European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - January 16, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse Diners enjoy Good food pleasant weather and an excellent View from a Seaside cafe on Greece s ald Nisos to go if european Winters leave you Coldby Norm Zeigler travel outdoor writer Central Europe has Many fascinating and attractive qualities including its culture history Art and architecture. But its Winter weather is not one of them. When the Bleak landscapes Leaden skies and drizzle begin to Wear on the soul thousands of people escape via plane train and car. Some choose to embrace the Winter in its purest form by heading for the mountains and the ski slopes. But Many prefer to climb aboard a Jet and put the cold weather behind them like a bad dream. There is no single dominant resort Region a like Florida or California in the United states a where Winter weary Quot snowbirds Quot flock from the far Corners of the continent. But there Are a number of popular warm weather destinations both in Europe and within a few hours flying time. Heading the list travel Industry officials say Are the Canary islands. This volcanic archipelago which is Spanish but is much closer to the Northwest coast of Africa than to Spain has everything going for it Beautiful weather Miles of Sandy beaches and sparkling Waters. In addition it is Only 2vi hours flying time from Frankfurt Germany or London. In the last three decades the seven major islands of the canaries have developed into Europe s Premier Winter Beach playground. According to Ronald Van Kranen Leisure travel head for scheduled airlines travel offices overseas in Frankfurt there is a simple reason for the canaries popularity. Quot they almost guarantee 99 percent Sunshine. These Are the Only islands within a couple of hours flying time that you can swim that Are warm another travel official or. Hubert Geppert press spokesman at Tui a Large German travel firm based in Hannover says there Are two things that make the Canary islands so attractive Quot Beautiful beaches Good hotels recreation facilities restaurants and other facilities Are generally up to Western european standards. There Are other popular sunny destinations around the Mediterranean and in or near North Africa but during the coldest months a december january and february a Beach weather is Uncertain at Best. Tunisia the turkish coast Majorca Greece Malta the azores All offer varying amounts of Sunshine and warm weather. But in general they Are not warm enough for baking in the Sun or splashing in the surf. On the Island of Gran Canaria in the Canary islands january temperatures average 73 degrees for the air and 66 degrees for the water. In contrast the average january temperature on Majorca is 59 degrees for both the air and water. Many of Europe s Best beaches Are lot aled around the rim of the Mediterranean. From april through october they enjoy Good Beach weather but in the Winter months the air and especially the water can l e brisk. Quot the Mediterranean is not an Ideal Beach vacation destination in the Winter Quot Geppert says. Those who do go to places such As the islands of major a or Malta or the turkish Riviera should realize that they will Likely experience comfortable Spring like weather. Sometimes then Are other c compensations. The greek islands and Turkey have Many Iasi inning historical and archaeological Sites. In january and february Majori a s Countryside comes alive with Almond blossoms. The azores offer excellent deep sea fishing. An official at a Munich offic e of Mallic lies Baye Risi lies Rei Sebiro another Large tour company says Majorca is popular among older travellers in the Winter. Many stay for four to six weeks and spend their time hiking relaxing or exploring the Island. Tui s Geppert says his company handles around 50,000 bookings a Winter to Majorca. According to Van Kranen besides tin canaries tin1 Only other Island near Europe with dependable year round Beach weather is Madeira. Unfortunately this is something of a moot Point be it Ause of the Island s Steep Rocky coastline. Van Kranen says the Island is popular among european travellers despite the set an Ity of Beac lies and most of tilt better hotels have swimming pools. But the Island Quot is not too Well known with americ ans. A it Ordog to Geppert i Illus Winter travel business it an be roughly broken Down into three in or segments 40 pen a lit of the bookings Are to the nary islands to pen ent to the a Ribbens and Albu a and 40 pen ent to ski resorts in ventral Europe. A it c Ordog to Van Kranen one of the favorite attic an destinations for european vacationers is Kenya who h features a Range of activities from Fiolo safaris to Beai h vacations. In Mombasa the it country s major t coastal f on tinned on a age 4 hotels and Palm Trees line a Beach in Majorca. January 16, 1992 i trips Maga ii
