Siam water park, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain by stephen jones

One of them is the Siam water park. It is found in the Adeje region (Tenerife) and has the popular tower of power. This tower has a notably long slide which ends with a tunnel passing through a shark tank. You should however not be worried as people are protected from the sharks. In addition to this, there is the vertical slide dubbed the dragon on which one slides at a great speed. For the ones who love surfing, the large pool waves with sandy beaches are sure to catch your attention. Simply, there is something for the whole family.

The Tropical Islands in Germany is another great water park in Europe. It has great indoor pools which are large enough to accommodate about 8,000 people. There are many slides in this place and it is up to you to choose the one you want. Presence of an indoor pool means that the family gets to have a wonderful time irrespective of the environment outside. This place has tropical pools and beaches to make the time spent here simply amazing.

Tropical Islands, Germany by Thomas Kamann

When looking at the great parks in Europe, there is one which cannot be overlooked. This is the Alpamare water park ideally located near the shores of Lake Zurich. This park offers both indoor and outdoor pools to families. It is the largest covered park in Europe. Therefore, you can be sure that the children will have ample space to play in and have fun. The area is more than enough and there is no congestion as it is the case with other water parks in other different locations. To make the experience even more wonderful, there is the underwater music in the outdoor pool.

To add onto the options of wonderful places to have fun with the family, there is the Aquariaz water park in France. It happens to be one of the newest family destinations. It is also the highest but not the biggest. Within this park, any type of slide that comes to your mind is readily available. Notably, the place is open throughout the year including the winter season. Without a doubt, it is one of the best places for families during the summer break. However, if one wants to come with the family to Europe and have a wonderful time, you should first consider going for the passport applications.

These popular locations have been presented by Ellen Nicola who has vast experience of the travel industry. She has worked in this industry for about 20 years. She has also been involved with expanding of online information on travel since the inception of the World Wide Web.

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The problem is though that we can only get one holiday per year. Some of us might be lucky enough to get too, but for the most part our finances and our time off work are restrictive and we’re limited to just the one. When you’ve got so many places to choose from, and only two weeks to enjoy them, how do you decide where to go?

Well there are plenty of places to choose from indeed, but here for your consideration we shall be looking at Lanzarote and putting forward the case for making this beautiful island your next stop. Here are some of the top reasons you should choose Lanzarote…

El Golfo – One of the famous points on Lanzarote!, Canary Islands, Spain by Moni Sertel

The Weather: The weather in Lanzarote is what you would expect from one of the Canary islands – sunny and warm and actually ideal for lounging in the sun. However at the same time there is also a constant cool breeze which many people find highly relaxing and which prevents the heat from becoming overbearing and unpleasant. There are plenty of holiday resorts on the island too.

The Desert: Almost all of the holiday destinations most people consider have great weather though. They also have great beaches and lots more for the casual holidaymaker besides. One thing that you can get from Lanzarote that you wouldn’t get from just ‘any’ holiday destination though is a desert – and short of travelling to Egypt this is the best way to combine a little desert trekking with your other more standard holiday activities. El Jable is a small desert, but that’s part of the charm meaning you’re perfectly safe and unlikely to get badly lost – it’s just enough to try something different and get some great pictures (or a great day out riding camels).

Volcano: One of the big advantages of all of the Canary islands is the volcanic landscapes that they feature. It’s beautiful in a desolate kind of way, but it also makes for some interesting natural demonstrations and days out. Visit Timanfaya Volcano National Park for instance and sample meat cooked by volcano…

Lanzarote Coastline, Canary Islands, Spain by Luc Viatour

Surf: The beaches are ideal for relaxing and chilling out in the sun, but that’s not all they have to offer. If you really want to experience them in a more active way then this is also an ideal holiday destination for surfers. Head to Famara and you’ll have plenty of great surfing beaches and a vibrant community of enthusiasts.

Mountains: Okay so you’ve already got great beaches, a desert and a volcanic park. However what Lanzarote can also offer you – and what you won’t get to the same degree many other places – is a great mountain landscape which can make for scenic walks or just a fantastic backdrop while you’re swimming in the sea.

The Green Lagoon: For a stunning and unusual natural phenomenon, head over to El Golfo Beach to witness the green lagoon. Separated by red rock, this is generally a very colourful site and well worth seeing.

Vueva de los Verdes: And while you’re visiting wonderful natural formations, why not go to Cueva de los Verdes and explore beautiful caves formed by natural volcanic eruptions.

