European budget airlines have allowed more people to fly away on holiday, and for those who already took holidays overseas changed the annual two week break to that along with some shorter breaks during the year.

And the Canary Islands have benefitted just as much as anywhere else, with more people visiting this summer, and a good number expected over the winter months due to her well known good climate while much of Europe is shivering.

Recently revealed figures show that nearly half of those people flying to Gran Canaria for their holidays chose a low cost airline, and it was over half on some of the neighbouring islands.

Tenerife for example, received six out of ten tourists embarking on their Tenerife holidays via a low cost airline - and it wasn’t dissimilar for those taking Lanzarote flights.

Of the three most popular holiday islands in the Canaries, Gran Canaria received least tourists via the low cost carriers, but it was still nearly half of the total number of passengers who took flights to Gran Canaria in the first six months of the year.

Lower airfares have helped people who might not have otherwise been able to afford a holiday during the recent economic downturn, or had been worried about the costs while unemployment was rising, and without the cheap flights from the budget airlines the number of people taking Gran Canaria holidays over the last two years could have fallen a lot more than it did.

This winter some low fares are available for those wanting to take a holiday in Gran Canaria - the island is renowned for its winter climate and northern Europeans escape their winter for a week or two to enjoy the Gran Canaria weather.

Return ticket prices on easyJet for mid November for example can be had for as little as £65 return - with flights both ways at good times, not the early hours of the morning.

Even at Christmas - in the past the time when airlines were likely to charge the earth because they knew people would pay - a return flight departing December 22 from the UK is under £250. It allows far more people the option of spending Christmas in the sun should they want to.

Located off the coast of Africa and the third largest island in the Canary Islands chain, Gran Canaria is not far from Tenerife. Though it is the third largest of the islands, it’s the most populated. But don’t let that discourage you from choosing it as your holiday getaway. When you look at a map of Gran Canaria of the 230 kilometers of coastline, over 60 consist of exquisite beaches.

If you’re visiting you’ll find it’s a treasure trove of mountains, sand dunes and ancient monoliths. The terrain is diverse and offers opportunities for sightseeing by car, bicycle and foot. It’s often called a ‘mini-continent’ because of its diverse climatology. The climate varies so much from area to area that the island seems much larger than it actually is.

For Gran Canaria flights visit yourgrancanaria.net For those considering visiting there are independent videos to view on youtube

Crete Blog

If you’re considering a holiday on one of the Greek islands for this year or next, Paxos might be worth considering for a family holiday, or for a romantic getaway for couples.

According to Greek legendy, the island was created by Poseidon when he struck Corfu with his trident in effort to gain peace and quiet. The pebble beaches of Paxos are surrounded by sheer, precipitous cliffs that create scenery that is both breathtaking and expressive.

The sea around Paxos has vivid colours; it is pleasantly clean, clear, and cool. Dramatic fauna and flora are abundant, especially in spring. Ancient olive trees line the hillsides allowing the mind and senses escape to the treasure of comfort and beauty that awaits holidaymakers.

Seeing The Island

Paxos is charming and quaint and can be seen easily in a couple of days by motorbike or car. The three main towns on the island are Logos, Laka, and Gaios. All of which exhibit the classiul ac Hellenic Ionian style with bright and colourful homes lining the promenades.

The rural area environment has a landscape that features low stone homes surrounded by bountifnd lush gardens. There is always something beautiful to see and many photo opportunities while you’re sightseeing or walking. For those who like Crete holidays it’s familiar but at the same time unique enough to enjoy.

The three main resorts all have natural harbours - Gaios being the biggest and busiest.

Travelling further inland there are old churches and buildings and many hiking or biking trails if you seek to further explore the island’s rich history.

Hotels In Paxos And Things To Do

Travel around the entire island on a day or half day cruise. Picturesque wind-carved limestone cliffs, sculptural rock formations, and caverns line the way. Crystal clear, calm waters surrounding the island only add to the exquisite beauty. The weather and climate on Paxos is similar to the weather in Crete.

A bit of history from World War II is just off the island. Inside the cave called Papanikolis, a Greek submarine found refuge and hid during the war.

