EasyJet has launched brand new flights from Manchester Airportto a stunning Mediterraneancity that enjoys a whopping 300 days of glorious sunshine each year.

The delightful city of Montpellier in the south of France is frequently overlooked in favour of tourist magnets like Paris, but it truly deserves a spot on your radar. Offering a welcome retreat from the hustle and bustle, the city boasts a relaxed vibe amongst its medieval architecture, lively squares and charming cafés.

Montpellier is widely regarded as one of France's sunniest destinations, enjoying an average of 300 days of sunshine annually, with summer daylight stretching to around 10 hours. Its Mediterranean climate delivers mild winters and hot, dry summers, meaning rainfall is rarely a concern, with temperatures reaching highs of up to 18C or 21C in April.

The timing couldn't be better, then, for easyJet to unveil its new route from Manchester Airport to the sun-drenched city of Montpellier. The inaugural flights took off this week, with services set to run twice-weekly on Mondays and Fridays throughout the summer season.

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Tickets are available to book from £26.99, with the trip taking just over two hours from Manchester - meaning you'll be soaking up those southern rays before you know it. Adding further appeal to this under-the-radar European gem is its impressive array of sights and attractions.

Visitors can explore the historic city centre, taking in the magnificent Place de la Comédie, the historic Promenade du Peyrou, and the Gothic Saint-Pierre Cathedral. No trip to the city would be complete, however, without a stroll through its pedestrian-friendly Old Town, with its narrow medieval streets, stylish boutiques, and bustling squares dotted with cafés, restaurants, and tucked-away courtyards, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Elsewhere, the botanical gardens, Jardin des Plantes — the oldest in France — offer a peaceful retreat, boasting a breathtaking collection of plants and serene walkways. The Peyrou Promenade, meanwhile, provides sweeping panoramic views across the city and the surrounding countryside, perfect for soaking up the atmosphere.

Following the launch of the new flights to Montpellier, Kevin Doyle, easyJet's UK country manager, said: "We are really pleased to be celebrating our inaugural flights to the fantastic city of Montpellier, just a stone's throw from the Mediterranean coast. By introducing new connections from Manchester on our unrivaled leisure network, customers from across the northwest can now enjoy even more choice this summer to book and travel with ease.

"We're continuing to provide our customers with even more choice and connectivity at fantastic fares, and we look forward to welcoming them onboard." Stephen Turner, chief commercial officer at Manchester Airport, said: "We are proud to connect the people of the North with more destinations than any other airport in the country outside London, so it's fantastic to be celebrating this inaugural flight today.

"Montpellier is not currently served by any other airline so passengers planning a holiday to the south of France this summer will have even more choice of destinations when flying from Manchester. We're sure this new route will prove extremely popular."