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Lanzarote in the Canary Islands has long been associated with package holidays and mass market tourism. But the island essentially splits into two halves. With the south home to the main resorts whilst the north remains largely unspoiled. Thanks to strict local planning laws which have carefully restricted development here. Finding accommodation here should not be a problem as their are plenty of holiday apartments in Lanzarote from which to choose.

From the main resort of Puerto del Carmen visitors need to drive along the LZ1, past the airport and towards the ring road, the turn off for which can be easily missed. The ring road takes traffic past the capital of Arrecife and just after this is the junction for Tahiche, which is en route to the north of the island. And which is also well worth stopping off at as here tourists can take a tour of the former home and studio of the famous local artist César Manrique. Which has been constructed over five empty chambers in the lava flow. From Tahiche there are then two options, one heading north to the former island capital of Teguise. Which is home to some very historic buildings, such as the Castillo de Santa Barbara and the Palacio Spinola. Or along the coast in the direction of Arrieta, which is the main beach destination in this part of the island and hugely popular with locals. There are also a couple of good quality restaurants here right on the beach which make it an ideal spot to stop off for a spot of lunch. The north is also home to the majority of the islands leading tourist attractions, most of which were also created by the ubiquitous Manrique. Such as the lookout point at the Mirador del Rio, the plant packed Cactus Garden and the breathtaking Jameos del Agua. The north is also much greener than the south especially in and around villages such as Haria and the Valley of 1000 Palms.

The terrain in the south of the island is much drier and volcanic in origin thanks to eruptions which shook this region as recently as the 1730´´s. The scenery is still beautiful here but much more unconventionally so. Dominated by loads of dormant volcanoes and mile after mile of lava fields.

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Package holidaymakers have been visiting the small Canary Island of Lanzarote ever since the 1970´s. When the island first started to appear in the brochures of tour operators in the UK and across Europe. Its popularity sealed by its breathtaking beaches and equally wonderful weather. But this popular destination offers more than sea, sun and sand. As careful development has created a largely unspoilt holiday island.

Like some of the other Canary Islands there is a north-south divide in evidence on Lanzarote. With the south home to the main tourist resorts whilst the north is more the preserve of the locals. A bi-product in part of the weather – as even on a small island such as Lanzarote there is a considerable difference in temperatures and climate conditions between the north and south.

The last decade has seen more independent travellers visiting the island alongside package holidaymakers. Thanks to the fact that flights and accommodation can now easily be booked direct online, creating a demand for rental properties – such as Lanzarote holiday villas and apartments. Which are now booked by visitors from countries such as the UK and Eire in preference to hotels and all inclusive holidays. Especially in the islands largest resort – where many holiday villas in Puerto del Carmen are often booked up throughout the year.Information about holiday villas in Puerto del Carmen can be found here

Outside the three resorts is an island that is full of hidden delights. Some of which don’t even appear on local maps. So it really pays to book a rental vehicle and take some tie to tour around. With the north home to the real authentic heart of Lanzarote.

Head for the pretty village of Haria to start connecting with the real Lanzarote. This pueblo has been described by the eminent Canarian author Alberto Vazquez as the prettiest village on the island if not the world. Which is probably a bit of an exaggeration – but not that wide of the truth. As Haria is a real green oasis on an island that is otherwise largely devoid of flora and fauna. Thanks to very low rainfall and a dry and arid climate. In Haria villagers started to plant palm trees for every new born baby centuries ago. And today their valley is aptly known as the Valley of 1000 Palms, with countless Canarian palms creating a striking sight.

Haria is just a ten minute drive from the seaside village of Arrieta and it´s delightful beach, Playa La Garita. Which is the last undeveloped stretch of sand on Lanzarote´s south eastern coastline. Head here for a great lunch in one of the restaurants located right on the beach.

Lanzarote travel information

The recent Icelandic ash cloud hasn’t deterred many travellers from jetting off to other volcanic locations this year. With islands such as Lanzarote in the Canaries still proving very popular. Despite the fact that it was hit by massive eruptions in the 1730’s which transformed much of the interior from fertile farmland into a volcanic wasteland.

Lanzarote was effectively transformed by these eruptions. Which first hit the island during the 1730´s for six years. And then again during 1824. Leaving a large chunk of the interior denuded of vegetation and carpeted in lava. A sight that is so strange and surreal that it has been used by many movie makers over the years – most recently the production team of Clash of the Titans 3.

Even though Lanzarote has a volcanic history, property investment on the island is still very viable with countless tourists actually investing in their own holiday apartments.

Lanzarote Villas – Hotels And Apartments. There are plenty of decent accommodation options too. Whilst many tourists from Spain and Germany tend to prefer to book hotels guests from the UK and Ireland usually plump for self catering properties such as Lanzarote villas and apartments. With lots of these scattered around the islands main resorts and across the countryside too.