There is plenty of opportunity to swim, snorkel and relax. This island is wonderful for holidaymakers seeking relaxation and to get away from the rest of the world. The locals are all very friendly and happily greet visitors. A spectacular sunset can be seen by traveling to Erimitis, a bar which sits above the cliffs of the west coast.

Paxos is a worthwhile day trip if you don’t have a lot of time, but want to escape for a bit. There are many hiking and biking paths that go around the island via trails, coves, and beaches. There’s a few travel sites that have a map, often the same ones that have a Crete map.

You can easily take in the unhurried, traditional, and tranquil Greek lifestyle. Many people visit this wonderful island because of the miles of pathways that lead to unspoiled, secluded beaches and coves.

Hotels in Paxos fill quickly during peak travel season. Villa holidays are popular. Many villas have private pools and various villa companies include Paxos in their brochures, James Villas for example.

The island also has two hotels that often receive rave reviews from happy guests. The island of Paxos might be small compared to some islands like Kefalonia, but it offers an intimate charm and beauty for those who crave quiet, peaceful relaxation. Retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday modern living and escape from it all.

More information about the Greek islands are available on social media like reddit

Tenerife has topped Cosmos Holidays sales chart with a 60% increase year-on-year, report traveldailyco.uk

Majorca, last year’s number one, is now fourth in the sales list with Florida and Turkey before it.

Other Canary Islands have seen bigger rises in sales, particularly Fuerteventura (250%), Gran Canaria (100%) and Lanzarote (40%).

Menorca

The Algarve, Menorca, Shaem el Sheikh, Zakynthos and Mexico are also within the top ten.

“Whilst early booking trends indicated that this summer was all about the Eastern Mediterranean, the improved strength of the Pound against the Euro has resulted in a last minute surge of bookings to destinations throughout the Western Mediterranean and the Canary Islands,” said Monarch Travel Group Tour Operations Managing Director Hugh Morgan.

“After the challenges of the past 12 months, confidence has clearly been restored in the market and it’s great to see holiday durations lengthening from last year’s seven and 10 night durations to the traditional 14 night breaks.”

Tenerife Blog

The best advertising is recommendations from previous users, and to win an award that comes about as a direct result of your guests saying you provide great service is one worth winning - and that’s what’s happened for twenty of Tenerife’s hotels.

Organised by Thomas Cook Holidays, the awards recognise excellence, and it’s judged by actual guests at hotels who share their experience with the company via a Customer Satisfaction Questionnaire.

As well as awarding the best hotels it allows the company to keep on top of which hotels they use are perhaps not performing as well as others, and being able to make sure the hotels in Tenerife they offer are the best in the travel industry.

Some of the hotels that won awards are already well known to tourists, and in Playa de las Americas for example include the Bitacora and the Hotel Sol.

Los Cristianos is another well known resort popular for Tenerife holidays, and winners include the Paradise Park, Arona Gran and the Los Alisios apartments, while the Barcelo Santiago picked up honours from their hotel in Puerto de Santiago.

The Iberostar’s two hotels in Tenerife’s Costa Adeje both were among the winners, along with the Gran, ensuring all the popular areas for tourists from the UK and further afield were well represented and showing that the island is capable of providing great accommodation in different locations and it’s not just the Tenerife weather that attracts tourists.

Thomas Cook Holidays whose clients made the nominations are one of the UK’s best known travel companies, along with First Choice and Thomson.

For those who haven’t been before, the Tenerife weather is often near perfect on the southern half of the island for a holiday, while the northern half offers lush greenery and beautiful vistas. The cities are always full of life, and the glorious view of Mount Tiede, Spain’s highest point, is one many tourists remember from past visits.

For specific areas, Thomas Cook Holidays offer good information on their travel site about each one, but some of the less known areas are:

Icod de los Vinos (just Icod to the locals) is Tenerife’s premier wine-growing region. Daily life in Icod moves at a more relaxed pace than some other places on the island. If you visit Icod, be sure to visit the Dragon Tree that the locals say is thousands of years old. The beautiful Playa San Marcos with its inviting black sand can be found nearby.

