Cruising around one exotic part of the world or another is a fantastically luxurious way to spend a few weeks or even longer if you are so inclined. There are virtually no limits to the list of places a passenger can visit while sailing around on a Royal Caribbean Cruise and the vessels involved are among the most spectacular every to set out across the waves.

The experience is unlike any other, partly because the range of entertainments on board with Royal Caribbean cruises is just so incredibly varied and the quality of accommodation is tough to beat – even on dry land. Whether it’s a special occasion that you need a unique way to celebrate or because you’re looking for a new way to cater for your entire family, then there is a cruise ship and an itinerary that will be perfect.

From Asia, to Australia, through the Middle East, around Europe and up to Canada, Alaska and beyond, the places visited by Royal Caribbean cruise ships is basically as expansive as the globe itself. There’s no obligation to see absolutely everywhere but you will certainly have the chance to see and visit some terrific places however long a stay you book onboard.

As you may know already, the ships that are operated by Royal Caribbean are truly a sight to behold in the first instance but the range of activities and goings on onboard are carefully put together to cater for all kinds of people and all different age ranges. The kids clubs are tailor made to make sure young passengers enjoy their cruise holidays as much as their parents or grandparents but there are also showpiece theatrical events that are seriously dazzling.

Sports facilities are available on board so you can work up a sweat and there are several swimming pools to hang out beside and if it all gets too much you can head for a spa and an expert massage. What we’re talking about really is living life in the lap of luxury and taking a trip in style. It isn’t all about the ship though, there is also plenty hard work and toil put in to making sure that the shore excursions on offer are as interesting and as hassle-free as they possibly can be. Some people choose just to stay on board the ship of course and who can blame them but efforts to step out on to dry land can pay off richly and you may never get such a great chance again.

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Holidaymakers who enjoy travelling to Spain, should take a look at the Canary Islands as their next destination. And with a great choice of Lanzarote villas for rent, the eastern most island is an excellent choice, thanks to its weather and unique history.

The Canary Islands may appear to be just another set of Spanish outposts, but the reality is that the archipelago has a distinct culture of its own. Part of the reason why the region is so different is very much to do with its history and location.

During the period of Spanish exploration, the voyages of Christopher Columbus took in the islands on his route to the Caribbean. Not only was this an important stopping point to get provisions for the journey, but on one occasion, vital repairs to his ship were carried out in Gran Canaria.

Thus the location of the islands off the coast of Africa made them a pivotal stage in the trade routes that were opened up by the discovery of the New World. And much of the gold, silver and tropical foodstuffs that arrived in Europe came through the ports of Tenerife and Gran Canaria.

Lanzarote has an even more unique history in that it was the location of the world´s longest volcanic eruptions between 1730 and 1736. The impact this event had on the island´s population was dramatic, with many families fleeing to seek a livelihood elsewhere.

And as so little help and support arrived from the mainland, many locals ended up crossing the Atlantic to Venezuela and Cuba rather than seeking refuge in Spain. This migration served to strengthen familial ties between several Latin American countries and the Canarian archipelago.

These days thankfully, tourism has helped to boost the islands economies, as holidaymakers seeking the sun visit in their thousands every year. Lanzarote is amongst the most popular of the seven islands due to its sun drenched climate and low rainfall.

And despite the island´s hardships, the main tourist resorts on Lanzarote are beautifully presented, with excellent facilities. In particular the choice of Puerto del Carmen holiday villas means that there is good quality accommodation to match every budget.

And for those who are not familiar with the type of property available to rent for holidays on Lanzarote, the best thing is to browse a good selection, such as those listed on www.holidayvillasinlanzarote.co.uk and then sample some distinctly Canarian culture for themselves.

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Many many people dream of going on a cruise one day, but it is something that most of us write off as being too expensive for what we are able to afford. There’s no surprise in people making this assumption either. It stands to reasons because we have all come across cruise deals before in the back of the paper which cost thousands and thousands of pounds. The natural response is to not even stop to look at the details, because you know that you will be sick with envy!

Fortunately though, if you know where to look, and you are prepared to search out the best deals, cruises can actually be affordable.

At the moment if you search online for a cruise offer you can actually come across some great deals. You can still expect to be able to travel to some wonderful places in the world and you can still expect a five star service with a wonderful ocean going liner at your disposal, stopping off at the world’s most beautiful locations but the good news is that you can do it on a normal wage! Go online today and discover just what you could be spending your vacation money on this year! Don’t be surprised when you see deals that are just as cheap as you might expect to pay for a family holiday to a normal holiday location – these deals really do exist!

