Wanderlust

Still thinking about where to head on your summer holidays this year?  Then why not give Lanzarote in the Canaries some thought.  As this small island is big on attractions and things to do as well as offering great weather and fantastic beaches.

Lanzarote and the other six Canary Islands are all owned by Spain – but located off the coast of Morocco.  Which is the reason why they enjoy a semi tropical climate.  Making this the perfect spot for a winter or summer break.

Over the least year the cost of flights to Lanzarote from the UK has also fallen considerably – thanks to the fact that there are now a number of low cost airlines offering services from British airports.  With both easyJet and Ryanair now offering good value returns.

This has helped to stimulate an increase in the number of independent travellers visiting the island.  Many of whom seek to book all aspects of their holiday direct online.  Creating a knock on demand for apartments and villas in Lanzarote.  Although half of all visitors to the island still book a stay in one of the 200 plus hotels on the island.

All of the main tour operators feature holidays in Lanzarote in their brochures with some such as First Choice and Thomson offering big discounts on summer bookings.  With deals on accommodation in some of the larger resorts such as Playa Blanca and Puerto del Carmen.

Certainly wherever visitors choose to stay on the island they will find that there´s plenty to do as Lanzarote is big on attractions.  The best known of which are the Fire Mountains of Timanfaya – a huge area of volcanic activity that was created by eruptions in the 18th century but which is now safe to visit as the peaks here are all now dormant.

The heat just beneath the earth at Timanfaya is still intense though and reaches up to 400 degrees.  As park wardens are only too happy to demonstrate by pouring cold water into bore holes which is then expulsed seconds later in jets of steam.  Intrepid tourists can even enjoy a camel ride across the surreal scenery here.

Lanzarote is also located in close proximity to the Canary Island of Fuerteventura.  So visitors can take in not one island but two on their holidays by hopping onto one of the ferries that criss crosses the Bocaina Straits from Playa Blanca.

The newest resort to be developed on the island of Lanzarote is Playa Blanca. With much of its holiday accommodation constructed during the last ten years, it has an excellent range of modern and stylish villas available to rent, with equally good hotels arrayed along its coastline.

The reasons behind this resort’s growth are tied up with its close proximity to the six beautiful beaches of Papagayo. Regarded as some of the best beaches in the whole Canarian archipelago, they consist of coves and larger stretches of golden sand. Surrounded by crystal clear waters that make ideal scuba-diving spots, the beaches remain very unspoilt.

They can still only be reached by a dirt track road, water taxi or on foot along the coastal pathway. And continue to have fairly limited facilities, so visitors are usually advised to come well equipped with food, drink and a sunshade.

In the town itself, there are three sandy beaches. The most central of which also gives its name to Playa Blanca. On the western side there is Playa Flamingo, which is surrounded by lovely mature tropical gardens. And on the eastern side there is Playa Dorada, stretching out in front of the Princesa Yaiza hotel.

Due to its southerly position, a holiday in Playa Blanca will usually feel a couple of degrees warmer than in the other resorts, as the local micro-climate intensifies the sun’s heat. Allowing visitors the chance to make the best use of the private pools and outdoor Jacuzzi’s that nearly all holiday villas in Playa Blanca enjoy.

The town also serves as a good base for exploring the island, especially the southern half, which is home to the Timanfaya National Park. Rather than being a green and verdant space planted with numerous trees, the park is located at the site of the volcanic eruptions that shook Lanzarote between 1730-36.

Tourists therefore get to see any number of craters and cones, twisted fields of lava and molten rock. And if they choose to dine at the El Diablo restaurant, they can also see their food being cooked on one of the most unusual barbecues in the world. Harnessing the geothermal heat that is still extremely intense just below the earth’s surface, the grill hovers over an open fissure in the ground.

Also within close reach of Playa Blanca is the village of Yaiza. Voted twice over Spain’s prettiest village, it is lucky to still be standing at all, having avoided burial under a tidal wave of lava.

