Canary Islands

[++Ammo - Airdrie++]

Heading to Lanzarote on Friday for a week first time there, see what the big attraction actually is.

Looking forward to the "members only" recreational clubs

[Darren]

On 13/09/2023 at 16:13, ++Ammo - Airdrie++ said:

Heading to Lanzarote on Friday for a week first time there, see what the big attraction actually is.

Looking forward to the "members only" recreational clubs

It's sunny and cheap. Enjoy.

[Dunfermline Don]

Going to San Agustin with the autistic lad that I look after. 
He is a Liverpool fan and the Caribo Cup Final is on while we are away. Do any P&Bers know of bars that would be likely to show the game on that Sunday, preferably not a Chelsea bar. 

[welshbairn]

On 14/04/2023 at 13:41, welshbairn said:

Scrub that, booked up for Santa Cruz on La Palma, anyone been there?

Bump.

Booked this nearly a year ago and beginning to wish I hadn't, I'd rather have waited till the end of the football season and I'll be spending a fortune on the Euros in a few months. Hopefully someone's got something nice to say about the place. Off on Feb 21st.

^^^(First World problems thread for this pish...)

[Thistle_do_nicely]

Had also posted in the Euro 2024 travel plans thread, but have opted to just book up finally - 11 nights in Puerto de la Cruz during the Group Stages of the Euros.

On my lonesome which will be an odd experience (anyone out of my limitied social circle I tentatively checked with either i) hummed and hawwed about going for that length of time as it'd mean using a fair chunk of their holiday time or ii) has family/girlfriend commitments that mean "aye honey im just going with my pal to spain for 11 days" is a conversation they can't be arsed with the hassle over, which I get), but tbh sunshine, dipping in the water and a few drinks while watching the group stages has a huge appeal even if its just me myself and I.

Guy in my work that regularly goes holidays (sometimes group, sometimes wee single getaways) says it can still be great, basically just pick and choose whatever you fancy rather than potentially getting dragged to places/activities that you maybe can't be arsed with.

This place is right near where I've gone for too, already doing my nosey on Tripadvisor at whats nearby! Iberian risotto sounds class, unf

https://www.thefork.co.uk/restaurant/ibericos-gastro-bar-r819307

Edited May 11 by Thistle_do_nicely

[Thistle_do_nicely]

At the risk of spamming, but its a whole separate point - about £800 for flights, acommodation (bed, breakfast and balcony), hold luggage, travel insurance (booked separately), shuttle service...

For 11 nights my gut feeling is that's pretty good value and I've not been fleeced? It's the first time I've tried booking a holiday myself, only ever been friends/family/partner that has booked stuff before, was ridiculous getting lost among the dozens of similar websites

edit: I suppose time will tell, but it feels like a hard kind of... tricky thing to guage & it's a pain in the hoop trying to do due diligence; tripadvisor generally says the place I've booked up is decent enough, but its a balance between too cheap and it might spoil the entire holiday by being an ant filled, mouldy shithole; too expensive and you risk overpaying for a holiday to the tune of a few £hundred which eats into your spending money...

Edited May 11 by Thistle_do_nicely

[parsforlife]

24 minutes ago, Thistle_do_nicely said:

At the risk of spamming, but its a whole separate point - about £800 for flights, acommodation (bed, breakfast and balcony), hold luggage, travel insurance (booked separately), shuttle service...

For 11 nights my gut feeling is that's pretty good value and I've not been fleeced? It's the first time I've tried booking a holiday myself, only ever been friends/family/partner that has booked stuff before, was ridiculous getting lost among the dozens of similar websites

edit: I suppose time will tell, but it feels like a hard kind of... tricky thing to guage & it's a pain in the hoop trying to do due diligence; tripadvisor generally says the place I've booked up is decent enough, but its a balance between too cheap and it might spoil the entire holiday by being an ant filled, mouldy shithole; too expensive and you risk overpaying for a holiday to the tune of a few £hundred which eats into your spending money...

You can end up in a reviews spiral, at somepoint you've just got to make a call.  

Generally your not going to get ripped off compared to somewhere of similar standard, there's too much market force for somewhere to get away with offering a poor service at the same price long term.

What standard your willing to accept is up to you, there's some who'll cry over a scratch mark in a luxury hotel and there's others who'll sleep in the local sewer pleased with low cost and warmth generated from the shit, where you fall in that spectrum is your call. 

I've had fleeting thoughts over solo holidays and I don't have a clue what stops me, I'm content with my own company at home afterall.

[Big Bobo]

Went to Gran Canaria with my girlfriend 1990ish for a week. It rained every bloody day. Told it was the worst rain they had had in 50 odd years. The water running down the streets was incredible as the drains could not handle it. The electrics in the pubs kept failing as well meaning no tv, no music and no lights. 

Apart from that it was a great holiday.

