Whilst volcanic activity recently disrupted the travel plans of millions of tourists many are still jetting off to holiday hot spots around the world this year. Such as Lanzarote in the Canaries, an island that was forged by the fire of enormous eruptions during the 18th and 19th centuries. Which left a large slice of the island looking like something out of a science fiction film.

This volcanic activity lasted for no less than six years – with a repeat performance in 1824. And the impact of these eruptions irrevocably altered the terrain of much of the island. Leaving an area of around 200km square devoid of vegetation and resembling something out of a sci-fi film. Little wonder then that Lanzarote has been used many times as a location by movie makers since the 1960´s.

Even though Lanzarote has a volcanic history, property investment on the island is still very viable with countless tourists actually investing in their own holiday apartments.

Lanzarote Holiday Villas And Accommodation. Lanzarote without doubt cannot be criticised for a lack of holiday accommodation as there is a whole variety to suit any budget, the question to ponder however is which is the best resort to be staying in?

Visitors can take their choice of three main holiday destinations. In winter villas in Playa Blanca tend to attract lots of bookings, as this part of the island enjoys a more clement climate during December and January. Whilst villas in Puerto del Carmen are more popular with tourists in search of decent nightlife, as there is a real abundance of clubs and bars here in Lanzarote´s largest resort.

The third largest resort of Costa Teguise is located to the north of Arrecife airport on the south east coastline. It was created around 35 years ago with the help of César Manrique, a popular local artist who had a hand in the creation of many of Lanzarote´s best known attractions too. He developed plans for an upmarket resort which is still anchored today by the five star Gran Melia Salinas hotel. Which is still one of the best hotels in Lanzarote and where guests can view some of his original canvasses adorning the walls of the public spaces.

As well as great weather all year round visitors will also find that there is a lot to do and see on the island, which helps to contribute to Lanzarote´s popularity as a holiday destination. Such as the many creations of the local artist César Manrique – who developed visitor attractions such as the Cactus Garden and the Green Caves. Along with many natural wonders such as the Valley of 1000 Palms and the majestic sight of the Timanfaya Volcano Park.

Visit Lanzarote

There are plenty of attractive holiday destinations around the world. But few can match the cultural attractions of Lanzarote, which is located in the Canary Islands. As this Spanish outpost is home to the many creations of a well known, locally born artist called César Manrique. Who had a profound influence over the development of tourism on the island.

Many visitors to the island simply come for the almost guaranteed weather but Lanzarote boasts a quite unusual cultural side which often goes un-missed in the rush to the beaches,and with an excellent choice of Lanzarote villas finding accommodation on the island will not be a chore

Anyone who visits Lanzarote soon encounters the name of César Manrique as his influence is everywhere. Starting right from the airport, where one of his best known giant wind toy sculptures is located, through to their accommodation. As it is thanks to him that all of the apartments and villas in Lanzarote are painted a uniform white colour. Whilst there are no high rise buildings or ad billboards blotting the landscape.

Manrique was born in the island capital of Arrecife in 1919 and developed a deep love for his birthplace from a very young age. Fostered by long summers spent on the beach at Famara in the north of the island, where his family kept a holiday home. And where the huge 8km long bay is flanked by the majestic sight of the Famara massif cliff range.

Against his parents wishes Manrique left for the University of Belle Artes in Madrid to study – and here he hooked up with other members of the Spanish surrealist movement. Becoming an important force within this school. Going on to accept an invitation from the Rockefellers to go and exhibit his work in New York, the modern art world’s capital city during the 1960´s. Where he also became a contemporary of prime movers such as Andy Warhol.

However back in Spain along the Costas and in the Canaries tourism was starting to take its toll. Package holidays had just been launched and lots of land was becoming submerged beneath hotels and apartments. A fate Manrique was determined to avert for Lanzarote. So he returned home and began to marshal local opinion for a more controlled approach to tourist development on the island.

Manrique was appalled at the potential threat to the islands culture when he returned from his travels but at the same time, Manrique also accepted that his fellow islanders could not continue to live off just fishing and agriculture alone. So Manrique also started work on the creation of a series of seven cultural attractions that would become the mainstay of the island tourist industry to this day. Encompassing brilliant works of architecture such as the Jameos del Agua and the Mirador del Rio. Whilst also campaigning tirelessly for a retrained and sensible approach to construction.

Additional information about available Lanzarote apartment accommodation can be found on the Lanzarote1.com website.

Lanzarote in the Canary Islands is an ideal destination for anyone seeking a good value villa vacation. As here tourists can enjoy a large selection of rental options – usually at prices that are way cheaper in relation to comparable properties in other holiday hotspots. As a result of the fact that the holiday season here extends all year round – whilst the islands tourist sector is very well developed.

