Canary Islands Archives - Seek Your Trip

October 8, 2013 by author

Winter is Ideal for a Trip to Tenerife

As the evenings start to get dark earlier and the temperature starts to fall sharply it can be easy to feel a little depressed. After all, it is a long time until spring and summer came around to cheer us up again.

At times like this it is fantastic to have a trip to somewhere warm and sunny lined up. The winter can seem a lot more bearable and a lot shorter if you know that you are going to get a lovely dose of sunshine somewhere along the way. One of the most popular destinations for winter sun seekers is Tenerife, which is part of the Spanish Canary Islands. If you are at the stage of thinking about a holiday to Tenerife during the winter season then here are some of the reasons why it would be a great decision to make.

Sun, Sun, Sun

It is almost impossible to overestimate the feeling of wellbeing which washes over most of us when we leave a cold winter behind and feels rays of sun on our faces. One of the best things about Tenerife is that it enjoys incredibly mild winters. If you are travelling from the North of Europe to the Canary Islands then you will experience a magnificent feeling as you step off the plane and feel the sun beat down on you. The temperature here in December is often around 20 degrees centigrade, which is a very pleasant temperature for this time of year. The weather here is highly predictable and a quick look at some historic weather records for the islands will give you an excellent idea of what sort of weather awaits you.

Things to Do

If you have ever gone to a seaside holiday resort away from the peak summer season then you might have been left disappointed by the lack of things to do. Many of these resorts virtually close down in the winter season, with hotels, restaurants and shops closing down for a couple of months. The good news is that Tenerife’s popularity as a winter holiday destination means that it is busy and lively all year round. In fact, many sun lovers from colder countries own properties here and come to enjoy the winter months. This means that there are always plenty of people around to keep the holiday spirit in the air.

Good Value

Another big reason for travelling anywhere in the winter months is that the cost is usually lower than it would be in the peak summer period. While we have already seen that Tenerife is a fantastic winter destination it is still going to be better value for to go around this time of year than in July or August, for example. By looking online plenty of time before you plan to travel you should find a deal which lets you enjoy this classic holiday island for less money than you might think. Who knows, the saving you make might even allow you to stay longer than you had originally planned to stay.

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Photo by engerundio on Flickr

July 30, 2013 by author

Lanzarote Offers More than Just the Beach

Spain is a fantastic holiday destination if you like sunshine, and it doesn’t get much sunnier than in the Canary Islands. However, one of the very best things about places like Lanzarote is that there is far more to do than just lie on the beach and soak up the sun’s rays.

Ride on a Camel

The idea of riding a camel on a safari trip might sound like it belongs in Africa rather than Spain. However, we need to remember that the Canary Islands are closer to the African coast than they are to mainland Spain. This is an incredibly exotic way of getting around and the best place to do so in the incredible Timanfaya National Park. Here you will see the Islote de Hilario volcano and might even eat a meal which has been cooked thanks to the heat from the volcano. The landscape here has been sculpted from lava and it has a sometimes unearthly and unsettling feel to it.

See the Pirate Caves

The Cueva de Los Verdes area is filled with caverns which were formed by cooling lava around 3000 years ago. These are sometimes called pirate caves, although it is believed that the locals hid in them, rather than pirates using them to hid treasure. Perhaps the most spectacular thing about these caverns is the 500 seat concert hall which sometimes hosts events.

Drink the Wine

You might not expect to find wine production on a volcanic holiday island like Lanzarote but it exists alright. La Geria is the region you will want to go to if you want to try some locally made wine. There is also the interestingly titled Lanzarote Wine Run & Traditional Cuisine Festival held here every June. It is a 21 km race and it includes a stop to taste some wine, which is a great idea when you think about it.

Go Diving

It is becoming popular for any holiday resort with a beach to offer diving opportunities. However, in Lanzarote the diving is truly amazing. The warm waters, the abundant wildlife and even some shipwrecks add up to a tremendous place to get some diving done. The manta rays are among the most sought after sights.

See El Golfo

El Golfo is a village on Lanzarote which is famous for the Green Lagoon. The lagoon has actually been formed inside a volcano’s crater, which has been eroded away over the centuries. The algae in the water gives it the striking green appearance which makes it so popular with photographers. If you recognise this place from somewhere then cast your mind back to Raquel Welch in a prehistoric film. When you are in Lanzarote you won’t want to miss this treat.

Enjoy Teguise Market

Shopping is one of the great pleasures of any trip abroad and the Teguise Market is hard to beat on Lanzarote. Sunday morning is the best time to go if you want to see the market in all its glory, while it is easy to find something to eat or drink after it.

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Photo by mike_lawrence on Flickr

July 16, 2013 by Arlene

Cruise Lanzarote: Volcanoes, Black Sands and Green Lagoons

In the Atlantic Ocean, situated 125 kilometers off the coast of Africa, sits the island of Lanzarote. Lanzarote is the easternmost island of the Canary Islands group, and has been a popular destination for tourists of all ages for many decades. With so much to offer in the way of natural wonder, and the small village charm of the ports, many people choose to cruise Lanzarote in order to see as much as possible of this volcanically created island.

