Vacation Home Rental

The popular holiday island of Lanzarote is located in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Africa. And is part of the Canarian archipelago, once thought by scholars to be the remnants of the lost city of Atlantis.  In more modern times though Lanzarote has become an exceptionally popular holiday destination welcoming millions of travellers each year .

Yet these seven Spanish owned islands are by no means all birds of a feather, As each has its own separate character and culture.  A typical example of this is the governance of the islands with the eastern islands of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura being governed from Las Palmas on Gran Canaria.  Whilst El Hierro, La Gomera and La Palma are governed from Tenerife.

Lanzarote hasn’t only been a recent tourist destination though as the islands has been attracting British and foreign visitors since the 1900’s .  But more modern tourism was stifled for many years by the political regime of General Franco, and didn’t really start again until the 70’s As the area was in desperate need of a boost to its economy after years of restriction.

It’s amazing how the calming effect of time can change fortunes and today the island welcomes visitors that number into the millions as they arrive from all over Europe and other parts of the world, and bizarrely even tourist from the Spanish mainland.  Many of whom seek to swap the oven like heat of the peninsula for the cooler and more temperate climes of the Canaries during August.

Holiday trends have changed in recent years and with an upsurge in internet usage coupled with excellent transportation links to the Island, independent travellers are on the increase.  This has led to an upsurge in demand for apartments and villas in Lanzarote. With self catering holiday accommodation in the main resorts making up a sizeable proportion of the total amount of tourist beds now available on the island.

The most luxurious private rental villas in Puerto del Carmen can be located in areas such as Risco Prieto.  Which sits right at the top of the Old Town, overlooking the picturesque harbour area which is currently under development into a luxury marina.

Whilst travellers looking for villas in Playa Blanca should concentrate their search on the Montana Roja and Rubicon Marina areas.  As this area has a particularly wide range of quality rental accommodation at reasonable prices.

Not all holidays are cantered around the coastal resorts however, and as more tourist prefer to experience the true atmosphere of the island, rural holiday are increasing in popularity.  Visitors that take time out to tour the island are amazed to find out how unspoiled it is .  This ultimately prompts many to return time and time again to experience the real Lanzarote in countryside fincas and rural apartments.

Despite the current economic climate and the depreciation of sterling against the euro the small Spanish island of Lanzarote, in the Canaries, expects to welcome well over one million tourists during the course of 2009.  With British and Irish holiday makers comprising the largest contingents of visitors.

This is great news for the tourists visiting the island as there are some great deals to be had on Lanzarote holiday villas and Lanzarote apartments.

This figure will still be way down on previous years however.  As island tourist authorities have already recorded a 20% drop in arrivals during the first quarter of this year.  As some consumers opt to either stay at home or journey outside of the euro zone.  But many more still find that a good value break in a destination such as Lanzarote can even work out cheaper than a holiday in the UK.

Self catering holidays on islands such as Lanzarote can in fact work out to be very affordable.  The cost of a weeks stay in many Lanzarote apartments for example starts at around €170 per week.  And this is the price per room, rather than per person.   Those looking for a really good accommodation deal should search for apartments in Puerto del Carmen.  As Lanzarote´s biggest resort offers the largest range of choice, boasting hundreds of complexes.

The bulk of these tend to be located in the New Town area.  Usually in close proximity to the beach (within ten minutes walking distance) and all of the other amenities of the resort.  Puerto del Carmen has also enjoyed a makeover in the last twelve months.  And now boasts a smart new beachfront promenade and an upmarket marina in the Old Town harbour area.  So further enhancing the resorts appeal.

There´s a wide selection of high quality Lanzarote villas available for rent across the island.  All offering high standards of accommodation with prices starting from around €400 per week.  For a two bedroom villa with private pool.  There are more villas in Playa Blanca, the newest destination on the island, than in any other resort.  Thanks to the fact that hundreds of overseas investors have snapped up property here in recent years to rent out to their fellow tourists.

Playa Blanca is an atmospheric and well appointed destination.  Boasting a delightful seafront promenade that stretches from one end of the resort to the other.  Along with some of the best beaches on the island and a fantastic microclimate.  Which tends to make this the most reliable choice for those in search of sun.  Visitors can even hop on a ferry and visit the neighbouring island of Fuerteventura, just 6km away across the Bocaina Straits.

Visitors to Spain and the Canary Islands will get a warm welcome and have a fantastic holiday regardless of their choice of destination.

