THE all-clear for the Canaries came not a moment too soon for those looking for a well-earned dose of winter sun.
Tour operators have seen an explosion in searches for holidays to the Spanish islands following the Government’s announcement last Thursday.
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Icelolly.com recorded a monster 630 per cent boost on Thursday night compared to the previous day.
The Canaries are an enduring holiday favourite.
The volcanic archipelago off the coast of Morocco sees average highs of 26C well into the festive season, so is great all year round for beach breaks.
Here, Jacob Lewis rounds up the best last-minute holiday deals for Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura.
With help from travel agents’ and tour operators’ body Abta, we share tips on enjoying your trip safely.
Plus, as the Maldives also get the nod for quarantine-free travel, we share three deals for those who are really looking to splash out.
Gran Canaria
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FROM its picturesque towns to the Maspalomas Dunes that resemble the Sahara, Gran Canaria boasts varied landscapes and stunning beaches.
While not as busy as Tenerife, it still offers bustling resort towns for holidaymakers who want to be where the action is.
BUDGET: Seven nights’ room-only at the Occidental Margaritas in Playa del Ingles is from £388pp based on two sharing including Birmingham flights on November 10. See loveholidays.com.
BARGAIN: Seven nights’ B&B at the five star Lopesan Baobab Resort is from £539.98pp based on two adults and two children sharing, including flights departing Gatwick on December 8. See thomascook.com.
BLOWOUT: Seven nights’ B&B at the five star Sheraton Radisson Blu Resort and Spa is from £849pp based on two sharing, including private transfers and Gatwick flights departing December 1. See sovereign.com.
Fuerteventura
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THE second-largest of the archipelago’s islands, Fuerteventura is also known as one of the windiest, so a favourite of windsurfers and sailors.
It is more sparsely populated than its neighbours and is the Canaries beach capital thanks to many near-empty stretches of fine white sand.
BUDGET: Seven nights’ self-catering at the three star Maxorata Beach Apartments is from £214pp based on two sharing, including flights departing East Midlands on November 10. See travelrepublic.co.uk.
BARGAIN: Seven nights’ half-board at the four star Occidental Jandia Playa is from £537pp based on two sharing and including flights departing Stansted on November 25. See holidayexclusives.com.
BLOWOUT: Seven night’s all-inclusive at the four star Royal Palm Resort & Spa in Jandia is from £564pp based on two adults sharing and including flights departing Manchester on October 28 and transfers. See tui.co.uk.
Tenerife
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THE largest of the Canary Islands, Tenerife is known for its strikingly beautiful black-sand beaches, formed from eruptions of the giant volcano El Teide, Spain’s highest mountain peak.
From bustling towns to secluded beaches, there is plenty on offer here for families and couples alike.
BUDGET: Seven nights’ self-catering at the four star Coral Los Alisios is from £301pp, including Luton flights departing December 1, 23kg of luggage per person and transfers. See easyjet.com/en/holidays.
BARGAIN: Seven nights’ B&B at the five star Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife is from £525pp, including flights departing Stansted on November 24. See holidayexclusives.com.
BLOWOUT: Seven nights’ B&B at the five star The Ritz-Carlton Abama hotel is from £899pp including private transfers and return flights from Gatwick on November 29. See sovereign.com.
Lanzarote
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KNOWN for Timanfaya National Park, which boasts camel rides and a restaurant complete with volcano barbecue, the island’s craggy inland has an alien beauty while the beaches are some of Spain’s best.
BUDGET: Seven nights’ self-catering at the three star Tabaiba Apartments is from £219pp based on two sharing and including flights from Gatwick on November 9. See travelrepublic.co.uk.
BARGAIN: Seven nights’ B&B at the four star Elba Lanzarote Royal Village is from £424pp based on two sharing and including flights departing Gatwick on October 30. See loveholidays.com.
BLOWOUT: Seven nights’ half-board at the five star Hotel H10 Rubicon Palace in Playa Blanca is from £587pp based on two adults and two children sharing, including flights departing Bournemouth on November 15 and transfers. See tui.co.uk.
Top tips for your trip
WITH the Canary Islands now back in business for holidays, the experts at Abta offer some advice for holidaymakers taking a well-deserved getaway to enjoy some winter sunshine . . .
BOOKING: Buy a package break that is covered by Abta, for the extra protection it brings and the expert advice and support your holiday provider can offer.
Take out comprehensive travel insurance as soon as you have booked, to make sure you are covered for anything that might happen before you travel. Make sure it offers protection against Covid – not all policies do.
Only book travel if you are willing to risk quarantine on your return, because the Government can remove destinations from the air-bridge list at short notice.
BEFORE YOU GO: Sign up to the Government’s email alerts to stay up to date with Foreign Office travel advice for the Canary Islands at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain so that you know if anything changes.
Complete the Spanish Ministry of Health’s form at spth.gob.es 48 hours before you travel.
You will get a QR code to show at your arrival airport, your temperature will be checked and you will get a visual health assessment.
Pack plenty of face coverings, which will need to be worn at the airport, on your flight and on transfers.
Do not forget hand sanitiser and remember to wash hands as frequently and thoroughly as you do at home in these Covid-cautious times.
AT THE AIRPORT: Check the airport’s website for Covid- related measures and any other changes.
Arrive early, as check-in time may be longer, boarding gates may close earlier and socially distanced queues or one-way floor markings could mean it takes longer to get through security and immigration.
ON ARRIVAL: Like the UK, the Canary Islands have measures in place to help prevent the spread of Covid, including social-distancing of 1.5 metres, wearing face coverings on public transport and in many indoor and outdoor public spaces, and restrictions on the number of people at beaches or other public areas.
Shops, businesses and transport companies are collecting customers’ contact information for tracking and tracing purposes.
BEFORE YOU RETURN: Around 48 hours before your return journey, complete the UK’s Public Health Passenger Locator form and have a paper or electronic copy ready for inspection on arrival in the UK.
AT HOME: If you feel unwell when you return, call NHS hotline 111. If you are diagnosed with Covid, please let your travel provider know.
lFor more info see abta.com/restartingtravel.
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