Lanzarote is the fourth largest of the Canary Islands and sits just 79 kilometres off the coast of Africa and the edge of the Sahara desert. It is because of its location that it enjoys year round warmth and sunshine and is a favourite holiday destination for europeans all your round.
Lanzarote is a location of choice for many families.
Not only does the weather attract families, looking for a warm, relaxing vacation but also the relative safeness of the island and resorts. There is also plenty to do on Lanzarote, for all ages. There are many sports complexes for kids that are competitive by nature and the hotels and aparthotels all cater for children of all ages with their selection of activities, from swimming pools to tennis courts. Many hotels also have their own ‘kids club’ where the children can spend their days taking part in supervised activities with other kids.
Outside of the hotels, there are many safe and sandy beaches on Lanzarote, and despite rumours they are not all black sand. In fact some of the golden coastline of Lanzarote has some of the clearest waters you may have seen for a while and it is really easy to spot schools of fish swimming around, especially nearer rocky areas.
For the children of a more academic nature, there is plenty to find out about the history of the island - for example take a visit to the famous Timanfaya National Park or visit some of the natural attractions created by the late Caesar Manrique.
For families that like a more extreme holiday you can take a trip up to the North of the Island to Famara. Famara is famous for its kite surfing and wind surfing. Sometimes, under the large cliffs at Famara, the weather may be a little darker and wetter up on the coast, but that doesn’t stop people donning a wet suite and taking to the waters!
If you want to slow the pace of your holiday down a little, then why not sample some of the many bars and restaurants on the island. The majority are family friendly and welcome children and if you opt for a restaurant on the sea front you can enjoy the views and sounds of the ocean whilst you eat.
Lanzarote really has something for everyone - from adults, to teenagers to younger children and makes for the ideal location for a family holiday.
Monday, 2 May 2011
Saturday, 30 April 2011
What Playa Blanca offers Tourists and Holiday makers
Once a small fishing town, Playa Blanca sits on the southern tip of the Island of Lanzarote, around 30km from the Airport. The small town is peaceful, and yet vibrant enough to provide visitors with a holiday they won’t forget.
Although Playa Blanca was once a small fishing town, it is still relatively new in terms of being an actual resort, so there is little in the way of historic interest - with the exception of the Castle of Coloradas, situated between the town itself and Papagayo (where you will find an excellent beachs).
Whilst on the subject of beaches, Playa Blanca is not short in this department. Around the centre of the town there are three small beaches - Playa Flamingo (to the east), Playa Blanca (in the centre) and Playa Dorada (to the west, between the town and Rubicon Marina). Perhaps considered the better beaches, Papagayo sits to the west of the town itself, beyond the Rubicon Marina. They are a little harder to get to and require a drive or trip by water taxi.
To the east of Playa Blanca you will find the relatively modern Faro de Pechiguera Lighthouse, which was built in 1986. The sea at this point is often quite rough, although we have also been told it is very favorable for divers due to the rocks attracting various species of fish (there are a few dive schools in Lanzarote - check them out). Also to the east you will find the Montana Roja volcano. This Volcano stands 600 feet tall and visitors can climb this to be rewarded with excellent views of not only the town but the historic crater.
Playa Blanca is also considered a gateway to Fuerteventura as two ferry services run from the local port.
The nightlife in Playa Blanca is generally quite relaxed. You won’t find any large night clubs although the odd bar does open late if you are looking for a good dance into the early hours of the morning. The walk across the sea front of Playa Blanca is lined with an excellent selection of restaurants and small bars. It is safe to say that the quality of food in Playa Blanca is second to none on the island. If you like your live music then most of the small bars offer a great selection from rock to acoustic sets.
I have touched on the Rubicon Marina a couple of times in this article. The Rubicon sits to the west of the town of Playa Blanca, just after the Playa Dorada beach. The marina is home to a number of large and expensive yachts and is lined with designer boutiques and restaurants.
Although quite isolated there is now a good bus service that runs to Arrecife, the capital of the Island. Public transport on Lanzarote has improved considerably over the last few years. There are also a number of car hire companies, not to mention the organised excursions that take place on a daily basis to the other attractions around Lanzarote.
In summary, Playa Blanca is a great place to stay. It’s peaceful and provides a great relaxing base for your holiday.
Although Playa Blanca was once a small fishing town, it is still relatively new in terms of being an actual resort, so there is little in the way of historic interest - with the exception of the Castle of Coloradas, situated between the town itself and Papagayo (where you will find an excellent beachs).