There are many reasons to enjoy a holiday on the beautiful island of Lanzarote in the Canary Islands.  And this small speck of Spain has long been a hot favourite with tourists from across Europe.

Climate & Weather
The islands main draw is its weather – as visitors here can expect to enjoy sunshine and little to no rainfall whenever they visit.  Thanks to Lanzarote´s location close to the Tropic of Cancer and on the same line of latitude as parts of Mexico and the Bahamas.

During the winter temperatures remain in the early to mid 20´s – whilst during the summer the mercury can rise much higher.  Although the island is also cooled then by the Trade Winds which can provide a welcome relief from the heat.

In general the island really boasts a desert climate – as the heat of the day soon dissipates come nightfall, especially during winter.

Accommodation
What’s a holiday destination without a good choice of decent quality places to stay?  Lanzarote offers something to suit all budgets and tastes and visitors can choose from apartments, villas and hotels in all price ranges.

Around 50% of visitors opt to stay in a hotel or apartment complex.  With the other 50% plumping for Lanzarote holiday villas – the best of which can be found in resorts such as Puerto del Carmen and Playa Blanca. Whilst holiday apartments in Lanzarote are also very popular with tourists on a budget.

Easy Access
Unlike some more exotic winter sun destinations Lanzarote is only a four hour flight from the UK.  Making the journey bearable by comparison to the all day travelling required for holidays in the Caribbean or the Far East.

Familiarity
Despite the fact that Lanzarote is located off the coast of Africa it has all the familiarity of a typical Spanish holiday destination.  With the same language, customs and cuisine as can be found on the mainland.

Things To Do
Unlike a lot of other holiday islands Lanzarote genuinely offers an abundance of things to do and see.  Explore the islands breathtaking volcanic scenery.  Visit one of 100 beaches.  Discover the work of the famous local artist César Manrique.  Or tour a seemingly endless list of picturesque little towns and villages.

On an island as small as Lanzarote its so easy to get around and explore all of the attractions.  With guided tours available for those who would rather someone else did the driving.

There are around 20 resorts of varying size on the popular holiday island of Mallorca.  Each boasting it s own unique character and identity.  But which is the ideal destination for you?

In many ways Mallorca is much like a football match – that is to say it is split into two distinct halves.  With the south of the island still struggling to overcome the full English breakfast reputation earned during the 1980´s by resorts such as Magaluf.  Which for a while became synomous with the worst excesses of package tourism.  Whilst the north is cooler and more upmarket.  Reflected in the fact that this part of the island is home to a large selection of the best holiday villas in Mallorca.  Many of which have been constructed from traditional local stone.

Alcudia
Alcudia is located on the island’s north coast and is home to the largest beach on Mallorca.  Which extends for over 8km and which makes this the number one choice for beach lovers on the island.

As a result Alcudia is home to a large number of hotels and holiday complexes – the bulk of which are located along this fine stretch of sand.  Which shelves gently into the Mediterranean.

Alcudia is located around one and a half hours from the sole international airport at Palma and is ideal for families and couples seeking a holiday away from the hustle and bustle of the mega resorts such as Magaluf.

Arenal
Arenal is located on the south coast of the island – just 12 km away from the capital of Mallorca.  Making transfers quick and easy.  And is more of a party destination – enjoying popularity with a younger demographic of holidaymakers.   Who flock to the main beach by day before heading out to party in the bars and clubs by night.

Puerto Pollensa
Puerto Pollensa is the coastal sister resort to the former Roman settlement of Pollensa in the north of the island.  And is around 8km away – boasting a great beach as well as a good selection of bars and restaurants.  All of which is set against the highly dramatic backdrop of the Tramantura Mountains – which really dominate the landscape in this part of the island.

Magaluf
Party central – Magaluf is located close to the capital and the airport and attracts an 18-30´s crowd. Boasting a host of bars and discos.  This is one of the liveliest resorts in Spain so don’t expect a quiet break if you have booked your holiday here!

• Eat. You could suggest this goes without saying. Food is a staple requirement right, so what is so special about cruise food? Well cruise ships often have a huge range of different restaurants on board and will frequently change their menus to match the current location of the ship. Make the most of having some world class chefs all in the same place by trying out food from all the eateries.

