Where can I fly to from Scotland?

Greece

When you fly from Scotland, you can take your pick from three Greek islands. First up is Corfu. With sugar-cube villages, blonde beaches and tree-clad hilltops, Corfu is one of the most colourful isles in Greece. It’s also the second-biggest Ionian Island, so there’s lots to see – and it’s all less than four hours away from Scotland. You can fly from Aberdeen, Edinburgh or Glasgow. Spend a day in the tangled streets of Corfu Old Town, or head to Glyfada for watersports. Kavos, meanwhile, is the place to go for neon lights and all-night parties.

Two of the biggest islands in Greece, Rhodes and Crete, are great for families. Both serve up a winning combination of knockout beaches, ancient ruins and chalky towns. Crete has a whopping 650-mile-long coastline, while Rhodes has more days of sunshine than any other Greek island – 300 a year, to be exact. In summer, you can fly to Rhodes from Edinburgh, while our Glasgow flights go to both Rhodes and Crete.

Florida

The Sunshine State is closer than you think, with direct flights from Edinburgh and Glasgow taking less than 10 hours. In Orlando, you can experience the magic of all four Walt Disney World parks, shop ‘til you drop in town-sized malls, and play 18 holes on championship golf courses.

The best way to see Florida, though, is to go on a road trip. And, with free car hire included in your holiday, travelling around is a piece of cake. A mere 90-minute drive from Orlando, Crystal River is home to the world’s largest population of manatees. You can take a boat ride out to see them, and even go snorkelling with these gentle giants. If beaches are more your thing, head south and drive to the most glamorous stretch of sand in all of America – South Beach in Miami.

The Canary Islands

If you’d prefer your sunshine to come with a much shorter flight time, the Canary Islands are your best bet. You can fly there from Aberdeen, Edinburgh or Glasgow.

With black-sand coastlines and a towering volcano, Tenerife offers a twist on the classic beach break. As the largest of the Canaries, it’s packed with must-see sights. The star of the show is Mount Teide, the highest peak in the whole of Spain. You can hike up to the top, or enjoy the views from a sky-high cable car. Tenerife is also home to one of the most impressive waterparks in Europe. Siam Park has twisting waterslides, rushing rapids and the world-famous Tower Of Power drop slide.

If you’re looking for a mixture of sleek resorts, pulsing nightclubs and sleepy villages, Gran Canaria ticks all the boxes. With over 120 miles of coastline, this island is teeming with beaches, while the Maspalomas sand dunes stretch as far as the eye can see. You can explore them on foot, in a 4x4, or on the back of a camel. For a cultural day out, spend some time in Arucas and see the impressive Gothic architecture of the Church of San Juan Bautista.

Mexico

Did you know you could fly to the Caribbean from your doorstep? Well, now you do. Mexico’s Caribbean Coast is just one direct flight away from Glasgow and Edinburgh. And there’s plenty to do once you get there. Zig-zag your way around Mayan pyramids, drive through wildlife-filled jungles, and tuck into home-made tacos. Or, you could just take it easy on a white-sand beach with a chilled margarita. If you really want to push the boat out, treat yourself to a luxurious stay at Sensatori Resort Mexico. Think swim-up rooms, 24-hour gourmet dining, and therapeutic spa treatments.

Lapland

Tucked away in the Arctic Circle, Lapland is truly magical. With husky-pulled sledges, cosy log cabins, and more reindeer than humans, this winter wonderland is a real-life fairy tale. And, of course, it’s home to the big man himself – Father Christmas. This December, you can fly straight to Lapland from Glasgow for an action-packed daytrip. Where else can you ride a snowmobile, build a snowman, play with elves, bake with Mrs Claus, and meet Santa – all in one day? But, if 24 hours isn’t long enough to satisfy your festive appetite, go for a three-night or four-night break. With more time, you’ll be able to try your hand at ice-skating and skiing, go ice fishing, and search for the elusive Northern Lights.

Croatia

It may have been a bit late to the tourism party, but Croatia has definitely made up for lost time. Ten million people now come to the Dalmatian Coast every year in search of clear seas, historical towns and terracotta rooftops. Inland, meanwhile, you’ll find national parks, glass lakes and pinstriped vineyards.

You can see all the highlights this summer, when you fly from Glasgow to Dubrovnik. Probably the most iconic city in Croatia, Dubrovnik is a jigsaw of old and new. The UNESCO-protected Old Town is a blend of Medieval architecture, age-old churches and ancient stone walls, mixed with modern boutiques, glittering wine bars and chic hotels. There’s also a collection of pebbly beaches, while Lokrum Island is anchored just offshore.

For somewhere off the beaten track, head to the Istrian Riviera – you can fly straight there from Edinburgh. Just as beautiful as Dubrovnik, but far less busy, this stretch of Croatia has managed to keep its traditional charm. Fringed by 250 kilometres of coastline, the Istrian Riviera is a mosaic of rolling countryside, towering mountains and pastel-coloured cities. Discover hidden beaches and sprawling squares in Pula, or head to Rovinj for Venetian architecture, Roman ruins and quiet coves.

Jamaica

Nowhere does laid-back holidays like Jamaica. If you just want to switch off, unwind, and enjoy some Caribbean sunshine, this is the place to go – and you can fly direct from Glasgow. Here, luxury resorts rub shoulders with ramshackle rum bars and powder-soft sands. When you finally tear yourself away from the beaches, you’ll soon find tumbling waterfalls and rich rainforests. There’s plenty of history in Jamaica, too, from Montego Bay’s haunted mansions and plantations, to the colonial buildings and museums of Kingston. And then there’s the food. Try spicy jerk chicken, rich goat curry and fried salt fish, all washed down with a glass of fruity rum punch.

Majorca

Of the three jewels in the Balearics’ crown, Majorca shines the brightest. With shallow waters, gently-sloping sands, and top waterparks, this little island is the perfect place to take the kids. And it’s really easy to get to. In the height of summer, you can fly from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness.

Perched on the northeast coast, the sleepy village of Playa de Muro has slowly transformed into a chilled-out holiday resort. If you go for a paddle on the Blue Flag beach, you’ll be able to see small fish swimming around your ankles. Most of the restaurants here are geared up for families, too, so you’ll have no trouble finding menus for children.

Further along the coast, Alcudia is home to a toddler-friendly beach, a historic old town, and a stylish marina. But if you’re a family of foodies, Cala Bona is the place to go. This town has loads of seafront restaurants and authentic bars, so you can tuck into net-fresh seafood paella, creamy lobster stew, and tasty tapas.

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Author: Sarah Reeves