Variety: In short then you really can’t beat Lanzarote for its variety. It has all the shops and amenities you would expect of a holiday hotspot, and it has great weather and resorts. But at the same time this is also an island that can offer volcanoes, mountains, caves, lagoons and even desert…

James Ben is a renowned adventurer who started his own travel and adventure blog, featuring holidays tips and advice. He recommends Lanzarote as a top holiday destination.

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Sunrise over Formentor, Mallorca, Spain by Tobias Lindman

Climate in Majorca

One of the great things about Majorca is the climate.  It is typically Mediterranean, with very dry and hot summers.  Temperatures are almost always in the high twenties during the summer and the winters are very mild.  Furthermore, because of the sea, there are few extremes in temperatures and the sea breeze is very pleasant, taking the sting of the very hot days.  Best of all, rainfall is incredibly rare in Majorca, with rain generally only falling from late October to early February.  The climate is but one of the many reasons why Majorca has the nickname of the “Island of Tranquillity”.  It is hard to imagine that an island that has a real party reputation could be classed as tranquil, but it is actually true because it has a mountain scenery that is nothing short of magical, hidden little cove beaches and the most stunning old villages and towns.

North East Majorca

The north east of the island is full of the most amazing cliffs, as well as offering visitors the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range.  The mountains are dotted with sleepy, ancient little towns and villages.  The homes are truly tiny and have gorgeous green shuttered windows.  The walls are stone and ancient and wild flowers cascade all over them.  It will feel as if you are Alice in Wonderland and everything around you is really small.  If you venture to the foot of the mountains where they meet the sea, you can spend some time in one of the little local villages and watch the boats sail in.

Palma de Mallorca, Spain by SBA73

South East Majorca

The south east of the island is just as beautiful and enchanting as the north, but this part is full of pastures and almond groves.  There are some beautiful little farmers’ villages, where it feels as if time stood still.  Don’t be surprised to see some people sleeping outside of their home if you have arrived there during siesta time.  There is also a beautiful marina where the jet set seems to gather in expensive luxury yachts.

Culture and Arts in Majorca

Besides sun, sea, sand and – as you now know – beautiful scenery and villages, Majorca is also a great place to soak in some culture and arts.  There are many monasteries and sanctuaries dotted across the island, many of which have long been abandoned.  Some offer accommodation for travellers, so you may even choose to spend the night.  One beautiful monastery is the Carthusian monastery.  This is found in Valldemossa and you will be able to view some works of art by some of the world’s most famous painters.  Francis Bacon, Picasso and Henry Moore are but some of the names you may find here.  Even Palma, the capital and touristic hotspot of Majorca, offers plenty of off the beaten track adventures, with gorgeous little hidden streets in which you will find traditional tapas bars and little craft stores.

Clearly, if you are able to find a cheap Jet2.com flights to Majorca, you should go for it.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Martin Robson

Driving rules to remember

Bear these rules in mind when taking to the road on the Canary Islands:

• Like most of mainland Europe, the Spanish drive on the right hand side of the road.
• It is mandatory to apply your seatbelt in both the front and the back of the car. Children under the age of 12 must not sit in the front passenger seat. Children must always wear a seatbelt.
• You must carry two accident warning triangles in the car. In the event of an accident, place one at the front of the car and one at the rear.
• If you have to exit your car on a motorway or main road, a reflective jacket must be worn.
• The speed limit is 120 kilometres per hour (74.4mph) on motorways; 90 -100km per hour (55 – 62mph) on open roads and 50km (30mph) through villages.
• It is forbidden to use full headlights in residential areas. Drivers should use sidelights or dipped lights instead.
• It is forbidden to use a car horn in residential areas. You are allowed to flash your lights instead.
• The limit for blood alcohol content is 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. For those people with less than two years’ experience, the limit is 30mg per 100ml of blood.
• Give way to buses and taxis.

Toll roads

There are some toll roads on the Canary Islands, so make sure you have cash handy. The toll roads are known as ‘una carretera de peaje’ or ‘una carretera de cuota’.

Topping up your tank

Petrol (‘Gasolina’ in Spanish) is cheaper in the Canary Islands than on the mainland, due to lighter taxation. All filling stations have petrol and diesel fuel for sale. It is worth remembering to keep your tank topped up as many stations close during the siesta hour.

Credit cards are accepted at most stations.

Rental tips

Here are a few things to bear in mind when renting a car on the Canary Islands:

• Read the agreement carefully and ensure that you understand what is included in the rental price (collision damage waiver, tax, insurance etc).
• Make sure you have the phone number of the rental company before you drive off with your car, be it car hire Lanzarote, Tenerife, Fuerteventura or Gran Canaria.
• Have your passport, driving licence and rental agreement on you at all times.
• As a general rule, you can’t take your hire car from one island to the other. The only exception is the Fuerteventura to Lanzarote sea crossing.

