Instead of turning the heating up, why not look at where you could go for a week of winter sun and book a holiday? With the imminent return of freezing temperatures, many in the UK will be at the end of their tether with the coldest winter for twenty years. The downturn in tourism over recent years is also another reason for grabbing yourself a holiday bargain, and although Lanzarote has been less affected than other destinations there are still some great deals around.

But where at this time of the year is a good bet for sunshine? Within Europe there is only one place that reliably offers decent weather throughout the year and that is the Canary Islands. Not strictly in Europe at all, they are included within the borders of EU as an autonomous region of Spain.

And as a tourist hotspot, it already has a well-developed infrastructure that includes a range of accommodation in Lanzarote. At the cheaper end of the market, there is a wide choice of apartments in Lanzarote, that have been designed with self-catering in mind.

The sheer diversity of Lanzarote villas and apartments in Lanzarote that can be found will always astound tourists coming to the island.

Most apartment complexes are set within semi-tropical gardens around a communal swimming pool. None will be more than three storeys tall, as strict rules about construction mean that buildings can only be as tall as a palm tree. A good number of these complexes have been refurbished in recent years to bring the accommodation up to date, with modern style furnishings.

For couples who just want to laze on the beach and try the local bars and restaurants in the evenings, an apartment in Lanzarote is ideal. Most have good basic facilities, so that the odd self-catered meal can be easily thrown together. This style of accommodation is also ideal for the more active, sporty types, who spend all day surfing and cycling and crash out in the evening.

With a huge variety in décor, there are villas to suit every taste. Which in turn means that every visitor ends up with a highly unique holiday in Lanzarote, reflecting the experience they have from start to finish. Whilst many people come principally for the sun, a large majority of visitors to the island often find plenty of activities to keep them amused as well.

Whether that entails a day’s sailing or golfing or visiting each of the centres of Art and Culture, Lanzarote has a lot to offer. Its tourist attractions are stylishly individual, having been created by the internationally renowned artist, César Manrique. These centres range from a Cactus Garden to a Farming Museum, with each detailing some aspect of the lives that many locals have lived over the centuries.