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If you are planning a holiday in Lanzarote you will find that there are many different types of places to stay. With everything from 5 star luxury hotels through to cheap and cheerful apartments in the main resorts available on this unique little Canary Island and all just a four hour flight from the UK.

Lanzarote first came to prominence as a holiday hot spot during the package holiday boom years of the 1970’s and 1980’s. Featuring as an all year round destination in the brochures of the time and by 1993 the island was welcoming 2 million visitor every year. Today whilst it remains very popular these numbers have tailed off a bit, largely as a result of more competition from newer destinations such as Croatia and Turkey.

This enduring popularity can be partly attributed to the fact that there are loads of different sorts of places to stay on Lanzarote – which means that everyone can find accommodation to suit both their budgets and their taste.

The largest growth area over the past several years has been in self-catering offices, with over 10,000 Lanzarote Villas on the island.The majority of these can be found in Lanzarote’s primary holiday resorts. And virtually all have their own swimming pools and can be rented out all year round thanks to Lanzarote’s amazing climate. Expect to pay upwards of €450 for your week in the sun, depending of course on the time of year and location of your villa.

Purto del Carmen holiday villas tend to be more expensive than similar properties in other resorts, reflecting larger plot sizes and superior build quality. So if you are thinking about booking a break in the island’s oldest and largest resort you will need to allow upward of €600 per week, possibly more if you book during peak periods or plan to visit with a large group of people.

Villas in Playa Blanca on the other hand tend to be a little cheaper, with rental rates starting at around the €450 per week mark.

In addition to the great selection of villas in Lanzarote you’ll find 200 plus hotels to choose from too. Six 5 star establishments cater to the upper end of the tourist market, with the bulk of these establishments offering 4 star accommodation. Playa Blanca is the resort to head for if you are looking for a good value beak as the hotels here are much newer and there is a much greater range of choice than in either Puerto del Carmen or Costa Teguise.

Lanzarote, the fourth largest of the Canary Islands possesses a standing for being a highly regarded sunshine holiday destination. This is undoubtedly well deserved, with there being approximately 100 perfect beaches to check out here and the climate is wonderful even in winter. However this climate also helps to draw in an abundance of sports tourists and pro athletes from across Europe, and in particular once the world famous Iron Man competition kicks off.

The Iron Man competition gets underway on Lanzarote annually in late May and draws in approximately a thousand athletes. Most of whom manage to complete the course including a 3km swim, 180 km back-breaking bike ride and a full length marathon inside of 12 hours or less, with all the leading athletes managing to clock in, within 8 hours plus. This particular sporting event is so amazing that many holidaymakers plan their annual vacations and end up booking villas in Lanzarote to coincide with the event, which is typically held in late May.

Lanzarote in addition embraces a steady flow of sports people and athletes across the year who will be all keen to take advantage of the great weather for training reasons. Cyclists are generally spotted on the island’s roadways in packs all through the year and most of those visitors book private accommodation for instance villas in Playa Blanca and villas in Puerto del Carmen for event training, together with a deserved and needed break after the event.

Lanzarote features a lot more than merely sun, sea and sand too. The island is home to some astounding natural wonders such as the Timanfaya Volcano Park, the Valley of a thousand Palms and also the green lagoon at El Golfo. As well as a host of pretty little towns and villages to investigate and the numerous creations of a renowned local artist and creator César Manrique. Including the Mirador del Rio, the restful Cactus Garden and the fantastic Jameos del Agua.

For the more culturally inspired you’ll find a well balanced choice of historic monuments and local museums just crying to be visited which includes Castillo San Jose and Castillo de Santa Barbara. Or for a tempting tipple the wine Museum of Lanzarote.

This great mix of friendly resorts, sun drenched beaches and spectacular natural landscapes help to make Lanzarote a dramatic and remarkable holiday destination, so be sure you investigate for yourself.

You are able to find hundreds of appealing winter sun holiday destinations about the globe. Including the beaches of Thailand to the cool blue waters of the Caribbean. But if you live in the UK and are seeking the closest winter sun vacation spot to home then the Canary Islands will be the number 1 selection. On the grounds that air flights to these islands take a miserly 4 hours and are generally obtainable from all UK airports.

