Lanzarote: The ideal winter sun destination?
A holiday in the sun must be taken in the summer, right? Not necessarily. In fact, there are a number of advantages of choosing to wait until the winter months in Britain before heading abroad to top up that tan. An increasing number of luxurious villas available at many holiday hotspots also means you can do so in tremendous comfort. Villas in Lanzarote are perhaps the perfect winter sun-seeking base.
The Spanish island of Lanzarote boasts year-round sunshine. This is in addition to its dramatic and inspiring volcanic landscape, stunning national parks, watersports for adrenalin junkies and thrill seekers and numerous beautiful beach resorts. Luxury villas Lanzarote style are the perfect base for a winter holiday centred on any activity of your choosing.
The popularity of Lanzarote as an off-peak destination is mainly down to its generally mild winters. As a result of its geographical location and position within the Atlantic Ocean, fluctuating temperatures in the water are both rare and minimal. Stormy or wet days are an extremely rare phenomenon, replaced instead by a pleasing climate with plenty of sun. Even during the winter months, the daytime temperature rarely drops below 20 degrees C, while the sea temperature remains at a pleasant average of between 18 and 19 degrees C.
If the idea of a sea dip in December is too bizarre to comprehend, Lanzarote boasts a wide and varied range of other attractions with which to fill your days. One of the many not-to-be-missed excursions is a visit to Timafaya National Park. An astonishing place, the park is home to the infamous Montanas del Fuego (Fire Mountains). Created by the eruption of 100 volcanoes way back in the 18th Century, this beautiful moon-like landscape brings an other-worldly feel to the area. Guided tours, including those on camel back, are available, as is the opportunity to eat from a grill using the geothermic heat from the ground itself. Worriers need not be concerned, though, as the area has not experienced a volcanic eruption for almost 200 years.
Alternatively, there is the stunning Guinate Tropical Park to explore. Set among a stunning collection of waterfalls, lakes and tropical gardens, the park is home to a number of exciting animals, including monkeys, wallabies and meerkats. A particular highlight is the parrot show; there to be enjoyed by children and big kids alike.
Another trip well worth undertaking is a ride on the yellow submarine. This sea craft will take you on a unique journey beneath the surface around the islands and give you a close look into the abundant and diverse marine life that call the area home and are otherwise unseen by human eye.
For those who want to hit the beach, the sheltered southern region of the island is particularly pleasant. The main holiday area of Puerto Del Carmen, located in the deep south, attracts almost as many winter visitors as it does during the peak holiday season. Many of the bays in the area have been awarded the Blue Flag for cleanliness and offer a range of water sports, including some awesome scuba diving. Mouth watering restaurants and vibrant, buzzing bars are another feature of this exciting island.
Even further down the island lies Playa Blanca. Perfect for families, it boasts two sheltered beaches and gentle, inviting waters. The region also boasts a luxurious yachting marina, some of the best seafood restaurants and is close to Timafaya National Park.
Luxury villas Algarve are a further alternative for a winter sun-seeking mission. These places offer a sunny escape from the sodden, freezing gloom that often encapsulates Britain during the colder months. Rather than join the battle against the rain and the cold, why not pack your flip flops and get some sun on your back?