Whilst on the subject of beaches, Playa Blanca is not short in this department. Around the centre of the town there are three small beaches - Playa Flamingo (to the east), Playa Blanca (in the centre) and Playa Dorada (to the west, between the town and Rubicon Marina). Perhaps considered the better beaches, Papagayo sits to the west of the town itself, beyond the Rubicon Marina. They are a little harder to get to and require a drive or trip by water taxi.
To the east of Playa Blanca you will find the relatively modern Faro de Pechiguera Lighthouse, which was built in 1986. The sea at this point is often quite rough, although we have also been told it is very favorable for divers due to the rocks attracting various species of fish (there are a few dive schools in Lanzarote - check them out). Also to the east you will find the Montana Roja volcano. This Volcano stands 600 feet tall and visitors can climb this to be rewarded with excellent views of not only the town but the historic crater.
Playa Blanca is also considered a gateway to Fuerteventura as two ferry services run from the local port.
The nightlife in Playa Blanca is generally quite relaxed. You won’t find any large night clubs although the odd bar does open late if you are looking for a good dance into the early hours of the morning. The walk across the sea front of Playa Blanca is lined with an excellent selection of restaurants and small bars. It is safe to say that the quality of food in Playa Blanca is second to none on the island. If you like your live music then most of the small bars offer a great selection from rock to acoustic sets.
I have touched on the Rubicon Marina a couple of times in this article. The Rubicon sits to the west of the town of Playa Blanca, just after the Playa Dorada beach. The marina is home to a number of large and expensive yachts and is lined with designer boutiques and restaurants.
Although quite isolated there is now a good bus service that runs to Arrecife, the capital of the Island. Public transport on Lanzarote has improved considerably over the last few years. There are also a number of car hire companies, not to mention the organised excursions that take place on a daily basis to the other attractions around Lanzarote.
In summary, Playa Blanca is a great place to stay. It’s peaceful and provides a great relaxing base for your holiday.
Wednesday, 27 April 2011
Lanzarote - A tale of three resorts
Lanzarote is a popular, all year-round holiday destination. Thanks to its close proximity to the Sahara desert, the temperature rarely drops below 16 degrees Celsius at any part of the year. Add to that, the 16 days of rain a year and its easy to see what the appeal is.
There is plenty to do on the island of Lanzarote, wether its lying on the beach soaking up the sun, visiting one of the many natural attractions such as the Timanafaya National Park, enjoying the night life and huge selection of restaurants,bars and clubs or even taking part in some adrenaline sports such as kite-surfing up at Famara.
When people visit Lanzarote, its highly likely that they will stay in one of the three main tourist resorts - Puerto del Carmen, Costa Teguise or Playa Blanca (although we hope we are not giving too much discredit to Arrecife, the capital of Lanzarote).
The three resorts are actually all quite different. Puerto del Carmen (also known as PDC to those in the inner circle) is probably the most popular resort, especially with the British. The long sea front strip of bars, clubs and restaurants means that there is something for everyone, not forgetting the huge beach that runs virtually all the way down the front of the town. Puerto del Carmen has quite recently undergone some renovation work along the sea front strip, including new lighting and a new one way system. We find that Puerto del Carmen is the ideal resort for young adults or groups / parties that are looking to let their hair down whilst on holiday.
Costa Teguise, on the East of the Island is a smaller, quieter resort ideal for families or couples that prefer to take things a little slower. There is a good choice of bars and restaurants here although as there is no real form of shelter it can get a little windy at certain points in the year. There is also an aquarium in Costa Teguise and a water park nearby so there is plenty to do for all ages.
Playa Blanca, sitting on the south-west tip of the island and sheltered by Mountains, is a little more refined. The once small fishing port has grown into a small holiday resort that seems to be more popular with the Germans. The small strip and sea-front walkway which is lined with some excellent restaurants (and yes, I have sampled virtually every one of them) and the Rubicon Marina is host to a bi-weekly craft market which is a must visit. There are three small beaches in Playa Blanca, all of which can sometimes get a little crowded so some holiday makers make their way over to Papagayo which is a larger beach to the east of Playa Blanca.
So which resort is the best for you? It really depends on your tastes and what sort of holiday you are looking for. All resorts have their positives so before you book your Lanzarote holiday just sit back and think about what you want to get out of your vacation before you commit to anything.
