When you think about typical backpacking destinations, let’s face it – the Canary Islands are not usually on the list. But as the nights draw in over here in the UK and you wake up to another freezing, damp morning, suddenly the brash ads in the morning paper for Gran canaria holidays look rather appealing to the backpacker alternatives.

Don’t get me wrong – I love a cheap city trip to Prague in Winter, or over to the German Christmas markets for mulled wine and meat of an unknown origin stuffed into plastic tubes covered with mustard. I like the independence more than anything. But Europe is starting to hurt the budget traveller’s pocket. In fact, any independent trip abroad will be up to 50% more expensive than a few years back in many countries, because the pound is so weak.

Suddenly all inclusive gran canaria holidays start to look quite an appealing idea.

Why?

It’s not just the fact that these destinations are warm and sunny even in the depths of the British winter (the water and air temperatures rarely dip below 20 degrees Centigrade). It’s more the fact that you are benefitting from UK pricing. Even with airfare taxes and fuel prices climbing, High Street travel agents are putting on deals better than we have ever seen in recent years, pitched at the British consumer tightening their belt in times of recession. So real bargains can be had – and you pay in pounds, not an amount inflated by the foreign exchange market.

The cost of your holiday is also set; flights, accommodation, food and drink. If you are eagle-eyed on the extras, and do not splash out, you truly can have a nice holiday at backpacker budget prices.

Bear in mind though that you’re not going to get the backpacker lifestyle on Gran Canaria. Think resort bars, not hippy shake shacks on the beach. Think the need to hire a car, rather than rely on public transportation (although I read that it’s fine). Think age dynamic: couples, possibly older, possibly those who travel for a holiday in the sun rather than those who travel because they like to discover. A winter getaway in the Mediterranean might be more your bag if you are after the younger (clubbing) crowd – but it’s going to be nowhere near as tropical as the Canarys, which are further south.
Decisions decisions. It’s tempting… although I am rather concerned about how a hippy-haired, unshaven backpacker will fit in amongst the bronzed Basildon middle-aged bricklayers and their wives by the pool…