In case you were unaware , the Canaries are all owned by Spain and comprise seven islands in total. Lanzarote is one of the most well-liked with tourists and could be located close to the West African coastline. It´s far more arid and less verdant than the other islands inside the chain thanks to its volcanic origins, low rainfall figures and close proximity to the Sahara desert. But the weather here is fantastic and holidaymakers can bask in temperatures of as much as 25 degrees Celsius in the course of the winter months.

The favourite type of accommodation with travellers coming to Lanzarote has long been the outstanding selection of Lanzarote villas and apartments, with properties now obtainable in all the primary resorts in addition to the countryside. Most villas come equipped with private swimming pools in addition to plenty of other luxury extras for example Jacuzzis and hot tubs. And prices are reasonable, starting from about €600 per week for a standard two bedroom villa boasting its own pool.

For those who prefer tranquility on your holiday vacation then this island boasts some delightful rural villas, but in case you favor a little more to do then the major resort of Puerto del Carmen is a superb destination. Those hunting for self catering accommodation may also see that there are plenty of Lanzarote holiday villas just waiting to be booked. Among them is Villa Mare, which is a luxurious residence situated in Los Mojones, a calm and up-market enclave in the heart of the resort. Here guests will enjoy astonishing views down to the shore and out over the Atlantic below to the island of Fuerteventura.

This outstanding property has now also been refurbished to a superb standard and features five bed rooms which have recently been decorated in a contemporary and classy manner. In addition to a large private pool, ample sunbathing terraces together with a Barbecue and open air eating area that is simply perfect for enjoying al fresco meals.

Playa Blanca is the second most well-liked resort on the island, and also boasts wonderful beaches and some top quality holiday accommodation options also. On the accommodation side many Playa Blanca villas for rent may be booked by simply visiting many of the Lanzarote accommodation web sites.

The area has a whole host of places of interest that enhance the lists of reasons to visit the island and it is worthwhile to enjoy these yourself, so if you need to hire a vehicle you’ll find this is modestly priced too so it’s convenient and as a result affordable, and there is no excuse for not getting out and explore, and discover for yourself the way of life of Lanzarote by taking part in any one of the countless local festivals that take place all year round.

Where on earth is Lanzarote? To find this popular island just locate the Iberian Peninsula on an atlas, trace down onto Africa´s west coast and there you´ll see the Canaries situated just off the coast of Morocco. These seven Spanish owned islands are a real holiday paradise, offering sunshine all year round. And Lanzarote is the closest Canary Island to the West African coast.

Lanzarote can in fact be found on the same line of latitude as the Bahamas and parts of Mexico, not far away from the Tropic of Cancer. But whilst these other locations are arguably more exotic Lanzarote still manages to match them in the department that really matters – delivering equally good weather and a very clement climate, with temperatures reaching a maximum of 30 degrees Celsius during the summer and a minimum of 20 degrees in winter. Making it the ideal spot for a sunshine break whatever the time of the year.

During the 1970´s and 80´s the expansion of the island’s tourist industry was fuelled by package holidaymakers, primarily from the UK and Germany. But since then the travel market has changed, with travel agents disappearing fast . As a result a growing number of holidaymakers now prefer to book private lanzarote villas together with flights, which take about four hours from the UK,and can easily be booked separately.

Most of the best accommodation on the island is located in the main resort of Puerto del Carmen, which is situated in the centre of Lanzarote´s south eastern coastline. There are numerous hotels to choose from here – along with a wide array of Puerto del Carmen holiday villas. The type of accommodation that is highly prized by independent travellers as it grants both privacy and independence.

Playa Blanca is Lanzarote´s second main holiday resort. This is the warmest part of the island, boasting the best weather and beaches in not just Lanzarote but the Canaries too. Here holidaymakers have their choice of three great golden sand beaches within ten minutes walk of each other, and as a major plus the amazing coves and bays of Papagayo which are within easy walking distance. No wonder then that Playa Blanca villas are in such demand.

