Canary Islands 2024 Holiday Thread

[romft123]

Rob 131 Sport said:

a311 said:

chip* said:

Hi,

I was just about to press fire to Costa Adeje/Tenerife for our Easter break, but then a conversation with a friend made me check out other Canary islands too.

My early research is edging me towards Sheraton Fuerteventura Beach, Golf & Spa Resort in Costa Caleta.

https://www.tui.co.uk/destinations/europe/spain/fu...

Hotel seems decent enough, but are there any local activities / day trips geared towards kids (5 & 6) in or around Costa Caleta?
I am not really familiar with Fuerteventura at all, so I welcome any feedback from the more experienced travellers.

I'd give it a go. If you like the beach that's the main selling point over Tenerife and being more laid back. It is very close to the airport and you'lI see and hear palnes all day long. I'm starting to spend that much on holidays there it might be worth buying something.

Unless you have someone really good to take care of everything or you live there for a good proportion of the year, owning a property abroad just sounds like a load of hassle.

Many friends of ours that own properties abroad, say it’s no holiday when you do visit, as you’re always sorting some issue out with maintenance, the local authorities or utility companies.

This is where we are right now. A few years ago we wanted to buy somewhere in the sun, for winter. Jan and Feb, then either rent it out or whatever. BUT, we would be going to say The Canaries, peak time....ergo losing that income etc. So now we just book wherever and when ever...somewhere differant. Twice to GC for Jan n feb, last year Lanza and now in FV...all for 2 months for around £3500. In between, we have "done", Thailand, OZ and NZ. Next winter its going to be Goa and India train trip....

[TurboRob]

We had a great week of winter sun earlier this month, staying in a villa near the marina east of Playa Dorado (Playa Blanca).

We’d previously been a few years ago (childless) and found it a quiet holiday. This time round was no different, except with children it works really well - some great family friendly places to eat, walk and play.

Looked at getting a car hire but stuck to transfers only then didn’t venture far during the week.

Weather was wall to wall blue skies and 20-25c during day with a breeze most of the time.

Flew out Jet2 (great) and back Ryanair (crap).

[Carl_VivaEspana]

55palfers said:

Looking to go to Lanzarote (Playa Blanca) in a few weeks with Jet2.

Anyone else finding very few decent hotels showing up on their web site?

For what dates.

[lost in espace]

We did GC 3 times last year, once near Mogan an AI hotel, then up to a finca that was actally a wedding venue in Arucas in the north. 2 times to PDI again AI at Abora Continetal and then HL Suites, when I realised it is 20 mins from the airport and you don't need a car. The rum tour in Aurcas is excellent.

Last month I went to FV for the first time in 30 years stayed in Aura Suites in Correlajo was very good, loved the cool working town surfer vibe and seeing all the people pumping up their foil kites and whizzing off. Wish I had taken a course now. Felt a very active place.

On balance PDI is so easy to get to and cheap it is our preferred destination now, we have started just getting a bunglalow and our own flights, and Autoraisen for a crappy C3 to whizz around the islands amazing interior longing for a Porsche. Up in the forests on a Sunday seeing all the locals with their pick up trucks and working dogs in the boot having bbq's with their families.

We are back in GC May and October 10 days each time feeling very lucky to be able to do it, both times about £1100 for 2 with car for flights and accom.

[Ashfordian]

55palfers said:

Looking to go to Lanzarote (Playa Blanca) in a few weeks with Jet2.

Anyone else finding very few decent hotels showing up on their web site?

- Use Google flights
- Google hotels in Playa Blanca and use those filters.
- Walk to taxi rank when you land in Lanzarote

You've just done everything Jet2 do but will arrive at your hotel earlier, and can be more flexible with when you book your taxi back to the airport (I always arrive at the airport 1 hour before departure with the only caveat being checking how many other flights said airline has in the 1-2 hour period after your flight. This is if you have baggage to check in).

[markymarkthree]

markymarkthree said:

We have the chance of a cheep week at Apartamentos LIVVO, Puerto de Mogán, Gran Canaria in early March.
Has anyone stayed there, in the town or at Apartamentos LIVVO, it looks an ok quite place to me ?

Bumping this, as no reply's.

[croyde]

I was so lucky to have 5 weeks in Tenerife mid Dec to mid Jan. Amazing weather and loved the area I stayed in.

Seriously thinking of booking another apartment for 3 weeks this June/early July.

[Carl_VivaEspana]

croyde said:

I was so lucky to have 5 weeks in Tenerife mid Dec to mid Jan. Amazing weather and loved the area I stayed in.

