Winter Sun Destinations Recommendations - Canaries?

Me and Mrs JWK would like a sunshine break this winter, not too far from the UK. We started thinking about the Canary Islands. Anyone been and where would you recommend?

We like being close to the sea and away from any nightclubby type areas.

 

There's also Madeira - a little further and a bit more expensive, better sights to see. Feb 7th-14th is their Carnival.

Carnival Parade on the 10th, Slapstick Parade on the 13th and other happenings throughout the week.

 

I think that Titan Travel do a door to door service and have inclusive excursions etc. Only possible problem is that they would normally use Monarch to get to Madeira

 

Thanks for the idea @shiney that was very useful. We hadn't considered Madeira before so decided to book a break there, starting to look forward to it already. We happened to mention it to a friend at the weekend and it is her favourite holiday destination so we already have loads of tips.

@Linz it looks great in the Canaries too, it's now on our list to visit sometime - thanks for photo and recommendations.

 

Thanks Harry, I like the sound of the "old folks resort" that's us
I wonder what the weather is like in January when you friend goes there?
What time of year do you visit @Harry and how hot does it get ?
Just googled H10 Big Sur - that looks very posh I guess you're used to luxury coming from Wigan though

 

Another question, as we are inexperienced travelers how do you folks normally book holidays?

Look for the best deal on-line or go to a Travel Agent?

I am asking because I visited a Travel Agent last week and all they did was go online or phone up for deals, when I had a questions she was just googling the answer or reading from the brochure. I couldn't see any advantage of using a Travel Agent, maybe I am missing something.

 

@JWK Hi John, I'm sure that you can get info from the 'net' and your friend but if you want to know anything then I'd be only too happy to answer.

If you like walking (I'm sure you do) then there are loads of Levadas to walk along. Some would need a guide and a lot need transport to get there (lots of places advertising Levada walks). There's an easy one you can do without need to book anything (if you're in or near Funchal). It's an interesting 25 minute bus ride from the centre of town. I can give you the exact details of where to catch it, what number bus it is and where to get off etc.

Also, in the old part of town there's a narrow road with loads of good restaurants (not expensive) and it's now also well known for having most of the doorways painted.









This is a clever one





Re booking:-
It depends on what type of holiday you're going for to how you book it. I tend to do my research myself (happy to give hints) but generally book it through a local travel agent that I know. It also depends on whether they want to charge for you using a credit card (a lot do, but it will be made illegal next year).

The type of hotel also makes a difference. We sometimes go to a more expensive hotel where it's always better to book direct with the hotel. They are cheaper that way, include airport transfers, a few evening meals, an afternoon tea (they're well known for their teas) and something towards the cost of their spa. I might be able to get you an extra discount - but not sure. You would have to book your own flights.

I also mentioned Titan Travel. They're an independent tour operator (now own Saga as well) that do everything for you. Normally a good hotel B&B (will try to flog you half board but don't have it as restaurants are quite cheap), include excursions, flights, transport from your house to the airport and home again (no matter how far you live from the airport and they have their own fleet of vehicles).

 

@shiney Thanks for the very informative post, I love those painted doorways, we will definitely find those, it's just the sort of place we enjoy. We only ever book B&B as we enjoy eating local food wherever we go. The hotel we booked is close to Funchal old town as we plan to spend a lot of time there ambling about and watching the world go by.

We might attempt an easy Levada, depends on how Mrs JWK is feeling as she is getting over an op and is not 100% just now. We normally walk lots on holidays, like coastal walks in the UK so are used to gentle slopes etc.

We plan to use the hop on/off bus to begin with to get our bearings.

You obviously have a good relationship with your Travel Agent, next time I try another one. Maybe I was unlucky this time - the lady was trying to help but it was a bit chaotic in the shop with other customers milling about and what seemed to be a trainee distracting her.

@HarryS that's very useful information about the weather, sounds ideal at this time of year.

Thanks also for the tip of using Travel Agents - we did eventually book a package holiday, we wanted peace of mind that everything was covered by ATOL given the recent airline shambles with RyanAir and Monarch going bust.

I know what you mean about the Tripadvisor reviews, I've been reading a lot of them recently, generally they are helpful but a few slated the Hotel we booked, even though they weren't guests there, just rated it on looks from the outside. As for "everybody spoke foreign" I will practice my Portuguese which is currently non-existent so at least I can order a beer and cake.

 

@JWK I'm sure your hotel will be OK. They should also be able to give you advice on things to do. If going on some guided tours around the island (there are usually two full day tours - East and West sides - and one half day tour to the Valley of the Nuns) do a bit of shopping around for the excursions. There are loads of street booths selling them. Some are quite a bit more expensive than others and they're all fairly similar.

The street with the restaurants and painted doors is Rua De Santa Maria. It's easy to find as it runs parallel to the sea front promenade and at the Eastern end. That's where the cable car is and the flower and fruit market (and smelly fish market) is set further back on a road at right angles to the promenade. When facing the entrance to the market there is a road that runs down the right hand side of the market (Rua Latino) and Santa Maria is parallel to that but the next road towards the promenade.

The Levada dos Tornos is a flat walk of only 3 miles and you will be way above the town with views down to the town and sea. Ignore anything you may read on the net about the Levada because the 3 mile section (just a part of the full walk) is easy. They normally say to start it at Monte (the cable car goes up to the Palace and Gardens at Monte) but you don't want to do that. You take the 29 bus to Curral dos Romeiros (end of the bus route), walk the three miles to the Hortensia Tea House and gardens and catch a bus back down into town from there. If you want to do it I can give you more details, and where to find the buses. You can probably look up the Hortensia and the walk.

I'm not sure whether you can buy tickets on the bus any more. You would need to check that out.

All along the front and the old town is fairly flat but the town can be quite hilly.

If you want to do all your usual research and then ask me questions I shall be happy to answer them if I can. I've been going there since 1962 (used to go there every two months when I worked on the ships) and was last there for the Festival in February.

 

Thank you again @shiney and @strongylodon - it's all very useful information.

Blimey! That is a great recommendation.