Island Vacation Tips – www.island-vacation-tips.com

photo credit: yaph

Whilst most other European sunspots have long since put away the sun loungers for another season there’s still one group of islands basking in temperatures of 20C plus.

Although in fairness they’re not really European at all – as the Spanish owned Canary Islands sit just 70 miles off the coast of West Africa on the same line of latitude as parts of Mexico and Florida.

Thanks to their relative proximity to the UK and reasonable four hour flight times the Canaries have become well established as a popular winter sun destination. And the eastern most link in the chain, Lanzarote, offers visitors much more than just sunshine and bucket and spade beach holidays alone. As this tiny volcanic island boasts incredible natural beauty, high quality accommodation and some of the most unique tourist attractions to be found anywhere in the world.

Unlike many other Spanish sunspots Lanzarote remains relatively unspoiled. Despite the fact that island has been operating as a hugely popular holiday destination for British and Irish tourists (attracting over one million visitors from both counties last year alone) for over thirty years.

The three main resorts are well contained, high rise buildings are banned and advertising hoardings are outlawed. Creating a pleasing overall aesthetic harmony that enhances the island’s considerable natural charms.

Much of the credit for this must go to an island born artist and architect called Cesar Manrqiue. Who fought tirelessly against the excesses of over development during the 1970´s – just as package tourism was really starting to take off in Spain.

Manrique was lucky enough to have friends in high places – such as Pepe Ramirez – who sat on the island’s governing council at that time and who was sympathetic to Manrique´s views. Together the pair sought to ensure that Lanzarote wasn’t buried beneath a sea of five star hotels. Whilst also working to create a unique set of tourist attractions that fused art with nature.

The greatest manifestation of this philosophy today can be found at the Jameos del Agua, in the north of the island. Where Manrique transformed a collapsed lava tube into a breathtaking underground grotto – beautifully planted and with a pool containing blind albino crabs as its centrepiece.

So impressed was visiting Hollywood actress Rita Heyworth that she declared the Jameos the 8th wonder of the world. And as news of Manrique´s creations spread so the number if VIP visitors increased – attracted by the novelty of this new destination and the architectural plaudits garnered by Manriques work.

Amongst these visitors was Omar Sharif – fresh from the making of Doctor Zhivago and with money to burn. Sharif commissioned Manrique to create what must still be the most unusual property in Lanzarote – which he had built into the side of a volcano, featuring elaborate secret gardens and pools.

Legend has it that Sharif lost the house in a high stakes game of bridge not long after taking possession. But today his old home – now called LagOmar – is still open to the public – as it now plays host to one of the most upmarket restaurants in Lanzarote.

Thanks to the work of Manrique, Lanzarote was declared a UNESCO protected biosphere in 1993 – and large swathes of the island are now officially designated national parks. Such as the incredible Timanafaya Volcano Park – which was the epicentre of the eruptions that engulfed the island back in the 1730´s for over six years. And which today are the most popular tourist attraction on the island.

See also about other Spanish speaking islands for vacation HERE.

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photo credit: chicadelatele

Tags:   Atlantic Ocean · Canaries · Canary Islands · island vacation · Lanzarote · winter vacationNo Comments