The Canary Islands

70 nights of winter warmth, exploration & relaxation

Located 100km off the West African coast the Canaries are already known by many for their warm winter climate but are usually overlooked for their culture and heritage interests; on this tour you can enjoy both.

Along with all the major sights and plenty of time for relaxation you will be escorted to places seldom reached by others whilst enjoying the very best European winter weather. With an eternal spring expect blue skies and daytime temperatures of low 20’s, evenings of 15, considerably warmer than Southern Spain.

Whilst being Spanish the Islands retain a strong individual identity with many islanders considering themselves Canarian and only secondly Spanish. Maintaining a duty free status, the islands are exceptionally good value for shopping & eating out, and with fuel well below European prices you won’t be spending much on Diesel.

Get away from the after Christmas cold, take yourself and your motorhome away for 70 nights of warmth and exploration.

A mix of campsites, camper stops and private parking is used throughout the tour requiring the use of your motorhomes facilities on occasions. The trip will take you to some wonderful places requiring a confident driving approach at times and will be best enjoyed by those with a sense for adventure.

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‘We were taken to places the package tourist would never see, an experience not to be missed. As promised the winter sun and temperatures didn’t disappoint’ – Claire and Derek Garston – Canary Islands – Jan/April 2018 

‘Well researched tour to Islands you wouldn’t tour on your own. Don’t just dream of the adventure, Do it, Book it.’ – Bob & Gwen Flann – Canary Islands – Jan/April 2018

‘Adventurous driving through beautiful scenery on a varied and well planned itinerary; all you could wish for to see the real Canary Islands. Kevin and Nurcan’s extensive knowledge gave us the best of everything, many thanks.’ – Sue & Alan Smith – Canary Islands – Jan/April 2018

Day One – Monday 28th January
We meet at a good quality campsite on Spain’s south coast near the port of Cadiz. The site is ideally located close to the beach, supermarket and town centre and this afternoon the Tour Directors will host a welcome drinks reception, giving you an opportunity to meet your fellow travellers.

Day Two – Tuesday 29th January
This afternoon we board our ferry to the Canary Islands, the port is just 15 miles from our campsite. On board we’ve included en-suite cabins and throughout the voyage breakfast, lunch and dinner menus; it’s only drinks you’ll pay for. WIFI is also included for you. 15 miles

Day Three – Wednesday 30th January
Today is at sea.

Day Four – Thursday 31st January
This afternoon we arrive in Tenerife and drive to our campsite in the very south of the island. Our site boasts good facilities including swimming pool, tennis court, shop & bar and benefits from the good weather that attracts so many people to this part of the island. 50 miles

Day Five – Friday 1st February
A free day. This evening we have a ‘Welcome to Canaries’ group dinner in a traditional restaurant with local food and wine.

Day Six – Saturday 2nd February
Free day to relax.

Day Seven – Sunday 3rd February
Today we have an excursion to Masca and Garachico. Masca clings to the hillside offering spectacular views over the Teno National Park and its terraced coffee bars are perfect for that mid morning break. In Garachico we take a group lunch overlooking the sea before exploring this fascinating town covered by lava following the nearby 1706 volcanic eruption.

Day Eight – Monday 4th February
A free day. Las Galletas is the nearest resort to our camping and can be reached by foot or short taxi ride. Here, as well as the beach, you will find pleasant pedestrian streets and sea front promenades with restaurants & coffee bars plentiful.

Day Nine – Tuesday 5th February
Transport is arranged for a day in Los Cristianos & Playa de Las Americas; with full tourist facilities including dolphin and whale watching cruises available (optional and payable locally) you will not be stuck for things to do.

Day Ten – Wednesday 6th February
A lesson in bananas today. Widely grown throughout the Canaries this afternoon we take a walk to a nearby plantation to learn how this fruit is grown and harvested.

Day Eleven – Thursday 7th February
A free day, maybe make use of the campsite pool.

Day Twelve – Friday 8th February
Today we visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Park National del Teide. At 3,718 m (over 12,000 feet) Mount Teide is not only the highest peak in the Canary Archipelago but in the whole of Spain. Today you’ll need warm clothes, at this height expect temperature just like at home. Light lunch included.

