To think the canary isles are tacky?

Love Lanzarote. Art, food, scenery, wine... it's excellent.

Calling it Lanzagrotty is really snobbish.

👏

As has been stated multiple times already, I agree that it depends exactly where you stay. There are nicer and less nice places in most destinations and even stereotypically "tacky" resorts often have some really good quality accomodation, restaurants and things to see in them if you dig a bit deeper. But I think that when you go matters as well as precisely where. You can have a very different experience the same place at different times of the year. We went to Playa Blanca in Lanzarote in November once and absolutely loved it, so much so that we booked exactly the same hotel for a Summer holiday a few years later. It was still OK, and in my opinion the nicest mainstream resort on the island, but it was a different experience and I don't think I'd go back in the high season again. Likewise we went to Tenerife in February once when I just wanted an undemanding warmish week without a long haul flight to help me recuperate from a big operation. It was really lovely, but I wouldn't be in a hurry to go in August when the place is packed and the weather much hotter.
But basically I don't think anywhere is all bad or all good, it depends on exactly where you stay, what time of year it is and of course what you're actually looking for.

Hi, we visited lanzarote last year. We stayed in punta mujeres. Not in the least tacky. However we did go into the larger resort type areas and left in a hurry!
there was plenty for us to do the only reason we went to the tacky parts were a bad aquarium, a good submarine (where it leaves from is nice) and a big shop. If you can stay away from the main places for tourists I think it is a very good place to visit!

Oh no, not curry!

Yes of course YABU for saying a whole place where people live is tacky. If you mean Brits abroad there and the infrastructure aimed at them is tacky, say that.

@YaWeeFurryBastard - Your username screams brits abroad 😂

I love Tenerife for reasons mentioned. I go year after year.

We are heading off to Gran Canaria for New Year. It was a bargain and I'm not sure what to expect but I don't like New Year so I'd rather be miserable in the sunshine lol

Out of curiosity, what destinations do you enjoy or what kind of holidays do you enjoy?

whats wrong with a really well cooked fry-up? Or pie and chips? Does that make me a downmarket yob? And there was i thinking i was middle class, educated.

Be careful, went to North Tenerife in June and it was dark and cloudy, no real beaches and the lidos were empty. Hired a little car to drive to the south each day for sun

I was also surprised about how pleasant the temperature in Lanzarote was in July. You get a breeze. Unlike the inferno that tends to be Greece and Spain these days in summer. I actually think the Canaries may become more popular for this reason.

I used to think the same. But I’ve spent a few years going back to Club La Santa in Lanzarote because it works really well for our family. I love the volcanic landscape there. The climate is amazing and it’s short flight. So it ticks a lot of boxes for us.

You just need to avoid the grotty areas but it’s like anywhere.

There's a lot that is positive about an all inclusive, a kids club and loads of other children....didn't do it before kids but had plenty of great holidays in Spain and the Spanish islands when they were younger. .

Totally agree. All inclusive when kids are young is a total lifesaver. We went to some brilliant ones in Greece, Italy, Sardinia and Spain.

I lived in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria for a few years. Wonderful city, nicknamed the Rio of Europe due to being built along a gorgeous beach. Only tourists were Spanish mainlanders and some Scandinavians. Great restaurants, bars, colonial era architecture and character. The interior of the island is stunning too. The resorts in the south of the island beloved of the British package hols are very easy to avoid if you want to.

There's a lot that is positive about an all inclusive, a kids club and loads of other children....didn't do it before kids but had plenty of great holidays in Spain and the Spanish islands when they were younger. You're a snob.

YANBU but with a baby on the way you'll need to learn to embrace the tack! Not for the first year - it's still possible to travel mostly to the types of places you used to go with a newborn/crawler but once they are walking, resort holidays will be your new best friend. I'd still avoid the big all inclusives though, there are lots of nice kid friendly options without the Brits Abroad vibes.

You're being a snob.
Avoid the British enclaves. Stay and travel further afield.
Canaries have interesting traditions, culture, scenery, as does Tunisia. And Cape Verde too, or so I thought (haven't actually been there).
Remember that ordinary people live in these places, which are more than just a strip of British bars.

Am I being a judgy bitch

Yes, unfortunately it appears you are.
You can not like something/somewhere without declaring it tacky.

I've only been to Lanzarote - the grotty bits are grim but the lovely bits, like the Cesar Manrique buidings and the volcanic inland (plus some older towns/villages) are fabulous.

We did a last minute holiday at Christmas 6 years ago and all that was left were a few apartments in ugly coastal resorts and one much pricier large villa in a tiny village in the middle of the island. I'm so glad we splashed out the extra money on the villa, as it made for a lovely break.

What, all of us?

I don't have a specific hotel recommendation, but Corralejo in Fuerteventura might fit the bill. Close to the airport, well connected and a beautiful beach. Some might say it's a bit tacky, but I found it laid back and charming.

The British think that they’re unique in so many ways - their sense of humour, their reserve , their love of talking about the weather etc. but they never mention what I’ve never come across anywhere else - this anxiety to avoid their own when they go on holiday.

what are Brits abroad if not Brits at home?

I’m here just now and it’s getting busier by the day!

we have a week and go home before Christmas-literally just here for the sun, maybe a couple of meals out over the week but live that blast of heat at this time of year

And I’m neither retired or English!

We love Lanzarote for a week in October. We stay in playa blanca and there are so many beautiful, traditional restaurants with not an English breakfast in sight. The weather is always gorgeous and we find plenty to do aside from sunbathing/pool. I am not as keen on Costa teguise or puerto de carmen and would not stay in those resorts. I don’t like Tenerife at all (a disastrous trip to Las americas in my teens well and truly put me off!).

Can I interrupt the debate to ask if anyone has a specific hotel recommendation? I'm looking for somewhere to take my elderly mum. She can walk but not far so ideally a hotel on the front, with nearby restaurants and bars. Access to buses ideally. Our last - successful - trip was to Chania if that helps. Not fussed which island, not horrified by occasional tackiness - one woman's tacky is another woman's fun - but just want somewhere not hectic and noisy but with some choice of where to eat and some feeling of being in Spain. And the option of a few trips inland or around the island to see a bit of where we are.
Any suggestions welcomed.