Vacation and Travel in the Canary Islands
The article provides general information about all the Canary Islands and recommended hotels.
More detailed information about specific islands can be found in the following articles:
Detailed articles about the Canary Islands:
♦ Lanzarote - An Island in Black and White
♦ Trip to the Island of Tenerife
♦ Vacation and Travel in Gran Canaria
♦ Trip to the Island of La Palma
General
As an avid island enthusiast who has traveled as far as Hawaii, Fiji, Tahiti, the Thai islands, and the Caribbean, I decided it was time to explore and discover islands closer to Israel—ones that don't require an 11-hour flight or more, yet are still suitable for vacation and travel even in winter.
♦ Car rental from the reliable and convenient Booking website: Booking.com
Weather
I chose to visit the Canary Islands, which belong to Spain but are located near Morocco. A wonderful destination to visit in all seasons of the year.
In winter, the average maximum temperature ranges between 20-25 degrees Celsius, and in summer the temperature does not exceed 30 degrees. Most of the islands, especially their southern parts, are sun-drenched with clear blue skies. In short, optimal weather! The atmosphere on the islands is also wonderful and relaxed. The local residents are warm and welcoming, most of them speak English, and most tourists are Europeans (British, Scandinavians, Icelanders, etc.) escaping from their cold countries to the warm islands. While our winter is not that cold, it is still nice to fly in the middle of winter to a sunny destination where all attractions are open and active.
♦ Recommended Hotels in the Canary Islands
On the Island of Gran Canaria
Accommodation in the Maspalomas area, in the south of the island:
Seaside Palm Beach - 5-star hotel
Lopesan Costa Meloneras Resort, Spa & Casino - 4-star hotel
Alternatively:
Radisson blu resort gran canaria - 5-star hotel
H10 Playa Meloneras Palace - 5-star hotel
Alternatively:
Villas in the area:
Villa Lovisi - 4-star quality, small pool, kitchenette, free Wi-Fi and parking.
Or a bit further west, at the wonderful Taurito Beach, a great resort:
Mogan Princess and Beach Club - 4-star hotel
A successful and high-quality hotel chain with extensive coverage in the Canaries is the H10 chain. Below are some of their recommended hotels on the islands of Tenerife and Lanzarote:
On the Island of Lanzarote:
A 4-star hotel located about 200 meters from Playa Blanca beach
A 3-star hotel located in Costa Teguise
On the Island of Tenerife:
Two 4-star hotels located on the promenade in Playa de Las Americas
Or:
A 4-star hotel located in Costa Adeje
For families seeking a nearby vacation solution during Hanukkah or even Passover break in late March, without the chilly, gray European weather, the Canary Islands are the perfect answer!
Entertainment and Leisure
A visit to the Canary Islands suits everyone: lovers of leisure, luxury hotels with stunning pools, gorgeous beaches and water sports; nature enthusiasts and hikers or cyclists; lovers of quaint old towns, markets; and even city life and shopping fans. Good food lovers will also enjoy every moment. The islands are brimming with restaurants offering typical local dishes, seafood, and tapas, cafes, and the meals served in most hotels are of top quality.
The islands feature diverse vegetation, ranging from cacti on one hand to tropical rainforests on the other. Some plants are unique to the Canaries, such as the fascinating "Dragon Tree".
In the Canary Islands archipelago, there are seven main islands that have airports and ferry connections. Some are fairly small and can be visited on a day trip, while others are worth dedicating several days to in order to see the best they have to offer.
Arrival and Transportation
There are no direct flights from Israel to the Canaries, but you can reach them via a layover anywhere in Europe. Usually, flying via Madrid is the most convenient and cost-effective option. The flight time from Madrid to one of the islands is about two and a half hours. If you book the flights far enough in advance, the price is not much higher than flying to Madrid or any other destination in Western Europe. You can fly into one island and return from another.
Information for those stopping along the way in Madrid can be found in the article: Recommended Guided Tours in Madrid or for those arriving from Barcelona.
Between the islands, you can travel by ferry (including with a rental car) or take a short, affordable domestic flight lasting about half an hour. The ferry ride between Tenerife and Gran Canaria ranges from 45 minutes on the high-speed ferry to two hours on the slower, cheaper ferry.
