Are you thinking about your next escape to the sun? Look no further than these majestic islands off the northwest coast of Africa. As soon as you step off the plane, you'll appreciate why Canary Islands holidays are so popular. The perfect blend of azure seas, volcanic terrain and clear skies mean you have all the ingredients you need for your next activity holiday.
And there's no better shining example of the Canaries than the island of Fuerteventura.
The second-largest of the Canary Islands is an oasis of outdoor pursuits; a delicious destination for activity holidays on this archipelago, with a pace to suit all active minds. Surrounded by the untamed Atlantic Ocean, let the winds fuel your desire for surfing and windsurfing – or take the cover of breathtaking cliffs as you soak up the sun.
A holiday to the Canary Islands isn't just about what you can do on the water, however. Neilson can offer a range of on-land activities that get hearts pumping and imaginations flowing. So, for your next adventure, let us be your gateway to the best of what the Canary Islands are about.
Are you planning your next Canary Islands holiday? There are eight, great inhabited islands to pick from. But we chose La Pared on Fuerteventura for Neilson's first-ever Canaries Beach Club. And it's easy to see what brought us here.
Winter warmth is a given on this sun-kissed island, yet La Pared's serene setting provides a first glimpse of the wild and beautiful landscape. On Fuerteventura, you'll be in your element. Sandy beaches, beautiful waters and reliable winds – the perfect ingredients. Come and join us for plenty that'll keep you busy. If it's not the surfing and windsurfing that take your fancy, how about cycling or sublime hikes?
Each island has something unique to offer if you want a Canary Island holiday that's out of the ordinary. For us, though, it all starts at La Pared.
Kids with energy to burn? Hard-to-impress teens? Our epic family activity holidays in the Canary Islands won't leave you short of options. From the age of five, your children can try their hand at surfing on the beach below La Pared. We do make sure that all children under the age of 11 are with a parent or guardian for surf lessons, however.
Families who prefer their energetic activities on land can take to our bikes or tennis courts. With suitable equipment available, children aged eight and over can go for a ride or serve up a storm. Alternatively, if your children are aged 14 and above, they'll be welcome in our adult teaching sessions.
The waves here mean that it's not always suitable to go swimming but you're never far away from a local beach if your family wants a gentle dip. We have two fantastic kids' clubs available during the school holidays, so you can really relax and enjoy your Canary Islands holiday.
For couples, strike the perfect balance on your Canary Islands holiday with a stay at the laid-back La Pared. Active by day, relaxed by night–choose your vibe and enjoy it together or individually. It's completely up to you.
Take the chance to explore the ocean views, dramatic terrain and striking colour contrasts on a cycle ride together. Our guided mountain and road bike rides are a great way to leave yourself breathless, and that's just from the views.
We also have our tennis courts and gym, plus a range of fitness classes for couples who are looking to spend quality time together. And no activity holiday to the Canary Islands is complete without experiencing the wind and waves. Whether it's for surfing, windsurfing or kitesurfing, we can make it happen at Neilson, with lessons to suit all levels of skill and experience.
There are so many great reasons why you choose us for your next Canary Islands holiday. La Pared is set up to give you a much-needed break from work emails or the school run. And we also know a thing or two about keeping your body active, so your mind isn't.
− La Pared offers a full range of exciting activities. From sports you enjoy to pursuits you've always wanted to try, we have it.
− We've helped active people do more of the things they love for more than 40 years, and it's a big reason why we get so many happy, independent Feefo reviews. − We're proud of our holidays, and even prouder to be an award winner at the annual British Travel Awards for four years on the bounce.
Booking a Canary Islands holiday with Neilson couldn't be easier. Use the search feature at the top of this page. For La Pared, you'll find it listed in the 'Where to' dropdown menu. Choose your travel dates, and how many are travelling. Remember this is an accommodation only booking. You'll be able to search flights with Sky Scanner later on in the booking if you wish.
If there's anything you're unsure about, feel free to drop us a line and talk to someone who can answer your questions. Call 0333 014 3351 or email us – and we'll help you book the activity holiday you want.
At La Pared, we've tapped into everything that is great about Fuerteventura with activities for you to try, enjoy and excel at. It doesn't matter if you're a beginner or an expert. It's your activity holiday – and we'll make sure that you get to spend it as you choose.
The wild Atlantic Ocean surrounds these islands, so it's no surprise that water sports are on the menu at your Neilson Beach Club. La Pared's beach is just one of many on Fuerteventura to offer a true surfer's paradise, even if you've never tried it before. For a supplement, lessons are available from our on-site surf school, Wellenkind. The cost will include all equipment and can be pre-booked. More experienced surfers can rent a board but need to complete a one-day refresher first. Over on the east coast of the island, you'll also be able to go kitesurfing and windsurfing.
