Malaga / Lanzarote in Jan/Feb????

[Amanda Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Amanda]

Hi all,
I am trying to plan a trip (probably will be last minute) for Jan/early Feb -- this is not my preferred time of year for a trip because I do enjoy beachy / hot locals for my vacations (currently, I am living in Dublin Ireland).

However, I have a 4 night stay at a resort in Marrakesh Morrocco which expires mid Feb so I would like to try and use it -- I was thinking of adding on a few nights in either the south of Spain or Canary Islands (open to other suggestions as well although flights are not too easy to coordinate with Morrocco in there - very few ways to get there from Dublin from what I am seeing online)..

So my question is -- would it be worth it to go to Malaga or Lazarote this time of year or would it be too chilly there to really enjoy any outdoor activity?

I guess it wouldn't be so bad to just use the 4 nights in Marakesh and save my vacation days for later in the year...

Let me know what you think! Thanks

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

I would think that Portugal & Spain would have very mild winters, and they are close to Morocco. Both the Costa del Sol & Algarve have lots of nice timeshares available that time of year. Wouldn't be beach weather, but certainly mild enough to do some sight seeing.

[Amanda Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Amanda]

Thanks Ang!

I am not sure what to do.... but I still have some time to decide.

I saw that SFX has 2 separate weeks in Thailand around that time and I think it would be nice and hot there

I wouldn't be able to use the Morrocco weekend then, I guess and although I could not get my money back for it I would be able to get a credit from the company I bought it with to use on something else... Oh decisions decisions!!

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Thailand will be much warmer, that's for sure.

I guess it depends on the type of vacation that you desire. If you want to relax in the sun, then go to Thailand. If you want to sight see, then go to Spain. Either way, sounds great to me. Enjoy!

Thanks Ang!

I am not sure what to do.... but I still have some time to decide.

I saw that SFX has 2 separate weeks in Thailand around that time and I think it would be nice and hot there

I wouldn't be able to use the Morrocco weekend then, I guess and although I could not get my money back for it I would be able to get a credit from the company I bought it with to use on something else... Oh decisions decisions!!

[BoardGirl Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close BoardGirl]

I went to Tenerife, Canary Island, in Feb a few years back. while it was warmer than at home, there was a limit to the tshirt and shorts temps (for me).

It was beautiful and sunny. I'd go that time of year again.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Hi all,
I am trying to plan a trip (probably will be last minute) for Jan/early Feb -- this is not my preferred time of year for a trip because I do enjoy beachy / hot locals for my vacations (currently, I am living in Dublin Ireland).

However, I have a 4 night stay at a resort in Marrakesh Morrocco which expires mid Feb so I would like to try and use it -- I was thinking of adding on a few nights in either the south of Spain or Canary Islands (open to other suggestions as well although flights are not too easy to coordinate with Morrocco in there - very few ways to get there from Dublin from what I am seeing online)..

So my question is -- would it be worth it to go to Malaga or Lazarote this time of year or would it be too chilly there to really enjoy any outdoor activity?

I guess it wouldn't be so bad to just use the 4 nights in Marakesh and save my vacation days for later in the year...

Let me know what you think! Thanks

While it won't be super warm in Marbella/Malaga Area in February, it would really tie in nicely with your Morocco. You could fly in and out of Malaga and use the fast ferry to go to Morocco - we did it for a day trip to Tangiers and it was great.
II would have VERY cheap getaways to Marbella Marriott at that time f the year.

Yup, Thailand is MUCH warmer.

[Sydney Contributor - Bronze Find all posts View Profile Close Sydney]

We were in Malaga for 2 wks in Feb a few yrs back and the weather was great for sightseeing. The kids swam in the resort pool and we even spent a few days playing on the beach, but no swimming there since we used the resort pools.

We also did a day trip down to Tangier. Also went to Gibraltar. It was one of our favourite holidays.

Thailand will be stinking hot in Feb. We are going next April for a week to Thailand and that's about as close to Summer (Dec-Feb) as I'd want to go.

However, if you like really hot weather, you'd probably be OK with Feb there.
Whatever you decide, I'm sure you'll have a good time.

[Ireland's Call Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ireland's Call]

Have been to Malaga/Marbella a couple of times in Jan and can confirm the weather is quite different from Dublin !(heavy snow last 2 years ) but not really warm . ( we have skied there at mountain level)
For me the Canary Islands are just perfect in Jan ..mid to high 20s (77/80 )
Indeed this Jan we will go ourselves to Gran Canaria.
It and the other Canary Islands are easiest ( and most economical ) locations with a many daily flights from Dublin ...
G

[Amanda Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Amanda]

Thank you all so much for your thoughts!

