Prices to Lanzarote are perfect right now to enjoy some cheap winter sun!

Following all the fun and festivities of  the Christmas and New Year celebrations, the dreaded January hangover looms large! For most families Christmas consists of presents, lots of eating and drinking, and some much needed time off from work and studying. It is a time to forget the stresses of the year, and have fun with family and friends. The build up to Christmas time lasts for weeks or even months, but the big day comes and goes quickly. January arrives as a real anti-climax for many people, who realise that life for the most part will continue as normal, despite all those promises made on New Year's Eve. Now is the time when most people's thoughts will turn to holidays!

You might be thinking "how can I afford a holiday right now?" because while waistlines might be a little larger, bank balances will certainly be lighter from buying all those Christmas presents and extra food. Rather than hibernating at home and watching Netflix though, this is the perfect time to get away to Lanzarote and escape the cold and gloom of the Northern European January and February!

Right now there are some amazing deals for vacations in the sun that many families will find affordable, especially if you choose not to get sucked into the January sales. If you are from the UK it is even better due to the strength of the pound against the euro. In fact according to The Telegraph, Lanzarote is the second cheapest place abroad after Cyprus for a last-minute winter sun escape. This is according to research by Post Office Travel Money that found that a seven-night package holiday to Costa Teguise in Lanzarote including flights and evening meals costs just £268 per person!  

While temperatures have been unseasonably high across the UK this winter, you still wouldn't want to go sunbathing or swimming at the beach. In the Canary Islands you can do this almost all year round, including now in winter with average temperatures of 19-20 degrees Celsius. This accounts for why Lanzarote and the other Canary Islands are some of the most viewed holiday destinations online right now by those in the UK hoping to enjoy some winter sun, according to data published by TravelSupermarket in The Guardian. With prices so low there is no better time than now to book a holiday to Lanzarote to escape the winter gloom, get some much needed sun, and even indulge in some shopping in the sales here where prices are even cheaper. We hope to see you here! 

We would love to hear your comments below.

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. (Photo credits: Simon Turkas.)

 

What makes Christmas and New Year Special in Lanzarote?

The Christmas period, one of the most important times of the year, is almost upon us, with people rushing to get their last minute shopping done! For most people it is a time to eat and drink lots, spend some quality time with their families, and put their feet up and enjoy some much needed rest and relaxation. In many ways therefore Christmas in Lanzarote is very similar to the UK, mainland Europe and many other parts of the world such as the US and Canada. 

Christmas lights in Arrecife (Photo Credit: Diario de Lanzarote)

 Although there is a real festive spirit in Lanzarote with Christmas lights in most of the towns and villages, Christmas trees in almost every home, and kids excited for their presents, there are some big differences as well though. One of the most noticeable differences for anyone who is on holiday in Lanzarote over the Christmas period from other European countries, especially Northern Europe, is how warm it still is. It almost doesn't feel like Christmas as there are average temperature highs of around 19 - 20 °C throughout December and January. 

Many people are at the beach still sunbathing and swimming. Even with the unseasonably warm weather in the UK at the moment, this would still be unthinkable! Places like Australia are expected to have Christmas at the beach as it is summertime there, whereas the Canary Islands are actually in the middle of winter. Winter in the Canaries are a lot different to the rest of Europe though! 

You can still comfortably swim in Lanzarote in December!

Although there are many cultural similarities with the UK during Christmas time, because the Canary Islands are technically part of Spain the majority of people living in Lanzarote celebrate Christmas according to Spanish traditions. Unlike in the UK, Christmas Eve is just as important as Christmas Day. Many people go to Midnight Mass. Before this service families sit down together to enjoy their main Christmas meal which is traditionally roast Turkey stuffed with truffles, and roast vegetables. 

While some presents are given on Christmas Day, the 6th of January is actually the day when most presents are given to family members. This is due to another part of the Christmas Story which is celebrated in Spain called  'Fiesta de Los tres Reyes Mages' which means 'The festival of the three Magic Kings'. This is from the three kings or wise men brought gifts for baby Jesus. Children leave out shoes on windowsills or under the Christmas tree at night time on January 5th to be filled with presents. In Lanzarote just like other parts of Spain there is a Three Wise Men Parade (Cabalgata de Reyes) through the streets of the main towns, with the biggest  and most popular being in Arrecife. There are floats with kids throwing out sweets, and three men dressed as the wise men riding camels, with a great family atmosphere!

Three Wise Men Parade (Cabalgata de Reyes) in Playa Blanca (Photo Credit: Diario de Lanzarote)

In Spanish, New Year's eve is called 'Nochevieja' or 'The Old Night'. Traditionally families are with each other at home until midnight, at which time everyone eats 12 grapes, one for each of the 12 strokes of the clock. If you manage to finish all your grapes in the time, then this is supposed be sign of good luck for the next year. As with the rest of the world though, in Lanzarote there are fireworks let off around the island! 

Many of the towns and villages have miniature versions of the towns, and features of Lanzarote on display including nativity scenes incorporated into them. These are set up every year about a month before Christmas and are on display for the public, drawing a lot of interest, as they are very well designed and put together.

