Mid January. Canaries. Where would you reccommend for a couple of old codgers!!

Spanish Eyes

Hi folks,

I am sure many of you out there have been to the Canaries. We are a little older than most here, but not THAT old! Never been to Canaries before either.

So, for the first time we have decided to get the hell out of Dodge in the Winter and go South for a bit of sun. Obviously the Canaries is the easiest choice!

So, was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for us?

What we like.... nice hotel with breakfast included, not 5 star - but you know, clean and ok.

Near a beach
Near the shops
Near the nightlife (walking distance) but only need a bar or two and a couple of nice restaurants. Don't want to be in clubland!

So as you can see, we are looking for somewhere kind of quiet, but within walking distance (twenty minutes maybe?) of a small town with a few options for food and drinks. Or maybe in that town itself if it is not too raucous!

I hope someone out there might be able to help us out. And thanks very much!

galljga1

Suite hotel Fariones Playa in Lanzarote.
Good pool complex, on the beach, also on one of the main pub and restaurant strips, close to the oldtown which has a number of good restaurants. Great for kids but I can't see why a couple wouldn't enjoy it.

0lddog

How long were you thinking of staying ?

More than - say - 10 days ? - Avoid boredom, head to Gran Canaria or Tenerife.

Las Palmas is a lovely little town

Spanish Eyes

0lddog wrote: »

How long were you thinking of staying ?

More than - say - 10 days ? - Avoid boredom, head to Gran Canaria or Tenerife.

Las Palmas is a lovely little town

Hi, yes a minimum of 10 days and more than likely two weeks really. Thanks.

Where in GC or Tenerife would you think might suit us given the OP? Cheers.

solerina

I think you should try Matagorda or Puerto del Carmen in Lanzarote, both great spots.

0lddog

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

Hi, yes a minimum of 10 days and more than likely two weeks really. Thanks.

Where in GC or Tenerife would you think might suit us given the OP? Cheers.

Party, water sports, photography, bird watching, trail walking, or just hide from winter... old codgers do them all... what do you like to do ? With your handle I'm wondering, habla español ?

The Canaries offer much more than just tourist resorts ( overrun with northern europeans, they are not everyones cup of tea in any case ).

JCX BXC

0lddog wrote: »

How long were you thinking of staying ?

More than - say - 10 days ? - Avoid boredom, head to Gran Canaria or Tenerife.

Las Palmas is a lovely little town

I found Lanzarote a lot better than Tenerife.

Fuerteventura is also meant to be great for people who like to just sit by the pool all day and go for a stroll in the afternoon, but this probably does not suit the OP.

Shint0

solerina wrote: »

I think you should try Matagorda or Puerto del Carmen in Lanzarote, both great spots.

Agree. Have a look at Hotel La Geria in the Los Pocillos/Matagorda area. It seems very suitable for more mature guests. As also mentioned Fariones up the other end of Puerto del Carmen is good. Alternatively, Playa Blanca in Lanzarote might also be worth considering.

rossie1977

Puerto de la Cruz in northern Tenerife is a good option although beach isn't sandy. It will be more lively and warmer that time of year than Carmen in Lanzarote. You are close to teide national park which is a must do (though make sure to bring hat/sunscreen no matter temperature)

Puerto del mogan in southwestern gran canaria is another lovely spot. The drive from playa des ingles is fantastic and worth trip alone

angel eyes 2012

Shint0 wrote: »

Agree. Have a look at Hotel La Geria in the Los Pocillos/Matagorda area. It seems very suitable for more mature guests. As also mentioned Fariones up the other end of Puerto del Carmen is good. Alternatively, Playa Blanca in Lanzarote might also be worth considering.

I would definitely second Hotel La Geria in Lanzarote. We stayed there in January two years ago. It's located just across the road from the beach and is really relaxing. The food is of a high standard. We went half board so once or twice we ventured out for dinner. I'd recommend hiring a car as you can cover the island in one or two days and it's straightforward to drive around. You will get great deals in mid January. We had perfect weather too ☺

Spanish Eyes

Thanks so much everyone. I will have a good read of your replies and might get back to you if I need any more info about various places....if that's ok!

I do speak Spanish alright, a bit rusty, but enough to get me by with the natives, which is great craic.

We like walking for miles. (get a taxi back LOL). Not in blistering heat though!, and being a bit active alright, as in a swim, walking, exploring, that kind of thing. Sitting by a pool or on the beach is ok for an hour now and then, but is NOT our thing really.

