Where to go in March?

[karl922]

Hi guys,

I'm looking to go away for a week for my first ever holiday, I've been a few overseas places with work but this would be my first real holiday.

Me and the Mrs fancy somewhere as warm as possible and ideally close to the sea.
I'm looking to spend no more than £400 pp.... Is this possible?

I'm always a little wary so the less dodgy the better.
I've thought about Morocco or the Canary islands.

What's peoples suggestions on those, and others I may not have thought about?

[chris7676]

You are thinking about the right locations.
Canary Islands are definitely less dodgy than Morocco and if anything should have more predictable weather, even if more European prices.

[Jaguar steve]

Warm as possible for £400pp in March means the Canaries.

We usually go in March and October. Best weather that time of year probably in the south Lanzarote/north Furteventura region. This area is sheltered from the trade winds by the Pappagayo mountains and has a stable micro climate that's generally - though not always - better than the rest of the islands.

Expect mid 20s, sunshine and windy and possibly the odd dull rainy day. Sea will be clear, bk bustingly cold and will try to kill you just a few tens of meteres off some exposed beaches.

Regular ferries go between the two islands. Cost of taking a car will make you cry so go by foot or as part of a organised trip.

Playa Blanca is a large resort in the south of Lanzarote. It's popular with older holidaymakers so generally quiet and refreshingly Chav free unlike the other two main resorts of Puerto del Carmen and Teguise, and has a good selection of large chain 4* hotels and more upmarket villas. The resort is pleasant and clean with a long promenade along the front and half a dozen small man made beaches which get very busy. Plenty to do inland including the Timfaya volcanic park, several arty Cesar Manrique buildings and wind mobiles, pretty inland villages and some fairly good beaches off the beaten track.

Corralejo is a more vibrant resort in the north of Furteventura. Much more popular with families and accomadation is mostly tatty self catering apartments. Bit down market compared to Playa Blanca but the main strip is buzzing with hundreds of restaurants, rock cafes and music bars every night. Some lovely villas to rent in nearby villages of Villaverde, Lajares and El Cotillo. The resort of Calletta de Fuste or Calletta half way down the easter side is right under the airport flight path and makes Corralejo look quite posh. Avoid.

Furteventra has much more barren inland scenery than Lanzarote, deserted inland honing roads and absolutely epic beaches at El Cotillo, Corralejo including the famous sand dunes and in the south towards Jandia there's a 30km strip of perfect white sand.

I've been to all the main Canary islands and resorts. None of them can be described as a sophisticated holiday experience and all of them have more than a whiff of beer and chips in the sunshine about them.
But for cheap winter sun they can't be beat and if you choose your base very carefully, hire a car to get away from the crowds you'll get value for money.

Tough call if you're a newcommer but I'd choose Furteventua.

[nutsytvr]

South Tenerife is probably a safer bet for weather than Fuertaventura (always very windy) or Lanzarote. Been to all 3. In fact just back from Tenerife. 23/25c in mid January.
Paul

[schmalex]

Jaguar steve said:

Warm as possible for £400pp in March means the Canaries.

We usually go in March and October. Best weather that time of year probably in the south Lanzarote/north Furteventura region. This area is sheltered from the trade winds by the Pappagayo mountains and has a stable micro climate that's generally - though not always - better than the rest of the islands.

Expect mid 20s, sunshine and windy and possibly the odd dull rainy day. Sea will be clear, bk bustingly cold and will try to kill you just a few tens of meteres off some exposed beaches.

Regular ferries go between the two islands. Cost of taking a car will make you cry so go by foot or as part of a organised trip.

Playa Blanca is a large resort in the south of Lanzarote. It's popular with older holidaymakers so generally quiet and refreshingly Chav free unlike the other two main resorts of Puerto del Carmen and Teguise, and has a good selection of large chain 4* hotels and more upmarket villas. The resort is pleasant and clean with a long promenade along the front and half a dozen small man made beaches which get very busy. Plenty to do inland including the Timfaya volcanic park, several arty Cesar Manrique buildings and wind mobiles, pretty inland villages and some fairly good beaches off the beaten track.

Corralejo is a more vibrant resort in the north of Furteventura. Much more popular with families and accomadation is mostly tatty self catering apartments. Bit down market compared to Playa Blanca but the main strip is buzzing with hundreds of restaurants, rock cafes and music bars every night. Some lovely villas to rent in nearby villages of Villaverde, Lajares and El Cotillo. The resort of Calletta de Fuste or Calletta half way down the easter side is right under the airport flight path and makes Corralejo look quite posh. Avoid.

Furteventra has much more barren inland scenery than Lanzarote, deserted inland honing roads and absolutely epic beaches at El Cotillo, Corralejo including the famous sand dunes and in the south towards Jandia there's a 30km strip of perfect white sand.

I've been to all the main Canary islands and resorts. None of them can be described as a sophisticated holiday experience and all of them have more than a whiff of beer and chips in the sunshine about them.
But for cheap winter sun they can't be beat and if you choose your base very carefully, hire a car to get away from the crowds you'll get value for money.

Tough call if you're a newcommer but I'd choose Furteventua.

This. We've been to both islands a couple of times and like both equally for different reasons (Playa Blanca is a little more refined, but Fuertaventura has much better scenery than Lanzarote). Either would be a good choice.

