Autumn has definitely arrived, with the wind picking up and the temperatures dropping. If you fancy getting away for a bit before Christmas without spending a fortune, check out these ideas.
Benidorm
Benidorm temperatures still reach up to 29° in September, and even between December and February can reach 18°. Benidorm definitely has a reputation for being cheap and cheerful and might not be somewhere you would consider for a family holiday, but it looks like there are some beautiful and calmer areas. Tammy Mum’s experience was anything but that of the TV reputation…We have visited Benidorm twice, with two young ones in tow. The first time we stayed in the old town of Villa Del Mar. It is right on the beachfront. You cross the road onto the beach. We stayed in an absolutely huge two-bedroom family suite with a massive bath overlooking the sea. I couldn’t fault it. We visited in February, so it was quiet but warm. I say quiet, there were still a lot of people about, from tourists to locals. The beach was incredibly child-friendly, with lovely soft sand with a few parks dotted along it. In our proximity were also some wonderful old Spanish tapas restaurants and old cobbled streets with quirky shops. Not the Benidorm we all picture.
The second time we visited Benidorm, we were just a bit out of the main towns but still a ten-minute drive away. You could see Benidorm’s skyline from your window. We stayed in both the Melia Villaitana and the Grand Luxor hotel. Both hotels are exquisite 5 star family luxury hotels, with great facilities. You could be staying anywhere in the world. What is more with a stay at the Grand Luxor you get park tickets to Terra Mitica theme included in your price.
Algarve
Not as warm as Benidorm but still milder than the UK. The Algarve is still reaching 23° in September and up to 16° November to February. With the milder weather in the Algarve over the Autumn, Winter is the perfect time to explore the beautiful villages without too many tourists, go on long hikes, get a boat trip around the caves, and watch a sunset on a jeep safari. It’s not going to be sunbathing weather but should be mild enough for a T-shirt during the day and will get chillier in the evening so make sure you take a jacket.
Cyprus
Cyprus temperatures reach up to 24° in September, and over November to Feb still get up to 17°. Again, it may not be warm enough to sunbathe, but like the Algarve, Autumn and Winter is the perfect time to explore with the masses of tourists. Cyprus has incredible archaeological ruins, beautiful mountain villages, and scenery to hike through.
Fuerteventura
You can’t go wrong with any of the Canary Islands for a bit of Winter Sun, with temperatures reaching up to 25° in September and up to 22° between November and February. We went a couple of years ago to Fuerteventura in January and could sunbathe and swim comfortably in the pool and sea. The Oasis Wildlife in Fuerteventura is open all year round, Tuesday to Sunday for some once-in-a-lifetime experiences with wildlife. There are also some lovely hidden gems in Gran Canaria. Most resorts are open too, as the Canaries are very popular for Winter Sun, around 4 hours from the UK. If you fancy a relaxing holiday or an active holiday, the Canaries will have something for you
