The popular holiday destination of Lanzarote is located just off the coast of Africa in the Atlantic Ocean. And is one of the seven Canary Islands – which are part of Spain even though they are in fact situated many miles south of the Iberian Peninsula.

The Canaries are divided into two distinct administrative regions. With Tenerife the lead island and capital of the Western Canaries, which comprise La Gomera, El Hierro and La Palma. Whilst to the east Gran Canaria is the central hub of the eastern Canaries, which also include Fuerteventura and Lanzarote.

Each island is distinctly different. With Lanzarote home to a very dry and arid terrain. Reflecting the fact that there is very little in the way of rainfall here – as the mountains on the island are very low lying. Whilst the outer fringes of the Sahara are just 100km away. Creating a desert like climate which is hot by day but which cools quickly come nightfall – especially during the winter months.

Volcanic activity during the 18th century has served to further compound this aridity. As the eruptions wiped out lots of farmland areas – leaving fields of thick solidified lava in their place. Making it even harder for much in the way of vegetation to grow here. Although Lanzarote does have its green spots – particular in the north of the island in and around Haria and the Valley of 1000 Palms.

Local Holiday Accommodation - Villas in Playa Blanca and Lanzarote Accommodation

Visitors to the island are able to select from a broad array of accommodation options. There are over 250 hotels in Lanzarote to choose from for example. As well as a large selection of holiday rental accommodation. With apartments and villas in Lanzarote available across the island.

There are three main tourist resorts on the island – but during the winter months Playa Blanca in the south of the island really comes into its own. As the weather in this part of Lanzarote is warmer during December and January. Making this the ideal spot for anyone in search of winter sun.

As a result accommodation such as hotels and villas in Playa Blanca are in demand – especially during December and January. And the resort also offers wonderful beaches – such as the fine stretches of sand at Playa Dorada and Playa Flamingo. Whilst the awe inspiring sight of the Fire Mountains – Lanzarote

Spring still doesn’t seem to be on its way, as the UK prepares itself for another spell of freezing weather. For those desperate to see blue skies and feel the sun on their skin, it looks like the best option is to book a holiday elsewhere. Holiday prices remain at an affordable level so now is an ideal time to start browsing the holiday websites and see what’s available to break the winter blues.

But where at this time of the year is a good bet for sunshine? Within Europe there is only one place that reliably offers decent weather throughout the year and that is the Canary Islands. Not strictly in Europe at all, they are included within the borders of EU as an autonomous region of Spain.

Of the Canaries, it is Lanzarote that usually has the driest climate, given its close proximity to the north African coast and the low-lying nature of the island. With no mountains over 700 metres, rainfall is kept to a minimum, falling on average only twenty days a year. The intense heat of mainland Spain is tempered by breezes straight off the Atlantic.

The huge choice of Lanzarote villas and Lanzarote apartment accommodation that you’ll come across will always astound many of the visitors to the island.

Most apartment complexes are set within semi-tropical gardens around a communal swimming pool. None will be more than three storeys tall, as strict rules about construction mean that buildings can only be as tall as a palm tree. A good number of these complexes have been refurbished in recent years to bring the accommodation up to date, with modern style furnishings.

So its resorts couldn’t be further from those of Los Cristianos or Maspalomas. There are no skyscrapers and no advertising hoardings, two factors which blight many landscapes. In the coastal towns, where the majority of apartments in Lanzarote are based, there is a uniformity that makes these places pleasant to visit and stay in.

Families, on the other hand, often prefer the more comfortable and spacious alternative of a villa in Lanzarote. A wide choice of this type of property is available to rent, many with great extra features, such as Jacuzzis and air conditioning. Fully equipped kitchens come as standard, allowing more elaborate dining to be an integral part of the holiday.

Whether that entails a day’s sailing or golfing or visiting each of the centres of Art and Culture, Lanzarote has a lot to offer. Its tourist attractions are stylishly individual, having been created by the internationally renowned artist, C

Thinking of booking a holiday in Lanzarote this year? Plenty of other tourists did just that during the course of 2009, with the island welcoming just under 1.4 million tourists last year. An impressive figure given the impact of the credit crunch and the weakness of the pound.

Despite these factors around 750,000 tourists from the UK are expected to visit the island during the course of 2010. Around half of them will book self catering accommodation – such as villas in Lanzarote – direct online. With many booking specific dates to coincide with one of the many fiestas and festivals that take place on the island every year.

For independently minded tourist there is a plethora of holiday villas in Lanzarote to pick from throughout the year.

The most colourful event of the year takes place next month. As the annual Carnaval season gets underway throughout February. And whilst not as riotous as Rio this event is still well worth a visit. Featuring brightly decorated floats, marching samba bands and a host of beautifully dressed dancers. The event rolls across the island throughout the course of February – with the biggest celebrations taking place in the oldest resort of Puerto del Carmen and the capital city of Arrecife.

May sees the arrival of over 1000 super fit athletes on the island. As the annual Iron Man contest gets underway. This is widely regarded as one of the hardest events of its kind in the world. Entrants have to swim 3km, cycle 180km and then finish all of that off with a full marathon. Many don’t even make the finish line but for the top 60 a place in the Grand Final in Hawaii beckons – along with a slice of the $75,000 prize money.

