What destination?
You might as well admit it, you'll have to leave the European continent to hope for a warmer temperature. In December or January, neither Turkey nor Greece will offer you mild temperatures.
Going down to the hemisphere becomes the right thing to do, but where to go? If most African destinations require a passport, in the Canary Islands, a simple French identity card will suffice to cross the border... because you are in Spain, a European country! In these times of pandemic, note also that the European Health Pass is valid in the Canary Islands.
Located a few kilometers from the Western Sahara, the Canary Islands have a temperature in December and January between 20 and 25°, generally accompanied by a generous sun (very little rain).
Which island to choose in the Canary Islands? If you prefer to go out and party, Tenerife will offer you many night activities. Famous for its black sandy beaches, Tenerife is an ideal destination for young couples in search of festive evenings. If you prefer beautiful white sandy beaches and turquoise waters, from Corralejo to Playa Grande to La Concha, Fuerteventura could be the paradise you're looking for.
Flight time?
Count on 4 hours and 5 minutes, that's the flight time needed from Paris Roissy Charles de Gaulle
How to get there?
You can choose a travel agency, or book your plane or your hotel directly on the Internet.
Let's go straight to the point, we advise you to book directly. Because here, the travel agency had simply forgotten... to book the hotel (although prepaid). Once we arrived at 2 am, it took several hours to find a place to stay... In other words, the beginning of the nightmare.
Reservations via agencies are often more expensive, and can therefore be misregistered with the suppliers. Moreover, in case of concern, you will have the airline or the hotel if you book directly, the exchanges via intermediaries make you dependent on your commercial contact. And to have experienced it 1 week, you may never reach him, and you have time to sleep outside.
In short, if you are comfortable with the Internet, prefer to order directly.
Volotea, Easyjet and Transavia offer direct flights to Fuerteventura, while Booking or Hotels.com offer rooms at good prices.
Test of the hotel Iberostar Fuerteventura Playa Gaviotas
The hotel presents itself as follows in order to secure the health aspect: "Enjoy the sun and sea this winter with all our guarantees of hygiene and safety",
Rated 9/10 on Booking and nearly 4.5/5 on Tripadvisor, what about once you are there?
In order to offer you an adapted point of view, we will present the opinions according to the profiles participating in the test: children, 18-25, adult couple, seniors.
Located on a hill in the south of the island, the hotel has several swimming pools, one of which is heated all year round.
Children love it, they will gladly swim there every day. A children's club offers activities almost every day, such as treasure hunts, sand castle competitions, or adventure courses.
Internet access is available for a fee, and limited to 5 machines. Professionals will be able to work with the office available in the rooms, almost all of which have a breathtaking view of the sea.
Accessibility is real and well thought out: the elevator runs through the leisure complex, and ramps allow you to change spaces almost everywhere (bars, restaurant, reception...). An advantage for seniors or those who have to travel in a wheelchair.
The "all inclusive" formula allows you to have lunch or dinner in different places, including the very complete central buffet. The cutlery of the buffet is replaced regularly to limit the risks of contamination, tests are carried out at the entrance, in this respect, the hotel respects its initial promise. Drinks are included, as well as coffees and cocktails (the latter are not at the level expected in a cocktail bar).
The dishes are of a good level, with fresh products and a variety allowing to satisfy all the stomachs. On New Year's Eve, the catering team will do things in style, with lobsters, oysters and sparkling wine (still) included in the festive meal.
A large entertainment room has entertainment for the occupants almost every night, from a Michael Jackson cover to a musical. A bar serves at the back of the room, in case you miss it.
A SPA allows you to relax with an "infinity" pool reserved for adults, and in peace and quiet.
Even in the immediate vicinity, you'll have to go down several steps and floors to get there.
We might as well say it, the beaches of Fuerteventura are sublime, often very well preserved, with a blue sky most of the time during the day, offering a sumptuous starry night. It is not for nothing that two astronomical observatories are located on the Canary Islands.
Iberostar hotel ratings according to test profiles:
-Children: 8/10
-18-25 : 8/10
-Couple of adults: 7/10
-Seniors: 10/10
Test of the Sheraton Fuerteventura Beach, Golf & Spa Resort
Rated 8,5/10 on Booking and 4,5/5 on Tripadvisor, the hotel will be preferred by most of the testers, except for seniors.
Located closer to the airport on the east side of the island, the Sheraton Fuerteventura hotel is a real eye-catcher with its extremely well thought-out decoration and its absolutely sublime garden, where you will love to stroll.
The access to the sea is immediate this time, with straw umbrellas and a sumptuous white sand beach.
Wifi is included this time, and desks allow you to work in maximum comfort. Most of the rooms have extremely comfortable bedding, with nice armchairs to enjoy the sea view (all 266 rooms and suites have a private terrace).
Located lower down, the sea view is less fascinating than at the Iberistar hotel.
The SPA is the one expected in a hotel of this level, and the team is particularly attentive.
Special mention for the poolside restaurant, whose chefs prepare extremely fine dishes (everything is fresh!) and sumptuous cocktails.
On Sunday, giant inflatables animated the heated pools, which have a bubble jacuzzi on its upper part.
The hotel in Caleta de Fuste will enchant you with its nightly entertainment, with the golf course or the casino right around you.
The only negative point: with the proximity of the airport, you will hear during the day the planes leaving and returning to the island, around the pool or the beach. Fortunately, the rooms are perfectly insulated.
Sheraton Hotel scores according to test profiles:
-Children: 9/10
-18-25 : 10/10
-Adult couple: 8/10
-Seniors: 7.5/10
Independent test, not financed by a travel operator.
To conclude, Fuerteventura is the almost perfect destination for a winter stay. Sunbathing at a relatively close distance from Paris is a dream for many, and prices remain affordable if you regularly follow the opportunities on Volotea, Easyjet, Transavia and Booking.
The Spanish destination is particularly relaxing, and above all, you have one of the best views of the stars in the world.
