His new offering, ‘Little Red’, first took to the skies on March 31, flying from Manchester to Heathrow and will, today, begin service from Edinburgh – with Aberdeen set to follow suit on April 9.

‘So how does this domestic service differ from its competitors?’, we hear you ask.

Well, first up, it offers an alternative to passengers who have faced monopoly prices on domestic prices from Heathrow following the exit of bmi and the brand hopes to drive down fares as it competes with British Airways as it has done in the past.

Here are some of the other features we can also look forward to:

• Early morning flights to help business travellers make meetings in each of the three cities
• Increased capacity on each of the three routes to fly almost a million passengers
• Easier connections to destinations around the world
• Fares from £99
• Free 23kg baggage check-ins
• Pre-assigned seats
• Hot breakfasts on early morning flights
• Complimentary drinks and snacks, including exclusive miniature spirits, Irn Bru on Edinburgh-Heathrow flights and specially developed ‘Plane Crisps’ from Tyrells.

Meanwhile, the Airbus 320 themselves will be supplied by Aer Lingus, which has also signed a contract to supply the crew as part of a new partnership which both brands hope to develop in the future.

‘Welcome to the skies, Little Red’.

To find out more, or to check availability and prices, check out the website.

Pictured above is Little Red, courtesy of Virgin Atlantic.

The post New Virgin Atlantic domestic flights: Little Red launches in Edinburgh appeared first on MyTravelMoney.co.uk.

Grab a hot chocolate, pull up a pew and check out the top five destinations we have on our must-visit list for spring-summer next year.

1) Dubrovnik, Croatia

Otherwise known as the Pearl of the Adriatic, Dubrovnik, on the extreme southern coast of Croatia, is an incredibly tranquil spot – thanks, in part, to its pedestrian-only Old Town.

Not only is its history and architecture enchanting but its acclaimed summer festival really captures the city’s charm and gives visitors the opportunity to become immersed in its culture.

It’s relatively cheap and easy to take day trips to the likes of Lokrum and the Elaphite Islands, as well as across the border to Montenegro and Bosnia and Hercegovina.

2) Londonderry, Northern Ireland

Synonymous with religious conflict, Northern Ireland has had a bad press over the last couple of decades so hasn’t exactly brought the tourists rushing in.

But the country is changing and, even if you still don’t fancy a trip to Belfast, there are plenty of other parts of this beautiful Emerald Isle to explore.

Top of our list of must-see cities in Northern Ireland is Londonderry, or Derry as it’s also known, which is UK City of Culture 2013.

The walled city is set to invest a significant amount of cash in cultural development to boost tourism and will benefit from new routes introduced by easyJet and Aer Lingus in 2012.

3) Krakow, Poland

For a few years now, Krakow has been slowly earning its stripes – or co-ordinates – on the world tourism map. In fact, it’s become one of the most coveted city break destinations in Europe.

It’s the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland and is still relatively inexpensive for a short break that’s packed with culture.

Perhaps its biggest appeal, and a major draw, is the fact that it remained relatively unscathed during World War II and, as a result, is home to some of the oldest buildings and landmarks in Poland.

4) Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh has really upped its marketing campaign to try and attract new tourism to the city, which is famed for its fantastic Hogmanay Celebrations and summer festivals.

The Scottish capital has more to offer than ever before with no end of highly acclaimed restaurants, pubs and boutique hotels running their own activities and events.

The city has also seen a number of new budget accommodation alternatives, such as StayCity apartments and Motel One, pop during the course of 2012.

5) Hanoi, Vietnam

Vietnam is becoming more and more accessible – especially with Finnair launching direct flights from the UK for 2013.

This exotic city, which combines a symbiotic fusion of old and new, might seem a world away but there are plenty of friendly budget places to eat, drink and stay if you do your research on your home turf first.

Be prepared for a land of contradictions… swarms of motorbikes which frequent the ancient labyrinth of streets known as the Old Quarter, laid back locals and street traders in traditional conical hats and huge mansions on tree-lined avenues inspired by colonial France.

