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Original poster

Holiday help needed - Canary Islands

40 replies

Tenegrief · 01/04/2023 11:08

Hi all,

I've name changed as I've spoken to lots of people about this IRL and some of the details are outing...

I'm tying myself in knots trying to book a holiday for my family. We haven't been away on a 'sunny' holiday since my DS (5) was born (he's never been on a plane) so we decided to bite the bullet and do it this year. I've also never booked a package holiday before, preferring pre-kids to DIY and get a lovely AirBNB and our own flights - but we think the kids would prefer a resort this time. I work in a school so we're tied to the school holidays by and large (I'm part time so there's a bit of leeway with start and end dates). We've looked and can't afford going in the May half term or summer holidays so we've opted for the October break. I originally had my sights set on Majorca (having been told by someone that it was still lovely at that time of year) but I've now decided it's too risky in terms of weather and things being shut for winter.

Soooo, we're now looking at the Canaries but I'm finding all the options completely overwhelming. Does anyone have any recommendations or tips for good places to go?

Our criteria:
We want it to be warm and to be able to enjoy pools etc.
Kids will be 10 (DD) and 6 (DS) when we go so we want to be somewhere where there are things for them/us to do.
We're vegetarian (one of us is vegan) so we need to be able to eat.
We're thinking about going all inclusive but the veggie/vegan thing worries me a bit (don't want to pay for AI and then not have much (or any!) choice).
We want an apartment with a separate bedroom so we're not living in each others pockets (and we're not bored in the evenings having to be quiet while the kids sleep!).
Kids club would be cool, although I'm not sure my DD would be persuaded to go so this isn't a deal breaker.
Our budget is about £2000 for the package (not including spending money, car hire (happy to do this) etc). Can go a bit higher for the right place.

I've found some places that tick all of these boxes but then I read reviews and I get cold feet. For example, I found a resort on Fuertaventura (Pierrre Vacances) that looked great but then I heard that this island is really windy (I hate wind! But is it really that bad?!) and boring (I'm not sure this would bother us - there seems 'enough' to do for 7 days).

Basically, we want this to be an amazing holiday (who doesn't?!) but, because we're highly unlikely to be able to go away again for quite a while, the pressure to get this right and avoid risks/pitfalls is pretty immense.

Any help or suggestions?

Thanks so much.

OP posts:
chocolateisavegetable · 01/04/2023 11:45

The Met Office puts Lanzarote and Gran Canaria in the top 6 warmest places in October. When I typed in “warmest places in October” into Google - Tenerife came up.

Tenerife is the biggest of the Canary Islands, but make sure you go to the South-West of the island for good weather - the Weather is very different in the North-East

Original poster
Tenegrief · 01/04/2023 11:54

Thanks @chocolateisavegetable .

Yeah, I'm as confident as I can be about the weather around there at that time of the year (and if we did go to Tenerife, we'd be looking at the south side I think). It's getting the island/resort right that I'm particularly struggling with.

OP posts:
voxnihili · 01/04/2023 12:27

Costa Adeje in Tenerife. We’ve been there the last 2 October half terms and it’s been lovely. It’s great for DD (now nearly 5).

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Holidays
BarbaraofSeville · 01/04/2023 13:28

There's lots of bungalow complexes on lanzarote that will do SC or B&B as well as AI and kids clubs so you can just pay for accommodation, use the facilities and eat out and get drinks, snacks, easy food etc from the supermarket.

Package doesn't necessarily mean AI anymore you can mix and match any combination you like and what your holiday looks like isn't dependent on how you book it.

Also I haven't been but there were a few posts last week that said Puerto Mogan in Gran Canaria is warmest and least windy.

LittleLlama · 01/04/2023 13:47

We went to Fuertaventura two weeks ago for ten days. It was sometimes windy (higher up), breezy by the sea but not unbearably so. On the whole, however, the weather was fantastic. There were lots of wind surfing and kite flying, activities. There are not many trees on the island and it feels very different to the two other Carnary Islands we have been too. There are, however, huge sand dunes and the beaches are lovely, miles of golden sand. We hired a car for a week and found plenty to do (with the help of our little Guide Book). We also enjoy snorkelling and there were plenty of rock pools and coves.

pottydimley · 01/04/2023 13:57

Tenegrief · 01/04/2023 11:08

Hi all,

I've name changed as I've spoken to lots of people about this IRL and some of the details are outing...

I'm tying myself in knots trying to book a holiday for my family. We haven't been away on a 'sunny' holiday since my DS (5) was born (he's never been on a plane) so we decided to bite the bullet and do it this year. I've also never booked a package holiday before, preferring pre-kids to DIY and get a lovely AirBNB and our own flights - but we think the kids would prefer a resort this time. I work in a school so we're tied to the school holidays by and large (I'm part time so there's a bit of leeway with start and end dates). We've looked and can't afford going in the May half term or summer holidays so we've opted for the October break. I originally had my sights set on Majorca (having been told by someone that it was still lovely at that time of year) but I've now decided it's too risky in terms of weather and things being shut for winter.