Along with the other six Canary Islands Lanzarote enjoys a fantastic semi-tropical climate, delivering clement weather whatever the time of year. Thanks to its geographical situation close to the Tropic of Cancer and just off the coast of Africa. This is married with very low levels of rainfall, together creating a dry and arid terrain – desert like in places - which is largely devoid of trees and vegetation.

The scenery here is made even more surreal and strange by the fact that Lanzarote was rocked by enormous amounts of volcanic activity some 250 years ago. Leaving much of the interior of the island looking like a scene from a science fiction film.

Away from the volcanic region Lanzarote´s beauty is more conventional and in keeping with other holiday islands. With around 100 beaches sprinkled around the coastline and three modern and well developed holiday resorts for visitors to enjoy. Which are home to the bulk of the best Lanzarote holiday villas and other prime holiday accommodation for example self catering apartments.

The biggest resort on Lanzarote is called Puerto del Carmen and is home to some great beaches – just a short drive from Arrecife airport. These fine stretches of sand are the main reason why it is so popular with tourists – along with the fact that visitors can also enjoy great nightlife here and plenty of good quality bars and restaurants.

For example, most villas are in demand as a result – with prices starting at about the €500 mark for properties with private pools.

Playa Blanca is the second biggest destination on the island after Puerto del Carmen. And it has grown quickly since development work first started here in earnest some thirty years ago. Today the resort is a hot choice with visitors keen to secure well priced self catering properties. It also boasts a wide range of good value villas and apartments. For example, basic villas in Playa Blanca can be rented out from about €400 per week with prices varying according to the time of the year.

Where To Go When You Get Here

Must see attractions on the island include for example Jameos Del Agua -The Jameos Del Agua is so high impact that it was declared the “Eighth Wonder of the World” by Hollywood legend Rita Heyworth when she visited as a guest of Manrique. And it continues to wow visitors today.

Lanzarote in the Canary Islands boasts a number of very high quality holiday resorts. But Playa Blanca leads the way when it comes to great weather – thanks to the fact that it is located right at the southern tip of the island. Whilst also offering visitors a fantastic selection of breathtaking beaches to explore. Making this the fastest growing resort on Lanzarote.

Playa Blanca was developed long after its resort rivals to the north. And until as recently as the 1980´s was still just a small fishing port and ferry harbour. From where boasts crossed the Bocaina Straits to the neighbouring island of Fuerteventura. However its twin natural advantages of great weather and excellent beaches made it an obvious spot for tourist development. And throughout the 1990´s work commenced and a swathe of new hotels and villa developments were created.

Geographically Playa Blanca is basically made up of three small bays set within one much larger cove – providing plenty of shelter from the wind. And visitors can enjoy a stroll along the seafront from one end of the resort to the other. Thanks to the fact that it is united by a promenade that runs from the Faro de Pechuguera lighthouse through to the outer reaches of Papagayo.

Playa Blanca villas have become a popular accommodation choice for short and long term travellers over the last few years. With the winter months proving especially busy thanks to the more favourable microclimate in this part of the island.

Playa Blanca villas are also in plentiful supply making rental accommodation here cheaper than in the other resorts. And all of these properties boast plenty of luxury extras such as private swimming pools, satellite TV and hot tubs. As well as internet connections for those who need to stay online even when on holiday, making them an ideal choice for families ar even a relaxing romantic holiday for two.

For guests who are able to tear themselves way from the pool the resort is home to some spectacular stretches of sand. Such as Playa Dorada, Playa Flamingo and the small town beach of Playa Blanca – from which this destination takes its name. And the breathtaking coves and bays of Papagayo – regarded as one of the best beaches in the Canaries – are just a fifteen minute stroll away. There´s a great selection of restaurants for visitors and Playa Blanca is also ideally located for anyone keen to visit Lanzarote´s number one tourist attraction of the Timanfaya Volcano Park. As this is just a fifteen minute drive.

The Canary Islands have been luring visitors from around the world for decades and particularly those from European destinations, seeing that the relatively short flight times to this group of islands make it perfect for vacationers that are on the lookout for a sun kissed vacation spot, nonetheless usually do not always wish to spend thirteen hours or a lot more on their trip.

One particular individual island in this delightful archipelago happens to be a hidden treasure waiting to get discovered by guests. It has for some time been tarnished by the completely undeserved tag of ‘Lanzagrotty’ however as any traveller to Lanzarote will certainly gladly testify, this vacation destination has always been undeniably distinctive leading to plenty of guests returning every year.

