Places are going fast for the first Worldwide InstaMeet in Lanzarote on 23rd April

Do you love taking photographs of breath-taking landscapes and natural beauty? If so we have some exciting news for you! On Saturday 23rd April the Worldwide Instameet 13 is taking place in Lanzarote, the first to happen on the island. This is an event in which tens of thousands of people right across the world will be meeting up to take photographs during the weekend of April 22nd - 24th.

During these meet ups those passionate about photography and Instagram will take photos and videos together, and share tips and tricks. We think it is great that the event will be taking place this year in Lanzarote, as it is an excellent opportunity to get together with friends, make new friends and have fun taking photos of the stunning landscape of Lanzarote. This will be a great showcase for the island we all love, offering great publicity.

A photo posted by Simon Turkas (@simonturkas) on Mar 7, 2016 at 12:03pm PST

This year's Worldwide Instameet 13 is also happening at the same time as Earth Day 2016 (April 22nd), so in a blog post by Instagram the company added:

"And since Worldwide InstaMeet 13 falls on Earth Day (April 22), spend the weekend celebrating the wonder and beauty of our planet together. This event is also an opportunity to get together and give back. For those inspired to include a public service element to their InstaMeet, use the #LifeOnEarthWWIM13 hashtag to share and explore the many ways the Instagram community gives back during the weekend."

For such a small island with a relatively tiny population, there are a large number of amazing photographers, one of which, Siboney Tabares King, we have written a blog post about before. It will be great to see so many talented photographers meeting up, and showing the stunning natural beauty of Lanzarote in their own unique way, through the social medium of Instagram. 

The InstaMeet in Lanzarote has been organised by Centros de Arte, Cultura y Turismo (CACT Lanzarote) who have kindly funded the entrance to the Montañas del Fuego and tickets on the tour bus around this stunning volcanic area.

Hasta el infinito en #MontañasdelFuego #Timanfaya #Lanzarote #CACTLanzarote ¡Te esperamos! #Volcano #amazing #nature #InstaLove #MadeInCanarias #Canarias #CanariasViva #Ig_Lanzarote

A photo posted by CACT Lanzarote (@cact_lanzarote) on Feb 23, 2016 at 12:02pm PST

The organisation has been done in collaboration with:
•  @Jose_BodyBoard
•  @IG_Lanzarote
• @CarmenMartin
• @Yakito_Cabrera

Event Itinerary:

9:45 to 10:00 meeting at the entrance to the Montañas del Fuego booth, walk up to Islote de Hilario, restaurant El Diablo.

10:15 to 11:15 guided tour bus around the Montañas del Fuego

11:15 to 12:15 outdoor visit of the Montañas del Fuego

12:30 to 15:00 lunch in Teleclub Masdache. IMPORTANT this lunch must be booked separately up until the 19th April here: https://www.ticketea.com/entradas-comida-grupo-instameet-lanzarote/

16:00 to 18:00 photo shoot at the Montañas del Cuervo

This event is proving very popular and with just two weeks left to go spaces are filling up fast. There are already around 60 people registered to go, and only around 35 tickets left at the time of writing. To avoid missing out on this excellent and free photographic event, make sure to register here: https://www.ticketea.com/entradas-world-wide-instameet-13-lanzarote/. We are really looking forward to going ourselves and to seeing you all there. You can also follow the LBRA on Instagram where we post daily photos of Lanzarote.

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!

Get Ready For The Lanzarote International Marathon on December 12th!

 

 Lanzarote undoubtedly has an amazing climate, with sunny warm weather almost every single day of the year. Combined with the beautiful beaches, scenic coastline, and unique volcanic landscape of the island, it is understandable as to why this is such a popular destination for tourists. Millions of visitors arrive at Lanzarote International Airport every year looking for a relaxing getaway where they can escape from the stresses of normal life. Lanzarote is the perfect place to get away from it all, as life here is generally of a slower, less stressful pace. 

"Evening Swim" in Costa Teguise (Photo Credit Simon Turkas)

 This is the Lanzarote that most people know about, but what might surprise many though is that Lanzarote is fast becoming a top sporting destination! A lot of this is also thanks to the famous year-round sunny climate. This makes it an ideal location for training as you will rarely be disrupted by bad weather conditions. Along all the popular coastlines such as at Puerto del Carmen, Costa Teguise and Playa Blanca, you will find people running or cycling. The rise in popularity of these sports is growing rapidly. There are also free to use exercise machines in all medium to large size towns, and even some of the small villages, and sports clubs and gyms opening up across the island. It seems like all of a sudden everyone wants to get fit! 

 Alongside this growth in training and sporting activity, Lanzarote is also host to some major sporting events. The most prestigious and well know is the IRONMAN Lanzarote event which is one of the toughest triathlon events in the world. Every summer thousands of competitors arrive in Lanzarote to compete in this extremely tough swimming, running and cycling event. It is not called IRONMAN for nothing (although of course women also compete)!

