By Nick ball
Lanzarote is one of the seven Spanish owned Canary Islands. Which are located in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of West Africa - around four hours flying time from the UK. Making them Europe’s closest genuine winter sun destination.
Britain is the island’s most important tourist market. Accounting for around 55% of the 1.5 million foreign visitors who spend their holidays in Lanzarote (1) every year. With flights to Lanzarote (2) available from all of the major airports in the UK from all of the leading low cost operators such as easyJet, Monarch and Ryanair.
Tourism first took off here around forty years ago. And since then Lanzarote and the Canaries have evolved to become the second most popular holiday destination in the whole of Spain after Catalonia. Yet despite this the island retains plenty of its original character and charm and is largely unspoiled out side of the three main resorts of Puerto del Carmen, Costa Teguise and Playa Blanca.
This fortunate state of affairs can be attributed to the work and influence of a local artist called César Manrique. Who campaigned against untrammelled tourist development whilst securing bans on all high rise buildings and advertising hoardings.
Places To Stay
Accommodation standards on the island are high, encompassing everything from studio apartments on complexes in the main resorts through to chic rural hotels.
But the best selection of hotels and villas in Lanzarote (3) can be found in Playa Blanca, Lanzarote´s newest resort located in the south of the island. Here four star establishments line the shore – all offering great views across to the neighbouring island of Fuerteventura. Whilst hundreds of well appointed private properties are available for rental for those who prefer the privacy of a villa holiday.
Getting Around
The best way to explore Lanzarote is by car. As public bus services are infrequent outside of the main resorts and the island is too mountainous for cycling. Car hire starts from as little as €15 per day and the island is easy to tour as it only measures 58km by 38km. There are also plenty of guided tours available for those who prefer not to drive when on holiday.
Sightseeing
Despite its diminutive size Lanzarote boasts loads of great visitor attractions. The best known and most popular of which is the Timanfaya Volcano Park. Which stands at the centre of a set of huge eruptions that shook the island
during the 18th century. Leaving swathes of the south of Lanzarote carpeted in lava and spent volcanic cones.
LINKS
http://www.lanzaroteguidebook.com/hoidays.php
http://www.lanzaroteguidebook.com/flights.php
http://www.lanzaroteguidebook.com/car-hire.php
