Lanzarote Guidebook is written by island residents and published every quarter – so the information it contains is always accurate and up to date.  Whilst by comparison most conventional guidebooks are out of date by the time they hit the bookshelves and only updated annually at best.  And is packed with lots of useful information for tourists.  Such as comprehensive guides to all of the islands resorts, towns and villages.  Plus full information about of all of Lanzarote´s many attractions, excursions and sightseeing destinations.  Such as the breathtaking Timanfaya Volcano Park and the many creations of the island born artist and architect Cesar Manrique.

 In addition Lanzarote Guidebook also features great photography of Lanzarote, maps of each resort, an overall island map and lots of inside tips and information about upcoming events and fiestas.  As well as recommendations about what to see and things to do. Along with a useful Essentials section that contains practical information on all of the fine details - from bank opening times and ferry timetables through to emergency phone numbers and tips on driving locally.

 The 104 page Winter 08/09 edition of Lanzarote Guidebook can be downloaded fast and for free by visiting the Lanzarote Guidebook website.

 Online, visitors to the site can read up on the latest island news and events, check the latest weather forecasts, read in-depth articles about Lanzarote and the islands many attractions and even seek free advice via the online tourist advice section.  As well as being able to book their own flights, holidays, hire cars, villas and hotels in Lanzarote via island based companies.

 10,000 copies of Lanzarote Guidebook are also distributed entirely free of charge to tourists on the island via car hire and villa rental companies.  But everyone can get their hands on one by downloading a copy for free from the Lanzarote Guidebook website

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 In Lanzarote, the main celebrations revolve around Midnight Mass and Three King’s Day, both big events in the Roman Catholic calendar.

 Historically though, the run up to Christmas was rather more involved, with some festivities kicking off as early as November 1^st. Namely the Rancho de Animas, a form of remembrance of the deceased which would begin on All Soul’s Day, 1^st November, and would often run through until 2^nd February. In particular, between the 16^th and 24^th of December, the Rancho would see locals taking to the streets to sing songs and take part in candlelit masses in the early hours of the morning.

 These traditions arrived in the Canaries with the conquistadors, who brought the practices of the Catholic Church with them when they settled here. Over the centuries, the Rancho de Animas in Lanzarote developed its own style and customs, including specific clothing and music. Participants would wear a costume of scarves, a waistcoat, a sash, leggings and white espadrilles. Before each Rancho the effigy of Saint Andres or Saint Sebastian would be carried by the leading figure of the group. As they strolled they would play music on tambourines, swords, triangles, little bells, a timple (a Canarian miniature guitar) and guitars.

 The Rancho consists of four specific pieces of music and dance: El Corrido, El Salto, Las Desechas and Las Pascuas. El Salto is in fact a dance, meant to represent the shepherds’ adoration of the holy infant, which had the unique feature in Lanzarote of the dancers never turning their backs towards the figure of Christ.

 In recent years, folklore groups in Arrecife and Teguise have formed to keep such traditions alive, although the Rancho is now confined to 24^th December only. In the past, every major town would have celebrated the nativity in this way, with groups of six or seven singers strolling the streets, singing a fixed repertoire of songs, in villages such as Haria and Femes.

 Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve is still attended by many local people, in the larger churches of Arrecife, Teguise, San Bartolomé and Tías. Along with a large family dinner on Christmas Eve, this is the main way in which Spanish families celebrate Christmas.

 But it doesn’t all end there, as the main day for present-giving has always been Epiphany or Three Kings. This falls on the evening of January 5^th and signifies the day on which the Magi or Three Kings reached Bethlehem to proffer their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. In Spain and the Canary Islands, Three Kings is a public holiday and many children still receive their presents on this day. Although increasingly parents split the gift-giving between Christmas Day and January 5^th, due in no small part to the fact that so many northern European children live in Spanish communities it was becoming a divisive issue amongst local children.  A cavalcade of the Three Kings on camels can be seen in the main resort of Puerto del Carmen every January 5^th, whilst in Haria, the Three Magi make a procession through the town’s streets to the church, where gifts are given to local children in attendance.

