Bank On Your Next Holiday

26.08.2005 The end of the school holidays and the last bank holiday signals the end of the summer for many people. On the eve of this year’s last August bank holiday, Brits are advised to turn their thoughts to their next holiday.

The next bank holiday is many months away on 26th December. Thomsonfly.com offers people from South Yorkshire something to look forward to with European escapes to sun ski and city destinations.

This winter will see new flights operating from Robin Hood Airport to Lyon, Tenerife and Gran Canaria.

The Canary Islands are popular destination with British travellers wanting some winter sun escaping the wet and cold UK weather. Lyon will be a new destination for many people from South Yorkshire - the city has a great deal to offer city break travellers, business travellers and those wanting winter sports action alike.

Lyon is France’s second city and is located where the Rhône and Saône are at their closest point – this strategic position at the gateway to the Alps led the Romans to settle in this location.

Lyon is the ideal airport for accessing many of France’s top ski areas – the location of the airport means that travel from the airport much easier than from alternative airports serving the Alps. Uncongested toll motorways provide an easy drive to the Savoie and Haute Alps – providing access to the main ski areas – the Three Valleys, Tignes/ Val d’Isere and Les Arcs – plus the many smaller resorts. The airport is the ideal destination airport for people wanting to ski or board. These ski regions are also home to many ex-patriot people from Yorkshire who have chosen a new life in the Alps.

In the city the Fourvière Hill was the location of Lyon's original Roman settlement and is still home to the ancient ruins from that era. The evidence in the city of the early settlers and the many civilisations since then make this an interesting historic city – so much so that it is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Vieux Lyon (Old Lyon) is a particularly lively part of the city overspilling with restaurants offering gastronomic delights and local specialities – which can be washed down with wine from the region – Beaujolais and finished with a typical tipple of the liqueur from the nearby Chartreuse. Old Lyon is a maze of narrow streets, interesting architecture and traditional old French atmosphere.

As well as being a great place to delve back into history the city is a great place to shop, wine, dine and party. The Park Tete D’Or is an ideal place to unwind and join the other Lyonnaise – people watching or enjoying the gardens, rides and wildlife.

The city is host to many interesting and unique events - the most famous event that takes place in Lyon is the Festival of Lights that takes place annually in December. The Ancient Music Festival runs from November through to 24 December and the Christmas markets in the city provide an idea alternative for festive gift buying. The city will host the European Figure Skating Championships from 17 – 22 January 2006.

Flights to Lyon start from £22.99 per person, one way including taxes and charges, and will operate four days a week from December 9. Flights can be booked online here.