And last but not least, enjoy your trip! The Canary Islands boast some beautiful landscapes, so make sure you drive safe, slow down and take it all in.

Catherine Halsey is based in Edinburgh and writes for a digital marketing agency. This article links back to www.europcar.co.uk/car-hire-LANZAROTE-airport.html.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Hector Garcia

If you should head to the Canary Islands then you will be certain to have a great holiday and there are many things that bring visitors to them time after time. First of all, these islands boast incredible weather. Being just off of the coast of Africa they are very hot as you can imagine, and this makes them ideal for beach holidays and for relaxing in the sun. At the same time as islands they also have lots of beach, and many of these are great for surfers.

The tourism on many of these islands is very pronounced meaning that there is a lot laid on for anyone wanting to visit including great nightlife and clubbing, and lots of places to eat and relax. However the islands are also known for their unusual and often stunning scenery – these islands feature volcanic terrain that looks sparse and desolate and almost like the surface of the moon or Mars.

If you want to visit the Canary Islands then you have several options of places to visit:

Tenerife

Of the Canaries, Tenerife is perhaps the best for night life and the one most associated with clubbing holidays and nights out drinking. To this end it has a fantastic strip of clubs and activities and a hugely bustling nightlife. At the same time though it also has plenty to do in the day and has great beaches and places to eat. One of the sites of most interest for tourists is undoubtedly Mount Tiede which is a volcano you can travel to the top of. Here the volcanic terrain is perhaps at its best – and interestingly this was actually the site on which the original Planet of the Apes was filmed.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Bill

Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria is another great spot if you’re after a good nightlife and the best spot for that is the YUMBO center which has everything you could need for a great night out. Again the island also has brilliant beaches for relaxing and even a small desert that you can trek through and get some great photos.

Lanzarote

Lanzarote is similar to both Tenerife and Gran Canaria in terms of climate and night life, though it enjoys a slightly more muted evening out with a little less drunken debauchery (though some of that still goes on) and a marginally cooler climate due to an ever-present breeze. This makes it the Canary island of choice for those who want to relax and kick back. At the same time it is also the island with the most impressively varied landscape of all – with more volcanic terrain, as well as mountain ranges, another desert and even caves. At the volcanic region of the island you can also enjoy having your dinner cooked for you by the heat of a volcano.

Nick Ball is a web enthusiast and maintains a Lanzarote Guidebook for all his travel queries which he likes to share through his blog. The latest column added to his guide are the list of Flights to Lanzarote.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by JUAN RAMON RODRIGUEZ SOSA

Hiking in Tenerife

The point is that there is so much more to the landscape of this magical island. For one it is home of Pico Del Teide, which is Spain’s tallest peak, at a towering 3718m. It has incredible forestry and rock formations, volcanic colours as you go inland, so definitely pack your walking boots. The basic rule if you are looking for a more unique and cultured experience is to head away from the south-western resorts. The capital of Tenerife is a prime example and is actually largely untainted by tourism, being right up on the north east of the island. It has the most incredible carnivals second only to perhaps Rio De Janerio, with amazing traditional fiesta spirit.

The English Tenerife

If however you are looking for white sand, neon lights, night clubs, foam parties and banging tunes, get yourself down south to Los Cristianos, Playa de Las Américas or Costa Adeje. You will be able to buy pie and chips, and even a full English breakfast! Also down in the southern region, you can go to one of two of Tenerife’s incredible waterparks. Siam Park is a Thai themed park with a multitude of thrilling slides, or Aqualand where you can even get to see a dolphin show. Other more animal orientated water activities are the submarine safari, where you can go dolphin and whale spotting in a transparent submarine. Spectacular underwater scenes where bottlenose dolphins and pilot whales are known to migrate, also white and sperm whales are known to have been sighed.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Javier Sanchez Portero

Culture in Tenerife

For a more ‘intellectual’ attraction you could go to the region of Chacona and visit The Gumar Pyramids. The pyramids are not, as you at first may think, ancient like the Giza Pyramid in Egypt. They are in fact the subject of serious controversy, implying that they may be as recent as the 19th century. It is said that there were many such constructions throughout Tenerife, but they have been systematically taken apart for cheap building materials. The site of the Gumar Pyramids used to contain 9 structures, but today only has 6. Excavations have as yet only been inconclusive.