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 The AENA figures that for many in the UK a holiday in the sun remains a necessity – not a luxury.  And certainly this news makes happy reading for the many overseas owners of apartments and holiday villas in Lanzarote.

 Lanzarote has long been a hot holiday favourite with British tourists.  Who are by some distance the islands number one market and who comprise well in excess of 50% of all foreign visitors arriving on holiday flights to Lanzarote from across the UK.  A position of popularity that has been further cemented over the years by the availability of cheap holiday deals, which still make the island a cost effective alternative to rival destinations such as Morrocco, Turkey, Cyprus and Egypt.

 Despite Lanzarote´s location just 70 miles off the coast of West Africa the island is also Spanish owned – a major plus point for the British who visit this and other regions of Spain in greater numbers than any other holiday destination in the world.

 And it´s not just the British who seem unwilling to surrender their holidays in Lanzarote.  As the Island of Fire has further cemented its position as the most popular destination for Irish tourists in the whole of Spain.  With AENA´s figures revealing that 186,759 tourist from Eire have vested Lanzarote across the first ten months of 2008.  An increase of 1.39% versus 2007.

 Lanzarote is also enjoying something of a renaissance in Scandinavia.  Which used to be a major source of visitor numbers back in the early days of tourism on the island in the 1970s and 1980´s.  With Swedish visitor numbers up by 35.07% year on year, followed by Norway (up 19.6%) and Finland (up 14.33%).

 German tourism to the island continues to decline though – as visitor numbers continued their long term fall, down 13.23% to 226,088 visits.  But overall total foreign tourist numbers remain in the black – albeit by just 1.01% versus 2007 with a total of 1,341,556 visits recorded.

 Suggesting that despite the current economic climate Lanzarote´s main industry – tourism – remains relatively buoyant.  And that foreign holidays may well not be the major casualty of the credit crunch as many media pundits have been speculating.

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But Lanzarote offers visitors much more than just sunbathing and swimming – as the island is also home to some unique tourist attractions as well as some genuinely breathtaking natural beauty spots.

 On first inspection this arid volcanic island off the coast of Africa seems to offer visitors little more than guaranteed sunshine.  But hire a car and escape from the main resorts and Lanzarote proves be a treasure trove of natural beauty.  Thanks largely to the fact that island has remained largely undeveloped.

 In the south of the island lies the Timanafaya National Park – home to the volcanoes that famously submerged around one quarter of Lanzarote beneath a sea of molten lava back in 1730.  These eruptions lasted for six years, causing widespread devastation and forcing many Lanzaroteños to abandon their island altogether and emigrate abroad for pastures new in Latin America and Cuba.

 Today, the Timanafaya National Park is the most popular tourist attraction in Lanzarote.  As the landscape here resembles the surface of the moon, or a land just born.  With eerie twisted lava shapes and spent volcanic peaks predominating.

 Other volcanic hot spots on the tourist trail include the green lagoon at El Golfo.  Where an inland lake has formed and been coloured green by algae.  So unusual is the contrast here between the green lake and the black volcanic sand of the beach that the location has been used by various film makers over the years.  Most noticeably for the sci-fi classic ‘A Million Years BC’, which memorably featured Raquel Welch in an animal skin bikini!

 Elsewhere on the island volcanic activity has been married with artistic inspiration to create unique spots such as the Jameos del Agua.  A collapsed lava tube which was transformed by the artist Cesar Manrique into an underground grotto.   

 A short ten minute drive away and visitors encounter the island’s famous Cactus Garden.  Which is home to around 10,000 of the plant world’s spiniest species and which has been built into an old disused quarry.

 Head for the North of the island and the scenery changes dramatically again – from arid and barren lava fields to green and verdant valleys in and around villages such as Haria and Maguez.

