Winter has well and truly set in now, and I am definitely sad to say goodbye to summer. Whether it is the light evenings, warm days or the joyful atmosphere it seems to bring with it, summer has always been my favourite time of the year. With that in mind, I don’t think it will come as any surprise that I’ve got into the habit of escaping the cold by going abroad and I’d like to share some of my favourite places with you.
By Niamh Duffy
Explore a thriving city.
Barcelona is the well-known home of the modernist artist, Antoni Gaudí, whose ornate architecture is scattered throughout the city’s streets and even into the natural landscape to create the serene Park Güell. Alongside Gaudí’s masterpieces, you can marvel at the 19th century Arc de Triomf
and the dark and imposing architecture of the Gothic Quarter.
However, Barcelona is more than just a buzzing city centre, it also has a stunning coastline of beautifully sandy beaches – many of which are fitted with decking providing excellent wheelchair access. At Limitless we have found this breath-taking city to be one of the most accessible and wheelchair friendly destinations in Europe with the vast majority of cafes, bars, restaurants and tourist attractions welcoming people with a range of disabilities.
From November to February the temperatures are cooler than during summer months, averaging around 12°C. However, it doesn’t tend to rain too much so even though it may be cooler, there are often sunny days to enjoy.
Escape the cold in the Canary Islands.
Winters in the Canaries are mild and although Lanzarote may have a reputation for being the windiest of the islands it actually records the least amount of rain. With such a mild climate all year round it’s a fantastic place for a holiday at any time of the year.
With a Canary-Spanish culture, Lanzarote in general is a very relaxed and welcoming place to be. Limitless recommends visitors sample the delicious Papas Arrugadas, small wrinkly potatoes that are usually served with a variety of yummy sauces; absolutely delicious!
The whole island is a UNESCO biosphere reserve made up of over 300 volcanic cones, which have sculpted a dramatic, out-of-this-world landscape over centuries of eruptions. The island is well known for the architecture of Cesar Manrique, who created some of the most interesting sculptures and living spaces on the island and the variety of activities available to enjoy. The natural beauty of the island, combined with Lanzarote’s great cultural buzz of restaurants, bars and hotel resorts, makes Lanzarote a great island to escape to.
Try something new…
Tenerife is a beautiful island famous for its sandy beaches, beautiful weather, and Spanish culture, but during February and March it comes alive with an exciting new atmosphere. Party-lovers will thoroughly enjoy this event with multiple fiestas, parades, stunning costumes, dances and music, making the carnival an absolutely extraordinary and unique experience.
Take to the skies to discover and enjoy a bird’s eye view of the beautiful island, all from the safety of Paramotorfly’s training machine, under the careful supervision of an instructor from the DULV Paramotor flying school, providing disabled travellers with the safest way to experience the adrenaline rush of paragliding using the a XCitor Trike for a smooth launch and landing.
Whether you want to fly over the stunning beaches of the south coast, the cliffs of Los Gigantes, the Masca Canyon or across Teide National Park, trips can be arranged whilst on a Limitless tour to ensure that you can experience the breath-taking views on offer.
Barcelona, Lanzarote and Tenerife are all locations that have been personally explored by the Limitless team to ensure they meet a high level of accessibility. If you would like to experience these beautiful destinations for yourself, you can speak with one of our friendly travel advisors on: 0800 069 8060 or visit our website: www.limitlesstravel.org
Fancy going further afield?
I adore the Caribbean and I am keen on ensuring our Limitless Travellers get to experience these beautiful islands on tours with us in the future.
The food, the culture, the scenery and the people truly are exceptional. I am extremely lucky to have ticked a few of the islands off my list but my heart definitely lies in Jamaica and it was actually there that I was fortunate enough to spend my 21st birthday in October. Jamaicans have a big focus on ‘Peace, love, unity and respect’ and this shone through from the minute I landed to the moment I left.
This haven provides the chance to truly escape the cold, and with a tropical marine climate the weather in Jamaica is the main reason why so many tourists flock there. With the wind from the sea cooling the land, daytime temperatures average around 27°C during winter months.
Days can be spent relaxing on a white, sandy beach and taking a dip in the crystal, clear Caribbean Sea or exploring the island from Negril in the west, to Kingston in the east. From wonderful waterfalls, bamboo river rafting on the Martha Brae or exploring the family history and role of the Rose Hall Great House plantation in Jamaica’s history, there is something to suit everyone’s tastes.
Limitless Travel is constantly expanding further afield and exploring new destinations for our travellers to discover for themselves so keep your eyes peeled for any updates or new releases on our Facebook page: @LimitlessTravelOfficial
