Holidays in Lanzarote
Lanzarote is the Eastern most of the seven Canary Islands. Which are owned by Spain but located just off the Atlantic coast of Africa, close to the Tropic of Cancer. Creating a semi tropical climate that provides the perfect environment for sun starved tourists from Northern Europe. The UK is Lanzarote´s largest tourist market – followed by Germany and Eire. And in total just over 1.4 million foreign tourists touched down at the sole international airport, Arrecife, during the course of 2009. Tourism first started here back in the early 1970´s when General Franco decided to encourage package holidays as a means of generating much needed foreign currency.
Lanzarote´s popularity grew to such an extent that by the 1980´s the island was welcoming close to 2 million tourists a year. As a result there are plenty of great places to stay on the island – with visitors able to select from a wealth of Lanzarote villas, hotels and apartments. The bulk of which are located in the two largest tourist resorts of Playa Blanca and Puerto del Carmen. Lanzarote also boasts a third resort – Costa Teguise – which is located towards the north of the island. But this has faded in recent years – due largely to the fact that the weather in this part of the island isn’t as good during the winter is in other resorts. Holidays in Lanzarote feature in the brochures of all of the large tour operators and travel agents such as Thomson and First Choice. Who all offer a full range of options from all inclusive deals down to room or flight only arrangements. Once on the island visitors will find that there’s loads to do and see.
The best known attraction is the Moñtanas del Fuego or Fire Mountains located in the centre of Lanzarote. A volcanic region created by massive eruptions during the 1730´s and 1820´s which devastated farmland and wiped out eleven villages. Leaving fields of lava in its wake. The volcanoes here are all now dormant today – but the heat just below the earth’s surface is still intense and reaches up to 400 degrees. Visit the Devils Diner in the centre of the park to watch food being cooked over the heat of a volcano. The best way to explore the island is on four wheels – and fortunately car hire in Lanzarote is very good value. Starting at round €90 per week for a small two door vehicle.
Destinations | | 
February 5, 2010 7:30 am
