Holidays from Stansted Airport

Did you know that Stansted Airport was once a Roman burial site? Ok, you probably didn’t considering it was over 2000 years ago, but it’s nice to know there’s a lot of history behind the founding of one of the UK’s busiest airports. Every year, around 17.8 million people travel through Stansted. It’s a major stopping point, connecting travellers with their destination and further travel at major transport hubs.

Here’s a little background on of our top airports... the runway itself was actually built in the 1940s and as airports grew in popularity and importance, Stansted grew too. In 1991, The Queen opened a new ?400 million terminal, creating a huge ripple in terms of customers passing through. It meant where the airport could once hold two million, now its new surroundings it could carry eight million per year. In 2008, a ?50 million arrivals section was opened, meaning it’s an even smoother process arriving at Stansted.

The airport has grown with its customers over the years and 2012 has been its biggest yet. The London Olympic Games helped to achieve record numbers, with the biggest gathering of private jets and aircraft arriving on July 27th. Delegations from Kazakhstan, Qatar, Slovakia and Germany and many more, meant a whopping 165 planes passed through, compared to just 156 for the Champions League Final in Wembley in May 2011.

A bustling and busy airport, set to grow even more, Stansted is one of our favourites. And if it’s your local airport then we think it’s probably one of your favourites too.

Here are some of the top destinations that you can fly to from Stansted.

Chania, Crete: There’s never been a better time to go to Greece, not only will you be helping the struggling economy, but at the same time you’ll find fantastic value on flights, hotels and food. Crete is a top choice if you’re looking for a simple break of a few days in the sun and want to relax. It’s also a brilliant choice for foodies, with endless possibilities. Even the Greeks themselves rave about food from Crete!

You could take the traditional route and learn about the Cretan Dagger and Evil Eye. Or you could simply enjoy the stunning scenery and totally unwind on some of the fantastic beaches there. Chania is a top choice for families or couples who want to get away from it all.

Berlin, Schoenefeld: A weekend in Berlin is what all the cool kids are doing these days. Just a couple of hours from Stansted and with great value on offer, Berlin is home to some of the coolest bars and clubs on earth.

You’ll find great food and brilliant accommodation options too. We recommend a dashing tour through the city. The Brandenberg Gate is a must, while the Reichstag nearby is unmissable. Grab a lunch of a local currywurst (sausage smothered in sauce) and head for the Tiergarten for a scenic stroll and a breath of fresh air. By night the city absolutely comes alive. In the cafes around Simon Dach Strasse you’ll find lots of young Berliners making the most of their Saturday nights.? ?

Malaga, Spain: Just a few hours from the UK and the largest city on the Costa del Sol, Malaga has a lot going for it. Choose carefully and you can enjoy temperatures in the mid 20s. It’s a lot more laidback than Madrid or Barcelona and offers beaches, museums, hiking, architecture and lots of food and nightlife options. Filled with tourists in the summer, it’s well used to dealing with the influx of people and caters to almost every taste.

Malaga Cathedral in the centre of the city and the Picasso Museum are both well worth visiting, while the city is growing in popularity for its rock climbing, with plenty of opportunities in and around the area. Of course Malaga is a sunbather’s dream. Head east of the city where you’ll find secluded little numbers to top up your tan and unwind with a good book.