• Swim. Almost all liners have 1 or more swimming pools where you brush up on your stoke, have a bit of fun or make the most of the sun. The sun will be your to enjoy all day long as well due to fact there is nothing for miles around that will cause a shadow. Water flumes, wave-riding machines and water sports activities can be found on many boats and provide unlimited fun.Read this cruise review for example.

• Casino. whether you’re a seasoned pro or a gambling amateur, make sure you spend some time in the lush casinos. Famed for their atmosphere, casinos are a great place to get to know people, have a lot of fun and pick up some tips on how to beat the banker. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to enjoy yourself but if it’s your first time then Blackjack is a good place to start. Its easy to learn and you can make money without having to be an expert.

• Bar. There will be a number of different bars all over the ship and some luxury Cruises are all inclusive, so there is no excuse not to sample some liquid delights. The bar staff are often well travelled and will welcome a break from making martinis all day if you ask them for something exotic. Ask them to make some traditionally to one of the countries you’re visiting or let them make their favorite drink for you. Some of the things these bar staff can do with simple ingredients will astound you.

• Shows. You are almost guaranteed to find something you like from the wide range of quality performances that cruise ships put on. They will be something for everyone and there are some acts that you cannot see anywhere else. Ask the staff around the ship for their recommendations and luxury cruise stories They have more than likely watched the shows a good number of times so will have the best advice around.

Vacations in the UK seem to be incredibly popular this year, most likely due to the the current economy and the low value of the pound. England has many top tourist destinations including London (the English capital) and other fascinating cities plus a collection of seaside resorts such as; Blackpool, Eastbourne, Bognor Regis and Clacton-on-Sea. One seaside town often overlooked is Plymouth in the south of England.

At first glance Plymouth appears rather plain and principally modern, but searching a little bit deeper and you will very quickly discover that the city has a rich history and a deep association with the sea. As far back as the fifteen hundreds Plymouth has been an important port. In fifteen eighty eight Francis Drake set sail from the port to successfully defend the English by defeating the Spanish Armada. A further moment in history occurred in sixteen twenty when port witnessed the embarkation of the Pilgrim Fathers.

It is possible to take cheap Plymouth vacations by booking bed and breakfast in Plymouth rather than booking rooms in a expensive hotel. A quick search on Yahoo will show that rooms are available from as little as £29 a night and many guest houses offer dinners at a very reasonable rate, commonly equal to, or less costly than local restaurants.

Tourist Attractions In Plymouth

There are numerous places to visit in Plymouth. Popular tourist attractions include; Smeaton’s Tower and Plymouth Dome, the Royal Citadel, the National Marine Aquarium and Merchant’s House Museum. A boat cruise around the port is an interesting way to spend some time and if you discover that you have more time to spare why not take a trip to other places near to Plymouth, for example; Mount Edgcumbe, Buckland Abbey or Saltram House.

Saltram House is a fine Tudor Mansion which is situated two miles from the town of Plymouth, Mount Edgcumbe is another fine example of a Tudor house with landscaped gardens, coastal paths and parklands, and Buckland Abbey, about six miles from Plymouth, is a Cistercian abbey which was once owned by Sir Francis Drake and was later converted into a family home.

If you and your family are currently deciding upon spending some time in the city of  Plymouth it is vital that you book your  room at the earliest moment because, sadly Plymouth guest houses and hotels tend to be surprisingly busy and are commonly fully booked for a long period in advance. If your family is large you may find that apartments in Plymouth prove to be cheap option to bed and breakfast in Plymouth. If you are visiting the UK from abroad then you should consider making a reservation for a room in hotels in London to take in the attractions of the capital city of England too.

I was waiting to book my holiday till around Christmas time this year, so that I could take the family on a nice holiday to the Caribbean. I just managed to grab a fantastic holiday to St Lucia at the last minute, and we went to St Lucia last year. If i had some extra free time after my last holiday, I would have written about this before. So seeing as I am booking a holiday back to St Lucia, and i have some free time, I thought I would explain my last holiday there to you.