Soooo, we're now looking at the Canaries but I'm finding all the options completely overwhelming. Does anyone have any recommendations or tips for good places to go?

Our criteria:
We want it to be warm and to be able to enjoy pools etc.
Kids will be 10 (DD) and 6 (DS) when we go so we want to be somewhere where there are things for them/us to do.
We're vegetarian (one of us is vegan) so we need to be able to eat.
We're thinking about going all inclusive but the veggie/vegan thing worries me a bit (don't want to pay for AI and then not have much (or any!) choice).
We want an apartment with a separate bedroom so we're not living in each others pockets (and we're not bored in the evenings having to be quiet while the kids sleep!).
Kids club would be cool, although I'm not sure my DD would be persuaded to go so this isn't a deal breaker.
Our budget is about £2000 for the package (not including spending money, car hire (happy to do this) etc). Can go a bit higher for the right place.

I've found some places that tick all of these boxes but then I read reviews and I get cold feet. For example, I found a resort on Fuertaventura (Pierrre Vacances) that looked great but then I heard that this island is really windy (I hate wind! But is it really that bad?!) and boring (I'm not sure this would bother us - there seems 'enough' to do for 7 days).

Basically, we want this to be an amazing holiday (who doesn't?!) but, because we're highly unlikely to be able to go away again for quite a while, the pressure to get this right and avoid risks/pitfalls is pretty immense.

Any help or suggestions?

Thanks so much.

We've been going to Lanzarote for getting on for 30 years, always to the north of the island, but relatively recently discovered Playa Blanca on the south coast. It's lovely: not too commercialised last time we went, and great weather. I don't remember it being particularly windy.

Growlybear83 · 01/04/2023 14:10

I love fuerteventura and we've been many times. It is usually windy but not enough for it to be a problem. Vegetarian and vegan food isn't a problem, certainly in the north of the island, which I know much better, and the quality of ingredients is excellent. But I would avoid Pierre Vacances at all costs. It's a sprawling, enormous, half empty characterless development that is a long way from anywhere else and not near good beaches. If you like quiet resorts, then El Cotillo is lovely, with wonderful beaches and some wonderful restaurants. Other resorts are quite a bit busier. There is a huge variety of self catering accommodation and I think it would be a real shame to book anywhere on an all inclusive basis when you're surrounded by lovely restaurants.

ArnoldBee · 01/04/2023 14:19

We love Caleta in Fuerteventura. I wound't say its an amazing holiday and our usual cheap and cheerful during October half term is coming up to £3k this year all inclusive for the 4 of us - DSD is now classed as an adult even though she doesn't get to have any alcohol. We find it a very relaxed holiday and there is a waterpark on the island. If you want livelier then Lanzarote or Tenerife. And I don't undertand the obsession about wind - to be honest without the breeze I would melt!

Jaffajiffy · 01/04/2023 14:38

We had a great holiday here in December 2019. Lots of northerners so friendly (risk of a flaming, I know). Some of the staff had been working there for 18 years. Our kids were 6 and 4. Typical buffet and beige food for the kids but a lovely atmosphere and amazing weather (don’t go to the north side of the island) https://www.granoasisresort.com/

Family Hotel in Tenerife | Gran Oasis Resort

The ideal place to enjoy a one-of-a-kind family holiday, surrounded by nature and a beautiful golf course. Discover us!

https://www.granoasisresort.com/?utm_medium=organic&utm_source=google-my-business&utm_campaign=google-local

Original poster
Tenegrief · 01/04/2023 17:10

Thanks everyone.

@voxnihili - I think I've bookmarked some resorts in Costa Adeje. Do you have any recommendations for good places to stay?

@BarbaraofSeville - this is (one of!) my dilemma(s)... I can't figure out if AI is worth it. I've never done it before, I actually quite like self-catering, I am really worried about the veggie/vegan thing. HOWEVER, I do really like the idea of actually being on holiday from normal life crap. Friends have been evangelical about AI helping to allay the whole thing of holidays being 'same shit, different place' with kids.

@LittleLlama - that sounds lovely. The island looks beautiful and I'm very drawn to it.

@Growlybear83 - thank you for the Fuerteventura love. And especially the reassurance about the veggie/vegan food. Interesting what you say about Pierre Vacances. It does look lovely, and the reviews are good. We'd probably hire a car anyway. But definitely food for thought. I think I agree about AI, but, as above, I'm being swayed by the idea of not having to worry at all about food!

@ArnoldBee - thanks for the tips. I just really hate wind! I hate the way it makes me feel when my hair is blowing in my face etc - I think it's just I find it really overstimulating. I know I'm a bit weird 😄

@Jaffajiffy - that place looks lovely, I think I might have bookmarked it before. It might be over our budget but I'll look into it more. Did you go AI and would you say this was worth it? I don;t suppose if you can remember if there was anything for veggies can you?!

Thanks for all of your help - I'm going to go down an onthebeach rabbit hole now!

OP posts:
voxnihili · 01/04/2023 17:17

@Tenegrief we stayed at the GF Fañabe the first couple of times we went. Not the prettiest of hotels from the outside but we had two really nice holidays there. We would have booked it again this year but the GF Gran Costa just up the road had a deal so we’re trying that instead.