Lanzarote, the popular Canary Island holiday destination, expects to welcome well over a million foreign tourists this year.  most of which are from the UK.  Despite the recent depreciation of sterling against the euro and the confidence sapping effects of the credit crunch.

Fortunately most families still refuse to cut their annual vacations and holidays even if money is tight.

The Canarian archipelago, comprising a total of seven islands, is four hours away from the UK by plane.  And some of the best known low cost airlines fly there, such as Jet 2 and Thomas Cook.which means you can usually get a flight for as little as £200 round trip.  Making it a big favourite with overseas investors – many of whom rent their property in Lanzarote to holidaymakers. The bulk of flights from the UK operate on Mondays and Thursdays.

Lanzarote only has the one international airport at Arrecife.  Which is located around 3km from the island capital of the same name.  This serves as the hub for ´domestic’ flights between the other six Canary Islands as well as the rest of Spain.  Facilities at the airport are a little limited by mainland European standards.  For example there are no bureau de change facilities or shops in the arrivals hall.

In addition, there are no shuttle buses running between the airport and the main resorts.  Which means that independent travellers will either need to take a taxi to their Lanzarote hotels or hire a car.  Taxis are available directly outside the main arrivals hall.  Although it is well worth noting that there can be a considerable queue during busy periods – such as Thursdays.  When arrivals should allow up to twenty minutes wait.

On the upside, getting to most accommodation such as Lanzarote villas or apartments is usually pretty quick.  As the island is very small – measuring less than 60km from end to end.  So transfer times are speedy.  For example, Playa Blanca, which is the furthest resort from the airport can be reached in around 35 minutes.  Whilst the other two main resorts of Costa Teguise and Puerto del Carmen are both within a ten minute radius of Arecife airport.

There´s lots of things for tourists to do on Lanzarote.  As the island boasts over ninety great beaches.  Along with a surprisingly large amount of natural beauty spots – such as the Timanfaya Volcano Park and the Green Lagoon.  Along with historic towns such as Teguise – the oldest in the Canaries.  And some unique man made attractions – created by the island born artist Cesar Manrique.  So hire a car and take time to explore this enchanting island.

Pop along to the Lanzarote villas website for the very latest availability of Lanzarote holiday villas. You can also find a great selection of  Lanzarote apartments to rent there too.

The small Canary Island of Lanzarote has been welcoming tourists for over forty years.  And as a result offers a whole raft of high quality holiday accommodation options.  Encompassing everything from small studio apartments through to top end luxury villas and luxurious five star hotels.  In locations across the island.

Lanzarote holiday villas as with the rest of the Canary Islands can be found to suit all budgetary requirements which makes the Canaries a very popular destination.

The best and biggest selection of apartments in Lanzarote can be found in the island’s oldest resort of Puerto del Carmen.  Which was the spot where tourism first took off on Lanzarote back in the late 1960´s.  Springing up around the Old Town harbour area and expanding rapidly.  To the point where today the resort now stretches some 8km from the big beach at Los Pocillos through to the upmarket residential enclave of Los Mojones.

The bulk of the best apartment accommodation can today be found in the New Town area – which essentially runs parallel with the main beachfront strip – the Avenida de las Playas.  Whilst the Old Town has become more of a residential zone.

Despite it´s popularity Puerto del Carmen is serviced by only two main Lanzarote hotels.  The San Antonio and the Los Fariones.  With the bulk of this type of accommodation located in the southern resort of Playa Blanca.  Which boasts a strip of new four and five star establishments along the seafront – all offering very reasonable room rates.

Playa Blanca makes for an ideal holiday destination – especially during the winter months.  As the resort enjoys the best weather and climate on Lanzarote.  Thanks to its location at the southern tip of the island just across the Bocaina Straits from the neighbouring island of Fuerteventura. Playa Blanca is also a relatively young resort – having only evolved over the last ten years.  Which means that most amenities are still virtually brand new.

Playa Blanca also boasts the best selection of Lanzarote villas available for holiday rental.  With some of the most attractive properties located in and around the Rubicon Marina development.  Which is emerging as a serious rival to the islands other luxury marina at Puerto Calero back up the south east coastline towards Puerto del Carmen.

As well as good quality accommodation Lanzarote also boasts a host of
interesting tourist attractions.  Such as the Timanafaya Volcano Park, the green lagoon at El Golfo, The Valley of 1000 Palms and the Cactus Garden.  Fortunately the island is small, which makes sightseeing very manageable.  And car hire in Lanzarote is also relatively cheap – making touring the island affordable too.

For more detailed information about  Lanzarote villas visit the holiday villas in Lanzarote website