Which Canary Island?

[SizeZero]

I'm not a Lanzarote fan (there has to be one, right?) We stayed at Costa Teguise and it wasn't worth leaving the hotel, the beach was almost non existant (and had some sharks inside the harbour walls, iirc) and Puerto Del Carmen had the filthiest beach I've ever experienced and not just because the sand was dark. I swear they hadn't cleaned it once all season - full of floating crisp packets, ondoms, vodka shot bottles, etc. Couldn't let the kids on it for fear they'd stand on broken glass, but it was the busiest resort in the evening.

The only place on the island worth visiting (for me) was Costa Blanca, at the Southern point. Far cleaner than the rest, nice restaurants, far superior beaches, nice harbour area.

We took the ferry over to Fuerteventura; what a wasteland. It's basically a sandy desert with nothing to see, one resort (better sand beaches ) - I wouldn't want to go out of season though, it was hardly busy in summer.



Whoever mentioned Formentera: it's 12 years since I was there and my only enduring memory was stark b*ll*ck naked German tourists. Hope that helps your decision, one way or the other.

[Gonzo]

Oh no, in the same room as commoners for a couple of hours. How will you cope?

It is a four-hour flight I'll have you know.

[d000hg]

I liked Lanzarote, away from the chav zones. Stay away from Peurto del Carmen and Arrecife and it is really very pleasant. I can't imagine that the different islands are wildly different - they are all volcanic outcrops poking out of the North Atlantic.

You will not be able to avoid the chavs completely though - they will be on the same plane over as you. British Airways used to do a direct flight from Gatwick to Lanzarote and although the Business Class was not really very good, at least it got you separated from the Chavs. I don't think they operate on that route any more though.

Oh no, in the same room as commoners for a couple of hours. How will you cope?

[mudskipper]

Another vote for Lanzarote. Is about 12 years since I went, but it was lovely away from the touristy bits. There's plenty to see - the volcano, caves, lagoons, art galleries - really nice.

[NotAllThere]

Tenerife has some amazing landscapes and plants.

[Gonzo]

I liked Lanzarote, away from the chav zones. Stay away from Peurto del Carmen and Arrecife and it is really very pleasant. I can't imagine that the different islands are wildly different - they are all volcanic outcrops poking out of the North Atlantic.

You will not be able to avoid the chavs completely though - they will be on the same plane over as you. British Airways used to do a direct flight from Gatwick to Lanzarote and although the Business Class was not really very good, at least it got you separated from the Chavs. I don't think they operate on that route any more though.

[TimberWolf]

I'm quite taken by Formentera, a short ferry ride from Ibiza, at the moment. Which to time right with the weather would be best done before winter and the Canaries trip. Hmm. What's Ibiza like?

[FiveTimes]

I've been to all bar Tenerife and I was really pleased with Lanzarote. Would go back and loved it there.

[shaunbhoy]

The only one I have been to is Tenerife. Twas okay, particularly from a climate point of view. I suspect all the others are much the same, so may as well go for the cheapest deal.

[TimberWolf]

I'm planning on going there over new year. There sure are a lot of golf courses though.

Hopefully it won't be too much like god's waiting room. Or full of chavs.

I had to look that one up:

It refers to the high number of retirees living there. Or Florida.
Urban Dictionary: gods waiting room

[doodab]

I'm planning on going there over new year. There sure are a lot of golf courses though.

Hopefully it won't be too much like god's waiting room. Or full of chavs.

[cailin maith]

Lanzarote is my fave. But then, it's the only one I have been to

Love it though, laid back, chilled, good food and wine... bliss!

[TimberWolf]

If the coming winter is like last, I'm off somewhere warm. Which Canary island to do first? Ultra cheaply (Ryanair & camping, the latter being free and the former near as). I'm not bothered about chavs, as I won't be staying in hotels. I'd be mainly interested in scenery, walking, beach, sea activities (if cheap), that kind of thing.