Manchester is a great city - but we all need a holiday from time to time.

Luckily, Manchester Airport is a thing, meaning the city is a gateway to a whole load of exotic locations - from short haul European city break to long haul sun holidays, some of the finest beaches in the world and a host of great family destinations.

We've put together some top holiday destinations that you might want to try out (or revisit) in 2017 - most of them have direct flights from Manchester too.

Short haul

Barcelona

Laid-back tapas bars, whimsical buildings, and beaches - the Catalan capital has everything you could want in a city break. From Gaudi's Sagrada Familia and Parc Güell to the Museu Picasso, it's an art and architecture-lover's dream - and it's just two and a half hours away from Manchester.

Who flies there? Ryanair, Monarch and Jet2 all fly from Manchester with prices starting from just £15 one way through Skyscanner.

Where should I stay? For the ultimate in beachfront luxury, check into the W Barcelona with prices starting from £206 a night through Booking.com. Out of your budget? Us too. So we'll see you at the NH Barcelona Eixample, a well-rated three star hotel with rooms from £50 via Trivago.

Copenhagen

Denmark is having a bit of a moment over here in Blighty thanks to our current obsession with all things hygge. Experience the real deal here in the capital, with its colourful town houses, candlelit cafes and cool craft beer bars. It's just under two hours away from Manchester.

Who flies there? EasyJet and Scandinavian Airlines both fly direct from Manchester, with return prices from £46 via Skyscanner.

Where should I stay? The Axel Guldsmeden hotel is a stylish boutique bolthole in the vibrant Vesterbro district, with beautiful four-poster beds and parquet floors. Rooms start from £114 via Trivago. Wakeup Copenhagen provides more basic accommodation from £74 via Trivago.

Berlin

Edgy, arty and with non-stop nightlife, Berlin is one of Europe's hippest city escapes. From clubbing to culture, the German capital has it all.

Who flies there?EasyJet and Ryanair both fly direct from Manchester with return prices from £34 via Skyscanner.

Where should I stay? Jutting out over the River Spree, 'music hotel' Nhow Berlin features striking design inside and out. Rooms there start from £70 via Trivago. The Leonardo Royal Berlin Alexanderplatz offers more affordable accommodation with rooms from £54.

Romantic breaks

 

Paris

Dust off your GCSE French and hop over the Channel to the most romantic city in Europe. From iconic architecture to bustling cafes, the capital of love is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque places for a long weekend. And with flight times just under an hour and a half, it's easy to squeeze a romantic trip into a busy schedule.

Who flies there? A long weekend flying out from Manchester from June 2 to June 4 will set you back around £71 with Airfrance, which can be found via skyscanner.

Where should I stay? Cosy apartment lettings offer an alternative to hotels. A romantic one-bed in the city centre with its own rooftop terrace costs £129 per night with holidaylettings.co.uk. Meanwhile, Hotel Comete offers boutique rooms in the city centre from £100 per room per night via booking.com.

Bologna

Glasses of Barolo on an upturned wine barrel, cobbled terracotta-topped streets, and top-class cuisine; Bologna is the city of choice to wine and dine someone special. From Michelin-starred restaurants to Renaissance architecture, there's plenty to swoon over in the charming city.

Who flies there? Ryanair operates direct flights from the end of March, with one-way flights around £85 in April.

Where should I stay? Romantic city-centre dwellings don't get much better than the Hotel Corona d'Oro. Based just a stroll from all the major attractions, the hotel also includes breakfast and free use of bicycles from £230 per room per night.

Reykjavik

It may be chilly in Iceland's capital, but visitors soon warm up with the city's stunning geothermal pools and luxury spas. Art lovers are also well catered for, with the National Gallery and the Living Art Museum to name but a few.

Who flies there? Direct flights to Reykjavik Keflavik International Airport for eight nights costs around £139 with easyJet via Skyscanner.

Where should I stay? Within walking distance of Hallgrimskirkja and Reykjavik City Hall, CenterHotel Thingholt is at the heart of the action, and offers stunning design, a relaxing spa and hot tub from £331 per night via Trivago. Arcturus Guesthouse is situated further downtown, but offers excellent value for money, with rooms from £97 per room per night via booking.com.

Long haul and sunshine

Dubai

Dubai skyline
Dubai skyline

Dubai is THE place to go in the UAE. It's buzzing with contemporary high-rise buildings, hotels and apartments with rooftop bars, pure white sandy beaches and world-class watersports.

