I have an uncontrollable urge and passionate desire to move to Lanzarote. I can’t put my finger on a specific reason but have a collective of reasons for wanting to do so. It’s almost like the island has a spell on me.
I’ve worked in the corporate rat-race for 14 years, four of which I have ran my own business. When I visit Lanzarote on holiday I feel totally at ease. Even when I have had to pull out my laptop on the last couple of visits, it’s felt totally different to when I’m in the U.K. It’s difficult to explain.
The pace of life in Lanzarote feels less pressured, but that doesn’t mean that things wont get done. To me, it just means that things will get done properly – something that I have struggled to find evidence of in the UK for a good while. The U.K. has become a country of overworked, and in my view, underpaid individuals (unless you are a banker of course!)
Then of course there is the weather. Since arriving back from Lanzarote in November I have felt tired and de-motivated. The dark, cold nights just don’t do anything for me and when the days draw in all it makes you want to do is sleep – which is such a waste of valuable time! In fact, the only motivation I have had is the fact that we booked to visit again in July – with a view to looking at property whilst we are there.
The problem I have is convincing the better half. She works at a Theme Park in the U.K. and finds it difficult to disconnect from the place. Lanzarote is too quiet for here, in that things to don’t jump out at you to say ‘I’m here. There is plenty to do on the island but a lot of things have to be found.
Finally, the people on the island tend to be very friendly. I like the Spanish. I don’t know why, I just feel that I connect with them for some reason. I am yet to interact with someone on the island who wasn’t helpful – oh, and that also includes British folk that have moved out there. It’s just a really friendly island.
Thursday, 11 March 2010
Tuesday, 9 March 2010
Things to do whilst staying in Lanzarote
Whilst it is true that most people visit Lanzarote for the all year round sun, there are plenty of other things to do on your holiday on the island, although some of the attractions are not so well known.
The first port of call, especially if you haven’t been to Lanzarote before has to be The Timanfaya National Park. The park is made up of numerous Volcanoes, now thankfully all extinct apart from one. A small entrance fee allows you up to Fire Mountain where you can take a bus trip around the national park and sample good food cooked on a grill powered by natural heat from the volcano.
Just around the corner on the coast you can find El Golfo. A small fishing town on the eastern side of the island. It is at El Golfo where you can find a green mineral water lake at the foot of a half eroded volcano. The waves at El Golfo can become quite rough at time and we have spent many an afternoon eating at El Golfo whilst looking out to sea.
To the North of the Island you can find Mirador del Rio. This lookout was one of Cesar Manriques’ attractions and looks out of the cliffs towards the island of La Graciosa. On a good day the view is stunning with the sandy island and the clear blue sea.
Not far from Mirador del Rio is the small, but entertaining Guinate Tropical Park, home to many birds, reptiles, fish and our favourites, the Meerkats!
On the west side of the island you can visit the volcanic tunnels of Caeva do los Verdes (The Green Caves) and see the blind crabs across the road at Jameos del Agua. These natural attractions were also sculpted by the late Cesar Manrique and provide fascinating attractions build into the natural origins of the island.
If you prefer to do things a bit more upbeat there are plenty of shops, bars and restaurants on the island, not to mention the sandy (both black and golden) beaches that you can find at most resorts. If you are a sports fanatic you can find windsurfing and kite surfing up at Famara, towards the north of the island.
For a small island, if you know where to look, there really is so much to do on Lanzarote.
The first port of call, especially if you haven’t been to Lanzarote before has to be The Timanfaya National Park. The park is made up of numerous Volcanoes, now thankfully all extinct apart from one. A small entrance fee allows you up to Fire Mountain where you can take a bus trip around the national park and sample good food cooked on a grill powered by natural heat from the volcano.
Just around the corner on the coast you can find El Golfo. A small fishing town on the eastern side of the island. It is at El Golfo where you can find a green mineral water lake at the foot of a half eroded volcano. The waves at El Golfo can become quite rough at time and we have spent many an afternoon eating at El Golfo whilst looking out to sea.
