The launch of low-cost flights between London Stansted and Leipzig, in Germany, has been greeted with enthusiasm by classical music lovers. The home of Bach, Wagner, Mendelssohn and Goethe is now just 90 minutes and £101 away with low-cost carrier Cirrus Airlines flying there twice a day, and looks set to be the top new highbrow weekend destination for the British traveller.

Part of the former East Germany and dubbed the 'City of Heroes' for its role in the democratic revolution of 1989, Leipzig's cultural roots stem from the Austro-Hungarian empire.

For centuries it rivalled Salzburg and Vienna as a centre of European music. Its Gewandhaus Symphony Orchestra, founded in 1743, claims to be the world's oldest, and JS Bach spent the last 27 years of his life there.

Ian Ackland, cities brand manager for Cresta Holidays, said: 'Leipzig tends to attract the older customer, looking for culture and history. Highlights include Colditz prison [46 km south, now a museum] and the Bach music festival in May.'

Other highlights include the Auerbachs Keller restaurant, celebrated in Goethe's Faust , and a Christmas market. It's not all harpsichords and gingerbread, though - there's also a progressive clubbing scene. As one student said: 'Leipzig has been partying since the Berlin Wall fell.'

· Cirrus is represented by Lufthansa (0845 773 7747) in the UK. Holidays with Music (01663 746 578) has a Bachfest tour to Leipzig in May 2003.