On the south coast, you can go to Icod De los Vinos and visit Cueva Del Viento (Cave of Winds) which is the largest volcanic cavity in the world. Also this is where you can find the ancient and mystical Dragon Tree, which is said to be over 800 years old. It is called a ‘Dragon Tree’ as when the leaves are cut they secrete a red resin which is said to be the dried blood of dragons. This apparently has healing properties, and in the past it was extracted on an industrial scale to make varnishes and lacquers, and as a result, the Dragon Tree is a protected species.

Daryl loves to discover places off the beaten track and stays in tenerife villas all the time, but you could also find him in a ibiza villa from time to time.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Hector Garcia

Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria is the second most populous of the Canary Islands but undoubtedly the most beautiful. The capital Las Palmas is a vibrant and bustling city with a beautiful beach and a fantastic nightlife. The skyscrapers that form the backdrop to the beach give it a great sense of relaxation amongst people in their day jobs (hey who doesn’t want to rub it in a little). Beyond the city the beaches are incredible. They are heavily built up but not in the concrete jungle way you expect from the Costa del Sol for example. The beaches are incredible but it is the natural beauty and diversity of the island that really makes Gran Canaria so splendid.
The scenery ranges from sand dunes to mountains and verdant forests and lush gardens. This makes it an incredible place to stroll and to hike and the sheer biodiversity is overwhelming. The beautiful towns along the coast and inland such as Puerto de Mogan (little Venice), Puerto Rico and Maspalomas give you plenty to see and do and offer a rich diversity of hotels, resorts and Gran Canaria apartments to stay in and relax.

Lanzarote

Lanzarote is considered much more of a package holiday destination with lots of resorts and hotels. Lanzarote villas to rent are incredibly popular as well thanks to the islands reputation for excellent nightlife and of course the beaches. The beaches on Lanzarote are incredible with Playa Blanca and Papagayo being two of the very best with beautiful white sands and stunning crystal blue waters. The island is incredibly popular as a package holiday destination but government legislation has meant that development has been tasteful and there isn’t an abundance of concrete monstrosity.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by JUAN RAMON RODRIGUEZ SOSA

The natural beauty on offer on the island isn’t quite as diverse as Gran Canaria but the island is still incredibly beautiful with the cave complexes of Los Verdes and Jameos del Agua being two of the highlights. The volcanic crater of El Golfo is also incredible and a deep green colour that is incredible. Finally Timanfaya national park is an absolute must for visitors as it holds tens of square miles of beautiful volcanic landscapes and craters that are unlike any other landscape on earth.

The island also has a rich history with an abundance of beautiful architecture and centuries old fortifications to explore. The 16th century Castillo de San Gabriel and the Castillo de San Jose are incredible to behold and stand as testament to the island’s rich history. The islands rich history is well worth exploring and is a great way to take a break from the beautiful beaches and the sun and relaxation you’ll mainly be enjoying.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Till Krech

Garajonay National Park includes also a mountain massif Garajonay that reaches an altitude of 1487 meters and such it is the highest point of the island. From here, during nice weather you can enjoy a beautiful view over the Atlantic Ocean and the other islands of the Canary Archipelago, El Hierro, La Palma, Tenerife and Gran Canaria. Foot of the mountain is covered by the dense forest, on the drier side it is formed by gale and tree heath. These shrubs are reaching heights over 15 meters. Because of their non-combustible timber, they are used in production of pipes. Laurel forest grows on the northern and northeastern slopes. These trees boasts a large, solid, and shiny green leaves.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Axel Brocke

The climate on La Gomera is cooler than on the other islands, even though this area is known for its dry climate. Deep green forests provide a pleasant relax during the hot days. The air is usually cool and moist, it rains almost constantly during the summer. This is due to the action of trade winds that are coming from the northeast, which brings permanent moisture from the Atlantic Ocean. This phenomenon is important in terms of the water regime of the island, because about two-thirds of drinking water are formed by this way. The sunny parts of the forest feature a number of blooming flowers. You can also find almost two meters high fern, which prevent from the smooth walking through the jungle. The local lush vegetation includes 20 metres high trees, which are densely covered with moss. La Gomera is also a home to around 100,000 palm trees, which is the most of all the Canary Islands. Half of them are Canary palms, whose sap is used for production of an edible sweet syrup called also a palm honey. The other half are African palms. In addition to this interesting and unique vegetation, island boats numerous gorges, rock cones and rocks, which descend deep into the sea. Among the most beautiful valley on the island is Gran Rey.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Axel Brocke

More than 450 species of plants grows on La Gomera. Some of these species are endemic and can not be found anywhere else in the world, such as Canarian mahogany and ebony. In the Tertiary period laurel forests covered an area of northern Africa and parts of southeastern Europe. Their demise was due to temperature fluctuations in times of Ice age and subsequent deforestation. Laurel forest in the Garajonay national park is the last surviving example of those forests. Since it is not destroyed, it is called a living fossil.