And, finally, don’t forget to keep a close eye on exchange rates in 2013 and keep checking MyTravelMoney.co.uk for the best online deals.

The post Top budget travel wish list destinations for 2013 appeared first on MyTravelMoney.co.uk.

Today, the flame embarks on a 145-mile journey through Scotland, flanked by 115 torchbearers, en route to the capital for a good, old knees-up at Edinburgh Castle.

It’ll make its way past Stirling Castle, the Wallace Monument, Falkirk Wheel and the Forth Road Bridge before reaching its destination in the heart of Edinburgh.

But if you can’t manage to see the proceedings in person, join us on our journey as we take you through the highlights of Edinburgh as part of our own nod to this iconic city.

Here are our top 10 things to do in Edinburgh:

1) Edinburgh Castle
Top of our list is, of course, Edinburgh Castle. It’s impossible to visit the Scottish capital without visiting this majestic stronghold which overlooks the city. Even better if you can time your visit with the Edinburgh Military Tattoo which, this year, runs from 3-25 August. The Lone Piper will send shivers up your spine as he gives you a glimpse of historic Scotland – playing the bagpipes from his vantage point of a turret on top of the castle.

2) Mary Kings Close
Take a tour underneath the city in the infamous close which was once sealed off because of its association with the plague. Relive the days of old and find out more about the Black Death, quacks, gardiloo and how black pudding was once made.

3) The Edinburgh Dungeon
If you like all things gruesome, then this one is right up your street. The Edinburgh Dungeon is home to scary rides, terrifying live shows and mock scenes of torture. It’s a great place to find out more about Victorian Britain, including grave robbers Burke and Hare, while having fun at the same time. Perfect for Horrible Histories lovers!

4) The Royal Museum
Find this huge museum, which is part of the National Museums of Scotland, on Chambers Street, just off the Royal Mile. It’s great value for money – mainly because it’s absolutely free! From mummies and ancient Egyptian artefacts to stuffed animals, volcanoes, science and more, it’s enough to keep youngsters entertained for hours.

5) Surgeon’s Hall
Anyone curious about anatomy will have a field day at Surgeon’s Hall, which showcases some amazing medical feats, not to mention more pickled gangrene and tumours than you can shake a stethoscope at. Discover the beginnings of forceps, ventouse, dentistry and many more medical procedures on a private tour.

6) The Stand Comedy Club
Head to Leith for a good gut-full of belly laughs at The Stand, which regularly hosts some of the best comedians in the UK, like past performers Russell Howard and John Bishop. It’s the best venue in town for live comedy seven nights a week.

7) The Burke & Hare Murder Tour
Book this 90-minute tour from Westport Tours and you won’t be disappointed. Join your guide on a grisly walking tour of the grave robbing duo’s famous haunts as he or she talks you through the story of Burke and Hare. But be warned… wear sensible shoes!

8) Museum of Childhood
This small but perfectly formed museum sits on the Royal Mile, just a stone’s throw from the castle and celebrates Victorian childhood. Marvel at old, china dolls; traditional spinning tops and some age-old branding that we know and love. It’s a great place to relive your youth.

9) Dynamic Earth
Take a voyage of discovery at the gigantic dome that is Dynamic Earth, which celebrates biodiversity in all its glory. See the indoor rainforest recreated perfectly and find out more about hot springs, climate change, glaciers and more.

10) Edinburgh Zoo
Last but not least, Edinburgh Zoo – which is home to probably the most famous pandas in the world: Sunshine and Sweetie, who need no introduction.

Best Edinburgh Restaurants:

Amicus Apple – for affordable pub grub in a contemporary lounge-type atmosphere
Amarone – for great Italian cuisine
Ignite Bengali & Indian Restaurant – for the best North Indian dining in town
Shezan Tandoori Restaurant – for the finest Punjabi cuisine
Tex Mex 2 – for Mexican on a budget

The post Top 10 things to do in Edinburgh – besides see the Olympic Torch! appeared first on MyTravelMoney.co.uk.