The European continent doesn’t have a ‘Florida’….but….

November 24, 2014 by Angelika Schwarz 10 Comments

Although Germany can be truly beautiful in winter,  for many seniors in Europe — the number one question is: where can we spend our winter? Where can we flee the gray skies and wet cold that creeps under the skin and into our bones, making us walk like stiff zombies?…And where can we go, to avoid looking at  our sad  RV.

I used to think Italy might be the answer. Italy’s climate varies according to the location, but the warmest part is still cold, (28 ° F), and usually rainy in winter.  What about Spain?   Once we stayed from February to April in Andalusian. Although the temperatures were around 50-60 degrees, the wind was freezing, and there was hardly a day where it didn’t drizzle.  Mallorca…the same thing…Greece and its islands… are not only cold in winter, but everything is closed. It’s amazing, entire beautiful sparkly islands get shut down, and  evolve into ghost towns.

There is one place in Europe, though, which basks under a warm sun, offers beautiful landscapes, and other than paying the normal flight costs, the islands have fair prices.  Because of their tropical location, just off the coast of Africa − the volcanic Canary Islands enjoy permanent spring-like conditions.  The weather is dry, (often windy), with year-round high temperatures near 72°F (22°C), and 100% sunshiny days are commonplace.

Of course we can’t fly over with our caravan, ( I wish), so this is one travel report that has nothing to do with camping. But since the Canary Islands belong to Spain, thus Europe, I hope to warm you up with some of our own personal experiences.

Each Island has its own character and beauty spots, but our personal favorite is Tenerife. To my surprise, I thought the Canary Islands were named after all the Canaries chirping away in their cages, hanging outside of the  white adobe house entrances . But no; the Canary Islands were named after the large dogs (Canes), which were once found living on the islands.

We were so lucky to have been able to stay in a beautiful hotel, on the island, at an incredible – off season price. If you want to get a great deal, don’t book! Just fly over, and go hotel hunting. That’s what we did, and found a gorgeous studio apartment, that normally goes for 200 Euros a night, for 40 Euros a night! No kidding! But please, I can’t guarantee this. Maybe we were just lucky − still, we are planning to risk that again.

Now kick off your shoes, lean back and enjoy some glimpses,  (3 minute video) through our eyes, of beautiful Tenerife and the other Canarian  Islands.