Short-haul November sun?
Discussion
Is there anywhere I can get to that will be pleasant in November for family (including young kids)? Thoughts so far are canaries, Greece, siciliy, southern coast of Spain, Portugal.
Just need a week away and want something with reliable sun rather than a scorcher. Bit of culture and a bit of beach might be quite nice too.
Thanks
Just need a week away and want something with reliable sun rather than a scorcher. Bit of culture and a bit of beach might be quite nice too.
Thanks
In, November the Canaries are you safest bet. They're only 4 hours away, South side of Tenerife is ideal for a family holiday.
You'll hear all the stories "I was in Spain in December and it was 35c" blah blah, the Med is very risky in November, just check out the average temps and sunshine for some resorts.
Here are the temps for Sicily, Av Max is only 18c
http://www.holiday-weather.com/sicily/averages/
You'll hear all the stories "I was in Spain in December and it was 35c" blah blah, the Med is very risky in November, just check out the average temps and sunshine for some resorts.
Here are the temps for Sicily, Av Max is only 18c
http://www.holiday-weather.com/sicily/averages/
Edited by cjs on Wednesday 17th August 07:28
I've done Southern Spain in November and it wasn't beach weather - we had a bit of sun but it also rained occasionally and it was definitely coat weather. That was in Almeria too which is trechnically desert. Like anywhere in Spain, the higher the altitude, the worse the weather.
Canaries are safer and we've done Lanzarote in October and had a full week of hot sun but don't be surprised if you also get rain and strong winds. Whatever, the weather will be ten times better than here. Also did Fuerteventura in january and I would say that was warmish but with that weak sunshine. Plenty of opportunity for driving round though.
I would imagine Tenerife has the higher chance of rain as it is the highest in altitude (I think Mt Teide is the highest in Spain)
Canaries are safer and we've done Lanzarote in October and had a full week of hot sun but don't be surprised if you also get rain and strong winds. Whatever, the weather will be ten times better than here. Also did Fuerteventura in january and I would say that was warmish but with that weak sunshine. Plenty of opportunity for driving round though.
I would imagine Tenerife has the higher chance of rain as it is the highest in altitude (I think Mt Teide is the highest in Spain)
What do you class as short haul? My dad lives in Spain and would agree it's a big gamble at that time of year especially if you want beach/hot weather. Canary Islands are your best bet.
Getting on for 6+ hours (shorter from London) you have Egypt, Cape Verde or The Gambia. Not exactly short haul IMO though.
Getting on for 6+ hours (shorter from London) you have Egypt, Cape Verde or The Gambia. Not exactly short haul IMO though.
Canaries gets my vote- and if you want to do something active, check out Canarysail, I did a week's sailing course with them a few years ago, based on the beautiful island of La Gomera, it was utterly fantastic, great bunch of people. No sailing experience necessary. I think the whole of the Canaries are also technically one big duty-free shop.
jackal said:
playa blanca in lanzarote
dont forget to eat in El Golfo, ask for the 'white fish'
Playa Blanca, for me, is one of the more boring parts of Lanzarote but does seem very popular. Stayed there in March and wouldn't again though my 5 year old son loved it because there are a fair selection of beaches along the very long prom. Costa Teguise is nice but can be every windy indeed (windsurfers paradise) and I like Playa del Carmen/Matagorda (where the planes come in very low as they land) though it is busier and more developed (at least in season). Playa Papagayo was also a bit of a disappointment.dont forget to eat in El Golfo, ask for the 'white fish'
El Golfo is a marvellous place though but should always be approached from the southern side where you can walk down to the stunningly picturesque black sand beach. I have to say that the volcano trip on Lanzarote is disappointing as you're largely confined to a coach where the tinted windows preclude decent photos and Tenerife is way better for getting out and drinking in the views.
South Lanzarote and north Furteventura have the best micro climate of all the Canaries. November will almost certianly be warm and sunny - it'd better be we are in Furteventura in Novenber too.
Playa Blanca is the most up market resort in Lanzarote. Lots of 4* hotels to choose from. No resort in Furteventura is quite as nice as Playa Blanca, lots more self catering.
Choose Furteventura for peace and quiet, some of the best beaches in the world, stunning inland scenery and excellent hooning roads. El Cotillo on the west side has lots of pretty coves to the north of the village that are great for children and a massive surfers beach just to the south. The famous sand dunes and beaches just outside Corralejo are a must see as is the long long beach in the south. Bentancuria is worth a visit - get there early before the coach parties arrive. Best place to stay? Las Marismas in Corralejo - choice of self catering or half board. Food is plain and adequate. Rooms excellent for the money. Corralejo is quite scruffy in places but has some good restuarnts in the high street. El Toro Brava probrably the best one.
Choose Lanzarote for better hotels, our favourite is the 4* Rubicon Palace outside Playa Blanca, others OK but food quality variable. Lots of small man made beaches, pretty marinas and stunning volcanic scenery inland. Trip up Timanfaya mountian well worth the 8E or so. Mostly good restaurants along the seafront at Playa Blanca. Avoid Puerto del Carmen and Coata Teguise - overun with Chavs and packed, dirty and noisy. Good seafood restaurants in the old town of Puerto del Carmen. More to do - Cesar Manrique foundation and house is interesting and scenery in the north round Haria is pertty. El Golfo reataurants spread out along the side of the road are good but very expensive for what you get. El Golfo beach and crater worth a look and so is the coast road drive back to Playa Blanca. Long footpath fron the Playa Blanca lighthouse to Marina Rubicon worth a stroll too.