As smaller island´s go, Lanzarote has a higher than average number of tourist attractions, with several dedicated to recording the history and culture of locals. But the island is also an exceedingly popular location for sports enthusiasts, with any number of activities that are available to tourists, from surfing to golf. So even if the weather is not the main incentive to visit Lanzarote, there is still a wealth of things to see and do.

Why do tourists keep returning to Lanzarote in the Canary Islands year after year? This small chunk of Spain remains one of the most popular holiday destinations in Europe despite the current economic downturn and is especially popular with British holidaymakers, who out number other nationalities here such as the Germans by at least 4 or 5 to 1. With around 800,000 tourists from the UK enjoying a break on the island last year alone.

A large quantity of high quality accommodation is a prime key factor and on Lanzarote there are some very affordable and attractive places to stay. Visitors can choose from thousands of Lanzarote villas. Most of which are available much more cheaply than comparable holiday rental properties in other parts of Spain, such as the Balearics and the Costas.

The weather is also a key ingredient for most visitors. Lanzarote is situated close to the west coast of Morocco and as a result the climate here is spring like all year round. Making it possible to bask in the sunshine on the island’s glorious beaches even in the winter when the majority are tucking into their Christmas dinners back home. Factor in the fact that it is now cheaper to fly to Lanzarote from the UK than ever before too and you have all of the ingredients for a great value break.

Where are the best places to stay? Tourists can choose from three main resorts; Playa Blanca, Puerto del Carmen and Costa Teguise. Each has it´s own unique character, climate and attractions so it´s important to do a bit of research in order to find your ideal destination on this popular holiday island.

If you´re young – or young at heart – and want to enjoy late nights as well as lazy days by the pool or on the beach, then head for Puerto del Carmen. This is the biggest resort on Lanzarote and is packed with decent bars, clubs and restaurants.Those who like to combine long days in the sun with late nights on the tiles should plump for Puerto del Carmen, the largest and oldest resort on the island. Which is home to a large quantity of decent restaurants, bars and clubs. As well as a host of reasonably priced Playa Blanca villas starting from about €500 per week.

Playa Blanca is the best choice for beach lovers, as this fast growing resort is home to some of the best stretches of sand on Lanzarote. Such as Playa Flamingo and Playa Dorada. The stunning coves of Papagayo are also located just a fifteen minute walk away from the centre of the town and these are a definite must see. As they are regularly voted into the top ten beaches in Spain in various travel polls.

Puerto del Carmen villas are also cheaper than in Puerto del Carmen with prices starting from €450 for seven nights. So if you want the ultimate beach holiday you’ll save on your accommodation too. For the full lowdown on the island check out Lanzaroteguidebook.com before you arrive, as it is a very comprehensive reference and full of useful info.

What´s the secret of a great holiday? Could it be the short journey times, rural villa locations and fish dishes to make your mouth water? All of these and much more besides can be found on Lanzarote, which no doubt helps to explain why it is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Spain. And a real hot favourite with visitors from the UK who flock here in large numbers every year.

So what is the secret of Lanzarote’s appeal? Many observers claim that the islands volcanoes and their ores and minerals exert some sort of magical magnetic pull on tourists. Luring them back year after year. Whether that is true or not Lanzarote – the most easterly link in the Canaries – certainly enjoys plenty of repeat guests, booking the same Lanzarote villas, or exploring new accommodation options around the island.

Undoubtedly the weather here plays a major role simply because even in the winter season you’ll still be able to grab a towel or beach mat and head to the beach for a spot of sunbathing. Just stay out of the sea though as this is the Atlantic and not the Med in summertime. So best to resist the temptation to go for a dip as the water will feel like ice.Rainfall tend not to be a problem here though thanks to the fact that Lanzarote is located pretty close to the Sahara desert and the African coastline.

There is never a shortage of first class spots to stay on the island as a consequence of the fact that travelers have been making a bee line and visiting the island for close to fifty years. Many guests prefer to decide on the privacy and warmth of Lanzarote holiday villas far more than hotels, in the main because they tend to offer excellent monetary value too.

So where is the Lanzarote villa hot spot? The cheapest and best value accommodation is located in the resort of Playa Blanca, which is situated at the southern end of the island and which is the newest resort on Lanzarote. villas here as a result can often prove much cheaper than elsewhere on Lanzarote. So this is the place to head for if you are holidaying on a limited budget.