Day Thirteen – Saturday 9th February
A free day and an opportunity to pack up ready to move on tomorrow for the next stage of our adventure; 12 days on the smaller islands of La Palma and La Gomera

Day Fourteen – Sunday 10th February
We take the ferry from Tenerife to La Palma (3 hours). La Palma is affectionately known as “Isla Bonita” (The Pretty Island) and you will see why. Arriving in La Palma our drive is just 25 miles to our mountain recreational camp in the north of the island, but allow a couple of hours, you’ll be sure to stop at some of the many view points along the way. Our camp has a traditional mountain restaurant attached. ideal for a meal tonight.

Day Fifteen – Monday 11th February
A free day. You may join the tour directors on a 3 hrs walk through the wonderful rain forest of the Los Tiles biosphere reserve. At the end of the walk is a reserves visitors centre where it is possible to learn about this moist & cool wonderland

Day Sixteen – Tuesday 12th February
A drive of just 40 miles today but expect it to take the majority of the day. The scenery is simply stunning, passing almond trees in full blossom and avocado, orange & lemon trees all laden with fruit. Our stop tonight is at Bodegas Noroeste (wine cellar) where we have a Wine & Tapas evening. We spend the night parked around the Bodegas Heli pad, this being one of the few flat spots to be found in this part of the island

Day Seventeen – Wednesday 13th February
In just 15 miles we leave the mountainous north of the island for the more coastal south and the picturesque port of Tazacorte. Our parking for the next three nights is in the marina

Day Eighteen & Nineteen – Thursday 14th & Friday 15th February
Free days to wander in this picturesque village and relax on its beach

Day Twenty – Saturday 16th February
Another short drive today to the village of Puerto Naos. Our stop for the next four nights is a private coastal camping area set up by caravanning enthusiastic islanders for like minded people. 10 miles

Day Twenty-One – Sunday 17th, Day Twenty-Two – Monday 18th & Day Twenty-Three – Tuesday 19th February
Free days. Puerto Naos, the largest tourist resort on the island is 2km from the camp and offers full facilities of shops, restaurants and a large beach. There are good walks all along the coast from our camp

Day Twenty-Four – Wednesday 20th February
Today we travel to the most southerly point of the island and park under the lighthouse. Here is home to traditional salt pans where salt is still extracted from the sea by hand. In the evening we have a group dinner in the salt farms own restaurant overlooking the Atlantic. 30 miles

Day Twenty-Five – Thursday 21st February
In the morning take time to visit the marine museum of the lighthouse and from our parking area there are walks across volcanic lava fields that dominate this area. Later in the day we make our way to Santa Cruz de La Palma in preparation for our early ferry tomorrow morning. Once in Santa Cruz you may take the opportunity to visit this interesting island capital. Overnight is spent in the ferry port. 25 miles

Day Twenty-Six – Friday 22nd February
Our ferry this morning takes us from La Palma to the smaller island of La Gomera, a two hour crossing. We arrive at the island capital San Sebastain from where Christopher Columbus set sail in 1492 to discover America. From here starts La Gomera’s 55 miles circular road passing through the islands World Heritage Rain Forest and containing stunning Miradors (view points) around every corner. We have all day on the island to make the journey before taking the evening ferry to Tenerife, one hour. Arrive in Tenerife we have an easy drive to our campsite. 10 miles

Day Twenty-Seven – Saturday 23rd, Day Twenty-Eight – Sunday 24th & Day Twenty-Nine – Monday 25th February
Some free days to do the chores before we begin our tour around Tenerife’s West and North coast.

Day Thirty – Tuesday 26th February
Our drive today takes us along the west coast to Puerto de la Cruz. Receiving guests since Victorian times, Puerto is the elder statesman of Tenerife and retains a superior charm. Our camping is a dedicated motorhome parking area right in the heart of the resort, anything it lacks in facilities it makes up for with location 55 miles

Day Thirty-One – Wednesday 27th & Day Thirty-Two – Thursday 28th February
Free days to enjoy the many attractions in Puerto; shops, restaurants, promenades and good beaches are all next to our camping.

