There are very few places in Europe that function as all year round tourist destinations. And for holidaymakers seeking sunshine there is really only one corner of the whole community worth visiting. Which is why the Canary Islands continue to be Europe’s answer to the Caribbean. Whilst countries such as the UK, France, Germany and Sweden see their temperatures plunge once winter has settled in, the archipelago which lies off the coast of north Africa still has plenty of sunlight hours.
In fact, during the middle of winter, the very earliest it gets dark is at 18.00 – a full hour and a half after parts of Great Britain. This has long been the reason why the islands attract a year round swathe of visitors. As along with the good weather, their location means that getting here is also considerably easier. With a flight time of on average four hours, compared with eight or nine hours to St Lucia. So whilst Lanzarote isn’t an exact replica of Trinidad, it can still boast nearly ninety sandy beaches, some with coconut palms fringing their edges. And a host of gardens packed with hibiscus, bougainvillea and other brilliant tropical blooms. And what it doesn’t share is an extended rainy season, so it far less likely to be wet during a holiday in Lanzarote.
There are several ways in which the island is a far better tourist destination than those Caribbean cousins. The modern infrastructure means that the accommodation in Lanzarote is invariably of a good standard. The tourist attractions are interesting and culturally relevant, sharing an artistic heritage bequeathed by their designer, César Manrique. And Manrique is really the architect of all tourism on Lanzarote. His genius is visible everywhere, from wind-toys on a selection of roundabouts to the incredible Jameos del Agua. A description-defying nightclub, restaurant, music auditorium and museum, it also has hanging gardens and a swimming pool. And such is his influence, that nearly all villas in Lanzarote have some reference to Manrique, whether that is in the form of a lagoon style pool or a framed print of one of his designs.
All of which help to maintain a unique and aesthetically pleasing identity for Lanzarote, something which very few islands around the world can claim for themselves. These factors all account for the high number of visitors who come back for a second or third visit, especially during the cold winter months.