Back on land, there are plenty of inclusive activities to keep your body busy. Road cycling, mountain biking, fitness classes, tennis and swimming are some of the ways in which you can spend your holiday in the Canaries with us.
And, when you're ready, our wellness facilities are on hand to reinvigorate both body and mind - ready for the next day's adventure.
Here's a full rundown of where to go for the activities that you want to try on your next holiday.
Canary Island holidays have long proved popular with visitors from the UK. The reasons? Well, the weather is definitely one of them. Being so close to the coast of Africa is your guarantee that warm weather can be expected no matter at which time of year you come. Actually, there are few places in the world that get more days of sunshine.
You can expect temperatures in winter months to range from 21 to 25 degrees during the day, with cool evenings – and that makes for a pleasant activity holiday in the Canary Islands. Of course, winds are a feature of the Canaries' climate. It's what makes the islands such a great destination for windsurfers. In winter months, the Atlantic provides steady swells and a wind speed that tends to fall between force 2-4.
There's so much more to the Canary Islands than sun, sea and sand if you have a keen eye for culture and history. Spanish influences are clearly felt on the local Canarian traditions, resulting in an experience that is distinctive to this part of the world.
Life takes a gentler pace away from the busier towns, cities and even islands. There may even be a chance to witness traditional events and festivals that have stayed part of local culture for years – and, for people staying at La Pared, Fuerteventura is no exception. Just before the start of Lent in February or March each year, the island's annual carnival is the stand-out event. There's also the rich tapestry of museums, architecture, art and other cultural treats to discover. Fuerteventura's ancient capital – Betancuria – is a particular treat.
On your next holiday to the Canary Islands, be sure to sample some of the local food and drink. The islands' cuisine is a blend of Spanish and African influences – fruits, meats and vegetables – and it's only natural that, as islands, fish is a big part of local dishes.
Mojo is one local speciality. It's a sauce that comes with various dishes and is made from oil, garlic, vinegar, salt, pepper, thyme and other spices. A red version is usually served with meat, while a green version often accompanies fish. Mojo is also served with papas arrugadas (wrinkled potatoes). These small unskinned potatoes are boiled in salt water and are very much a staple of Canarian cuisine.
There are plenty of other culinary delights to try during your time in the Canary Islands. Sweet treats (bienmesabe) are definitely in abundance. So, too, are the local wines from six of the islands – including the volcanic vineyards of Fuerteventura.
Did you know that holidays to the Canary Islands won't mean changing the time on your phone, watch or device? That's because London and the Canary Islands share the same time.
In the winter, the Canaries use Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). In the summer, the clocks go forward one hour to Western European Summer Time (WEST).
That’s one less thing to factor into your travel plans, then; you’ll find the smoothest possible transition between departing the UK and arriving in the Canary Islands. And no lost time means that you have more opportunity to make the most of your activity holiday here.
The cost of an activity holiday in the Canary Islands with us depends on how long you stay and how many of you there are. You'll be able to see how much your holiday will cost by clicking on chosen beachclub.
As a guideline 3 nights at La Pared starts from £189pp for accommodation, breakfast and selected activities. We do not include flights and transfers, giving you the flexibility to fly from a wide range of UK departure airports. We can book private taxi transfers from £97 per transfer (one way) based on 1-4 people and take approx 1 hour.
There is also a shared shuttle bus transfer, starting from just £18 per person. The shared shuttle transfer stops at several resorts and hotels en route to La Pared. The transfer time varies considerably depending on the number of stops. You should expect a transfer time of between two and four hours.
The Canary Islands are well-served by flights from the UK so you'll be able to find the ideal option no matter where you live. TUI, Jet2, easyJet and Ryanair are some of the popular airlines to serve the islands, and you have the freedom and flexibility to choose with whom you fly and where you fly from in the UK. We offer flights from Bristol, Edinburgh, Gatwick, Luton, Manchester, Belfast, Birmingham, East Midlands, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford, Liverpool, Newcastle or Stansted airports.
The flight time is around four hours from the UK to the Canary Islands – though this can change slightly depending on which of the eight islands you decide to visit.
The Canary Islands belong to Spain, which is a member of the European Union (EU). Like most other EU countries, then, the currency used in the Canary Islands is the euro.
You can easily pay for things while on holiday in the Canary Islands with your credit card, as well as use it to withdraw cash – and having a bit of cash on you can be useful if you visit any local tavernas or markets.
What's more is that Neilson resorts have a tab system in place so, if you buy something that's not included in your package, it'll be added to a bill which you can settle at any point during your stay.
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