Good people of TZ, your travel advice is once again needed:)
My fiancee and I have a week off starting the 19 February and looking at going to the Canaries. Neither of us have ever been, we are in desperate need of some sunshine and it seems like the only viable option this time of year if we don't want to go long-haul (we don't).
Fundamentally, we want to go somewhere quiet and relaxing where we can swim in the sea. We don't care about nightlife, but good restaurants are important.
We're open to going to any island, so would love to hear what you guys have to say.
We have been looking at Corralejo in Fuerteventura, has anyone been?
Thanks.
I don’t know fhe Canary Islands but “sunshine” and “swimming in the sea” in February aren’t things that feature in my long term experience of Southern Europe.
I’d be thinking along the lines of a winter city break. Ideally in a country where central heating is standard.
You will definitely get sunshine, and be able to swim in the sea.
We did Tenerife for New Year once, and it was superb.
As for Corralejo, it is a bit Blackpool for us - visited Nov 2017 on a day trip from Lanzarote.
Fuerteventura is a great choice.
Corralejo used to be a lovely small fishing village. Now it’s a built up area with little original appeal beyond Sky Sports /Brits abroad type places.
Try El Cotillo , or Jandia .
But Corralejo also has the beauty of the ferry to Lanzarote.
Went last year, to Tenerife, I must have been there close to 15 times now. It is the easiest place for winter sun, well without flying for a lot longer.
It's just a matter of time...
We spent a week in Correlejo about two years ago, it has a strip which is certainly a bit Blackpool, but it also has an old town around the harbour with quieter bars and restaurants which was where we spent most of our time.Originally Posted by andrewcregan
As for the weather, we were there in early/mid January and it was just right, about 25 degrees and sunny during the day a bit cooler at night, fine when I was wearing a sweater though.
I am just starting to research the same thing. It seems that February can be a wet month on Tenerife. I've been there a couple of times before and the weather is generally warmer and sunnier on the south of the island. Lanzarote seems to be a good choice in terms of which of the islands is likely to have the best weather in Feb.
We 'winter sun' in Tenerife a couple of times a year- weathers usually always good and good value for money - it's like home from home to us with sun- flights are usually a couple of hundred pounds, apartment for a couple of hundred and red wine €1 a litre what's not to like
We're next there at the end of Feb
Plenty of places to walk -
We went to Playa Blanca in Lanzarote in September for a one week late break and liked it. The weather was as expected very consistent although it's on the southern end of the island and can be a bit windy.
The town is nice enough, we ate in a different restaurant every night and the food was decent and well priced. There are some upmarket shops and unfortunately some Sky Sports/Full English for 5 euro type places but in general the place has a nice feel to it.
Some of the hotels are pretty self-contained if you just want the weather - we were in the Princesa Yaiza which I'd highly recommend. Right on the beach, lovely rooms and great service. Still nice to get out and explore though.
The flight/airport was a bit lairy but that's sadly true of anywhere that Brits go on holiday :-(.
La Gomera...TripAdvisor?
I've only been there by yacht for a short stay. But I'd go back again...
Swimming in the Sea in Feb will be pretty cold, it’s not the Med it’s the Atlantic. I swam in Ternerife last Feb and it was pretty damn cold and you have to keep moving. Whale watching was good that time of year as well.
Off to Tenerife in the morning, third time in a row this time of year. Weather has always been lovely, like a nice, not too hot British summer day. Very relaxed, sea warm enough to swim in without a wet suit. Nightlife there if you want it, but quiet bars and restaurants aplenty. Less than 5 hours from Cardiff. Can't recommend highly enough.
Tenerife would get my vote.
I’ve been to Tenerife, Lanzarote,and Gran Canaria a few times and my favourite place by far is Meloneras in GC. All 5 star hotels but very reasonably priced and there’s great restaurants there too. On Top of that there’s 2 Rolex shops, a Patek and all the usual suspects. Plus it’s in the very south and warmer. I’ve been the last two Decembers for a week which is unusual for me as I like to try different places but we loved it,so much we went back.
I’ve noticed that most of the chaps merrily chirping “come on in, the winter water’s lovely” are in Celtic-flavoured places.
I must just be one of those shandy drinking southern types. By the way my bedroom in Malta tonight is around 14 degrees... brr!
Agree with this. We stayed at grand hotel residencia and it was one of the best hotels I’ve stayed in.
Stayed in a friends apartment in playa blanca in September (Lanzarote)
Quite nice and toured the island in a rental car
Had some nice seafood overlooking some spectacular sunsets
I’ve been here at new year for the last 2 years ,I’d highly recommend it ,it was 26 degrees on New Year’s Day
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Thanks for all the input folks. I swim in the sea year round in the west of Ireland, the water's about 9 degrees now so the Canaries will no doubt be an improvement!
