Winter in Spain

McKneff

I have just retired and for some reason my OH has asked me to look into the possibility of spending the winter in Spain:eek:

I havent the foggiest idea where to start.

(i dont do aeroplanes:D)

Anyone any ideas

richardw

Train information http://www.seat61.com/Spain.htm

Ferry to Spain http://www.seat61.com/Spain.htm#UK to Spain by ferry

What sort of accommodation would you prefer? Hotel, apartment or Villa?

McKneff

Hotel or small villa I think,

agrinnall

Whatever you consider, think about what sort of heating they have, it gets pretty chilly in Spain in the winter, and many properties have no central heating. I spent a week in Andalucia in February huddled around a fan heater in jumpers bought locally as I was expecting it to be warmer.

Nobjocki

McKneff wrote: »

I have just retired and for some reason my OH has asked me to look into the possibility of spending the winter in Spain:eek:

I havent the foggiest idea where to start.

(i dont do aeroplanes:D)

Anyone any ideas

Yup, tell the OH to think again.
Spain in winter is a pretty depressing place, full of lonely pensioners freezing in front of their telly watching Coronation Street and drinking cheap gin thinking they're having a great time.

If you don't fly then pretty much anywhere in Europe is going to be cold.

But if you had a stiff drink and plucked up the courage to fly you'd find some great deals in Florida for the winter.

benjus

Agreed... Spain can get quite cold in winter and snow is fairly common in some areas. You can still get some very pleasant weather when the sun is shining, but don't assume that it will always be warm. Note that the Valencia region (e.g. including the Costa Blanca) often gets some pretty fierce storms in autumn. Check out the average temperatures and typical seasonal weather of any area you are considering.

Alisha2008

Have you consider Canary Islands...? You need to fly for that, but it's Spain and it's warm (around 20-25 degrees) all year round....

I agree the rest of the country can be very cold in winter, the north is the same as England (with snow, ice..). The south is better but you still need central heating, the main difference I find with the UK is the sun, always present and much warmer even in the winter months.

anotherbaldrick

If you rent a villa make sure it has a large wood burning stove. It can get so cold on the Costa's you would not belive. They often have heavy frosts and the wind off the Pyranees you would not credit.Spanish properties are built to keep the heat out and be cool in Summer, not keep warm in Winter , In Alicante the winter before last they have a heavy snowfall in the coastal region and not having any snow clearing facilites it was mayhem on all the roads till it melted.

richardw

Alisha2008 wrote: »

Have you consider Canary Islands...? You need to fly for that

There is a ferry from Cadiz to the Canary Islands http://www.trasmediterranea.es/index.asp?section=trayectos&lang=UK

Alisha2008

That must take forever!!! Although if you are spending the whole winter there maybe it's not that bad... I only go on holidays so I would never waste 6+ days travelling!!

Tarry

A couple of former colleagues from work went to Spain in January 2011, and they seemed to have a good time, and good weather it seems by it. Doesn't help much but just saying. You are brave to attempt a long sea crossing in winter though!