Lanzarote is best known as a bucket and spade beach destination. Thanks to an idyllic location just off the coast of West Africa and a year round clement climate where temperatures rarely drop below 20c, even in the depths of a Northern European winter. Factors which help to attract around 1.4 million foreign tourists every year – the bulk of them British.

But Lanzarote boasts much more in the way of attractions than just sunshine and beaches alone. As the island is home to some incredible natural beauty spots as well as some of the most innovative tourist sites imaginable.

Back in the 1730´s Lanzarote was submerged beneath a sea of molten lava which devastated around one quarter of the island and which forced the migration of many Lanzaroteños to pastures new in destinations such as Latin America and Cuba. Today however the Timanfaya Volcano Park is Lanzarote´s best known and most popular tourist attraction. Drawing in close to one million visitors every year.

Here tourists can witness the molten lava flows and twisted spent volcanic peaks up close on tour buses that wend their way through the Park. Before disembarking passengers at the aptly named Devils Diner – where they can enjoy seeing their food being cooked on a huge open grill powered by the heat from the volcano below.

The optimum route through the volcano park was discerned by the well known Lanzarote born artist Cesar Manrique. Who had a hand in shaping tourist development on the island. And who sought to unite the raw nature of Lanzarote with his own artistic aesthetic to illuminate an alternative path for the evolution of the island. Decrying water parks and golf courses in favour of attractions such as Timanafya and the Jameos del Agua, where he converted a collapsed lava tube into an incredible underground auditorium.

Lanzarote also boasts a number of other breathtaking volcanic vistas – such as the Green Lagoon at El Golfo. An emerald green lake set against a black sand beach that is so striking that it has been used as a location for numerous sci-fi films, such as One Million Years BC, which starred Raquel Welch in a fur bikini.

And Manrique´s own former home – now the Cesar Manrique Foundation. Surely the most unusual property in Lanzarote, built into five underground volcanic chambers.

For a small island – measuring just 58kms long by 34kms wide – Lanzarote is also very big on contrasts. As just half an hour from the arid lava fields of the south lie green verdant valleys in the north. Such as the Valley of 1000 Palms – where villagers once planted one palm tree for the birth of a baby girl and two for a boy.

The historical and culturally diverse country of Spain is one of the most popular destinations of the world. With its old castles, ancient ruins, majestic mountains, excellent beaches and modern cities, it has attracted various kinds of visitors from adventure seekers and pilgrims to vacationers and newly – wed couples.

This old country was once the center of one of largest empire in the world. During the highest point in its history, its territory is so vast that it has acquired areas in the Americas, Africa and even Asia. However due to many factors like countless wars, uprisings and political maneuvers, All but few of this territories remain today.

First time visitors to Spain often visit its major cities first. Madrid, which is the national capital, is the country’s arts and financial center. Located almost at the heart of the Iberian Peninsula, it is home to excellent museums, a busy night life and the largest bullring in all of Spain. Barcelona, the second largest city, is a major sea port and commercial center. It’s full of modernist architecture and is considered to be one of the major cultural centers in the country. Other major cities include Bilbao, Cadiz, Córdoba, Granada, San Sebastian, Seville and Valencia. All in all, the country offers historical and modern buildings, beautiful beaches, exotic cuisines, enjoyable holidays and people that are friendly, fun – loving and religious.

Getting there is quite easy. If you are from far locations, you can travel by plane to the many airports that are present in the country. Other forms of travel include by train, by bus, by car and by boat.

Visiting Spain can be a really memorable experience and is definitely not a waste of time and money. Whatever the reason is, spending time in this wonderful country it is really worth repeating.

The summer season may be over in mainland Spain. But there are still some Spanish sunspots that are basking in temperatures of 20C plus throughout the winter months.

Lanzarote is the most easterly of the Canary Islands and is located some 1500 miles south of the Iberian Peninsula, just off the coast of Africa. On the same line of latitude as the Bahamas and parts of Florida and Mexico. A privileged position that delivers spring time temperatures and sunshine throughout the year.

Add in four hour flights to Lanzarote from the UK and Ireland, over 90 beautiful beaches and a host of unique tourist attractions and it’s little wonder that this small island has long been a big hit with sun starved tourists from Britain and Eire.

Unlike some of the larger Canary Islands such as Tenerife and Gran Canaria, Lanzarote has also remained relatively unspoiled. Despite the advent of package tourism. Thanks to the efforts of a locally born artist called Cesar Manrique, who fought against over development during the 1970s and 80´s.

Manrique believed that Lanzarote´s future would best be served by preserving the island’s natural beauty intact wherever possible. A philosophy somewhat at odds with the property developers and hotel chains that were submerging much of the Spanish coastline beneath a sea of high rise hotels at this time.

Fortunately for Lanzarote however Manrique had friends in high places – as his family had a long standing relationship with Pepin Ramirez, who was had of the island government during this period.

Sympathetic to Manrique´s views Ramirez worked hand in hand with him to ensure that high rise buildings were banned and advertising hoardings outlawed. Lanzarote´s three main resorts were also well contained.

As a result visitors to the island today are often surprised to find that Lanzarote has been left largely as nature intended. Despite the fact that the island still welcomes over 1.2 million foreign tourists every year.

The bulk of these tourists head for the two most popular resorts of Puerto del Carmen in the centre of the island. And Playa Blanca in the south – which has the best selection of good quality hotels and holiday villas in Lanzarote.

Costa Teguise to the north is the best resort for those seeking to explore the islands unique attractions, which include the Cactus Garden, the Mirador del Rio and the Jameos del Agua. All of which were created by Manrique as sustainable alternatives to the water parks and golf courses springing up elsewhere in Spain.

Rural tourism has also started to grow in popularity and there are now a number of good quality country houses and rural hotels catering to the growing demand from tourists keen to connect with the ‘real Lanzarote’.

Tours of Spain

Spain is a country of large geographical and cultural diversity, often a surprise for tourists who are expecting to find a country mostly known for beach tourism. Travel to Spain and you will find everything, from lush meadows, green valleys, hills and snowy mountains in the Northern regions to almost desert zones in the South.

A complete Spain tour begins from the famous beaches to an unlimited amount of cultural experience.

Before going in a Spain tour read the online Travel Guide Spain. It will give you a lot of suggestions and tips.

Food

Robust olive oil, garlic, coriander, and saffron flavor the cuisine, complemented by local wines-deep reds from Spain’s Rioja, and Portugal’s sparkling vinho verde and velvety Port. You’ll enjoy colorful presentations of seafood, veal, grilled fish, and of course Spain’s famed paella, gazpacho, and endless variety of tapas. Wine in Spain is popular and each region has its own specialty.

At the fancy tourist restaurants, eating in Madrid prices are comparable to those in New York, London, or Paris, but there are also many inexpensive, off the beaten path taverns and corporate restaurants.

Shopping

Not even the tax-free shops at the airports can compete with prices in the Canaries. Liqueurs, tobacco, cameras and film cameras, tape recorders, transistor radios, watches, are all cheaper here than in the countries of their origin.