As the summer season comes to and end across Europe there’s one southern outpost where the sun continues to shine. Although in fairness Lanzarote – and the rest of the Canaries – are in fact located many hundreds of miles south of the Iberian Peninsula and mainland Europe, off the coast of Africa. Whilst retaining European Union membership as part of Spain.

As a result of this great climate the Canaries have become the second most visited region in Spain after Catalunya (with its star attraction of Barcelona).Attracting over 9 million visitors a year. So despite the current economic climate thousands of travellers will still be booking holidays in Lanzarote and the Canaries this autumn.

The Canaries are just four hours flying time from the UK. Making these islands the closest winter destination to sun starved Northern Europe. And this year the cost of flights to Lanzarote are set to fall – thanks to growing competition on this route between the big guns of the low cost flight world, easyJet and Ryanair. The latter has firmly switched their focus to the Canaries this winter and will be operating 16 new services to Lanzarote from airports across the UK.

What sort of weather can visitors expect to enjoy during the winter months?On Lanzarote the temperature averages at around 20 degrees Celsius. With hardly any rainfall at all. The days are also longer than back in the UK – with the sun not setting before 6pm at the earliest. Whilst the Trade Winds that normally buffet the island from March through to August have dampened down.

The island offers high standards of accommodation too. Covering all of the bases from high quality hotels through to simple studio apartments. A growing number of visitors now prefer to book their own accommodation online too – thanks to the growth in internet usage. And as result interest in - and bookings for - Lanzarote villas have increased enormously over the last decade.

Due to the increase in holidaymakers requiring Villas in Lanzarote is fantastic news for long and short stay visitors to Lanzarote as villa owners have had to ensure that clients requirements are met, and those extras and traditional add ons are now included in the price.

Which is the best resort on the island during the winter months? That title has to go to Playa Blanca – located right at the southern tip of Lanzarote. Which enjoys the best microclimate on the island – whilst also boasting a great selection of beaches, such as Papagayo which is just a fifteen minute walk from the centre of the resort. Along with Playa Dorada, Playa Flamingo and Playa Blanca – which are all located within the resort itself. The island’s leading tourist attraction of the Timanfaya National Park is also just fifteen minutes drive for anyone who tires of relaxing in the sunshine.

The island is a popular all year holiday destination with an excellent range of places to stay. Follow the links for more information about villas in Playa Blanca in particular or budget flights to Lanzarote