Lanzarote enjoys a fantastic reputation as a year-round resort boasting a great climate, and this year is no exception to this rule! A newly released report by the Spanish Meteorological Agency displays that the Canary Islands basked in higher than average temperatures for the time of year between December and February.

The information put together by the Spanish Meteorological Agency reveal that the islands have had their warmest winter weather since 1961 with the average temperature of 19.4º C recorded in coastal areas of the islands during this period, an increase of 1º C when compared with prior years. This of course helps to consolidate Lanzarote´s position as one of the most popular winter sun destinations, with this winter the warmest since 1961.

This is not exactly news to many of the thousands of visitors who regularly come to the island in search of the sun. But the island doesn’t´t just enjoy good weather as it also has an superb selection of tourist accommodation on offer.

Increasingly, visitors are unquestionably moving away from traditional vacations and opting instead for a stay in one of the many villas in Lanzarote as increasingly this offers the most comfortable type of accommodation, with many of the conveniences of home. The island has a well developed tourist infrastructure already in place, with the oldest resort of Puerto del Carmen undergoing numerous improvements to keep its competitive edge. And Puerto del Carmen villas are situated in the most desirable areas of the town.

This creates a very attractive backdrop for holidaymakers who choose the resort for their visit. Whilst the newer resort in the south fares just as well with an huge range of villas in Playa Blanca available to rent which vary considerably in size and price.

One thing both these resorts do share is that they have their own micro climates with daytime temperatures noticeably higher than in the north of the island. They also boast some of the best beaches to be found on the whole island, which are perfect for sun starved visitors to soak up the rays.

However, many of those staying in villas in Lanzarote have their own private pools so some villa guests often stay put preferring to while away their time at their home away from home. But if you can bear to peel yourself of your sun lounger you will be rewarded with a wealth of attractions all over the island.

As small island´s go, Lanzarote has a higher than average number of tourist attractions, with several dedicated to documenting the history and culture of locals. But it is also an extremely popular destination for sports enthusiasts, with any number of activities on offer to tourists, from surfing to golf. All of which means that even for those visitors who aren’t´t big on sunbathing, there is plenty to entertain and interest on a holiday to Lanzarote.

Tucked away in a group of islands known as the Canaries lies a little pearl called Lanzarote which has been a sun kissed blessing for all those people wanting to break free from the particularly cold weather endured across much of the country so far so far this year. And it is easy to see why, as the daytime temperatures around this time of the year can be warmer than many summer days in mainland UK.

Remarkably and weather aside, the island also attracts property investors too. The one of a kind landscapes and all year round warm climate make the island of Lanzarote in the Canary Islands a superb location for purchasing a holiday home. As the most easterly of the islands that form the Canaries, Lanzarote is widely known for its below average rainfall and uncannily mild winters, as a consequence Lanzarote property for sale is incredibly appealing to a wide range of investors looking for good returns or perhaps even a home from home.

But regardless of whether or not you simply need a holiday or a reasonably pretty safe sanctuary for your money Lanzarote has a really good assortment of resorts,a great collection of holiday villas and an abundance of interesting attractions and recreational activities besides. With such an abundance to offer hiring a car is undoubtedly the most effective way to get out and about, but if you don’t fancy that then guided excursions cover most easily accessed attractions, visiting the best attractions the island provides on a daily basis.

Additionally there are a good deal of sports you could take part in, such as biking, mountain climbing and even walking if you like to keep your exercise low key. Lanzarote car hire information can be found here. Scheduled tours are very popular for those people who perhaps do not want to drive, there are also a great deal of sports to get involved in.

Thus irrespective of the island´s diminutive size, there exists plenty for travelers to explore and see through the course of their visit.

For any budding photographers reading this Lanzarote has exceptional clarity of light both night and day, mostly due to it’s lack of both light and atmospheric pollution. There are so many photo opportunities on the island from vistas to landscapes (and not forgetting those beach shots too) that you need to make sure you have plenty of media especially if you are snap happy.

