Spain in Winter

MaroonAndGreen

Has anyone here been to Spain in the winter like November or December?

Debating going for a week with the lads?

Wana know would it be much craic that time a' year? :P

Help me AH

Amirani

Spain is sort of a big place.

wretcheddomain

You'll be lucky if the plane actually lands in the airport given the extreme blizzards which manifest at that time of year. When it's not the constant blizzard to contend with, the torrential rain and flooding renders walking in the city impossible bringing it to a total standstill with all tourist opportunities terminally extirpated. As such, all parks and museums will be closed and it won't be possible to purchase alcohol given that all public houses and shops are shut. Apart from that, it's a great time of year to visit.

MaroonAndGreen

NiallSparky wrote: »

Spain is sort of a big place.

It's not is it?

Never knew that now!!!

Cee-Jay-Cee

The weather in the costa Del Sol is nice in November/December. Temperatures can get up as far as high teens and into the 20s on occasions.

It's low tourist season and so many of the pubs and restaurants close at the end of October and so I'd say craic would be whatever you make yourselves as you I retry much be on your own except for the locals.

NuckingFacker

We went in winter. Got off plane, got to deserted hotel in deserted, shut resort. went for windblown walk on frigid beach. Mad, deserted beach dog bit youngest kid. Hotel is built for summer. This is not summer. Hotel is cold, very cold. Pool is drained for maintenance. All restaurants are shut. Cold, starved and bitten, we go home after 3 days. It was great..

Call Me Jimmy

MaroonAndGreen wrote: »

Debating going for a week with the lads?

Stop debating, get the Lads On Tour! Down tools and down pints! Wait, 'the lads'... my lads are 'the lads' as well... you going with my lads?

donvito99

Go to Madrid, Barcleona, Valencia etc.

Avoid the resorts at all costs.

I remember going to Turkey off season once, the hotel was in disrepair, it was comical to say the least. It was cheap, though.

shopaholic01

NuckingFacker wrote: »

We went in winter. Got off plane, got to deserted hotel in deserted, shut resort. went for windblown walk on frigid beach. Mad, deserted beach dog bit youngest kid. Hotel is built for summer. This is not summer. Hotel is cold, very cold. Pool is drained for maintenance. All restaurants are shut. Cold, starved and bitten, we go home after 3 days. It was great..

So ............. you'd recommend it then?

MaroonAndGreen

All good feedback so far :P

Mint Sauce

NuckingFacker wrote: »

We went in winter. Got off plane, got to deserted hotel in deserted, shut resort. went for windblown walk on frigid beach. Mad, deserted beach dog bit youngest kid. Hotel is built for summer. This is not summer. Hotel is cold, very cold. Pool is drained for maintenance. All restaurants are shut. Cold, starved and bitten, we go home after 3 days. It was great..

You sure that wasn't an Irish Coastal Resort in the summer?

wretcheddomain

Why didn't you use Google? An elementary search on Google for this question produces this;

http://www.google.ie/#output=search&sclient=psy-ab&q=spain+in+winter&oq=spain+in+winter&gs_l=hp.3..0l3j0i22i30.127.2035.0.2948.15.8.0.6.6.0.160.631.5j3.8.0...0.0...1c.1.9.psy-ab.Qg9MMkGth_0&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.45512109,d.ZG4&fp=3a090a23d90e6326&biw=1366&bih=667

Question answered, moreover, close the thread.

MaroonAndGreen

wretcheddomain wrote: »

Why didn't you use Google? An elementary search on Google for this question produces this;

http://www.google.ie/#output=search&sclient=psy-ab&q=spain+in+winter&oq=spain+in+winter&gs_l=hp.3..0l3j0i22i30.127.2035.0.2948.15.8.0.6.6.0.160.631.5j3.8.0...0.0...1c.1.9.psy-ab.Qg9MMkGth_0&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.45512109,d.ZG4&fp=3a090a23d90e6326&biw=1366&bih=667

Question answered, moreover, close the thread.