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The Canary Island of Lanzarote has been an extremely popular destination for the many people who are looking to take a break from the snap of cold weather that has been endured in the northern European region this winter. And with good reason, given that the average temperatures at the start of the season are well above those of northern Europe, and 23-25 degrees is not uncommon.  Making this one of the most popular winter sun destinations in Europe.

Although truth be told whilst Lanzarote is part of the EU it is in fact located much closer to Africa.  And as a result the weather here is fantastic all year round.  Helping to attract not just tourists but also property investors, keen to snap up property such as villas in Lanzarote for rental or retirement purposes.

Whether you are looking for a short break or a relatively safe and secure haven for your money Lanzarote has a really good choice of resorts to select from.  The largest of which is called Puerto del Carmen.  There´s also an abundance of sight-seeing opportunities and things to do here too. If you need car hire in Lanzarote this is modestly priced too so it’s very simple as well as affordable, and there is absolutely no excuse not to get out and explore, and experience yourself the way of life of Lanzarote by having fun in any number of the many fiestas taking place throughout the season.

If you are partial to taking the odd snap or two Lanzarote enjoys atmospheric light clarity that is the envy of many countries, which is in part to the lack of industrialisation on the island and also its location. So photographers are likely to be able to come away with quite a few outstanding shots from their visit.

The journey to the island of Lanzarote at the moment is reasonably easy, additionally the flight time to the islands will for many people be a significant plus factor given that they are a nice and short four hours.

With money being at the forefront of many people’s minds at the moment it’s also good to see the price tag of flights to Lanzarote is still affordable as well, despite airfare price hikes to some other vacation spots. This can be put due to the pressure to get as many paying passengers on board as possible, which of course leads to healthy competition between the main providers servicing this area.

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As the best man at my mates upcoming wedding, I have the tricky task of arranging the Stag do. I’ve never done this before, and for a while I was pretty worried, but I found out that the groom only wants about five of us to go on his stag do, so it’s made things a bit easier. I decided that since everyone who is meant to be coming has got a bit of spare cash floating around we should head abroad for the stag do. We all wanted a big blow out to really send him off, so I started to investigate places that we could go. I had a look at the prices of Tenerife holidays and the prices were pretty manageable. I also checked out the climate over there, because we would definitely want somewhere which was nice and hot. I managed to find a website which had lots of information on Tenerife weather and it seemed like I had found the perfect venue!

Playa de Las Americas seemed to be the place to be. It had a great area where the nightlife was focused and there seemed to be an enormous amount of pubs and clubs within close proximity to each other. Just what we would want when we were staggering from bar to bar!

I Quickly double checked an information site called Tenerife News and there seemed to be plenty of things happening there. I told my best man what I had planned and he was thrilled! We were all so excited, it was going to be the best stag do ever!

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Puerto del Carmen is the oldest and largest holiday resort on the Canary Island of Lanzarote.  And there’s never been a better time to visit – as local tourist authorities have just invested over €16 million on improvements here to ensure the resort remains competitive well into the 21st century.

Lanzarote is one of the seven Canary Islands – which are owned by Spain but which are situated off the coast of West Africa. Tourism has long been the islands economic mainstay and Puerto del Carmen was the spot where package holidays first really took off.  Transforming what had been until then a small fishing village called La Tiñosa into a bustling and modern holiday resort.

Holidaymakers first started arriving in Puerto del Carmen in earnest during the early 1970´s – as at this time Lanzarote was a new and novel destination.  Initially visitors found accommodation in and around the Old Town harbour area – which remains the organic heart of the resort to this day.  But over the years the resort itself exploded and now extends almost as far as the islands airport located just outside the capital city of Arrecife.

Indeed such as is Puerto del Carmen’s scale today that it is now split into two main zones.  The Old Town – which revolves around the harbour.  And the New Town which runs parallel with the main beach of Playa Grande and the seafront thoroughfare of the Avenida de las Playas.

Tourists will find a good selection of apartments and villas in Puerto del Carmen to rent in both areas.  Whilst the resort is also home to some of the best value four star hotels in Lanzarote.