La Laguna is a good place to stay if you enjoy art and architecture, and is more suited for adults than family holidays. The Cathedral dates back to 1515, and there are many interesting churches to explore. The city was once the capital of the island and still bears the regal air of an important place.

Los Gigantes is a city at the foot of massive cliffs which bears the same name. The picturesque marina offers boat trips for dolphin and whale watching, while the town has a good choice of bars, restaurants and shops while out and about.

For more information including press releases visit yourtenerife.net

Gran Canaria

Hopeful reports for the Gran Canaria holidays market has come from the same source that has seen the number of UK visitors slip to the island in the last couple of years - the Foreign Exchange and currency rates.

The British Pound - Sterling - has rallied on the foreign exchanges in the last few weeks, and there are signs that it could go higher against the Euro in the months to come.

Driving down the value of the Euro is the fragile state of the Greek economy, with a high debt ratio to GDP. Other Eurozone countries have rallied around to try and get the Greek debt problem solved, but other memebrs aren’t far behind in being just as vulnerable, Ireland and Cyprus for example.

The Spanish economy is also vulnerable, but if the Euro does fall in value it could mean good news for the Spanish economy overall as a large part of its GDP is from tourism, and Gran Canaria could see the return of British tourists who love the island but have been tempted by cheaper destinations in the last couple of years.

Turkey and Egypt have benefitted at Spain’s expense, as tour operators not only promote good value deals for holidays there, but both are outside the Eurozone where the British Pound still buys a good amount of the local currency.

A British General Election is just weeks away, and opinion polls could send the pound higher or lower, depending upon what they indicate.

The currency markets favour a strong government with a majority in the House of Commons big enough to vote through difficult decisions - if opinion polls show the possibility of a hung parliament where no one party has overall control, it will send sterling down again.

But indications of a comfortable Conservative or Labour victory will help settle the markets over the future of the UK currency.

The election has to be held by early June, with most commentators speculating that Gordon Brown will plump for May 6, when local elections are due too, which would mean more Labour voters turning up to vote, and even if they lost nationally they could hold power in more local authority areas.

And with the election likely to be held in May, if Sterling does increase in value in the weeks after, the timing couldn’t be better for those taking holidays in Gran Canaria who will be able to buy more Euros for their spending money.

It would be good news too for tourists who visit for holidays later in the year - the Gran Canaria weather allows the island to be an all year vacation destination, along with the other Canary Islands, who see holidaymakers escape the Northern Europe chill for a break in the sun.

An increasingly attractive option for those wintering on the island is to have their own home without the cost of buying, through renting with specialist companies who do Gran Canaria villa holidays. Many have their own heated pool for the winter months.

For more photographs of Gran Canaria visit flickr

If you’re considering visiting the island for a holiday and would like to see the real Gran Canaria, a UK walking tour operator is now offering Gran Canaria holidays.

Visit them at ramblersholidays.co.uk - for more conventional holidays visit Thomas Cook Holidays

Grand Hotel Residencia Maspalomas

Gran Canaria’s hotels are a traditional mixture of small family run establishments and modern hotels, with most in the 3 and 4 star category.

But now there is one hotel in Gran Canaria that has been rated the third best in the world by people who have stayed there - and according to them it’s the best in Europe report http://www.yourgrancanaria.net

Independent hotel reviews are a great way for people to see what others think, and when there are a good number a feel of what a hotel is really like can be gauged before making any booking.

And it can help hotels who fall below the standards expected of today’s holidaymaker if they read the reviews to see what their guests think, to rectify matters and improve future comments and rankings to ensure they are as well thought of as their competitors.

The hotel gained this review from the company who did the survey:

The Grand Hotel Residencia is located in Maspalomas, the palm-rich resort on the south side of the island Gran Canaria. The luxury hotel with a Spanish colonial style design is situated in a breathtaking landscape: under the hot desert winds of Africa a single dune is formed, which resembles the Sahara.

The hotel’s recognition by tourists and subsequent publicity is good news for holidays in Gran Canaria during the recession, and importantly publicises to potential visitors that the island can provide first class accommodation as well as the good weather.