 The greenest jewel in the crown here is the Valley of 1000 Palms – where villagers used to plant one palm for the birth of a baby girl and two for a boy.  A politically incorrect policy that nonetheless has helped to create a scene of intense natural beauty – with the crowns of giant Canarian palms swaying gently in the breeze.

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It may be a Spanish island.  But Lanzarote is located some 1500 miles south of the Iberian peninsula, just off the coast of West Africa.  And with flight times of just four hours and temperatures in excess of 20C all year round this speck of Spain is the closest Winter sun destination to the UK and Ireland.

 Lanzarote has long been a favourite year round holiday destination with British and Irish tourists.  Attracting over one million visitors from those two countries alone last year. Thanks in no small part to the availability of cheap flights to Lanzarote from both the UK and Eire.

 But the eastern most Canary Island really comes into its own during the winter season.  Boasting over ninety beautiful beaches and a host of unique tourist attractions that make it an ideal destination for a good value winter break.

 Winter Sun in Lanzarote

Lanzarote is serviced by all of the leading travel companies such as Thomson. Thomas Cook, My Travel and Cosmos.  As well as a raft of specialist independent operators. Creating a competitive market which often results in decent deals for tourists.

 This winter for example Thomas Cook are offering apartment holidays in Lanzarote´s main resort of Puerto del Carmen from as little as £230 per person.  Whilst other operators have similar deals across the winter months.

 The bulk of visitors to the island will be heading for either Puerto del Carmen or Lanzarote´s newest resort in the south, Playa Blanca.  Which is where the best selection of Lanzarote hotels can be found.  As the resort was purpose built with four and five star establishments at the core of the blueprint.

 Things to do in Lanzarote

There´s no shortage of things to do on the island.  Thanks to the influence of the island born artist Cesar Manrique. Who created a range of unique tourist centres around the island.

 Lanzarote´s best known attraction though is undoubtedly the Timanfaya Volcano Park – which attracted nearly one million visitors last year.  This area of the island was subjected to one of the modern worlds longest ever volcanic eruptions.  Lasting six years from 1730.  Which actually enlarged the islands surface area by about a third.  Whilst also submerging about one quarter of the island beneath a sea of molten lava.

 At the time these events obviously decimated the island and forced many Lanzaroteños to emigrate to pastures new.  However today the volcanoes are ironically one of Lanzarote´s main selling points and best known features.

 Lanzarote is also very small in size – measuring 58km by 34.5km  – so it’s also very easy to get around and see all of the main tourist sites.  Such as the Mirador del Rio and Cactus Garden in the north and the Cesar Manrique Foundation and Museo del Campesino in the centre.

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Playa Quemada

Playa Quemada, which translates literally as burnt beach, is one of the best known of Lanzarote´s black sand beaches.  And is located on the more sheltered south east coast of the island, making it ideal for swimming and sunbathing.

 In reality there are two beaches here, not one.  Separated solely by the sea so when the tide is low it’s possible to walk between the two.

 The village of the same name is also home to some of the best fish restaurants in Lanzarote.  So this is an ideal location for a long leisurely lunch followed by a spot of sunbathing.

 El Golfo

El Golfo is the best-known black sand beach on Lanzarote.  As this is also home to the islands well known green lagoon – which has starred in a number of futuristic films such as One Million Years BC.  Which memorably featured Raquel Welch in an animal skin bikini.

 There are none of the facilities here that you’ll find at the beaches in the main resorts and the sea on this coast can be extremely rough at times.  Making swimming impossible at times.

However on the plus side both the beach and lagoon are very close to the village of El Golfo nearby.  Where visitors can find a fantastic selection of seafront restaurants, serving some of the best quality seafood on Lanzarote.

 Follow these restaurants towards the end of the village and you’ll find another small black sand beach there too.

 Tinajo

Anyone looking to get right off the beaten track should head for the stretch of coast north of the village of Tinajo.  As this is a spot which tourists rarely encounter.  But which offers plenty of natural beauty and tranquility as a result.