It also houses some of the most exclusive – and expensive – hotels in the world and is a hotbed for celebrities and Hollywood stars.

Who flies there? Emirates from £807, KLM/Air Berlin from £843/£900 via Skyscanner

Where should I stay? Five-star Al Sabkha Hotel, £1,206 for a week, JW Marriot £1,506, for seven nights, The Ritz Carlton £3,029 for seven nights, all via Booking.com

 

Hong Kong

Hong Kong skyline - view from the hotel Cordis

The city of wonder and intrigue, Hong Kong is vibrant and modern.

It even has its own Disneyland resort and you'll love to wander through the colourful street markets and indulge in the local delicacies.

Who flies there? Emirates from £630, via Skyscanner

Where should I stay? A five-star hotel like the Conrad is £2,210 for seven nights, the four-star EAST vodyd from £1,251 for seven nights and three-star Burlington costs from £963 for seven nights, all via Expedia.co.uk .

Sydney

Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House

One of the most picturesque cities in the world, Sydney is a tourists' dream, with plenty of landmarks to explore, including the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, and it is just a short ferry ride to Manly Island or bus ride to Bondi Beach. The weather is fine and warm most of the year, especially during the traditional English winter months between November and March.

This time of year is peak season to travel to Australia, but you still might find the odd bargain if you're savvy enough. This is what we found for you.

Who flies there? KLM from £1,180, Emirates from £1,365 and Qantas from £1,369, all via Skyscanner

Where should I stay? A five-star stay will set you back from £2,064 at the Langham for seven nights, a four-star stay at the Bayswater for seven nights from £618 and a three-star Arts Hotel stay for a week from £796, all via Booking.com

City breaks

Budapest

Budapest

For those not in the know, Budapest is split into Buda, the more historical, upmarket and medieval half of the city on one side of the River Danube, and Pest, the modern, more commercial half. It is really growing to be one of Europe's most popular mini-break destinations.

There's plenty to see, from stunning architecture to the famous Buda Castle or the Basilica, enjoying a soak at the traditional thermal baths or a stroll through the city's quirky Ruin bars or the Great Market Hall with its plethora of flavours.

Who flies there? Ryanair/Jet2 from £188 return via Skyscanner

Where should I stay? Five-star Prestige £433 for three nights, four-star Continental £324 for three nights and three-star Lord Residence at £143 for three nights, all via Booking.com

 

New York

 

The city that never sleeps really shouldn't need any introduction. Home of Madison Square Garden, Broadway, the Empire State Building, Central Park and Times Square, New York attracts millions of visitors a year.

Boasting some of the most spectacular views and a skyline to be envious off, tourists can also hop on a ferry and journey to the Statue of Liberty.

Who flies there?Thomas Cook Airlines fly three times a week direct to New York JFK, with prices starting at £169.99 one-way.

Where should I stay? A five-star stay at the The Kimpton will cost from £1,356 for three nights, the four-star The Redbury in Manhattan is £717 for three nights and a three-star stay at Bridge Street at Beekman Towers is from £635 for three nights.

 

Lisbon

Lisbon is a city full of bleached white limestone buildings, alleyways you can weave in and out of and bars and restaurants serving traditional Portuguese cuisine.

If you love a good panoramic view then head up to Cristo Rei, where a huge statue of Christ awaits, with spectacular views across the whole city.

Who flies there? Monarch/Portugalia from £160 and Ryanair from £284 via Skyscanner

Where should I stay? A five-star stay for three nights at the Avenida from £476, a four-star three-night stay in the AlmaLusa Baixa/Chiado costs from £328 for three nights and a three night stay at the three-star Sana Rex costs from £140 all via Booking.com

Off the beaten track

Zadar, Croatia

Located in the heart of the Dalmatian coastline of Croatia, Zadar is the perfect starting point for island hopping. Spend a few days in the historic centre, before setting sail to explore the stunning Adriatic islands nearby.

Who flies there? Return flights for seven nights with Ryanair cost from £81 via Skyscanner.

Where should I stay? If you're looking for a touch of luxury, opt for the Feel Good Penthouse. From £200 per night visitors are treated to a private rooftop hot-tub, stylish fit-out and city-centre location. Meanwhile, the Rooms Tisa Old Town is cheap and cheerful but still city-centre, with prices from around £44 per room per night, via booking.com.

