Showing posts with label Lanzarote Holidays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lanzarote Holidays. Show all posts

Monday, 11 July 2011

Getting the most out of your Lanzarote Holiday

Lanzarote is a gem of an island that sits just off the coast of Africa within the Canaries Archipelago and is owned by Spain. It is an island that was formed by Volcanic activity, most of which is still evident in todays magnificent landscape.

Holidays in Lanzarote are very popular, especially with Europeans. The Canary Islands offer a warm climate 12 months of the year, with very little rain. With that said it is easy to see why they are such a popular choice when it comes to vacation time.

Holidays in Lanzarote can offer so much to some many different people. Wether its just taking time to relax, soak up the sun and enjoy some fine dining, or if you are looking for a full on adventure holiday with scuba diving and wind surfing then Lanzarote is the place for you. Got a young family? No problem. There is always plenty to do for the youngsters, from organised activities in Kiko Land in Playa Blanca, to entertainment provided by hotels in other resorts. There really is something for everyone.

Fancy a bit of shopping? Lanzarote can offer that aswell. Throughout the week there are different craft markets that take place around the main resorts and towns of the island with the 'mother' of all markets taking place in Teguise every Sunday morning between 10am and 2pm. If you have a hire car then get yourself up there - its a sight to be seen. If you don't then don't miss out. There are plenty of excursions available from different resorts that will get you there.

Interested in the history of Lanzarote? Then take a trip over to the Timanfaya National Park. This gem of an attraction takes you through the path of the volcanoes that shaped the landscape and you can even order food that has been prepared on a natural grill, heated from just meters under the surface.

There are many different types of accommodation in Lanzarote, and some suite people or families better than others. You might want to stay in a luxury hotel for example where typically you just get a room with a bed and you would visit the on site restaurant for meals. Or for those that fancy a bit more freedom why not consider staying in a self catering apart-hotel, or a holiday villa. Whilst holiday Villas can be a little more pricey for smaller groups, the larger the group the cheaper they come as they tend to be priced per villa and not per the number of people staying in them.

To get the most out of your holiday you need to know what you want from it before you go. For example if you want to get around and see the sights you should, in our opinion book a hire car. Lanzarote may only be a small island, but with your own wheels you can discover hidden gems that you would never know about if you were to stay within your resort.

Saturday, 15 May 2010

Lanzarote Ironman – The event of a lifetime

Many people, if not most, will know Lanzarote for it’s laid-back life style and all year round climate. During the month of May however, don’t be surprised to see athletes out and about training for the famous Ironman event.

Every year the island of Lanzarote plays host to a gruelling event, where 1500 athletes take part in a battle against endurance and personal mental strength with a 3.8km swim, a 180km bike ride and 42.2km marathon to earn the privilege of being an Ironman Lanzarote Spain finisher.

As if that doesn’t sound tough enough the island of Lanzarote is just 79 miles of the coast of Africa which brings average maximum temperatures of 24.2 degrees Celsius!

The event is a test of personal stamina, and attracts many athletes from around the world. Prize funds aren’t to be snuffed at either with the winners receiving 8500 USD. Finishing in the top 60 also gives athletes the chance to qualify for the Ironman World Championship event in Hawaii. The Lanzarote event gives athletes the ideal conditions to test their metal in a climate that is not too dissimilar to that of Hawaii.

Registration for the event can be very difficult, with entries limited to just 1500 places. In fact, registration for both the 2009 and 2010 events were fully booked within 4 months of opening.

The event is really aimed at serious athletes and ideally preparation for the competition would involve a medical health check and investment in a personal trainer to help acclimatise and condition your body to the test ahead. Many athletes travel to Lanzarote to adjust to the conditions and will spend time on the island during the run up to the event.

The swim will take place at Playa Grande, Puerto del Carmen, which is the main tourist resort on the island. The swim takes place around the bay just off the beach and involves two circuits of a designated course. The bike race is more than challenging, with a 180km circuit, battling against strong winds and over 2500m of climbing across the volcanic landscape of the island. The run takes place over a course the distance of 42.2km and is 3 laps of a designated course.

One of the beauties of taking part in this event is the stunning landscapes and beautiful sunsets, although I think I would rather be watching than taking part!