Canary Islands or Mainland Spain for Family April 2009?
 

We are a Swedish-American family of four living in Sweden and in desperate need of sunshine and warmth after a long winter. We are interested in going to the Canary Islands in April 2009. I am not familiar with this destination so am seeking advice for a family friendly island and or hotel. Kids are 6 and 7.
Our second choice is the Valencia region of Spain.
All opinions are welcome!

The Canaries have a perfect climate. Very recommendable for April, while Valencia may still be cool, especially seawater.

The Canaries are perfect for vacations with kids. Here a few hints for further research:

- Gran Canaria has good beaches, however touristy.

- Fuerteventura has breathtaking beaches.

- Lanzarote is volcanic, with a surrealist barren landscape.

- Tenerife has most spectacular landscape (the Teide), most historic towns and buildings, but very few beaches (I like the small black beach of Puerto de Santiago).

The other islands are more for hikers and nature-lovers, seeking tranquility.

Thanks for the tips!

Sounds like the Canaries is the place to be. From Sweden there should be plenty of flights and even packages available.
Now, does anyone else have highlights they can offer..great hotels for families, or places to avoid?

Thanks!

There are plenty of family friendly hotels and resorts on the big islands (Teneriffe, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura), not so much on the three smaller islands. I would avoid Play del Ingles on Gran Canaria and Playa de las Americas on Teneriffe, full of pubs, discoes, lager louts and so on. Other places are fine.

Check from the net Swedish package agents, for wxample Fritidsresor and Solresor. You will find hotel descriptions and plenty to choose from.

Elina,
Thank you for naming the other package agents! I could only remember Ving and Apollo.