny and Blue Islands - flying more than 360 flights a week to and from EMA this summer, there is a wide choice of destinations for passengers wishing to get away for a week-long holiday or a short break.

Mike Grimes, EMA’s Customer and Planning Director, said: “May is an ideal time of year to go away. The days are getting longer, the temperature in many of the destinations our airlines fly to is very pleasant and yet many of the resorts are not as busy as they are in late July/August. If you’re planning to start your journey with us in the coming weeks, we look forward to giving you a very warm welcome.”