Most people will want something a little different from their annual holiday or break, for some it will simply be lazing on one of Lanzarote’s sun kissed beaches followed by relaxing evenings spent in a restaurant or bar, Whilst for others they will want to be hitting the watersports scene either surfing, paragliding or even diving. More active visitors will almost certainly want an equally bouyant nightlife scene with plenty of action. Of course for the cultural types staying in one of the main resorts of Playa Blanca or Puerto del Carmen may be far from their mind, and instead they may prefer Costa Teguise or even to stay in one of the increasingly popular rural villas that are guranteed to give a true taste of island living.

Visitors looking to explore the island in greater detail will appreciate the work of Manrique Cesar who sought to create a collection of unique tourist attractions that would provide a worthy alternative to the many golf courses and water theme parks that are so prevalent elsewhere in Spain.For example sites such as the Jameos del Agua, which embodied his desire to fuse art with nature.

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The little island of Lanzarote offers big value for money for anyone seeking a self catering holiday on a budget. As it is home to a very large selection of privately owned accommodation – normally available at prices that just cannot be matched in other parts of Spain. As here owners enjoy a year round rental season – as well as a reliable flow of tourist guests.

Along with the other six Canary Islands Lanzarote enjoys a fantastic semi-tropical climate, delivering clement weather whatever the time of year. Thanks to its geographical situation close to the Tropic of Cancer and just off the coast of Africa. This is married with very low levels of rainfall, together creating a dry and arid terrain – desert like in places – which is largely devoid of trees and vegetation.

This leaves much of Lanzarote denuded of flora, with this strange scenery made to appear even more surreal by the impact of gigantic eruptions in the 1730´s which left about 200km square of the islands interior looking like a set from a science fiction movie. The area has had its fair share of film stardom

But the island also has plenty of more conventional beauty away from the volcanic region, where it is much like many other island destinations. There are around 100 beaches adorning the coastline and visitors can choose from three modern and well appointed holiday resorts. Which is also the location most of the top choices of Luxury Lanzarote villas and other prime holiday accommodation for example self catering apartments.

Puerto del Carmen is the islands main resort – located close to the only airport at Arrecife and blessed with an abundance of golden sand beaches. Accounting for its enormous popularity with tourists from across Europe over the last forty years. As well as excellent nightlife and a large selection of bars and restaurants.

As a result villas are in demand as a result – with prices starting at about the €500 mark for properties with private pools.

After Puerto del Carmen Playa Blanca is the islands second most popular resort. Having expanded rapidly since it was first developed in the early 1990´s. And today it is proving especially popular with tourists sleeking good value self catering accommodation thanks to the fact that apartments and villas here offer excellent value for money.

Lanzarote is a great sunshine destination all year round. But its best to time your holiday here carefully, as some months such as February and March can be more unreliable than others.

Must see attractions on the island include for example Jameos Del Agua -Lanzarote has many star attractions. But this collapsed, 6km long lava tube, located in the North of the island close to Punta Mujeres often tops the bill for most tourists – attracting close on 700,000 visitors in 2006.

Around the world there are lots of wonderful places to enjoy a holiday. But not many of these destinations cannot come close to Lanzarote for cultural attractions. As this small Canary Island located off the African coast is the birthplace of a famous artist called César Manrique. Who created unique cultural attractions and who exerted an enormous influence on the islands development.

Renowned as a destination for sun, sea and sand Lanzarote has a rich cultural background as well,and with an excellent choice of Lanzarote villas you’ll be unlucky if you cannot find somewhere decent to stay

Anyone who visits Lanzarote soon encounters the name of César Manrique as his influence is everywhere. Starting right from the airport, where one of his best known giant wind toy sculptures is located, through to their accommodation. As it is thanks to him that all of the apartments and villas in Lanzarote are painted a uniform white colour. Whilst there are no high rise buildings or ad billboards blotting the landscape.

Born in Arrecife, the islands capital, in 1919, Manrique fell in love with the island from a tender age. Thanks to the fact that his parents owned a holiday home in the beautiful northern beach resort of Famara, where they would all spend long summers together. With the young Manrique exploring rock pools and splashing in the tide, where he would delight in seeing the reflection of the Famara cliffs that flanked the bay.

The young Manrique went on to study art in Madrid, against his parent’s wishes, before becoming involved with the Spanish surrealist movement in the 1950´s. A brave move in Franco´s Spain at the time. Before heading off to New York under the patronage of the Rockefellers to study and exhibit there. Where he rubbed shoulders with contemporaries such as Andy Warhol.

In the late 1960´s though mass market tourism and package holidays were just starting to take off. As General Franco opened Spain up in order to secure much needed foreign currency. Manrique, fearing that his birthplace could become buried beneath a sea of hotels and apartment blocks, returned to Lanzarote – and began his campaign for controlled development on the island.

Manrique returned home as a seasoned traveller with a passion for both art and architecture and was well aware of the devastion that modern building could bring so he championed the fusion of art, architecture and tourism which is appreciated by visitors and locals alike even though he is no longer with us.

Further details about available apartments in Lanzarote can be found on the Lanzarote1.com website.