There is plenty to do on the island of Lanzarote, wether its lying on the beach soaking up the sun, visiting one of the many natural attractions such as the Timanafaya National Park, enjoying the night life and huge selection of restaurants,bars and clubs or even taking part in some adrenaline sports such as kite-surfing up at Famara.
When people visit Lanzarote, its highly likely that they will stay in one of the three main tourist resorts - Puerto del Carmen, Costa Teguise or Playa Blanca (although we hope we are not giving too much discredit to Arrecife, the capital of Lanzarote).
The three resorts are actually all quite different. Puerto del Carmen (also known as PDC to those in the inner circle) is probably the most popular resort, especially with the British. The long sea front strip of bars, clubs and restaurants means that there is something for everyone, not forgetting the huge beach that runs virtually all the way down the front of the town. Puerto del Carmen has quite recently undergone some renovation work along the sea front strip, including new lighting and a new one way system. We find that Puerto del Carmen is the ideal resort for young adults or groups / parties that are looking to let their hair down whilst on holiday.
Costa Teguise, on the East of the Island is a smaller, quieter resort ideal for families or couples that prefer to take things a little slower. There is a good choice of bars and restaurants here although as there is no real form of shelter it can get a little windy at certain points in the year. There is also an aquarium in Costa Teguise and a water park nearby so there is plenty to do for all ages.
Playa Blanca, sitting on the south-west tip of the island and sheltered by Mountains, is a little more refined. The once small fishing port has grown into a small holiday resort that seems to be more popular with the Germans. The small strip and sea-front walkway which is lined with some excellent restaurants (and yes, I have sampled virtually every one of them) and the Rubicon Marina is host to a bi-weekly craft market which is a must visit. There are three small beaches in Playa Blanca, all of which can sometimes get a little crowded so some holiday makers make their way over to Papagayo which is a larger beach to the east of Playa Blanca.
So which resort is the best for you? It really depends on your tastes and what sort of holiday you are looking for. All resorts have their positives so before you book your Lanzarote holiday just sit back and think about what you want to get out of your vacation before you commit to anything.
Tuesday, 26 April 2011
When is the best time of year to visit Lanzarote?
Lanzarote is also frequently known as the Island of Eternal Spring. The reason? It very rarely goes below 16 degrees celsius at any point during the year which means that even during the Winter months it is a very popular holiday destination.
Of course this doesn’t mean that Winter is the only time it is popular with holiday makers, as in the summer the temperature can soar to the dizzy heights. What you might find is that during some months the heat can be accompanied by a breeze, sometimes quite strong, which gives the impression that it is cooler than it sometimes is - if that makes sense. During the windy months its very easy to get sun burnt - so take care!
So when is the best time of year to visit the Island of Lanzarote?
If you speak to any of the locals on the island they will usually answer with the months of September and October. During these two months, the north easterly trade winds, that can be felt during March - August have died down and the overall climate and conditions appear much more pleasant. Having just returned from a week in Lanzarote during April I can certainly vouch that it can be a struggle keeping the umbrella the right way up on the beach!
The months following October, towards the end of the year, whilst still pleasant have always been a little more cloudy in my experience, especially during the morning.
The climate on Lanzarote can be likened to a desert, which given its close proximity to the Sahara is little suprise really! Due to this there is a known natural phenomenon that can occur at any point during the year - Calimas. Calimas is a creation of the unique Micro Climate of the Sahara desert. A dry and dusty layer of atmosphere forms over the desert during Spring and Summer and with the south easterly winds has a major impact on the weather on Lanzarote. Some recorded temperates have pushed up as high as the mid 30’s during a Calima! This is great if you like the heat, but with the dusty air it can be uncomfortable for anyone with respiratory problems.
December, January and February, whilst a little cooler and often pleasant times to visit Lanzarote. Having said that, record high temperatures were recored during early 2011 but were quickly followed by violent rain storms and winds that battered the island.
Its very difficult to second guess the weather anywhere, but generally speaking the best time to visit Lanzarote, is indeed as the locals suggest, during September and October. The temperature is managable, and the winds tend to drop.
Of course this doesn’t mean that Winter is the only time it is popular with holiday makers, as in the summer the temperature can soar to the dizzy heights. What you might find is that during some months the heat can be accompanied by a breeze, sometimes quite strong, which gives the impression that it is cooler than it sometimes is - if that makes sense. During the windy months its very easy to get sun burnt - so take care!