Travelling to Lanzarote these days is pretty easy, additionally the journey times to the islands remain a huge plus factor due to the fact flights are a nice and relaxing 4 hours. The price of lanzarote flights is still nice and affordable too despite airfare price rises to various other locations. This is in the main part down to the overwhelming competition between the main travel providers vying for reduce passenger numbers.

Great quality food and drink is one of the most important elements that makes for a memorable holiday abroad. And on Lanzarote visitors can enjoy the unique flavours of the Canaries, both in their hotel accommodation and when they get out and about exploring the island. Thanks to the fact that there are loads of excellent restaurants to explore and Car hire in Lanzarote is both cheap and readily available.

Despite the fact that it is in island located in the Atlantic traditional dishes on Lanzarote tend to be meat rather than fish based. Rabbit and goat are both extremely popular and feature on the menus of all good traditional local restaurants. And the island is also famed for its excellent goat cheeses, which combine very well with locally produced wines, such as El Grifo. Which is still produced in one of the oldest bodegas in the Canaries, dating back to the 1770´s.

Many Lanzarote hotels put on a special banquet of local produce at least once a week. Usually in the form of a special Canary Night gala. Which features these dishes along with other local favourites such as prawns in garlic. And they will also find that these can be washed down with Canarian lagers such as Tropical and Dorada, which are brewerd on Gran Canaria and Tenerife respectively. Honey rum is also popular as an after dinner drink and is usually served with coffee. For anyone staying in one of the many Lanzarote villas or apartments available for rent the basic ingredients of these dishes can all be bought in local markets should they wish to try cooking them for themselves.

For those who can be bothered to cook there are plenty of restaurants to choose from and a lot of the best are located in the countryside away from the main resorts. The north of the island is home to some of the finest, such as Ikarus in Teguise, once Lanzarote´s capital city. And Lagomar in Oasis de Nazaret which was once the home of the film star Omar Sharif and which now houses one of the best restaurants on Lanzarote.

Getting to the island has never been easier as there are now flights to Lanzarote that are surprisingly affordable given the fact that it is a four hour journey time from the UK. Fares have really fallen over the last few years though and returns to this small island located off the coast of Africa are available from most airports in the UK.

Popular tourist destinations such as Lanzarote have already been through a number of different guises during the forty years or so as a preferred hotspot. This Canarian island started off as a reasonably exclusive place to visit, with many Scandinavian tourists regularly travelling to the island. But by the time the 1980´s arrived, tourism on the island was embarking down a different route, with a greater number coming via holiday packages. During this period, rather than staying in Lanzarote villas, the vast majority were accommodated in hotels and apartments. Holiday villas in Lanzarote

However, the birth of the world wide web has now shifted things on again. As the internet has become the chief means by which people book their holidays there appears to be a move towards more independent travel once more, as all the information is readily available covering every last detail of the holiday. Lanzarote holiday apartments

The convenience with which your are able to book Lanzarote villas and apartments, together with plane tickets, vehicle rentals in addition to other elements of your holiday, helping to make the bundles offered by more traditional travel companies look somewhat dated. Happily this situation has spawned a increased variety of holiday experiences accordingly.

And the internet also provides much more detailed information about selected destinations, with forums and reviews that help to give people the inside track. So a bad experience at a local restaurant can be avoided as much as a good one secured.

The increase in online usage associated to family vacations has become apparent in England, simply because the vast majority of individuals have access to the world wide web at home. As a consequence of this shift in vacation booking activities, progressively more of the higher profile travel groups have concentrated on all-inclusive deals on Lanzarote in order to maintain market share.

Although these packages make holidays affordable, they often cost the local economy dearly, with lost revenue for businesses such as bars and restaurants, with tourists remaining inside the hotel for virtually their whole stay. Not to mention the somewhat limited experience of the island this gives.

This is something of an injustice to this Canarian hotspot, as it has a huge variety of activities on offer, some stunning natural landscapes and beaches and seven unique tourist attractions that are well worth leaving the resorts to see.

Not least amongst the sites that are worth visiting are the volcanic scenery around the Timanfaya National Park, which has given rise to the island´s unique culture and wine production. And in complete contrast is the more rugged and unspoilt north of the island.