If the thread irritated you, then stay away and dont bother with it

harry Bailey esq

The canarys would be a much better option than mainland Spain in the winter,weatherwise they have it good all year round so your ok there,the resorts would be a lot quieter but again because of the weather plenty of people take a winter week out there so yiz wouldn't be the only ones there.prices with package operators would be on par with mainland Spain,and when your actually there all the necessities,ie booze,cigs and stuff are a lot cheaper because of the tax free status.

Mr Benevolent

wretcheddomain wrote: »

Why didn't you use Google? An elementary search on Google for this question produces this;

http://www.google.ie/#output=search&sclient=psy-ab&q=spain+in+winter&oq=spain+in+winter&gs_l=hp.3..0l3j0i22i30.127.2035.0.2948.15.8.0.6.6.0.160.631.5j3.8.0...0.0...1c.1.9.psy-ab.Qg9MMkGth_0&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.45512109,d.ZG4&fp=3a090a23d90e6326&biw=1366&bih=667

Question answered, moreover, close the thread.

Ah, another wannabe mod.

Sergeant

Large parts of Spain are lovely at all times of the year.

daver123

puerto del carmen in lanzarote is good in the winter months

Zebra3

Seville, you won't regret it.

Bring shoes though for getting into clubs though.

NuckingFacker

After the "resort" paled(took less than 24 hrs) we headed to Barcelona, because that had to be better, right? Let's just say I wouldn't be too gone on Barcelona in the rain. People rave about it, I just didn't see the attraction tbh.

MaroonAndGreen

daver123 wrote: »

puerto del carmen in lanzarote is good in the winter months

Did there seem to be many holidayers out there?

biko

Where in Spain are you going?

ElChe32

Was in Madrid during November, was chilly! But still the while I was there it was pretty dry. Wrap up well and find a nice senorita to keep you warm ;D

MaroonAndGreen

biko wrote: »

Where in Spain are you going?

You see I dont know yet, im kinda looking for advice on where the best place for a winter break would be!

SparkySpitfire

I went to Malta in January, I got flights and accommodation for 2 for €350 in St. Julian's.
Our hotel was in a shopping centre opposite a strip of pubs and clubs (of all kinds ) Every night bar Monday was bopping, granted it was mostly locals in the clubs, but it was fun and drink was cheap! The typical Irish bars were packed to capacity most nights, very tight squeeze! I'd actually highly recommend it!

Norwesterner

MaroonAndGreen wrote: »

It's not is it?

Never knew that now!!!

To be fair, it does depend on which part.
You can be skiing in the Pyrenness or eating al fresco in Seville.
I lived in Spain for a number of years and can tell you
A. It can be as cold as home at night time. Bloody freezing.
B. Feels colder than home, as they don't build well built housing with insulation, cavity walls or double glazing.
C. With the Spanish crisis, there is little party time these days..... particularly in Oct/Nov. Most bars and nightclubs in the coastal resorts close their doors after September. It's utterly dead.

I'd recommend Andorra to be honest. Beautiful scenery, very cheap for fags and booze, ski resorts, and plenty of young whippersnappers.
Ryanair flight to Girona. Hire a car.

WayneMolloy

MaroonAndGreen wrote: »

Did there seem to be many holidayers out there?

Go skiing in central/eastern Europe. The tourist areas in Spain are dead in the winter and Barcelona and Madrid are coldish at that time of year.

Go skiing, go to an old soviet style bunker and pay 30 euro to shoot choppers for the afternoon, go and watch the local soccer team play and experience the mad fans, drink delicous cheap beer,try and click with some of the local chicks - and if you are as lame as me, fail miserably and pathetically.

You will have a better time and half the expense.

belcampprisoner

where in spain,the weather is bad, head tt the canneries weather is better

Norwesterner

NuckingFacker wrote: »

After the "resort" paled(took less than 24 hrs) we headed to Barcelona, because that had to be better, right? Let's just say I wouldn't be too gone on Barcelona in the rain. People rave about it, I just didn't see the attraction tbh.

I went from loving the place to despising it.
Full of thieves, pickpockets and angst.
The centre is a tacky kip at night. As creepy as O Connell St.