An alternative could be Maspalomas in Gran Canaria. It's a little "Mark Warner", but has a lovely beach and is a decent base to explore the island, which has some stunning countryside. We've stayed in the Ifa Faro hotel a few times and it's very pleasant.

[Mike22233]

There is a nice hotel in Lanzarote next to the marina called Hotel Volcan which has a no kids zone

Priced reasonably too. Nice 20-30min walk into the busy part (a bit more chavtastic than marina)

[karl922]

Thanks for taking your time to write that 'jaguar Steve' really appreciate your advice. I'll let the Mrs have a read over your post and see where that takes us. To the rest of the guys thanks also, big help.

Cheers

[Pyrolysis]

Cyprus! It's great out here

[karl922]

Pyrolysis said:

Cyprus! It's great out here

I lived out in Cyprus for 3 years so I'm after something different, can always go back there with work too.

[towser44]

Another vote for Fuerteventura here. Been the last 2 years in December. Got back on 1st January this year after 3 weeks. Had 15 minutes of light rain in 3 weeks. Some cloudy days, but plenty of wall to wall sunshine days. Stayed in the South of the island both times at Costa Calma. It's mainly set up for Germans, there was even a German Xmas Market, but the hotel we stayed at has started advertising more via UK Travel Agents so there were many more Brits than the year before when we stayed there. There's not a lot to do outside of the hotels in terms of bars etc in Costa Calma, but having a 3 year old is suited us as the beaches down there are superb and we stayed all inclusive anyway. Plenty warm enough for all day on the beach and in the sea. Daughter loved it this year being that bit older and other half got really sunburnt one day when there was a fair breeze and you didn't realise how hot it was. Try to visit the Zoo (Oasis Park), there is a free shuttle bus from all the resorts,though it would be a long day from Correljo. It's a brilliant day out, as it's massive and with amazing an sealion show. Hired a car via these guys for 4 days, was £81 with insurance excess, child seat etc all included.http://www.cabreramedina.com/EN Its a lovely island with some brilliant mountain roads. Let me know if you want details. Pic below is the beach on Xmas Day and the second pic was the temp before lunch on the 27th December.

[Ultuous]

Jaguar steve said:

I've been to all the main Canary islands and resorts. None of them can be described as a sophisticated holiday experience and all of them have more than a whiff of beer and chips in the sunshine about them.
But for cheap winter sun they can't be beat and if you choose your base very carefully, hire a car to get away from the crowds you'll get value for money.

Good summary IMHO - having said that, went for some cheap sun in Las Palmas (Gran Canaria) last Christmas and found it a nice mix of beach/ city whilst being relatively cosmopolitan!

[apguy]

<thread resurrection>

Thanks Jaguar_Steve. As a direct result of reading this thread earlier this year I booked a budget week away in Fuerteventura. Got back a week ago.

Flights : Gatwick->Fuerteventura : Norwegian Airways £90 each
Location: Corralejo
Accom : Surfing Colors (sic) Apartments : £30 a night, 1 bed, pool view, self catering
Car : PayLess.es Chevolet Aveo : £67 for the week (inc full CDW)

So for 2 I did the whole lot for less than £500. I had never been to the Canaries and so relied entirely on this thread for island and location details. It was perfect for a weeks break from the dull weather. 20-25deg weather, 2 cloudy days and sun bathing on the dunes was great.
Fully recommended for a no-hassle, beach-based winter getaway.

[LuS1fer]

apguy said:

<thread resurrection>

Thanks Jaguar_Steve. As a direct result of reading this thread earlier this year I booked a budget week away in Fuerteventura. Got back a week ago.

Flights : Gatwick->Fuerteventura : Norwegian Airways £90 each
Location: Corralejo
Accom : Surfing Colors (sic) Apartments : £30 a night, 1 bed, pool view, self catering
Car : PayLess.es Chevolet Aveo : £67 for the week (inc full CDW)

So for 2 I did the whole lot for less than £500. I had never been to the Canaries and so relied entirely on this thread for island and location details. It was perfect for a weeks break from the dull weather. 20-25deg weather, 2 cloudy days and sun bathing on the dunes was great.
Fully recommended for a no-hassle, beach-based winter getaway.

If it was the grey metallic Aveo with the flappy fuel flap and it had a very scuffed front air dam, very sorry.

[AWG]

Been to Fuerteventura three times and enjoyed it.

Just got back from The Gambia and had a great time with some fascinating tours.

[Jaguar steve]

apguy said:

<thread resurrection>

Thanks Jaguar_Steve. As a direct result of reading this thread earlier this year I booked a budget week away in Fuerteventura. Got back a week ago.

Flights : Gatwick->Fuerteventura : Norwegian Airways £90 each
Location: Corralejo
Accom : Surfing Colors (sic) Apartments : £30 a night, 1 bed, pool view, self catering
Car : PayLess.es Chevolet Aveo : £67 for the week (inc full CDW)

So for 2 I did the whole lot for less than £500. I had never been to the Canaries and so relied entirely on this thread for island and location details. It was perfect for a weeks break from the dull weather. 20-25deg weather, 2 cloudy days and sun bathing on the dunes was great.
Fully recommended for a no-hassle, beach-based winter getaway.

You're welcome. We've had winter holidays in Furteventura and Lanzarote for maybe 20 years now and know how much bks is written in the holiday brochures about them. Just regard the islands as a cheap break from the UK weather, avoid the most Chavtastic areas and there's nothing to dislike for the cost.