Amongst the islands there are eight airports so you’ll always be able to get to exactly where you want to go.

Tenerife coastline, Canary Islands, Spain by Mate Marschalko

Environment

The islands are the only place in Spain where volcanic eruptions have taken place in the modern era. Their volcanis origins have created some stunning, landscapes and coves. This combined with the climate have made them prime real estate for tourist orientated developments. Their position off the northwest coast of Africa means that they can have sunshine all year around. Despite their proximity, these islands have their own specific characters and climates.

Beaches

If it’s the classic holiday line-up of sun, sea and sand that you are looking for then this is the place to go. There are more than 1500km of beaches between the seven islands. You can stay within touch of the tourist areas with easy access to food and bars and sun loungers or drift further afield.

The Sotavento on Fuerteventura is a stretch that goes on for 17 miles on the south-east coast of the island. Here it is easy to find expanses of deserted land. Here the sea is warm all year around so is perfect for floating and enjoying the sun.

While these golden sands are what many people desire there is more variety to the beaches on these islands. El Golfo on Lanzarote has black volcanic sand and a green lagoon making it striking to look at. More volcanic sand can be found at El Bollullo, Tenerife with a stunning surrounding of Volcanic rocks.

You can also indulge in a number of water sports with the winds and waves making these seas perfect for Kite surfing.

El Golfo on Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain by Moni Sertel

Nightlife

With a variety of islands you get a variety of nightlife opportunities. Gran Canaria and Tenerife offer much more of a party atmosphere with Gran Canaria’s Playa del Ingles the party capital of the islands with bars, clubs and restaurants. It is easy to see why this is the destination of choice for groups of young people going looking for a cheap holiday abroad.

Lanzarote and Fuerteventura are much more family orientated with much of the entertainment contained within resorts with child friendly bars and entertainment that everyone can enjoy.

With so many holiday experiences available, the Canary Islands are the perfect location to create a holiday tailored to your specific needs.

Catherine Halsey writes for a digital marketing agency on a range of subjects. This article was written on behalf of Voyager Travel Direct.

The post Holidays in the Canary Islands – enjoy warm weather all year around appeared first on Best of European Union.

Milreu Ruins, Algarve, Portugal / photo released under public domain

During the 2nd century BC the Algarve came under the control of the Romans and they spread throughout the Iberian Peninsula. The Roman Empire ruled throughout the Algarve until it was conquered by the Visigoths and many Roman ruins still stand in the region today.

There are many sites to view Roman ruins in the Algarve, so here are some of the most impressive historical hotspots:

Milreu Ruins – Unearth Buried Treasure

One of the best places in the Algarve to see the remains of Roman civilization is at the Milreu Ruins, which are located only a few kilometres from Faro. There are some of the most significant ruins from Roman times in all the Algarve and their archaeological site has been designated a national monument.

If you were to transport yourself back in time at this spot, you would be able to walk into a gorgeous luxury rural villa on a wealthy farm, complete with ornate sculptures and elaborate tile mosaic floors. Later in the 6th century it was converted into a Christian church and later the site of an Islamic cemetery. The vaulted ceilings of this impressive building collapsed in the 10th century and the site was abandoned, but it has since been recovered and its heritage has been preserved.

The site is now known as the Casa Rural das Ruinas or the “Country House of the Ruins” and it has been extensively preserved and turned into a visitor’s centre and museum. As you walk through where the manor house, farm buildings, baths, temple and wine press would have been, you will have a chance to see what life would have been like during the time of the Romans.

Cero da Vila – Ancient Villas in the Sunshine

The coastal holiday resort of Vilamoura is well known for its gorgeous harbour lined with high quality restaurants and shops and populated with top-of-the-line sailing ships. However, this glitzy resort also holds some ancient treasures in the form of the Cerro da Vila Roman Ruins.

Like the ruins at Milreu, these were also once a large rural villa on a prosperous farm. As you stroll through the historical site you can see where the reception room, bedrooms, bathroom and kitchen would have been. Some of the mosaic tiles depicting decorative scenes have been preserved beautifully.

Quelfes Roman Bridge – Standing the Test of Time

It appears at first glance to be a modest, simple bridge structure, but the history behind Quelfes Roman Bridge is astounding. This bridge was constructed in the 1st century AD and is thought to be one of the most important road structures of the Roman occupation period in the Algarve.

This bridge also played an important part in another historical time. On June 18th, 1808 it was where the troops of Napoleon were defeated which was a point of uprising for the entire Algarve region. Restored in 2005, this old bridge is definitely worth a closer look.

The Algarve region has a long and fascinating history and many ruins remain from past inhabitants of this region. These are just a few of the places in the Algarve where you can see and touch the remnants of Roman times and learn more about what life would have been like so many centuries ago.

While you are staying at Four Seasons Fairways in the beautiful Algarve region of Portugal, here are some locations where you can spot ruins from Roman times.

The post Traces of the Past: Visiting Roman Ruins in the Algarve | Portugal appeared first on Best of European Union.