Posts tagged: Travel

The Enduring Popularity Of Puerto del Carmen

The popular resort of Puerto del Carmen nestles into the eastern coastline of Lanzarote and has some of the best weather to be found anywhere on the Canarian island. The town is protected from the prevailing winds that blow off the Atlantic by a range of volcanoes at its back.

These conditions mean that visitors can thoroughly enjoy the golden sandy beaches that run along its seafront, whether they are swimming, snorkeling or sun bathing. In addition, there have been recent improvements to the promenade which has greatly enhanced it for pedestrians.

Over the years, the resort has grown from a tiny fishing village to a small town, with a particular emphasis on self-catering accommodation. A wide number of apartments in Lanzarote are based in Puerto del Carmen, with everything from very basic facilities to luxury penthouse properties available to rent. Finding accommodation here should not be a problem as their are plenty of holiday apartments in Lanzarote so finding a place to stay should be a doddle.

Alongside apartments there is also a great range of holiday villas in Lanzarote to be found in Puerto del Carmen. Obviously the villas tend to be more spacious and better equipped than the apartments, with many extras included as a matter of course.

In the resort itself, there is plenty to keep children and teenagers occupied, with sea-based activities such as banana boats and scuba diving. Just outside Puerto del Carmen, there is also a new golf course and a popular theme park full of wild animals.

Nearly every type of cuisine from around the world can be found in one of Puerto del Carmen’s restaurants, with everything from Japanese food to local specialities on the menu. Many holidaymakers particularly enjoy the old harbour area, where some of the most atmospheric dining can be had.

Nightlife, on the other hand, tends to be focused around the central area of the new town, where a good selection of clubs and bars can be found. Many of the busier clubs don’t open until the early hours of the morning, as is typical in most Spanish resorts.

Useful Links for Lanzarote Accommodation

Lanzarote Activity Holidays

Most visitors to Lanzarote spend most of their time chilling out by a pool or relaxing in the sunshine on the beach. But there are plenty of other tourists who visit the island for a more active break. Some holiday makers can simply not keep still and without some vigourous activity would otherwise get board

Water Sorts Or Land Based activities?

The islands great year round climate makes it a real mecca for sports enthusiasts of every stripe. Offering a wide array of sporting activities which can be enjoyed both on dry land and at sea.

Places To Stay

Holiday accommodation Lanzarote holiday apartments is in good supply as there are thousands of well priced Lanzarote villas and apartments available for rent..

The Iron Man Contest

The biggest and most important date in Lanzarote´s sporting calendar is the annual Iron Man competition, held every May. This attracts over 1000 intrepid entrants very year who battle it out across a course comprising a 3km sea swim, a 180km bike ride around the island and a then a full marathon. A course that takes the fastest entrant at least eight and half hours to finish – often in searing heat. With the quickest 60 competitors qualifying the for the Iron Man grand final which is staged every year in Hawaii.

Two Wheel Tours

Cycling holidays are also very popular – as Lanzarote boasts lots of hilly volcanic and picturesque terrain. The ideal conditions for cyclists in search of somewhere warm and with little rainfall during the winter months. With many of these tourists booking a stay at the well known sports camp, La Santa, which is located in the north of Lanzarote and which enjoys an excellent international reputation.

Making A Splash

As an island Lanzarote also boasts a fine water sports pedigree – and offers a wide array of activities from kite surfing though to canoeing. Lanzarote is a popular dive holiday destination – thanks to the fact that the waters around the island offer great visibility, as well as fascinating array of marine life. Whilst surfers flock to the wilder and more rugged beaches on the islands north west coastline, such as Famara. Where the wind and wave conditions are simply ideal.

Lanzarote has a huge array activities to suit all manner of tastes and levels of experience making it the best activities holiday hotspot.

Natural Attractions on Lanzarote

Lanzarote is a well known package holiday destination but this trend is changing now a growing number of independent tourists are starting to visit the island. Attracted by its great year round climate, breathtaking beaches and stunning surreal scenery Lanzarote boasts lots of natural wonders which were created during the 18th century by some seriously large scale volcanic activity.

Lanzarote is the fourth largest of the Canary Islands and has been a popular holiday destination since the 1970´s. It’s still going strong today too – welcoming millions of foreign tourists every year. And whist many are here to enjoy the glorious sunshine on the beach or by the pool most still find plenty of time to explore too.

