The Canary Islands are located in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of West Africa. Yet are still part of the EU – as they have been owned by Spain ever since they were conquered in the early 1400´s.

The seven islands have their own distinct cultural identity though – with a strong Latin America influence evident. A legacy of the islands past role as an important staging post between the New World and the Old.

Today tourism very much dominates with the Canaries welcoming close to ten million visitors a year. Drawn by a semi-tropical climate that delivers warm weather even during the winter months. Along with great beaches and good standards of accommodation.

Lanzarote is the fourth largest of the islands and is located closer to the coast than the rest. With south west Morocco and the outer fringes of what was once the Spanish Sahara just 100 miles away.

The island has a very arid and barren terrain which is partly due to the fact that there is very little in the way of rainfall here – a real plus point for tourists. With just 8mm of precipitation per month recorded. The island was also shaped by volcanic eruptions around 250 years ago which turned the interior of Lanzarote into a weird and eerie lunar scape.

Tourism is concentratred in three main holiday resorts; Playa Blanca, Costa Teguise and Puerto del Carmen. Which is where the bulk of the best accommodation is also located. There are over 200 hotels in Lanzarote – offering everything from basic bed and board through to five star luxury.

Along with an excellent range of rental accommodation – such as Lanzarote holiday villas and apartments.

The island is also a very cheap holiday option compared to other winter sun destinations around the globe. For example it is possible to book flights to Lanzarote from as little as €100 return with airlines such as Ryanair. Who just started flying to Lanzarote in October of last year. Whilst the cost of accommodation is also very low – with basic apartments available from as little as €180 per week. Prices that very few other destinations can match.

During the winter months visitors are best advised to opt for accommodation in Playa Blanca – as the weather is better here at that time of year. Whilst the resorts facilities and amenities are all as good as new as Playa Blanca was only developed as recently as the 1990´s.