I have been to both Malta and the Canaries and I can honestly say up until a couple of years ago i would have recommended the Canaries, in particular Puerto Mogan in GC everythime, however something changed last year..and i still can't quite put my finger on it..maybe just my personal taste as i have got older and look for different things..but now I prefer Malta..or should I say Gozo.

There are plenty of bargains to be had when travelling to the Canaries, but it depends what type of holiday you are looking for. There are many over developed places in the Canary Islands that I consider to be cheap and tacky and everything I don't want in a holiday, and that has been caused by tourism, but there are equally many beautiful places unspoilt by tourism and I would say to you go and seek out these places...and then go back to Malta!

Pippa, I have been to the Canaries and they are just about ok if you like that kind of thing, but they are so boring compared to Malta, I think you could be bored stiff and would possibly wish you were in Malta, trouble with the Canaries is that there is so little to do or see that is really worthwhile, compare that to the wonderfull Maltese Islands.

Regards
Sliema2

On the plus side the canaries are easier to find your way around

Think we will stick with what we know and love - looks like Malta here we come again!!

Pippa

Hello Pippa, there is always two sides to a story, we have been to all four of the main islands of the Canaries and always in the winter at Newyear and once in November. The weather has always been good, hot and sunny so if you just want a rest these are the islands to go, but as already put there is not a lot to see as most resorts are man made for tourisum.
We have also been to Malta in winter again at Newyear, the first time we had very nice weather not shorts and tee shirts but did have days when we did have jeans and a tee shirt. The second time and funny as it was we too stayed at the Hotel Coastline, but the weather was terrible and I think this is what put us of Malta for a bit as you do see another side to the place when its cold and grey.
Its all about you want to do on a holidayand at least if the weather is bad in the Canaries what would you do then?

Dave.

Generally I think folks go to the Canaries during our Winter to grab some sunshine and I would certainly agree that you're more likely to get better weather than opting to go to Malta. This of course is reflected in the price.

However, we've been in Gran Canaria and experienced drizzly rain for most of the week we were there, though the rain was warmer than had we been in Malta! That said we've experienced both good and bad weather this end of the year in Malta. I think that wherever you go it's Winter for all in the northern hemisphere so if you're desperate to have sunshine you'd best nip off somewhere south of the equator!

I would go to the Canaries again but it would really be hoping for some Winter sun because I agree with Dave that many of the resorts are man made and there is little of cultural interest from what I can see. By contrast Malta is packed with culture and let's face it where can you go and find such friendly happy people (except the bus drivers!)?

Yep for my money I'd choose Malta,

Trev

Have booked!!

Air Malta Flights £140 (for both of us) and the Coastline via Travel Republic - 8 nights half board £271 (for both). We used Travel Republic who in turn used Medhotels this January with no problems - even a rep if we wanted. This time though they use youtravel.com. Hope they are ok as I have never heard of them!

Won't hire a car this time - was a little stressful in January. We will get a taxi from the airport and just use the buses.

Pippa

Won't hire a cat this time - was a little stressful in January

I bet the Malta cats protection league will be pleased to hear that

Well I never, now I have seen Brown Bears in the foot hills of Malta but I never new they had cats that big you can ride on there backs like a Taxi

Dave.

Well spotted!! I will edit it.

Maybe a cat might not have got lost quite as much as the car did!!

Pippa

Pippa, If you have trouble finding the way to edit just ask.

Just to add that weather-wise, Malta has it's Winter in January and February. Last year the rain was all through December so you probably missed it. Usually though it's a bit bleak in Malta at that time.