There’s no shortage of great music events on Lanzarote. With the Musica Canarias Festival taking place in February and Jazz Canarias hitting the island in July. Which showcases the best emerging talents from the world of jazz. In the past this event has featured performers such as the guitarist Kyle Eastwood – offspring of the famous actor Clint Eastwood - and the prodigious young jazz bassist Esperanza Spalding. All of whom appear free of charge in a big top erected in the main square in Teguise.

It’s also well worth booking up holiday apartments in Lanzarote during September. As the island plays host to the Costa Musica Festival. Which showcases an eclectic selection of dance orientated acts right on the beach at Playa Bastian in Costa Teguise. And in the past has featured acts such as the James Taylor Quartet and the Killer Barbies. Along with a host of leading DJ talent.

Click here for details of Playa Blanca villa Accommodation .

The Canarian island of Lanzarote is one of the few European destinations that already have several green credentials under its belt. Whilst this may surprise some visitors, there are several good reasons why this is the case, due largely to the island’s climate and position.

One major factor in Lanzarote’s favour is its closeness to the rest of Europe, with most major cities only four hours or less away. Meaning that fuel consumption on flights to and from the island is less than half that used on flights to the other popular winter sun destination, the Caribbean.

Even the Lanzarote accommodation contribute to lessening the eco footprint of the island.

Across the island many of the apartments and villas on Lanzarote already use solar panels to produce heated water for their swimming pools. Whilst larger consumers of water, such as the island’s two golf courses, use recycled liquid to ensure that demand on the desalination system is kept to a minimum. Wind power is also popular, with several large turbines generating a proportion of the island’s electricity and smaller turbines used individually.

Whilst most villas in Lanzarote actually run on more conventional sources of energy, there are several which work entirely on these alternatives, and as a result can claim an excellent green pedigree. And as the technologies continue to improve, more residents are choosing to use wind and solar power.

Even Lanzarote’s attractions themselves blend in to their surroundings as much as possible, illustrating how important it was to the world renowned local artist and natural architecture visionary Cesar Manrique, to create visual harmony between the manmade and the natural. Such as the incredible Mirador del Rio which almost disappears into the rock cliff face it inhabits.

These factors combined have turned Lanzarote into an ideal holiday destination for the environmentally conscientious. There are even several places to stay that run entirely on solar and wind energy, as these alternative sources of power have gained in popularity and effectiveness in recent years. Making eco holidays in Lanzarote a reality.

More detailed information about available Lanzarote holiday accommodation can be found on the Lanzarote1.com website.

There are many good reasons for booking a holiday in Lanzarote during 2010.As the most easterly of the Canary Islands is home to over 90 great beaches and enjoys great weather all year round. Whilst also hosting some fantastic fiestas and festivals throughout the course of the year.

There are plenty of places to stay. With lots of good quality hotels and holiday villas in Lanzarote available for rent in the three main resorts of Puerto del Carmen, Playa Blanca and Costa Teguise – as well as across the unique volcanic countryside.

Lanzarote car hire is very inexpensive too, so it’s easy and affordable to get around and take pleasure in colourful events that are going on.

2010 gets off with bang as the island plays host to the 26th annual Festival de Musica Canarias. A showcase of cotemporary classical music staged across all of the seven islands in the archipelago. Lanzarote hosts five concerts during the first month of the year – including performances by Sphera Antigua and the The Prague National Chamber Theatre Orchestra.

Carnaval kicks off across the island in February. And whilst the celebrations are not quite as riotous as in Rio they still attract thousands of revellers. With many holidaymakers planning their holidays in Lanzarote around this colourful event, which pretty much brings work across the island to halt for a couple of weeks every year.

Carnaval is staggered – so it takes place in different towns and resorts on different days. The biggest and best events take place in the island capital of Arrecife and the oldest resort on the island of Puerto del Carmen. Where huge decorated floats and marching batacuda drum bands beat out a frenetic rhythm. Attracting thousands of residents and tourists alike – with many donning colourful costumes and partying late into the night.

During May Lanzarote is the venue for one of the toughest triathlons in the world. As the annual Iron Man event gets underway. With thousands of super fit competitors taking place in a gruelling contest that includes a 2km swim and 180km bike ride. Which is then topped off with a full marathon along the main seafront promenade in Puerto del Carmen.

Corpus Christi is one of the most colourful festivals on Lanzarote. And is celebrated by the creation of unique carpets of coloured salt. Each municipality has a team of participants with their own specific designs and the best displays can be viewed in the capital of Arrecife and the historic town of Teguise.

You can find details of Lanzarote villas to rent and other self catering Lanzarote apartments and villas on our website.

The Canaries are a chain of seven Spanish owned islands situated just off the coast of West Africa. A location that makes them very popular with tourists as they enjoy warm weather, loads of sunshine and very little rainfall all year round. This wonderful weather has helped the Canaries to become the second most visited holiday destination in Spain. With over 1.5 million tourists enjoying their holidays in Lanzarote – the fourth largest of the islands – over the course of last year alone.

So lets have a glimpse of the island and find out why budget holidays in Lanzarote never fails to be so popular and picking one of the villas in Lanzarote that the island has to offer is fast becoming the popular private accommodation choice for a good proportion of visitors to the island.

Lanzarote has a unique character and charm. And is much drier, more arid and barren than the other seven islands. Thanks to the fact that it experiences very little in the way of rainfall and boasts a volcanic terrain created by years of violent eruptions during the 1730