Seriously thinking of booking another apartment for 3 weeks this June/early July.

If you do bring factor 50, it was 42c when I landed at the end of June

[55palfers]

Ashfordian said:

55palfers said:

Looking to go to Lanzarote (Playa Blanca) in a few weeks with Jet2.

Anyone else finding very few decent hotels showing up on their web site?

- Use Google flights
- Google hotels in Playa Blanca and use those filters.
- Walk to taxi rank when you land in Lanzarote

You've just done everything Jet2 do but will arrive at your hotel earlier, and can be more flexible with when you book your taxi back to the airport (I always arrive at the airport 1 hour before departure with the only caveat being checking how many other flights said airline has in the 1-2 hour period after your flight. This is if you have baggage to check in).

After many previous disappointments, there's only one hotel we like in PB and that's the Iberostar Lanzarote Park and they are full as confirmed by their website and email.

Will try again around mid-April.

Have booked for Cyprus now. Sorry, off-topic!

[greathorwood]

Booked 7 nights AI in Valle Taurito on Gran Canaria in early March, hoping the temperatures perk up though as looks like about 11/12 celsius for the next week if weather apps are to be believed!

Hoping to bus up and down the coast a bit and walk to Puerto Mogan amongst other things. Any recommendations for must sees/must dos on GC?

[a311]

chip* said:

a311 said:

.. useful info.. .

Unlike me, I booked it without doing much research, but your feedback is much appreciated.
Good to hear there are a few family suitable activities, plus nearby restaurants too as I have booked B&B. It was only £350 to go HB, but having done AI (Turkey) and HB (Tenerife) last year, I couldn't bear eating in the same restaurants every night again!

It's my idea of hell tbh. Don't get me wrong I've done AI before but it's been to places where there's bugger all else such as the Maldives. We're actually going AI though lol, it was marginally more than HB so reasoned it was worth it for the kids to get an ice cream, drink etc when they wanted. Even if it sorts breakfast and lunch and we eat out most evenings.

[2HFL]

markymarkthree said:

markymarkthree said:

We have the chance of a cheep week at Apartamentos LIVVO, Puerto de Mogán, Gran Canaria in early March.
Has anyone stayed there, in the town or at Apartamentos LIVVO, it looks an ok quite place to me ?

Bumping this, as no reply's.

Rated 4/5 on Tripadvisor ( only 50 or so reviews) and 8.2/10 on booking.com (if you hadn’t looked there).

[a311]

romft123 said:

Rob 131 Sport said:

a311 said:

chip* said:

Hi,

I was just about to press fire to Costa Adeje/Tenerife for our Easter break, but then a conversation with a friend made me check out other Canary islands too.

My early research is edging me towards Sheraton Fuerteventura Beach, Golf & Spa Resort in Costa Caleta.

https://www.tui.co.uk/destinations/europe/spain/fu...

Hotel seems decent enough, but are there any local activities / day trips geared towards kids (5 & 6) in or around Costa Caleta?
I am not really familiar with Fuerteventura at all, so I welcome any feedback from the more experienced travellers.

I'd give it a go. If you like the beach that's the main selling point over Tenerife and being more laid back. It is very close to the airport and you'lI see and hear palnes all day long. I'm starting to spend that much on holidays there it might be worth buying something.

Unless you have someone really good to take care of everything or you live there for a good proportion of the year, owning a property abroad just sounds like a load of hassle.

Many friends of ours that own properties abroad, say it’s no holiday when you do visit, as you’re always sorting some issue out with maintenance, the local authorities or utility companies.

This is where we are right now. A few years ago we wanted to buy somewhere in the sun, for winter. Jan and Feb, then either rent it out or whatever. BUT, we would be going to say The Canaries, peak time....ergo losing that income etc. So now we just book wherever and when ever...somewhere differant. Twice to GC for Jan n feb, last year Lanza and now in FV...all for 2 months for around £3500. In between, we have "done", Thailand, OZ and NZ. Next winter its going to be Goa and India train trip....

The main appeal would be while the kids are young, (we'd get 15+ years before they loose interest) having a place to leave a load of stuff jump on a plane and use as much a possible. My dad has lived in Spain full and part time over the years. He downsized to an apartment which is better for just closing the door on and would do so for anywhere from 3-6 months plus. We'd go over an use it occasionally when it was empty. My dad was organised with fresh bedding etc vacuum packed it didn't take much to 'wake' the apartment up.

The complication probably comes when you want to rent it out and want/need an income as the times you'd want to use it would be the highest demand to rent it out plus headaches with maintenance etc. I work from home so in theory could take the full summer with the kids and just keep on top of things.

