Canary Islands

[CheshireExpat]

The place is going to the dogs.

On a serious note pickpockets and break ins seemed to be higher on the agenda of the villa owner on my last visit.

Also got accosted by dealers multiple times in broad daylight with families everywhere. Unfortunately after a period of time in any Spanish tourist area these cunts fill their gap.

 

[paulchapo]

I go to Tenerife a lot as the weather is usually decent 95% of the time even in winter. Aside from the accommodation which has increased a lot unless you have some connections, you can eat out and drink relatively cheaply. There is plenty of live entertainment and good walks, nice beaches etcetera. Sure it can be full of overly drunken idiots in certain bars but you can find quieter places if you wish.
One thing that has to be mentioned though is there has been an increase in crime, but I guess that's the same with most places. Pickpockets, muggings etcetera and aggressive beggars. One of the street artists I know told me a few Italian beggers are over here and have camped out near the Vulcano hotel. I have had them shout out asking for money as I passed, these are just blokes standing around and not openly begging. You have to have your wits about you. Don't wear expensive jewellery and watches and leave your smartphones in the accomodation at night.

Usually if you avoided the Veronica's strip area your evening was more pleasant but these scumbags are now becoming more prevelent in the once safer parts, as are the drug dealers. The police need to clamp down or tourism will start to be hit.

 

[billblu]

Caleta de fuste for derby. Seems plenty of options but arriving latish Saturday so limited time for recce. Any neutral or pro city venues.

There's a group of 3 bars
to the left of the main pedestrian shopping bit about 5 minutes walk setback from the road can't miss them they always have football not to expensive and decent beer the 1st bar is about 5 seconds ahead of the last one with the matches so be aware when you make your choice :)

 

[Alan ogleys ball bag]

went to Lanzarote over Christmas and new year 25 years ago loved it 70 next week and will be freezing me bollocks off in warrington #bahhumbug

 

[Millwallawayveteran1988]

I'm not fully qualified to make a recommendation as I've never been to Tenerife, although I've been to Lanzarote and Gran Canaria. From what I've head, Tenerife is more like Gran Canaria, which means I have no interest in going there. Ultimately though, it will depend on what you want out of a holiday.

Lanzarote
I fucking love Lanzarote! Everything is absolutely pristine and perfect. I never saw a single pothole (except on the dirt track to the Papagayo beaches of course). All of the tarmac looks like it was laid yesterday; you won't see any litter; everything is in excellent condition. All of the buildings are in a good state of repair and look like they were painted white last Tuesday.
If you stay in a peaceful area (Las Colorades was perfect for me), you can really chill and unwind. I rented a private villa with its own large, heated pool for a similar price to a Jet2/Tui prison camp complex holiday.
There aren't as many of the horrible Brit-filled mega hotels on Lanzarote, perhaps partly because there are significant building restrictions across the island, which is one of the things that makes it pretty much paradise. You can go to a beautiful beach that is not surrounded by a row of giant hotels spoiling the landscape.
Another thing I noticed is that there are no adverts. No billboards or other garish adverts in your face. Nobody trying to sell you anything. Buildings are generally one or two stories high. There are open spaces.
It also has a great vibe. People drive around the quiet streets at about 15mph which was weird for me at first (oh yeah, you can rent a car really really cheaply) but it's just because everyone is so relaxed; nobody is in a hurry; it's just a beautiful, chilled lifestyle. Free parking everywhere. Just park where you want.
Oh and the submarine trip was one of my best-ever life experiences!
All of the above applies if you stay away from Brits, which is pretty easily done. There are only about three of the tacky 'resort' areas full of drunken idiots and they're relatively small here anyway. So I would avoid Playa Blanca and Costa Teguise (and Arrecife - it's like driving in the middle of Manchester with the one-way systems etc.). Then you can have a peaceful time if that's what you want. Lanzarote definitely isn't as much of a party island as the others.
There are many beautiful beaches but they do get busy. Everyone talks about Papagayo as though it's some kind of special secret that nobody knows about (probably cos there's a dirt track road that the hire car companies officially don't let you drive down) but that's bullshit as it gets completely mobbed.
I would fly to Lanzarote today if I could.

Gran Canaria
After being so impressed with Lanzarote, I thought I would try another Canary Island. I was pretty disappointed with Gran Canaria if I'm honest.
There were some really good things about it, for example I stayed in a private villa (again with pool, roof terrace etc.) that was literally on a banana plantation in the north of the island. That was an amazing experience! I spent a lot of time literally just chilling in the middle of the plantation among the banana plants and made good friends with the little dog that lives there.
However, most of the beaches etc. are in the south of the island so it was about an hour's drive to get there. I didn't like the beaches and the resorts. Way too full of drunk Brits, very busy beaches including nudist beaches which freaked my kids out (we ended up there by accident!). Everyone bigs up the Maspalomas sand dunes but I didn't really see anything to get excited about. The beaches aren't even that good.
Gran Canaria does not have the chilled, relaxed vibe of Lanzarote. There are literally 5-lane motorways where everyone drives like a ****. I didn't feel very safe cos of people constantly undertaking and cutting each other up etc. It doesn't make for a relaxing holiday.

Anyway, like I say, I can't comment on Tenerife but I gave the above comparison because Tenerife sounds like it's more akin to Gran Canaria. A well-travelled friend of mine said he would never go back to Tenerife with his family because there was a lot of crime and they didn't feel safe.

Lanzarote is my favourite. Can be a bit blustery at times though.

 

[Mr Kobayashi]

I go to Tenerife a lot as the weather is usually decent 95% of the time even in winter. Aside from the accommodation which has increased a lot unless you have some connections, you can eat out and drink relatively cheaply. There is plenty of live entertainment and good walks, nice beaches etcetera. Sure it can be full of overly drunken idiots in certain bars but you can find quieter places if you wish.
One thing that has to be mentioned though is there has been an increase in crime, but I guess that's the same with most places. Pickpockets, muggings etcetera and aggressive beggars. One of the street artists I know told me a few Italian beggers are over here and have camped out near the Vulcano hotel. I have had them shout out asking for money as I passed, these are just blokes standing around and not openly begging. You have to have your wits about you. Don't wear expensive jewellery and watches and leave your smartphones in the accomodation at night.

Usually if you avoided the Veronica's strip area your evening was more pleasant but these scumbags are now becoming more prevelent in the once safer parts, as are the drug dealers. The police need to clamp down or tourism will start to be hit.

Ever been to Fuerteventura?

 

[SamTheGuru]

Simple question; Tenerife or Lanzarotte?

Having been to both multiple times over the years I would suggest Lanzarotte? It is probably slightly less British?

I suggest Gran Canaria over both though.

 

[burnley blue mcfc]

Gran Canaria Boxing Day for a week in the sun can’t wait!!