The second most prestigious event is the Lanzarote International Marathon which happens every year in December and is now in its 25th year on the island! Thousands of runners from all over the world arrive in Lanzarote to compete in this event which continues to grow ever more popular. The great thing about Lanzarote is that although the marathon takes place in the middle of winter, the conditions are still generally perfect. The average temperature at this time of year in Lanzarote is 19 degrees Celsius and sunny.

The Lanzarote International Marathon is also unlike most other marathons in the world. Many other major marathons take place within cities where you will of course be surrounded by urban architecture and general city noise and chaos. As mentioned earlier, Lanzarote has stunning beaches and a unique volcanic landscape. These provide an amazing backdrop to the route that the competitors run along. The scenery that you will see if you are competing is really amazing as you will be running right along the coastline. On one side there are beaches and the beautiful blue Atlantic ocean, and on the other side the picturesque towns of Puerto Del Carmen, Arrecife and Costa Teguise, and volcanic hills. All of this under a (generally) bright blue sky!

If you are not ready to compete in a full marathon, there are also the options of a half marathon, 10km or 5km runs. The Lanzarote International Marathon also aims to be very inclusive for all ages and abilities. There is a separate marathon day for kids with four separate distance categories, and also wheel chair competitors can take part in the main marathon. 

If you would like more information about the event or to book a place in the marathon, then head over to the website here: http://www.lanzaroteinternationalmarathon.com/home-en/ 

The full marathon is fully booked already but there are still places available in the other distances, but you will have to move fast as they are going quickly!

You can also follow the marathon social media channels to keep up to date with all the news:

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram 

If you are planning to compete, good luck! 

Amazing Local Initiative Helping to Keep Lanzarote's Beaches Clean!

Lanzarote has some of the best beaches in Europe, and most of them are extremely well maintained and clean. Combined with what many call "the best climate in the world", and the incredible, unique volcanic landscape of the island which provides a stunning backdrop at many, they are the perfect place to spend the day. You can enjoy swimming, snorkeling, surfing, scuba diving, beach tennis, beach volleyball and a host of other activities. Alternatively they are an amazing place just to relax reading a book, sunbathing or enjoying some lunch. 

 

There are many tourist hot spot beaches such as in the main resorts of Puerto Del Carmen, Playa Blanca and Costa Teguise, and the beach of Arrecife. Due to the large number of tourists and locals who make use of these beaches on a daily basis these beaches are cleaned everyday by the local authorities. Due to this they more or less always look immaculate. Unfortunately the case cannot be said for some of the more remote and less touristic beaches. 

Playa Famara in the north of the island is a popular beach due to its stunning cliff backdrop, and also the waves and wind. The conditions there are often ideal for surfing and kite-surfing. There are many surf schools located in Famara, and if you are on the beach there you will often see groups learning to surf. Due to the windy conditions it is not always the most popular place to sunbathe, although many people have constructed rock barriers to get around this problem. 

Due to its location in the north away from the main tourist resorts, there are not so many tourists visiting the beach. Because of this you might think that the beach would be cleaner as there would be less people around to drop litter. In fact it is the opposite as it means the beach is not cleaned by the authorities as regularly due to fewer tourists. Playa Famara is an incredible beach but unfortunately if you look closely you will notice quite a substantial amount of litter. This includes bottle caps, crisp packets, cigarette butts, and many other bits of rubbish left by people who come to the beach. 

Visitors to the beach are not the only ones to blame though. Due to the strong currents that arrive on the northern shores of Lanzarote, huge amounts of micro-plastic arrives on the beaches. This micro-plastic will have come from many other parts of the world. It is bits of plastic waste like bottles, containers, and packaging that have been eroded over time into tiny bits that are floating across the world in the oceans. These are terrible for wildlife in the sea, and also make the beaches look ugly!

Micro Plastic (Photo Credit: Carlos Reyes)

Luckily there is a growing public movement to try and counteract this. Most people agree that we should all cut down on the use of plastic, especially for unnecessary things like plastic bags, and instead switch to reusable canvas bags for example. There is also a team that meets at least once a month, or sometimes more regularly called "Famara Limpia" which means Clean Famara. 

This is an organisation dedicated to keeping the beach at Famara clean from rubbish and micro plastic. They generally meet on the first Saturday of every month. This month though they met on the 14th of November. The Lanzarote Business and Residents Association think organisations and initiatives like this are very important, and like to support them in any way we can. As part of the LBRA team I was very happy to go along to this meeting with some friends. 

There were about twenty people at the meet up, each eager to go out and help with the clean up operation. We set out with large bags and it didn't take long to fill them with rubbish. In fact I managed to almost fill two large bags with rubbish and micro-plastic.

Me doing my bit! (Photo Credit: Carlos Reyes)

  I was amazed and dismayed at how much rubbish there was on this beautiful beach. After a couple of hours there was a large pile of bin bags full of the rubbish that the team had collected.

While the amount of rubbish there is terrible, it was great to see the effort of volunteers and suggest that change is happening and it's often lead by the public. This was also a good way to meet new people, and surprisingly fun!

If you would like to get involved and help out with future Famara clean-up operations then take a look at Limpia Famara's Facebook Page for all the details and dates.