However there’s so much to see that most tourists manage to leave their Lanzarote apartments behind for at least a days exploring and touring. 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. Choosing what to do or where to go when you are here can be daunting but your shortlist should include:

Parque Tropical: Parque Tropical is renowned for its successful breeding program of macaws, cockatoos, African greys and many other worldwide species of parrots. Not quite a full day out but well worth a visit and it will be a real hits with the kids, and if you are one for stunning scenery check out the views to the to island of La Graciosa. Definitely one for the scrapbook.

Or perhaps :

Jameos Del Agua. The term Jameos in the local dialect describes the formation of the geology and literally means “cave where the roof has fallen in”. Manrique, an artistic and architectural visionary was highly skilled in blending his version of natural art with nature and Jameos Del Agua was a stunning example of his early visions and became a foundation of some of his later works.

If the above recommendations don’t suit your style perhaps try The Cesar Manrique Foundation: This stunning landscaping feat was originally designed as Cesar Manrique’s own home. Manrique once again as in most of his work managed to take existing geology (in this case series of lava bubbles) and turn it into a truly world class piece of living architecture. Although his life was tragically cut short the foundation celebrates his positive impact and contribution to the island and if you have any interest in the Islands cultural, definitely a place to visit.

More tourist info Lanzartote places of interest can be located here.

Discover Majorca This Summer

However you choose to pronounce it Majorca – or Mallorca – is the biggest island in the Balearics. Which can be found just off the coast of Spain in the Mediterranean. To the surprise of many first time visitors Mallorca is in fact part of Catalonia, so Catalan rather than Spanish is the official language here.

One very redeeming benefit the island has is its close proximity to England as the island can be reached with a number of the UK´s leading low cost carriers such as easyjet with a journey time of around two and half hours. This is absolutely ideal for holiday makers with young children.

When package holidays first took off during the 70´s and 80´s some areas of the island acquired a bit of a downmarket reputation. Thanks to the high jinks of younger British holidaymakers in southern resorts such as Magaluf. But the days of British bars are largely long gone now – as the island instead welcomes independent travellers and a host of VIP visitors instead. Such as the actors Catharine Zeta Jones and Michael Douglas. Most of whom tend to favour the north of the island – particularly areas such as Pollensa and Alcudia.

Many of these tourists tend to book villas in Majorca for their summer break on the island. And there is a fantastic range of good quality rental properties available. Many of them built in the traditional Mallorquin style using the local sand coloured stone. And offering high levels of luxury. Majorca Villas do get booked up very early in the season, but due to their popularity early booking is advised.

Palma is the capital of Mallorca as well as of the Balearic Islands – and this is also where the international airport, known locally as Son Sant Joan, is located. Palma is home to around 400,000 local residents as well as a fine selection of architectural treasures, most notably the Le Seu Cathedral, which was built on the site of a former Mosque in the 13th century – although it wasn’t finally finished until six hundred years later. When famous local architect Antoni Gaudi was drafted in to help complete the project.

Palma´s atmospheric Old Quarter is located right behind the Cathedral. This Moorish inspired maze of streets is home to some fantastic architecture, such as the Arab Baths. Which have proved to be lasting testament to the influence of the Moors on the island and its capital.

High season on Mallorca occupies the main summer months of July, August and September. When there is very little rainfall and when the temperatures average out at around 30 degrees. Many visitors enjoy a holiday on the island during off peak periods too such as May and October. When temperatures average at about 20 degrees.

An excellent range of Majorca Villas to suit most budgets is available here.

Manriques Lanzarote

Around the world there are lots of wonderful places to enjoy a holiday. But not many of these destinations cannot come close to Lanzarote for cultural attractions. As this small Canary Island located off the African coast is the birthplace of a famous artist called César Manrique. Who created unique cultural attractions and who exerted an enormous influence on the islands development.

Many visitors to the island simply come for the almost guaranteed weather but Lanzarote has an often missed rich cultural background as well for anyone wishing to explore it,and with an excellent choice of Lanzarote holiday villas you’ll be unlucky if you cannot find somewhere decent to stay

Manrique´s imprint is everywhere on the island of his birth. Tourists leaving the airport encounter his massive bronze wind toy ´Homage to Pepin Ramirez´ as they depart from the arrivals hall and head for their Lanzarote villas and apartments. And on route they soon discover that there are no high rise buildings or advertising hoardings blotting the landscape either – as Manrique successfully campaigned to get these outlawed during the 1970´s.

Born in Arrecife, the islands capital, in 1919, Manrique fell in love with the island from a tender age. Thanks to the fact that his parents owned a holiday home in the beautiful northern beach resort of Famara, where they would all spend long summers together. With the young Manrique exploring rock pools and splashing in the tide, where he would delight in seeing the reflection of the Famara cliffs that flanked the bay.