Beaches are one of the resorts chief attractions but many visitors will be unaware that most of these playas are in fact man made.  Created using sand imported from the Sahara desert which is located only 100 miles to the east.

The most popular stretch of sand is Playa Grande but there are a number of small and more atmospheric beaches for those in the know.  Such as Playa Chica, which I located close to the Fariones Hotels and which is ideal for snorkelling and diving.

Last year the resort underwent a facelift as local authorities pumped €16 million in improvement to the infrastructure and amenities.  Much of which was spent on improving the main seafront promenade – which is now a much more enjoyable place to stroll thanks to the addition of new trees and plants and the removal of much of the traffic that used to clog this road up. Money has also been spent on transforming the harbour into a marina with plenty of moorings for luxury boats and craft.

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The Canary Islands are one of the most popular holiday destinations in Europe.  Thanks to their great year round climate and fantastic beaches.  And at just four hours flying time they are also the closest winter sun destination to the mainland.

Lanzarote is the fourth largest of the seven islands and is located closer to the coast of West Africa than the rest.  With a dry and arid climate and very little in the way of rainfall. 

Tourism on the island is concentrated in the three main holiday resorts of Playa Blanca, Puerto del Carmen and Costa Teguise.  Although rural tourism is also growing in popularity too – as more and more visitors return seeking to connect with the ‘real Lanzarote’.

The growth of the internet has led to a substantial increase in both the demand and supply of privately owned holiday accommodation on the island.  With Lanzarote villas available for rent in all areas – including the countryside.

Where are the most popular locations for villa holidays on Lanzarote?  During the winter months Playa Blanca in the south really comes into its own.  Thanks to its pronounced microclimate and excellent beaches.  Such as Papagayo and Playa Dorada.

There’s a larger concentration of villas in Playa Blanca for rent than anywhere else on Lanzarote.  And this is the fastest growing town on the island too.  With two bedroom properties with pools available from as little as £350 per week. And more expensive rentals with more bedrooms and facilities available as well.

Puerto del Carmen is also a very popular destination for a villa break.  As this is the largest and liveliest resort on the island – boasting excellent beaches, great  nightlife and a huge choice of restaurants.  Most of the best villas in Puerto del Carmen can be found in areas such as Risco Prieto – which is situated just above the Old Town harbour.  With great views down to the sea and across to the island of Fuerteventura.

There are a lot of attractions on the island to tempt visitors away from their villas.  As Lanzarote is home to some unique volcanic scenery – as well as an abundance of pretty towns and villages.

The most historic of these is the former capital of Teguise, which is located in the heart of the island.  This was the first Spanish settlement estblished in the Canaries.  And there are still buildings here that date back as far as the 1450´s.

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Majorca or Mallorca as it is better known by the Catalan speaking locals is a bit like a football match – very much split into two halves.  With the southern slice still home to some slightly downbeat package holiday destinations such as Magalluf.  Which still bear some of the signs of the sort of package holidays that went out with all day breakfasts. Whilst the north of the island is far less spoiled and boasts some incredibly beautiful and verdant countryside.

Magical Mallorca is by far the largest of the four Balearic Islands – which also include Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera.  And boasts a really beautiful Mediterranean climate – which makes it possible to enjoy sunshine holidays here for most of the year, from May through until the end of September. 

However during the winter months the island does go into hibernation a little and the holiday industry largely shuts down.  So it cannot really be classified as a winter sun destination.

It’s easy to get to Mallorca from the UK as flights only take two and a half hours and are available from all of the major UK airports.  Fares are usually reasonably priced too as the island is served by many of the leading budget airlines.

Over 700,000 residents call Mallorca home and the capital of La Palma is a real treasure trove of colonial architecture.  However a growing number of visitors just pass through this conurbation via the islands sole international airport on their way to the north of the island.  Where increasingly the best selection of hotels and holiday villas in Mallorca are located – in and around the Alcudia and Pollensa regions.

Pollensa – also known as Pollenca – was originally a Roman settlement and is a very historic and atmospheric little town.  Located around 8km from the breathtaking beaches of the northern coast.  And offering plenty to do in way of shops, bars and restaurants.

Nearby Puerto Pollensa is the coastal cousin and boasts a beautiful beach as well as a lovely marina.  And is now very much a popular holiday resort in its own right.

