Tourism is big on the east coast of Lanzarote and the architecture reflects this. However, drive up the coast in a northerly direction and you can enter another world. The landscape changes and there is more of an authentic feel to the place. Arrieta is a wonderful village that is home to local fisherman. It is a charming place to stop for lunch; there are various restaurants around the harbour that produce some knock out fish dishes.

Driving through Lanzarote, Timanfaya National Park, Canary Islands, Spain by Son of Groucho

After a delicious lunch, drive further north to Punta de Majors for a dip in a natural swimming pool. There are several pools formed by the rocks and they fill up when the tide comes in. This is a great and unique place to have a refreshing swim. The pools are very pretty and outstrip a hotel swimming pool every time. They were originally used as a place for locals to do their washing. Remember too throw a towel in the boot before you set off.

Keep heading north until you reach the signs for Famara Beach. This is a natural wonder on Lanzarote. If you have ever felt the need to surf then this is the right place. There is a beach of 400m of fine sand – don’t expect the white sand of traditionally beautiful beaches as the sand is brown due to the volcanic nature of the island. However, the water is a great blue colour and the surfing is very good here. The famous Lanzarote surf school is based here so it is a great place to start your surfing career. As the water can be fairly turbulent, swimmers are officially advised to swim close to the shore.

Famara Beach, Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain by torephoto

If you have set off on your Lanzarote adventure on a Sunday, then a trip to Teguise would be certainly worthwhile. It is the old capital of Lanzarote and as such it has some impressive colonial architecture. The Sunday market is a grand affair, with stalls selling local crafts. It is a bustling affair and it is often a great place to pick up those souvenirs that we love to buy. There are various food stall that make lunch a cheap and tasty event. A hot tip is to get there early for a great parking spot.

Lanzarote is not just an island of high rises and drunken tourists. It is a beautiful and rather unique island that has a lot more to offer than a clichéd holiday in the sun. The trick to finding the hidden gems is to use a hire car and explore the island at your own pace. It is not a huge island and it can be circumnavigated within a day. The stunning yet eerie volcanic scenery is breathtaking and provides great photographic material.

Written by Elizabeth James who writes for www.carrentals.co.uk. For more information, click here.

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As one of the most prestigious vineyard areas of France, Languedoc has many estates that offer a taste of the finest wines the country has to offer.

Which wine?

Many well-known grape varieties are perfectly suited to growing in the Languedoc region. The prominent red grape varieties of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are popular in the area, along with Rhone grapes like the Grenache.

The most common white grape grown in the area is Chardonnay, which is used in the most popular wine from the region – Vin de Pays d’Oc. Chardonnay grapes are also used to make the deliciously sparkling Cremant de Limoux in the same way as champagne, with a second fermentation in the bottle to trap the carbon dioxide that gives the wine its fizz.

In addition, the fortified wines produced in Languedoc are a real treat. Sweet dessert wines like the indulgent Muscat de Frontignan and Muscat de St-Jean are perfect with some of the fine charcuterie and cheeses also available in the region.

Photo of Bottle & Glass of St. Hilaire Blanquette de Limoux, France by Agne27

Which producer?

There are several wine producers in the region that allow visitors to their vineyards to see the process of wine-making in action.

Domaine O’Vineyards, now run by two American expats in France, overlooks the castle ramparts at Carcassonne and offers tours to learn about the vineyard, the grapes and wine-making. A full-day tour is offered to small groups and gives the opportunity to wander amongst the vines with a glass of the vineyard’s finest in your hand, learning about how the wine goes from vine to bottle. The owners welcome you to their own table as family and lay on a delicious lunch that best compliments the wine that they produce while answering all your questions about the production of the wine and their experiences of the local area.

Vineyard in Languedoc, France by Kafeole

Another vineyard tour run by an Anglophone is Chateau de Combebelle near Villespassans. The tour gives visitors the opportunity to walk amongst the grapes and also see the cellars where the wine is stored in vats for its maturation. Once you’ve learned more about the vines and the making of the wine, you have the opportunity to sample some of the local product and buy some bottles – or maybe even a magnum – to take home with you.

If you’d like to see a number of vineyards to compare and contrast, there are several winery tour operators that offer the chance to have a guided expedition around several in one day. Vin En Vacances and Vindage Wine Tours are two such operators that you could check out to see if they have something that takes your fancy.

Something to go with it?

Once you have your wine, it would be nice to have some food to complement the flavours of your chosen domaine. There are fantastic Saturday markets in Pezenas, Ceret, Arles and Carcassonne where you can find a fabulous array of locally grown fruit and vegetables along with fresh fish and excellent cheeses and charcuterie. It’s certainly no chore to visit any of these to find provisions to stock your villa’s larder for a week of fine dining and excellent wines.

Conclusion

Although it may not be the best known of the winery regions of France, Languedoc has a great deal to recommend it. Visit Janu Villas to select a local villa, you have excellent vineyards and fabulous fresh food on your doorstep and just waiting to be discovered.

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