Apart from relaxing on the beach and enjoy the hotel facilities, what else is there for people to do on their holidays in Gran Canaria should they want to do something a little adventurous or sporting?

The beaches are noted for their white sand and crystal clear waters, great for swimming. Especially notable is the massive Maspalomas beach with its sand dunes and the marvellous hidden beach of Guigui. Las Canteras beach is located in the capital of Las Palmas and tends to be much livelier, though still family friendly.

For the sports minded holidaymaker, many of the hotels offer a variety of sports activities, including golf, tennis, paddling, sailing, windsurfing, snorkeling and scuba diving.

If you fancy a round or two of golf, the courses are open year round. Gran Canaria’s golfing legacy goes back over a century to 1891 when her first golf course was opened. It was built in what is now the central zone of the capital city of Las Palmas. In 1957 the course was relocated to Bandama, but still retains the name of Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas. Gran Canaria really is a pioneer when it comes to golf and can claim to have introduced the sport to Spain. Today there are numerous golf courses and endless sunny days to enjoy them.

But if you just want to stay at your Gran Canaria hotel and enjoy the facilities, you can be sure that at least one of them is going to be about as good as you can get.

More travel articles and information about Gran Canaria is available on the internet and increasingly on social media like stumbleupon too.

Are you considering a holiday that has more than just the beach, pool and the sunshine, why not consider a cycling holiday?

Bike tours give holidaymakers a change to learn new things about the people, heritage, culture and traditions of the places they visit.

Cycling holidays are fun for singles, couples and families. Many bike tours are available to choose from, depending on where you want to ride and how advanced you are. Different types of trips are created to include a variety of interests. They can last a few hours to a few days to a few months.

You can plan your trip from scratch or pay a fee to ride with a guide. Some services will carry your belongings in a vehicle so you don’t have to haul them the entire trip on your bike.

The Benefits of a Cycling Holiday

There are many reasons to choose a bike tour for your next holiday. Exercise is an obvious benefit. It is a great alternative to the typical holidays that revolve around sandy beaches and relaxation. Some people prefer to be active while on holiday and be able to see and do more during their time off. A cycling trip allows you to see more countryside, more scenery and out of the way places you wouldn’t otherwise be able to see.

Bike tours are less expensive than the typical holiday trip. Furthermore, you’ll avoid traffic issues, enjoy nature, relieve stress and find peace and tranquility. More adventurous holidaymakers can combine their cycling trip with kayaking, hiking, swimming and camping for a well-rounded holiday.

Why Choose a Cycling Holiday?

The idea of travelling across the country on a bike, inflicting pain on oneself probably seems like an absurd idea to some. Experienced riders, however, enjoy the challenge of the ride. Some are inspired to get in shape by committing to this level of exercise, giving their fitness a purpose. Others like to meet new people and see more from a slower paced trip. Another reason to plan a cycling holiday is to get away from everyday activities. 

A Safe and Comfortable Cycling Holiday

Your safety and comfort on the road is very important. Even an experienced cyclist can experience trouble on the road. Being prepared is essential:

o Do a thorough bike check before your cycling trip. Check the entire bike during the trip too.

o Wear a high quality bike helmet.

o Do a quick study on current road rules for bikers. Heavy traffic and poor weather conditions things are could cause problems with your holiday.

o Pack padded cycling shorts, clothes made with wicking material, protective rain gear, training shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen and insect repellent. Of course, you also need a supply of water and energy bars.

A Cycling Holiday in Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria makes a great spot for cycling because of its mild temperatures year round - the weather in Gran Canaria is excellent for cycling holidays most of the year. The mountainous terrain provides a wonderful backdrop and challenging roads for the bike ride. The roads are fairly quiet, and the views are beautiful. It’s also a good place to train in the winter. For those who would want just a couple of hours cycling locally their are bike hire shops and sometimes they are available via the reception desk at some of the Gran Canaria hotels.

North American Cycling Tours

Cycling holidays in Canada and the U.S. are diverse and plentiful. Not all locations are good for biking year round, but some states (such as Florida and California) do have suitable weather year round. You can choose anything from a 2 day tour to a cross country adventure. Some trips are planned around a theme or a visit to a national park. Alaskan cycling holidays are popular because you can see the glaciers, wildlife and the mountains.

