To say that the winter in Europe can be grim and even downright miserable at times, is certainly no exaggeration. With the cold, grey and short days, it can seem as if the sun barely shines at times which is actually not far from the truth. In fact, in Russia, its capital city of Moscow only saw 6 minutes of sunlight through the whole of December 2017! Granted this was the worst since records began, but even in an average December, there is only around 18 hours sunlight.
Following the Christmas and New Year period, the winter months can seem particularly depressing. At least in December, there are presents, lots of delicious food and time off with family to look forward to and enjoy. There is definitely the temptation to hibernate during the dull months of January, February and even March. Instead of this, to give you that much needed energy and mood boost, a winter getaway offers a fantastic solution!
The Canary Islands are the Perfect Winter Holiday Destination
There are few more effective options to help you to feel significantly happier than by taking a holiday to escape the winter blues. One issue for Europeans in need of a break from miserable weather conditions though, is that much of Europe will not be the answer for you. For those that enjoy snowy landscapes and winter sports such as skiing or snowboarding you are spoilt for choice, but if you are seeking somewhere with warm sunny weather, your options are far more limited.
While travelling outside of Europe is of course an option that many choose, this can be both costly and time consuming. Thankfully, there is a perfect alternative that will neither end up breaking your budget or require distant travel: the gorgeous sunny Spanish archipelago of the Canary Islands.
One of the defining features of this paradise like chain of islands, is the amazing year round weather conditions. It is so good that the climate has often been described as ‘The Best Climate in the World’ which is definitely not an exaggeration! Life on the islands feels like an eternal spring as the average yearly temperature is at an extremely pleasant 22ºC.
On practically any day of the year you can stroll around comfortably in shorts or t-shirt; no wonder the local inhabitants have such a relaxed and happy disposition. In the summer it rarely gets too hot and most crucially for a European destination, temperatures remain unseasonably warm during the winter months.
So Much More Than Sun, Sand and Sea
For those of you that think you already know the Canary Islands with the typical picture in your mind of sun, sand and sea and not a lot else, then it’s definitely time for you to reconsider. This is a destination with so much more to offer than many people expect, even if you have already been before.
Despite being one of the most popular destinations in Europe, with millions of visitors every year, this spectacular archipelago is also highly underrated. Forget the stereotypes about these islands and the outdated labels, a trip to the Canary Islands is a must, especially during the winter months.
It is truly a shame when people write the Canary Islands off in their minds as offering nothing special, or not at least trying some of the amazing activities and excursions available even if they do decide on having a holiday there. Of course, if you are in need of some much needed rest and relaxation, then some time at the beach or by the pool are no doubt a great option, but I definitely recommend combining this with some of the superb experiences you can have in the Canary Islands.
Incredible Outdoor Experiences Even in Winter
All of the eight main islands (Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Gomera, La Palma, El Hierro and La Graciosa) have unique features and incredible places to discover and explore. What they all have in common though is their wonderful year-round warm, sunny climate. This means that it is possible to enjoy an outdoor lifestyle including a multitude of different amazing activities and excursions at any time of the year, including during the winter months of December, January and February.
Rather than having to wrap up with several layers and hat, scarf and gloves every time you decide to leave the house like in the majority of mainland Europe, throughout the Canary Islands, you can decide to explore in complete comfort with shorts and t-shirt, especially around the coastal areas. At the height of winter you can even find people sunbathing on the beach and swimming in the beautiful ocean, while other parts of Europe are shivering from the cold.
As mentioned earlier though, relaxing at the beach is just one of the many different outdoor activities you can enjoy in the Canary Islands. There are different excursions and experiences to suit almost every different budget and interest including:
Amazing hiking or trekking adventures around the stunning volcanic landscapes.
Adrenaline fuelled activities like paragliding high above up in the sky.
Incredible trips out onto the ocean to see whales and dolphins in the wild.
Being able to swim in the beautiful ocean and natural pools.
Other amazing ocean based activities such as sea-kayaking.
Exploring fascinating historical urban areas.
Enjoy delicious food and drink from around the world, including traditional Canarian cuisine in the outdoors.
As you can tell the Canary Islands are an absolutely awesome destination to travel to if you are in need of an escape from the winter blues. Well, let's just say they offer a totally different take on the winter blues!
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