Incentive travel destinations

7h from Manchester

Dazzling cities, ancient ruins and vast deserts in one trip — and a desert dinner nobody forgets.

Best months: November, December, January, February, March

1h from Manchester

Guinness, Temple Bar and the Wicklow hills — the shortest flight that still feels like a trip abroad.

Best months: April, May, June, September, October

2h 50m from Manchester

Volcanic landscapes, the Blue Lagoon and whale watching — the trip that photographs like nowhere else.

Best months: February, March, April, September, October

2h 15m to Milan

Lakeside villas, private boats and dinners that do not need a theme to feel like an occasion.

Best months: May, June, September, October

2h 45m from Manchester

Good value, excellent food and a city compact enough that a group never feels scattered.

Best months: March, April, May, September, October

2h 30m from Manchester

Short flights, serious hotels and a coastline that photographs itself — the incentive destination that rarely disappoints.

Best months: April, May, June, September, October

3h 45m from Manchester

The shortest flight that feels genuinely far from home — riads, desert dinners and a different continent before lunch.

Best months: February, March, April, October, November

2h 10m to Nice

Harbour, hotels and a name that does a lot of the work when you are announcing the prize.

Best months: May, June, September

2h 55m from Manchester

Courtyards, flamenco and a centre made for walking — the warmest option that still feels European.

Best months: March, April, May, October, November