The island of La Gomera was created by the volcanic eruption and the last eruption is dated to the Quaternary period. Volcanic chimneys spewed basalt and ash that settled in the layers. Those were then burned by hot lava. Long ago, the island was much larger, but due to the erosion has shrunk by more than half into the present area of ​​370 km2.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Axel Brocke

Since it is a popular tourist area there are lots of accommodation options of all categories on the island of La Gomera. The beaches are mostly rocky.

The capital of the island is San Sebastian, which was a popular port of Christopher Columbus. Among the known historical villages are the Valle Gran Rey, Chipude, Agulo and Arure. An interesting feature of the island is that the locals communicated by whistling. This language is called El Silbo or Silbo Gomero and is still used by some people, because such they can communicate over long distances (3-4 km).

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There are lots of cruise companies offering seven and multi-day cruises aboard modern luxury ships. At each of them you can expect superior service, which often includes 24-hour cabin steward services and an unlimited all-day dining of your choice and at a time that suits you. During the day, you can enjoy the trips to exotic islands or famous cities like London, Lisbon, Barcelona, Naples, Venice or Istanbul, but you can also continue further to Madeira, Canary Islands or even to Jerusalem or Rio de Janeiro. You can also stay on board and enjoy rich cultural program, evening theater and cabaret performances, cinema with the latest movies, live music for listening and dancing, discos, or swimming in the luxury pools…

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Milan Boers

Cruise ships are the kind of holidays where you combine staying at sea with visiting of the different places in the world. During a single trip you have the opportunity to visit many cities and countries. Every day you visit another destination with the big advantage – you don’t have to drive, change trains or buses, or wasting your time and energy by waiting on the airports… But you will have your own cabin and luxury boat facilities travelling with you. On each island, or in any other destination you can visit the mainland individually or choose from optional excursions.

Most ships are luxuriously equipped and offers really excellent comfort. Cabins are nicely furnished and during your stay on the ship you can use the various services that the company offers. Almost all the ships offer several kinds of restaurants and bars, cinema, casino, gym, sauna, massage and beauty salons, shops and much more. It depends on the size of ship, cruise company and destination. You can learn more about all the ship’s equipment and offered services right from the cruise company.

Cruise ships are popular in different parts of the world. The most popular destinations are undoubtedly the Mediterranean cruises, Caribbean, Middle East and cruises on the Nile River. An offer is really wide, you only have to choose one and certainly spend unforgettable days that you will ever want to repeat…

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If you’re on the hunt for somewhere which offers plenty of year-round sunshine, top of your European wish-list should definitely be the Canary Islands.

While they’re owned by Spain, making them part of the European Union, the Canaries are located just off the north-west coast of Africa, which explains the great weather they experience.

Sun, sea and sand are what you’ll get if you head to the island group, which comprises Tenerife, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria, among other destinations.

Whether you’re into lazing around on a beach – perhaps after spending the night in a tent under the stars, or snorkelling along the shoreline, there’s something on offer to you in the Canaries.

For the adventurous types, Tenerife may well appeal as it boasts Spain’s biggest mountain – Mount Teide – which you can ascend through the Canadas del Teide National Park.

En route, you’ll pass the Chinyero volcano, which last erupted in 1909, and you’ll be able to check out some stunning views once you reach the mountain’s summit. Perhaps you might want to consider pitching up tents to watch the sunrise in the distance from the peak the next morning.

More than 12 million tourists head to the Canaries each year, so they’re clearly an extremely popular location. And this is with good reason since they have the weather, beaches and natural attractions to boot.

Average sunshine hours vary throughout the year, but even in the British winter, the Canaries see temperatures of around 17 to 18 degrees C, making for a balmy springtime climate.

If you’re a fan of exploring marine life on your holiday, you’re bound to fall in love with everything on offer on the island group.

The waters boast everything from loggerhead sea turtles to sharks and stingrays, so you’ll see a whole host of different beings under the sea. If you head out on a boat trip there’s a chance you’ll encounter the common or bottlenose dolphin, or even a short-finned pilot whale on your travels.

Whatever you’re after from your holiday, the Canaries are bound to offer it to you, all the year round.

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