![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-1169093885-4f89.jpg\")
\n\t\tSummer in Andalusia? (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tSummer in Andalusia? (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Tired of holidaying in the same places? A new route to one of Spain<\/a>\u2019s most underrated cities could broaden your horizons this summer<\/a>.<\/p>\n The first Jet2<\/a> flights from the UK to Jerez have taken off today<\/a>, bringing travellers from London Stansted<\/a>, Birmingham, Manchester<\/a> and Leeds airports to the heart of Andalusia.<\/p>\n Often described as Malaga with fewer crowds, Jerez is the epicentre of flamenco and the birthplace of sherry, the \u2018remarkable\u2019 sweet Spanish wine that\u2019s suddenly back in fashion.<\/p>\n The new routes come months after Ryanair<\/a>\u00a0revealed it\u00a0was axing flights to 12 popular Spanish hotspots<\/a>, including Jerez and Santander, in a bid to reduce the taxes it pays for operating at airports.<\/p>\n Things to do in Jerez<\/p>\n A fortress town built in the 11th century, Jerez is an elegant destination with charming streets, sundrenched squares and quaint sherry bodegas selling its most famous export.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tSign up to The Getaway newsletter\t\t\t<\/p>\n Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration.\u00a0Sign up here<\/a>.<\/p>\n The culinary scene is booming; recent years have seen the arrival of 19 Michelin stars to Jerez and the surrounding area.<\/p>\n So it\u2019s no surprise that food and drink are at the heart of everything there is to do here. <\/p>\n Wine tastings and sherry tours take place in the welcome shade of the city\u2019s many churches. The non-negotiable is Jerez Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance fusion.<\/p>\n While fine dining restaurants abound, there is no better way to soak up the local vibe than to eat at a tabanco, traditional Andalusian bars that host live flamenco performances accompanied by tapas. <\/p>\n In this region, you\u2019ll mostly find nibbles like Jabugo ham, pork belly and cheese with quince. <\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking for a real show, head to El Pasaje, the original Jerez flamenco bar that\u2019s been named the best in the world.<\/p>\n Beyond the city walls, Jerez makes for a solid twin break with Cadiz, which is just 20 miles away and well connected by rail. What Jerez has in culture and cuisine, coastal Cadiz has in sea and sand.<\/p>\n A word of warning before you make travel plans: summer may not be the best time to visit. In Jerez, temperatures can peak at 45\u00b0C due its low in-land location in Spain\u2019s southernmost province.<\/p>\n Every season has its own charm, but the most popular tourist stretch is spring and autumn, particularly March through May and September to November.<\/p>\n If you can brave the rain, a flamenco festival takes place for two weeks in late January and early February. In December, there\u2019s also a pre-Christmas flamenco event called Zambombas.<\/p>\n Getting to Jerez and where to stay<\/p>\n Jet2 flights will run to Jerez twice a week from London Stansted, Leeds, Birmingham and Manchester airports until the end of October.<\/p>\n Jerez has a wide range of hotels to suit every taste and budget, from heritage B&Bs to private suites surrounded by vineyards.<\/p>\n Metro<\/strong> found standard rooms in a central four-star hotel from \u00a352 per person per night, in June. That rose to \u00a389 per night for a self-contained apartment in the city centre.<\/p>\n \t\t Along with new UK routes to Jerez, Jet2 has also launched flights to Pula, an ancient city on Croatia<\/a>\u2019s Istrian peninusla.<\/p>\n Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2holidays,<\/strong> said the airline hopes travellers will be excited to explore different destinations this summer. <\/p>\n He said: \u2018As we commence our biggest ever summer programme, we are thrilled to see our inaugural flights to Jerez and Pula take off. <\/p>\n We are already looking forward to seeing our full Summer 25 programme taking off to allow our customers to explore these two brand-new destinations.<\/p>\n With miles of golden sands and heaps of culture to be discovered, we are offering holidaymakers plenty of opportunity to get away to both new destinations this summer and next.\u2019<\/p>\n Do you have a story to share?<\/strong><\/p>\n Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n Arrow Arrow![\"Side](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SEI_236301857-f645.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe Cathedral of Jerez de la Frontera and its famous bell tower (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
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