FLIGHTS to a region of Slovenia famed for its wine are to start from Southend Airport this summer.

The two hour Adria Airways service to Maribor will be the first from London and will fly Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings from June to October, using an Airbus 319 aircraft.

Flights are on sale from March 30 and prices start from €69 return per person, including taxes.

Adria Airways CEO Mark Anžur said: "We are absolutely excited about our new scheduled connection from the second biggest city in Slovenia, Maribor to London Southend Airport.

“We are looking forward to a beginning of a successful partnership and bringing our passengers to both attractive destinations, with the new route offering the travellers from both countries to explore new destinations and everything both countries have to offer.

“We are very pleased to welcome travellers from UK to enjoy the diversity of Slovenia and all that it has to offer; from mountains to seaside."

Maribor was named European Capital of Culture in 2012, and is renowned for its Lent International Summer Festival, one of the Top 50 events in Europe.

This major arts festival takes place annually for two weeks at the end of June, attracting theatre, opera, ballet and jazz musicians from all over the world, as well as thousands of international visitors.

The city was founded in 1254 and is situated on the River Drava with vineyards to the north and the Pohorje Mountains to the southwest.

It enjoys pleasant temperatures in the spring, followed by balmy summers, colourful autumns and sub-zero winters where it is all about the skiing.

The World Cup ski slope on Pohorje Mountain just a 10-minute drive from the city centre. Magnificent hiking, biking routes, high-adrenalin activities and world-class events are also on offer.

A renowned wine growing area, it is also home to one of the biggest and oldest classic wine cellars in Europe, at more than 215,000 square feet, which rests underneath the city.

Also in Maribor is the 400-year-old Old Vine which has been verified by the Guinness Book of World Records. There is also plenty to see in the Old Town – from medieval towers and remains of the city walls, as well as the square Grajski trg with the castle and museum, Bishop Slomšek's cathedral with its viewing tower. There is also one of the oldest synagogues in Europe.