Posted by admin | Posted in Adventure-Travel, Cruise-Ship-Reviews, Golf-Travel-and-Resorts | Posted on 19-05-2009
Lanzarote , in the Canary Islands, is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Spain. Attracting around one and a half million visitors every year. Thanks to the fact that the island boasts nearly one hundred great beaches, a climate that is warm and temperate all year round and a surreal volcanic scenery that is sometimes likened to the moon.
The Spanish crown first conquered the eastern most Canary Island back in the early 1400´s. Before proceeding to subdue the rest of the six main islands in the archipelago, such as Tenerife and Gran Canaria. And Lanzarote soon emerged as an important strategic possession – as it provided a refuelling post for the galleons that crossed the Atlantic between the Old World and the emerging Spanish empire in south and Central America.
In the 1730´s a massive series of eruptions rocked the island. Lasting for six years and wiping out villages and livelihoods. Forcing many locals to flee Lanzarote for a new life abroad.
However, today Lanzarote is best known for its incredible volcanic terrain. Which has earned the island the epithet of the Hawaii of Europe. Boasting over 300 volcanic peaks (all thankfully now extinct) and huge swathes of lava fields.
All of which are wildly popular with tourists – who flock to the Timanfaya National Park to view this surreal scenery up close.
Elsewhere, these volcanic vistas have been fused with the aesthetic of a locally born artist called Cesar Manrique. To create a series of highly creative and unusual tourist attractions. Such as the Cesar Manrique Foundation – the home and studio built by the painter in the 1960´s – which incorporates five underground volcanic chambers. And which is open to the public daily.
The island also boasts a good amount of natural beauty spots – such as the village of Haria in the north of the island. Which is located in the Valley of 1000 Palms. A green and verdant oasis where locals once planted two palm trees for every new born boy and one for a girl.
Lanzarote measures just 60km by 40km so getting around is easy. With both car hire and petrol much cheaper than in the UK and many other European holiday destinations.
Whilst accommodation is plentiful – with the best selection of apartments in Lanzarote located in and around the island´s oldest resort of Puerto del Carmen. Which is the spot where tourism first took off on Lanzarote some forty years ago.
