LANZAROTE.

LANZAROTE – ISLAND OF ETERNAL SPRING

….”If our destiny were to be in one place, we would have roots instead of feet „…

R. Wolchin

Lanzarote has become one of my beloved places quite recently, a bit more than two years ago. I have several such places, as some of you already know from my previous blogs. So far I have written only about one of them – Baden by Vienna. There are several reasons for this. The most important of them is … perfectionism. It is not easy to say in just a few words why I particularly recommend such a destination, or why this and not another one, has become a place to which I’ve returned and I will return …

I remember, that when sharing the impressions of my first visit to this Canary island, on my private Facebook account, many people asked me what is on Lanzarote, what can delight so much … Back then I didn’t know how to answer to that question. Those who travel often, know this feeling, when they land somewhere for the first time, and feel „something” 😀 …. You can’t really compare it to anything 😀 And then, after some time we look for „those” special for us – guilds …. Sounds familiar? Finding „this something”? 😀 That’s right … ;)That’s exactly how it works 😀 😉 .

At first glance, Lanzarote is simply one of the Canary Islands. Located the most northerly and easternmost of the entire „Canary” group. Historical sources say, that it was the first of the islands on which ancient settlements were formed. Most likely Phoenicians probably were the first arrivals, but that was the Romans who mentioned Lanzarote for the first time. Colloquially called today „Lanza”, the island got its name from a sailor – Lancelotto Malocello, considered to be the explorer of the Canary Islands. It appeared on the maps at the beginning of the 14th century. The indigenous people of Lanzarote, the Guanches, were conquered by the Castile authorities in the 15th century. It is them, who gave the island another, the oldest name – Tyterogaka, which in the native language of Guanches means „ochre”, referring to the colours of the island.

For those who have just started googling what colour this is, I will facilitate this task right away :). Although the basis of this colour is brown-yellow, ochre has many shades. And that’s how you can describe Lanzarote! It is an island of so many different colours and tones, that it is the entire palette of shades of this area, that impresses every time you return here … This colour, Lanzarote owes to its volcanic origin, but also to the mild, warm climate, similar to subtropical . That is why it is called – the land of eternal spring 🙂 . Even despite the famous calima, the wind from the Sahara, which sometimes can really give the hard time to the island 🙂

Such climatic conditions is good for the existence of rich flora and fauna. The fact of having this kind of natural resources, was the reason, that in 1993 the island was designated by UNESCO as a natural reserve. And its inhabitants have proven many times, that they can effectively defend and cultivate this property. Proof of this is the history from the beginning of the 21st century – when the Lanzarote authorities decided to limit mass tourism to save the environment. At that time, two municipalities decided to ignore the authorities’ intentions and allowed the construction of 22 tourist facilities in their areas, which were worth almost EUR 300 million at that time. The archipelago’s Supreme Court decided to cancel the permits and ordered the demolition of all buildings constructed so far …

So what can you admire on Lanzarote? First of all, Timanfaya National Park, where there are about 300 volcanic craters and „earth, fire and water” shows are organised. You can feel the amazing, literally hot atmosphere here, and even try steaks or potatoes from a natural grill 😀 . In the same area you can go to the tiny village of El Golfo. This area is known for its wonderful landscape points, which include the beautiful „Green Lagoon”.

The lagoon gains this amazing green colour thanks to algae. The water can’t be touched, the area is fenced, but believe me, this amazing view is worth such a restrictians! 😀 In the vicinity of these natural wonders, there are also Los Hervideros – cliffs formed as a result of flowing lava. On the other side of the island, more to the north, tourists can enjoy the eyes with the so-called Jameos del Agua, picturesque caves, located in the beautiful municipality of Haria. Museum, restaurant, shop with beautiful souvenirs and lots of information about volcanoes not only in the Canary Islands, but also in the world, we can all literally and figuratively taste here. Here, at a short distance, we can also walk to Cueva de los Verdes – caves telling the history of the island.

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One of the favourite destinations of hikers is Orzola and Mirador del Rio. Orzola is a small fishing village in the Haria region, from where you can take a ferry to Graciosa – the only island in the European Union, where there are no asphalt roads :). Mirador del Rio is a charming viewpoint, located on one of the cliffs, from where we can see Graciosa and the Atlantic Ocean from a distance. This place was designed by Cesar Manrique – a Spanish artist, ecologist, associated almost all his life with Lanzarote. He is the informal patron of the island, which he loved, promoted, cared for its traditional appearance and surroundings. He also created a characteristic symbol of the devil from Timanfaya Park and a beautiful, characteristic cactus garden – Jardin de Cactus.

But Lanzarote also offers more „luxurious” places. Puerto del Carmen, Puerto Calero – with wonderful beaches – Playa Blanca, Papagayo, very good restaurants, or the capital of the island – Arrecife, are the most popular tourist destinations here. What is unusual, and what caught me the most, is that the whole island is full of real, true peace. The crowds of tourists here, are nothing like crowds not only known to me from other Canary Islands, but even from many other destinations I have been to. And I think I love Lanzarote for that. On the one hand, you can party there on a luxury cruise, or spend a nice time on Rancho Texas, but if you want to spend your time more actively, you can simply ride most of the island by bike.

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For those who are not afraid to use local transport, I am hurrying to announce, that Arrecife is definitely the best starting point. The bus network is widely developed and very easy to understand 🙂 More details about the organisation of your stay in Lanzarote will soon be included in our ASK ME HOW section, as Lanzarote is one of those four destinations in which we intend to specialise 😀

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How, then, today, after more than two years, to answer the question: why Lanzarote? I will say this – it is not a place for permanent party goers, fans of countless nightclubs, let them stay in Tenerife or Gran Canaria 😉 … Lanza favours those, who associate relaxation not only with colourful drinks or all inclusive bars. Does this mean, that the island is boring? If sunbathing on uncrowded beaches (mainly on Arrecife), even in the peak season, the opportunity to walk for hours, constantly finding new places, shopping at charming local markets, or drinking a delicious coffee in small pubs surrounded by beautiful nature, is boring … I will ask to have such boredom every day 😀 😀 😀

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Perhaps this is my age, although generally I have always preferred calmer places in the world, wherever I went …. But also my passion for respecting nature, good cuisine and unlimited possibility of being in the open air for the vast majority of the year, these are the main, for me, reasons to visit Lanzarote at least once a year. And one more, the most important – do not know why, but I feel like at home there 😉 Next after Krakow, Baden and London – home 🙂