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Fun for the Whole Family: Vacationing in Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote | Spain

Julius — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 08:18:59 +0000

The Canaries are the perfect idea for a belated summer holiday: they’re close to Europe, which makes the trip briefer and more enjoyable than, say, a plane flight all the way to the Seychelles or the Maldives, for mainland Europeans. What is more, the weather is mild, prices are fairly accessible—and, perhaps the most important thing to consider for families, they are ideal for holidaying with elders and children alike. Of course, the seven-island archipelago has a little bit of something for everyone. If you want glamour and luxury, head out to Tenerife. If partying all night long, then Gran Canaria might just be the place you’re looking for. But if you’re simply looking for a quiet, yet enjoyable time with your whole family, there are few places in the world more appropriate than Lanzarote’s Puerto del Carmen area.

Playa Grande, Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote, Spain by Terry Whalebone

Where to Stay in Puerto del Carmen

Like all Canary Islands, Lanzarote offers a great selection of hotels and other types of accommodation. Go all inclusive at a five-star resort, or, if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly alternative, try a self-catering holiday. For instance, a quick bout of online research lead us to Lanzarotevillas.ie, which offers holiday bungalows for rent from €447 per week, with two bedrooms and two bathrooms, sleeping up to five people, not to mention the access to a shared pool.

What to Do in Puerto del Carmen

If you’re traveling with the little ones, you might want to take this opportunity to try out new, fun activities, such as go-karting, which is available locally, or, for families with elder children, all sorts of different water sports. Go down to Playa Grande, also known as Playa Blanca, rent a boat, go paragliding for a bit of an adrenaline rush, rent a pedalo or a banana boat. Or, for a more relaxing time, lounge in the sun at any of the three awesome beaches: Playa Grande, Playa de los Pocillos, and Playa de Matagorda (the least crowded one of the three).

A Little Bit of Nightlife for Mum & Dad

While Puerto del Carmen is generally laidback and dominated by a hassle-free, family friendly atmosphere, this does not mean it is in the least bit dull. There are a ton of bars for adults and young adults alike to choose from. Most of them are lined up in the entertainment center of the resort, the Avenida de las Playas, which translates as “the avenue of the beaches”. You can admire the variety of architectural styles displayed by the hotels there, go shopping at any of the many boutiques—and don’t let it come as a shock if you hear English spoken all around you. The beaches in Puerto del Carmen, as well as the nightlife spots there have been popular with British tourists since as early as the 1960s.

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Surfing Holidays for Beginners in Lanzarote | Spain

Julius — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:45:40 +0000

Has the idea of riding the waves and learning to surf always appealed, but the cold British weather has put you off? Lanzarote is known as the ‘Hawaii of Europe’ for many reasons, including the weather, the people and of course, the amazing waves. The winds from the Atlantic Ocean buffet the coast, providing excellent waves, whilst the sheltered bays create the perfect environment for a beginner.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Phil Jenkins

Surf Schools

There are a number of surf schools in the north of Lanzarote, where the best surfing conditions are found. The livelier resorts are in the south of the island and because of this, many of the surf schools offer shuttles and transfers. We recommend you to stay in Costa Teguise or Puerto del Carmen, for the best combination of surfing and other holiday activities. Below are some of the best schools:

Before you go

Before you go, there are a number of practice exercises you can do so that you don’t waste time when you are on holiday in Lanzarote. You should start off by lying on the floor on your front as if you were lying on a surf board and practice jumping up to standing using your hands to balance, in one smooth movement. A good level of fitness is also always useful when learning to surf!

The best thing to do is to hire equipment for the first few times, before making the large financial commitment of buying your own board and wetsuit. There are surf shops and schools where you can hire equipment and the instructors will be more than happy to help you choose which is best for you.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Thierry Gregorius

Here are some top tips for beginners, including where to stay and what to wear.

Always buddy-up. Never surf alone, just in case you get into any kind of difficulty
Don’t be a hero. If you’re tired or feeling unwell, don’t risk it, no matter how good the waves seem!
Look out for the flag system and any warning signs. beaches change every day, so don’t assume that just because it was OK one day, it will be the next
Cover-up. the warm waters in Lanzarote may mean that you don’t want to wear a full wetsuit, but a long sleeved rash-vest will protect you from the sun
Go long. when you first start surfing, you will need a bigger board so that you have more balance
Most importantly. DON’T GIVE UP! Everyone falls off at first and it will take some people longer than others to stand-up.

Top hotel: The Aparthotel Blue Sea Costa Teguise Gardens is just 800m from the beach and is within the pick-up zones of the surf schools in the north. There are also shops, restaurants and water parks within easy reach.

View Surfing in Lanzarote, Canary Islands Spain in a larger map

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