A tour of the Canary Islands

From time to time, we are asked if it is possible to have an island hopping holiday in the Canary Islands, travelling by plane or ferry in between each one. It's a lovely idea and what a wonderful journey that would be. Unfortunately, it's not quite that easy because the islands are not in a close cluster as one might imagine. If travelling from, for example, the airport in El Hierro in the south west of the Canaries to the airport in Lanzarote in the north east, the distance is approximately 430 miles. But at least, every single one of the islands has its own ferry port and airport - in fact, Tenerife has two airports!

So with options of both flights and ferries, it really is worth doing a little exhaustive checking to find not just the right method of transport on the right day but also the right price.
Now it might not be on your mind to travel between the islands. Maybe your aim is to holiday on La Palma, La Isla Bonita, and you want to get there are quickly and easily as possible. I can't say I blame you with the snowy northern European weather at the moment. Oh yes, I've tried it and can fully understand the appeal of enjoying some winter sun in the Canary Islands!

However, if the direct flights to La Palma don't quite suit you then it might be well worth considering travelling via Tenerife - especially as Naviera Armas ferries are offering tickets between Los Cristianos in the south of Tenerife and La Palma for just 16€ each way. Very handy for the south international airport of Reina Sofia and a bit of a cruise thrown in!
Mm, at that price, I could perhaps consider a little island hoping ...

To Tip or not to Tip on Holiday

Whether to tip or not to tip on holiday - that is the question. And it's a question I am asked from time to time, about whether tipping on La Palma is the norm.
Well, let me be frank from the very start, I am not a good tipper. A waiter is unlikely to find a 5€ note from me at the end of a lavish meal - mainly because I try not to involve myself in lavish meals! Sometimes I do of course leave a tip although probably in the past I have been guilty of those times being fairly few and far between. But over recent years, my view has come to change somewhat.
I think it is because living on La Palma I have become aware that many people in the service industry here are a) on low pay if employed or b) are under-charging if self-employed and c) are far too kind and generous of spirit that they will readily go the extra mile to help you or give a good service.
Under those conditions, I am fiercely adamant that not to give a tip can almost amount to an insult.
Of course, each case has to be weighed up on its own merit. If a meal in a restaurant appears to be expensive for what it is and the service has been mediocre, then a tip is probably not going to happen. If however the meal has been good value with good service then for goodness sakes, let's reward that.

Let me give you another example. A taxi driver arrives at the appointed time, more or less, his car is reasonably clean and he drives you to the destination you asked for. To tip or not to tip is entirely up to you. But what about a taxi driver who goes out of his/her way to help with your bags, shows you points of interest along the way and is generally cheery and helpful. I think we can all spare a little monetary 'thank you' in appreciation of the extra trouble and care that person has taken.

We are all individuals and each situation is different but if you have had care and consideration above the average that made you feel special, then yes, please do tip!

Grab some winter sun!

While many people have been out and about hunting for bargains after Christmas and New Year, there have also been a good few people snapping up last minute flights to the Canary Islands - and who can blame them with the tantalising prospect of some winter sunshine!  So this has been great news for those who were able to take advantage of the cheap flights to La Palma and possibly even better news for the holiday resorts such as Los Cancajos, Puerto Naos and Tazacorte with apartments by the sea!  But whichever way you look at it the result has been that accommodation, whether it be rural house or self-catering apartments have been in high demand. The message as always, book early when possible to get the exact accommodation you are looking for!
However, flights to La Palma remain at low, low prices - for January and February at least although as usual, flights for peak holiday times are unfortunately very high :(
But if you are fortunate enough to be able to take your pick as to when you can fly, then there are some stunning deals. For example, London Gatwick to La Palma return for two weeks - £99!! How crazy is that?

Direct flights from the UK to La Palma are not just from Gatwick though but also Manchester added to which there are direct flight from Germany, the Netherlands, Madrid, Belgium and Sweden and so it's well worth searching for those bargain last minute flights.
Just to whet your appetite, here is a selection of flights from Gatwick to La Palma return with Thomsons:
Friday 25 January - 01 February     £109 (one week)
Friday 25 January - 08 February      £99 (two weeks) * Star buy *
Friday 01 - 08 February                 £129  (one week)
Friday 08 - 15 February                 £169  (one week)
Friday 08 - 22 February                 £149 (two weeks)
Friday 15 February to 01 March    £294 (two weeks)
All flights subject to availability and prices correct at time of writing and remember when booking flights to La Palma, the airport code is SPC!
If you are wondering if there is any last minute accommodation to go with the fights, then that is certainly a possibility especially if there has been a cancellation. Just when I thought there was not a single apartment left at the Puerto de Tazacorte during January, there was a sudden cancellation and one lucky couple struck gold with a great apartment overlooking the sea.