Gran Canaria is the only island I haven't really looked at as the flights aren't as convenient as the other islands, will do some research given the recommendations here.
It was about 15 years ago but I went to Gran Canaria and whilst there met a couple of lads from the RAF who were touring the Islands on a naval ship. They raved about Los Gigantes in Tenerife and said that it would be a perfect place to take the missus. I always vowed to try it and still haven't been. May have changed now but worth a look.
I'd second the views above, having visited on all the Canary Islands over the years. Playa Dorada in Playa Blanca is one of the nicest beaches in the Canaries and The Yaiza is a fantastic hotel.
Another vote for GC and specifically Costa Meloneras.
We stayed at the Lopesan. Some good restaurants around and a few good watch shops within 5 mins walk!
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My parents spend their winters in Tenerife and between January and March it can be a bit of a lottery. At the moment it's 18o and overcast but tomorrow it could be 22o and sunny. It's usually warm though and if you don't mind a bracing swim it better than the UK!
Went to La Gomera last February. You fly to Tenerife then ferry to La Gomera. Two big hotels on the island a Parador and the one we stayed in. Very Very quiet. Stunning island but you need a car. Not a lot of sea swimming as beaches black stone and big waves. Nice walks and stunning views of Teide in the distance.
I'd also recommend Gran Canaria, lot of activities to choose from.
Some beaches on Gomera are black sand, eg La Calera or Playa del Inglés (beware...nudists!). But they're probably a bit more work to get to, unlike the on your doorstep sands of the other islands.
Lanzarote or Teneriffe, la Gomera worth a visit also. On Blue Monday I know where I'd rather be?
Whichever you decide, rent a car from these guys:
http://www.autoreisen.es
I have no affiliation other than as a 15+ time happy customer - they're consistently FAR cheaper than anyone else, the fleet is all brand new, free extra driver and there are NO extras to pay - I honestly don't know how they do it for the money...
You beauty! Thanks for the recommendation, they are seriously cheap.
After looking hard at flights and accommodation I think it's between Playa Blanca and Corralejo.
Small world - we were in that room on the left (with the green shutters)!I'd second the views above, having visited on all the Canary Islands over the years. Playa Dorada in Playa Blanca is one of the nicest beaches in the Canaries and The Yaiza is a fantastic hotel.
I'm going to be different and recommend La Palma. Spent a couple of weeks in the Hacienda San Jorge which was a lovely private hotel in beautiful grounds right near the beach (black sand though), some very nice restaurants nearby and only a short bus ride into the capital. Gorgeous scenery too. Nightlife is pretty crap but that just means there are less pissheads about to ruin your vacation. The best thing about La Palma for me however was the lack of British tourists - I believe there's only a couple of flights a week from the UK.
Seconded or thirded or whatever we're at now - the Maspalomas/Meloneras coast is the place to be, love it there.
Really good thread, I like your suggestions, hopefully we'll get there at some point.
Spent several New Years in the Canaries (Mainly Lanzarote) had some cracking weather can't beat a BBQ for Christmas dinner followed by a dip in the pool.
Feb time has some have said is the wettest month but Canarian wet weather ain't like in UK! in other words a few drops of rain then sunshine but do expect a few overcast days.
Temperature usually anything from 18 to 24
Which Island, All depends what you want and where you want to stay.
Nice hotels, I'd say Tenerife (Costa Adeje) some really nice Hotels such as El Mirador or Del Duque or Lanzarote (Playa Blanca) Princesa Yaiza Hotel is nice.
If you want to go the Villa route, I would say Lanzarote (Puerto del Carmen) especially Los Mojones. I've stopped in some cracking Villas with heated pool, jacuzzi, pool table etc.
If in Lanzarote, hire a car (http://www.autoreisen.es) as a few have said. Not expensive and easy Island to drive around. Some cracking places to see.
Wish I was going! If it wasn't for work commitments I'd be off! Enjoy.
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Have been to Lanzarote a few times and Playa Blanca is nice, certainly plenty of decent restaurants and easy to walk around. Not very keen on the couple of manmade beaches although they are pretty sheltered for winter swimming. Have been to Fuerteventura many times but didn't like Corralejo, way to "Brits Abroad" for our liking but no denying there are some great beaches. El Cotillo is much less commercialised and the lagoons are lovely. Caleta de Fuste is a bit like Corralejo but smaller and with a grotty beach. Jandia / Morro Jable is our choice fantastic beaches but it's furthest from the airport and many Brits don't like the German feel of the place.
Alpinist fresh out of the pool, Costa Adeje, Tenerife right now.
Funnily enough I'm going to the Canaries on the same day. We're trying Gran Canaria this time because neither of us have been there -
I assume it means Big Dog. Anyhow I'd recommend south Tenerife. Like everywhere, the more you pay, the less chavvy it will be
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