Most cycling holidays are customisable to include food, boarding, hotels and extra activities. They also allow you to ride at your own pace for a great holiday anytime of the year.

In Britain and other European countries it’s well known as an ideal tourist hideaway, and Gran Canaria continues to appeal to holidaymakers despite the recession.

The largest of the Canary Islands, often referred to as a “miniature continent,” Gran Canaria offers a lot to the visitor. The natural beauty is a mix of tropical landforms and amazing seascapes found in both tropical and cooler climates. Accommodation is available for every budget.

While the southern part of the island remains the most popular, there are things to see and do while holidaying in Gran Canaria. One of the main attractions in the south is Little Venice or Puerto de Mogan. Little Venice is a photographer’s dream, so do have your camera handy as you walk through the village.

Gran Canaria - A great holiday destination served by top companies like Thomson Holidays

Beaches

Some of the most popular are Anfi Beach, Maspalomas, Playa del Ingles and Las Canteras. Depending on where on Gran Canaria you are, the beaches have different views and sand. In some areas it is golden, while in others it has a grey-volcanic colour.

All beaches on Gran Canaria allow free access to the public. Some close to upscale Gran Canaria hotels may require a fee for using a lounge chair or beach umbrella. Visitors can opt to enjoy the water or just lie and enjoy the sea breezes. The beaches on Gran Canaria are one of the reasons visitors keep returning to the island time and again.

Things to do

A tour of the breathtaking sand dunes of Maspalomas is one of those experiences that will last a lifetime. In addition there are theme and fun parks and water parks for everyone. History buffs will enjoy a visit to the reconstructed village depicting ancient Canary life. The Mundo Aborigen is a true reflection of how the now extinct Guanche people lived. There is also a Guanche Museum in the Park for those who want to know even more.

Sightseeing

There are a number of towns and villages to meander through as you enjoy the island. Among these areirgas, with its 30 metre waterfall. The waterfall is part of Paseo de Gran Canaria where there are various interesting symbols of past Canarians life and culture.

If you love old churches and historic architecture, Arucas beckons. Here the visitors will find many old churches dating back centuries. Chief among these are the Parish Church of San Juan Bautista, Fabrica y Museo del Ron and Heredad de Aguas de Arucas y Firgas. The Fabrica y Museo del Ron is the island’s main sugar factory, which was built in 1884. Heredad de Aguas de Arucas y Firgas, where the Water Board now calls home, is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful buildings.

Activities

Water sports ranging from windsurfing to water skiing, as well as camel riding are also quite popular. Visitors can pay a small fee to trot across the sand on a camel.

Golf lovers have their pick of courses on which to practice their swing. The island has the distinction of having the oldest golf course in Spain. The 18-hole Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas was built in 1891. Other golf courses in Gran Canaria worthy of mention include Campo de Golf de Maspalomas and Anfi Tauro Golf.

Unlike many other holiday hotspots, Gran Canaria caters to members of the gay community. There are bars and exciting nightlife. Most of the activities for gays can be found in Maspalomas and Playa del Ingles.

Measures to Slow Tourism Decline

Like everywhere else, Gran Canaria is feeling the impact of the global economic slide. The powers that be are not sitting idly by while tourism dies. One measure implemented by the government of Gran Canaria is a 30 percent discount offered to wellness tourists. Combined with the discount is a drive towards painting the island as the ideal place to relax and unwind.

While visitors from the UK have declined from 2007 to 2008, there has been an increase of visitors from other European countries. To save tourism in the area, the Spanish and the Canarian governments are working on a project to improve the industry. This move should result in major development in Playa del Ingles. There was also an injection of six million euros to push start the project.

Gran Canaria continues to be a popular location for European holidaymakers, and not just because of the glorious weather in Gran Canaria - the diversity of activities makes the island perfect for families, couples or singles. There is something for those just wanting to relax and for others who want to do as much as possible. Whatever your holiday needs, Gran Canaria is a fantastic destination to look into for a holiday this year.

For Gran Canaria holidays with Thomson Holidays - Click Here