Kiev, Ukraine

The Vydubychi Monastery in Kiev

Kiev is full of surprises. Firstly, it's not called Kiev, it's Kyiv. And once you visit the the city you'll wonder why you didn't sooner. Bursting with lush green spaces and peppered with striking buildings, the capital of Ukraine has a fascinating history, and a vibrant nightlife.

Who flies there? Flights are available on Skyscanner from £203 for five nights from April 1 to April 6 with Brussels Airlines and Ukraine International.

Where should I stay? Set in the heart of Kiev, 11 Mirrors Design Hotel is minimalistic and sleek with rooms from £151 per room per night. For a more traditional stay, try the naDobu Hotel Poznyaki, where clashing carpets with wallpaper is still very, very in. It's also very cheap, with double rooms from £18 per night via booking.com.

Colombo, Sri Lanka

Markets in Colombo, Sri Lanka

For the intrepid explorers, catch a flight to Colombo, Sri Lanka - a sprawling city which acts as the gateway to a country boasting jungle, wildlife and white sandy beaches. Spend a few days in the markets and relaxed restaurants in the urban jungle before moving on – head south for the laid-back surfers' beaches of Unawatuna, or inland to the elephant sanctuaries and tea plantations.

Who flies there? Qatar Airways offer return flights from £353 from June 1 to June 10 via Skyscanner.

Where should I stay? Four poster beds, lush green sun terraces and a private pool await travellers at the Maniumpathy Hotel in Colombo. With rooms from £211 per room per night, it's a calm sanctuary in the heart of the city. Beachfront hotels in the chilled Unawatuna are happily affordable. The picturesque Tharoban Beach House has double rooms with private terraces facing the ocean from £53 per room per night via Booking.com.

Family favourites

Orlando

Universal Orlando Resort
Universal Orlando Resort

Is this the ultimate family holiday destination? The perfect spot for winter sun, it has something for little and big kids alike.

Orlando is ideal for families and caters for all ages and tastes, with more than 12 theme parks including Harry Potter World Of Wizardry, Disney World, Epcot and Universal Studios.

Who flies there? Thomas Cook Airlines fly three times a week direct to Orlando, with prices starting at £239.99 one-way. Virgin Atlantic (direct) from £527 and Delta from £604, both via Skyscanner

Where should I stay? You can book a week-long stay at the Magic Village resort for two adults and two children (age four and seven) from £1,573 or the Embassy Suite By Hilton for the same party would cost from £2,224 for seven nights, all via Booking.com

 

 

Faro

Faro, Portugal

 

How about a family spot of spring sun and a trip to the Algarve? Tempting isn't it. Well, Faro is a great place to start your adventure with plenty of family-friendly resorts to cater for toddlers, teens and adults.

Don't expect it to be too scorching right now but the temperature tends to pick up considerably in the spring time, if you are looking for a half term or even mid-term break if your little one have not yet started school.

Who flies there? Thomas Cook Airlines fly three times a week direct to Faro, with prices starting at £25.99 one-way. Ryanair from £94 per person over Easter in April (two adults and two children) Monarch from £97 (two adults and two children) both via Skyscanner

Where should I stay? Five-star, Conrad Algarve for family of four ( two adults and two children under 10) for seven nights from £4,103, four-star stay for seven nights for the same party at Hotel Eva from £1,044 or the three-star Dom Jose Beach Hotel for seven nights for family of four (two adults and two children under 10) from £795 all via Expedia.co.uk

Tenerife

Beautiful Tenerife landscape - Anaga mountains

The largest of Spain's Canary Islands, Tenerife is a destination that almost guarantees heat and sunshine right now due to its proximity to West Africa. Spot on if you're looking for a way to escape the January blues.

However, if the kids are back in school and you have to wait till February half term, take a look at some of the offers available this month.

Famed for its dark sandy beaches, greenery and mountainous terrain, Tenerife is full of character and places to explore, with stunning cliffside resorts and quality seafood and wine to indulge in.

Who flies there? Thomas Cook Airlines fly three times a week direct to Tenerife South, with prices starting at £25.99 one-way. Monarch from £159, Easyjet from £160 and Jet2 from £180, all three return flights via Skyscanner and for February half term (11/2 to 18/2).

Where should I stay? For a family of four (two adults, both children under 10) stay in the five-star Hard Rock Hotel from £2,455 via Expedia or the three-star Royal Sunset Beach Club from £1,120 and Marino Tenerife from £734, both via Expedia