SoFED · 01/04/2023 17:22

We’re going to Lanzarote to the Iberostar AI Playa Blanca but I think it was about £4.5k for Easter when we paid. I don’t know how much it’ll be in October. Love Flamingo Bay. There is a cheaper and good TUI hotel but I can’t remember it’s name .

TwigTheWonderKid · 01/04/2023 18:19

Can definitely recommend Playa Blanca on Lanzarote. It's the warmest and least windy resort and is perfect for a family holiday. However, I would be amazed (and desperate to know where) if you can get what you describe for £2k in October half term as the Canaries are one of the few reliably warm places you can go in October half term without going long haul and the prices are usually on par with July and August.

Purplepinkfairy · 01/04/2023 18:49

Lanzarote sol is lovely. Nice pools, all inclusive, right on the beach, good location, kids club, mini disco, playground. Would recommend

Xarrie · 01/04/2023 19:49

Caleta in fuerteventura is very brits abroad. Make sure the pool is heated as they'll be very chilly in October.

Cyprus is lovely in October (usually) and the sea is warm enough for swimming too.

Xrays · 01/04/2023 19:56

I am sorry to thread crash but I was going to start a new thread and then saw this one and thought it might be the place to ask….! Are the beaches nice? The photos I’ve seen show they have grey / black sand (I’m thinking particularly areas of Tenerife) which I assume is due to the volcanic nature? What’s it actually like to sit on / play on? I can’t quite get my head around whether we’d like it or not…!

TwigTheWonderKid · 01/04/2023 20:01

Xrays · 01/04/2023 19:56

I am sorry to thread crash but I was going to start a new thread and then saw this one and thought it might be the place to ask….! Are the beaches nice? The photos I’ve seen show they have grey / black sand (I’m thinking particularly areas of Tenerife) which I assume is due to the volcanic nature? What’s it actually like to sit on / play on? I can’t quite get my head around whether we’d like it or not…!

The beaches on Lanzarote are normal sand.

FinallyHere · 01/04/2023 20:17

If your family enjoy active holidays then I would encourage you to consider Club La Santa on Lanzarote

kirinm · 01/04/2023 20:43

We are going to Lanzarote tomorrow - first time to this part of the world and I also found the whole booking process overwhelming. So many hotels and absolutely no understanding of areas or on what basis to narrow choices down.

Based on recommendations here, we are going to the Playa Blanca area. We are staying at a child friendly hotel but I think whilst the hotel itself might be good (no idea yet), the food gets pretty average / poor reviews. I think I'd look at a half board type set up with veggie and especially with vegan.

Twizbe · 01/04/2023 20:45

We went to Gran Canaria in Feb half term and it was really lovely. Nicely warm and lots to do.

We went to Taurito and stayed at the valle hotel. It was good. My son is allergic to milk and there was a lot of choice for him. Also a good section of the buffet with just veggie dishes.

The hotel also had unlimited entry to a water park across the road.

We were all in a room together but it was ok.

We went via Jet2 and I really rate them. We've just booked our third holiday with them.

One tip, check other airports. We got £1k off our holiday because we went from Birmingham rather than London. Hadn't realised it wasn't half term in brum so much cheaper.

LubaLuca · 01/04/2023 20:54

Playa Blanca is a good choice. We went when our children were young and stayed in a complex of self catering bungalows called Las Casitas (I think, it was quite a long time ago) which was in a very good location and had decent facilities. There are loads of restaurants a very short walk away, no problems for a vegetarian at all but couldn't be sure if a vegan would be well catered for.

voxnihili · 01/04/2023 21:08

@Xrays the black sand is fine for sitting and playing on. It doesn’t look quite as ‘picture postcard’ like golden sand can but it’s otherwise fine. The only thing is that it does ruin swimwear so either buy black or be prepared to throw everything away after. It was only swim stuff that seemed to be affected, not normal clothes that had been worn on the beach.

Original poster
Tenegrief · 01/04/2023 22:02

@TwigTheWonderKid - I've got quite a few holidays bookmarked for round the 2k mark, some a bit under, some a bit over. It might help that we're able to leave on the Tuesday/Wednesday of half term and come back when the schools are officially back (I'm OK with taking my kids out of school for a couple of days if it means we can have a family holiday together. The school will moan but I don't really care what they think about this 😁).

Thanks for all of your help. I'm still nowhere near making any kind of decision. I've also just figured out that we could feasibly go in July before the schools officially break up, so now I've got MYRIAD options of places to go... the overwhelm is crippling!

I'm still very drawn to Fuerteventura for some reason, though...

Right, back to google...

OP posts:
Xrays · 01/04/2023 22:58

voxnihili · 01/04/2023 21:08

@Xrays the black sand is fine for sitting and playing on. It doesn’t look quite as ‘picture postcard’ like golden sand can but it’s otherwise fine. The only thing is that it does ruin swimwear so either buy black or be prepared to throw everything away after. It was only swim stuff that seemed to be affected, not normal clothes that had been worn on the beach.

Thank you for this 💐