Day Thirty-Three – Friday 1st March
We leave tourism behind today as we move to the very north of Tenerife. Geographically this is the oldest part of the island and the land where the mountains meet the sea. Our campsite is on the coast 25 miles

Day Thirty-Four – Saturday 2nd, Day Thirty-Five – Sunday 3rd & Day Thirty-Six – Monday 4th March
Free days to relax with the locals; it’s unlikely you will hear anything other than Spanish around here. You may take a swim in one of the many lido pools dotted close to our camping or had enough relaxing then the university city of La Laguna and the islands capital Santa Cruz are both in easy reach by local bus. For those who like to walk, you may join the tour directors on one of the very best walks in the Canaries, 10klms which really will take you from the mountains to he sea.

Day Thirty-Seven – Tuesday 5th March
Today is the largest fiesta in the Canarian calendar, it’s Carnival Day. Lasting around four hours, only Rio de Janeiro does it bigger. This morning we return to Peurto de la Cruz ready for an evening of celebration at the carnival 25 miles

Day Thirty-Eight – Wednesday 6th March
A free day

Day Thirty-Nine – Thursday 7th March
This morning we take the local bus (payable locally) to La Orotava, the colonial town of the island. A truly Canarian place, there is time to explore the historic centre before enjoying a group lunch in an original mansion house

Day Forty – Friday 8th & Day Forty-One – Saturday 9th March
Free days. Puerto’s botanic garden established in 1788 and containing thousands of plants from all over the world is worth a visit.

Day Forty-Two – Sunday 10th March
We take the ferry (2 hours) to Gran Canaria. Upon arrival be ready for the most dramatic drive on all the islands, 25 miles of simply stunning coastal scenery. 55 miles

Day Forty-Three – Monday 11th & Day Forty-Four – Tuesday 12th March
Free days. Within 10 minutes walk of our camp is the lovely harbour hamlet of Playa de La Aldea with a handful of traditional restaurants overlooking the sea and its cove beach.

Day Forty-Five – Wednesday 13th March
We continue our journey today with another very scenic drive to our next campsite. En route take time to visit Cactualdea containing 1,200 different species of cactus. This evening we have a group dinner in the campsite restaurant 45 miles

Day Forty-Six – Thursday 14th March
A free day. Set in the base of a valley our campsite has wonderful mountain views and tranquillity in abundance, it also boasts full facilities including on-site swimming pool & restaurant.

Day Forty-Seven – Friday 15th March
We take a group trip, starting with a wander in Arguineguin, then board our boat to Puerto de Mogan the ‘Venice of the Canaries’. Here there will be time for you to dine in a restaurant of your choosing, with them all overlooking the port or beach expect to be spoilt for choice.

Day Forty-Eight – Saturday 16th March
Free day. As well as relaxing at the campsite you may choose to wander into the local village with its one stop shop & bar.

Day Forty-Nine – Sunday 17th March
Today we visit the Maspalomas Dunes National park, more Sahara than Canarian they are a fabulous natural sight. You will have all day to spend on the dunes and around the Maspalomas resort.

Day Fifty – Monday 18th March
A Free day

Day Fifty-One – Tuesday 19th March
Transport is arranged to Arguineguin where it is market day today.

Day Fifty-Two – Wednesday 20th March
A free day. There are a number of walks available directly from the campsite

Day Fifty-Three – Thursday 21st March
A group excursion today to the interior of Gran Canaria, including the islands highest village with views all the way back to Tenerife. We have a group lunch in a traditional village restaurant.

Day Fifty-Four – Friday 22nd, & Day Fifty-Five – Saturday 23rd March
Free days, a chance to spend time at the campsite and an opportunity to mix with the locals who make good use of the site over the weekend

Day Fifty-Six – Sunday 24th, Day Fifty-Seven – Monday 25th & Day Fifty-Eight – Tuesday 26th March
We move to spend time in the National Park on a camping area with great views, run by the park rangers. 35 miles

Day Fifty-Nine – Wednesday 27th March
We travel today to a coastal campsite on the east of the island; ideally located for exploring this coast line and into the north. Our campsite has its own restaurant with views out to sea. 30 miles

Day Sixty – Thursday 28th March
A free day

Day Sixty-One – Friday 29th March
Today we visit Las Palmas, Gran Canaria’s capital. With its mix of architecture and cultures you may well feel like you’ve left Europe for the day.