April O Neill

MaroonAndGreen wrote: »

Has anyone here been to Spain in the winter like November or December?

Debating going for a week with the lads?

Wana know would it be much craic that time a' year? :P

Help me AH

If it's mainland Spain, it won't be warm.

April O Neill

NuckingFacker wrote: »

We went in winter. Got off plane, got to deserted hotel in deserted, shut resort. went for windblown walk on frigid beach. Mad, deserted beach dog bit youngest kid. Hotel is built for summer. This is not summer. Hotel is cold, very cold. Pool is drained for maintenance. All restaurants are shut. Cold, starved and bitten, we go home after 3 days. It was great..

Why did you not look into the winter climate of the area?

Madam_X

I went to Barcelona in November one year - weather was like spring/early summer here: dull and relatively mild, the odd bit of sun (well "here" up to a couple of years ago, not the sh1tty springs/early summers we've had in recent years).

April O Neill

Zebra3 wrote: »

Seville, you won't regret it.

Bring shoes though for getting into clubs though.

Are you trying to convince people to go, or stay away?

WayneMolloy

SparkySpitfire wrote: »

I went to Malta in January, I got flights and accommodation for 2 for €350 in St. Julian's.
Our hotel was in a shopping centre opposite a strip of pubs and clubs (of all kinds ) Every night bar Monday was bopping, granted it was mostly locals in the clubs, but it was fun and drink was cheap! The typical Irish bars were packed to capacity most nights, very tight squeeze! I'd actually highly recommend it!

You got yourself a great deal there. Return flights and a weeks accommodation for two for just 350 euro? Bargain.

Was it a Ryanair and expedia job or did you use a travel agent?

Norwesterner

Madam_X wrote: »

I went to Barcelona in November one year - weather was like spring/early summer here: dull and relatively mild, the odd bit of sun (well "here" up to a couple of years ago, not the sh1tty springs/early summers we've had in recent years).

It's really unpredictable.
You can be lucky or you can have a week of torrential rain.
i've never seen rain in Ireland falling like it does in Spain.

ColeTrain

Wait for the summer MaroonandGreen. No point in going if you will be the only people in the resort.

uch

I always thought sphincter meant Spain in winter

nujeebaby

I also headed to malta with a group of friends one january and since we were still cheap and in college found a hotel by the main drinking street for 5 nights, hotel cost 35 and flights were around 40.
Because there was a good crowd of us residents bar stayed open til we went to bed, bars were pretty cool, the weather was abit chilli, only in the teens.
Cheap out though and worth a look
If you decide on skiing definitely look for places like val thorens, just youtube it, its worth the extra few bob for the craic

Wade in the Sea

I'm not 100% sure about this but when I was young there was some kind of ditty about Spain Rain and it being mostly on the plain. I would surmise from that if you stick to any part of the Iberian peninsula that is elevated in parts, like a mountain range you should be fine.

Hope this helps!

SparkySpitfire

WayneMolloy wrote: »

You got yourself a great deal there. Return flights and a weeks accommodation for two for just 350 euro? Bargain.

Was it a Ryanair and expedia job or did you use a travel agent?

I booked through Budget Travel's website. Was smooth sailing the whole way I have to say. That price also included transfers to/from the airport, we were sorted!
We did fly Ryanair, but I have no complaints, you get what you pay for as the saying goes. Also, the place we stayed was ideal, it had all the nightlife and you could pretty much access the whole island from it. I'd definitely go again and wouldn't hesitate to book with Budget again.

DEFTLEFTHAND

If you want to venture further south to the Spanish owned Canary Islands you've a better chance of good weather. For example Tenerife averages 19 celsius in December.

WayneMolloy

SparkySpitfire wrote: »

I booked through Budget Travel's website. Was smooth sailing the whole way I have to say. That price also included transfers to/from the airport, we were sorted!
We did fly Ryanair, but I have no complaints, you get what you pay for as the saying goes. Also, the place we stayed was ideal, it had all the nightlife and you could pretty much access the whole island from it. I'd definitely go again and wouldn't hesitate to book with Budget again.