[Stu]

22 hours ago, Thistle_do_nicely said:

At the risk of spamming, but its a whole separate point - about £800 for flights, acommodation (bed, breakfast and balcony), hold luggage, travel insurance (booked separately), shuttle service...

For 11 nights my gut feeling is that's pretty good value and I've not been fleeced? It's the first time I've tried booking a holiday myself, only ever been friends/family/partner that has booked stuff before, was ridiculous getting lost among the dozens of similar websites

edit: I suppose time will tell, but it feels like a hard kind of... tricky thing to guage & it's a pain in the hoop trying to do due diligence; tripadvisor generally says the place I've booked up is decent enough, but its a balance between too cheap and it might spoil the entire holiday by being an ant filled, mouldy shithole; too expensive and you risk overpaying for a holiday to the tune of a few £hundred which eats into your spending money...

Probably a good deal assuming it's a decent hotel - we're about the same per person for seven nights B&B in Kos next month. You've got an extra four nights for the same.

Was in Puerto de la Cruz about 15 years ago for a week. A day at the parrot park and a trip to Mount Teidi probably worthwhile.

[Rugster]

6 minutes ago, Stu said:

Probably a good deal assuming it's a decent hotel - we're about the same per person for seven nights B&B in Kos next month. You've got an extra four nights for the same.

Was in Puerto de la Cruz about 15 years ago for a week. A day at the parrot park and a trip to Mount Teidi probably worthwhile.

And of course Siam Park. 

[Musketeer Gripweed]

Just back from Puerto Del Carmen and really enjoyed it. A lot more chilled than Tenerife,  and a bit cheaper I thought.

Took the bus to Playa Blanca one day and thought it was nice, but not for a full week. Also went to Costa Teguise and didn't like it at all for some reason.

Some amount of Irish there last week though. Made friends with a lot of them, but I think I might have bought a dog.

 

[FuzzyBear]

Anyone heading to Fuerteventura pack a hoodie and long trousers. The mornings have been a bit chilly this week 

[Granny Danger]

1 hour ago, FuzzyBear said:

Anyone heading to Fuerteventura pack a hoodie and long trousers. The mornings have been a bit chilly this week 

It’s been like that in Lanzarote for weeks with only the occasional hiatus.

[Thistle_do_nicely]

Not long back. Shattered tbf but initial quick thoughts on the norf of Tenerife were great, would recommend.

Couple of family also ended up coming along with me, too, which worked out great as I reckon I might have gone stir crazy for a full 11 nights all on my lonesome but just wanted a nice long holiday, hadnt been away in ages.

Teide was marmite I think, its barren up there (rocks as far as the eye can see!) but tbh I found it impressive to look at and go up to look around (but only for a few minutes, altitude is so high in the heat I got a bit lightheaded up there)

Tour guide said iirc the area is a popular stand in for Mars for movies or something to do with the mars rover (promotional material maybe, cant mind exactly what she'd says) and can see why.

Loro Parque is a fun wee place for a day, preferred the wee hyperactive animals generally. Dolphins > Orca's too, fite me bro

Couple of folk during one of the games said they were regulars and thought it was incredibly quiet the past few years and was quiet while I was out, which surprised me! I thought it was still pretty bustling tbf but my aunt made a fair point that we're there in June and you could generally get a seat outside for food anywhere you wanted easily enough apart from the super small cafes/tapas places where the tables would fill up. She's been places before and its been nigh on impossible to find anywhere to even get a seat.

 

Cruz campos lager (might be mistyping it phonetically, think the guy said is Sevillan lager) was dynamite and a drink recommendation, I loved the stuff.

 

Glad I went, would probably try another island if I can keep saving up enough/avoid further car misfortune if I were to go back to the Canaries.

All the same, if you offered me another several days there to just sit about in the sun, walk and sit out in the breeze, get some of the food then I'd say aye. Woman at one of the bars (lovely tbf) says its a bit frustrating because they serve meals from time to time for, say, couples that they could easily charge 70 plus Euros for elswhere in the islands but its so cutthroat they can only charge about half that at most. Good value for the punter at the end of the day tho! Also the breweries have been getting pretty tough, charge a huge amount per bottle/pint/can but the locals get really pissed off whenever prices go up so they get shit off the customers if they try and bump the prices up even a few cents...

It felt pretty safe to be there too, all the street vendors just left most of their merch out in plain view etc. Would see the policia local a handful of times driving along with sirens on but didn't see any direct bother. Zante (years ago right enough) I'm pretty sure I was at least x1 fight a night.

Edited Monday at 18:22 by Thistle_do_nicely

[Sergeant Wilson]

5 minutes ago, Thistle_do_nicely said:

Not long back. Shattered tbf but initial quick thoughts on the norf of Tenerife were great, would recommend.

Couple of family also ended up coming along with me, too, which worked out great as I reckon I might have gone stir crazy for a full 11 nights all on my lonesome but just wanted a nice long holiday, hadnt been away in ages.

