WEBLINKS
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 |  | The controversial expansion of Coventry Airport has brought new flights from Baginton to 11 airports around Europe.
Since Wednesday, 31 March 2004 you can now jet in and out of the airport on one of many daily flights to resorts like Ibiza, Jersey, Valencia, Venice and Palma.
Find out more about the new destinations and add your thoughts to our facts below.
| Ìý |  | This could be you, exploring in Nice
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The destinations on offer are:
Ibiza
Jersey
Malaga
Marseille
Naples
Nice
Palma
Pisa
Rome
Valencia
Venice
We're also asking for your contributions for our holiday snaps page, linked here.
If you have any holiday photos and travel tips from these places, we want to hear from you.
Contact us using this email link to be included and find out more about the destinations below.
Ìý| Ìý |  | A chance to recover from the hangover!
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Made infamous for its dance scene, Ibiza might be loosing its clubbing edge slightly but it’s still a top destination for sun, sea and other three-letter ‘s’ words.
It’s one of the largest of the Balearic Islands, which are just off the east coast of Spain in the Mediterranean Sea. So, it’s generally hot.
ÌýJersey is part of the UK but is actually only 14 miles from France and is a whopping 100 miles from Britain.
Even stranger, the currency is the English quid, but spend up if you get change because the island also has its own version of the notes and coins and you can’t spend them back here.
The island has about 15 miles of sandy beaches and is so far south that it’s usually the hottest place in the British Isles.
ÌýMalaga is the major coastal city of Andalucia and boasts Pablo Picasso amongst its famous sons. Because of this there are a few decent art galleries, including the 16th century Museum of Fine Arts.
Spanish is the lingo and the lifestyle, so you can expect lots of tapas and sangria.
Ìý| Ìý |  | Chilling in Marseille
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Marseille is the oldest city in France, founded by Greeks in ancient times. Its population has been pretty distinctive since, both in attitude and accent, and the city retains its own character.
It’s not a typical tourist destination despite its history and beach, however, and visitors should expect to be in a working city.
Its surroundings are more typically picturesque as the city is amongst villages, hills and a jagged coastline.
ÌýFavourite food of turtles, the modern pizza is said to have been created in Naples, for a royal visit in 1889 – of Queen Margherita! So, expect lots of pizza.
You can also expect dramatic extremes of landscape and events, not so surprising as the city lives in the shadow of the scary volcano Vesuvius. Thanks to this it’s been described as the most vibrant city in Italy. Mama mia, it must be frantic!
Ìý| Ìý |  | One of the glorious beaches at Nice
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Nice is still associated with the rich and the wealthy, but now its glamour is slighted faded.
It’s got beaches, however, and attracts thousands of sun-worshippers. The beaches are pebbly, though; good for the cellulite but not for sandcastles.
It also has museums and historic sites and for stunning scenery explore the Côte d'Azur area beyond. And the Provence region it sits in is well-known for really good quality country food.
ÌýSometimes called a playground for the rich, Palma is the capital of Mallorca and offers an alternative holiday to some of the cheap-and-cheerful resorts on the island.
The city has small historic streets and is a good place to wander between the shops and the seafront and sights like the cathedral and castle.
It has everything you’d want from a Spanish city, with the added bonus of scenery and beaches.
Ìý| Ìý |  | Yes, it really does lean!
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So much more than just the much-photographed leaning tower, Pisa has masses of history with Roman remains, medieval wonders, Gothic architecture and piazzas galore.
It’s also just 3 hours from Rome and 1 ½ hours from Florence on the train, if you can handle Italian public transport.
ÌýIf it’s good enough for the Pope, it’s good enough for us. Rome is the capital of Italy and Italian is the local language but loads of people there speak English.
Its masses of historic buildings make it prefect for romantics and culture buffs – think the Vatican and the Colosseum – and of course the food is fab. It’s a little pricey and any hard cash you need should be in Euros.
ÌýBetter known for football than tourism, Valencia nevertheless has a lot to offer. The city has good weather, good food and is getting a reputation for decent nightlife.
Shopping is also tipped to be great in the city and, of course, it has a beach for when you’re ready to drop.
ÌýVenice
| Ìý| Ìý |  | Whet your appetite for romantic views in Venice
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This extraordinary place has to be seen to be believed. And quickly (it is sinking after all).
Romantic, historic, wet and a bit crazy, it’s Italian culture at its most distinctive. The city is
built on over 100 small islands, which creates a mass of canals and bridges and a water culture.
Police chases, funerals, rubbish collections – everything happens on boats and just watching the canals is entertaining. But it’s not cheap.
Your contributions:
Kelly emailed us about Marseille:
"Marseille isn’t really a tourist place, it’s just a busy city like Coventry but with more historic buildings and a beach. It’s good if you want to experience the real France instead of tourist stuff and the live music scene is really good. Gigs at night and the beach in the day make a really good long weekend."
James’ tip on Venice:
"Everyone says Venice is really busy, but it’s so easy to avoid the crowds if you just wander around instead of seeing all the main sites. You quickly feel lost and alone which is magical after being with tourists the rest of the time."
About Venice, Wombat added:
"There is already a kind of link between Coventry and Venice, at least as far as football is concerned. A trip over the bridge to the town of Mestre and youÌýwill find a few bars sporting Coventry City scarves, pennants etc!
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"Pics [in the gallery] show Cov city flag being displayed at Venezia and Mestre grounds.... anyone who knows anything about Italain football will know that it is not easy to display another flag ... and it is proof of the friendship that exists.
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"Why not pop over to experience some Italian Division One (Serie B) football?"
Got something to add? Contact us using this email link.
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