Posts tagged: canary islands

Volcanic Holidays On Lanzarote

Volcanic eruptions may be conspiring against travellers but many holiday destinations such as Lanzarote were formed this way.

Lanzarote is an island that has been totally transformed by volcanic activity. Large scale eruptions rocked the island during the 1730s and went on for six years. Followed up by a further encore in 1824. As a result around 200km square of the islands surface area is now a lunar like lava scape. A surreal and eerie site that has caught the eye of numerous film makers over the years.

Even though Lanzarote has a volcanic history, property investment on the island is still very viable with countless tourists actually investing in their own holiday apartments.

Lanzarote Villas – Hotels And Apartments; There is an excellent choice of accommodation on the island ranging from self catering apartments for the budget concious, through to hotels and private villas. The biggest question on most peoples lips however is where to stay.

Visitors can take their choice of three main holiday destinations. In winter villas in Playa Blanca tend to attract lots of bookings, as this part of the island enjoys a more clement climate during December and January. Whilst villas in Puerto del Carmen are more popular with tourists in search of decent nightlife, as there is a real abundance of clubs and bars here in Lanzarote´s largest resort.

Costa Teguise is the third in the islands trio of resorts and is located to the north of the airport at Arrecife. It was developed during the 1970´s under the direction of the famous local artist Cesar Manrique, who plotted out the location of the Pueblo Marinero which still lies at its heart. Whilst also working on elements of the design of the Gran Melia Salinas, still widely regarded as one of the best Lanzarote hotels. Boasting opulent public spaces and numerous original Manrique at works adorning the walls.

Lanzarote offers visitors plenty to do and see as well as year round sunshine – which has helped to establish it as the third most popular of the Canary Islands after Tenerife and Gran Canaria. Boasting a whole host of attractions such as the natural wonders of the Timanfaya Volcano Park, the green lagoon at El Golfo and the Valley of 1000 Palms. As well as the creations of a local artist called Cesar Manrique, which include the Mirador del Rio, Cactus Garden and the Jameos del Agua. Along with close to a hundred great beaches and picturesque pueblos such as Yaiza and Haria.

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Lanzarote Volcanic Vacations

Whilst volcanic activity recently disrupted the travel plans of millions of tourists many are still jetting off to holiday hot spots around the world this year. Such as Lanzarote in the Canaries, an island that was forged by the fire of enormous eruptions during the 18th and 19th centuries. Which left a large slice of the island looking like something out of a science fiction film.

This volcanic activity lasted for no less than six years – with a repeat performance in 1824. And the impact of these eruptions irrevocably altered the terrain of much of the island. Leaving an area of around 200km square devoid of vegetation and resembling something out of a sci-fi film. Little wonder then that Lanzarote has been used many times as a location by movie makers since the 1960´s.

The Islands volcanic past does not stop millions of holidaymakers flocking to the Island year after Year though.

Lanzarote Villas; Accommodation on the island is split between hotels and self catering properties. Lanzarote villas and apartments are especially popular with tourists from the UK and Ireland. Whilst hotels in Lanzarote tend to receive more guests from countries such as Spain and Germany. With plenty of five and four star establishments for them to choose from.

Lanzarote is home to three main tourist resorts. During the colder months of the year Playa Blanca villas tend to get booked up more. Reflecting the fact that their location at the southern foot of the island guarantees more sunshine. However visitors in search of more nightlife should plump instead for villas in Puerto del Carmen. As the islands oldest resort is home to an abundance of restaurants, bars and clubs.

As well as great weather all year round visitors will also find that there is a lot to do and see on the island, which helps to contribute to Lanzarote´s popularity as a holiday destination. Such as the many creations of the local artist César Manrique – who developed visitor attractions such as the Cactus Garden and the Green Caves. Along with many natural wonders such as the Valley of 1000 Palms and the majestic sight of the Timanfaya Volcano Park.

Destination Information about Lanzarote

A Holiday Guide To The Canary Islands

by Katy Bivens

Located around 100 miles east of the coast of Africa, the Canary Islands boast what has been described as the world’s best climate. Average temperatures vary little throughout the seasons, falling to a winter low of about 21 degrees, and peaking in the summer months at around 27 degrees.

The islands are the most popular winter holiday destination in Europe and attract self catering holidaymakers throughout the year. Although the Canary Islands are a part of Spain, English is widely spoken and tourism is the largest industry.

There is also a large ex-pat population with mostly British, German, and Swedish people moving there to retire or to make a living in the tourism industry. The coastlines of all the islands are fully developed with hotels, apartments and villas. Many of the villas and apartments have been bought by absentee owners who occupy their property for part of the year and let the accommodation for self catering holidays; so there is a wide choice of rental accommodation available.

Tenerife is triangular in shape with a dormant volcano and mountains splitting the island into two distinct areas. The south is warmer and drier and is the home of most of the tourist areas, whilst the north is greener and cooler. Tenerife is the most popular of the Canary Islands with tourists.

The largest population live on the island of Gran Canaria which is also home to Las Palmas, a shopper’s paradise. Like Tenerife, Gran Canaria is also split into two distinct halves with mountains separating the north from the south of the island. here too, the south is drier and warmer than the lush green of the north.

The most popular beaches (Maspolmas, El Ingles, and Casa de los Coroneles) are in the south of the islands. The fishing villages of Puerto Rico, Puerto de Morgan and Pasito Blanco enjoy picture-postcard scenery and are a ‘must’ for your holiday itinerary.

The Canary Islands are volcanic and nowhere is this more apparent than on Lanzarote where the landscape is almost black. The island hosts the fantastic scenery of the National Park of Timanfaya, and the beaches are of fine sand.

Fuerteventura hosts the longest beaches in the Canaries. Perhaps the best is a near 4 mile stretch of untouched golden sand which runs between the towns of Jandia and Pajara. The spectacular underwater world along that coast attracts divers from all over the world. The island is also popular with golfers.

The three other islands in the Canaries group are less popular with tourists and there are few hotels or self catering apartments or villas available. They are, however, worth a visit if only for the day. The island of La Gomera is connected to Tenerife by ferry and is home to large banana plantations. It has small, sandy bays. La Palma, also known as Green Island because of its lush vegetation and forests, has a wild landscape, huge waterfalls and tall pine trees. El Hierro is the smallest of the islands and is popular with divers.

The popularity of the Canary Islands results from a climate that is close to perfection, and varied and spectacular scenery. Tenerife and Gran Canaria take this variation to an extreme with the north and south of each island experiencing different local climates and vegetation. Visitors to these islands return time after time, as each experience is a different one.

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