Playa Blanca is the most up market resort in Lanzarote. Lots of 4* hotels to choose from. No resort in Furteventura is quite as nice as Playa Blanca, lots more self catering.
Choose Furteventura for peace and quiet, some of the best beaches in the world, stunning inland scenery and excellent hooning roads. El Cotillo on the west side has lots of pretty coves to the north of the village that are great for children and a massive surfers beach just to the south. The famous sand dunes and beaches just outside Corralejo are a must see as is the long long beach in the south. Bentancuria is worth a visit - get there early before the coach parties arrive. Best place to stay? Las Marismas in Corralejo - choice of self catering or half board. Food is plain and adequate. Rooms excellent for the money. Corralejo is quite scruffy in places but has some good restuarnts in the high street. El Toro Brava probrably the best one.
Choose Lanzarote for better hotels, our favourite is the 4* Rubicon Palace outside Playa Blanca, others OK but food quality variable. Lots of small man made beaches, pretty marinas and stunning volcanic scenery inland. Trip up Timanfaya mountian well worth the 8E or so. Mostly good restaurants along the seafront at Playa Blanca. Avoid Puerto del Carmen and Coata Teguise - overun with Chavs and packed, dirty and noisy. Good seafood restaurants in the old town of Puerto del Carmen. More to do - Cesar Manrique foundation and house is interesting and scenery in the north round Haria is pertty. El Golfo reataurants spread out along the side of the road are good but very expensive for what you get. El Golfo beach and crater worth a look and so is the coast road drive back to Playa Blanca. Long footpath fron the Playa Blanca lighthouse to Marina Rubicon worth a stroll too.
agree with most of that
the Yaiza is very highly regarded and the Timanfaya palace is pretty good too
in fact none of the hotels in playa blanca are 'bad', ive even stayed at the Iberostar right by the beach and for the tiny amount we paid fopr a week it was absolutely fine (although food is a buffet affair, perfectly edible but obviously not michelin starred)
no doubt we'll be there again this new year ... there's not a January we've been there when it hasnt been baking hot pretty uch every single day
the Yaiza is very highly regarded and the Timanfaya palace is pretty good too
in fact none of the hotels in playa blanca are 'bad', ive even stayed at the Iberostar right by the beach and for the tiny amount we paid fopr a week it was absolutely fine (although food is a buffet affair, perfectly edible but obviously not michelin starred)
no doubt we'll be there again this new year ... there's not a January we've been there when it hasnt been baking hot pretty uch every single day
Edited by jackal on Monday 22 August 19:38
jackal said:
agree with most of that
the Yaiza is very highly regarded and the Timanfaya palace is pretty good too
in fact none of the hotels in playa blanca are 'bad', ive even stayed at the Iberostar right by the beach and for the tiny amount we paid fopr a week it was absolutely fine (although food is a buffet affair, perfectly edible but obviously not michelin starred)
no doubt we'll be there again this new year ... there's not a January we've been there when it hasnt been baking hot pretty uch every single day
the Yaiza is very highly regarded and the Timanfaya palace is pretty good too
in fact none of the hotels in playa blanca are 'bad', ive even stayed at the Iberostar right by the beach and for the tiny amount we paid fopr a week it was absolutely fine (although food is a buffet affair, perfectly edible but obviously not michelin starred)
no doubt we'll be there again this new year ... there's not a January we've been there when it hasnt been baking hot pretty uch every single day
Edited by jackal on Monday 22 August 19:38
Princess Yazia is no doubt the best and it's only 5* hotel in Playa Blanca - never stayed there as it's always been too expensive to justify. Timanfaya Palace is another H10 hotel and usually reviews well but when we stayed a few years ago the food certainly didn't compare with the Rubicon Palace when we went back a few months later. I think all the H10 hotels are a bit variable, my mum stays a couple of months each year in the Lanzarote Princess, she recons the food quality varies weekly - I wonder if there's some cost/quality control going on amongst the H10 group on the island?Still, giving Lanzarote a bit of a rest for a while, and going back to Furteventura more often now. That's my favourite out of the two.
Winter sunshine for well under £100 a day? - bring it on
Jaguar steve said:
Princess Yazia is no doubt the best and it's only 5* hotel in Playa Blanca - never stayed there as it's always been too expensive to justify. Timanfaya Palace is another H10 hotel and usually reviews well but when we stayed a few years ago the food certainly didn't compare with the Rubicon Palace when we went back a few months later. I think all the H10 hotels are a bit variable, my mum stays a couple of months each year in the Lanzarote Princess, she recons the food quality varies weekly - I wonder if there's some cost/quality control going on amongst the H10 group on the island?Still, giving Lanzarote a bit of a rest for a while, and going back to Furteventura more often now. That's my favourite out of the two.
Winter sunshine for well under £100 a day? - bring it on
Jaguar steve said:
Princess Yazia is no doubt the best and it's only 5* hotel in Playa Blanca - never stayed there as it's always been too expensive to justify. Timanfaya Palace is another H10 hotel and usually reviews well but when we stayed a few years ago the food certainly didn't compare with the Rubicon Palace when we went back a few months later. I think all the H10 hotels are a bit variable, my mum stays a couple of months each year in the Lanzarote Princess, she recons the food quality varies weekly - I wonder if there's some cost/quality control going on amongst the H10 group on the island?Still, giving Lanzarote a bit of a rest for a while, and going back to Furteventura more often now. That's my favourite out of the two.
Winter sunshine for well under £100 a day? - bring it on
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