So when is the best time of year to visit the Island of Lanzarote?
If you speak to any of the locals on the island they will usually answer with the months of September and October. During these two months, the north easterly trade winds, that can be felt during March - August have died down and the overall climate and conditions appear much more pleasant. Having just returned from a week in Lanzarote during April I can certainly vouch that it can be a struggle keeping the umbrella the right way up on the beach!
The months following October, towards the end of the year, whilst still pleasant have always been a little more cloudy in my experience, especially during the morning.
The climate on Lanzarote can be likened to a desert, which given its close proximity to the Sahara is little suprise really! Due to this there is a known natural phenomenon that can occur at any point during the year - Calimas. Calimas is a creation of the unique Micro Climate of the Sahara desert. A dry and dusty layer of atmosphere forms over the desert during Spring and Summer and with the south easterly winds has a major impact on the weather on Lanzarote. Some recorded temperates have pushed up as high as the mid 30’s during a Calima! This is great if you like the heat, but with the dusty air it can be uncomfortable for anyone with respiratory problems.
December, January and February, whilst a little cooler and often pleasant times to visit Lanzarote. Having said that, record high temperatures were recored during early 2011 but were quickly followed by violent rain storms and winds that battered the island.
Its very difficult to second guess the weather anywhere, but generally speaking the best time to visit Lanzarote, is indeed as the locals suggest, during September and October. The temperature is managable, and the winds tend to drop.
Tuesday, 21 December 2010
Swapping Snow and Santa for Sun, Sea and Sand
OK, so it's not everyones cup of tea, but more and more of us are ditching the cold UK for warmer climates at Christmas, and Lanzarote is proving to be a very popular destination.
Lanzarote, one of the Canary Islands and just 70 miles off the coast of the Sahara, enjoys a year round warm climate and is a popular year round holiday destination. The weather in Lanzarote around Christmas averages at around 21.5 degrees and with 6 hours of sunshine it's perfect to sit out in the sun whilst enjoying a Christmas drink (Canaries Honey Rum is our favorite!)
Spain doesn't celebrate Christmas until the 6th January so it might seem strange that 25th December comes across as 'business as usual'. This does mean that there are plenty of places for you to enjoy a nice meal whilst looking out over the sea - however whilst many restaurants put on a Christmas Menu don't expect a traditional turkey meal with all the trimmings!
Generally we have found that holiday deals during the festive period can be a little more expensive than usual, probably due to demand, but what you can guarantee is a fantastically, warm festive celebration.
How to create the perfect Lanzarote Holiday
Since the arrival of Autumn here in the UK, you'd be forgiven for dreaming of getting away from the drop in temperate and the early nights that set in. Autumn and Winter can be full of doom and gloom, but Lanzarote offers an escape and an opportunity to soak up some summer sun.
But on top of this, you don't want your winter break to be just an escape to the sun. You want it to be a pleasurable, relaxing experience with no unnecessary hassles or hiccups. Naturally, you want the Perfect Lanzarote holiday.
So what defines a perfect holiday in Lanzarote? The answer to this depends largely on taste, and what you are looking for. However, for a small island Lanzarote offers so much it's very easy to cater for (almost) everyone.
The integral part of any holiday is the accommodation. Although if the weather is good you probably wont be spending much time there. Lanzarote Accommodation is generally of a high standard, especially if you visit Playa Blanca in the south of the island. There are a number of 4 and 5 star hotel resorts in Playa Blanca, Puerto del Carmen and Costa Teguise which are ideal for the family or older couples who simply want to relax.
Want to do more? For adrenaline junkies Famara is the perfect place on earth. The open Atlantic provides winds and waves that are superb for wind surfing, kite surfing and all sorts of types of sports that send your blood to your head! Not one for the water? Check out the Lanzarote Buggy Safaris where you can take a tour of the island via quad bike - or even better why not take a trip on Camel back in the Timanfaya National Park!
For me, one of the most important part of any holiday is the food and drink. I like to be able to find a nice restaurant, with a good menu and a good beer (preferably San Miguel!). For me it's about relaxing, having somewhere nice to stay and enjoying a fantastic evening meal with my better half.
If you are ever in doubt about where to stay or what to do when you visit Lanzarote you can always talk to your travel agent, or head on over to www.destination-lanzarote.com where you can find a wealth of information. There is plenty to do for families, both older and younger couples and those seeking out more adventure.