As we landed at St Lucia International Airport, we got a taxi and headed straight to our hotel. We were staying at the Le Sport hotel and the rooms were gorgeous. St Lucia has a lovely forest that covers most of the island, and we went on two safaris through the jungle, other than that we spent a lot of our time at the beach.

I had heard that there was a Volcano on St Lucia, yet i never new that we could visit it, let alone drive into it. Now I have seen a volcano before, in Greece, but never one like this. This Drive in Volcano is called the St Lucia sulphur springs. This Volcano is Dormant, so there is nothing for you to worry about, just that if the smell of sulphur fades, this means the Volcano is preparing to Erupt!

There are points in the Crater where the water and mud is boiling. After a tour guide fell into one of these boiling puddles, walking through the Volcano was called off and people were no longer allowed to go through on foot. So from that point on, walking was prohibited, and you could only take a car or bus through. It was an amazing experience, we got to see all the sulphur springs and the stunning colours splattered around the craters edge and basin. This sort of opportunity shouldn’t be passed up, so definitely give it a go. I am heading back there this year for more Volcano experience.

For St Lucia holidays, Barbados holidays and Christmas holidays, you should consider contacting a tour operator immediately.

Keen to swap sleet and grey skies for sunshine and the beach this winter? Then look no further than the Canary Islands – the seven Spanish owned islands located off the coast of West Africa.  Which enjoy great weather all year round – offering winter breaks at prices that don’t break the bank.

The Canary Islands are one of the most affordable winter sun destinations in the world for sun starved UK tourists.  As they are located just four hours from home and are serviced by numerous low cost flight operators, such as easyJet and Ryanair.  Whilst also offering excellent value accommodation.

Lanzarote is located right at the eastern end of the chain and is renowned for its surreal volcanic scenery.  Created by a series of eruptions that have left the heart of the island covered in twisted lava.

Holidays here are surprisingly affordable – especially for those who prefer to go on self catering breaks.  With standard two bedroom villas in Lanzarote with private pools available from around £400 per week.  And Lanzarote holiday apartments available from £160 per week.

Visitors to the island arrive at the sole international airport of Arrecife before onward transfer to one of the three main resorts of Playa Blanca, Puerto del Carmen and Costa Teguise.  It’s important to note that there are no shuttle bus services between the airport and the resorts.  So independent travellers will need to either hire a car or queue for a taxi.  Which are available just outside the main arrivals terminal.

The two most popular resorts during the winter months are Playa Blanca and Puerto del Carmen.  As they both enjoy a more southerly and sheltered aspect than Costa Teguise to the north.  Whilst also boasting great beaches and plenty of nightlife in the form of bars, restaurants and clubs.

Away from the resorts there’s plenty for visitors to do and see.  Such as Lanzarote´s weird and wonderful volcanic region.  Forged by eruptions hundreds of years ago this whole are looks like another planet altogether and is literally out of this world.

The best way to tour Lanzarote is by car.  As local buses don’t service the main attractions on the island.  Car hire starts from around €90 per week, whist petrol is very affordable too at around 80 centimos a litre.  The roads are good quality and very uncrowded once outside the main resorts.

The current economic doom and gloom means that some holiday makers will be staying at home this year. Rather than enjoying a sunshine break abroad.  And whilst no destination is immune many, such as Lanzarote in the Canary Islands, will still be attracting a sizeable amount of arrivals.  Despite the weak pound and economic climate.

This is great news for the tourists visiting the island as there are some great deals to be had on Lanzarote holiday villas and Lanzarote apartments.

Last year Lanzarote welcomed just over 1.5 million tourists.  But this figure is sure to fall during 2009.  As arrivals have already dropped by around 20%, during the first quarter of this year, according to AENA, the Spanish airport authority.  But for many in the UK and Eire a domestic break can be just as expensive, if not more so.  And still offers no real guarantee of sunshine.

