Posts Tagged ‘Lanzarote’

Choosing the Right Lanzarote Resort

March 17th, 2010

Great beaches, surreal volcanic scenery, unique visitor attractions.  The small Canary Island of Lanzarote boasts all the right ingredients for a holiday in the sun.  And thanks to it’s year round climate and close proximity to the UK it can be enjoyed all year round. Offering good value holidays during both the winter and summer seasons.

The island was first subdued by the Spanish crown in the early 1400´s.  Before becoming a strategic asset to the nascent Spanish empire.  As galleons docked and refuelled here whilst transporting Inca silver across the Atlantic from the New World.  Today 250,000 tourists still arrive by ship on board cruise vessels.  With the majority of visitors – around 1.5 million annually – arriving by air. 

The majority of these tourists will stay in one of Lanzarote´s main holiday resorts; Costa Teguise, Puerto del Carmen or Playa Blanca.  All of which boast their own individual charm along with modern facilities and good quality accommodation options.  Such as luxurious Lanzarote villas and four and five star hotels.

The quality of Lanzarote villas and also apartments in Lanzarote has always been maintained but increased competition means that standards have been raised even higher for the most part.

In the north of the island Costa Teguise is located just ten minutes away from Arrecife airport, Lanzarote´s sole international terminal.  The resort enjoys an open and spacious feel and was first developed during the 1970´s under the aegis of the ubiquitous local artist César Manrique.  Proving very popular with tourists from across sun starved Northern Europe.  Whilst also offering a good selection of accommodation options. 

Puerto del Carmen is the largest resort on the island, located a twenty minute drive south of Costa Teguise.  Boasting great beaches and excellent value accommodation.  In the form of numerous affordable apartment complexes which are located in both the New and Old Town areas.  Local tourist authorities have just spent over 16 million Euros improving and renovating the resort.  With a new luxury marina in place and the main beachfront strip now pedestrianised.  So further enhancing Puerto del Carmen´s appeal as a holiday destination.

Playa Blanca is the new kid on the block.  Relatively speaking.  Having only first started to evolve after Puerto del Carmen and Costa Teguise during the 1990´s. 
Playa Blanca is located at the southern end of the island and this position tends to ensure that it enjoys the best of the weather that Lanzarote has to offer.  Playa Blanca also boasts some great accommodation options too – and is home to some of the most upmarket hotels and villas in Lanzarote.

Click here for for information about Lanzarote Holiday Villas.

Winter Breaks in The Canaries

March 12th, 2010

Which holiday destination in Europe enjoys sunshine all year round?  It’s a bit of a trick question, as the seven Canary Islands are in fact located off the coast of Morocco in West Africa.  Hundreds of miles south of the mainland – but still part of Spain and therefore within the EU.  Creating a twelve month holiday season.

As a result of this great climate the Canaries have become the second most visited region in Spain after Catalunya (with its star attraction of Barcelona).Attracting over 9 million visitors a year.  So despite the current economic climate thousands of travellers will still be booking holidays in Lanzarote and the Canaries this autumn.

Part of the reason for this ongoing popularity is that the Canaries are the closest winter sun destination to key tourist markets such as the UK and Germany.  Which are both just four hours flying time away.  This winter, flight prices for UK visitors also look set to fall thanks to growing competition on the route between the big guns of the low cost flight world.  Which will hopefully help to reduce the price of flights to Lanzarote. 

So what can visitors expect from their winter holidays on these volcanic islands?  On Lanzarote the temperature usually remains in the early 20´s Celsius – even during the darkest days of December.  With very little rainfall and plenty of sunshine hours.  The sun doesn’t set here until 6pm at the earliest either.  Making it a great destination for those who hate the dark winter afternoons of the UK. 

Accommodation standards are high – as the island has been welcoming tourists for over forty years.  Choose from chic rural hotels, budget apartments and luxury villas in Lanzarote.  With the bulk of holidays now booked direct on online thanks to the growth in internet usage over the last five years.

Naturally as in any service business the increase in tourists needing Lanzarote apartments and villas is fantastic news for visitors to Lanzarote as villa owners are being driven to ensure standards are very high, and extras that once had to be paid for are now included as standard

The resort of choice during he winter months is Playa Blanca, which is located right at the southern foot of the island. And consequently enjoys the best weather.  Playa Blanca has rapidly evolved over the last decade to become the second most popular destination on the island.  With a wide range of villas in Playa Blanca available for rental with prices starting from around £400 per week.  As well as a fine selection of good quality four star hotels lining the shoreline such as the Princesa Yaiza and the Timanfaya Palace.

The island is a popular all year holiday destination with an excellent range of places to stay. Follow the links for even more information about Playa Blanca holiday villas in particular or other Lanzarote villas and apartments.

Where To stay In Lanzarote

February 18th, 2010

Lanzarote is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Spain.  Although it is in fact located a long way south of the Spanish mainland – and is part of the Canarian archipelago, which is located around 80 miles off the Atlantic coast of Africa.

The autonomous region of the Canaries is split into two main administrative zones.  The eastern Canaries comprise Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and the ´capital´ of Las Palmas in Gran Canaria.  Whilst in the west the well known holiday destination of Tenerife is the lead island – with La Gomera, El Hierro and La Palma orbiting around it.

The Canaries are not all birds of a feather though by any means – with each island boasting its own unique character.  Lanzarote for example is much less green than Gran Canaria or Tenerife – reflecting the fact that there is very little in the way of rainfall here.  Just as you would expect of an island in such close proximity to the outer fringes of the Sahara desert.  With a climate that is warm by day but quite cool at night.

The barren feel of the island is further increased by the fact that much of the interior of Lanzarote was obliterated by volcanic eruptions in the 18th century.  With fields of lava wiping out farmland and trees – leaving a lunar like wasteland in its wake. Which is today by far the most popular attraction on the island as a well as a popular location with science fiction film makers.

Holiday accommodations throughout the island is mostly in plentiful supply but if you’re planning on booking one of the local Lanzarote villas its advisable to book as early as possible because in most cases the best villas invariably will go first, and you simply won’t want to be the one who is going to be disappointed.

Visitors to the island are able to select from a broad array of accommodation options.  There are over 250 hotels in Lanzarote to choose from for example.  As well as a large selection of holiday rental accommodation.  With apartments and villas in Lanzarote available across the island.

There are three main tourist resorts on the island – but during the winter months Playa Blanca in the south of the island really comes into its own.  As the weather in this part of Lanzarote is warmer during December and January.  Making this the ideal spot for anyone in search of winter sun.

There are plenty of places to stay in this fast growing resort too.  With an ample selection of villas in Playa Blanca available for rental.  Along with a number of good value four star hotels.  Playa Blanca is also located just a short distance from some of Lanzarote´s leading tourist attractions – such as the Montañas del Fuego, or Fire Mountains, of the Timanfaya National Park.  And the famous Green Lagoon at El Golfo.

For an outstanding selection of Lanzarote hotels visit the Lanzarote Guide Book.