Teide was marmite I think, its barren up there (rocks as far as the eye can see!) but tbh I found it impressive to look at and go up to look around (but only for a few minutes, altitude is so high in the heat I got a bit lightheaded up there)

Tour guide said iirc the area is a popular stand in for Mars for movies or something to do with the mars rover (promotional material maybe, cant mind exactly what she'd says) and can see why.

Loro Parque is a fun wee place for a day, preferred the wee hyperactive animals generally. Dolphins > Orca's too, fite me bro

Couple of folk during one of the games said they were regulars and thought it was incredibly quiet the past few years and was quiet while I was out, which surprised me! I thought it was still pretty bustling tbf but my aunt made a fair point that we're there in June and you could generally get a seat outside for food anywhere you wanted easily enough apart from the super small cafes/tapas places where the tables would fill up. She's been places before and its been nigh on impossible to find anywhere to even get a seat.

 

Cruz campos lager (might be mistyping it phonetically, think the guy said is Sevillan lager) was dynamite and a drink recommendation, I loved the stuff.

 

Glad I went, would probably try another island if I can keep saving up enough/avoid further car misfortune if I were to go back to the Canaries.

It felt pretty safe to be there too, all the street vendors just left most of their merch out in plain view etc. Would see the policia local a handful of times driving along with sirens on but didn't see any direct bother. Zante (years ago right enough) I'm pretty sure I was at least x1 fight a night.

Did you see Jay Slater?

[Thistle_do_nicely]

Just now, Sergeant Wilson said:

Did you see Jay Slater?

 

Hahahahahahahaha

No, but I did clock some of that thread when I had the hotel wifi!! Alas, any cactii I witnessed didn't have a pissed up teenager hanging off them.

Need to check that thread again come to think of it, no idea if he's been found yet or any other exciting twists and turns...

[Sergeant Wilson]

9 minutes ago, Thistle_do_nicely said:

 

Hahahahahahahaha

No, but I did clock some of that thread when I had the hotel wifi!! Alas, any cactii I witnessed didn't have a pissed up teenager hanging off them.

Need to check that thread again come to think of it, no idea if he's been found yet or any other exciting twists and turns...

Is it getting much coverage over there?

[Thistle_do_nicely]

I don't think so, tbh. Any tellies I walked past were either showing Putin/Zelensky/various EU/German political figures talking about EU things, formula 1 racing or coverage of the Euros. Never even overheard anyone idly talking about it. Have looked it up and I think his disappearance is a wee bit out the way from where I was. Would guess will hit the front pages if/when he's actually found.

if he's out lost in similar terrain the tour bus went past up to Mt Teide... ooft. Assuming this isn't some sort of weird grift where he uses the GoFundMe money for, say, a Willie Wonka themed kids amusement party down the line, of course.

Edited Monday at 19:09 by Thistle_do_nicely

[parsforlife]

1 hour ago, Thistle_do_nicely said:

 

Couple of folk during one of the games said they were regulars and thought it was incredibly quiet the past few years and was quiet while I was out, which surprised me! I thought it was still pretty bustling tbf but my aunt made a fair point that we're there in June and you could generally get a seat outside for food anywhere you wanted easily enough apart from the super small cafes/tapas places where the tables would fill up. She's been places before and its been nigh on impossible to find anywhere to even get a seat.

Covid has no doubt taken a hit to tourist resorts and the sand and sea resorts probably more so IMO, those that could afford more adventures without using hostels or working holidays in the longer range flights can still afford it and won't drop down too the what they wrongly perceive as lower class destinations but those that could afford maybe 2 trips are going to 1 and those that previously went for a fortnight are going for one, if one was your max, then you have no option but to stay at home.

North Tenerife is probably less affected especially compared to the south but generally canaries are based of being busiest in winter, especially late December once kids Xmas holidays start but it easily carries on into late January with retirees taking mega long holidays and before long valentines adventures come and if it's an early Easter then they get that market generally before closer European resorts. 

[hk blues]

11 hours ago, Thistle_do_nicely said:

I don't think so, tbh. Any tellies I walked past were either showing Putin/Zelensky/various EU/German political figures talking about EU things, formula 1 racing or coverage of the Euros. Never even overheard anyone idly talking about it. Have looked it up and I think his disappearance is a wee bit out the way from where I was. Would guess will hit the front pages if/when he's actually found.

if he's out lost in similar terrain the tour bus went past up to Mt Teide... ooft. Assuming this isn't some sort of weird grift where he uses the GoFundMe money for, say, a Willie Wonka themed kids amusement party down the line, of course.

Based on that there seems little hope of getting many leads to find him.  If tourists aren't really aware of his disappearance, and presumably there are few notices, then how much hope is there of getting much info from anywhere?  

That said, an article I read today where a local was interviewed said everyone was talking about it so maybe you were out of the loop.  Or too pished on the Cruz Campos to notice, or care.