Holidaying in Lanzarote

(Tue Jul 13th, 2010, by Larry Austin)

Part of the Canary Islands, Lanzarote too enjoys the perfect climate which is why it is such a popular and well known holiday destination. There are so many different activities to choose from when on holiday in Lanzarote, starting from a visit to the Timanfaya National Park or the Guatiza which has a cactus garden. Adding to the appeal of Lanzarote is that it is considered a very clean inland plus having a lack of high rise buildings in most areas, which would have otherwise obscured the amazing views. A must visit are the picturesque fishing villages of Orzola and Arrieta and more inland villages such as Yaiza and Tias. Being about 79 miles off the coast of Africa Lanzarote is the fourth largest of the Canary Islands. No matter what plans have been made for a stay in Lanzarote, hotels and other accommodations are easy to find. It is always advisable to do comprehensive research in order to ensure finding the most suitable deals. Depending on whether a visitor is looking for luxury or traveling on a budget or simply for a place to bunk down for the night, there are Lanzarote accommodations that suit everyone. For instance most hotels in Lanzarote will organize excursions to the intriguing lava caves at Cuerva de los Verdes and Los Jameos del Agua. As is the case with the Canaries, Lanzarote too is of volcanic origin and it is sometimes described as the ‘lunar' or ‘Martian' due to certain areas of the landscape being different to the rest. As a result of this volcanic activity Lanzarote has the longest Volcanic Tunnel in the world, the Atlantida Tunnel over 7 km long which includes the two above mentioned caves. In Lanzarote, accommodation range from bungalows to villas to apartments including hotels, most constructed to make maximum use of the wonderful weather prevalent in the island. Also synonymous with Lanzarote are the sandy beaches and cool blue waters of the ocean, where days on end can be spent simply soaking up the sun and then cooling off with a relaxing dip. Described as ‘strikingly beautiful' Lanzarote beaches are small when compared to the other Canary Islands and have yellow or while sand, with a few having black volcanic sand or even pebbles. The size of the beaches lend them a secluded quality which is a much appreciated feature as the towering spectacular cliffs seem to shield beach goers. It is best to do some research on which beaches are the best for swimming though, as a few can be rough due to the cliffs and strong currents. Just 10 minutes from the Arrecife Airport is the popular Puerto del Carmen resort which was originally a small fishing village. It has an old harbour and some excellent seafood restaurants. There are many other dinning options as well that guarantee that all taste buds are catered to. Comprising a number of resorts, such as Los Pocillos, Arrecife, Playa Blanca, Puerto Calero and Costa Teguise, Lanzarote as a result has an abundance of restaurants and accommodations designed to cater to a visitor's every need.