A miniature village scene in Haria

Whether you are spending the Christmas and New Year period enjoying the lovely weather and culture of Lanzarote, or are reading this from your back home, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all the LBRA team!

An End of Year Thank You from Founder and President of the LBRA, Daniel Trigg

"It seems incredible that another year has almost passed and Christmas is once again upon us. It’s been an extremely busy year and as ever December is a hectic month for us. As always our members are our number one priority and we continually work hard to look after your interests. The LBRA was established as an association to work for and support its members, and to help and assist them on a daily basis whatever their needs. As an association we are a collective of like minded people who can share knowledge and information and whose aim is to work together as a united group for the benefit of Lanzarote and its future.

As the year draws to an end I like to take this opportunity to thank all of our members for being part of the association and for your continued support. I am pleased to report that with your support the LBRA, as well as being the only official association for Europeans on the island, remains one of the largest. It has been a good year and one with more highs than lows. We are extremely proud to have been awarded a contract from the Cabildo, working on the promotion of Lanzarote. We also secured a contract with Teguise Ayuntamiento, and now work with them on a weekly basis providing translations and assistance for non Spanish speakers and helping in other general areas. We are at present in talks with other Ayuntamiento’s and associations and hope to be able to bring you news of further contracts in 2016.

I should also like to thank my team at the association, particularly Silvia and Rita, and to the member representatives for the work and support they give. My family play an important part in supporting me and allowing me time away from my own businesses to concentrate on association matters, and for that I am grateful and thankful. When I formed the association in 2008 after many years of planning and work, it was my wish to be able to help others and I feel that this has now been successfully achieved. The association as you will be aware is now a respected “member” of the community and is acknowledged by all the authorities and I hope that makes you feel as proud as it does me to be part of our organisation.

Our members are the most important part of the organisation, and our commitment is to work hard on your behalf and take care of your interests. As always our overall objective is to continually increase tourism, improve the facilities, standards and services that the island has to offer, and to support and create unity in the community. We have the knowledge, capabilities, enthusiasm and dedication to work on your behalf and with your support we will continue to do so. Best wishes Daniel Trigg (President Lanzarote Business and Residents Association)"

Once again from everyone involved in the running of the LBRA, we would like to say a big thank you to all of our members and to anyone who has supported us during the year. This year has been excellent for the organisation in many ways, and we hope to continue with our success in 2016. We are sure that with all the excellent support we receive from our members, the public and the Cabildo of Lanzarote, next year the Lanzarote Business and Residents Association can achieve even more!

To keep up to date with the LBRA as well as reading our blog please follow us on social media:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• YouTube

Discover the Best of Lanzarote with this List of Useful Websites

Despite its relatively small size and low population, Lanzarote is an island rich in culture, events and tourist attractions. If you are here on holiday for a week you will almost certainly not be able to see everything that Lanzarote has to offer, and will need a second or third trip back. In fact many people love the island so much as a destination that they come back here year after year! Even if you live here there are different events at least once a week or more. These can be regular attractions like the biggest market in Lanzarote, every Sunday in Teguise, or events that only happen once a year. 

Teguise Market every Sunday

 Some of these are major annual events which attract people from all over the world such as the Lanzarote International Marathon, taking place this Saturday, or the Lanzarote IronMan which happens every summer. Lanzarote is becoming known more and more on the global stage as an excellent sporting destination due to its amazing year round climate. Other sporting events that attract international competitors include the ISA World Masters Surfing Championship (WMSC), and
PWA World Championship Wind Surfing Competition in Costa Teguise. 

I Love Graciosa Catamaran Excursion

 Of course Lanzarote is not just renowned for sport, there are activities and events for everyone, whatever age you are and catering for a range of different interests. This includes markets across the island on everyday of the week, many different fiestas throughout the year, music concerts with lots of musical variety from rock, to pop, to dance music and some excellent clasical music concerts held in the Jameos del Agua tourist attraction! One of the biggest music events on the island is called 'Arrecife en Vivo" in which over a series of four days (two in September and two in October), bands from all over the Canary Islands and beyond come and play live in Arrecife. This is a really popular and free annual event!

Just over a week ago there was a huge food tasting event called Saborea Lanzarote held over a weekend in Teguise which attracted 1000s of tourists and residents. The event gave the opportunity to taste lots of different tapas and drinks from restaurants, cafes and food producers from all over Lanzarote. Another great event that combines sport and food and drink is called 'The Wine Run' and this takes part every year in Lanzarote in June.

Discover Lanzarote by Bike!

 How can you find out about these events though? With so many different events and things to see and do, it can be easy to miss some of them. Here at Lanzarote Business and Residents Association we like to help out residents and tourists alike in discovering all that the island has to offer. We have compiled a list of different websites so you can keep on top of what is happening at different times of the year here.