Winter sun - January 2013 - Puerto de Tazacorte

So things do change and I happen to know that there are still a few possibilities for self-catering apartments at Tazacorte during February.
Mm, perfect for a Valentine's treat to remember!

Health, Happiness and Holidays!

With the New Year almost upon us, it seems timely to write and wish you all Health, Happiness and Holidays for 2013 and beyond.
So I wonder what 2013 will bring? For some, there is a definite narrowing down of uncertainties with people booking apartments at Tazacorte and rural houses all over La Palma like crazy. And of course the apartments in Puerto Naos get a look in too!
I can only blame the cheap January flights currently being offered by Thomsons - I mean really, around £100 for a direct return flight to the La Palma. I'd snap it up myself if I wasn't already here! And of course a taste of that tantalizing winter sunshine that the Canaries is famous for.
So my one piece of advice for anyone who is wishing to take advantage of the cheap flights is get your accommodation booked as soon as possible.
Happy holidays and wising you all a ¡Feliz año nuevo!
Ann.
www.holiday-lapalma.com

Hiking with Travel Insurance

From cut-price flights to last-minute accommodation deals, most of us are keen to keep costs as low as is realistically possible. So if we can avoid not having to pay for what might be seen as 'optional extras' such as travel insurance, then it might be tempting to forgo this extra expense. However, travelling with fingers crossed can be just about as uncomfortable as it sounds!
So just what are we talking about here? Delayed flights, lost luggage or the possibility of a medical problem while on holiday in a foreign country. Yes, of course it's sensible to make sure you have insurance cover for all of these possibilities so that if nothing else, you have peace of mind.
However, there is another cover which you might not have considered - that of insurance cover for walking, hiking or trekking, particularly when it is in a remote location or at a substantial height above sea level.

The good news is that you can get special insurance cover for walking/hiking/trekking at heights above 2000m for as little as £17. Not too much to pay for that peace of mind!

You can get a quote directly from our Holiday Shop under 'Travel Insurance.' 

Early birds booking accommodation for Christmas and New Year

The early bird catches the worm so they say - and that is certainly true when it comes to booking accommodation for Christmas and New Year holidays on La Palma.After all, the Canary Islands are well-known as being the top spot in Europe for winter sun. 
So it is of course good sense to make those important reservations early but it's not always that easy. And with what the Spanish call 'La Crisis' it is hardly any wonder that booking accommodation months ahead is not always the first thing on people's mind.
However, I have been pleasantly surprised in one way that so many people have been booking up their Christmas and New Holidays while we are still in October. I say 'in one way' because the down side is that the popular holiday houses on La Palma and the apartments for rent at Tazacorte and Puerto Naos are getting very booked up and there are going to be some disappointed people.
So the moral in the story is as ever, if you have your eye on a particular worm, best get in there good and early before all the other birds!

Where to go on holiday?

I'd love to know what makes us decide where to go on holiday. Maybe it's a holiday destination that was on the television or perhaps a case of hearing from friends where they went on holiday and thinking, 'That sounds like my kind of place!'
These days, by the time I speak to people who are considering their next holiday, they have generally already decided where to go - La Palma! Which of course I'm thrilled about.

The next decision then is where to locate yourself on the island. This may not be quite as straight forward as east, west, north or south as La Palma is a pretty (pun intended) mountainous island and the altitude of accommodation plays an important part.Yep, it's time to get out your map on La Palma - and also seek some insider advice!

We often get asked, 'Where is the best place to stay?' It is a questions that is often asked on Trip Advisor too. First of all, it's important to identify what you are looking for in a holiday. Would you prefer a cottage in a village location where you can walk to the shops? Or perhaps your holiday to La Palma is all about catching some winter sun (or summer sun!) and you want an apartment close to the beach. Oh, and close to restaurants too.

Maybe you are looking for a villa with swimming pool so that you can relax with a degree of privacy? Somewhere quiet ... or not far from the airport. Or rural accommodation with walking routes straight from the door yet near a bus route?

There may be a small compromise involved but it's certainly worth identifying what you will and won't give way on! After all, it's your holiday and that's important.
We are always very happy to help with any questions on La Palma and you are more than welcome to contact us.
Happy planning!