Escaping the winter

brodev

I have my own place in Estepona on the Costa del Sol where I spend the winters. In fact I am off there in 2 weeks. The weather there in winter for the last 12 years has been like our summer weather. Occasionally it rains, very occaisionally for about a week. If it rains it can come down like there is no tomorrow. Generally speaking it is lovely with temps in the 70s. I have had to put my heating(1x1kw wall panel) on about 20 evenings on average over 6 months. I put a light jacket or jumper on in the evenings sometimes. for me the big advantage of mainland Spain is that I can drive there and have my car for visiting other places. Having said all of this I do believe that the Canaries have better weather (but not by much)

Janeywaney_2

EdInvestor wrote:

Does anyone have any experience of going to warmer climes for three or four months to get away from the cold weather?

Is it better to look for hotels or villas/self catering? What are prices like?

Where to go? Some favoured summer hotspots seem to be quite cold themselves in winter.Is adequate heating a problem?

Any good websites for long stays, and any money saving tips?

How about trying Cyprus? The Paphos area is very popular with Brit ex-pats and rental property is readily available. A couple of winter months are coolish and damp but generally the weather is lovely.

Ken68

Just thinking of doing the same thing, Ed., someone sent me this, not sure if it's allowed to post, unbelevable.......

98 nights in Playa De Fanabe £162p.p.
For more information or to book this holiday...
Call Hays Travel Direct 0870 950 9188
Or you might like to:
Visit the Hays Travel Direct website

Back to search results

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Holiday summary:
A summary of the holiday on offer Destination: Tenerife (Canaries) - Playa De Fanabe
Departing: Sun 03 Dec 2006 from Luton
Duration: 98 nights
Share basis: adults
Price: £162 per person
Quote ref: A4659AU

What you get…
More details of the holiday on offer Type: Package holiday
Rating: 4* (Tour operator's own rating)
Property: Iberostar Grd Anthelia-el-f.s
Board basis: Half Board ....................

EdInvestor

Astonishing price :eek:

Years ago I remember going to Majorca for a short break around March and to our surprise the hotel was full to the gunnels with pensioners from Manchester, who had been there for 2 or 3 months. The prices were so low it was cheaper than heating the house over the winter, they said (utilities cost a lot more in those days).

The hotels and local businesses were happy because at least they broke even or made a small profit over the winter and the staff were very happy because they didn't get laid off,.

Presumably this is still going on?

navig8r

Lara wrote:

My son lives in Malta and their climate is good all year round. It can get a little chilly in the evenings but not any colder than Tenerife.

My wife and I were going for a long stay in Malta until we saw a TV documentary on the indiscriminate way the Rare migratory birds are shot for fun ( it was awful to see honey buzzards and perrigrine falcons spinning and screaming to the ground ) and that people should protest by not taking their holidays there..

Dave

EdInvestor

BTW I see Rightmove is now advertising local and overseas holiday lets/villas etc.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk

No long-stays yet, but no doubt as soon as people see there's "snowbird" demand....:)

gallygirl

Tenerife - Puerto de la Cruz is full of snowbirds in winter. When we were there (Jasn) they were all discussing going home in Feb for a few weeks (catch up on post etc) then off to Malta in March.....

All were half board, and accidentally dropped some rolls, butter, cheese & fruit into their bags every morning;) .

Top marks to 1 old dear on her own, walked with a zimmer, should have seen us all holding our breath as she went past the pool edge a dozen times a day!!!! But she said she was virtually house bound in winter in UK, heat helped her arthritis to an amazing extent.

alanwjones

navig8r wrote:

My wife and I were going for a long stay in Malta until we saw a TV documentary on the indiscriminate way the Rare migratory birds are shot for fun ( it was awful to see honey buzzards and perrigrine falcons spinning and screaming to the ground ) and that people should protest by not taking their holidays there..

Dave

As navig8r, Saw the program, complained to tourist board, mep's and the president!

Would'nt go there if they gave me a freebie. Alan.

We have an OSPREY breeding site nearby here, And these b******s were shooting them for fun,They even shot at the camera crew!

gunnyandbob

Its two days at 12 hours a day driving from Calais to the Velez-Malaga area. Cross the channel using Speedferries ( £25 one way ). Use Premier Classe basic clean rooms en-suite (N/e 50 Euros for two inc breakfast ), close to the motorway, and then we are here for 6 months with the car.
Temperatures... much more comfortable close to the coast and not over 400-500mtrs altitude. Don't book places down in valleys ( losing 1-2 hrs sun per day ), never book a stone walled house, only modern construction.
A wood burning stove for cold evenings is a real asset. Heating the water by electricity is far better than gas.

Want to know more?

richt71

EdInvestor wrote:

Astonishing price :eek:

Years ago I remember going to Majorca for a short break around March and to our surprise the hotel was full to the gunnels with pensioners from Manchester, who had been there for 2 or 3 months. The prices were so low it was cheaper than heating the house over the winter, they said (utilities cost a lot more in those days).

The hotels and local businesses were happy because at least they broke even or made a small profit over the winter and the staff were very happy because they didn't get laid off,.

Presumably this is still going on?

Ed,
Although I'm a relatively young my fathers retired friends do spend 3/4 months abroad for the very reasons you state in that they don't have to pay the high costs for heating and lighting during the dark and cold months. In fact they say they can live a great lifestyle for those months without breaking the bank and as they say 'keep the old bones warm'.