Tuesday, 23 November 2010
Monarch Airlines - Credit were credit is due
We have just returned from a weeks holiday in Lanzarote. All in all it was a good week (it always is!) although the weather could have been a little kinder to us. Still, we managed to get a few days on the beach.
On our return flight the plane developed a technical problem before take off. This is the first time I have experienced such a thing and probably not the last, but I was extremely impressed with the way that Monarch handled the situation.
Our plane was pulled out ready to taxi down to the runway. And that's where the problem started - it didn't, or rather couldn't, move. We sat on the plane for a while wondering what was going on. At first I thought that we were just waiting for our slot to use the runway, but then it became more apparent that there was a problem. After sitting on the plane for around an hour the captain advised us of a technical issue and that someone was coming out to investigate and hopefully fix the problem as Monarch had an engineer on the island.
The Engineer promptly arrived and we sat on the plane for a while longer before being told that the starter motor on one of the engines had died and that we would not be able to fly until it was fixed. We were looking at a 2.30 departure - the following day!
Not long after we disembarked the aircraft and collected our luggage which had been promptly removed from the plane. After a couple of minutes of waiting in the baggage hall we were then collected by coach and taken to the nearby Hotel San Antonio in Puerto del Carmen. We were a little bit distressed at hearing that we were going to be staying in PDC, it's not our cup of tea, but to our surprise the hotel (just down near Playa de los Pocillos) was a very impressive 4 star accommodation. Not only that but Monarch had arranged for our evening meals and breakfasts to be paid for.
On arrival, the reception were ready with a passenger list and check in was fast and efficient. We settled into the room and made our way down for a very nice buffet style evening meal and then enjoyed some excellent entertainment in the bar. The staff at the hotel were first class, especially the gentleman walking the reception floor who I assume was the duty manager for the evening.
The following day we started with a fantastic buffet style breakfast and enjoyed a last couple of hours of sunshine before the coaches collected us again to take us back to the airport. The plane was a little late in departing but better to be safe than sorry when it comes to planes and technical issues!
To top it all off, as a gesture of good will Monarch provided us with free meals on the flight home.
The party I travelled with (my girlfriend and her parents) all thought that Monarch provided a fantastic and efficient service to resolve what was an unfortunate situation. Mechanical things break down from time to time, it's the nature of the beast. Its how things are put right that counts, and Monarch were top class.
On our return flight the plane developed a technical problem before take off. This is the first time I have experienced such a thing and probably not the last, but I was extremely impressed with the way that Monarch handled the situation.
Our plane was pulled out ready to taxi down to the runway. And that's where the problem started - it didn't, or rather couldn't, move. We sat on the plane for a while wondering what was going on. At first I thought that we were just waiting for our slot to use the runway, but then it became more apparent that there was a problem. After sitting on the plane for around an hour the captain advised us of a technical issue and that someone was coming out to investigate and hopefully fix the problem as Monarch had an engineer on the island.The Engineer promptly arrived and we sat on the plane for a while longer before being told that the starter motor on one of the engines had died and that we would not be able to fly until it was fixed. We were looking at a 2.30 departure - the following day!
Not long after we disembarked the aircraft and collected our luggage which had been promptly removed from the plane. After a couple of minutes of waiting in the baggage hall we were then collected by coach and taken to the nearby Hotel San Antonio in Puerto del Carmen. We were a little bit distressed at hearing that we were going to be staying in PDC, it's not our cup of tea, but to our surprise the hotel (just down near Playa de los Pocillos) was a very impressive 4 star accommodation. Not only that but Monarch had arranged for our evening meals and breakfasts to be paid for.
On arrival, the reception were ready with a passenger list and check in was fast and efficient. We settled into the room and made our way down for a very nice buffet style evening meal and then enjoyed some excellent entertainment in the bar. The staff at the hotel were first class, especially the gentleman walking the reception floor who I assume was the duty manager for the evening.
The following day we started with a fantastic buffet style breakfast and enjoyed a last couple of hours of sunshine before the coaches collected us again to take us back to the airport. The plane was a little late in departing but better to be safe than sorry when it comes to planes and technical issues!
To top it all off, as a gesture of good will Monarch provided us with free meals on the flight home.
The party I travelled with (my girlfriend and her parents) all thought that Monarch provided a fantastic and efficient service to resolve what was an unfortunate situation. Mechanical things break down from time to time, it's the nature of the beast. Its how things are put right that counts, and Monarch were top class.
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