Day Sixty-Two – Saturday 30th & Day Sixty-Three – Sunday 31st March
Free days. There are good walks available from our campsite and the sea is close by.

Day Sixty-Four – Monday 1st April
A group trip to Arucas including a visit to its rum distillery, where of course we have tastings arranged. Later in the day we visit Jardin Canario, Spain’s largest Botanic Garden.

Day Sixty-Five – Tuesday 2nd April
An excursion to Aguimes and Barranco de Guayadeque. In Aguimes we take a stroll and time for a coffee in the square, before arriving in Barranco de Guayadeque for its cave houses and restaurant where we take a leisurely dinner with wine.

Day Sixty-Six – Wednesday 3rd April
A free day and an opportunity to enjoy the Canarian weather.

Day Sixty-Seven – Thursday 4th April
A day trip to Galdar and Puerto de las Neives. In Galdar we include a tour of the highly acclaimed excavation site of the original (pre Spanish occupation) Canarian inhabitants.

Day Sixty-Eight – Friday 5th April
A free day with our Farewell Dinner in the evening at the campsites own restaurant, a relaxed place to finish our tour whilst enjoying fine views out to sea.

Day Sixty-Nine – Saturday 6th April
This morning we make our way to Las Palmas port ready for our return ferry to Cadiz, southern Spain. 20 miles

Day Seventy – Sunday 7th April
At sea.

Day Seventy-One – Monday 8th April
We arrive in Cadiz at midday where our tour ends. You may take the optional return to Calais package travelling with the Tour Directors or make your way independently from here.

TOUR PRICE

6m Motorhome with 2 people – £ per person
6m Motorhome with 1 person – £
Supplement for motorhomes above 6m – £ per metre or part metre

1^st Deposit £
2^nd Deposit of £ to secure ferry places payable 31/07/2018
Balance 8 weeks before start of tour

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

• Cadiz to Canaries return ferry with inside en-suite cabin and ships full board menu
• All inter island ferries throughout the itinerary
• 49 campsite nights with hook-up
• 14 camper stop nights without hook-up
• 3 overnight private parking stops without hook-up
• 4 nights on ferry
• All transfers required for excursions unless stated otherwise
• Entrance fees on excursions unless otherwise specified
• Services of two experienced Tour Directors in their own motorhome
• Tour Information Pack including GPS co-ordinates
• Michelin Islands Map
• DK Guidebook
• EXCURSIONS & EVENTS INCLUDED
  • Excursion to Masca and Garachico villages
  • Transport for day visit to Los Cristianos and Playa Las Americas
  • Visit to banana plantation
  • Excursion of Mount Tiede National Park
  • Tenerife Carnival
  • Visit to Salt Pans La Palma
  • Arguineguin & Puerto de Mogan including boat trip
  • Transport to Arguineguin market
  • Maspalamos Dunes
  • Excursion of Gran Canaria’s interior
  • Las Palmas city excursion
  • Excursion to Arguimes and Barranco de Guayadeque
  • Arugas rum distillery and Gran Canaria Botanic Gardens excursion
  • Excursion to Galdar and Puerto de las Neives
  • MEALS INCLUDED
  • 1 Drinks Reception
  • Full board ships menu on Spain to Canaries ferry both ways
  • 1 Wine & Tapas evening
  • 1 Light Lunch
  • 3 Lunches
  • 5 Dinners with wine

The start and finish points for this tour are southern Spain. For those who would like to travel with the Tour Directors from the UK an optional package covering this is available. Likewise, those wishing to return to the UK with the Tour Directors may do so with the return home package.

Optional package for travel with Tour Directors from the UK
21st to 28th January

Join with the Tour Directors from the UK on a route to Cadiz in southern Spain designed to make your journey south part of the tour. We visit on the way three of Spain’s classic cities; Burgos in the north, Salamanca and its universities in the centre and Seville for some oranges in the south. Driving times throughout have been kept to daylight hours and the route offers a choice of taking toll motorways or national toll free roads through France and Spain with all campsites conveniently located close to both.

