posted by Vacation Home Rentals on Dec 3
Lanzarote is set to become an even hotter holiday destination, as Aer Lingus announces the addition of new routes to the popular sunny island. If you’re looking to escape the harsh British autumn/winter, Lanzarote is the a great option. As of October 25th 2009, the well known airline has started running flights between Gatwick and Lanzarote’s Arrecife airport three days a week, making year-round sunshine, stunning scenery and cheap Lanzarote hotels even more accessible than before.
The new route announcement follows news earlier in the year that the Spanish government will be offering discounts on airport taxes to airlines meeting certain criteria when flying to Spanish destinations. This is the government’s latest attempt to boost tourism, both on the mainland and surrounding islands, and there is the hope it will encourage other airlines to introduce new flights to the popular holiday spots. With the credit crunch hitting holidaymakers hard at the end of last year, Lanzarote – like a number of other European destinations – suffered a drop in visitor numbers. Its airport saw a reduction of 3.3% in December 2008 compared with the same time the previous year, which raised concerns about the health of local tourism.
There’s no doubt the new route announced between London and Lanzarote will be welcome news to the island. Holidaymakers will receive the news equally as well, as it offers an affordable yet by no means boring getaway. The prices for the new flights start at an affordable £34.99 one way, making it a great choice for your next holiday in the sun. There are great deals on Lanzarote hotels at the moment, making the holiday even more attractive. A bungalow for two in a four star resort, for example, costs as little as £14 per person per night this October, while all-inclusive hotels in Lanzarote can be found for around £27. One positive thing about the credit cruch, is that it’s driven down holiday prices, making a sunny trip affordable this autumn.
posted by Vacation Home Rentals on Jan 21
Lanzarote is located just seventy miles away from the coast of West Africa. Making it the most easterly of the seven islands in the Canary Islands chain. On a similar line of latitude to parts of Florida, Mexico and the Bahamas.
Just like this near neighbour Lanzarote has a very dry and arid climate, characterised by very low rainfall – on average just 9mm a month. With temperatures maintaining a minimum of around 20c all year round. Two factors which help to make Lanzarote a popular year round holiday destination too.
As a result of this enviable climate Lanzarote is popular with tourists from all over Northern Europe. Scandinavians visit the island in large numbers – especially during the winter months. Whilst around one million British and Irish tourists arrived on flights to Lanzarote during the course of 2007.
Lanzarote has enjoyed a number of unusual appellations over the years. It was once thought to be part of the lost continent of Atlantis. Whilst during the Middle Ages it was known as one of the Fortunate Islands – due to this great year round climate that is often likened to an eternal Spring.
Today though Lanzarote is best known as the Island of Fire. An appellation created by the six year long volcanic eruptions which engulfed the island backing 1730. Burying around one quarter of Lanzarote beneath a sea of molten lava. These eruptions caused widespread devastation and forced many islanders to flee altogether. Heading for new locations such as Latin America and Cuba.
These eruptions actually increased the size of the island by around one quarter. And obviously caused widespread devastation at the time – as some of the most fertile farming land on the island was submerged beneath a sea of molten lava. Forcing many Lanzaroteños to emigrate abroad. Today however the volcanoes that caused this devastation are Lanzarote´s most popular tourist attraction. With the Timanfaya Volcano Park attracting over one million visitors every year.
The bulk of visitors opt to stay in apartments or holiday villas in Lanzarote during their stay. As hotel accommodation only accounts for around 40% of the islands total tourist capacity. Many visitors also go on to purchase a property on the island from local estate agents. Which they are then able to enjoy as a holiday home whilst also renting it out to other tourists for the rest of the year. A potentially lucrative business given Lanzarote´s year round rental calendar.
For great deals on hotels in Lanzarote and Lanzarote property visit the Lanzarote guide book.