In the late 1960´s though mass market tourism and package holidays were just starting to take off. As General Franco opened Spain up in order to secure much needed foreign currency. Manrique, fearing that his birthplace could become buried beneath a sea of hotels and apartment blocks, returned to Lanzarote – and began his campaign for controlled development on the island.

Manrique was appalled at the potential threat to the islands culture when he returned from his travels but at the same time, Manrique also accepted that his fellow islanders could not continue to live off just fishing and agriculture alone. So Manrique also started work on the creation of a series of seven cultural attractions that would become the mainstay of the island tourist industry to this day. Encompassing brilliant works of architecture such as the Jameos del Agua and the Mirador del Rio. Whilst also campaigning tirelessly for a retrained and sensible approach to construction.

More detailed information about available apartments in Lanzarote can be found on the Lanzarote1.com website.

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.

Go here for additional information about Lanzarote

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The Best Self-Catering Holidays In Puerto del Carmen

Lanzarote has a number of popular resorts areas that bring back visitors year after year but Puerto del Carmen seems to remain a favourite due to its sheltered position and excellent sunshine record.

As a result the fine sandy beaches that line its seven kilometres of coastline make it an ideal place for swimming, sunbathing and snorkelling. Whilst recent changes to the seafront promenade have shifted the emphasis to pedestrian enjoyment, with wide pavements and shady spots.

Over the last forty years, the town has developed from its humble beginnings as a small fishing village to become the resort it is today. So it is now home to some of the best self-catering Lanzarote accommodation to be found on the island. Finding accommodation here should not be a problem as their are plenty of Lanzarote holiday villas from which to choose.

Aside from the wide choice of Lanzarote accommodation available in Puerto del Carmen, the town itself has numerous attractions and activities to while away the time, including several sea based trips. In the immediate vicinity of the town there is also a new golf course and a tropical park that children love.

Aside from the wide choice of Lanzarote accommodation, Puerto del Carmen is well provided with restaurants, with nearly every national cuisine represented, from Italian to Japanese. A good number of these establishments offer local specialties, with particular emphasis on seafood, especially in the old harbour area.

For those who enjoy late nights whilst on holiday, there is a wide choice of clubs and bars mostly situated in the central area of the town. Unsurprisingly, many of the music venues don’t open their doors until the small hours, as is typical of Spanish nightspots.

More Lanzarote Accommodation

Happy Villa Holidays in Puerto del Carmen

Escaping the daily routine of work and household chores and the stress they cause is usually only possible when you get away for a holiday. The best way to switch off quickly is to ensure that your destination has lots of sunshine and a laid back atmosphere.

Within Europe, there are only one or two places that offer reliably good weather all year round with the main hotspots the Canary Islands. This is undeniably due to their location at the southern most point of the whole Eurozone, off the coast of north Africa. And of these seven islands it is Lanzarote that has the lowest annual rainfall and is the most easterly in location. As a holiday destination it is well developed, with a good infrastructure that has been maintained and updated throughout the last forty years.

In terms of places to stay, there are three main resorts and a host of smaller rural settings, with a wide choice of accommodation style and price range. For those who like self-catering, Lanzarote apartments are amongst the most cost effective to select from. For more personal space and privacy, the best option is to hire one of the many villas in Lanzarote available for rent. They come with the added benefit of stylish interiors, heated swimming pools, entertainment facilities and all mod cons on offer.

A fair proporation of Lanzarote Villas are also used by the property owners at certain periods of the year and and this is why you’ll find a majority are so well appointed and have all the little extras many families would normally have to pack.

Puerto del Carmen itself is home to many good restaurants including several arranged around the old harbour providing a particularly pleasant dining experience. Just on the perimeter of the town there is also a good selection of eateries, only a short cab ride from the vast majority of the accommodation. There are several really good beaches within the town, all of which are easy to access from the newly renovated seafront promenade that stretches along the six kilometers of coastline. With wider pavements and much reduced traffic, it forms a pleasant backdrop for pedestrians.

At night, there are many bars and clubs that make good destinations for an after dinner drink, with most open until the early hours. For those who are more active during the day, there is a huge array of activities to select from, Lanzarote golf holidays as an example have always been popular due to the outstanding weather.

Such is the unique charm of the island, due to its unspoiled landscapes and tranquil environment, visitors often feel the urge to return for more holidays in Lanzarote. Which many do year after year.

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