Christmas in Spain help please

jules372

Hi,
I want to take my mum and brother with us on holiday for xmas as a surprise. I am on a limited budget, so it would have to be either mainland Spain, (Costa Del Sol or Costa Dorada) or have also thought of Majorca. I have priced this up and can fly out of Manchester or Liverpool for 6 nts HB at 4* hotels for approx £200-£225 per person. (eg. Rui Belplaya, Torremolinos)
I guess my questions are, where am I likely to get the best weather( I know it's unlikely to reach more than 65degrees at this time of year) and where is there going to be more to do/busiest resorts?
Any help/advice will be greatly appreciated, or even if you can recommend anywhere else I can go on my very limited budget! Must be mimimum Half Board, don't want Self catering or B&B.
thanks in advance
Jules

ps...there are 3 adults and 1 child (11yrs)who will be going and have done my research using Easyjet flights and hotels through Alpha, find-rooms and bedbookers

alared

Undoubtably the best weather will be in the Costa del Sol.
I usually go just before Christmas to Benalmadena to a hotel called the Siroco
https://www.besthotels.es
I am familiar with the hotel you mention and it would also be an excellent choice for that price.
To be honest if you are actually there over the Christmas period it seems on the cheap side to me.
Rui have an excellent reputation.

ps Have a look at this site to see what they have got,they are booking agents for Medhotels but cheaper.

https://www.broadwaytravel.com

jules372

thanks alared. Yes the dates I priced was 20-26 dec. Glad to hear the Rui Belplaya is a good choice. Can you give me an idea of temperature I can expect?
Jules

alared

You can safely take your t-shirts and shorts but obviously some jumpers for first thing and the evening.
65 would be a good average,the weather seems to turn in that area after the end of December until the beginning of March.

jules372

alared wrote:

You can safely take your t-shirts and shorts but obviously some jumpers for first thing and the evening.
65 would be a good average,the weather seems to turn in that area after the end of December until the beginning of March.

Thanks alared....sounds good to me!
Jules

alared

Out of curiosity check the Belplayer with Broadway.
For two adults from 20/27 Dec 7nights HB it was coming up with £379 approx.
I know you only want six nights but it`s worth checking the price for your party and dates.

jules372

Hi,
thanks for that, it is slightly more expensive, and also the air goes up more, think it's actually about £125 more total for the extra night, so I think i'll just stick to 6 nts!
thanks anyway for all your help/advice
Jules

dazco

Hi
I lived on the Costa del Sol for many years. If you do go during this period it is NOT t shirt weather. But it is the best weather in mainland europe during this period. The Balearic islands are absolutely dead during winter but may perk up later because the spanish celebrate crimbo at a different time to us. If you really need the weather then the Canaries is your choice. If you want lovely blue sky but chilly in the shade then costa del sol is for you. Everywhere else is shut. Please bear in mind that for many years Costa del sol was called Costa del viento, the windy coast. The tourist agency changed it.

alared

When you`re going from freezing,zero degrees UK to sunny 60 degrees Spain I think you can put your shorts on.

I would be interested to know when the Spanish celebrate Navidad if it`s not at Christmas!

jules372

dazco wrote:

Hi
I lived on the Costa del Sol for many years. If you do go during this period it is NOT t shirt weather. But it is the best weather in mainland europe during this period. The Balearic islands are absolutely dead during winter but may perk up later because the spanish celebrate crimbo at a different time to us. If you really need the weather then the Canaries is your choice. If you want lovely blue sky but chilly in the shade then costa del sol is for you. Everywhere else is shut. Please bear in mind that for many years Costa del sol was called Costa del viento, the windy coast. The tourist agency changed it.

Thanks for the info dazco. I think Costa Del Sol is really my best option on my limited budget. Unfortunately, the airfare to the Canaries alone for the 4 of us is over £800 so that's all my budget!
thanks again
Jules

researcher

Mallorca can be pleasant around Xmas, but can also be very cold, and I wouldn't go there for the weather. I agree that your best choice is southern Spain, but have you considered the coast around Almeria, which has the most number of sunny days annually. Costa del sol is one of the few places not experiencing a drought this summer - it does get it's fair share of rain in the winter too!


The Spanish do celebrate Xmas, but not like us. Christmas Eve is for a family meal. They really celebrate New Years Eve and give their presents on 6th Jan. It is not so commercialised as here and gifts are for children and close family. Xmas is more about having time to spend with family and friends, long leisurely meals and relaxing. It is not about spending loads of money and getting legless!

Hotels nearly always charge compulary supplements for a Gala Dinner on any of the main days (24th or 25th and 31st) these can be VERY high so check before you book or you'll be in for an unpleasant surprise.