 Four black sand beaches can be found here; Playa La Madera, Playa Las Malvas, Playa Teneza and Playa Aboca de Abajo.  But as they are located on the wilder North West coast conditions here can be windy at times and often unsuitable for swimming.

 Mala

There are a couple of small black sand coves along the Mala coastline – one of which is protected by a set of rocks, so forming a natural pool.

 The coastline here is often characterized by strong waves that come crashing in to the volcanic shore, creating quite a spectacle much like the ‘boiling pots’ at Los Hervidores.

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The seven specks of Spain that make up the Canary Islands are the only genuine European Winter Sun option.  With a four hour flying time making them the closest destination to the UK.  And whilst some of the larger islands are still shaking off a slightly downmarket image the most easterly link in the chain – Lanzarote – offers a cool combination of breathtaking natural beauty, over 90 beaches and some of the most unique tourist attractions imaginable.  Along with temperatures that regularly climbs high as 27c – even in the depths of December and January.

Winter Sun Temperatures

Lanzarote is located just off the coast of the Western Sahara – around seventy miles from Africa.  And as a result enjoys something of a desert climate.  Which in winter time means warm days but much cooler nights.  A difference that is noticeable as soon as the sun falls – which is at around 6pm at the earliest.

The bulk of tourists will be visiting the island over the Christmas and New Year period.  When thy can expect to enjoy a maximum average temperature of around 21c – with around seven hours of sunshine daily.

Rainfall on the island is minimal but sea temperatures at that time of year can border on chilly – as the island is surrounded by the Atlantic, a much cooler body of water than the Med.

Hot Spots

Playa Blanca in the south of the island boasts the best micro climate on the island.  As well as the best selection of hotels and holiday villas in Lanzarote. The difference in temperature between this resort and say Costa Teguise in the north can be dramatic.  So anyone planning a winter break on the island would be well advised to factor this into their choice of resort.

Accommodation

Holiday apartments in Lanzarote are a popular option for visitors staying in Lanzarote´s most popular resort, Puerto del Carmen.  This was the spot where a small fishing village called La Tiñosa slowly transformed into the first resort on the island.  And it was developed with apartments at the core of the blueprint.  With ony a couple of hotels servicing the resort.

Hail Cesar

Much of Lanzarote´s attraction is attributable to an island born artist and architect called Cesar Manrique.   Who fought to save his beloved home from burial beneath a sea of high rise hotels as tourism started to take off on the island in the 1970´s.

Thanks to Manrique´s influence all high rise constructions were banned, advertising hoardings were outlawed and the main tourist resorts carefully contained.  Leaving the island largely as nature intended. 

Natural Wonders

For such a small island Lanzarote is big on attractions.  The island was subjected to the worlds longest ever volcanic eruption back in the 1730´´s – lasting some six years.  And the Timanfaya Volcano Park is now Lanzarote´s number one tourist attraction – drawing nearly 1 million visitors annually.

The Green Lagoon at El Golfo, the incredible beaches at Famara and Papagayo and the lush valley of 1000 Palms in the North of the island are also must see natural attractions for anyone visiting Lanzarote.

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Late getaway bookings for holiday apartments in Lanzarote are booming.  As the miserable British summer shows little signs of delivering a late rally.

September is in fact the best month of the year to visit Lanzarote.  As this is when the weather on the island is at it´s most enjoyable. The intense heat and white out skies of August have passed. Replaced by sharper blue.  The Trade Winds that blow across the island from March to late July have dropped.  And the Atlantic is warmed to its highest point.  Creating all of the perfect conditions for sun starved holiday makers who cannot face winter without a quick break abroad.

The quality of the weather is also reflected in a whole raft of great events in September.  As the island plays host to its biggest annual fiesta in honour of the islands patron saint - as well as the uber cool live music event Costa Musica.