7 Nights

Day One – Monday 21st January
We take a morning ferry from Dover to Calais followed by a drive to our first overnight campsite near Rouen in France. 170 miles

Day Two – Tuesday 22nd January
Today we continue south through France to our overnight campsite near Poitiers. 230 miles

Day Three – Wednesday 24th January
Our drive today takes us to St. Jean de Luz in the south of France, just a few miles from the Spanish border. 295 miles

Day Four – Thursday 25th January
Today we enter Spain and travel to the world heritage city of Burgos. Our journey is not too far and scenic as we skirt the Pyrenees, and should see us arrive in Burgos by lunchtime. Our campsite is a pleasant 45 minute riverside walk from the historical centre, alternatively buses leave from the campsite to the centre. 150 miles

Day Five – Friday 26th January
Another reasonably short drive today to the classic university city of Salamanca. From our campsite buses run direct to the city centre. This evening we have a group dinner in the campsites hotel restaurant. 160 miles

Day Six – Saturday 27th January
A longer drive today to bring us to the southern city of Seville. We park overnight in a city centre Camper Stop perfectly located for seeing the cities beautiful Moorish architecture and try not to leave without taking with you some Seville oranges. 290 miles

Day Seven – Sunday 27th January
We arrive on the Spanish south coast today with a short drive. Our campsite (we stay 2 nights) is ideally located close to the beach, supermarket and town centre. It boasts full facilities for catching up on any chores. 75 miles

Day Eight – Monday 28th January
A free day, this is day 1 of the main itinerary.

OPTIONAL PRICE – OUT

Motorhome with 2 people – £ per person
Motorhome with 1 person – £
Payable 8 weeks before start of Canaries tour

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

• Dover/Calais flexible return ferry ticket with club class lounge included
• 6 campsite nights with hook-up
• 1 camper stop night with hook-up
• 1 Dinner with wine
• Services of two experienced Tour Directors in their own motorhome
• Tour Information Pack with GPS co-ordinates

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Optional package for travel with Tour Directors back to Calais
8th to 18th April

An opportunity to travel with the Tour Directors as they make their way back to Calais whilst enjoying some en-route time in Southern Spain’s picturesque Andalucía region and its capital Madrid.

10 Nights

Day One – Monday 8th April
After disembarking our ferry, we drive 100 miles to Ronda, one of the best Pueblo Blanco (White Villages) in Andalucía.

Day Two – Tuesday 9th April
A free day. Our campsite is within walking distance of Ronda where you are sure to want to spend the day.

Day Three – Wednesday 10th April
We drive 130 miles to Granada, if you only ever see one Spanish city make it Granada.

Day Four – Thursday 11th April
A free day. Granada centre is 45 minutes walk from our campsite or buses run from outside the campsite entrance. Do not miss visiting the Alhambra Palace today.

Day Five – Friday 12th April
270 miles today to Spain’s capital Madrid.

Day Six – Saturday 13th April
An opportunity to visit the city including the Prado museum. Public transport runs from nearby our campsite to the city.

Day Seven – Sunday 14th April
We leave Spain today to arrive at Biarritz in Southern France. 295 miles

Day Eight – Monday 15th April
A free day, Biarritz centre is 45 minutes walk from our campsite or you can take the bus directly to the city from our campsite entrance.

Day Nine – Tuesday 16th April
Continuing north through France brings us to Poitiers. 230 miles

Day Ten – Wednesday 17th April
We continue north today which puts us just 120 miles from Calais. 280 miles

Day Eleven – Thursday 18th April
A couple of hours drive brings us to Calais for a midday crossing back to the UK. This is where our tour ends. If you chose the optional outward journey with the Tour Directors from the UK your return crossing is included in this, if not you will use your own ferry arrangements. 120 miles

OPTIONAL PRICE – RETURN

Motorhome with 2 people – £ per person
Motorhome with 1 person – £
Payable 8 weeks before start of Canaries tour

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

• 10 campsite nights with hook-up
• Services of two experienced Tour Directors in their own motorhome
• Tour Information Pack with GPS co-ordinate