Conversely when the kids fly the nest I do plan to spend the British winters somewhere warm where renting makes much more sense for the flexibility.

[croyde]

Carl_VivaEspana said:

croyde said:

I was so lucky to have 5 weeks in Tenerife mid Dec to mid Jan. Amazing weather and loved the area I stayed in.

Seriously thinking of booking another apartment for 3 weeks this June/early July.

If you do bring factor 50, it was 42c when I landed at the end of June

Wow! thought the thing with Tenerife were nice temperatures all year round.

Although I understand that this winter has been the first in over 60 years.

[Rob 131 Sport]

a311 said:

romft123 said:

Rob 131 Sport said:

a311 said:

chip* said:

Hi,

I was just about to press fire to Costa Adeje/Tenerife for our Easter break, but then a conversation with a friend made me check out other Canary islands too.

My early research is edging me towards Sheraton Fuerteventura Beach, Golf & Spa Resort in Costa Caleta.

https://www.tui.co.uk/destinations/europe/spain/fu...

Hotel seems decent enough, but are there any local activities / day trips geared towards kids (5 & 6) in or around Costa Caleta?
I am not really familiar with Fuerteventura at all, so I welcome any feedback from the more experienced travellers.

I'd give it a go. If you like the beach that's the main selling point over Tenerife and being more laid back. It is very close to the airport and you'lI see and hear palnes all day long. I'm starting to spend that much on holidays there it might be worth buying something.

Unless you have someone really good to take care of everything or you live there for a good proportion of the year, owning a property abroad just sounds like a load of hassle.

Many friends of ours that own properties abroad, say it’s no holiday when you do visit, as you’re always sorting some issue out with maintenance, the local authorities or utility companies.

This is where we are right now. A few years ago we wanted to buy somewhere in the sun, for winter. Jan and Feb, then either rent it out or whatever. BUT, we would be going to say The Canaries, peak time....ergo losing that income etc. So now we just book wherever and when ever...somewhere differant. Twice to GC for Jan n feb, last year Lanza and now in FV...all for 2 months for around £3500. In between, we have "done", Thailand, OZ and NZ. Next winter its going to be Goa and India train trip....

The main appeal would be while the kids are young, (we'd get 15+ years before they loose interest) having a place to leave a load of stuff jump on a plane and use as much a possible. My dad has lived in Spain full and part time over the years. He downsized to an apartment which is better for just closing the door on and would do so for anywhere from 3-6 months plus. We'd go over an use it occasionally when it was empty. My dad was organised with fresh bedding etc vacuum packed it didn't take much to 'wake' the apartment up.

The complication probably comes when you want to rent it out and want/need an income as the times you'd want to use it would be the highest demand to rent it out plus headaches with maintenance etc. I work from home so in theory could take the full summer with the kids and just keep on top of things.

Conversely when the kids fly the nest I do plan to spend the British winters somewhere warm where renting makes much more sense for the flexibility.

That sounds great and everyone’s circumstances are different. For me however, I like to go to different places and couldn’t afford to leave it empty.
If I could work more remotely than I might consider buying an apartment abroad in years to come.

[Carl_VivaEspana]

The Calima.....



It's winter so that kind of temp is a fleeting moment that only arrives in a sun trap location but still....

[Carl_VivaEspana]

....and now....near baltic conditions unless you are in the usual safe spots.

Playa Blanca 43mph winds........

[LuS1fer]

Caleta in FV quite nice today. Drove to Gran Tarajal. Certainly a breeze, 25mph I believe but still way better than the UK. Around 22. And recovering from flu...

[romft123]

LuS1fer said:

Caleta in FV quite nice today. Drove to Gran Tarajal. Certainly a breeze, 25mph I believe but still way better than the UK. Around 22. And recovering from flu...

Yep, windy as F yesterday up here in the Nth but we drove down the west coast and it was blowing a hooly. Today is our last day so its a drive down to the southern tip, a hop over to the huge beach at Cofete, then back up for our last night out!

[irish boy]

markymarkthree said:

markymarkthree said:

We have the chance of a cheep week at Apartamentos LIVVO, Puerto de Mogán, Gran Canaria in early March.
Has anyone stayed there, in the town or at Apartamentos LIVVO, it looks an ok quite place to me ?

Bumping this, as no reply's.

Not the apartments but mogan is lovely. If you are into exercise either walking or running the mountain road behind the village has been closed due to landslide. So you can walk/run right to the top with zero traffic. It’s lovely and tons of people doing it throughout the day making for a good atmosphere.