Regarding the ferry to Morrocco from Spain -- do you know if its possible to get to Marrakesh if I take that route? I just looked at a map (have no personal experience to go on) and it looked like Marakesh was a little further down and might not be accessible via a ferry from Spain.

I might look into the Canary Islands again -- sounds like the weather there would be great -- I think 77/80 is perfect weather and indeed I could try to work in Morrocco with that!

Ireland's Call -- I know that there are a few flights to the canaries from Dublin but am having trouble with Marakesh.... the only way to get there as far as I can figure out is to use Ryan Air and go to Sevilla or Brussles (or any place where Ryan air flies to Marrakesh but these 2 seem to be the least expensive for both legs of the flight) then connect to Marrakesh. Does this sound sensible to you?

Thanks again!

[Ireland's Call Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ireland's Call]

Marakesh no doubt is difficult direct frrom Dublin . I think some of the "package" travel agents go there , so it might be possible to buy a "seat only " deal from them . Consider someone like Budget Holidays .. I will have a look around..
G

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Thank you all so much for your thoughts!

Regarding the ferry to Morrocco from Spain -- do you know if its possible to get to Marrakesh if I take that route? I just looked at a map (have no personal experience to go on) and it looked like Marakesh was a little further down and might not be accessible via a ferry from Spain.

I might look into the Canary Islands again -- sounds like the weather there would be great -- I think 77/80 is perfect weather and indeed I could try to work in Morrocco with that!

Ireland's Call -- I know that there are a few flights to the canaries from Dublin but am having trouble with Marakesh.... the only way to get there as far as I can figure out is to use Ryan Air and go to Sevilla or Brussles (or any place where Ryan air flies to Marrakesh but these 2 seem to be the least expensive for both legs of the flight) then connect to Marrakesh. Does this sound sensible to you?

Thanks again!

Amanda, I would suggest booking a tour guide from Tangiers - Aziz would meet you at the ferry (or plane if u fly) , take you around Tangiers (if you desire) and then take you down to Marrakech(sp) - you could tour with him there as well or not - and he would arrange to get you back to the ferry/plane. I found him thru a friend on another website - but he is recommended by Rick Steve's and is just fabulous.
It was like touring Tangiers with the Mayer of the town! He is well respected, we were NOT bothered by street vendors (and let me tell u we saw other tourist being mobbed by them!) and we saw things others tours did not see, taking us to the seashore, the mountains and the medina.

Anyway, just my two cents if it is easier to get to Tangier from the canary islands.

DH and I say we will return and spend the night in Tangier and then do a Marrakech tour with Aziz as well.

[Amanda Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Amanda]

Thanks G! Thanks Pat!

Pat - that sounds like a great option -- so if we were to go to Marbella/Malaga for a few nights then take the ferry to Tangier -- the tour guide could pick us up and drive us to Marrakesh?? That sounds perfect! Can you give me his contact information? Always best to have a trustworthy local contact to help. THANKS! We would also be interested in touring with him if the timing works out because I would much rather do that than figure it out on my own....

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Here is an old post with some Aziz recommendations. And I DID give Chriskre Aziz, she just forgot!

http://www.timeshareforums.com/forum...07-post16.html

Some more...

Best: The Aziz Tour was one of our favorite experiences.
Why: Aziz Begdouri made all the arrangements for our travel from Tarifa, Spain, met us at the Tangier dock and took us on a wonderful, walking tour, carefully explaining the cultural and historical aspects of each site. We saw and learned lots!
The Flors in Winthrop, WA USA 11/21/2011
Best: The Aziz Tour was one of our favorite experiences.
Why: Aziz Begdouri made all the arrangements for our travel from Tarifa, Spain, met us at the Tangier dock and took us on a wonderful, walking tour, carefully explaining the cultural and historical aspects of each site. We saw and learned lots!
The Flors in Winthrop, WA USA 11/21/2011
Best: The Aziz Tour was one of our favorite experiences.
Why: Aziz Begdouri made all the arrangements for our travel from Tarifa, Spain, met us at the Tangier dock and took us on a wonderful, walking tour, carefully explaining the cultural and historical aspects of each site. We saw and learned lots!
The Flors in Winthrop, WA USA 11/21/2011

Tangier tour guide
Rick Steves Community

Have tried to reach Aziz (Aziztour@hotmail.com) as recommend in RS Spain guide.

Amanda, it can take Aziz a few days to get back to you. You might want to check Rick Steve's actual book to confirm the email. I wonder if he is on Facebook?

[Amanda Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Amanda]

Excellent, thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!