Self catering holidays on islands such as Lanzarote can in fact work out to be very affordable.  The cost of a weeks stay in many Lanzarote apartments for example starts at around €170 per week.  And this is the price per room, rather than per person.   Those looking for a really good accommodation deal should search for apartments in Puerto del Carmen.  As Lanzarote´s biggest resort offers the largest range of choice, boasting hundreds of complexes.

The bulk of these tend to be located in the New Town area.  Usually in close proximity to the beach (within ten minutes walking distance) and all of the other amenities of the resort.  Puerto del Carmen has also enjoyed a makeover in the last twelve months.  And now boasts a smart new beachfront promenade and an upmarket marina in the Old Town harbour area.  So further enhancing the resorts appeal.

For those who prefer more space and a private pool there are lots of good quality Lanzarote villas available for rent in all locations right across the island.Expect to pay from €400 upwards for a standard two bedroom villa with swimming pool.  With many owners offering deals on their villas in Playa Blanca for early bookings.  As competition for business intensifies in the islands southernmost resort due to an over supply of property there.

Playa Blanca is an ideal location for a break in the sun.  Not least as it enjoys the best microclimate on the island.  And is also home to some of Lanzarote´s finest beaches – such as the set of coves at Papagayo, which are just fifteen minutes walk from the town centre.  Along with Playa Dorada and Playa Flamingo in the heart of the resort itself.

Visitors to the Canary Islands will get a warm welcome and have a fantastic holiday regardless of their choice of destination.

An absolute must see place to visit in the New Forest is Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary and the Ornamental Drive. A beautiful drive to get here and a trip that is worth a whole day or to come back again and again. A very happy day can easily be spent here for the whole family.

In case you didn’t know the New Forest National park was once the hunting grounds of the former kings of England, and some of the ancient traditions are still practiced today by the commoners.

The car park at Bolderwood gets really busy, so on a really lovely sunny day, plan your trip early to avoid disappointment. Adjacent to the car park and the woodland there is an open green which is great for having your picnic and a family/friendly game of rounders. You can get a delicious forest ice cream from the resident ice cream van here.

In the woody area at the entrance to Bolderwood you will find picnic tables, portable barbeque facilities and toilets. Here you will also find an information centre, often manned by a friendly forest ranger who can help with questions about the forest. Children and adults can have some fun seeing how many questions they can answer from the quiz!

From the Woodland area of Bolderwood you can choose from a selection of walks. One of the walks is the Bolderwood Deer Watch Trail. Throughout the walk you might spot the odd deer in the forest among the trees if you are quiet but if you miss them then you are sure to see some deer in the nearby sanctuary. Here there is a viewing platform and the deer here are a little more used to human prescence so you are bound to catch a glimpse of some deer grazing.

If you decide to take the Jubilee Walk, this is a about half a mile and will take you through the Bolderwood Arboretum. This is a fabulous display of a range of trees which began as far back as the 1800’s. Unfortunately, because of the high winds we had here in 1987 and further more in 1991, many of the great trees were destroyed. A project of ongoing planting has since been put in place to return this area to its original beauty.

The Radnor Trail is another walk which will take you through this ancient beautiful forest, during this walk you might spot the odd Deer grazing in the distance hiding amongst the many more variety of tree species. There are many suitably placed benches to take a rest for a while and to admire the beauty of the forest surrounding you.

Cycling is a great past time throughout the whole of the forest. Bolderwood is no exception to this and it does in fact form part of the 100 mile New Forest Cycling network. The Bolderwood cycling trail is approximately 7 miles long and can take about 3 and a half hours.

During your visit to Bolderwood you must take the time to drive through Bolderwoods Ornamental Drive. This is at its most beautiful during the summer and its windy narrow road takes you through the tremendous ancient woodland. It forms part of the 100 mile New Forest Cycling network so there are many cyclists along this route and because of its beauty the drive does become quite busy, so please be careful.

If you are looking for friendly local accommodation visit New Forest cottages for local self catering holiday cottages or New Forest hotels for luxury and hotel accommodation.