A Field Guide to Lanzarote

Sept. 8, 2010 - PRLog -- Born of fire and brimstone, or in least volcanic explosions, Lanzarote has one of the fieriest histories of Spain's Canary Islands.

Yet these days many flock her to enjoy that lingering spring/summer time weather that the canaries are famous for, without having to suffer the raucous crowds of its brash brethren.

Lanzarote has come to define itself as a rather refined little destination. Transformed in to an orderly assortment of sophisticated Spanish white washed towns and laid back simple pleasures. The Switzerland faction of the canaries takes some degree of precedence here with buildings conforming to their stringent standards, even road signs must accord to a certain amount of quality.

Though Lanzarote offers a civilised excursion, it is not to say it is devoid of activity. In fact these Volcano shaped lands offer a wide array of interesting and diverse opportunities, for instance why not try a concert in an underground auditorium? Or a lava fuelled barbecue?

The Sights:

The first port of call for any traveller wishing to take in the beauty of this Island may well be Timanfaya national park, a scorched ash-strewn wilderness, bearing its volcanic scars proudly.  While you cannot freely roam around here there are many bus tours that allow you to get to know this curious landscape.

The volcanic theme continues throughout the land, and even under the land. Down to the underground at Jameos del Agua and Cueva de los Verdes in the north of the island. These caverns have been illuminated and decorated in unpredictable ways by one of the Islands most beloved children, the late Cesar Manrique. Manrique is a name synonymous with Lanzarote's environmental preservation and is considered a slight hero over here. Only rivalled by volcanoes, Manrique has shaped this land it is worth stopping by to see his life's work.

Shopping
While duty free essentials are abundant within the main resort, to pick up some kind of treasured memento you will have to stray further afield. Yaia is famous for its hand-woven hats, which are delicately crafted by local nuns.

Though Lanzarote's fashion epicentre is found in Calle Real in Puerto de Carmen. Here you can haggle away with maker of local products who are willing to bend their prices, but not too much. It also serves to cater for the glamourites who flock to the canaries.

Stay:

Lanzarote is full of fancy hotels that cater to the appetites of the rich tourist crowd it attracts, spending hundreds of Euros a night for a taste of luxury.
Lanzarote Villas are very popular with the families that visit the Island giving them an opportunity to take their holiday at their own pace, with all the privacy a private villa has to offer. For an authentic flavour of this land vacation rental villas allow you to glean an insight in to the country sheltered from the tourist influx.

Getting Around:

The super efficient road sins from the airport make this a very easy Island to navigate. At only 60x20 kilometres, no matter where you are based you can easily make your way around the Island.

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