• Best Time to Visit: March
• Average Ticket Price (Direct Return):£50 to £60
• Airlines: easyJet, RyanAir, Jet2

It’s often said that March to May is the best time to visit Morocco’s fourth biggest city. The temperature hovers between a low of 10°C and a high of 29°C, it’s not as busy as it is during the summer months, and you can still get your fill of great food and festivities.

If you fly from Manchester, it’s also one of the cheapest times to visit. We found direct return flights for just £53, and if you’re visiting for a single day, you could spend less than £100 even after adding accommodation and fees.

• Take in the natural wonders at botanical gardens like Jardin Majorelle
• Browse the stalls at the Medina of Marrakesh
• Explore the Saardian Tombs
• Relax at a local spa
• Brush up on your culinary skills at a cookery workshop
• Feast on traditional Moroccan fare at the many street food stalls

Best Time to Visit: May Average Ticket Price (Direct Return): £150 to £200 Airlines: Austrian Airlines, RyanAir

The home of Mozart and Freud is just a couple of hours away from Manchester, and it rarely gets more expensive than £200 for a return flight.

May is one of the most popular times to visit the Austrian capital, but it’s still not crowded as it is during the summer, and with great weather, lots of events, long temperate nights, and reasonably priced accommodation, it’s the perfect time for a day trip.

Manchester is one of the few airports in the north that regularly flies direct to Vienna, so it tends to draw travellers from across the region.

• Attend a concert in the home of classical music
• Go on a historic walking tour of Vienna
• Spend some time in the historic centre of Vienna
• Visit the gorgeous Schönbrunn Palace
• Spend a few hours at the Hofburg Museum complex

• Best Time to Visit: July
• Average Ticket Price (Direct Return): £50 to £60
• Airlines:RyanAir

Warsaw is one of the cheapest major cities in Europe, and with return flights available for around £50, it’s the perfect summer vacation destination. It’s also a good bet if you can’t bear the heat of southern European destinations like Greece and Italy, as it rarely exceeds 25°C and usually hovers around 20°C.

Warsaw has lots of great historical landmarks and museums, including some that pay homage to the atrocities of World War II, as well as museums and concert halls that celebrate the city’s musical and art history.

• Go out for a dinner and a show at one of the city’s famed nightspots
• Explore some of the city’s World War II history
• Take in a bit of art and culture at the numerous Warsaw museums
• Attend a classical music event
• Take a trip to the Old Town
• Book a historic walking tour

• Best Time to Visit:October
• Average Ticket Price (Direct Return): £120 to £160
• Airlines:easyJet, RyanAir, TAP Air

Lisbon’s popularity as a city break destination has exploded in the last few years, making it a must-see destination. Its coastal location means it’s perfect for seafood lovers, and there are lots of great sweet treats to sample as well, including the famous pastel de nata, a type of custard tart that’s sold in many UK supermarkets but tastes best from a Lisbon bakery.

• Take a walking tour of the city
• Travel in one of the city’s funiculars or trams
• Try some local seafood and finish off with a pastel de nata
• Take a wine tour
• Go on a river cruise
• Visit the famous Oceanário de Lisboa aquarium
• Cycle around the city on a bike tour

• Best Time to Visit: September
• Average Ticket Price (Direct Return): £110 to £160
• Airlines: easyJet, RyanAir, Jet2

Sitting on the Costa Blanca, Alicante is a summer vacation escape with a history that dates back thousands of years. You can spend a day filling up on tapas and lounging on the beach or exploring the local architecture.

• Walk along the narrow streets and check out the local wares
• Explore the city’s medieval architecture
• Spend a day doing nothing at one of several popular beaches
• Take a guided tour of one of the many caves
• Eat your fill of tapas
• Try some local wines

• Best Time to Visit: February
• Average Ticket Price (Direct Return): £40 to £60
• Airlines: easyJet, RyanAir, Jet2, TUI

Not only is February one of the cheapest times to visit Lanzarote, with prices as low as £40 return through carriers like easyJet, but the temperature is good, it’s fairly quiet, and you can still enjoy the beaches, pools, and great food and bars.

It gets very busy during the spring and summer months, but you can avoid the crowds with a winter break. It might not be prime summertime weather, but it rarely drops below 15°C and often exceeds 20°C. It’s better than being stuck in the rain, cold, and sub-zero temperatures back in the UK.

• Chill on the many local beaches
• Spend a day exploring the museums
• Try a spot of snorkelling
• Do some cave exploring
• Go bar hopping and get your fill of cheap drinks