Mallorca has been welcoming VIP visitors for centuries.  Most famously Chopin and Robert Graves enjoyed extended stays on the island – attracted by its tranquillity and beautiful scenery.  Best characterised by pine clad mountians ranges such as the Tramantura Mountains which dominate the north of the island.  Along with the many golden sand beaches.
The advent of package tourism obviously increased the number of visitors considerably when it first took off during the 1960’s and Mallorca currently welcomes around 6 million foreign tourists a year.

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There are three main holiday resorts on the small Canary Island of Lanzarote.  And whilst Playa Blanca and Puerto del Carmen to the south grab more of the visitors Costa Teguise still has plenty to offer tourists.  Including great beaches, excellent restaurants, good quality accommodation and a host of things to do and see.

Costa Teguise was first created during the 1970´s as a more upmarket alternative to the main resort of Puerto del Carmen.  And quickly established itself as a popular destination for anyone seeking more luxurious holidays in Lanzarote.  As epitomised by the resorts anchor establishment of the five star Gran Melia Salinas hotel.

Beaches
There are three main beaches in Costa Teguise.  Although fine stretches of sand in fact run virtually unbroken from end to other other.  With a couple of small sandy coves thrown in for good measure.

The largest and most popular beach is Playa Cucharas – located right in the heart of the resort.  Which is also a very popular location with windsurfers thanks to the aspect of the bay here.

A seafront promenade unites Cucharas with Costa Teguise´s other two main beaches at Playa Bastian and Playa Cuchillo.

Eating Out
Costa Teguise is arguably home to more good quality restaurants than any other resort in Lanzarote.

The most lauded is Meson Jordan – which specialises in classic Spanish cuisine and which has been frequented by the entourage of the King of Spain in the past.  As he maintains a house in nearby Las Maretas.

Other eateries worthy of note include Isla Bonita – which specialises in fresh fish.  And Villa Toledo, which enjoys a great location right on the beach at Playa Bastian.

Places To Stay
As well as good quality establishments such as the Gran Melia there are also plenty of good value four star hotels such as the Occidental Teguise Playa.  And an abundance of apartment complexes too.

Those who prefer to book their own self catering accommodation will also be able to select from a good range of holiday villas in Costa Teguise.  With prices starting from as little as £400 per month.

Things To Do
Costa Teguise is home to the island’s only aquarium and Water Park.  And also boasts one of just two golf courses on Lanzarote within its boundaries.  The resort is also located within a fifteen minute drive of most of the main attractions on the island such as the Jameos de Agua and the Cactus Garden.

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Rural tourism has firmly taken root on the popular holiday island of Lanzarote. As a growing number of tourists seek to swap the hustle and bustle of the three main resorts of Puerto del Carmen, Playa Blanca and Costa Teguise for a peaceful break in the island’s unique volcanic countryside.

Before the advent of package holidays and mass market tourism Lanzarote was very much a rural island. Relying on agriculture and fishing. Since the 1970´s that has all changed – as tourism now accounts for around 80% of island GDP. But thanks to the influence of the local artist César Manrique – who famously secured a ban on all high rise buildings – the island in fact remains largely unspoiled.

Lanzarote also inspires a great deal of loyalty in its visitors. Many of whom fall in love with the island and choose to return year after year. As a result many graduate away from the main resorts over time – opting instead to book accommodation in the countryside. Indeed some of the finest hotels and villas in Lanzarote can be found in outlying areas such as Yaiza, Haria and Arrieta. Easily matching the standards found in the resorts but offering much more in the way of tranquillity.

The pretty village of Yaiza is home to the Finca de Salinas. Which is widely regarded as one of the best rural hotels on Lanzarote. As well as a well known Lanzarote landmark – as on an island of white washed buildings its striking terracotta paint job and Moorish crenulations really help it to stand out.

The building dates back as far as the 18th century and was once owned by a wealthy businessman called Don Jaime Leo who made his pile in the salt business, once a major export earner on Lanzarote. Before being taken over by the current owners who restored the property in 1996.

Guest accommodation comprises seventeen rooms and two suites – all of which are located in what was once the stable area of the original mansion house. And all rooms have been renovated under the aegis of well known local architect called Ángel García Puertas. Who has also been involved in numerous other high profile projects on the island such as the creation of the Visitors Centre at the nearby Timanfaya Volcano Park.

Room rates start at €104 per night for a double (with prices varying depending on the time of year). Which also includes breakfast. The hotel also boasts an excellent restaurant for those prefer half or full board accommodation.

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