Anyway, thanks again to all for taking the time to help us out.

Eponymous

You should definitely give Lanzarote a go then. Where we usually stay, the Costa Sal in Matagorda, is five mins walk from a selection of bars and restaurants, some good, some bad. The bar and restaurant in the Costa Sal are excellent.

8-10 mins walk in the other direction takes you to another long strip of bars and restaurants with something for everyone.

It's a fair bit quieter than Puerto Del Carmen though. The beauty of Matagorda, if you like walking is that you can take a walk on the seafront the whole way to Arrecife (the capitol), passing the end of the runway en route (worth it for that alone), it's about 10k and then bus back to the door of the Costa Sal! PdC is an easy enough walk too, plus in January it wouldn't be so hot that you would get too hot (but you could always stop for a cold one to cool down!). There are a few decent walking trails in around PdC too. There's a lovely walk from the old town of PdC to Puerto Calero. It's not paved, but it is well walked so you needn't worry about it too much. With our 5 year old walking and a baby in a carrier on me, it took 45 mins or thereabouts one morning from harbour to harbour. Only tricky bit (and it's not that tricky at all) is a short descent into a dried river valley and up the other side, but there are steps and handrails anyway, so no biggie.

That time of year there'll be a lot of folks around your age there, so it's not as hectic for the nightlife etc.

0lddog

From : http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=99526463 ( concerning Tenerife )

"If rambling is your bag then there are lots of great trails.

Anaga region ( North East ) - Base yourself somewhere like Santa Cruz / La Laguna

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aErzEX-2cY


Teno region ( North West ) - Icod would be a base ( its a business town rather than a tourist/resort town )

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gg88P5vy6IY "

Gael23

Eponymous wrote: »

You should definitely give Lanzarote a go then. Where we usually stay, the Costa Sal in Matagorda, is five mins walk from a selection of bars and restaurants, some good, some bad. The bar and restaurant in the Costa Sal are excellent.

.

If you go to this hotel you will be hard pushed to stay anywhere else in the future. There are loads of long walk in different directions but I've only ever done one myself. Its 4km into PDC and you can walk the whole way, but there is a slight hill just as you arrive in PDC. Its not the most plush place you could stay but theres a feeling about it thats just really nice, its popular among irish guests too which makes you feel at home. If you read the reviews on trip advisor you notice its the same people stating again and again. And its reasonably priced too.

JCX BXC

Gael23 wrote: »

If you go to this hotel you will be hard pushed to stay anywhere else in the future. There are loads of long walk in different directions but I've only ever done one myself. Its 4km into PDC and you can walk the whole way, but there is a slight hill just as you arrive in PDC. Its not the most plush place you could stay but theres a feeling about it thats just really nice, its popular among irish guests too which makes you feel at home. If you read the reviews on trip advisor you notice its the same people stating again and again. And its reasonably priced too.

I stayed, and personally I loved it!

Can't say the same for my other guests though, the square in Matagorda is dull at best, and it's ages away from PDC (Puerto Del Carmen). I also found Matagorda to be windier than PDC!

If you do stay here, make sure to walk along the coast at least as far as the airport, its great fun to have them landing over your head (taking off too if wind allows)

Spanish Eyes

Hi all and thanks for all your advice.

Anyone been to Matagorda/Puerta del Carmen in mid January?

Just wondered if this is one of the islands that could be windy and a bit dull sunshine wise?

I know mid January can be hit and miss, so just wondered if you have any experience of being there at that time.

At the moment, it looks like just outside PDC or Matagorde will tick our boxes.

A quiet spot near PDC is the optimum. Walking distance to the main drag would be great.

Had a look at Costa Sal. Looks very good.

Did you book it independently or with tour operator?

Thanks again everyone.

Shint0

Spanish Eyes it can get a bit blustery at that time but overall the weather should be pleasant. It doesn't really detract from it too much although I did try read a newspaper on the beach once around tgat time. That didn't work out so well. On the Lanzarote Trip Advisor forum some expats post daily weather updates so you can get a sense in advance what it will be like just before you go.

solerina

its really easy to book by yourself, we flew Ryanair, booked our apartment with alpharooms.com and booked transfer with apt, its very easy to just grab a taxi outside the airport though. no need to use an agent.

Spanish Eyes

Thanks all.

Appreciate you responding. PdeC is looking good (quiet part maybe) and so is Matagorda.

Decisions, decisions. But at least I know the Island to choose anyway!