To the North of the Island you can find Mirador del Rio. This lookout was one of Cesar Manriques’ attractions and looks out of the cliffs towards the island of La Graciosa. On a good day the view is stunning with the sandy island and the clear blue sea.
Not far from Mirador del Rio is the small, but entertaining Guinate Tropical Park, home to many birds, reptiles, fish and our favourites, the Meerkats!
On the west side of the island you can visit the volcanic tunnels of Caeva do los Verdes (The Green Caves) and see the blind crabs across the road at Jameos del Agua. These natural attractions were also sculpted by the late Cesar Manrique and provide fascinating attractions build into the natural origins of the island.
If you prefer to do things a bit more upbeat there are plenty of shops, bars and restaurants on the island, not to mention the sandy (both black and golden) beaches that you can find at most resorts. If you are a sports fanatic you can find windsurfing and kite surfing up at Famara, towards the north of the island.
For a small island, if you know where to look, there really is so much to do on Lanzarote.
Saturday, 6 March 2010
Why people rent Villas in Lanzarote
Lanzarote is a favourite all year round holiday destination in Europe. It is the fourth largest, most easterly of the Canary Islands not far from the coast of Africa. Typically Lanzarote is a 12 month a year holiday destination thanks to the warm climate.
Lanzarote itself has three main tourist resorts – Costa Teguise, Puerto del Carmen and Playa Blanca. Puerto del Carmen is probably the largest and most popular with the tourists, although it isn’t for everyone due to its lively night life because some people prefer a more relaxing holiday. Playa Blanca is smaller and more popular with families, couples and older visitors.
There are many Villas in Lanzarote, many of which are booked up all year around. So why are they so popular when there are so many hotels and apartments on the island?
A lot of the time people book villas when they are travelling with a large group. A villa tends to be a fixed cost, no matter how many people are staying in it. This is why they are so popular with families and large groups of friends. A lot of Villas sleep between 8 and 10 people, so image how cheap a holiday could be if you were paying £350 per week for a Villa between 10 people!
A lot of Villas are also built in quiet residential areas, which means they are out of the way of the hussle and noise of the main town areas. This is appealing to many people who visit Lanzarote as they tend to go to the island to relax in the natural surroundings.
Many private Villas in Lanzarote have private pools, which is ideal for those who like to relax away from the hectic atmosphere of pools at hotels and apartment resorts. Many villas also have a private patio or small garden area where you can enjoy a barbeque or simply lie out in the Lanzarote sun.
The whole atmosphere in a Lanzarote Villa is just so laid back. So if you want to save yourself a bit of money and enjoy a quiet, private, relaxing break on a beautiful, unspoilt island then a holiday villa is for you.
Lanzarote itself has three main tourist resorts – Costa Teguise, Puerto del Carmen and Playa Blanca. Puerto del Carmen is probably the largest and most popular with the tourists, although it isn’t for everyone due to its lively night life because some people prefer a more relaxing holiday. Playa Blanca is smaller and more popular with families, couples and older visitors.
There are many Villas in Lanzarote, many of which are booked up all year around. So why are they so popular when there are so many hotels and apartments on the island?
A lot of the time people book villas when they are travelling with a large group. A villa tends to be a fixed cost, no matter how many people are staying in it. This is why they are so popular with families and large groups of friends. A lot of Villas sleep between 8 and 10 people, so image how cheap a holiday could be if you were paying £350 per week for a Villa between 10 people!
A lot of Villas are also built in quiet residential areas, which means they are out of the way of the hussle and noise of the main town areas. This is appealing to many people who visit Lanzarote as they tend to go to the island to relax in the natural surroundings.
Many private Villas in Lanzarote have private pools, which is ideal for those who like to relax away from the hectic atmosphere of pools at hotels and apartment resorts. Many villas also have a private patio or small garden area where you can enjoy a barbeque or simply lie out in the Lanzarote sun.
The whole atmosphere in a Lanzarote Villa is just so laid back. So if you want to save yourself a bit of money and enjoy a quiet, private, relaxing break on a beautiful, unspoilt island then a holiday villa is for you.
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