The lively Fiesta de los Dolores draws seriously big crowds of up to 60,000 people to the small village of Mancha Blanca.  Where in 1824 the flow from a volcanic eruption destroyed swathes of land and property in Lanzarote before stopping just at the outskirts of the village.  Today this event is marked by thousands of locals and tourists walking on foot to Mancha Blanca from all points across the island – all in Canarian dress – as a form of pilgrimage.

Once in Mancha Blanca the action revolves around the village church – where scores of mobile food and drink stalls are arrayed as crowds gather to watch the icon of Dolores being paraded.  This year’s event takes place on September 13^th.

Then on the 26^th and 27^th of September the Costa Musica Festival sweeps in to the resort of Costa Teguise.  Bringing a wave of great live acts such as the uber cool James Taylor Quartet and the West London beat masters the Dub Pistols. Along with plenty of quality DJ´s and support acts.  The event kicks off on both Friday and Saturday at 21.00.  And flows through until around 04.00.  Best of all it´s entirely free of charge.

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Some of Lanzarote´s best known hotels are in the firing line, such as the five star Gran Melia Volcan in Playa Blanca, the Natura Palace and the Gran Castillo.

In total eight five star hotels, ten Apart-hotels and four new developments still in the planning stage have been decreed to have flouted an edict controlling construction on the island.  Which was created back in 2000 to militate against unfettered building work.

However two local councils essentially chose to ignore these new rules.  And granted licenses to hotels which contravened this ruling in two of Lanzarote´s main resorts, namely Costa Teguise and Playa Blanca.

Established hotels in Puerto del Carmen Lanzarote´s leading resort, managed to escape the controversy.  As local councilors here adhered to the new planning restrictions.

A police unit that specialises in fighting organised crime was then formed to investigate whether the former mayors of Teguise and Yaiza were guilty of accepting bribes from developers in return for building licenses.

A view that was supported by the Supreme Court of the Canary Islands as a result of an action instigated by the central island government in tandem with  the César Manrique Foundation.

A further meeting was held recently between the Director of the Environmental Department of the Canarian Government, representatives from the Ayuntamientos of Teguise and Yaiza and the hoteliers association Asolan. But the leader of the island central government failed to attend – making a final consensus impossible.

Those assembled were simply left to agree that a case by case study was necessary to explore how the offending hotels might be brought into line.  There is some suggestion that these hotels could even be demolished.  But most island observers consider this highly unlikely.  As Lanzarote can ill afford to do such damage to the local job market or the islands international reputation as a holiday destination.

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The upsurge in tourist numbers is particularly remarkable in the light of current economic conditions.  With many industry observers suggesting that the current credit crunch, allied with a weakening pound against the euro, will have an adverse effect on overseas travel.

Lanzarote however has clearly confounded these expectations – as British consumers seem intent on ensuring that they still enjoy their week in the sun.  With 509,755 British tourists visiting the island during the first six months of the year.

And it´s not just the British who are refusing to lay down their buckets and spades.  As Irish tourist numbers to the island have also been on the rise.  Up 5.4% across the first half of the year.  With Lanzarote welcoming 123,047 guests from Eire – a remarkable figure that illustrates the islands popularity as a holiday destination in the Republic.

Other nationalities are also reluctant to give up their beach holidays – despite the deteriorating economic situation worldwide.  With Dutch, Austrian, Swedish and Norwegian tourists all contributing to an overall increase of foreign visitor numbers to the island of 5.9%.

The only negative note has come from the German market – Lanzarote´s second largest after the UK.  Where a long-term trend of falling visitor numbers continues unabated as the Germans abandon the island for new and different destinations.  With visitor numbers down 13% for the first six months of the year.

As a result of this overall increase in visitors the many thousands of owners of private holiday villas and apartments on the island are reporting bumper bookings.  And should these trends continue across the rest of 2008 Lanzarote will record the highest number of visitors from the UK in over five years.

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