So what exactly makes this particular island stand out from its sister islands within the chain?

Obviously there are actually parallels with the other islands, which could possibly be unsurprising given the close proximity of the islands to each other, yet somehow almost any similarities quickly dissapear and whenever you are looking at tourist development Lanzarote has carved away a distinct segment of its very own, as this small volcanic outcrop effectively manages to combine a number of the best facets of beach vacations with unspoiled scenery, a flamboyant and striking culture and all sorts of fascinating points of interest which are fascinating to the young and more mature visitors to the island.

Lanzarote’s beaches might be best described as beautiful, golden not to mention sandy, and because of the islands great local climate and year round sunshine, these can be enjoyed in almost just about any season. The popular resorts here each possess their share of palm fringed playas, combined with a great selection of conveniences in order to meet the demands of local people and travellers alike.

Such is the popularity of the island, generally there is without question already an exceptional choice of short term as well as long term holiday accommodation that ranges from compact but well appointed holiday apartments in Lanzarote to the far more roomy and of course luxurious Spanish style holiday villas in Lanzarote, it is really very seldom that you’ll be not able to locate the sort of holiday accommodation you are looking for but in the high season as you may would most likely imagine availability will get limited.

Should you be looking for some thing out of the ordinary and unusual holiday accommodation can even be found, by way of example you can go natural and live in a holiday home created from caves in the side of a mountain as well as an subterranean dwelling formed from a renovated subterranean water tank.

Perhaps the most significant residence of all and one that ought to be on every person’s travel agenda happens to be the former home of local legend Cesar Manrique, the Lanzarote artist who is very much responsible for the majority of the natural developments around the island that merge with the very fabric of the island itself.

Having discovered 5 subterranean volcanic pockets, Manrique then proceeded to rework them into his own home with simply stunning inspiration and planning. Word regarding the appearance of this architectural wonder propagated quickly, so much so that in the late 1980’s the artist moved out and his former home developed into the Foundation Cesar Manrique.

A great many travelers and tourists are now selecting to stay in more non-urban accommodation, the peacefulness not to mention the tranquillity that these types of holiday accommodation provides is often quite definitely complemented by the tension free and casual feel of the small villages and towns that form the rural interior.

In a time warp of its own you’ll still find neighborhood farmers making use of donkeys to plough their fields every now and then, whilst many more produce wines in their own small bodegas using extremely distinctive techniques, with the vines being cultivated within round beds hollowed from the dark-colored volcanic picon and surrounded by small stone walls to protect them from the incredibly hot dry wind.

If you’re planning to visit the Canaries on a summer holiday or even a winter break Lanzarote happens to be the ideal vacation location for you.

Holidays are one of the best stress relievers around, as they give you the chance to get away from the daily routine of work and household chores. And when you choose a destination that has lots of sunshine and a laidback pace it is that much easier to switch off quickly.

Of the hotspots around Europe, the Canary Islands are probably the most reliable for year round good weather. This is thanks to their location off the coast of Morocco, making them the most southerly port of call in the whole Eurozone. Lanzarote is the eastern most of the seven islands that form this archipelago and as a result it is also the driest, with very low levels of annual rainfall. Its infrastructure is modern and efficient, the result of more than forty years of tourist development.

With three main resorts and many rural settings, it is able to provide a good range of accommodation to suit all budgets and holiday requirements. Apartments in Lanzarote offer a great deal of choice at reasonable prices. Whilst those who favour more space and privacy will find that Lanzarote holiday villas are the answer. All have their own heated swimming pools, comfortably furnished interiors with all mod cons and plenty of entertainment facilities as well.

A majority Holiday Villas in Lanzarote are also occupied by their owners at certain periods of the year and this is one of the main reasons that a majority are kept so well and equipped with many of the little holiday items most families would want anyway.

Puerto del Carmen itself is home to many good restaurants including several arranged around the old harbour providing a particularly pleasant dining experience. Just on the perimeter of the town there is also a good selection of eateries, only a short cab ride from the vast majority of the accommodation. The six kilometers of seafront promenade gives access to beautiful golden beaches. And recent improvements to this maritime roadway means that it is now fully adapted for pedestrians to enjoy, with spacious walkways and very little traffic.

At night, there are many bars and clubs that make good destinations for an after dinner drink, with most open until the early hours. For those who are more active during the day, there is a huge array of activities to select from, Lanzarote golf holidays as an example have always been popular due to the outstanding weather.

Such is the unique charm of the island, due to its unspoiled landscapes and tranquil environment, visitors often feel the urge to return for more holidays in Lanzarote. Which many do year after year.