Local institutions:  

Lanzarote Government (Cabildo):
 

http://www.cabildodelanzarote.com/

7 Town halls/Ayuntamientos:

http://www.teguise.es/

http://www.ayuntamientodetias.es/

http://yaiza.es/

http://www.sanbartolome.es/web/

http://www.arrecife.es/portal/

http://www.ayuntamientodeharia.com/haria/

http://www.tinajo.es/

For cultural information:

• The Cultural Programme of the Cabildo of Lanzarote (Programación cultural del Cabildo de Lanzarote):  

www.culturalanzarote.com

• Tourist Centres (Centros Turísticos):

http://www.centrosturisticos.com/centros/CENTROS/published_en/DEFAULT/index.html 

• Lanzarote Tourism (Turismo Lanzarote):

http://www.turismolanzarote.com/en/

 

Events  websites:

• Hola Lanzarote:

http://holalanzarote.com/en/

• Ocio Lanzarote:

http://ociolanzarote.com/en/

• Al Solajero:

http://www.alsolajero.com/

• Lanzarote Information:

http://www.lanzaroteinformation.com/

On Facebook: 

• The Lanzarote Business and Residents Facebook Page

•  Guia de Ocio y Cultura 

 There are always new websites being added and many of these sites have a presence on social media so it is worth following them there. We hope that this list gives a good idea of the extent of different events, and tourist attractions that you can find on the island. 

If you have any suggestions for other useful websites or social media accounts please leave a comment below, as we love to hear about sites to let others know about. Thanks!

Get Ready for the Annual Christmas Santa Parade in Puerto del Carmen on December 19th!

It's incredible to think we are just three weeks away from Christmas, and summer was months ago. One of the reasons it is hard to believe is that the temperature here in Lanzarote is still in the mid 20's almost everyday, and we've had an amazing start to December weather wise. Lanzarote is definitely living up to its reputation as one of the best places to visit for winter sun! Many of the beaches are packed during the day, with people sunbathing and swimming. Temperatures back home in the UK are at least 10 degrees colder, cloudy, grey, and rainy. We know where we would prefer to spend winter!

Photo Credit: Lanzarote Information

 As Christmas is almost here it is also just two weeks tomorrow until the hugely popular LBRA Annual Christmas Santa Parade in collaboration with Tías Ayuntamiento, set to take place in Puerto del Carmen. Unfortunately the event didn't take place last year to the disappointment of many, but this year it will be back and bigger and better than ever! After meetings and a final confirmation from the authorities, we are pleased to announce that the parade will take place on Saturday 19th December, with a meeting time of 5.30pm, and the parade set to start at 6.00pm.

Photo Credit: Lanzarote Information

 We hope to make it a great event this year, and would love to see as many Santa's as possible taking part. Anyone who wants to dress up as Santa is more than welcome to join us, or you can just come along and show your support for all those taking part. It is definitely a case of the more the merrier! Please contact us via email: lanzaroteba@gmail.com or on our Facebook Page if you wish to take part or if your business wants to get involved.

We will be sharing more information over the next couple of weeks on our Facebook Page and Twitter, so make sure to follow us there to keep up to date with news about the parade. The most important news though, is that the parade is officially back on, so get ready to party!

 We would like to wish a huge thanks to John and Irene from Go Karting San Bartolome for helping to organise the event,and thanks also to the councillors Amado Vizcaino and Francisco Aparicio from Ayuntamiento de Tías for their cooperation.

You've Probably Never Seen Lanzarote Like This Before!

Lanzarote is an amazing island of contrasts. You have the bright blue ocean and sky, the golden yellow sandy beaches, and the black lava fields that cover much of the island. It is an amazing and unique place, that millions of tourists love to visit each year. Many of them come here to enjoy these aspects of the island just mentioned as it is the perfect place to come and escape from the stresses of 'normal life'. 

 

The Canary Islands are often classed as having "the best climate in the world" and a lot of this is down to the year round sun and few rainy days. Much of the interior of Lanzarote is quite a barren landscape, due to the lack of rainfall throughout most of the year. The majority of Lanzarote's tourists come from the UK and Germany, where they experience enough rain to last a lifetime in one year. It is a welcome relief to stay in a place where you can literally sunbathe all holiday.

Contrary to what some people might believe though, it does actually rain sometimes, and when it does it can be torrential. This can be disruptive, but many of the locals love the rain as it is great for the crops that are grown here. It also transforms the island, especially in the north. The hills and fields are transformed from a dull brown with little to no plant life, to a verdant green. It is quite amazing what a couple of days of rain can achieve here. 

 

Around a month ago there were several days of torrential rain which was unusual for that time of year. Since then though much of the island remains green and full of life! If you explore the countryside especially near to Haria and other towns and villages of the north you could think you are in a completely different place. You've probably never seen Lanzarote like this before!

 

There are grassy fields and hills that look like they could be in the UK or mainland Europe. It is the palm trees and bright blue sky that will remind you that you're somewhere more tropical.  Lanzarote is an amazing place any time of the year, but the rain has really brought it to life, and perhaps made it even more beautiful (if that is possible)! 

We would love to hear your comments, and if you like this post then make sure to share on social media below! 

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

(Photo Credit: Simon Turkas)