Jaysus, that was a great deal. Never had a problem with Ryanair either. Hate flying, so a lucky beer or two and I fall asleep just after the safety instructions.

Looks a nice place, Malta. Some buddies of mine are Saint Patricks Athletic fans and went over for a Europa league game a few years back. Loved the place, although that may be due to the fact that the result went in their favour and their excessive alcohol consumption!

If you see that 350 deal being advertised again - PM me!

southsiderosie

MaroonAndGreen wrote: »

Has anyone here been to Spain in the winter like November or December?

Debating going for a week with the lads?

Wana know would it be much craic that time a' year? :P

Help me AH

What do you actually want to do? I find most of Spain pleasant year-round because it is generally sunny (while the North is great, the weather is, um, Ireland-esque. Great food, though). So long as you wrap-up, you can sit outside and drink. I spent one of the best afternoons of my life drinking on a sunny terrace in Granada looking at the snow-capped Sierra Nevadas. We had to stagger back down the hill and head inside once the sun went down though. :P

November isn't a bad time of year to go to Morocco, but, again, it depends on what exactly you want to do.

If you want to just want to drink and party somewhere warm, and you have the cash, and you are 21 or over, go to Miami.

WayneMolloy

southsiderosie wrote: »

November isn't a bad time of year to go to Morocco, but, again, it depends on what exactly you want to do.

If you want to just want to drink and party somewhere warm, and you have the cash, and you are 21 or over, go to Miami.

Are either of these places safe for pasty white paddies to hit for a week of drinking and sun?

Would we not stand out as an easy target?

DEFTLEFTHAND

WayneMolloy wrote: »

Are either of these places safe for pasty white paddies to hit for a week of drinking and sun?

Would we not stand out as an easy target?

A bit of fake tan a pair of sun glasses and fedora and a mick could pass off as a greaseball. The Cubans in Miami won't fcuk with an Italian.

WayneMolloy

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

A bit of fake tan a pair of sun glasses and fedora and a mick could pass off as a greaseball. The Cubans in Miami won't fcuk with an Italian.

I aint Italian. Pasty in the winter, tanned in the summer.

Thats moi.

Miami and Morocco are crime riddled sh*tholes. Advising Europeans to go visit these places is madness.

DEFTLEFTHAND

WayneMolloy wrote: »

I aint Italian. Pasty in the winter, tanned in the summer.

Thats moi.

Miami and Morocco are crime riddled sh*tholes. Advising Europeans to go visit these places is madness.

My last post was facetious, I was playing up to the alleged NYC Mafia involvement in Miami's organised crime and rackets.

Imo it all depends on where you go and what you do, I wouldn't write off these locations to European visitors. I visited Agadir in 2008 and had a brilliant week, we were part of a tour package, safe as houses.

southsiderosie

WayneMolloy wrote: »

I aint Italian. Pasty in the winter, tanned in the summer.

Thats moi.

Miami and Morocco are crime riddled sh*tholes. Advising Europeans to go visit these places is madness.

LOLOLOLOL

What?

Miami is overrun by wealthy Europeans and white South Americans from November to March, and in general that is the high season. One of the world's biggest art & party weekends, Art Basel, is the first week of December, so there are tons of free events with free booze both in South Beach and in the Wynwood area. If you stay in South Beach, you don't even need a car - just walk from club to club until the sun comes up. If you go into Miami proper, the Brickell area is fine. Space is (was? haven't been in years) one of the world's best nightclubs, and that is in downtown Miami.

Beyond Miami/Miami Beach, Coral Gables is really nice but it is better to have a car to get down there.

Miami is a city where most people are really well off or hustling to get by, but there is no reason for tourists to be hanging out in the ghetto: the beach area is super-safe. Methinks you have watched Scarface too many times... :pac:

(seriously, I hope you are just talking out of your arse here) :pac:

harry Bailey esq

harry Bailey esq wrote: »

,and when your actually there all the necessities,ie booze,cigs and stuff

No offense poster but Sweet Baby Jesus Ireland has got to be the only country on Earth where liquor and fags get described as "necessities"!

I assume no info on the price of food, gas, rent, transport, tax, and so on is ever going to follow?