Boasting some of the finest beaches on the Canary Island of Lanzarote, Punta de Papagayo is a breezy point at the southerly end of the island. Somewhat isolated and not yet developed the area still attracts lots of tourists, seeking quieter beaches away from the busy resorts. The main and most popular of the beaches, Playa de Papagayo is easily accessed by road from nearby Playa Blanca, some of the other beaches are easier to reach by walking or by boat. There are regular boat trips operating from the harbour in Playa Blanca, and many choose this method as a more exciting way to visit. All the beaches benefit from superb views to the nearby island of Fuerteventura, and all are worth a visit if you are travelling around Lanzarote this year. Playa de Papagayo Map.
November 6, 2009
November 2, 2009
Playa Blanca Lanzarote
Probably the most pleasant of the main resorts of Lanzarote, Playa Blanca was developed from a small traditional fishing village located at the south-western end of the island. Much more laid back than such resorts as Puerto del Carmen, Playa Blanca has a more relaxed feel and is ideal for a lazy beach style holiday, while still being suitable for the more energetic having some good water sports facilities and some interesting historic monuments, in fact overall it is an ideal base for Lanzarote travel in general. Well known for its beaches, Playa Blanca has several and also the renowned area of Playas del Papagayos just 4km down the coast has some lovely little beaches situated in pretty coves. You should definitely take a boat trip to the neighbouring island of Fuerteventura while you are there and perhaps also a trip to little Los Lobos. Historic attractions nearby include the Castillo de las Coloradas watchtower at Punta del Aguila and the remains of a Norman settlement at San Marcial del Rubicon, nature lovers may wish to visit the Los Ajaches Reserve where birds and wildlife have been protected since 1991. Excellent for holidays all year long, Playa Blanca weather is mostly sunny and pleasant with less than 6 inches of rain each year. Situated quite a distance from the airport at Arrecife, it may be sensible for visitors to hire a car if other transport is not laid on, this gives the added benefit of being able to tour around the island and visit such places as the Parque Nacional de Timanfaya where volcanic lava still bubbles under the surface. Playa Blanca is about 35 km from Arrecife airport.
October 6, 2009
Tenerife Canary Islands
The biggest and perhaps the best known of the Spanish Canary Islands, Tenerife has a resident population of approximately 850,000 and is a very popular, all year round holiday destination. Tenerife is divided into two distinct areas by a large mountain range, the area to the north is lush and green with a rugged coastline, the area to the south is arid and sparsely vegetated with plenty of fine sandy beaches and most of the island’s popular resorts. In the centre is the highest mountain in Spain – the Pico del Teide (3,717 metres). Two areas of great beauty on the island of Tenerife are the Orotava Valley and the Las Canadas National Park which are both worth a look if you are visiting the island. Some of Tenerife´s best known resorts lie on the west coast and include Los Cristianos, Los Gigantes, Playa de las Americas, Costa Adeje and Puerto de la Cruz, most of these within the municipalities of Arona and Adeje. The vast majority of visitors are attracted by the superb all year round climate, with Tenerife weather being particularly pleasant during the winter months (the best time to visit), the north of the island can experience a significantly different climate and Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the capital of the island, in the north-east is often wetter and cooler. Tenerife Map.
September 8, 2009
Haria Lanzarote
Considered by many, the most attractive town on the island of Lanzarote in the Canary Islands, Haria is situated in the “Valley of One Thousand Palms”, and is most noticeable for its greenness laid against the bleak volcanic vistas of most of the island. Most of the palm trees were planted during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries when it was a custom to plant a palm tree each time a new baby was born, one for a girl and two for a buy. Haria’s most pleasant square is the shady Plaza de Leon y Castillo, site of a craft market on most Saturdays. Lanzarote’s most famous citizen César Manrique, for a while lived just outside the town after getting too much unwanted pubic attention in his previous abode. The name Haria is also given over to a sizable municipality covering the northern section of Lanzarote.
September 7, 2009
Guatiza Lanzarote
A northeastern Canarian community in the Teguise municipality of Lanzarote, Guatiza has a population of around 800 and is well known for its cactus garden and cactus plantations. The cactus garden is located in an old volcanic hollow and was designed by Lanzarote architect César Manrique, it contains over 1,500 species of cactus. The large cactus plantations are grown to attract the cochineal beetle which lives on the prickly pear cactus, and the resulting cochineal has been an important product for the village for many centuries. The old village of Guatiza was sacked several times by the Moors and was moved to a safer location. Guatiza is situated 2 kilometres from the coast about nine kilometres north of Costa Teguise and Tahiche.
September 5, 2009
El Hierro and La Gomera
The two smallest of the main Canary Islands are El Hierro and La Gomera, both largely unspoilt by tourism especially El Hierro which has very little accommodation available. La Gomera does attract a number of tourists from nearby Tenerife, most just visit for the day, other to explore the amazing Garonjay National Park which features one of the oldest natural forests in the world. El Hierro is the smallest of the islands at only 278 km2, it has hardly any beaches, and as such does not attract ‘package’ tourists, its coastline is steep and rocky apart from areas of coast close to the capital Valverde. La Gomera is slightly larger at 378 km2 a large portion of which is covered by the Parque Nacional de Garonjay, an area of mist shrouded forests, mountains and deep ravines. Visitors to La Gomera arrive at its port in the capital San Sebastion de la Gomera.