Canary Islands

[351DRIVER]

Looking at spending a few months here as winter is kicking in.

Never been before

I strongly prefer to feel like i am abroad v meeting a load of people from the uk also avoiding winter!

Any suggestions on where is best?

Would be arriving by boat as taking dogs etc and would never have them travel on a commercial plane

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Not been for a while but the last time Gran Canaria, Tenerife and Lanzarote seemed to be split between the British and the Germans. The Germans always had nicer accomodation. I personally preferred Tenerife but it is a good while since I was there. I would be surprised if you avoid Brits in The Canaries during winter. It is the prime place that people go during this period. I'm sure someone will come on who has been more recently than myself, about 15yrs ago was my last visit.

 

[351DRIVER]

Thanks, not avoiding Brits altogether, but i am not a fan of people abroad hunting out fry ups, reading the Sun and getting pissed up, we would be doing a quick about turn back to Italy to brave the cold.

Much prefer a more authentic existence where possible when abroad

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Ha ha. Me too. My memory, out of date to be fair, was that Lanzarote and Gran Canaria were a bit as you describe, Tenerife not so much. I am sure there are parts of each island which are fine, the key is to find them out before you go, hence the post of course. Good luck.

 

[Deleted member 18121]

I'd be tempted to say ignore Gran Canaria, Tenerife and Lanzarote in that case. Take a look at Fuerteventura or La Palma (or one of the other smaller islands) as they are far less touristy.

 

[stokie_93]

I visited Fuerteventura this time last year. We stayed in Corralejo and it was great.

It's a more touristy area but there are definitely areas in Fuerteventura that you can avoid this.
I'd definitely go back as it was nice and relaxed. Seemed described as above, a mix of English/German/Spanish.

Plenty of nice restaurants & bars.

Only downside is I only saw 1 golf course whilst out there

 

[backwoodsman]

La Gomera...

You'll not find a fry up, fish n' chips, a "british pub", a disco or a nightclub anywhere. You'll not find a lot else either - apart from a lovely climate, a lovely cloud forest on the top of the island, friendly people and total peace & relaxation. No sandy beaches to speak of, except a small one at Valle Gran Rey, and one forming the side of the harbour at main town San Sebastian.

Been about 15 times now over past few years - but never longer than a fortnight. Might get a little stir crazy if it was for a long period. But perhaps not.

Love it...

(Ps: It has one golf course which ain't bad...

 

[351DRIVER]

La Gomera...

You'll not find a fry up, fish n' chips, a "british pub", a disco or a nightclub anywhere. You'll not find a lot else either - apart from a lovely climate, a lovely cloud forest on the top of the island, friendly people and total peace & relaxation. No sandy beaches to speak of, except a small one at Valle Gran Rey, and one forming the side of the harbour at main town San Sebastian.

Been about 15 times now over past few years - but never longer than a fortnight. Might get a little stir crazy if it was for a long period. But perhaps not.

Love it...

(Ps: It has one golf course which ain't bad...

Stir crazy is not likely, been living the Mediterranean village life for a good few years now.

 

[TopOfTheFlop]

Stir crazy is not likely, been living the Mediterranean village life for a good few years now.

Sounds lovely to take the boat and dogs over there. What boat do you pilot?

 

[351DRIVER]

Sounds lovely to take the boat and dogs over there. What boat do you pilot?

LOL http://www.directferries.com/cadiz_santa_cruz_de_tenerife_ferry.htm

 

[TopOfTheFlop]

LOL http://www.directferries.com/cadiz_santa_cruz_de_tenerife_ferry.htm

:clap:

 

[351DRIVER]

Probably was not clear, much like B.A. BARACUS, my dogs aint going on no plane *except once we took a private jet from Paris using an empty leg site it was Cheaper than flight into London with dog in the hold on a budget airline!

 

[Piece]

If you avoid central Playa Blanca in Lanzarote (where most of the English go), the island is a great getaway.

 

[Hacker Khan]

If you avoid central Playa Blanca in Lanzarote (where most of the English go), the island is a great getaway.

Now you see I'd disagree with that as I've been to Playa Blanca 4 times and hate a football short worn as a leisure item as much as the next right thinking person. And whilst it does have some English there, you can find some Tapas and the restaurants do more than full English breakfasts. The port area is nice and I saw one of the weirdest things I have even seen where there was a person who was genuinely mediating by floating off the ground. I'd say avoid Costa Teguise in Lanzarote as I found that a bit 'Watneys Red Barrel' and Puerto Del Carmen looked pretty bad from the drive through.

And in response to the OP then Puerto De Mogan in Gran Canaria is a nice little village. I think with all those Islands there are some really nice places and some awful Blackpool by the sea places.

 

[351DRIVER]

If i see anyone wearing football shorts anywhere except on a football pitch, i would be looking to exit the area asap...

2 stand out dick heads stand out from my time in Italy, one a drunken English fan and one a drunken Scottish fan.. Met many a yank from the military bases that had the same mentality, cannot stand this, do it in your own country, not in someone elses!

 

[Piece]

Now you see I'd disagree with that as I've been to Playa Blanca 4 times and hate a football short worn as a leisure item as much as the next right thinking person. And whilst it does have some English there, you can find some Tapas and the restaurants do more than full English breakfasts. The port area is nice and I saw one of the weirdest things I have even seen where there was a person who was genuinely mediating by floating off the ground. I'd say avoid Costa Teguise in Lanzarote as I found that a bit 'Watneys Red Barrel' and Puerto Del Carmen looked pretty bad from the drive through.

And in response to the OP then Puerto De Mogan in Gran Canaria is a nice little village. I think with all those Islands there are some really nice places and some awful Blackpool by the sea places.

Definitely central Playa Blanca and its port are known to have some football shirts, etc., me being one of them for one day in Aug , but it isn't in the league of Benidorm, far from it! A forum distance driver away from PB is the brilliant Marina Rubicon, a lovely port. Faro, the other side is good too. A few miles up is another lovely port, Puerto Calero. Tend to agree with P-d-Carmen, Arrecife and bit on C-d-Teguise. Go in-land to traditional villages like Teguise, San Bartolome, or north/west to Tinajo, Famara, etc.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I'd definitely recommend Fuerteventura if you just want a quiet break to kick back and relax. My mate has bought a place out there and plans to retire there in the next two years and he loves it. We went over for a few days and it's far less commercial than the normal stomping grounds

 

[351DRIVER]

I'd definitely recommend Fuerteventura if you just want a quiet break to kick back and relax. My mate has bought a place out there and plans to retire there in the next two years and he loves it. We went over for a few days and it's far less commercial than the normal stomping grounds

Sounds like my sort of place, it is not that I dislike people in football tops, just so long as they are playing football (I love to play)

 

[3offTheTee]

Been to 6 of the 7 islands the exception being El Hierro.

Speak a bit of Spanish and if you are going by boat you will probably be leaving from Cadiz.

In Tenerife I would go to the North and stay in The Capital Santa Cruz de Tenerife, typical Canarian, best hotel is Hotel Mencey.

There are fast ferries from Santander Cruz to Gran Canaria. Good Hotel Reina Isabel overlooking the sea? Would stay in Las Palmas, the capital rather than Playa de Inglis. Great typical restaurants in both places.

While since I have been to Fuertenventura Andy think Puerto de Carmen in lanzarote is a tad tacky.

There are good Paradores to stay in La Fomera or La Palma although the latter is a short distance form the main town.

Hope this Helps

All depends what you want and of course budget.

If you need to know more please feel free to PM me with specifically what you are looking for.