Lanzarote is a Spanish island and is estimated to be 15 million years old. It is the creation of an area in the Canary Islands that had an incredibly high amount of volcanic activity in years past. This volcanic activity is responsible for many of the features that make Lanzarote a truly wondrous destination.

Black Sandy Beaches

Lanzarote boasts 213 kilometers of coastline that is divided between rocky outcrops and sandy beaches. The thing that makes some of Lanzarote’s beaches stand out, however, is their sand. The black sand is a huge draw for those looking to see something a little different. Two of the best beaches to have your own black sand experience at are: Playa Quemada, which is near Puerto Del Carmen, or El Golfo, which is on the way to Playa Blanca.

Green Lagoons

If you happen to travel to El Golfo at the southwest end of the island to take in the picturesque black sands, you should definitely make another stop. In this small fishing village, there is the opportunity to hike to a viewing platform, situated halfway in an inactive volcanic crater. Half of the crater is long gone as it has washed away, but the other side will be soaring above you as you take in the view. Amongst the solidified red and black lava remnants, there is an emerald green pool of water. The green hue is due to the minerals that the volcano left from the days when it was active. These minerals mix with the water that flows in from the ocean via an underground channel, creating a beautifully bright lagoon in the crater.

The volcanoes, black sandy beaches and the green lagoon are all very impressive and make the trip worthwhile by themselves. However, there are other things that make Lanzarote special. This island is home to the Tunnel of Atlantis, which is the world’s largest underwater volcanic tunnel. There is also the variation in terrain, ranging from a desert, to towering mountains. The highest peak on the island is Penas al Cheche, which rises 670 meters above sea level.

Lanzarote has so much to offer tourists of any age. The villages that you will visit are welcoming and offer many opportunities to purchase handmade treasures as reminders of your trip. Anyone who has experienced Lanzarote will tell you that the experience is one of a kind. When you are planning your next vacation, why not try securing yourself one of the cruises through Lanzarote and the Canary Islands?

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This is a guest contribution by Matt Watkins, a travel enthusiast and blogger on exotic holidays.

Photo by emiliano-iko on Flickr

March 27, 2013 by Arlene

What do the Canary islands have to offer the family

Surfing, snorkeling, camelback riding and dramatic volcanic scenery are just some of the many appeals of the Canary Islands. With plenty of sun, diverse geography and endless activities, the Spanish archipelago is an ideal holiday spot for families.

Located in the Atlantic Ocean just off the northwest coast of Africa, the seven islands have long been a popular destination among Europeans and travelers. With the warm climate it can be tempting to just lounge out on the beach all day while catching sun and swimming in the crystal waters. Although it’s relaxing, there is so much more to see and do.

Tenerife

Tenerife is the largest and most popular island among families. It offers breathtaking sights with and an array of activities for kids of all ages. With 67.14 kilometers of beaches, there is plenty of room to spread out. Family-oriented picks include the gold sand of Las Teristas beach or the black sand of La Arena beach. Tenerife is also home to the world’s third tallest volcano, El Teido, which has a peak of 3718 meters. To truly appreciate the scenery, walk along one of the mountain trails or hop on a boat to watch dolphins and whales.

While the inherit beauty and stunning geography of Tenerife makes for an adventurous holiday on its own, there are several other kid-friendly diversions. Monkey Park is a zoo where guests can interact with monkeys. For more animal encounters check out Loro Park where parrots, sea lions, penguins and sharks enthrall kids. The Siam water park is also a great choice with its thrilling rides and mini-aquati park for kids.

Lanzarote

This easternmost island has a great mix of natural beauty and attractions, making it easy for every family member to find something they enjoy. The Timanfaya volcano in Timanfaya National Park left behind numerous craters and solidified lava that created a moon-like appearance. Kids can explore the unique geography while riding a on a camel’s back.

While the dramatic volcanoes are exciting, so too are the warm waters and beaches. Families will enjoy surfing, snorkeling and scuba diving, or the Submarine Safari for more in-depth view of the ocean. The island houses a water park, and the Guinate Tropical Park which has waterfalls, gardens and birdlife. What’s best is that awesome Lanzarote holidays for the family are relatively cheap.

Fuerteventura

This is the second largest island in the Canaries, and like other islands, it was created by volcanic eruptions. With its clear waters, over 150 beaches and gigantic sand dunes, the island truly is a fortune. The white sand beach of Solana el Matorral- El Sebadal, has everything you need to spend a relaxing day with the kids.

Families can enjoy some of the numerous activities such as hiking the Bosque de Laursilva or explore the lava fields in Parque Nacional de Las dunas. For a more intimate wildlife experience, take the kids to the zoo which has giraffes, parrots and a camel safari. The Baku Baku Water park also provides endless entertainment and fun for kids and kids at heart.

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Photo by enrique_mendez on Flickr